Forbidden Nights with a Vampire is standard fare reading - it's enjoyable, it has a variety of characters (vampire, werewolf, mortal), and action here and there to spice up the story. However, this reader finds that the series has become perhaps a little bland and predictable.
This story focuses on Vanda Barkowski, one of Roman Draganesti's former harem. She's a relatively young vampire who seems prickly and tries to keep people away. Her harmless flirting with mortal day guard Phil Jones was something that
just happened, but Phil is now back in her life and has grown rather more forceful and difficult to ignore. When it seems as though Vanda's life may be in danger, Phil wants to protect her
- but he has a secret which Vanda may not be able to cope with, as well as rules
reagarding to fraternizing with people he is guarding.
Can he help to unpeel Vanda's prickly nature and her short temper, and can they
play their part in the fight against the Malcontents?
Phil and Vanda's relationship in this story feels rushed. I was also unsure what the author's take was on Phil's breaking the rules of fraternization - he managed to resist Vanda for years previously but now can't see to do so, even though he has two honorable reasons for not having a relationship with her. That aside, the overall story continues much in the vein of the other books, with a romance intermingled with attacks by the malcontents. Although I enjoyed this book, I also found it
to be lightweight. The earlier books in the story have a bit more 'bite'.