Maud Demille is a daughter of Innkeepers—a special group who provide
'lodging' to other-planetary visitors—so she knows that a simple life
isn't in the cards. But even Maud could never have anticipated what Fate
would throw at her.
Once a wife to a powerful vampire knight, Maud
and her young daughter, Helen, were exiled with him for his treachery to
the desolate, savage planet of Karhari. Karhari killed her husband, and
Maud—completely abandoned by his family—has spent over a year avenging
his debts. Rescued by her sister Dina, she's sworn off all things
vampire.
Except... In helping Dina save the world, she met Arland,
the Marshal of House Krahr, one of the most powerful vampire houses. One
thing led to another and he asked for her hand in marriage. She
declined. Arland is not used to hearing the word 'no;' and try as she
might, Maud can't just walk away from Arland. It doesn't help that being
human is a lot harder for Maud than being a vampire.
To sort it all
out, she accepts his invitation to visit his home planet. House Krahr is
extremely influential and Maud knows that a woman—a human, with a
very questionable past—who's turned down a proposal from its most
beloved son won't get a warm reception. Maybe she's not sure about
marrying Arland, but House Krahr isn't going to decide for her. Maud
Demille has never run from a fight, and House Krahr will soon discover
that there's a lot more to Maud than they're expecting.
5+
For me this was another winner in this series. I like how the beginning of each book is handled in such a way as you get a good foundation on what has happened before. It's not an overwhelming rehashing of things but it's great for someone new to the series. It's also a great refresher for those of us who have been reading the series.
Maud is one unusual person with some amazing talents. Her most important one is that she is a survivor and will do anything to see that her daughter will also survive. She is a fierce warrior but also so tender with her daughter, Helen who she calls, "my flower." That made me smile every time she did that. So did Helen, who was one fierce little girl who was half human and half vampire. She's also a little girl NOT to be underestimated because she had been very well trained to defend herself and kill if she must. She is a force to be reckoned with, now at 5 years old and promised to be even more as she gets older.
Maud knew going in that the vampire world that she was re-entering was going to be tough. And it was and SO MUCH more.
There are plenty of emotions battles, plots and intrigues and Arland continues to be his charming but lethal self. It takes Maud a long time to realize how much he loves her and he is happy for her to be herself no matter what. He actually is in awe of her and has respected her for some time.
The world-building continues to be excellent, with every creature, their culture, clothing and customs so well described. It's almost like a picture with words has been painted.
The whole story is edge-of-your- seat reading and epic battle is to be expected. It explodes across the pages racing towards a really great ending.
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