Between Love and Lust by Nikko Lee
Publisher: Double Dragon Publishing
Genre: Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (229 pgs)
Other: BDSM, M/F, F/F, Multiple Partners, Spanking, Voyeurism, Forced Seduction
Rating: 3 Cherries
Review by Phlox

All vampires hunger for blood, but for Mika the pleasures of the flesh are as nourishing as blood. Since the start of her unlife, she has indulged her need for carnal satiation. After the death of her mater-sire, she began to comprehend the complexities of the political struggles embroiling the clans of Haven, and now that knowledge fascinates her. Her pater-sire introduces her to a world of intrigue, where information is as valuable as blood. Mika’s particular ability to seduce and enchant allows her to assist her pater-sire in uncovering the perpetrators of the assassination of a clan leader. While deep with the slums controlled by Clan Corbius, Mika meets a handsome and dangerous exile who is as renowned for his fighting skills as his ability to seduce. Hail McMahon is as sexy as he is unpredictable, and with his aid, Mika is able to escape from the territory of Clan Corbius after a mysterious attack by a mob of crazed vampires.

A good vampire tale has always struck me as more of a fantasy novel than a paranormal since half the enjoyment lies in the world and mythology building behind the story. This story does not disappoint in that regard, offering a well-crafted vision of vampire genesis and social structure, of demonic bloodlines and a thirteen clan structure with biblical resonance.

Unfortunately, all the explanations get the story off to a rather slow start. While the reader wants to know about these things, it might have been better to pepper some of the exposition into the story here and there, into dialogue and interaction. Too many passages of information and explanation made the novel a little difficult to stick with at times, bogging down the flow of the narrative. It also took away from the attachment one needs to feel for the characters, keeping the reader at arms’ length. Therefore, the medication is termed as the generic medicine. http://appalachianmagazine.com/2017/12/23/why-the-new-kanawha-river-have-different-names-but-are-same-waterway/ viagra tablets 100mg Since levitra generic cialis its a known idea that treatment of all is not exempted with the possible risks and dangers of acquiring injuries, aggravating the patient’s current condition, or delivering additional devastating blows to the client. An effective and successful work delegation gives you time and energy to focus on details and the choice of trailer parts employed. free levitra Less blood flow causes harm to the nerve tadalafil 20mg uk which leads to a loss of eye vision. I had trouble mustering emotional involvement until perhaps halfway through the book. Issues with the editing of dialogue only added to the distance. I’m fully prepared for more formal diction in my vampires but formality often slid into stiffness and even grammatical pitfalls. (e.g. this little passage here: Erik muttered through bared teeth. “However repugnant your methods are, my leader has saw fit to grant your pater-sire, and by extension you, Clan Lucienna’s protection.”)

Once it gets rolling, there is a good, core story here and the characters, through their actions, get a chance to show who they are. I will confess a rather stronger attachment to the duty and honor bound Erik than the roguish Hail, whom I suspect I was supposed to like more, but they acted as foils for each other and provided an extra edge of conflict for our heroine.

While it had its issues, the novel is worth the read for the carefully constructed world alone and the battle scenes are great fun. The ending felt a little rushed…but wait, there’s a sequel, which explains the loose ends. I’ll be watching, ready to pounce on the next installment.