I enjoyed the action in Venice and New Orleans. Because the view of Islam was set during the Crusades, I can forgive the character's assumption that Allah is a different god rather than God the Father (Yahweh or Jehovah). I'm docking a star because I kept wanting to slap some sense into heroine Jordan. The big battle in the de-consecrated church was particularly good. ( )

I was unaware that this was in a series of three until after I read it. I was a bit bored through some of it, but overall I was entertained. I'm sure I would enjoy it a lot more if I read the other two! ( )

This book cribs from The Highlander in the way that the last volume of the series pulled from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. At least the rules of vampirism didn't change again. Actually, this third book is quite a bit better than the last, but not as good as the first. It started a little slow and I didn't like the heroine at all. In fact, all the characters seemed very changeable and as though they were acting only in ways that advanced the plot, not ways that would be motivated by their intrinsic natures. Also, one of the chapters seemed as though it was split in the middle and switched around.
Other than that, though, the story was pretty entertaining, most of it set in Venice during Carnevale. Drake was able to really bring the celebration to life, and even teach a little Italian. ( )

From BackCover:
The Hour When Dreams Turn Into Nightmares...

An opulent Carnivale ball in Venice takes a terrifying turn for book critic Jordan Riley. As festivity turns into frenzy, she is rescued by a powerful man disguised as a wolf. But was what she witnessed really just the evening's entertainment—or something far more sinister?

…And Pleasure Beckons From Beyond

From a de-consecrated church in Venice to a secret society in New Orleans, Jordan is led on a nightmare journey to the razor's edge of reality. Her mysterious savior is always a shadow behind her. A man whose closeness will both torment and tantalize her as darkness falls—and an eternal hunger threatens to consume her. ( )

The 3rd in a series of romantic vampire books. The first two are really good, but this is a disappointment. It drags on. Very boring. ( )