"A unique and erotic view of vampires and werewolves"

Christopher Bartholomew is a Defender, and a damn good one. Of course, the fact that he's been a Defender for over 200 years may have something to do with that. He's meeting with his friend and mentor, Griffin. Griffin is telling him about a new threat against humanity. This one is the Prophecy of the Seventh Dragon. This is supposed to be the worst threat yet. As one of the best Defenders, Christopher's help will be required on this one. Griffin doesn't have all the details yet, but it concerns a trio and a Wizard wanting to take over the world. Supposedly, the trio is on the move and more of the Defenders are being brought to Washington, where Christopher's base is. They will all be meeting at Christopher's house when they arrive.

Tonight, there is still a demon wolf to hunt and kill. Christopher arrives on the scene just as the wolf is getting ready to attack a woman. It has already killed one woman and gorged on her. Christopher kills the wolf and does away with the wolf and what's left of the dead woman. When he touches the woman who was almost attacked, he feels something and immediately knows that he has found his benekeda, or true mate.

The next night, Christopher and Griffin are out hunting together. They track down another demon wolf. The demon wolf turns out to be none other than Christopher's benekeda! Christopher stops Griffin from killing her.

One thing leads to another and Christopher ends up turning his benekeda, Mackenzie Wallace, into the same thing he is, an Eskarian. Eskarians are immortal and feed on blood, but they are not Vampires. They are Defenders of humanity and don't kill their donors.

Mackenzie is rebelling against becoming Eskarian. She gets sick to her stomach at the thought of drinking blood. Christopher must now train Mackenzie how to behave as an Eskarian. He must also find some way to reconcile her to her fate. Meanwhile, there is the still the threat of the Prophecy to be dealt with.

I really love Tyler Blackwood's take on Vampires and Werewolves. This is a very unique approach to the old legends. I enjoyed the glimpse into the Eskarian Society, as well as the life of a "demon wolf". The characters are all very realistic, right down to Mackenzie rebelling against being made an Eskarian. The bad guys are all chillingly evil. My favorite character was Sean, Mackenzie's brother. He's always been overprotective of Mackenzie, he even tries to fight Christopher over her. This is a wonderfully erotic vampire romance that I definitely recommend reading.

Reviewed by Chere Gruver
Courtesy Sensual Romance Reviews
Posted October 10, 2003

Summary

She is his true mate - his jhitahra - and a wolf.
He is Eskarian. Immortal. His people are ancient, protectors of the human race. His blood is hot, and his lovemaking is raw and powerful.

When Christopher meets Mackenzie, she's been cursed to live the dual life of a demon wolf - human by day, wolf by night. He should destroy her. Instead, he breaks the rules, converting her from wolf to immortal in a wickedly sensual ritual that binds her to him for all eternity. His plans to begin a life with her are disrupted when he discovers the last of the Dragon Prophecies unfolding: a great warlock returns to change the balance of power upon the planet.

Now a spell has been cast over Mackenzie and Christopher is losing her. The warlock has plans for her: she is to be sacrificed during the new moon, thus restoring his power.

When she returns to him, safe and unaware of what's happened, Christopher is elated. But all is not as it seems - the spell is not complete. Or is it? Will Christopher find the warlock and destroy him? Or has the last and deadliest of the Dragon Prophecies already come to fruition?