A Bargain of Blood and Gold

Jacques (Skin Curse) delivers a charming, fast-paced queer paranormal romance set in the 1850s. Johnathan Newman is a fledgling member of the Society, an organization specializing in the hunting and killing of vampires. When his mentor sends him to Cress Haven to investigate a series of disappearances and murders suspected to be vampire related, he hopes to use the opportunity to prove his worth as a hunter—but he finds much more than he bargained for in the small New England town. Johnathan teams up with Vic, a handsome, witty, and respected local—who also happens to be a vampire in hiding. Learning Vic’s secret makes Johnathan question everything he’s been taught, and the pair can’t help falling for each other. As they delve deeper into the disappearances and murders, they find an evil spreading through Cress Haven that is neither human nor vampire. Though some plot solutions are perhaps a bit convenient, Jacques has a talent for pacing that feels effortless, and moves the story along with snappy dialogue, adorable flirting, and winning found-family relationships. This delightful romp is sure to appeal to fans of Cat Sebastian and Gail Carriger. [em](June) [/em]