I had high expectations for this book. I truly did, but yet, I felt disappointed after reading it. It really dragged on for so long between the characters, The male main character denying his feelings for his mate since she is supposedly responsible to cause chaos for his clan. It was too much for my taste. It's mate, sir. You ca figure out another way, not dragging on about denying your feelings. Seems to waste too much time in the book.

The story for me, started of slow but picked up a bit. I the world building is a bit confusing, and the main characters in this one didn't draw me in. I also found the ending to be to abrupt.

The lost vampire by Kate Baxter.
Once one of the oldest dhampirs in existence, Saeed now faces a treacherously uncertain future as a vampire. He believes that the only thing that can restore his position within his coven and tether his lost soul is the flame-haired fae who is destined to be his mate.
Cerys Bain is a soul thief. She is feared by those who dwell in the supernatural realm—and hopelessly bound to the ruthless mage Rinieri de Rege. The raw, sensual vampire who enters her world is both a threat and an intoxicating temptation: No one has ever made Cerys feel the way Saeed does. But to claim their fate as soulmates, Saeed must first find a way to free Cerys from Rin. Is their desire worth the risk of certain destruction—and eternal doom?
This was a really enjoyable read. I loved the story and the characters. Some of the characters I didn't like. I loved cerys and Saeed.i loved the part with cerys took his soul then Saeed had to work with Fallon's to get cerys back. Absolutely brilliant. I didn't like how fallon struck his bargain with Saeed. I wanted cerys to have her soul back. 5*. Recommended.

An interesting take on the supernatural genre, where it's not only vampires that walk among us - it's also mages, fae, shifters, and lots of other mythical creatures from around the globe. I hadn't read any of the earlier books in the series before picking up "The Lost Vampire," and while there were a couple things I couldn't make heads or tails of due to jumping in at the middle, I was able to figure out most of the mythology and world-building, at least at a high level. However, because I didn't know the backstory about any of the characters, I didn't feel as invested in some of the side stories (Sasha, for example) nor did I get the full impact of some of the twists and turns. That being said, there were some cool ideas here that I hadn't read before in the vampire genre - specifically the whole stealing souls aspect - and I liked the character of Cerys especially.

A lot of the drama started to wear on me, though. The whole 'I'm empty and lost but I know this other creature can complete me' and 'everyone is conspiring to keep us apart but I will die for you' just went on and on and on. It felt like we had to rehash everything at the beginning of every single chapter, and I just wanted the story to get on with it already! When it finally did, for the big finale, it was pretty awesome. I just wish more of the book had that momentum and creative magic.

This is the 5th book in the Last True Vampire Series by Kate Baxter and it's about Saeed and his soulmate. I don't think you can read this one as a standalone, I mean you could but it would be better if you had atleast read the fourth book because he's in it quite a bit and it would help understand his need to leave and search for his soulmate.

As Saeed as stated earlier is on the quest to find his soulmate, the collective vampire voices/memories that he has driven himself mad in searching to find the one woman he thinks is his soulmate and can help him deal with his coven, the lapses and being lost in collectives memories. He leaves his coven at the hands of his two trusted and newly converted vampires friends after finding out that his mate is in Seattle.

Cerys is a soul thief who ironically lost her soul to a mage, who controls her making her commit crimes that her making her less and less of who she really is. Cerys is a real badass with a vulnerability that you can't help but like.

I really liked them together, they had great chemistry, they were so sweet with together. Even though Cerys didn't want to at first she couldn't help but really feel for Saeed.

Overall, a pretty good instalment to a great series and I'm looking forward to what Kate Baxter brings us next!

Great read. Fast paced. Well written. Strong characters.

ARC from the publisher.

This is one book that was really something different. I actually have mixed emotions while I was reading it. Saeed, went on a journey to find his mate, that he found within the consciousness of the Collective. I sounded like a wild goose chase, but it wasn't. Having the guidance of a young oracle. he sets off to another part of America to look for her. It was not an easy task. Being pulled from time to time in a see of memories of hundreds if not thousands of vampires can be overwhelming. But Saeed, being him, withstood the memories...most of the time.

Cerys Bain is a soul thief, was something that I was not expecting. I like her attitude, personality, and her appetite. I mean man! but it does not erase the fact the her soul is being kept by another. Preventing her to flourish... and to live.

Each back story of this book made me cry, every sweet words said by Saeed, made me want to brawl, and the thoughts of Cerys was a thing of beauty.

I love how each book was written, each characters came to life in every words she writes. I look forward reading the nest book in the series.

When I began The Lost Vampire, I was prepared to put up with some selfish, craziness from Saeed. I didn’t think he had the organization to get Sasha and Diego turned and prepared to lead his coven while he runs off to Seattle to find his mate. The Collective is driving him into madness and he sees his mate in the Collective’s memories. He has to follow the hints he received from the child Foreseer as that is the only lead he has. Saeed believes once he is tethered and his soul is returned, he will be able to get his life back together.

Saeed is going to find getting his soul back just a bit harder than he expects. Cerys is a soul stealer who has had her own soul stolen and now lives in captivity with Rin. Rin uses Cerys to collect souls of those who break their agreements with him. Slowly this is killing Cerys. Saeed believes that once Cerys has her soul back, then she will tether him. He embarks on a plan to get her and her soul away from Rin.

I have to say, The Lost Vampire made me hungry. Cerys tries to fill the emptiness that was her soul’s with food, and lots of it! Cerys tries not to get her hopes up about Saeed’s plan, and tries to keep him away from Rin. Unfortunately she ends up losing Saeed and being pushed at Gregor. What Gregor is after is a mystery. Even after he helps Saeed get Cerys, Gregor’s intentions are hidden. Saeed doesn’t wait for Gregor to change his mind and quickly gets Cerys back to LA. He’ll discover Gregor’s plans soon enough.

Cerys was a great, spunky character. Even after thousands of years being Rin’s captive, she still has an attitude with him. She’s kept a part of herself that keeps her from becoming too submissive. Saeed seems to be obsessed with Cerys, which worries her, but he is able to keep his head straight for the most part. I feel like he had desperation and I wasn’t crazy about that characteristic. It took away from the strong hero outlook I wanted to have for him. Cerys was a character I really connected with though and I loved all her scenes. I didn’t find the book as intense as I was expecting, but I did really enjoy it. We do not see much of our previous characters, probably because the story was based in Seattle, and I missed that a bit. I would like to see them all interact more.

We have some side characters who are building parts in anticipation of the upcoming war as well as their books. I am really excited for The Wicked Vampire and Sasha’s story which is coming out December 5, 2017. She begins to let loose in The Lost Vampire and I can’t wait to see what interesting things that will cause!

This book was awesome, endearing, sweet, sexy and just all around great read!!

Saeed was a vampire and on a plane which was like being trapped in the confines of an all- you - can-eat- buffet with strict orders not to eat. He had gorged himself on Sasha;s blood before getting on the plane. The two and a half hour flight hadn’t been long but it seemed like centuries had passed to Saeed. It had seemed lately that no amount of blood could keep him away from the memories that plagues him Saeed had given himself over to the Collection which was the memories of every vampire that had ever existed transferred through the blood at the moment of a vampire’s turning. To Saeed the Collective had become a lifeline to the only thing that could save him here on earth. The Collective had shown Saeed the female that would tether his soul. The members of Saeed’s covet thought Saeed was mad and Saeed’s friends considered him lost. . Sasha and Diego were Saeed’s most trusted advisers. Saeed turned Sasha and Diego just as he had promised Saeed turned the leadership of his covet to Sasha and Diego. Saeed was empty and hollow. As void and black as the night that stretched out before Saeed. Saeed;s soul had been taken from him when he was turned and he was obsessed with getting his soul back. Saeed was following the inarticulate ramblings of a child oracle. Humans were such easy prey drawn to predators like Saeed. Saeed was looking for his mate- a fae . with hair like fire and Saeed would find her, he had to his soul depended on it. Cerys was exhausted if only Rin would give her a chance to sleep but Rin was as wicked as they came.Cerys was his property and under his command, Cerys had carried out a lot of wicked deeds for Rin so she was as wicked as him. Cerys was Rin’s collared pet, the tool that carried out his will. Rin took care of all of Cerys’s needs. Cerys felt as something was coming and it would stir up all all kinds of trouble. Cerys went to the Caged Canary which was primarily a club for supernaturals hang out. Most every supernatural knew Cerys worked for Rin. Rin was a stealer of souls that is why people stayed away from him. Derek was by the pool tables when she got near Derek said he was getting ready to go see Rin but but Cerys knew he was getting ready to run and Cerys cut off Derek’s pinkie finger and told Derek he better have the money to Rin by the next day. Then Cerys picked up his finger. It would be a long five days before Saeed’s heart quit beating, or his lungs quit breathing and his throat became unbearable. Saeed refused to take any vein but his mate’s. No other blood would sate Saeed. I fSaeed didn’t find his mate soon he might go out of his mind completely. Saeed went into a dive bar and a werewolf named Wes recognized Saeed as a vampire. SWes also told Saeed he was the only vampire the werewolf had seen and that there were a lot of talk around the city about Saeed and that Saeed could make a fortune.Wes said he knew Saeed was out every night and had killed a warlock who had wanted Saeed’s blood for some dark magic. Wes had no idea who Saeed was and what he was capable of. Then after Saeed asked who was at the top and Wes said Rinieri de Rege/Rin who was a mage and the boss of the local underworld. . Then the shifter said Rin was much worse than the warlocks and said Rin had a place called the Crimson and was there every night. Caerys was at Crimson with Rin all Cerys wanted to do was go home and sleep but they were at Crimson every night as Rin was an attention floozie. No one wanted to be around Cerys as she was a soul thief. Rin had made Cerys an assassin. Cerys had tried alcohol as the absence of her soul left Cerys feeling perpetually empty, hungary. Alcohol only managed to make Cerys feel emptier. Food was Cerys’s vice. Cerys had been working for Rin for a thousand years. Rin had Cerys ‘s soul and until she could find it she had to obey Rin’s orders. Every soul Cerys retrieves a part of herself is depleted. Cerys worries she will soon be dead. When Saeed finally finds Cerys and they meet she is attracted to Saeed and intrigued with Saeed’s belief was she was his mate.
I liked this book a lot, I liked the plot and pace of the story. I also liked how Saeed and Cerys react and play off each other. It did drag for me a little at times but not enough for me to want to stop reading this book as it kept my attention for the most part. I liked a lot how Saeed had to win Cerys trust and love. I would however advise for you to read all the books in order to this series it just gives you the background you need. I loved the twists and turns in this book. There are : fae, vampires, werewolves, mages, warlocks, berserkers, action. mates and so much more. I really loved how Saeed struggles to free Cerys from Rin. I loved the characters and the twists and turns of this story and I recommend.

This book was everything I wanted from a book about the broody and (maybe) crazy Saeed. I started the story unsure of how I felt about that particular character but he ended up being a pretty good guy.

When we last saw Saeed, he was going insane, falling into the Collective, and determined to find the mystery woman he was convinced was his mate. Having only seen her in the visions from the Collective, he obviously had nowhere to start looking. That was remedied by the helpful young seer, and off he went. He abandoned everything he cared about (some with pretty hurt feelings) and began his chase.

Cerys is an enslaved fae who has the deadly power to steal someone’s soul. The power isn’t infinite, and she convinced that any time now might be her last. The mage that owns her has little regard for her safety and keeps her on a short leash. It is through this connection that the two soul mates finally meet. It isn’t really with sparks and fireworks, since they are both missing their souls, but instead tests both their faith in the tether.

The other larger story revolves around the hunt for a dhampir who began the berserker’s downward spiral. All of our favorite side characters make an appearance, slowly progressing things to their inevitable conclusion (hopefully soon in the upcoming books). I’m completely addicted to this story and each of the unique love stories contained therein. I will devour each one until there are no more left to read!

Saeed Almasi, a vampire, has come to Seattle to find Cerys. She is a soul stealer and meant to be his. All he needs to do is find and free her from her servitude. He knows that when that happens she will tether his soul and complete him. To accomplish this goal he seeks out Rinieri de Rege, a evil Mage, and agree to work for him. Cerys Has been his slave for centuries. Will he be successful? This is an action packed and suspenseful story. The twists are unexpected and non-stop. These characters are powerful magical beings who have deep emotional scars. Their powerful chemistry kept me reading. I wanted to know if they would defeat their enemy and be together for eternity. The dialogue is passionate. Kate Baxter has done a great job with the Last True Vampire series. I'm looking forward to the next book.
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. My comments are my honest opinion.

Great story, I especially love how Saeed has to work for Cerys more than the average tethered couple. Well done! 4.5 stars

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I've been really enjoying this series. I don't often read vampire romance anymore, unfortunately I've gotten a little tired of them, but for some reason I really enjoy reading Kate Baxter's The Last True Vampire series!

I really enjoy her writing and the characters she writes about. Each book moves the main thread along while still gives you a individual story. You can't ask for more. Or could you?

At first I couldn't remember Saeed. It bugged me trying to figure out who he was. Then it finally hit me. I have no clue how I could have forgotten him, but it happens. And believe me it wasn't because he was one of those characters you quickly forget about, I really enjoyed him. It was me, all me. I sometimes mix characters up. Ha!

I was so sad for Cerys. Her life for a long, long time has been shit! Having someone control your every move isn't fun or life fulfilling. You really wanted her to find happiness and to be free, her own person.

The wonderful part is that both Saeed and Cerys is each others everything! How wonderful is that? Together they can take on anyone, and have. Both have their own issues and doubts that they have to work through and by the end do so.

You can read The Lost Vampire as a stand alone but I very much enjoyed reading them in order even if it did take a chapter to remember Saeed. I just feel the story reads better having read the ones before.

...So, what did I like about it?
I have become a firm fan of Ms Baxter’s writing style; I find her books very easy to read and love the way she creates her stories. I like the pace of her tales, how the plot evolves and the urban fantasy world that she’s built. I think that the balance in her stories between great banter, hold-your-breath tension, kickass fighting and steamy sex scenes are really good. The Lost Vampire did not disappoint!

Those of you who have read my reviews before know that I am an old romantic at heart, so the “two halves of one soul reunited” love story part of this tale satisfied my mushy side but it was the real relationship reservations, concerns and the obstacles that both Cerys and Saeed experience and have to overcome that adds a very real and contemporary feel to this love story.

I must also mention that it’s not just our main characters that have this level of depth; every character that Ms Baxter includes has their own set of idiosyncrasies that they cease to be just filler characters but become just as real as our main couple.

The Lost Vampire made me chuckle out loud, wipe tears from my eyes, had me on the edge of my seat with tension and gave me yummy flutters of arousal; in short - I was gripped from the first page to the last.

...So, ummm, was there anything I disliked about it?
Absolutely nothing, that’s why it got 5 stars!

...So, basically what I’m saying is...
This is another amazing instalment of what has become one of my favourite paranormal romance series; I loved it!

If you’re a fan of adult paranormal romance stories where your heroines are intelligent, witty and independent and your heroes are strong sexy alphas with a big heart waiting to be unleashed then I think this paranormal romance will be right up your street!

THE LOST VAMPIRE is book 5 in Kate Baxter's Last True Vampire series. Instead of the familiar setting of sunny LA, this story takes place in Seattle. Vampire Saeed Almasi is consumed with the visions he's having of who he believes is his fated mate. In order to win his mate, Saeed has to play a game of cat and mouse with a mage who acts like a wannabe gangster. Kate Baxter balances the urgency and action with the character-driven storytelling.

Cerys Bain is an enaid dwyn who can see souls. After being betrayed by her sister, she is the slave and soulless assassin for a mage. Her gift has been perverted and she is now commanded to steal the souls of others. When Saeed finally meets up with Cerys, he is heartbroken at her sense of hopelessness. From Cerys' point of view, there is a cruelty about the hope that Saeed offers her and a distrust of his talk about being tethered to him. She wonders if being tethered to Saeed would just be exchanging one enslavement for another. I like the way Saeed can empathize with Cerys, and how his actions are based on what is best for her and them rather than just what's best for him. The sexual encounters between Cerys and Saeed are extremely erotic, and also signify freedom and hope for Cerys.

This book is chock full of fascinating secondary characters to obsess over. Series wild cards Ian Gregor and Christian Whelan back to befuddle readers with their mercenary ways and varying levels of naughtiness. Ian is the more traditional bad guy, but Kate Baxter gives him a few interesting layers to his normally cold-blooded personality. Christian's relationship with Siobhan heats up a bit in this installment. A bean sidhe named Breanne and her consort Fallon get caught in the crosshairs as Cerys and Saeed fight for her freedom. With Saeed fleeing his coven to find his mate, fellow vamp Sasha starts living a vampire version of SEX IN THE CITY.

THE LOST VAMPIRE is full of characters both terrifying and tremendous, and a romance that is both epic and electrifying. Breanne and Fallon are now added to my ever-growing list of supporting characters I want to see more of in future books. I eagerly await Kate Baxter's next paranormal romance.

Book Review
Title: The Lost Vampire
Series: The Last True Vampire #5
Author: Kate Baxter
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publication Date: July 25, 2017
Cliff Hanger: No

4 Stars

*This story is for mature audiences only. Contains explicit scenes and language intended for adults 18+

Synopsis:
Soul mate--or tragic fate?

Once one of the oldest dhampirs in existence, Saeed now faces a treacherously uncertain future as a vampire. He believes that the only thing that can restore his position within his coven and tether his lost soul is the flame-haired fae who is destined to be his mate.

Cerys Bain is a soul thief. She is feared by those who dwell in the supernatural realm--and hopelessly bound to the ruthless mage Rinieri de Rege. The raw, sensual vampire who enters her world is both a threat and an intoxicating temptation: No one has ever made Cerys feel the way Saeed does. But to claim their fate as soulmates, Saeed must first find a way to free Cerys from Rin. Is their desire worth the risk of certain destruction--and eternal doom?

My Thoughts:
This is book five in this series and can be read as a standalone, however, to clearly understand Saeed, Diego, Sasha and Mikhail, it would be advised to read the previous book. You could get by without it. I recommend reading the entire series, as there is a running plot.

This is my favorite of the series so far. I couldn’t wait for Saeed’s story as I was intrigued from the previous book learning of his struggles with his time spent in The Collective. The Collective is memories of long dead vampires and these visions happen to newly turned vampires. It usually passes; however, Saeed is obsessed with the fiery redhead that haunts his dreams. He is convinced that she is his mate and he is determined to find her. He has spent so much time in The Collective, he fears he is going mad. His coven is worried over his sanity. He finds out from an oracle where she is so he leaves his coven and his responsibilities in LA and heads to Seattle to find his mate.

Cerys is a fae that is a soul thief and is greatly feared for this ability. The sad thing is that Cerys also has lost her soul as payment to bind her to Rinieri. She has worked for him for centuries and with each soul that she retrieves for Rin, a part of her is depleted and she fears that she will soon be dead because of Rin draining her powers. Cerys is a strong, skilled fighter, smart and beautiful. When Cerys meets Saeed she is attracted to him and she is intrigued. When Saeed finally gets her alone and explains his reasons for being in Seattle, to claim her as his mate, she doesn’t believe him. There is something about him that calls to her. Saeed is so fierce but when he is with Cerys, he is tender and romantic and he is so confident in himself and in his love for Cerys that she can’t help but question everything that she thought she knew.

This book takes you on Saeed and Cerys journey to free Cerys soul from Rin and gain her freedom from her indenture to Rin so she is able to tether her soul to Saeed. Their connection is built on trust, and Saeed is a magnificent hero. They fight side by side and he will do everything in his power to protect her. He is old fashioned as he is one of the oldest dhampirs that was recently turned to a vampire to aid in growing the vampire race since they were eradicated with the exception of Mikhail.

There are vampires, shifters, faes, berserkers to name a few. There are twists and turns that keep you entertained and a beautiful love story that makes your heart soar. I loved Saeed and Cerys story and I can’t wait for the next adventure!

If you like paranormal romance, give this book and series a try!

ARC kindly provided by St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley for an honest review.

THE LOST VAMPIRE is the fifth installment in Kate Baxter’s contemporary, adult LAST TRUE VAMPIRE paranormal, romance series. This is newly turned vampire Saeed Almasi, and Fae /soul thief Cerys Bain’s story line. THE LOST VAMPIRE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order as there is an ongoing premise throughout.

Told from several third person points of view including Cerys and Saeed THE LOST VAMPIRE follows newly turned vampire Saeed Almasi as he goes in search of his mate. Thought to be mad due to the Collective memories that are destroying his mind, Saeed is desperate to find the woman that will return his soul, and calm the madness that continues to grow. Enter Cerys Bain, the woman Saeed knows to be his mate, and a woman whose life is no longer hers to control. What ensues is the building relationship between Saeed and Cerys, and Saeed’s struggle to free his mate from centuries of slavery to an ancient Master who uses Cerys’ powers to exact payment from those he believes have done him wrong.

Cerys Bain is a soul thief; a Fae female whose special abilities have been used to destroy too many lives but a woman whose guilt and anguish are tempered by the fact that Riniere de Rege, mage and boss of the local underworld, has custody of our heroine’s soul. Centuries of servitude and stealing soul’s for a man she despises have begun to take its’ toll on our story line heroine as each new soul collected takes a little of her life. Saeed Almasi was once one of the oldest dhampirs in existence. With only a few remaining vampires in the world, Saeed’s turning comes at a cost-the Collective memories of all of the vampires that have come before threatened to destroy any semblance of peace and sanity for our story line hero. Tethering his mate will return his soul but the mate he seeks has no soul to tether.

The relationship between Cerys and Saeed is one of immediate attraction but Cerys is leery about Saeed’s true intent. Without a soul Cerys knows that Saeed will not be able to tether his mate, and Saeed’s patience and growing love begin to evoke too many emotions from Cerys that have remained dormant for far too long. The $ex scene are intimate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Fae (Breanne and Fallon), shifters, vampires (Sasha Ivanov and Diego,Bria, Siobhan) , dhampirs (Jason), berserkers ( Warlord Ian Gregor) and mage (Rin). We are reintroduced to several previous story line characters including Mikhail Aristov (King of the vampires).

The world building continues to focus on the political structure, history and infighting between the various supernatural species. Six hundred years earlier the Sortiari and the Beserkers had all but wiped out the vampire race from existence as retribution for the vampires killing most of the Beserkers female population. The Beserkers became the mindless killers, enslaved by the Sortiari, and are now seeking retribution for sins of the past.

THE LOST VAMPIRE is a story of one man’s struggle to find purpose, to find his mate, and to find peace and quiet from the memories that threaten to destroy his mind. Relinquishing leadership of his coven, Saeed goes in search of a fantasy pulled from the memories of those who died long before. The premise is detailed and entertaining; the characters are colorful, many and spirited; the romance is emotional and intense. THE LOST VAMPIRE is an energetic and passionate look at the supernatural.

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If you read The Untamed Vampire you should be pretty acquainted with Saeed who was turned by Mikhail and then promptly swept up in the memories of the Collective. While looking through the memories of those long since dead, Saeed sees a beautiful Fae woman. Instantly he knows this woman is meant to tether his soul. When he's given information that suggests the fae woman is in Seattle, Saeed quickly steps down as head of his coven, and departs.

What awaits Saeed is an entrapment that is centuries long. Cerys Bain was captured by the feared mage Rinieri de Rege centuries ago. As a soul thief, Cerys generates enough fear on her own merit, but being under the command of Rin, and people try to avoid her at all costs. It's been a lonely existence for Cerys, but when she meet Saeed and he speaks about tethering, she can't help but draw a little bit of hope about one day being free, no matter how futile this hope may be.

I loved the build up of Saeed and Cerys' story in the previous book. I think that maybe this set me up for certain expectations, and while I still really enjoyed their romance, it didn't quite meet the expectations I had myself set up for.

While, yes, Saeed has been looking for Cerys for months and envisioning her within the Collective, Cerys doesn't know anything about Saeed. So I felt her attraction wasn't as genuine as Saeed's, understandable so of course. I would have like to have seen a little more balance in regards to Cerys' feelings for Saeed. I felt like the action of the storyline moved along too quickly. Really, the story is supposed to take place over the course of weeks thereby giving Cerys and Saeed the ability to get to know one another, but for me, it didn't feel like that. Had it, I think I would have been more on board with Cerys' feelings for Saeed.

I did love the insertion of the fae into the supernatural mix of this series. Of course the vampires take center stage, but I like that it's not just vampire and vampire tethering that's happening. I love that the world has been expanded out a bit more, and this includes Saeed actually leaving LA. True, he doesn't travel too far, but I like that things are growing as the series grows.

One of the big draws for me, and something that Kate Baxter has really executed well up to this point, is the overarching storyline with Ian Gregor and the berserkers. Their backstory, and the history they have with the vampires is very interesting. What's more interesting is Gregor's endgame. How is everything being set into place for the finale? I think we still have a few more set-ups, before then. Besides the Gregor storyline, Kate Baxter seems to have some interesting character romances in the works. I say "seems to" because I never know how these things will end up playing out, but I can't wait to see.

So far, this has been a great series, that keeps getting better.

I read The Lost Vampire during a road trip and it was a good choice as a vacation read. The story is evenly paced which made it easy to pick up and put down. Although it is book five in a series, I was able to read and enjoy it as a stand alone story. However, because this story takes place further into the series, there were instances where more context would have provided better understanding for Saeed's history.

Cerys and Saeed are both in bad situations that feel inescapable to them. Cerys is basically enslaved to Rinieri who controls her by holding her soul captive and using her powers for his own purposes. I enjoyed Cerys as a character; she has the strength of will to do whatever is needed to take care of herself in a horrible situation. She does not come off as weak or beaten down, but instead as a woman who is surviving in a position that would break most people. It was also nice that Cerys doesn't instantly fall for Saeed and look to him to save her. Instead, Saeed becomes a steady force that she can eventually count on to help her reclaim her soul.

The Lost Vampire has plenty of action to move the story along as well as the building of a romance between two complicated people. There is also the buildup of the story that will probably be the next installment of the series. So although Cerys and Saeed's story comes to a nice conclusion, I was left interested in what will happen next. Because I enjoyed The Lost Vampire, I think that I will at some point go back and start at the beginning of this series so that I can get the other stories that lead up to this point.