Raylene Pendle is my new favorite vampire! I loved this book so much. Cherie Priest writes with such humor, but there is also a lot of love there (although don't tell Raylene that, because she really wants to be viewed as a loner). Her little family (a vampire, 2 orphans, and a drag queen/ex-Navy Seal) are adorable, and she actually seems destined to pick up a few more to add to the group along the way.

Raylene is a vampire thief and she has been hired to retrieve a humidor full of bacula - penis bones to us lay people - that can enhance magical abilities. Of course, this proves to be more difficult than expected when she has to chase a psychotic sorceress to get them. She also has to save her friend, Ian, from possible extermination at the hands of his "brother" when the head of their House is killed and Ian is next in line to inherit.

I loved the way all of the characters were so distinct and had their own individual personalities, and that their back stories were explained.in a very organic and natural way. The pacing was great, which made this an enjoyable and quick read.

In summary, I highly recommend this book.

5/5 stars.

I received a copy of this book free of charge in exchange for my honest opinion.