While settling her parent’s affairs, Jessica Talvert came across an old birth certificate and discovers that she was adopted. She goes to New Orleans to find her birth parents, only to find that they too are dead.

While enjoying the sights and sounds of the Mardi Gras festival in New Orleans, a man steals her necklace and she runs after him into a dark alley. Jessica stops to get her bearings when she hears what sounds like a fight. It’s too dark to see anything, then out steps a man holding her necklace. She’s automatically drawn to him. Her heart speeds up as she looks him over. Gabriel tells Jessica she has nothing to fear from him and holds out her necklace. As Jessica reaches for her necklace, he pulls it back and asks for a boon in return for saving her possession. A kiss is all, just one kiss. Jessica is weary, but she sees no harm in one kiss. Little does she know that this kiss will lead them both down a very dangerous road.

This was a fast paced story, and I missed nothing in the telling of it. Gabriel and Jessica’s love is so strong that they don’t care what they have to face, as long as they’re together. Gabriel is not only willing to go up against the vampires, but also his pack brethren to make Jessica his mate. I found this story well written, even with the Cajun language which was easy to follow. The French language just rolls passionately off your tongue, leaving behind a smile. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of Celeste Anwar’s work.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Explicit

Reviewer: Diane T.
November 15, 2003