Book 14-Kiss of Crimson by Lara Adrian

Wow...after a week of spring cleaning the crypt I was able to squish in some time to read and finish a book I started some time ago.

Kiss of Crimson is the second in the Midnight Breed series, a paranormal romance about a group of vampires called the Breed, who fight against other vampires that have gone Rogue.

Kiss of Crimson is the story of Dante, one of the Breed warriors who would put his life on the line to kill the Rogue vampires in his city.  One night he is forced to take refuge in what he figures is an empty business after taking a brutal beating from his enemies.  He is near death and looking for help, but instead he stumbles into Tess's veterinary clinic...

Tess does not know what to do with the black clad, dripping wet and bleeding stranger.  Tess works to help Dante, not knowing what or who he is.  She saves his life and steals his heart in the process.  Now Dante must work to keep Tess at his side or lose his heart to her forever.

I find myself really getting into these books.  Lara is able to put a personality into her characters that totally draws you in, and gets you rooting for or screaming in frustration to them.  Both Tess and Dante are total opposites who really cement the old cliche "opposites attract".  They are two completely different people, Dante who only wants to kill his enemies and Tess who looks to heal animals and usually does it on a pro bono basis.  Caring gentle soul meets damaged killer...it's a great paring and a great book.

My only complaint (again) is that the stories are almost exactly like J.R. Wards Black Dagger Brotherhood books.  Both series centre on a group of warrior vampires who work to keep their kind safe from their enemies.  Each book centres on one warrior, and that warrior always seems to find the one woman he can't live without.

My best fiend Dawn would be happy to know there is no "BDB speak" and no "shitkickers"   (which in case you didn't know a shitkicker is a large black boot).  I can't help but chuckle at her when she screeches at me (she is the Banshee of Busby...what else do banshee's do?) about shitkickers.  Aww Dawn...I love you!  ;)

Till next time my little minions!!  I am still trying to figure out what book to read next..