Review: Vampire Instinct

Vampire Instinct (Vampire Queen - Book 7) by Joey W. Hill

Publication Date: July 2011
Publisher: Penguin Group USA
Genre: Erotic Paranormal Romance/Fantasy
Pages: Paperback, 448pp
ISBN-13: 9780425241264
ISBN: 0425241262

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Heat)

Purchase: Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Joey W. Hill on the WEB: website, blog, facebook, twitter

Excerpt from Vampire Instinct Warning: Readers should be advised that content is inappropriate for readers under 18 years of age.

Synopsis:

As a servant to vampire mistress Lady Daniela, Elisa's devotion is unwavering - until Lady D makes it clear that the children entrusted to Elisa's care may be destroyed if they cannot be integrated into the vampire world. Elisa's young charges are vampires of such potent desires as to belie their youth, given to reckless bloodlust that makes their assimilation nearly impossible. But Elisa has one desperate option.

His name is Malachi, a Native American vampire who is a legend for his work with rehabilitating feline predators. With is primal understanding of the rules of survival, his is the fledglings' last hope. But it is Elisa who is feeling the heat of his irresistible animal instincts. Now, as Malachi struggles to control the children's impulses, he opens himself up to those of Elisa - and the passion they share for the night could seal their fates forever.

Thoughts:

Erotic paranormal romance author Joey W. Hill continues her Vampire Queen series with a seventh book, Vampire Instinct. Hill combines raw sexuality with deep emotional scars in this novel that will have fans up all night. With a Native American vampire hero, a sweet Irish serving girl as the heroine and a pack of bloodthirsty fledgling vampires, this one is full of surprises and passion. Hills fans have embraced this series and will be thrilled with this latest installment!

Elisa has always been content to serve the vampire queen Lady Daniela until now. When she finds out that the children or fledglings that she has been caring for are on the verge of being destroyed she knows she has to do something. Illegally turned by a ruthless vampire, these fledglings are bloodthirsty and unable to control their desires, even to the point of raping Elisa and killing her lover. But she still believes in them and in the possibility that they can be trained and taught to adapt to the vampire world. Her only hope is Malachi, a Native American vampire with scars of his own. His work with feline predators could be the answer to saving the fledglings. When Elisa and the children travel to Malachi's island in search of hope, they never expected to find love. As the romance between Elisa and Malachi heats up, the danger from the fledglings also escalates. Do any of them stand a chance?

I'll be the first to tell you, that I haven't had a lot of experience with reading erotic romance novels, but I'm catching on quickly! This was my first Joey W. Hill book, which just happened to be the seventh book in the series. I used to hate reviewing books that started me out in the middle of series, but lately I have seen several benefits from it as well.

Vampire Instinct is the seventh book from the Vampire Queen series. I had no problems catching on to what was going on in the series, but I am definitely looking forward to going back and reading the first six, to catch up on background information and back stories. It is easy to see why Hill is so respected in this genre. This novel was very well written and evoked an enormous amount of emotion. Readers won't find it emotionally exhausting, but right on the edge, just where any good romance will leave you!

Hill has a real knack for creating characters that are appealing on a lot of levels. Elisa comes across as demure and subservient, which may not sit well with some readers, but in context of the book it works well. She is however, very protective of the fledglings in her care and her maternal claws come out, when she realizes that their lives are in danger. Elisa really comes into her own though, when she meets Malachi and can't help but be attracted to him. He is an extremely dominant character, a manly man, if you will. He wants her submission in every way. He is attractive but he can be arrogant and somewhat standoffish. He tends to stay as far from the vampire world as possible and sort of carries a disdain for it in some ways.

I think what's interesting is what happens when these two characters come together. Elisa is having feelings she hasn't experienced in a long time, if ever. She really grows as a character throughout the book as does Malachi. I think Hill's genius is in putting these two very unlikely vampire characters together. They just work! And readers are gonna love it! There is definitely some illusion to mild BDSM in this book, but it is not overwhelming or out of line in my opinion. The sparks certainly fly and the love scenes are hot and spicy, but the tender moments are also very emotional and heartwarming. They each make each other want to be more, better and that's one of the great things about love. When someone shows you that kind of respect and tenderness it just makes you want to be worthy of it, so to speak. Very well done.

The romantic aspects of the book were definitely steamy and emotional, but the plot line for this one was really interesting as well. The fledgling vampire pack adds a lot of depth to the story. These characters are producing all kinds of emotions within the other characters. Lady Daniela doesn't seem to put much faith in the fact that they can be assimilated, and Elisa has so much faith in them that readers may think she is a little delusional about it. Given everything she is gone through with them, the bond they form is amazing and I liked the fact that Hill allowed Malachi to see and understand that bond, since he had complete control over what happened to them. The concept was original and very entertaining to read about.

More than just being a good erotic romance, it just an overall good book. Great characters, interesting plot, steamy sex! It just had all the right elements that make up an exceptional novel. I recommend this one to my erotic romance readers and mainstream romance and paranormal fans. This one packs a punch I'm certain you will like. I caution you to remember that this book is not suitable for young readers. It is an adult book, with adult situations and language. If you are looking for something in the vampire realm that's a little different, give it a try, I think you'll be impressed!

Vampire Instinct is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!







Joey W. Hill is the author of over twenty-five award-winning titles of paranormal and contemporary erotic romance, most of them of the BDSM genre. She is a two-time nominee for the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Erotica. She writes vampires for Berkley Heat, mermaids and angels for Berkley Sensation and contemporaries (as well as a smattering of anything-goes paranormal) for Ellora’s Cave Publishing, so you have your pick of a wide range of heroes!