Title: The Consolation Prize Author: Barbara Elsborg Publisher: Loose ID Publisher’s Address: www.loose-id.com ISBN: 978-1-59632-749-8 Pages: 162 Genre: Vampire, Paranormal Romance, Supernatural, Adult E-Book Rating: 5 Stars Reviewed by: Amy J Ramsey Completed: March 14, 2009Descended from original vampires, Luka Varek is concealing the fact he is of the Trueblood Clan and has inherited their pureblood abilities the lesser vamps envy, which, long ago, lead to an uprising against the Truebloods, overthrowing them from the Vampire Council and forcing all Truebloods underground. One of the reasons that the Truebloods are resented by the lesser, tainted vampires was the fact that they are capable (among other things) of procreation. Vampires that are created are sterile, but Truebloods are born, therefore, able to reproduce, making infertile vampires fertile. This alone puts all Truebloods in danger, threatening their freedom and their lives. Luka owns and operates a gay night club located in Yorkshire. There’s rarely a dull moment, considering that the patrons are a mix of Vampires, Werewolves and Mortals. Luka believed he was being cleaver when he came up with the notion of opening the club, in prospects of adverting attentions of any female vampires, intent on making advances towards him; he even concocted a story about a gay lover. But, Luka had not foreseen that by creating this façade, it would lead to his abstinence; to make matters worse, his desire for sex and blood had increased, and even, at the thought of sex, his arm would mysteriously itch, which became insanely bothersome. Chloe quit her job after being swindled out of a position she strived to obtain and was furious that her ex-boss had the audacity to award her a consolation prize. After returning home from a miserable evening, Chloe could care less about the rotten consolation prize. She attempted to throw away the envelope, not even looking inside, but the voices in her head had other plans, forcing her to open and read it. She was invited to attend a four day, all expense paid trip, to Sunset Spa. As Chloe noticed the address, she was shocked and dismayed; it was the place she lived in as a child, the one her family had died in. Once again, her 6 ½ sense doesn’t give her a choice in the matter, forcing Chloe to return to her childhood past. It doesn’t take long for her to realize that something peculiar is occurring at Sunset Spa. More questions arise when she stumbles across a gorgeous hunk of a man, Luka Varek, which appears to be unconscious, naked, and chained to a wall. Was she intruding on some type of eccentric sex game or was Luka the reason she was sent here? While in his unconscious presence, she feels an alluring connection towards him, a feeling that goes beyond his unclothed state. Chloe fears her 6 ½ sense has mislead her into a situation with an outcome that may cost her dearly, with her life. The Consolation Prize grasped me form the start, overwhelming me, until I finished the last page! Barbara Elsborg has envisioned vibrant characters, created an intriguing world, and brilliantly brought them all together with an engrossing plot that any reader, who is partial to vampires and paranormal romance, will definitely crave this story. Barbara Elsborg lives in West Yorkshire in the north of England. She always wanted to be a spy, but having confessed to everyone without them even resorting to torture, she decided it was not for her. Vulcanology scorched her feet. A morbid fear of sharks put paid to marine biology. So instead, she spent several years successfully selling cyanide. After dragging up two rotten, ungrateful children and frustrating her sexy, devoted, wonderful husband (who can now stop twisting her arm) she finally has time to conduct an affair with an electrifying plugged-in male, her laptop. Her books feature quirky heroines and bad boys, and she hopes they are as much fun to read as they are to write. Email: bjelsborg@googlemail.com

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