Maggie Shayne & Maureen Child: "Vacation with a Vampire...and Other Immortals"

Authors: Maggie Shayne & Maureen Child

Title: "Vacation with a Vampire...and Other Immortals"

Plot Type: SMR

Publisher: Harlequin Nocturne, 2011

     This book contains two typical paranormal romances. In each novella, an ancient, lonely immortal, having long since given up hope of ever finding his soul mate, suddenly finds himself instantly attracted to a smart and sassy 21st century woman. The vacation concept is the tenuous thread that connects the two novellas is.

      "Vampires in Paradise," by Maggie Shayne, is part of her venerable TWILIGHT VAMPIRES/WINGS IN THE NIGHT series. It tells the love story of Anna Seville, a woman dying from the effects of the Belladonna antigen, and Diego, an ancient and reclusive vampire who decides to give her a choice between death and immortality. When Anna is told by her doctor that she has only a few months to live, she buys a boat, heads out to sea, and winds up on Diego's private island. You'll understand the whole Belladonna situation better if you've read some of the earlier books in the series, but the story can be read as a stand-alone. Click HERE to go to my review of the TWILIGHT VAMPIRES/WINGS IN THE NIGHT series. (Ratings: V1; S4; H2)

     "Immortal," by Maureen Child, tells the love story of Emma Campbell Madison, a young American woman who comes to Scotland for a summer college course, and Bain Sinclair, the ancient Scottish Guardian who saves her from a demon—twice. When Emma goes to the campus library for an evening study session, she never expects to be attacked by a demon and then imprisoned by an immortal warrior to whom she is immediately, and mutually, attracted. Unfortunately for Emma, the demon has tasted her blood and swears that he will return for her...and he keeps his promise. (Ratings: V4; S4; H2)

     This is a light book (in both tone and length) that can be read in one sitting. Both novellas are soul-mate romances that follow the usual pattern. Shayne's story is nonviolent, while Child's contribution has two demon battles with the usual bloody injuries. Both include a few graphic bedroom scenes.