Review: Kiss of the Vampire – Cynthia Garner

Kiss of the Vampire by Cynthia Garner
Series:   Warriors of the Rift #1
Release Date:  February 1, 2012
Publisher:  Forever (Grand Central Publishing)
Page Count:  352
Source:  Provided by author
Buy the book at: Amazon 

Warriors of the Rift
Once a generation, the rift between the paranormal world and the human world opens, allowing supernatural entities to cross. Vampire, demon, or shapeshifter, they can save the world-or send it spiraling into chaos.
Half-demon, half-human, Nix de la Fuente is accepted by neither and mistrusted by both. Determined to prove she’s more human than not, she devotes herself to solving crimes between the world’s mortals and its most unsavory undead. But her latest case brings her face to face with the one vampire she could never resist . . .Called in to investigate a string of violent murders, special agent Tobias Caine isn’t interested in rekindling his relationship with Nix. Yet one look and the vampire knows his need for her is as strong as ever. Once, their all-consuming passion nearly cost Nix her fragile hold on her humanity. Now, as their hunger for one another intensifies, exposing them to an unimaginable danger, it could cost them 

Just when I thought I had the paranormal universe figured out, Cynthia Garner comes out with one hell of a scenario to explain why we have vampires, demons and shapeshifters.  Would you have ever thought those supernatural beings were actually aliens who skipped through a temporal rift to our world and then stole human bodies to carry on?  No?  Me either, but you know what…the explanation works!

Nix de la Fuente, human liaison to the Council of Preternaturals, assists the police in solving crimes that involve human and supernaturals.  Having been rejected by everyone that she’s ever loved, she sets out to prove to that she is more than just a human/demon hybrid.  It’s a daily battle for her to control her demon, but she takes steps to make sure her humanity prevails.  She relies on her friendship with her partner, Dante and tai chi to keep her grounded and centered.  But when vampires start dying in a gruesome manner, Nix comes face to face with the one person in her past that will test her resolve to maintain her humanity as well as the hardened shell she’s put around heart.

Tobias Caine has returned to Scottsdale after leaving five years before.  The only reason he returned was at the request of a friend, but when she’s found murdered the council puts him in charge of the investigation.  That puts him in direct contact with his ex, Nix.  Tobias left because he was worried about his affect on Nix because her demon side was coming out more and more.  Though he loved her, he thought leaving her would be for the best.  Now, just being near her makes him understand that maybe he never quite gave her or them the chance they needed.  He has to figure out a way to turn off his emotions towards Nix and find out who is behind the gruesome killings.

Luckily for us, the love and lust Tobias and Nix have for each other is much bigger than the reasons they split.  Tobias is a vampire you will be placing on your vampire boyfriend list.  From the moment he “walked” in to the story, he commanded your attention.  He’s good at hiding his emotions, except with the one person he loves and that is what makes him so damn attractive.

Nix is a tough cookie.  She’d figured out a way to love herself and control her demon (wouldn’t we all love to be able to control our demon??).  Even when faced with having to deal with Tobias, she figured out a way to be somewhat professional while she breaking inside.  It take a strong person to be able to do that, especially when you’re still in love with that person.

I loved the storyline with the Rift and I can’t wait to see where the next story takes us.  Since I’m pretty sure we haven’t seen the last of Natchook, I’m sure we’ll see more about the radio transmitter he was attempting to use to create another Rift.  Pretty sure what he’s up to is no good, but he seems to be spectacular at that.

An awesome start to the series and leaves me waiting with bated breath for the next one.