Requested Review: Raphael (Vampires in America #1) by D.B. Reynolds

Synopsis: Malibu, California-home to rock-and-roll gods and movie stars, the beautiful, the rich . . . and vampires.

Powerful and charismatic, Raphael is a Vampire Lord, one of the few who hold the power of life and death over every vampire in existence. Thousands call him Master and have pledged absolute loyalty on their very lives. But when, in a brazen and deadly daylight attack, a gang of human killers kidnaps the one female vampire he'd give his life for, Raphael turns to a human investigator to find his enemies before it's too late.

Cynthia Leighton is smart, tough and sexy, a private investigator and former cop who's tired of spying on cheating spouses and digging out old bank accounts. When Raphael asks for her help in tracking down the kidnappers, Cyn's happy to accept. But she soon realizes her greatest danger comes not from the humans, but from Raphael himself.

Battling Russian mobsters and treacherous vampires, and betrayed by those they trusted, Cyn and Raphael find themselves fighting for their lives while caught up in a passion of blood and violence that is destined to destroy them both. Source

Review
Plot: The book centers around the investigation of a female vampire gone missing. Cyn is called in for the job and I'm glad she was. Instantly, you see the attraction between Cyn and Raphael. Cyn is hesitant when she notices the attraction because she doesn't know if she is truly attracted to him or if he is causing her to be. I was curious too since that is one of his strengths. However, as I read through the book, I saw that Raphael was falling for her...and hard. At first, I questioned how a vampire lord who could have anyone would pick Cyn. Cyn is very beautiful, smart, and powerful, but wouldn't he want someone who was equally his rank and a vampire? But, I did see that he was intrigued by Cyn and was attracted to her. Along with the constant lust and passion, there is the finding of Alexandra, who is missing. The climax was fast-paced and it did finish pretty quickly, but was very logical.

Characters: Cyn-I have seen her character before. The strong heroine who has snappy comments and isn't ready for a relationship. I can say that I do love those types of characters because it's a different take on the classic heroine. They don't intend to fall in love, but once they do, they can't see how they lived without it. She is a very great character that I want to see more of.
Raphael-Very sexy and smooth. He always knows what to say and how to say it. I loved when he came into each scene and when we got the chance to see his history. He's misunderstood and shows little emotion. I loved the scene where he was thinking about Cyn after she was injured. He was so sensitive and gentle, it was hard to think he was a vampire lord.

Cover: I am glad that they gave a snippet of what Raphael looked like. I'm not sure if the girl on the cover is supposed to be Cyn. If it is, I was thinking her hair would be longer, but it is just a model.

Overall Rating: I give this book three nail polishes. I loved this book and am craving for more. There are some situations I could have predicted, but give this book a try. If you are a huge Adrian Phoenix fan, this is a book you need to read!

Peace and Fangs,

Alisha