Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE: How to Elude a Vampire

AUTHOR: Alice Winters

SERIES: VRC: Vampire Related Crimes #2

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 336 pages

RELEASE DATE: April 16, 2020

BLURB:

Finn

When the vampire stalking me sent me a letter, I was prepared for my new life with the man I love to get thrown into chaos. But as the days stretch on and nothing happens, I become determined not to allow that monster to rule my life, and decide that Marcus and I will move on. We can’t always allow the past to haunt us. If that includes pestering Marcus and harassing my fellow detectives, they’d better learn to love it, because I’m not going anywhere even if they like to remind me I’m the only human working in a department filled with vampires. But Marcus loves me for who I am, even if he’s not crazy about the cute pet names I call him like McBitey. Being with him is more than I could have dreamed, and even with the trials thrown in our way, he never fails to make me smile.

Marcus

When Finn joined the VRC, I never expected how everything would change. Now that he’s the brightest part of my days, I’m unsure of how I existed without him. Before Finn and I can settle into our new life together, we’re called in as lead detectives when a body is found in the river, and the case soon hits closer to home than we anticipated. I want to be by Finn’s side to keep him safe, but at the same time, Finn’s fighting for the freedom he’s always wanted after being forced to live a life of fear. What I do know is that my future is with Finn, no matter what happens.

REVIEW:

Artemus is back!! Er, I mean, Finn and Marcus are back! If you read my review of How to Vex a Vampire, book one in the VRC: Vampire Related Crimes series, you’re well aware that I’m a little gaga for Artie. I won’t go so far as to say he’s the most important character, but he’s pretty darn close. ;) And now he has a new toy friend.  

But pardon the digression… my dog love aside, I adore Marcus and Finn. Our favorite sexy vampire and his lovable, tiny human are back, better than ever, with the entire book devoted to finding the Big Bad Vampire. How to Elude a Vampire is part romantic comedy – overflowing with banter and sarcasm – and part suspenseful mystery. As Finn makes an art form of simultaneously exasperating and endearing himself to everyone he knows, the vampire terrorizing him gets more threatening and manipulative, and the danger is amplified. It’s not far into the book before Finn is attacked. Marcus, meanwhile, feels more and more ineffective and frightened that he can’t protect his man. (He can certainly take care of him in bed, though, as the sexy times prove.) The vampire hunt is tense, but Alice Winters balances it well with the romance and humor so it never feels too heavy.  

One of Winters’ talents lies in creating couples who have great chemistry of all kinds: as romantic partners, friends, co-workers, as bantering buddies and bed mates. We have seen this time and time again in her books; she never misses the mark. Her men invariably bring out the best in each other. Now a half year into their relationship we see the men evolving; Finn matures a little, as does the humor in the book, and poor Marcus has to come to terms with no longer being at the top of the vampire food chain.  

How to Elude a Vampire has a fantastic cast of characters and each one is well-developed. Back are Karsyn, Brooks and the other vampires of VRC; Finn’s doctor Watson; and Finn’s father, Orin, and sister, Aria. New this time around is the hysterical Claude, Marcus’ twin brother, who can be even peskier than Finn and seems to think hot pink suit jackets are haute couture. Claude tries to get his hands on Karsyn, and their interaction, while limited, is priceless. I hope we see more of this duo together.  

There’s a third book on the way, but the current storyline is concluded in this volume. No cliffhangers, no loose threads, just a dramatic plot twist I didn’t see coming. My only wonder is, will Finn and Marcus get a cat in book three? I see so much potential in Marcus-kitten interaction. Cat please, Ms. Winters!  

Before I conclude, I must say that Winters has given us another brilliant cover: the model is the ideal, very cute Finn, just as the cover model for How to Vex a Vampire is perfect. Perfectly hot, perfectly broody, perfectly Marcus. And it may or may not be my laptop background. 

I highly recommend that you sink your teeth into this wonderful book soon. (Sorry, couldn’t resist)

RATING:

BUY LINK: 

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