Claudy Conn

For the most part, I enjoyed this book. I may have actually given it a 4 or even possibly a 5 had it been a complete book. There is no ending. The books just stops. This is one of my pet peeves. There is a way to end a book and still intrigue the reader enough to make them want to read the next book. Ending the book in the middle of the action is not the way to do it. A book should have a beginning, a middle and an end. You learn this in grade school but apparently not everyone pays attention to that lesson. Sigh... That being said... I did enjoy the story. I honestly would like to know what happens next but I don't like cheap tactics to get book sales. If it had been a whole book, I would be more likely to buy a book by the author. However, I refuse to buy books by authors that use this tactic. I may read the next book if the library has it but I won't buy it.… (more)

Shawna is part white witch/part vampire, and her cruel vampire father, Pentim, is trying to find her. Raised by her grandparents after her mom’s death, Shawna is on the run while her witch grandmother and wizard grandfather are in hiding.
Chad is an immortal with a direct family line to Dracula. He has a vendetta against Pentim and plans to use Shawna as bait, so he can kill her father. Chad knows all her secrets, and since she refuses to help him, he harasses her until she breaks down and agrees.
Shawna is an interesting character. She’s strong, determined to survive and fight her evil father, and she protects the ones she cares for by staying away from them. She’s torn between lusting after Chad and keeping her distance from him. She’s both mad and happy when he kisses her, but then she’s mad and relieved when he ignores her.
Chad is arrogant, secretive, and controlling. I couldn’t connect with him. He refuses to answer Shawna’s questions and keeps her in the dark when her life is in danger. He expects her to trust and listen to him without explanations. Even though she’s a powerful witch, he doesn’t treat her like an equal and invades her privacy to the point of stalking.
The book is told in third person, mostly in Shawna’s POV, with some head-hopping. Chad, Pentim, and a few other characters occasionally have scenes in their POV with proper scene and chapter breaks. There is a lot of repetition (characters thinking and then saying the same thing again and again). The pacing is a little slow, especially in the flashback scenes.
I liked the overall plot that deals with Dracula’s history and Chad’s connection to him. There’s an interesting subplot about an electrical demon. Damon, Shawna’s vampire friend, is totally yummy. I enjoyed the story for the most part, but Chad’s controlling ways frustrated me.
3 Stars

Disclaimer – I downloaded this book from Amazon and volunteered to review it. I am not compensated in any way, shape, or form for this honest review. I will not change or alter this review for any reason unless at my discretion.
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