"Lord of the Vampires"

This book is by Gena Showalter.  It is published by Harlequin and came out on August 23, 2011.

Gena Showalter brings her readers a book that starts a new series titled "Royal House of Shadows".  Hers is the first book of this series.
Our heroine's name is Jane Parker.  The story starts with Jane receiving a mysterious package.  We see that she is unemployed, has no family, and has been injured.  She has also been having some very strange dreams.  She dreams of a vampire - Nicolai.  We find out that the mysterious package has a book in it and that the story matches her dreams.
As Gena tells you the story, the reader can feel the sensuality weave itself around Jane and Nicolai.  The story weaves itself so well you just have to find out what happens next.  It's a story you don't want to put down.
Jane's life changes when she goes to sleep in one world and wakes up in another.  As Jane tries to figure out why she is where she is, she finds out that Nicolai is there too.
When we first meet Nicolai he seems to have amnesia.  The only thing he is sure of is that he's a vampire.  When the two finally meet, Nicolai wants Jane very badly.  As you read on in the story you can feel the connection between the two characters.  We see how stubborn Jane can be and how this frustrates Nicolai.  Jane also tends to think too much.
Gena makes Jane a character that is both strong and intelligent - a woman who can take care of herself.  It's great to see a woman character that can stand up to the "big guys" and almost hold her own.  You can also tell that this surprises Nicolai.  Nicolai acts just like a knight in shining armour - someone who will protect his lady-love at all costs.
One of the evil characters in the book is named Princess Laila and she is Jane's sister.  The other evil character is Jane's mother the Queen of Hearts.  We have to keep reading to see if good (Jane and Nicolai) can overcome evil (Laila and the Queen of Hearts).
As you continue reading this story you can feel the connection between Jane and Nicolai grow.  Gena creates great chemistry between the two.  It got so "hot" that I had to turn my fan on.  This story sizzles!
Every time you think that Jane and Nicolai are going to romantically connect, Laila and her mother seem to interrupt.  You would think this would slow the story down but it doesn't.  It actually turns up the heat more.  I was drinking my ice tea at the time I was reading this story and was I glad.  This book turns the temperature up a notch!
In all good romances, our lovers are torn apart and then have to find their way back to each other.  Gena doesn't disappoint her readers in developing this story.  She also knows how to make her evil characters really "bad".  You really have to hate that they keep coming between Jane and Nicolai.
 Gena also does a great job of putting a plot twist in.  You would think that it would ruin the story because it comes so close to the end of the story but Gena works it to perfection.  It keeps the reader's attention because you want to know how it all ends.
This is the type of paranormal romance that I love to read.  It reels you in with the promise of something but that something just stays out of reach.  This forces the reader to turn the page.  You have to continue the story to see what happens.  Gena keeps the readers involved throughout the whole story by allowing them to use their imagination.
With this great book to start the "Royal House of Shadows" series, I can't wait to see what the other authors do with their books.
I give this book 4 1/2 stars.