Midnight Gamble is book 5 in the Midnight paranormal vampire romance series. This story follows Frederica or Rica, the daywalking vampire daughter of Nicole and Marchand, as she tries to figure out her role in the vampire-human world. We find her getting mixed up in some dangerous situations in New York in the 1920s. In addition to vampires, the setting features jazz clubs, bootleggers, and gambling. In predictable paranormal romance fashion, Rica winds up falling quickly and madly in love with the mysterious Eduard D'Arcy. During their whirlwind romance, events lead Rica to become torn over whether Eduard is good or evil. A family reunion of the vampire variety occurs and old enemies rear their ugly head as well. In the end, characters do find resolution. The author continues to develop concepts of human-vampire hybrids in the form of the daywalking vampires. Overall, the book was entertaining and somewhat predictable.

Frederico/Rica was told by Marchand who was her father that she shouldn’t dismiss the old ones so easily. The old ones are dangerous and an unpredictable breed and that Rica’s confidence could be her downfall but Rica said she was never careless and that was why she was good at what she did. Marchand told Rica that she did a service for her kind who hope to blend into the twentieth century without a dangerous fanfare. That Rica had a unique talent that provided them with an upper hand in dealing with the undead. Rica was Marchands only child. They Marchand also told Rica they could no longer be seen as the vile creatures of the damned, feeding off the blood of humans in a frenzy. Marchand also said if they weren’t careful they would be hunted down until every last vampire was destroyed. Rica had been raised to be tough, independent, and resourceful. Rica was different from her father and all his followers as she could go out during the day. Rica had a new roommate who was Chloe and her vampire boyfriend was Quinn. Rica new Quinn was a new creature without the wisdom and power that would come with was passing centuries on earth as an undead. But Quinn was strong enough to be behind the murders that Rica had been sent to investigate. Part of Rica’s gift was fitting in with humans. There had been three deaths in the Soho’s warehouse district. Rica could remove herself emotionally from the situation when looking at a crime scene. One of vampire’s primary rules was discretion, and deception. Anything to prevent detection. There were groups from the old countries that dedicated themselves to the destruction. There were groups from the old countries that dedicated themselves to the destruction of Rica’s breed. It was Rica’s duty to find the guilty ones and quickly, quietly, and prevent them from bringing any further attention to the existence of vampires. It wasn’t Rica’s job to condemn or kill. She was sent to investigate and incapacitated the suspected killers. Her father’s court would decide their fate. Marchand heads the Corps de Judgement that monitors, judges the vampires who hurt hum+ans. Rica wants to be the best hunter for her dad to get his approval. Rica tried not to involve humans when possible but in her mind humans were tools to an end. Rica had never understood her parents affection for humans Rica was a hybrid of two worlds. Marchard’s greatest fear was not immortal. Edward found Rica fascinating like no one else he could recall. Rica’s challenge for Edward was both physical as well as mental. Edward could not afford any distraction that even know kept Edward from getting to the business at hand, Edward. Edward told Vanko he wanted to know more about Rica. Chloe left with Quinn but Rica joined her later that evening. Where illegal flowed and there was a lot of vampires. But Rica had to be careful so that the vampires wouldn’t sense her. Rica is half human and Rica met Edward. Edward and Rica are very attracted to each other. Rica fears Edward was the man her dad sent her to bring back to the his court. Edward doesn’t trust Rica even though he is very attracted to her. Edward recognizes Rica as a person out to destroy him. But Edward is trying to find the villian/villians who is out to destroy the humans.
I enjoyed reading this story. To know there were vampires that were out there to stop that ones that wanted to destroy humans. It made no sense to me why Rica had no feelings for humans just makes no sense to me.But I did basically like the plot and pace of this book. Although at times I had a problem keeping my attention on the story. I also feel Rica should have been more feminine and just a bit less ruthless. I did like Rica and Edward together. I also wondered how you can really love someone you don’t really trust. So I had mixed feelings for the reasons I have listed and gave this a three for a rating.