Susan Sizemore
Sizemore, Susan - LAWS OF THE BLOOD – THE HUNT
(Ace - 1999) (5)
Selim is the "Enforcer," a vampire cop for the Los Angeles
area, whose job is to keep the peace between the humans and
the six nests of vampires who live in his territory. His
life suddenly becomes more complicated when the vampires demand more "food" than Selim allows them to hunt. He must also
contend with an uncontrollable "strig," or lone vampire, who
just might be an Enforcer in the making. Selim's human companion, Siri, is furious when she discovers his plans for
the hunt include causing a riot with humans so the vampires
can enjoy the victims. Further complicating the situation
is a vampire who is writing a screenplay about real vampires
by using a method called "dream walking" to get into Selim's
memories as he sleeps.
LAWS OF THE BLOOD - THE HUNT is the best vampire novel I have read since Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series. Highly fascinating and entertaining, this book will keep you on the edge of your seat from the first page to the last. Some parts of the story, most especially the hunt scenes, are a bit gruesome, but not as graphic as some scenes in other vampire books I've read. Susan Sizemore also includes subtle humor which lightens the tone. I was completely enthralled with LAWS OF THE BLOOD - THE HUNT and I am very excited about the next two books in the series. Susan Sizemore continues to demonstrate her talent for imaginative writing, and I applaud her for creating yet another winner! ~Pat Cavender for Bookbug on the Web
Sizemore, Susan - PRICE OF INNOCENCE, THE (Avon - 1999) (4+)
Setting: 1880's London
What is the price of innocence? How much a person will
pay to destroy it. Nine years ago, Jack ("Cullum") robbed Sherrie of her innocence and the lovers parted bitterly, but their attraction for each other is about to be renewed...
This is a story of a tortured man who puts on a mask to mingle with society because he feels he doesn't deserve to associate with decent people. Jack is now a retired spy for the Foreign Office, but on occasion he assists a friend who is working with Scotland Yard. He is also the Earl of PenMartyn, a position he never expected to inherit as several brothers were first in line for the title. However, upon their deaths, the title went to Jack.
Sherrie Hamilton, her daughter Minerva, and Sherrie's Aunt Dora are in London to introduce Dora's daughters to society. It is at the first ball of the season when Jack is "introduced" to the widow Sherrie. He is terrified that she will denounce him in public and ruin his social standing among the ton, yet when she doesn't appear to recognize him, he is stunned and angry. Of course, our heroine tells herself that the Earl cannot be her former lover. After all, Cullum was a pirate who wore a bushy beard and long hair. His eyes, however, haunt her. They may never have acknowledged one another if Minerva had not taken the situation in hand, wanting to know more about this man. She sees Jack slip into Sherrie's bedroom that evening, stand at her bedside and watch her sleep. Hmmm, very interesting, indeed.
In twenty years, I haven't read too many books that I just couldn't put down, but THE PRICE OF INNOCENCE is one such book. This fast-paced story is well plotted (I didn't realize what the villain was up to until the end) and one of the most sensual I've read in a long time. Watch out that you don't singe your fingers as you rapidly turn the pages to see what will happen next! I really liked the author's use of flashbacks to the time nine years prior when Jack (Cullum was his cover name) and Sherrie had their affair. It added to my understanding of the hero's obsession with Sherrie and his feelings of inadequacy, and it helped me understand the heroine's conflicting emotions when she met Jack again. In summary, I enjoyed this book immensely. It kept me up past my bedtime and I was deeply involved in the intense, emotional story of Sherrie and Jack. Congratulations, Ms. Sizemore and Avon. THE PRICE OF INNOCENCE is a surefire winner! ~Pat Cavender for Bookbug on the Web
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