REVIEW: KISS OF MIDNIGHT by LARA ADRIAN

Before starting my review I admit….. upfront…that……..I AM THE ULTIMATE FAN OF JR WARD’S BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD SERIES….finishing her latest book, LOVER UNLEASHED, and in limbo waiting for her next book which will be released in March 2012, I looked around for some books in same genre that I could read in the meantime. 
Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian was recommended so decided it to give it a try. I also read a few reviews about this book, mostly good but the one thing that kept coming up was how similar it is the JR WARD’s BDB series. Yes, there are similarities but there are a few differences which make it an enjoyable read, even for those die-hard BDB fans out there!!!!!!! It’s well-written, dark, sexy, edgy, with great irresistible characters…loved Lucan and Rio and the Breedmates…betrayal, action, sacrifice, loyalty and lots steamy sex – your good para-normal romance. 
This is the first book in Lara Adrian’s Midnight Breed Series….so did I like it???? Yes I did…. 
Here are some of my thoughts about this book: 
-this is the story of Lucan Thorne, an ancient Breed Warrior, descendant from male vampire aliens ---a different and interesting take on vampires!!! - who mated with human women, and Gabrielle Maxwell, a photographer who has always felt disconnected with the world. When they meet, both feel an instant powerful connection. 
-this book did remind me of JR WARD’s DARK LOVER – Lucan is a lot like Wrath….both are dark, sensual and strong ancient warriors dedicated to protecting his people. Gabrielle very like Beth…feisty, intense, caring and an unconditional love for her man. However, Gabrielle, is human and has the mark of a Breedmate, they are the only women that the male vampires can mate and have children with….only male vampires are born……these women remain human and the exchange of blood between a Breed male will keep them young forever. 
-the Breed Warriors , gorgeous strong guys wear black leather (yes like the BDB brothers!!!), enjoy kicking ass and killing off the Rogues – once vampires who have crossed over to the dark side when they are unable to control their Bloodlust (something like the Lessers but geez these brutes are something else….with their long long fangs…scary as hell!!) 
-Yes the Warriors live in their own, hidden from human eyes mansion…just this one is underground…..but there are the black candles, etc etc… sounds like a great place to live!!!! 
-The Warriors live amongst each other and there is not much interaction with humans…apart from one here and there…I liked Gabrielle’s friend Jamie….great character. Wonder if he will appear in the next books???? 
-Lots of violent scenes….the fights between the Warriors and the Rogues are brutal, the feeding scenes…bloody and ugly…even when we see Lucan feeding….not surprising that Gabrielle felt scared and disturbed when she first saw Lucan drinking blood from a human. 
-Liked the intensity of Lucan and Gabrielle’s relationship. Hot….Caring…the scene where Gabrielle is caring for Lucan when he is seriously injured from a fight with the Rogues is so amazing….threading her fingers through his hair, holding his head on her lap….I could feel her tenderness towards Lucan. 
As a hard core BDB reader, I could still enjoy this book. I am going to read the next two books in the series soon. After all, what else can I do …as I wait anxiously, impatiently for my next BDB LOVER REBORN to come out!!!!!!!!!!! BDB’s out there…don’t be put off by the similarities….read another good series about the world of vampires!!!!!! 
Book Overview by Barnes & Noble 
He watches her from across the crowded dance club, a sensual black-haired stranger who stirs Gabrielle Maxwell’s deepest fantasies. But nothing about this night—or this man—is what it seems. For when Gabrielle witnesses a murder outside the club, reality shifts into something dark and deadly. In that shattering instant she is thrust into a realm she never knew existed—a realm where vampires stalk the shadows and a blood war is set to ignite. 

Lucan Thorne despises the violence carried out by his lawless brethren. A vampire himself, Lucan is a Breed warrior, sworn to protect his kind—and the unwitting humans existing alongside them—from the mounting threat of the Rogues. Lucan cannot risk binding himself to a mortal woman, but when Gabrielle is targeted by his enemies, he has no choice but to bring her into the dark underworld he commands. 

Here, in the arms of the Breed’s formidable leader, Gabrielle will confront an extraordinary destiny of danger, seduction, and the darkest pleasures of all. . . .