ust when I think I've read all there is to read in the vampire/werewolf animosity arena, I come across a book like this, which manages to shake up the standard tropes in a really fun way.

I had no idea going into this book that it was actually the third book in a series, which may explain why I did a couple of doubletakes while reading. For those interested parties, here's the series order so far, according to the author's website:

* #1 - The Highwayman
* #2 - Moon Kissed
* #2.1 - "After The Kiss"
* #2.2 - "The Vampire's Tango"
* #3 - Her Vampire Husband

"After the Kiss" and "The Vampire's Tango" are short stories available in e-book format from EHarlequin, I believe.

Anyway, back to the story! We arrive to the party in this book on wedding day, just as Blu is about to walk down the aisle and marry a guy who she's not only never met, but has also been conditioned to hate since birth because he's a vampire and therefore a mortal enemy of her race. Blu's opinion on the subject is decidedly for information only on the whole situation, as her rat bastard Commander of All Assholes father makes abundantly clear. Blu figures that she can hold out long enough for devious schemes to be hatched and, as long as she holds out and doesn't accept Creed's bite (even though she's supposed to) she'll be able to return to her old life relatively unscathed; it's apparent even from the beginning that Blu doesn't really believe that.

Creed, too, isn't all that excited about this marriage. He hasn't met Blu either and figures he'll basically be marrying the bearded lady; needless to say he's pleasantly surprised in that department. Creed has all kinds of...quaint...ideas about what life should and will be like once Blue moves in with him; Blu thwarts him at every turn, and sometimes it's even on accident!

Watching these two fall, kicking and screaming, in love with each other despite the seemingly ridiculous odds against them was very cute. I really enjoyed that, even when it became apparent that they both (remember, both of them) hadn't been completely honest, they were still true to each other- there were no long drawn out sequences where they endlessly blame each other and try to rationalize their positions; they find stuff out, they get mad, they work it out, and they move on. The pacing of the story in this novel was definitely spot on.

The other storylines of the book really pick up in the second half, and there's a whole lot of stuff going on, with the conflicts within the supernatural world, the plots and schemes, the issues of Blu's past (talk about Daddy issues), the bloodsport arenas, you name it. This is where my only real issue with the book arose- there are a lot of related characters who don't get a really thorough introduction, and some of their prejudices meet you right at the front door. I did own up to not knowing that this wasn't the first book in this series, though, so if anything this issue just piqued my interest in the other, previous books.

All in all, this is an enjoyable book that not only earns its Scandalous Book wings, but has an interesting story and genuine feelings all worked in to boot.

Overall Grade: A-

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