Red-Haired Ash Reads

In moments, Sherry Carne’s life changes when rogue immortals rampage through her store and leave chaos in their wake. On top of that, she is supposed to be the life mate for one of the immortals who came to rescue her and Stephanie. 

This book was a bit unusual because it features two brand new main characters. Basilios Argenau is apparently of Lucian’s brothers, but before this book, he was never mentioned and the only siblings that have been discussed by Lucian are Jean Claude, Victor, Felix (deceased), Martine and Armand. Sherry is just a random woman who Stephanie runs into while hiding from Leonius and realizes she is the lifemate for Basilios. So while it’s great we are getting new characters, I do wish the author hadn’t retconned more family members to make it happen. 

Basilios and Sherry had a very sweet relationship. Sherry accepts the fact that vampires exist really easily and doesn’t really panic about the whole situation, which was a nice change of pace. Basil was awkward and sweet at the same time. He kind of messes up explaining fated mates to Sherry and causes her to doubt their bond, but it wasn’t still a very low angst situation overall. Also, Basil trying to explain that he has 22 children was amusing, but I really wanted a more in depth discussion between the two about his children. 

This book also finally sees the end of Leonius Livius II. While I am glad that this storyline has finally ended because it has been going for a while, I also felt like it was a bit anticlimactic for an enemy that has been so elusive throughout this series. It felt a bit too easy and abrupt after so many books hunting him. Also I think it was shitty of the council to have Basha deal with her son. 

We also learn a little bit more about immortal laws and the repercussions of breaking them. We learned some very disturbing things about Sherry’s mother’s past and who her father is. It ends up involving forced consent (rape), drug use, and attempted suicide. Honestly, I don’t really love how this was handled. I think the punishment is valid but it definitely felt like Sherry quickly excused what her father did and didn’t want him punished for it. 

Overall, I enjoyed this couple but found the hunt for Leo to be anticlimactic. After this book though I really want to know more about Stephanie and if she will ever get a handle on her ability to read and control people. 

TW: discussion of kidnapping; death of spouse from fire recounted; loneliness, depression mentioned; death of sibling (child) by drowning recounted; attempted suicide mentioned; rape (mind control to make the woman agree to sex);

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Previous books and reviews for the series:

#1. A Quick Bite
#2. Love Bites
#3. Single White Vampire
#4. Tall, Dark & Hungry
#5. A Bite to Remember
#6. Bite Me If You Can
#7. The Accidental Vampire
#8. Vampires Are Forever
#9. Vampire, Interrupted
#10. The Rogue Hunter
#11. The Immortal Hunter
#12. The Renegade Hunter
#12.5. Bitten By Cupid
#13. Born to Bite
#14. Hungry For You
#15. The Reluctant Vampire
#15.5 The Bite Before Christmas
#16. Under the Vampire Moon
#17. The Lady is a Vamp
#18. Immortal Ever After
#19. One Lucky Vampire
#20. Vampire Most Wanted