Vampire in Paradise - Sandra Hill (Avon - Nov 2014)

Series: Deadly Angels (Book 5)

It's been centuries since the Norseman Sigurd Sigurdsson was turned into a Vangel -- a Viking Vampire Angel -- as punishment for his sin of envy, but he's still getting the hang of having fangs that get in the way when seducing women. Slaying demon vampires known as Lucipires and using his healing gifts as a cancer research doctor, Sigurd is sent to Florida's Grand Keys Island as a resident physician . . . where he encounters a sinfully beautiful woman.

The only hope Marisa Lopez has of curing her five-year-old daughter is a pricey experimental procedure. When she meets the good-looking doctor, Marisa is speechless. Then Sigurd tells her he believes he can help her daughter. Could this too-hot-to-resist Viking doctor be an angel of some sort sent to bring a miracle for her daughter? Or is he just a vampire bent on breaking Marisa's heart?

Another fun entry into the Viking vampire angel world. It is now Sigurd's turn for a special mission. He's being taken from his current job as a research doctor and sent to be the resident doctor at an island resort. It just so happens that this resort is to be the site of a Freedom of Expression convention (that's a convention dedicated to the pornography industry). Such a convention is a prime location to find Lucipires looking to grab more sinners for their own plans. Sigurd's mission is to stop as many as he can.

Marissa has a five year old daughter who is dying of a brain tumor. She has a chance for an experimental surgery in Europe but she needs $170,000 to do it. She still needs $70,000, so when she is offered a chance to work as a waitress and massage therapist at the convention, she takes it. She meets Sigurd on her first day there and the sparks fly - and not all are good ones. There's a definite attraction between them, but his high-handed attitude toward her plans makes her angry. She's not the type to sell her body, but she's willing to do anything to save her daughter.

Sigurd has to convince Marissa that what she's doing is wrong, and allow him to cleanse her of the taint of sin before the Lucipires get to her. It doesn't hurt that he's wildly attracted to her, and that the easiest way to convince her involves seduction and a long night together.

The interactions between them are great. Sigurd may be living in the 21st century, but he's still a Viking at heart, with a Viking's attitude toward women. He tries to dictate and Marissa is having none of it. He knows he's not supposed to get involved with her, but he finds he can't stay away. He's even willing to risk the wrath of Mike (Archangel Michael) to be with her. I loved seeing the way that Marissa stands up to Sigurd's decrees, determined that she will do whatever is necessary for her daughter. As she learns more of what Sigurd is fighting against, she wants to believe in him, but for her, her daughter comes first. 

The part of the story dealing with the vangels versus the lucipires was terrific, with the way the danger was shown. I liked the slow buildup, as it starts with the mission then moves on to the action. With Marissa contemplating such a sin as to bring her to the attention of the bad guys, it added an extra layer of tension to the story. I liked Sigurd's determination to save her, in spite of her not really believing him at first. I worried about him during the battle and its aftermath, and had to laugh at his recovery actions.

I loved seeing the other vangels again and catching up with what they are doing. I especially enjoyed seeing how some of them were watching over Marissa when Sigurd couldn't be there. Armod, the Michael Jackson wannabe, is still one of my favorites. The ending was really sweet, and I loved Sigurd's conversation with Marissa's daughter when he visited her that night. I also had to laugh at Mike's frustration with Sigurd and the rest of the Vikings, but also loved how he is there for them when they need him. I loved his comments on vangels and wives, and what he said about the last two brothers, Harek and Cnut. I can't wait for the next book.