Book Review: Midnight Conquest w/giveaway

Author: Arial Burnz
Title: Midnight Conquest
Publisher: Mystical Press
Publish Date: June 14, 2011
Review Copy Provided By: Arial Burnz
Buy: Amazon
Book Blurb: Masked in a Gypsy guise, Broderick MacDougal hides his vampiric identity while seeking to destroy the man who slaughtered his family. When an old Clan rival ensnares Broderick in a trap using an enticing widow, he is compelled to discover if she is bait or an accomplice, and the cinnamon-haired beauty is his next conquest.

Widow of an abusive husband, Davina Stewart-Russell clings to the only image that gave her strength during those dark times—the Gypsy rogue who stole her heart as a youth. After nine years, she is finally face-to-face with him again, but reality clashes with fantasy as she is confronted with Broderick’s passionate pursuit.

When Davina’s past returns to haunt her, Broderick is forced to reveal a dark secret worse than anything Davina thought possible. The challenge before them has fatal risks and neither of them is prepared for the sacrifices expected for the sake of eternal love.

Review: Arial's debut novel Midnight Conquest is a great examble of two genres, paranormal and historical. Plus it doesn't deal with things that are all sweetness and light. Davina's husband Ian, is abusive to both her and her child. At times the book is graphic but never gruesome, which is a good thing, because you really don't want gruesome in your romance.

At first I wasn't sure what to expect from Broderick. He was so angry. Throughout most of the story I felt sorry for Davina. Nothing worked out well for her. The sad truth of the matter is that the abuse was all too common for women in those days, but Ian really took the cake. You really cheered when he is believed to be dead.

And speaking of other villianous characters, there's the gypsy girl Veronique. I know that I should have felt some sympathy for her, but I truly couldn't. She came across as a nasty bitch and when she finally got taken down a few pegs, I cheered Broderick on for doing it.

All the baddies get it, though, and there is a happily ever after...so YAY! I loved this book!

Arial gives us a teaser of the next book in the series and I really can't wait for it.

Rating: 5 flowers

Arial is being so kind as to donate 2 copies of Midnight Conquest and her erotic short story Here's Blood In Your Eye to commenters on todays's review post and tomorrow's guest post