Book Blast for For the Bite of It by Viki Lyn and Vina Grey (Review & GIVEAWAY)

Fans of the paranormal will love today as we get a unique twist on the traditional vampire mythos courtesy of For the Bite of It by Viki Lyn and Vina Grey.  Keep reading to get a tantalizing glimpse of this steamy m/m read, along with my impressions of it.  Make sure to leave a comment about why you love the vampire genre for the chance to win a $30 Amazon GC too!

VINCENT KAMATEROS is an exiled vampire making a routine living as the owner of a cupcake bakery in Arizona. Until a car with a dead driver crashes through the wall of his shop, bringing after it, All-American, closeted cop, JOHN REEDER. Smitten the instant he sees John, but bound to silence by the Vampire High Council, he can never reveal his true self to John. Detective John Reeder can’t control his attraction to the sexy Italian baker. But as addictive as the sex is, John can’t overcome his fear of rejection for being gay, and open his heart to a man with so many secrets.

EXCERPT:

How had John ended up in Vincent’s embrace?
Vincent.
Male and hard.
Slender muscles and sharp planes.
Vincent’s strength and restless sexual hunger, the masculine smell emanating off the man turned him on.
With a spinning head, he grabbed Vincent’s face and kissed him. Parting his lips, he allowed Vincent’s tongue to invade his mouth, the shock of his taste, coffee, a hint of wine, and something deliciously dark, intoxicating him as much as the wine he had drunk. Lips soft but firm, and experienced. Kissing a guy, this guy, felt damn good. It was a mistake but he'd enjoy it then face himself later.
“So you do it now, amante?” drawled Vincent, his tone teasing, as his lips nibbled John’s.
“Do what?” mumbled John.
“Kissing.”
Oh, hell! How did Vincent know he never kissed? He tried to push away to ask, but Vincent swept in closer, bumping him back against the wall.
“No, you don’t back away now. Sono troppo affamato per te.”
“I have no idea what you’re saying.” John muttered.
“Si. Il linguaggio dell'amore.”
If Vincent didn’t stop spouting Italian nonsense, John was going to crawl up his body and eat him alive.
“Mm. Whatever you said, it’s sexy as hell.” John slipped off his shirt, and unzipped his pants, freeing himself, finally, and surrendering to this deep need. With his control shot to hell, this once he’d enjoy heaven. Fuck his rules.
Pinned against the door, he rubbed his crotch against Vincent’s hardness then set to work on his pants. Finally they were both naked and lust rippled through him, making his knees weak.
John's whistled at the phoenix tattooed on Vincent's right shoulder blade, the wings sweeping upward in flight. “I never took you for a tat man. What’s that about?”
Vincent rubbed John’s arm. “Youthful folly. Nothing more.”
John traced the lines of the wing and kissed Vincent's shoulder. Before he could think more about it, Vincent had him in his arms, rolling on the bed. A deep chuckle rumbled in his chest but he held it in as Vincent’s kissed his…
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph…
Was his tongue on his…damn.
The dream had been fantastic but this beat any fantasy.

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MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

Everything you thought you knew about vampires gets twisted and turned in For the Bite of It as a hierarchy of vampires living separate from humanity sends those who've done wrong to live amongst humans after stripping them of their powers.  This sets up a rebellion just hinted at here that doesn't bode well for humanity once the battle starts.  Into a war just bubbling beneath the surface comes Vincent, cupcake baker extraordinaire, and future king of his line if he can reclaim his place once his penance is over.  He misses the life he once knew and the family that accepted him wholeheartedly and feels nothing but loneliness and bleakness now.  He throws himself completely into his bakery and it's here that his life takes an even bigger turn once he meets human detective John.  Vincent will do anything to claim him, even help him catch a murderer, but he knows he can't tell him the truth about what he is which causes numerous roadblocks between them and leads to an ending that leaves room for more to come.  Vincent is sexy with old world mannerisms.  He's cultured with an air of the aristocracy surrounding him which is very different from John's blue collar way of life but these differences aren't much of an issue thankfully. Though John brings light to Vincent's lonely life he knows that being with a human could lead to John's death and this fear hangs over him as their relationship grows and has me fearing for their future.

What is yet another issue is John's hiding of his sexuality.  His parents are very religious and his older brother is a paragon that leaves him frustrated with not wanting to be a disappointment.  He's never with the same man twice, doesn't kiss his partners, and finds those partners far away from home.  He throws himself into work but meeting Vincent is electric and he can't ignore the connection between them, even when he suspects Vincent of murder.  It's a struggle to accept the truth about himself but he's tired of being alone and soon realizes that his future lies only with Vincent and that his life's only complete in his presence.  Things don't go smoothly though as John's constant jealousy causes issues between them and unnecessary doubts that weigh on him.  There's even bigger issues lurking between them though that they've not even dealt with yet and their HFN ending will soon implode once John learns the truth about Vincent's world.

This was a clever read in its interpretation of vampirism.  They're very human-like with their ability to be in the sun and eat food, but their bloodlust can overwhelm them in the throes of passion and they can teleport and use various other mind tricks.  Their powers can be removed as a form of punishment with living amongst humans added punishment.  Their hierarchy is just hinted at and I look forward to learning about the different abilities associated with the different clans.  Along with the burgeoning romance between these two that gives us insight into their characters comes unrelenting sexual tension that leads to some super HOT sexual interludes that are surprisingly romantic too.  The secondary characters are also worth mentioning as they're a supportive group who gently nudge these men together.  Of this group Angelo is the most memorable, colorful in his clothes and mannerisms, but Vincent's staunchest supporter and the one to help him cope with his exile.  He's flamboyant and appears carefree but is slyly intelligent with an unrequited love of his own that I hope to see addressed.  The murder itself is a bit of an obtrusion and went on way too long and I wish less time had been spent on it as it kept our couple separated far too much and had no bearing on the characters beyond being the catalyst for their meeting.  Overall though it's an entertaining story with an ending that feels somewhat incomplete.  It leaves readers tantalized and wanting to come back for more, so here's to the next book!

My rating for this is a C+

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

AUTHOR INFO:

Viki Lyn:

What inspires me - the reality that romance between lovers is a hope more than a guarantee. My stories are an eclectic mix of contemporary and paranormal, but it is always romance that drives the story to its final happily-ever-after. There's nothing better than reading a good book over an espresso, watching a movie or trying out a new restaurant. I'm the author of several gay romances, including Last Chance, Rainbow Award winner for the Best Gay Paranormal/Horror. Viki’s website is http://www.vikilyn.com/

Vina Grey:

Vina Grey loves writing about romance. Two people finding each other, the two-step before they get together and the happily ever after, have to be the best story ever. Throw in some paranormal elements and she's in heaven. Vampires and cops, anyone? She loves to jabber away with anyone about books, so drop her a line at vinagrey@gmail.com. Vina’s cyber home is here: http://vinagrey.wordpress.com/

**********GIVEAWAY**********

Viki and Vina will be awarding a $30 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

-To be entered, LEAVE A COMMENT STATING WHAT DRAWS YOU TO VAMPIRE STORIES, along with your email addy (NO EMAIL=NO ENTRY).

-Winners will be chosen randomly from all comments made throughout the tour, so the more you comment the greater your chances of winning.  A list of all participating blogs can be found here.

-Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM CST on 6/13!