Review: BLOOD AND SAND by Elizabeth Hunter

Title: BLOOD AND SAND

Author: Elizabeth Hunter

Source: ebook from author for review

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Dead women are showing up in the desert east of San Diego, and no one understands why. When the story comes to the attention of reporter Natalie Ellis, she can’t help but make comparisons to tragic deaths she’d investigated years ago. Are these women the victims of a serial killer, or something even more insidious?

Bodies may be piling up in his sire’s territory, but water vampire and feared enforcer Baojia is stuck entertaining the rich and clueless at a club in San Diego. He’s taken his exile with all the grace he could muster, but his patience is starting to thin.

Sparks fly when mortal and immortal are thrown together, and Natalie comes face to face with a reality that was lurking in the corners of her life. Pursuing the truth could cost Baojia everything, including the mortal woman who has earned his grudging respect.

Blood and Sand is the second novel in the expanded Elemental World series.

My take....

Natalie is a woman on a mission. A mission that will most likely have her story making the front page or get her dead. Maybe both. But when she sees a story she knows she has to follow it. That is the life of an investigating journalist. But when the story she is following leads her to Baojia's club her world is forever changed. Soon she is introduced to a life she thought only existed in bedtime stories to scare little children.

Now that her world is flipped upside down, Natalie must come to terms that her life will never be the same. And that she is also in a whole heck of a lot of trouble. Baojia has promised her friend, Dez, that he will protect her and do everything possible not to let harm fall on Natalie. What he couldn't have promised was the feelings that he starts to have for her. She makes him feel alive for the first time in over 100 years. But is Natalie willing to give up human things to be with him? Is Baojia willing to throw away everything he has become just to have her love him? Will love be enough in the end?

Let me start off by saying that I just loved Baojia so stinkin much. Loved him! I liked the fact that Natalie brought about a whole lot of feelings in him that he had yet to feel or show in his lifetime. Not all of those feelings were entirely good ones. No, there was times that he would blow up due to her flippant attitude for her own safety. But like I said earlier...he felt alive and when that happens we see the real Baojia come to life. This is a whole different side of him than we have seen in the past. And I loved it. 

I enjoyed Natalie's character too. She is definitely strong willed, I will give her that. Chick likes to think…which, in turn, leads her to getting into trouble most of the time. She is not afraid to take a chance if she knows the outcome will be greater for everyone involved. She cares about people and will do anything to make things right. Her heart is bigger than I have seen in a fictional character in quite a while. 

Now lately I have been bored by paranormal/supernatural books to some extent or another. But I know the minute I start one of Hunter's books I can count on being entertained. And I know she will supply a romance that leaves me weak and wanting more. I also know the world she brings to life in her books will be realistic even though vamps are a part of it. Hunter is a genius like that.

I have yet to read a book by her that I felt was unworthy of my time. In fact, there is a giddiness I get when I know she is about to release another book. This whole series she has developed is amazing, but even her other reads are just as fabulous and just as wonderful. 

If you are looking for a great book with a story line never to bore...then this book is just for you. Sexy vampires? Oh yeah. Smooth dialogue that flows right along? Most definitely. An author who knows what she is doing? Abso-frickin-lutely!