Verdict: One needn't be a fan of the ever-popular vampire and werewolf literary fantasy to enjoy Zoe Winters debut novel, "Blood Lust

One needn’t be a fan of the ever-popular vampire and werewolf literary fantasy to enjoy Zoe Winters debut novel, “Blood Lust”.

A woven trilogy of three connected stories, Zoe writes of evil mixed with warmth and passion. A tale of spells , magic and potions,  ”Blood Lust” delves  into the relationships, politics and passions between vampires, werewolves and humans and the resolution of their conflicts.

Greta, a therian shapeshifter with the unusual ability to transform from a human form to a cat, is in mortal danger of sacrifice by her  tribe. Hoping to find a safe haven, Greta is sent to Dayne , an evil sorcerer by reputation. But her fear of him is shadowed by his quaint cottage and his gentle manner. The man she has feared will ravage her, turns out to be her salvation from the therians who want her dead.

Anthony, a vampire and friend of Dayne, has an overwhelming attraction to a Charlee, a true human and close friend of Greta. He assaults her in her home as only a vampire could, but realizes that despite the exquisite taste of her blood, his feelings go deeper. He is shocked when he realizes that he wishes her no harm and would rather protect her and take her as his mate as Queen of the vampires.

Jane, a human with a touch of vampire blood, is suspect to the vampire tribe as she has the ability to see through their veneer, a danger to a vampire disguised in human form. In a transaction that involves the payment of a debt, Jane is traded to Cole, a werewolf among the vampires. If he were a human, Jane could imagine herself falling for this werewolf.  Passions ignite despite the conflict and Cole is drawn to Jane. Rather than harm her, he too wants to do nothing but protect her.

With evil versus good, and humans versus vampires and werewolves, the reader is left with a sense of redemption for the enemy. Maybe it isn’t just a lust for blood? Maybe there is a bit of humanity in all therian life forms.?

Reviewed by Peggy La Vake

Holds degrees in English and Music.  Has commercial pilots license. A practitioner of Tai Chi. Teaches violin and viola. Performs classical music. Finds great satisfaction in writing. Has been published numerous times. Works daily on what she hopes to be her first novel.