Bite - 5 novellas

I hereby vow: 1. I will alternate new, unread books with older, unread books; 2. I will not buy any more books (except where absolutely, defensibly necessary) this year; 3. I will be considerably more selective about the books I buy.
Bite is a collection of "dark seduction" novellas by five authors from the supernatural genre (heavy on the vampire). I was familiar with the writing of three of the five, and the other two read as though they, too, fit into existing worlds. I bought the book because I like the worlds of two of the authors, whose stories I left to last (like dessert); I'll review them in the order I read them, rather than as they appear in the book.
Angela Knight: "Galahad"
I have to admit that I didn't notice the "dark seduction" tag until I came to write the review, and it certainly explains the vast number of sex scenes. This novella is set in Knight's Mageverse, an alternate universe where magic is possible, Merlin was an alien who (it's not entirely clear in the novella) used the Grail to turn the knights of Camelot into vampires and the Ladies into powerful witches - they are symbiotic: the vampires need to feed from the witches, and the witches must be regularly fed upon or they will die.
Former school teacher Caroline has (I assume in a previous outling) been turned into a Mage witch. In "Galahad" she learns about the feeding, and has lots of (allegedly) hot sex. Oh, and there's a dragon. the longest 76 pages of writing I've ploughed my way through in quite some time.
Vickie Taylor: "Blood Lust"
Sponsored by Garth LaGrange, side lined scientist Daniel Hart has finally made the breakthrough that vindicates him and his quest - a formula for artificial blood, which will revolutionise medicine and save thousands of lives. So why is Garth kicking him into next week?
Because Garth's a vampire and plans to use the synthetic blood to help take over the world. And he's done something to Daniel's sweet, innocent and recent fiancée, Sue Ellen - she's dressed in black leather and happy for Garth to suck - no, bite - on her neck.
When Daniel realises that Garth's a vampire he forces fellow vamp Déadre to turn him, too, in order to exact his revenge. Cue lots of hot, hot sex. Oh, and revenge, and a shock (allegedly) twist.
Laurell K. Hamilton: "The Girl Who Was Infatuated With Death"
I’ve only read one of Laurell K. Hamilton’s vampire hunter series – though it contains fantasy elements I usually like I found the writing irritating, unconvincing and larded with gratuitous sex scenes; this short story has not changed my mind. I’m sure that if I followed the Anita Blake novels I would enjoy this offering, but no.
Charlaine Harris: "One Word Answer"
Unlike Lynn, who was irritated by the inexplicable allure of Sookie Stackhouse in her last outing, I usually enjoy Charlaine Harris’s tales of the telepathic waitress who can only find peace with vampires. But in this short story I found the ‘punch line’ telegraphed pages ahead, and wondered what the point of the story was, unless it was to turn me more rapidly to Lynn’s position. Although I’m egocentric, I somehow doubt that that was Harris’s motivation, so it must have been the money.
MaryJanice Davidson: "Biting in Plain Sight"
Betsy is the unwilling Queen of the Vampires, but this contribution by Davidson – the jewel in the otherwise tarnished crown that is this collection – focuses on another member of her people. Sophie Tourneau is the vet for farming community Embarrass, Minnesota. Despite her appearance, which has been unchanged since the 1960’s, she is respected – everyone knows that she’s not quite human, but she’s popular, reliable, and friendly, and nobody talks about it. Lonely since the death of her beloved companion Ed, Sophie keeps a low profile.
Over a period of months a string of young girls in Minneapolis have been inexplicably committing suicide, and Sophie’s concerned that it’s the work of a rogue vampire. She decides to investigate the problem herself, and plans to set off at once, but local farmer Liam won’t leave her alone, until she learns that Liam loves her – and knows that she’s a vampire.
The rest of the novella covers the duo determining that yes, this is the work of a vampire, meeting the new Queen and her Consort (who are not at all what Sophie expected), and the tracking down and killing of the villain. But most of all it revolves around the relationship that develops between Sophie and Liam.The story is fresh, touching, coherent with Davidson’s universe, and utterly charming. Thank god – this story redeems my decision to purchase this otherwise valueless tome and I am delighted that I left reading it to last. – Alex