Lawson’s review of The Rogue Hunter (Argeneau Vampires, Book 10) by Lynsay Sands
Paranormal romance released by Avon 26 Sept 08
Any book with the Argeneau Vampires is a must read for me. Though there are a couple in the series that aren’t as good, in general the books are all must haves. Though most of the main members of the Argeneau family have had their books, Sands is starting to branch out more into the secondary characters from previous novels, and I’m sure later on, the legion of cousins to the Argeneau.
This story follows a Rogue Hunter Garrett Mortimer. Hunters work as enforcers of a sort for the Council that governs North America for the immortals. Mortimer and his partner, Justin Bricker, come to cottage country to investigate a rash of bitings of mortals. For those not familiar with the series, the immortals (they like that better than vampire) have blood banks that supply them with blood so they don’t have to prey on the human population. Anyone who bites humans in other than emergencies are considered rogue and subject to justice.
Mortimer and Bricker are staying in a cottage with Decker Argeneau Pimms, another rogue hunter and the cottage owner. Next door are three sisters, Samantha, Alexandra and Josephine Willan. Sam is a lawyer, Alex is a chef and Jo is a bartender working her way to finish school. The sisters are interested in their new neighbors and are more than happy to show them around and take them to the nightlife around the lake.
Mortimer realizes that Sam is his lifemate, though he’s not too happy about it at first because she’s not his sexy brunette, stacked ideal and she’s clumsy due to an ear infection. While Mortimer is searching for the Rogue, Sam has to deal with demands of her job with a prestigious law firm that sends her on an assignment for a wealthy client. Alex and Jo see the sparks between Sam and Mortimer and do their best to start some matchmaking attempts.
Through the story there’s some humor, some slapstick and some plot points that work and some that don’t. Sam’s major issue is a lack of confidence in herself due to her ex-fiancee. As she falls for Mortimer, she looses confidence in herself, and she starts to become a bit whiney. Mortimer runs hot and cold because of various issues with his blood intake, which doesn’t help Sam at all. When they do finally manage to get together, it’s worth the wait through the various stops in the between the sheets action.
Though sent to hunt the rogue, there’s not much time spent on that in the story. There’s even a scene in the prologue that references something more sinister, but it’s never revisited in the rest of the book. Perhaps it’s a thread to go through the next in the series. So is more time with Sam and Mortimer, as they have an ending, but not in the style of the Argeneau books and it was a little bit of a let down. Understandable, but a let down all the same.
I’ll keep reading the series though, because Sands creates a realistic world with characters that are usually well written and a good sense of humor. There could be a little less of the slapstick in there, but it’s the humor and dialogue of the characters that helps the story in light of other over the top elements.
Grade: C
For other reviews see the Argeneau Vampire Series.
Samantha Willan is a workaholic lawyer. She’s grateful for some rest and relaxation in cottage country, and after a recent breakup she wants to stay as far away from romance as possible. Then she meets her irresistible new neighbor. There’s something strange and mysterious about his eyes. Is it just her imagination, or are they locked on her neck?
Garrett Mortimer is a rogue hunter. His last assignment united Lucian Argeneau with his lifemate, and Mortimer is hoping this one will be less . . . adventurous. He’s here to track down a reported rogue, but fun in the sun is every bloodsucker’s nightmare. Worse, he can’t seem to get his mind off Samantha, especially when he spies her skinny-dipping in the lake. After eight hundred years as a bachelor, is he ready to turn a volatile attraction into a lasting love affair?
Read an excerpt (scroll down).
Other books in the series:
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