Rating: 4 stars
Buy Link: Amazon | iBooks | Amazon UK
Length: Novel
Aubrey is a young man on the run from his malicious stepfather. In order to escape the bounty hunters on his trail, Aubrey takes on the role of a mail-order bride. He had planned to head into Mexico, but the scrutiny is too high, so he takes Miss Martha’s trousseau and seat on the stagecoach out to Desolation’s Edge to meet her betrothed, ranch owner Xavier Pendrigh.
Xavier’s required to marry a woman in order to gain his inheritance, money that will help him keep control of his land. He’s not interested in women sexually, but his funds are dwindling thanks to pressure from his rival rancher, Westwood. Xavier follows the advice of his lifelong friend, Patli, an Aztec shaman with some magical powers. Patli immediately sees light magic within “Martha” when “she” arrives in town. Patli convinces Xavier that his bride is a suitable mate, long before Aubrey confesses his subterfuge and the danger pursuing him.
In the meantime, Aubrey senses a darkness growing within Desolation’s Edge, and especially surrounding Westwood. Another man on Xavier’s ranch has experience with an evil creature once only thought to be present in Europe, the vampire, or “nightwalker” as Patli calls them. If Aubrey can avoid his own hunters, he might have time to learn how to channel his light magic to help save Xavier, his ranch, and the town of Desolation’s Edge from the vampire.
The Nightwalker is set in an alternate historical steampunk reality where sasquatch, vampires, Aztec shamans, and gay marriage all exist in the wild west. It is a quick and interesting read that incorporates intriguing cryptids, myths, and legends. The sasquatch are initially considered adversaries, but Aubrey figures out a way to broker a lasting partnership, which helps when Aubrey and Xavier battle the nightwalker.
I liked how Patli found a true partner, one who could help with the ranch, as well as in battle. That said, three couples in this book seemed to find their soulmates instantly, something I find harder to accept in fantasy that doesn’t include a ‘fated mates’ storyline. Other than the instalove, I was definitely entertained by the creativity of the plot that kept me engaged and guessing throughout. The pacing was more than adequate, and the ending is decidedly happy. Expect some on-page sex, and intense bonding moments through intimacy.
