Claimed

Picking up where Mar. 2011’s Fated left off, this fast-paced paranormal romance continues the saga of the vampire Kayrs brothers as they find their respective mates against a backdrop of war and intrigue. This time, vampire king Dage is determined to win over his destined mate, geneticist Emma Paulsen. Emma is willing to admit the mutual attraction, but she refuses to yield to his pushy and at times abusive behavior. Their emotional struggle and frequent carnal encounters punctuate a series of emergencies involving a rival vampire clan, paranormal politics, and a virus that strips its victims of their powers. Dubious science, predictable soap opera theatrics, and Dage’s aggressive mistreatment of Emma all detract from this thriller’s true strengths: sizzling sex scenes and a memorable cast. While Dage and Emma’s story is presented as a full arc, the conclusion leaves many plot threads to be resolved in future books. (Nov.)