Vincent (Vampires in America, #8) by D.B. Reynolds
PNR
E book/Novel 354 pages
November 1, 2014
Imajinn Books

Reviewed by Tori

Favorite Quote: “There is always a price and I’m going to collect.”

Vincent Kumix is a powerful, gorgeous, and charismatic vampire, second in command to the Lord Of Mexico. He has waited centuries to kill his sire, a man who made him against his will,  but his revenge will have to wait when a bounty hunter comes to him with a special request. A beautiful woman who needs his help locating someone and who seems to be immune to all his lethal charms.

Lana Arnold is a bounty hunter looking to leave the family business and start her own PI firm. When she is contracted by the all-powerful Lord of North America to find a vampire, she knows this may be the chance she’s been waiting for. Smart, beautiful, and intelligent, she knows there will be a possibility of danger though she never expected it to be in the form of a six-foot plus vampire who oozes sex appeal and charms every women he meets. Lana learned her lesson the hard way about mixing business with pleasure and plans on keeping their time together all business.

As Vincent and Lana trade barbs and smoldering glances, their joint investigation brings to light a series of crimes so heinous, Vincent finds himself even more determined to destroy his sire, claim the throne, and keep the luscious Lana by his side forever.

I discovered D.B Reynolds’s Vampires in America series earlier this year and devoured her series with gusto. Such a wonderful change from the usual fare of angsty baggage laden supernatural creatures who just need to find the right “human” to make them forget their self-disgust at their monstrous appetites. Reynolds hits the spot with her arrogant narcissistic alpha males who sit at the top of the food chain and never lets you forget it. She pairs these males with strong, intelligent, kick arse humans who don’t succomb instantly to lust or manipulation. They usually meet and it’s instant dislike but as the sexual tension rises, so does the attraction. Then the real fun begins. *wink*

Vincent is reminiscent of Reynolds’ first book-Raphael-though the hero is more like her sixth book-Lucas-in that Vincent is a bit of a “playa.”  Violence and action go hand in hand with a well plotted storyline and the dynamic characters who can more than handle what this story throws at them. Heavily character drive, the world building is low-key as a whole for a paranormal romance, choosing instead to focus on the main character’s developing relationship and the suspenseful main conflict. Reynold’s slowly introduce more characters throughout the series, choosing not to overwhelm the reader nor the emerging plotlines. Advancement in made in the arc, the players being placed in position for the action packed finale that is coming.

The romance builds slowly with the chemistry and tension a blazing inferno from the very beginning. Humor, exasperation, and lust swirl together as Vincent tries to understand why Lana isn’t falling at his feet and into his bed. Vincent is an accomplished flirt. He truly cannot help himself though in this case his many charms work against him. Lana grew up surrounded by sexy charismatic alpha males. She is practically immune and Vincent’s flirting and hitting on every woman they encounter only reminds her of the cheating she has watched her father and fellow hunters indulge in time and time again. Their dialogue is delightfully snarky and sexy, providing a nice balance against somber violent undertones. I do wish Reynolds would have had Vincent and Lana actually sit down and discuss his excessive flirting and how it made Lana feel once they crossed the line with one another.

Luscious erotic sex scenes are filled with playful banter and deep sensual imagery as Lana finally succumbs to Vincent and his many attributes. Watching them interact sexually shows you that Lana hasn’t had a lot of fun in or out of bed and Vincent is perfect for her in that aspect. I was a little shocked by the anal play because nobody as huge as Vincent is described can just “slip it in the back door” with no problems. And just as FYI…water does not make for a good lube.

A road trip scenario has Lana and Vincent traveling throughout Mexico and into drug cartel territory on their search for an elusive vampire. Vincent learns more about his “second birth” and the atrocities his sire has been committing. Reynolds wraps everything up in an explosive finale that is expected in this series. Everything EXCEPT for the romance. This is the only aspect in which I had issues. Every other book, besides Rachael’s and Cyn’s, leaves the hero and heroine with an HEA. In here, we are left with an assumed HFN and no answers to the couple’s future. The epilogue for some unknown reason is voiced through other characters. I was left feeling like I missed something important.

Regardless of the small issues I had, Vincent was another winning installment into Reynolds’ dark and lush series and I look forward to seeing the next Vampire to fall, title and release date to be announced.

RATING: B

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