Kiss Of The Vampire by Cynthia Garner

Kiss Of The Vampire (Warriors of the Rift, #1)

by Cynthia Garner

Every 73-75 years a comet travels close to Earth, opening a rift between dimensions that allows paranormal entities to travel through. These entities are called preternaturals and unfortunately most are criminals. As a result, human police forces work with preternatural Councils all over the world to handle matters of crime.

Half-human, half-demon, Nix De La Fuente is a special liaison reporting to the Phoenix, Arizona Council. When her vampire friend is murdered—the second vampire death in days—Nix is determined to find the killer. She is shocked to learn her former lover Tobias Caine—the vampire who'd walked out on her five years before—has been assigned to investigate with her.

Rumours begin stirring that a demon may be responsible for the murders and Nix herself becomes a suspect but as more bodies turn up, the evidence points to Tobias's arch enemy, Natchook, whom Tobias felt was responsible for the assassination of his vampire leader centuries before. The only problem is Tobias has no idea where Natchook may be hiding.

With the Council determined to get rid of Nix and murders steadily on the rise, time is running out, forcing Tobias and Nix to put aside their past in hopes of saving their futures.

Reviewed by Cocktails and Books on

4 of 5 stars

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Just when I thought I had the paranormal universe figured out, Cynthia Garner comes out with one hell of a scenario to explain why we have vampires, demons and shapeshifters. Would you have ever thought those supernatural beings were actually aliens who skipped through a temporal rift to our world and then stole human bodies to carry on? No? Me either, but you know what...the explanation works!

Nix de la Fuente, human liaison to the Council of Preternaturals, assists the police in solving crimes that involve human and supernaturals. Having been rejected by everyone that she's ever loved, she sets out to prove to that she is more than just a human/demon hybrid. It's a daily battle for her to control her demon, but she takes steps to make sure her humanity prevails. She relies on her friendship with her partner, Dante and tai chi to keep her grounded and centered. But when vampires start dying in a gruesome manner, Nix comes face to face with the one person in her past that will test her resolve to maintain her humanity as well as the hardened shell she's put around heart.

Tobias Caine has returned to Scottsdale after leaving five years before. The only reason he returned was at the request of a friend, but when she's found murdered the council puts him in charge of the investigation. That puts him in direct contact with his ex, Nix. Tobias left because he was worried about his affect on Nix because her demon side was coming out more and more. Though he loved her, he thought leaving her would be for the best. Now, just being near her makes him understand that maybe he never quite gave her or them the chance they needed. He has to figure out a way to turn off his emotions towards Nix and find out who is behind the gruesome killings.

Luckily for us, the love and lust Tobias and Nix have for each other is much bigger than the reasons they split. Tobias is a vampire you will be placing on your vampire boyfriend list. From the moment he "walked" in to the story, he commanded your attention. He's good at hiding his emotions, except with the one person he loves and that is what makes him so damn attractive.

Nix is a tough cookie. She'd figured out a way to love herself and control her demon (wouldn't we all love to be able to control our demon??). Even when faced with having to deal with Tobias, she figured out a way to be somewhat professional while she breaking inside. It take a strong person to be able to do that, especially when you're still in love with that person.

I loved the storyline with the Rift and I can't wait to see where the next story takes us. Since I'm pretty sure we haven't seen the last of Natchook, I'm sure we'll see more about the radio transmitter he was attempting to use to create another Rift. Pretty sure what he's up to is no good, but he seems to be spectacular at that.

An awesome start to the series and leaves me waiting with bated breath for the next one.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 2 March, 2012: Finished reading
  • 2 March, 2012: Reviewed