The big bang theory has just been proven – if ever there was an explosion that started the universe I think it would look something like the start of this debut story from Tracey O’Hara.

HUGE start, that just doesn’t stop.  Night’s Cold Kiss is an adrenaline filled rollercoaster that had me in tears by page 50, hot under the collar by page 30 and my heart racing by page 10.

My only problem was the new terms for vampires.  Particularly as these were introduced in the first few pages without any real explanation as to what they were. So the new terms “Aeternus”, “Necrodremiancs” etc, were just very distracting, standing out and jarring what is otherwise an incredibly smooth flowing story.  Read the glossary at the back of the book before starting the first page and I think you’ll be in readers heaven.

Our heroine Antoinette is the strong, sexy, not-so-silent type. Oh, and there’s a malamute (so cute).  The heroes are all pretty strong and sexy themselves.

Some serious “hmm, didn’t see THAT coming” moments, a few “oh, I bet he did it” moments (some I was right, some I was wrong), what a story!

If you like Keri Arthur or Laurel K Hamilton’s Anita Blake you will love this. Gosh, and this is her first! That’s a lot to live up to for book two in what has the potential tol become a major series in the world of paranormal romance/urban fantasy. But no pressure Tracey! I am looking forward to reading more!

Mega congratulations to Tracey O’Hara on her wonderful debut novel Night’s Cold Kiss. This is a book that pulls you entirely with it’s intrigue, edgy politics, diverse characters and a plot that delivers good surprises.

I admit – I was anxious when I started this book because I was conscious that this was a debut novel. I dearly hoped for the author’s sake that it would be good, but all too often a first novel stops at the point of indicating the potential of a writer. Often the basic notes are there but you know that it will be another book or two before the author will really find a voice that will sing.

But what a delight to find a debut author who makes you forget that this is a first book. Because after my wariness and anxiety while reading Chapter One, I forgot everything except for what was happening.

The story flowed with a rhythm that is the mark of a good writer. I’m always alert to books that increase the adrenaline rush but forget to pause the action to allow characters to be more reflective and to allow the reader to also relax. There are a great number of these books around and while they’re a rush, they’re exhausting and neglect the people involved (be they the characters or me!) However Night’s Cold Kiss had a wonderful rhythm, a flow between action and grief and pain and reflection and desire and angst …. All those lovely feelings were given their moment in the sun.

The plot was really quite straightforward. Antoinette a Venator hates all vampires but finds that she must work with Christian the Aeternus vampire if she is to help stop a serial killer. However it is the way in which the plot is developed with a deft touch against a fascinating Urban Fantasy landscape that I found so engrossing.

Antoinette was a character who encompassed tough survivor traits as well as a human vulnerability so that she a believable protagonist. I particularly liked the fact that despite being an experienced fighter, she also had deep family feelings and the ability to have fun. She has a snarky sarcasm that plays well in the dialogue with the array of people in which she comes into contact. Her warm, although bruised, heart, allows the possibilities of friendship, desire and love to emerge as the book progresses.

Christian of course was hunky, tough and smart, but I would have liked to have gotten o know him a little more. I’m hoping that in subsequent books more of his personality will break through his veneer of control.

At the end I was left with a sense of satisfaction. Tracey O’Hara had done it! She’d written a debut novel that had all the elements done correctly and well. But far more than that, she had given me a plot that engrossed me, characters who engaged my feelings and then she had wrapped this up with writing with a great rhythm that allowed for the spectrum of emotions to shine.

I give it four stars!