Review: Tempted by Blood

Let me start by saying that this is my favorite story so far from the Sweetblood series. Its hero is Jackson, the hot man-whore vamp who played a support role as one of the Guardians in earlier stories. Known best for his sexual conquests and devil-may-care attitude, you'd never know there is more to him than meets the eye. But there is.

Jackson fears he is on the edge of reverting to the dangerous and violent ways of his ancestors. He needs to feed on blood and energy in staggering amounts and he can barely control himself at times. He hides his needs from those around him, cloaking them under his party-boy persona. If the council so much as catches wind he is reverting, it would mean a death sentence.

Arianna has believed in vampires since she saw them kill her mother as a child. But no one believed her. Now she anonymously runs a blog devoted to exposing the paranormal. Her cousin, who she is caring for, was among the sweetbloods kidnapped and almost auctioned away in the events of the last book. Jackson is now monitoring the girl's safety --and that is what puts him in Arianna's orbit.

The short version is that Jackson is there to save the day when Darkbloods try to kidnap the girl again. And his attempts to make Arianna forget the incident ultimately fail. He ends up protecting her and her cousin from the persistent Darkblood threat and in the process, they end up falling for each other.

Women have always fallen at Jackson's feet, but I like the fact that nothing really happens between him and Arriana until she knows and cares for the man he is beneath his smooth exterior.  I love that he is vulnerable and insecure.  And she is so patient and understanding of his needs.

There is solid thread of danger that runs throughout, regarding the Darkbloods and their plans, but this book focuses more on the love story than anything else.  It's one of the things I enjoyed so much about it.  Oh yeah... and the sex was smokin-hot too.  --Plus I liked the way that the couples from the previous books are woven into the story.  It felt germane to what was happening... not like useless cameos.

Well done. 4 stars.

*ARC Provided by NetGalley

Click to purchase: Amazon

Tempted by Blood

by Laurie London

Release Date: February 21, 2012

Publisher: HQN Books