Review - Bled and Breakfast

If you are looking for the Spooktacular Blog Hop, it is the previous entry, so scroll down and join the fun.  Today is a review of the second book in a paranormal mystery series.  I reviewed the first book in the series, Blood Bath, and Beyond (click here) and also interviewed the author (click here.)  So let's see how the second book compares to the debut.

Author: Michelle Rowen

Copyright: June 2013 (Signet) 336 pgs

Series: 2nd in Immortality Bite Mystery series

Sensuality: Adult themes

Mystery Sub-genre: Paranormal amateur sleuth

Main Characters: Sarah Dearly, Newbie vampire and recently married to a master vampire

Setting: Modern day, Salem Massachusetts

Obtained Through: Personal purchase

The Ring cut their honeymoon short and send Sarah and master vampire husband, Thierry to Salem, Massachusetts to investigate several master vampires disappearing.  Sarah has barely been in Salem a half hour before she, and she alone, sees the ghost of a famed old Salem witch hunter. Thierry meets another vampire in town, Owen, to begin his investigation.  But, it isn't until Owen is struck "dead" before their eyes by an invisible hand, leaving only a stain on the sidewalk, that they realize they are facing a dangerous master witch who can kill remotely.  Then things get personal when Thierry faces the ultimate count down himself. 

Sarah Dearly might get labelled impulsive, but she is tenacious and sees good in people.  This book she finds out not all people deserve her trust.  Thierry de Bennicoeur -- ever secretive about his past, divulges he doesn't feel comfortable with Sarah knowing his uglier self from the past.  I think he is slowly opening up, but change comes slowly after a few centuries.  Owen, the vampire Casanova, is slightly charming but mostly a sleazy opportunistic womanizer.  He is a central player in this story.  Heather, the young owner of the B&B is a cast out witch because she doesn't seem to have much power, is either a great actress and liar, or an innocent.  Her familiar is a frog called Hoppy.  Hoppy even has some surprises of his own. 

Salem shines in the scenes of the past that are sprinkled into the mix, playing up its history to give a real sense of the town.  The plot was better than I expected from the cover blurb.  The ticking clock ratchets up the suspense for a page-turner and several twists keep the reader guessing. The killer confrontation was superb and tense.  The wrap-up completes the book nicely, clearing the deck for the next adventure.

This is a delightful mix of suspense, paranormal elements, and a murder mystery - with a thread of second chances woven throughout to give an exhilarating and satisfying novel.

Rating: Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend.

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