Review: Heart of a Huntress by Crista McHugh

Heart of a Huntress: The Kavanaugh Foundation, Book 1
by Crista McHugh
e-Book
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Available: February 23, 2010
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Book received from: Author

As one of the oldest surviving vampire hunters in the Foundation, Lana has learned the toughest lesson: success comes at a price. So while the yummy stranger she bumps into at Caesar’s trips all her temptation switches, duty comes first. Better to be alone than to gamble with someone else’s heart—or her own. Although maybe a one-night stand won’t hurt…

Byron has set a one-way course for revenge against the Vegas vampire who murdered his uncle. When he collides with Lana, though, her scent calls to him like a potent aphrodisiac. The only explanation: she’s his true-mate. And the timing couldn’t be worse. He can’t afford any distractions—not to mention it’ll be hell convincing her to love someone who sprouts fur and fangs every full moon.

One drink together turns into a daring night of passion. Their erotic interlude ends abruptly with the news that Lana’s partner has been abducted by the very vampire Byron seeks. Now Byron has no choice. He must reveal what he is and risk a rejection that could spell his own destruction…

Reviewer: Fiction Vixen

Byron is a werewolf who is hunting the vampire that murdered his uncle and who was also his pack alpha.  Now that his uncle has died, he is in line to become the packs next alpha.  With his plate full of pack politics, vengeance, and grief, that last thing he expected was to come across his fated mate in Las Vegas.  Especially since he thought the whole concept was nothing more than a myth.  But when he comes across Lana, a vampire hunter, he can’t deny there is something about her that calls to him.

Lana is a vampire hunter for the Foundation.  She lost someone dear to her to a vampire and she has dedicated her life to her job as a hunter. She’s not looking for relationships or romantic attachments of any kind but a chance meeting with a sexy stranger becomes a major distraction she can’t afford.  Still she can’t resist just one night with him.

When Lana’s protégé is kidnapped by the vampire that killed Byron’s uncle the two of them join forces to get her back and kill the vampire.  The problem is Lana fears for Byron’s safety since she believes he is only human.  Byron can take care of himself but fears that telling Lana of his true nature might drive her away. He’ll eventually have no choice, she is his true-mate and he won’t survive without out her so he’ll have to take the chance.

Bryon and Lana seemed to be their own worst enemy when it came to romance. Byron was reluctant to tell Lana what he is for fear of losing her causing all kinds of misunderstandings and when he finally does tell her, Lana finds it difficult to believe him. I found this strange since Lana lives in a world of the paranormals protecting humans from vampires.  She works for the Federation who is aware of both vampires and werewolves so I was surprised she didn’t know about werewolves and by her reluctance to believe.

Heart of a Huntress is a nice quick, erotic paranormal romance. While it doesn’t reinvent the fated-mate story, it’s a well rounded tale with sweet romance, blazing hot sexiness and a fast paced fight scene. Several interesting secondary characters are introduced that may provide some very interesting stories in the future.  There’s a whole pack of growly werewolves and also Lana’s protégé Espe.  I look forward to reading the next book in the series, Angelic Surrender.

Favorite Quote:

Just how would he introduce himself to her? Should he nearly knock her over again? How about, Nice stake; you should see the one in my pants? He rolled his eyes.

Purchase a copy of Heart of a Huntress

Other books in the series:

Angelic Surrender Kavanaugh Foundation, #2 – July 2010

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