Human Jesse Madding has worked with Gideon for the past two years, as a researcher and human investigative partner. Jesse has been stoned in love with Gideon for that entire time, and thought he had hid it well. On his side, Gideon considers Jesse his best friend, and no matter how powerful the romantic and sensual attractions he feels, Gideon wishes to never allow lust to destroy their friendship. However, circumstances rule differently: a devastatingly dangerous substance known only as obsidian has hit the Chicago vampire community, rendering vampires unable to fight their demonic natures, and causing amnesia for their actions. The son of a powerful Chicago Councilman has been murdered, and his vampire girlfriend has disappeared. Quickly Gideon discovers that obsidian, to which humans are impervious, affects vampires by mere touch to their skin, resulting in loss of control of their impulses.

Author Jamie Craig {the pseudonymous team of prolific writers Pepper Espinoza and Vivien Dean} pens an astonishingly detailed and very sensual novel of the vampiric underground. With a keen eye to detail, and an outstanding imagination, Jamie Craig writes a story that literally leaves the reader hungering for the next volume in the series. Gideon and Jesse are characters who will get under the reader's skin and become like well-loved friends. The sensuality sizzles right off the page, and readers should be cautioned that it is hot, erotic, and explicit! Included are multiple instances of male/male intimacy; multiple partnering; and BDSM references and activities. The novel also includes violence and some scenes of interrogation which may not be for the faint of heart. However, this reviewer considers this a story well worth reading and which provides fne bedtime page-turning.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Explicit

Reviewer: Annie
May 16, 2007