I found Kristen Painter’s books when I first subscribed to Bookbub. I found it in the paranormal romance category and thought it looked like a fun read. The cute cover and the idea that a small town, Nocturnal Falls, celebrated Halloween year-round, appealed to me. The Vampire’s Mail Order Bride was free on Bookbub, I had nothing to lose, so I bought it. I have since read seven books in the series, and they get better with every book.
The first book in the series, The Vampire’s Mail Order Bride, starts with waitress, Delaney, who witnessing her boss murder a guy. Alone, needing to escape, she accidently finds a mail-order-bride service. Stealing a file, she pretends to be the mail-order bride, not realizing her intended groom was a vampire. Hugh, the vampire victim, was setup by his grandmother with his unexpected, and unappreciated guest. He agrees to put up with her presence, to make his grandmother happy, and as she agreed never to bring up him marrying again if it doesn’t work out.
As with all good romantic comedy, both are hiding secrets from each other, but they both need to play the part. The challenge is even bigger as Nocturnal Falls, the town of perpetual Halloween, in all its oddity, turns out to be endearing to Delaney, as is Hugh. As they realize the other person might be someone they could love, their secrets, and enemies, have a way of catching up with them.
A tingle of something shot through Delaney’s spine. Fear? Hope? Stupidity? Probably all three.
Kristen Painter, The Vampire’s Mail Order Bride
Nocturnal falls is the setting for the Nocturnal Falls series. A town where tourists flock to celebrate Halloween year-round, never guessing the vampires, gargoyles, and witches are all real. The local population enjoys living in a place where they can be themselves, even under the gaze of tourists.
The Vampire’s Mail Order Bride is not my favourite book in the series. As with most series, the author grows and gets to know their magical world better, and this series is no exception. It is a fresh take on the vampire’s challenge of falling in love with a human, and it works. Each story in the series adds a different angle to the supernatural vibe of the town where the locals find love in the most unexpected circumstances. My favourite, so far, is The Dragon Finds Forever, who doesn’t want a Dragon to have his happily ever after.
It was such a quick read; I had difficulty choosing snippets to share.
If you are looking for a light romance with some supernatural flair, this is the series for you! Book One of the series is currently free, so help yourself to the series and see if it entertains you.
