Rating: 3.5 stars
Buy Link: Amazon | All Romance | Amazon UK
Length: Novel
Sean may have to close the doors of his private investigator business. After being shot, his career as a police officer was over and he was doing okay as a P.I. That was until a homophobic former colleague circulated a vicious story about Sean raping an underage boy. The boy in question was the son of a congressman and although Sean was never near the kid, those who he considered friends believe the allegations, and his life is turned completely upside down.
Just when business is at its bleakest, Rafael Barrantes pays Sean a visit. Rafael is a Master Vampire and his influence has a far reach. Ever since the CIA leak, vampires walk with humans, but Sean has not had many dealings with them. Rafael hires Sean to find out who murdered Julian Hunter, a young man that liked to be paid for his services, but that Rafael had taken an interest in. While Sean is relieved to have a new client, he’s wary about working for a vampire.
Sean’s thoughts take an entirely new direction when he meets Arturo, Rafael’s long time secretary. Once Arturo sees Sean, the attraction is off the charts and it only takes him a moment to seduce Sean. Arturo is completely irresistible to Sean and while he wants nothing more than to spend all of his hours in bed with the intoxicating vampire, he has to find out who killed Julian and who set him up. Sean’s investigation leads him into dangerous territory surrounded by wealthy men intent on cover-ups and rogue vampires with no mercy. If Sean can get to the bottom of this mystery and keep himself alive, a life with Arturo may be within reach.
I became aware of this book when it was first published a little over a year ago, but never got to it. With the sequel having been recently released, it came back onto my radar for the TBR Pile Challenge. This is a vampire book, but I’ll classify it as vampire light. Most of the vampires we meet are the good guys and there is nothing new offered here that hasn’t already been seen many times over.
This book is set in the not so distant future, approximately 15 years ahead. Vampires are known in the contemporary world and they co-exist with humans. Sean never had much interest in vampires until he is intrigued by Rafael and then overcome by Arturo. The set-up here at first was intriguing as Sean first meets Rafael, but then began to falter. When Sean meets Arturo, his being a vampire is completely alluring to Sean. They hook up immediately and then constantly throughout the entire book and that is the core of their relationship. They only briefly talk about their relationship, so when they take it further into becoming bonded and merging their lives, it was a life changing step for Sean, yet it lacked depth for what it all meant.
The world building as far as being set in the future is non-existent. While the book isn’t set that far into the future, there are no advancements of any kind shown, and at one point it seemed that something as simple as caller id wasn’t even being used. The vampires themselves have the same skills that have been seen many times, such as being able to fly and read minds and I was looking for some more creativity or originality. Sean’s investigative skills became questionable when he knowingly puts himself in a position to be harmed and the storyline around the murder investigation was not compelling enough to carry the entire book. The second storyline involving an underage teen being raped was then not handled in a way that this type of storyline demands and much of the book read as superficial.
The book was a fast read and there were points early on that captured me. But, at the end, there was too much I had to overlook to make the story work and I was looking for some more intensity somewhere. If you like the idea of seductive vampires just being present in your books and are looking for them to have a lighter role, then you could check this one out.
This review is part of our September Reading Challenge Month for TBR Pile Week! Leave a relevant comment below and you will be entered to win one of this week’s fabulous prizes from NineStar Press. One lucky winner will receive a copy of all the NineStar Press releases for six months in ebook, and another will win a collection of seven print books. Commenters will also be entered to win our amazing grand prize sponsored by Dreamspinner Press. You can get more information on our Challenge Month here, and more details on TBR Pile Week here. And be sure to check out our prize post for more about the awesome prizes!
It’s too bad that the story didn’t have much depth to it. It could have been a really fun read.
Think you for the review, Michelle. It is a pity that It lacks depth. It did sound good on the paper, but after reading your review I’m afraid I won’t be reading in the near future
I meant thank you. Sorry for mispelling. It’s so difficult to type on my mobile while on a train…
I have never read a book from J.P Bowie but since I’m not a fan from vampire books I will pass this one.
It’s too bad that this book didn’t quite hit the mark for you, Michelle. Thanks for sharing your review.
Good world-building is a must for me, though I admit the pairing could make up for that lack somewhat!
I read few books from J.P. Bowie but haven’t read any more of Bowie’s recent books. Thanks for the review
Thanks for the review. It’s too bad this one didn’t work for you. The premise sounded intriguing.
I wanted to give this a read but I just don’t have the time =( Thank you for the review =)
Thanks for the review, I’m not a big fan of vampires but if i read a book with vampires in it then i want them present and developed.
There’s such a glut of vampire novels that if I’m going to read one, I really want something unique. Thanks for your review, I think I’ll be passing on this one.
Thank you for the review! I am a bit burned out on vampires, so will probably pass on this one. Like Lisa, I need something special to tempt to read another vampire book.
I like RJ, but I think I’ll put this one on the back burner for now. Thanks for the review!
I’m sorry this didn’t work for you. I’m pretty sure I already own this one but I haven’t read it yet. Thanks for the review.
This author isn’t one I’ve read before, and it doesn’t seem this is the one to start with. I appreciate your honesty about this one, Michelle. I don’t like hearing that the rape storyline wasn’t handled well. That’s something that will always upset me. I just don’t think authors should put it in a book if they’re not willing to be respectful. I’ve seen enough that trivialize the effects or just use it for drama. So gross and hurtful.
Thanks for the review. Based on that and the fact that I am not a huge fan of vampires, I think it’ll probably be a skip for me.
Good review. I enjoy various kinds of gay PI stories, so I may check this out.