One Bite With A Stranger [Mass Market Paperback]

A few years ago, Warren wrote a series of erotic romance books for Ellora's Cave called the "Fixed" series. It revolved around a group of friends who take turns getting "fixed up" to live their fantasies. "One Bite With a Stranger" is a rewrite of the first story, Fantasy Fix (Fixed, Book 1) . You can read the reviews here on Amazon under that title and they were a lot better than for this title, even though they are almost the same book.

I liked this story when I first read it six years ago as "Fantasy Fix", and liked it again now. It was almost word for word the same, except for the conflict with an ex-fiance. I won't rehash the plot, as others have already done so, but I'd like to put the book in perspective for those of you who have already read the "Others" series and bought this thinking it was a progression in the series.

If you read this book thinking it will be a continuation of the "Others," you will be disappointed. It is a prequel, sort of like how Star Wars went 4-5-6-1-2-3. You will recognize some of the characters in this book, especially Missy, Graham, and Rafe, who still appear in the "Others" books. It will make more sense when you read the other "Fixed" books. This may not be the best book in the series, but like a piece of a puzzle it gives a clearer image of the overall picture. It will also be a good introduction to Ava (a strong personality), who will be the heroine of the next "Others" book "You're So Vein."

Here are the "Fixed" books in order, and some may still be available at Ellora's Cave in ebook format:
1. One Bite With a Stranger (formerly Fantasy Fix): Regina and Misha
Introduces Regina's friends: Missy, Danice, Corinne, and Ava
Introduces Misha's friends: Graham, Logan, Rafe
2. Fur Factor: Missy and Graham (seriously steamy)
3. Faer Fetched (a short story): Danice and Mac
4. Fighting Faer: Corinne and Luc : about the "incident a few years ago" involving Fiona's cousin, referred to in "She's No Faerie Princess," that brought "the wrath of Mab down on the head of the Others"
5. Fur For All: Rafe and Tess : laugh out loud funny, one of my favorites
6. Fur Play: Logan (Graham's Beta then, who moved to Connecticut) and Honor

Ava's story will be next and I can hardly wait! I've been waiting six years for her to finally get her story!! She was the only one of the five friends who hadn't found love in the "Fixed" series. Finally!!!

For months now, Regina's friends have been indulging in a sexual fantasy game they have dubbed "Fantasy Fix". They all have to put their most secret sexual fantasies in a hat and after a fantasy is picked, the friends must do their best to find a guy who can fulfill it for them. After evading her turn for as long as possible, her friends cheerfully coerce her to join their game. Thinking to make her fantasies as difficult as possible to fulfill, she smugly lists her 5 choices. A date with an alien, Bigfoot, Elvis or a vampire. And for her fifth fantasy? Well, she's honest with herself for once so she writes down, to be bound, spanked, and dominated by a sexy, commanding brute. (That's right, it's always the quiet ones.) Since the penalty for being unable to fulfill her fantasy is a month of celibacy, her friends wrack their brains and remember the Vampire Ball. They cheerfully drag her to it dressed in skintight black leather pants, stiletto boots and a corset. She should fit right in with the other leather clad goths milling around the ball, but to Dmitri Vidame, she definitely stands out from the crowd. Dmitri was on the hunt for a rogue vampire when he caught sight of the beautiful Regina. Reading her thoughts, he was amused by her lively mind and sharp wit and using a little vampire persuasion, quickly led her out of the club and back to her apartment. Regina's friends thoughtfully supplied her with a bag full of "implements" that they thought might come in handy for her wild night on the town and Dmitri makes quick work of it's contents. Before Regina knows what's happening, she's naked and bound to her bed and he's looking at her as if she's a tempting feast. Misha has been alive for over eight hundred years and never has he been so tempted by a woman before. He has finally found that elusive mate and he means to keep her. He tries to slowly introduce her to the fact that he's an eight hundred year old vampire, but when an Other targets her, he's got no choice but to show her what he is and hope that she doesn't freak out too badly because he has no intention of letting her go.

At first, Misha seemed too calmly composed during their first wild romp. He employs a very strict and commanding persona with her for their first time and it was a little off putting, to me at least. He soon warms up though and when he produces some toys, I thought this was going to be a seriously kinky ride. Luckily, or unluckily, those toys were just for show and Misha gives Regina the hottest, steamiest, most orgasm inducing night of her life. What began as a one time fantasy fix for her, became something permanent for both of them. He gives her space during the day, but at night, he comes back for more and more. Misha can read her thoughts and when he's away from her, he enjoys touching her mind. There he learns of her ex fiance and when he finds him attacking her, he's instantly on alert. It seems Regina wasn't as unaware of the Others as she thought but since Misha is the head of the Council of Others, he's more than equipped to see to her safety.

After their first wild sexual encounter, the sex between Misha and Regina tones down a little and becomes much more tender and loving, while still being quite thrilling. There is one hot opera scene that I just moved up to the top of my own fantasy list. Think of the rise of opera tickets! Misha was sexy and commanding, and just a touch intimidating when he wanted to be. He was also surprisingly funny and had a great sense of humor. Regina was shy and quiet but she too had a great sense of humor and a nice solid backbone when the occasion called for it. Regina's friends are concerned about her sudden involvement with the gorgeous Misha and when they find out he's a vampire, they try and stage an intervention. This book was a funny mix of the comical and the sensuous and was filled with interesting world building by Christine Warren. Enjoy!!

I waited anxiously for this book, another in The Other series by Warren. However, it was awful. I did not even finish it. Who would want to read about these two or even know them. Yuck. However, I would recommend that you buy the other The Other series books that lead up to this one as they are awesome. I hope this is not indicative of what is coming up next or else I will no longer be purchasing Warren's books.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 43 reviews  3.1 out of 5 stars