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Book Review of Crouching Vampire, Hidden Fang (Dark Ones, Bk 7)

Crouching Vampire, Hidden Fang (Dark Ones, Bk 7)
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What happens when your groom leaves you right after the wedding and is several continents away from you? You speak to him directly with your mind but if he blocks you out, you cry yourself to sleep and eat lots of ice cream.

Pia Thomason cries herself to sleep every night. Her husband wants nothing to do with her and even when she projects her thoughts to him, he shuts her down abruptly. Pia is a chubby, middle-aged woman who recently found herself the new Zorya and married to two men. One of those men is a vampire, and the other a member of the Brotherhood, which Pia found herself to be a member of since becoming Zorya. A Zorya can see and interact with ghosts and help them find their way to their eternal rest, or Ostri as Pia calls it. The vampire council wants to see Pia as soon as possible, but all Pia can think about is her broken heart and why the Dark One, Kristoff, doesn't want her.

Kristoff is a Dark One, a Moravian vampire. Pia is his Beloved, and he cannot live without her, literally. Every time she beckons him with her mind, he blocks his thoughts from her. Pia expressed desire for one of Kristoff's friends, Alec, a few months ago and Kristoff would rather die than get in the way of Pia's path to true love. But Kristoff really is dying since he can't feed from anyone but Pia, unbeknown to her. When the council brings Pia to him, he collapses before her.

Once Pia feeds Kristoff so he can function, she confronts the council on the way they've treated him. They are keeping him prisoner, and bring many accusations against Pia as well. Pia made a deal with the Brotherhood, for the release of reapers that the council is holding so that she can terminate her position as Zorya. After much discussion, the council decides that Pia and Kristoff must find out whom the mole is that is feeding information to the Brotherhood about the Dark Ones. If they succeed, all the charges will be dropped.

Pia and Kristoff complement each other perfectly. Pia is an out-spoken woman who knows what she wants, and she wants Kristoff. She uses her wiles to garner his attention, not knowing she had it months ago. Kristoff is a possessive Dark One with a deep secret that he does not want to share with Pia, lest he lose her. The two set off fireworks like the Fourth of July! When intimate or arguing, they are made for one another. Witty with a splash of romance and a dark puzzle to unravel, CROUCHING VAMPIRE HIDDEN FANG is a sure-fire hit!