Review: Her Vampire Husband by Michele Hauf

I received this title for review from NetGalley.com.

I haven't found the "official blurb" but I took this off the author's website so here's what it says:

An arranged marriage between a werewolf and a vampire.

There will be blood.

She may resist his bite, but she can't resist his charms...

Werewolf princess Blu Masterson won't allow her seductive vampire husband to consummate their marriage with his bite, marking her forever. Alone in a secluded estate with her sworn enemy, Blu curses the marriage arranged to bring their rival nations together, especially since Creed Saint-Pierre calls out to her most feral desires.

When Blu uncovers her pack's secret plot to destroy the vampire nation—and Creed—she is forced to confront her growing feelings for her sexy undead husband. Will she choose the only life she's ever known or accept his vampire bite?

There's a quote on the author's site by MaryJanice Davidson that calls this story a paranormal Romeo and Juliet, and I have to say that that's a pretty good description.

Blu and Creed are forced by their respective groups, the Weres and the Vamps, to marry in the hopes that their union will bring peace to these long warring nations. Unfortunately things aren't what they seem and as Blu and Creed begin to care for each other and to learn from one another, everyone from parents, and tribes and even the Devil himself will conspire to keep them apart and their union to end in tragedy.

I have to say that I really liked Blu and Creed. Blu especially was such a vibrant character. She wears brightly colored wigs, red lipstick and sexy clothes. She gives off attitude and is completely irreverent. She's also wounded and charming and full of life and love.

Creed was a sweet hero. In the beginning it seems he's going to go the way of the alpha man, but he quickly morphs into a rather sweet and noble hero that wants nothing more than to save his wife from all that would hurt her, even himself and his own people.

The book seemed long in some ways. There were times that I felt it dragged a bit. The sex was hot and wild and their growing intimacy was sweet to watch. The plot of the warring nations and how everyone and their freakin father wanted to keep them apart and make trouble was kinda blah for me. In the beginning, Creed is set up to be a powerful and fearsome being, but it felt like so much time was spent making him soft and sweet that he quickly lost his ability to be a believable supernatural leader.

There were a few things in the book that didn't make sense or were slightly annoying to me, but what really saved this story and made it enjoyable were the main characters. They were so full of life and the irrepressible hope that they could change themselves and change their people and somehow make a miracle of peace happen that you couldn't help but root for them. You wanted to see them win against all the odds.

Overall, the book was enjoyable. It wasn't my favorite paranormal romance but it was sweet and sexy and Blu and Creed were fun to get to know.

My final grade for this story is a C+. What kept this book from getting a higher grade from me was that it seemed to lack a certain amount of edge that I like in a paranormal. The hero and heroine seemed like they were neutered a bit to make them more likable. Also, there were a few plot things that irritated me a bit.

The publication date for this book is April 1, 2010.