Sandy M’s review of Immortal Ever After (Argeneau and Rogue Hunters, Book 18) by Lynsay Sands
Paranormal Romance published by Avon 26 Feb 13
Nothing like reading your first book in a series at No. 18. Not that I haven’t wanted to read this series. I mean, it’s Lynsay Sands. I’ve wanted to read her vampires for a long time now. So when I wanted to read a Sands book recently, this is the one I had access to, so this is the one I read. While I’d love to have started at the beginning for the full impact of the series – especially these nano-produced immortals – I still loved every word of this story with Anders and Valerie.
The book opens with intense scenes – women have been kidnapped and are being held hostage in cages in the basement of a home. Each night one of them is selected to be taken upstairs by “Igor.” He leads them to his boss, a man who dons fake fangs and bites each woman, drawing blood. When it’s Valerie turn again, she’s finally alert, no drugs in her system, and now as she’s being dragged through the house, her only mission to find a weapon to help herself and the women below escape this hell. And that’s exactly what she does. Valerie is one of those heroines who is confident, intelligent, knows her mind, thinks fast, and isn’t afraid to act.
Seeing things she can’t explain and not sure she can believe, Valerie is now amid a family of immortal rogue hunters, though she doesn’t know that right away. Anders is the one who finds her after her escape from the house. He’s protective of her from that first moment, and when he realizes he can’t reach into her mind, he knows Valerie is his mate. But he has to be careful, integrate her slowly into his world because at this point she doesn’t believe anything she’s seen. While the hunters search for the rogue who’s causing such havoc, Valerie is kept at Lucien Argeneau’s, where plenty of everything goes on and these two are given the time to learn more about each other so that Valerie can hopefully come to terms with what Anders is, his world, and if she wants to be part of it all.
As usual, Lynsay Sands draws me into the story with her characters and the storyline. Even though I’ve not read any of these characters before, I took to them from the first page. I like Anders’ willingness to allow Valerie the time to make her decision about him and all immortals; his kindness and gentleness are a plus; and I like how he begins to come back to life now that he’s found his mate. Valerie is that strong, independent heroine who’s curiosity about immortals is at times humorous. Even when she’s afraid throughout the story, she thinks fast and clearly and reacts the same. I had the best time when she keeps pounding Igor over and over when Leigh is in labor. Valerie definitely keeps you entertained. I also enjoyed Lucien and Leigh’s relationship and kept wishing I’d read their book. Even a pregnant immortal is someone to stay away from, though Lucien doesn’t seem to think so.
I’d love to read more of this series. Alas, it’s going to be a while before I can even think about starting at the beginning and catching up. But I will try to read any future books. I figure that’s better than nothing at all, and I’d hate to miss any more of these sexy and fun vampires.
Grade: A
Summary:
A kiss doesn’t mean eternity . . .
Valerie Moyer doesn’t believe in vampires—until she is kidnapped by a fanged psychopath! After escaping her bloodthirsty captor, she’s through with creatures of the night. Until she finds herself under the protection of the darkly handsome Anders. Not only is she expected to accept that Anders is immortal, but also that she is the woman destined to be his life mate!
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
