Synopsis from back Cover:

The night is not safe for mortals. Denise MacGregor knows all too well what lurks in the shadows - her best friend is half-vampire Cat Crawfield - and she has already lost more than the average human could bear. But her family's dark past is wrapped in secrets and shrouded in darkness - and a demon shapeshifter has marked Denise as prey. Now her survival depends on an immortal who craves a taste of her.


He is Spade, a powerful, mysterious vampire who has walked the earth for centuries and is now duty-bound to protect this endangered, alluring human - even if it means destroying his own kind. Denise may arouse his deepest hungers, but Spade knows he must fight his urge to have her as they face the demon nightmare together...


Because once the first drop of crimson falls, they will both be lost.

If you haven't read any of Night Huntress Novel's you may not understand the "Cat" and "Bones" references noted below.  It's ok, but I recommend that you pick one up.. you won't be sorry :)

Like all Cat and Bones lovers, I anxiously awaited Jeaniene Frost's spin-off from the Night Huntress Series - First Drop of Crimson.  My brain was whirling with thoughts of how she could pick up the storyline of Denise MacGregor and join it with Spade.  So let me start of by saying -- whatever you know of the Cat and Bones series -- fah-getta-boutit!! (Sorry, my NY roots are showing.)  While the results aren't what I expected, I really enjoyed it - for the most part. 

Not trying to compare, but Denise is NOT Cat -- the vulnerability her character displayed in the beginning was almost annoying and a little unbalanced when paired with Spade.  But as the storyline progressed, you learned more about who she is and what shaped her vulnerability - in essence -- it made sense.  After a few chapters, she grows on you and you find yourself liking her afterall.

Spade, hmmm not so much.  Don't get me wrong.  Frost did an EXCELLENT job with developing Spade's character.  He's the typical handsome, strong, funny, supa-sexy vamp with a kick-*ss attitude not equal to, but close to Bones.  Bottomline, he's believable.

FDOC follows along the lines of a more traditional paranormal romance novel.  Unlike the Night Huntress series it's written in third person, which gives the reader the opportunity to get inside Denise's head as well as Spade's and for this storyline, and that technique works.  The good news is Cat and Bones make an appearance, along with Ian and Mencheres.  So we can all get a quick fix on our favorite vamp couple.

Cover Comment:  The guy on the book cover reminds me of LeStat from the movie of Queen of the Dammed.

Frost's next book will be dedicated to Mencheres in Eternal Kiss of Darkness which will be released this July.  If she follows along the line of FDOC, I'm sure we'll be treated to another great story. 
Get your read on!!