HANDSOME DEATH
SARA DOBIE BAUER
ISBN: none issued at present
April 2020
Carnation Books
http://www.carnationbooks.com/
240 pages
$13.00
Gay Erotic Paranormal/Vampire Romance
Rating: 4 Cups
Ethan is a vampire—but not exactly a typical one. He stands 6’5” and is a professional mercenary, or essentially a hired assassin, a trade in which he excels. He is one who observes rather than become involved in the events around him, until he sees a crude bully harass a beautiful young man at his favorite coffee shop. He steps in to defend the younger chap, not sure why. Vampires are certainly not supposed to feel, much less act on, fascination with a human.
Tristan, or Tris, is a student, avidly pursuing his dream of becoming a famous pianist. He has his circle of friends, but entertains a secret fascination with vampiredom. However, he is a bit put off by the huge man who begins to follow and guard him, soon recognizing his new protector is actually a vampire. He is both attracted and repelled. Should he call a halt or begin to flirt?
To go much further into the development of this relationship would create far too many spoilers because there are surprises with every page turned. It is a romance, so you can perhaps guess an upbeat ending is coming, unlikely though it may seem for these two radically different beings. However, the road to reach that goal is absorbingly twisting and complex.
I am not normally a big fan of vampire novels, but this one is far enough out of the box to intrigue me from the start. The sex is frequent and incandescent on the heat scale yet it never feels forced or gratuitous. The two characters are quirky, believable, at times almost stirring pity and then making you laugh and cheer. Despite the paranormal or urban fantasy setting, they feel very real. Fans of very erotic gay romance, urban fantasy and extraordinary vampires will love this book.
AZGaye
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Genre and Content Warning: Male/Male explicit sex scenes, stalking, violence, and discussion of one character’s prior assassin function.
