Five Stars: "The tragedy of Madness is also the beauty of it..."
Natasha Jackson, Readers' Favorite

Madeleine Holbrook has decided she's done with men.

Ian McLaren has decided he's ready for Madeleine.

Jacob Turner hasn't decided anything.

Among the rich and miserable of Denver, Madeleine's career as a professional mistress has been an open secret. But at the ripe age of twenty-seven - and after nearly ten years - Madeleine's ready to retire and start solving her own problems. As soon as she can get a handle on what, exactly, those are. But...

Seven months ago, Josephine Berendt was a woman with a promising career, an inert social life, and no idea the vampires she wrote about were real. Now she's a rich and influential vampire who's reluctant to let go of her former life.

However, consorting with the likes of Grant Black and thwarting her enemies' well-laid plans won't give her the life she desires, either. While the ruling class tries to shore up its crumbling empire, Josephine must appease the grumbling masses and pay for the sins of her sire. And if that weren't enough, she soon realizes that her foes have not yet fully...

Josephine is free. Free from the machinations of Augustus. Free from the overbearing hand of the Empire. Free from the constant bickering with Grant Black. Free to live in her own home, on her own terms. Free to explore the extent of her powers. Finally free.

However, Max is not. With every passing day his blood bond with Josephine grows stronger. Every day finds his will more subverted; his ability to act on his own less; his adoration of her more obsessive. Too much distance from his puppet mistress brings on horrible, crippling anxiety attacks. Neither of them knows how to break...

Even vampires have bogeymen.

Genevieve Lacroix wasn't really made to be a leader. Perhaps that's why she chose to form a council instead of an empire; she wouldn't have to bear the burden of responsibility alone. While the Council of the Undead was a success, her inability to face challenges head-on would affect vampires all over the world.

When Coventry Payne informed Genevieve of her intent to betray her sire, Grant Black, Gene did nothing. When Coventry succeeded, Gene ignored her own laws and Coventry went unpunished. When Coventry showed up asking for her own House, Gene gave...