Review for The Undead Space Initiative by Casey Wyatt

Cherry Cordial, vampire stripper extraordinaire, spectacularly messes up her life with a single act of kindness. How could she have known when she rescued gorgeous rogue Ian McDevitt that she would be implicated in the vampire queen’s murder? Soon, she faces the wrath of the entire vampire community. To escape retribution, she joins a settlement program to colonize Mars. Her choices are grim: hurtle through space to the red planet to face the unknown and possible death, or stay on Earth and face certain annihilation. To make things even more complicated, a certain gorgeous rogue seems to be shadowing her every move....

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The Undead Space Initiative combines a mish-mash of elements into an intriguing story that starts out on Earth but then takes us on a rollercoaster ride to the planet Mars where vampires, zombies, and revenants learn to live as a new society.  Throw in a bitter royal bent on murder and you have a story that has you on the edge of your seat just when you think a HEA has been achieved.

Cherry is a stripper who's on the run after being accused of murdering the Queen who placed a bracelet on her wrist before dying that will change the future of the vampires and the other paranormal creatures that take off for Mars.  After her sire gives his life for her and the rest of their family, she's left as head of the family and ultimately the head of this new colony.  As a woman struggling with feelings of inadequacy after losing her sire it's a struggle being in charge.  She not only has these personal issues but there's a traitor amidst their group that's trying to kill her.  Luckily there's sexy rogue vampire hunter Ian to watch her back, when he's not flirting with her.  After a lifetime of negative experiences with men, trust towards Ian doesn't come easily for her.  With the unexplained changes occurring to those on the planet as the runes point to a history no one ever knew of, the bond between her and Ian explodes and feelings that they never expected to feel blossom into several steamy encounters.  She's ultimately no wilting flower and when called upon was reminiscent of Xena, warrior princess.

Ian's been on his own after his pre- and post-vampire families were killed.  He and other rogues have joined this unique expedition which changes his life in numerous ways.  Before he knows it, mystical forces have designated he and Cherry as a new Adam and Eve where long-held vampiric beliefs evolve into something unexpected that will change their lives forever.  Ian is perfect for Cherry in that he lets her be in charge and gives her recommendations only in private so others don't question her authority.  He always thinks of ways to make her happy and these acts of love brought a tear to my eye.  It was easy to fall in love with him considering his numerous charms, and sexy body!

The flow of this story was nicely balanced with only one section that I felt dragged a bit.  The action sequences were heart pounding and crept up on me when I least expected them.  There were a slew of memorable secondary characters that I would love to see more of with the hints of intriguing background stories that were casually mentioned.  The balance between the mystical and paranormal was beautifully done to keep things believable and the storyline moving briskly along.  Throw in some truly sexy sexual interludes and you have everything a romance reader could want.

My rating for this is a B+

*I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.