Review: Dinner at Dawn – Mariska Slieker

Dinner at Dawn Book Cover Dinner at Dawn
A Himura Saga novel
Mariska Slieker
M/M Paranormal Romance
April 15, 2019
344

Immortality sucks.

Eclipse has everything he could wish for, yet when he meets a little street urchin with a big mouth on the verge of death, he can’t help but be intrigued.

When street rat Silas finds himself in over his head and in dire need of rescue, he didn’t expect it to turn up in the shape of a sexy vampire. Waking up in an unfamiliar room he learns he’s dead, far from home and that vampires are very real. As Eclipse’s fledgling, he not only needs to acquire a taste for blood, he also needs to navigate his Master’s treacherous world of wealth and power. Not to mention his growing attraction for this dangerous vampire. Forced to choose between his childhood friend and his Master, will his dream of having a family come at too high a price?

If you like M/M paranormal fantasy, witty humor, and steamy vampires, don’t miss Dinner at Dawn, the first in the Himura Saga by Mariska Slieker!

Reviewed by: Linda Tonis

Member of the Paranormal Romance Review Team

Silas has lived on the streets of New Orleans since he was found at the age of four under a bridge by Remy who has cared for him ever since and who Silas loves like a brother. When Remy became ill Silas was determined to find food and medicine for him but due to the weather there weren’t many people around to steal from forcing him to go to the one place Remy always warned him about, the mall.

At the mall Silas found a lot of food that was thrown out and was able to pick a pocket giving him money to buy medicine but Remy was right as usual and he was attacked by a vicious gang stabbing and beating him and ignoring his pleas. No one heard his cries for help and he knew he was going to die.

Eclipse Himura was taking a walk and when he heard screams and saw a gang of kids he was ready willing and able to join in the fight. As a vampire Eclipse was looking forward to some action and then some blood but after eliminating the gang he saw Silas laying on the floor dying and when Silas recognized him as a vampire and begged to be turned Eclipse tried to discourage him but Silas is a kid who doesn’t mince words and Eclipse saw something in this urchin and saved him.

Silas woke up in New York in a mansion with no clue how he got there or what happened until Eclipse showed him what he was. Alone with a very dangerous looking vampire Silas did what he always did opened his mouth before his brain kicked in and began accusing Eclipse of killing him. Fortunately for Silas, Eclipse found him very amusing especially when he insisted on calling him Bastard. His brain said shut up but his mouth wouldn’t stay shut.

Silas refused to drink blood and Eclipse and his twin brother Raenef had their hands full trying to educate him in being a vampire. Although Silas was determined not to drink blood his body needed it but Eclipse introduced him to synthetic blood. All Silas could do was fight with Eclipse and he fought him tooth and nail calling him a murderer and a perv and constantly telling him he hated him. Any other fledgling would have suffered big time but the Himura clan unlike others treated their slaves as members of the family.

Silas missed Remy desperately and wanted to see him but it took Eclipse a long time to convince him that being around a human alone could be deadly, deadly for the human. Unfortunately whatever Eclipse said went in one ear and out the other and Silas headed to New Orleans and learned the hard way once again that there were consequences to his actions and bodies left in his wake.

Eclipse loves Silas and even though Silas realizes what he has been given the streets are all he has ever known but Remy is smart enough to know where Silas belongs and it is definitely not with him and his bloody arm is proof of what Eclipse was warning Silas about.

I read this book in one day and never wanted it to end, Eclipse was a wonderful character as were all the members of the Himura Clan but Silas was my favorite. I had more laugh out loud moments because of Silas and at times wanted to hit him in the head myself because of his attitude. Taken to a clothes store he couldn’t help himself but steal a shirt and once again learned the hard way that certain fabrics are not good for vampires. His insistence in going to Wal-Mart fell on deaf ears and when he programmed his ringtone for Eclipse to ring “Oy bastard” I couldn’t stop laughing.

Loved the book, loved the characters and can’t wait for more. Vampires, suspense, sex and humor this book has it all. Dinner at Dawn left me hungry for more.

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