Love Bites

About the book

A prequel to the paranormal comedy Single White Vampire by Sands, this lighthearted romantic story aims for humor but often falls short. The appeal of vampires usually lies in their strength and indestructibility, but the bloodsucking hero of this book, Etienne Argeneau, seems strangely inept when faced with a mortal foe named Pudge who wants to decapitate him. Despite being injured twice by Pudge, Etienne ends up in the morgue under the care of coroner Rachel Garrett. However, when Rachel interferes with Pudge's third attempt, Etienne saves her by turning her into a vampire. The story transitions from mildly amusing to absurd as Rachel denies her new reality, believing she is just dreaming about a man who believes he is a vampire. There is little romantic tension between Etienne and Rachel, and the plot is stretched thin with minor misunderstandings. The attempts at trendy dialogue fall flat, such as when a 200-year-old vampire calls Rachel a "happening chick, dudette." Fans of Sands's previous paranormal comedies may find some enjoyment in this book, but it may not satisfy true vampire enthusiasts.