FBI Agent Heather Wallace has been hunting the CCK—Cross Country Killer— for months. The trail has led her to New Orleans where the killer’s latest victim is found outside Club Hell, a Goth nightclub owned by Dante, front man for rock band Dante’s Inferno. At first, Heather believes Dante is nothing more than a darkly mysterious, intensely sensual, wanna-be vampire. Soon, however, she discovers that nightkind are as real as humans.

Background checks into Dante’s past get Heather nowhere. He remembers nothing from his past, and attempts to recall his childhood bring nothing but intense migraines. Heather learns through various sources of his tortured youth in multiple foster homes and psychiatric admissions, but when she attempts to dig further, she not only hits a wall, but is ordered to close the investigation altogether. She can’t do that. Not when the CCK starts leaving cryptic messages, seemingly aimed at Dante. If he’s the CCK’s next target, Heather will do everything in her power to keep Dante from harm. She’s given him her word—as a Federal Agent, as a friend, and perhaps as something more. It’s only a matter of time until Dante learns the real reason his past has been hidden. When his past and present collide, will Heather be able to save Dante from those who wish him harm, including himself?

A couple of months ago, A Rush of Wings was listed on several books groups as a great new paranormal novel. Of course, being the fan of all things dark and mysterious, especially vampires, I had to appease my own curiosity. Let me first clear the air and state that this story is not paranormal romance. I knew this from page one, but a few readers, since this book was listed on several romance chat groups, were slightly disappointed to realize this wasn’t another vampire romance. This book is dark and gothic with intensely real characters who experience all the pain that comes from a tortured past. That’s not to say there aren’t some deeply sensual, romantic elements with incredibly hot chemistry between Dante and Heather. In fact…well, pick up the book to find out for yourself.

I will say this, I LOVED this book! Debut novelist Adrian Phoenix penned an amazing story, filled with watchers, angels, and vampires all deliciously wrapped up in a plot of dark, hidden agendas and the bonds of friendship, love and blood. I was so mesmerized by the intricacies of Phoenix’s world that I was pulled in, hook, line, and sinker. Heather is smart and independent, a perfect complement to Alpha male, aggressive, staggeringly sexy Dante. This book is the start of what looks to be a fabulously wicked series, and I for one cannot wait to read what happens next.

Reviewed by: Bella