LUST BITES is a collection of three erotic stories, each with a different take on the vampire myth. Though each story offers a different perspecting, the collection is universally passionate and these stories are all passionate and easy to read.

Vampire's Heart by Kristina Lloyd

A long time ago, Billy killed the woman he loved because, as a new vampire, he had no idea yet how to control his own bloodlust. When the woman he loved died, Billy mourned her even as he knew he would wait for her soul to find a new body. When she is reborn it is as a girl called Esther. In order to give her time and space, Billy moves to the Arctic with his male lover, Simeon, and decides to abstain from drinking human and animal blood. What he doesn't know is that Esther will travel right next to his home on an Arctic expedition. When she comes so close, Billy finds it difficult to resist and Simeon finds his lover's distraction upsetting and vows that he will do something about his jealousy. He won't lose the man he loves to some silly human...

Of the stories, Vampire's Heart is the closest thing to traditional erotica. There are a number of different sexual relationships in this story, including between humans, between vampires, and between the two species. Billy is a traditional alpha male and is dominant in his relationships with both men and women. Both Simeon and Esther submit to him, and Billy thrives on his position at the top of the totem pole. As a heroine, Esther was pretty forgettable, but Billy more than makes up for it. Vampire's Heart was a good start to the series, but not as good as the other two stories in the collection.

Buddies Don't Bite by Portia Da Costa

Shortly before a friend's wedding, Teresa Johnson is unceremoniously dumped by her current boyfriend. Distraight, she comes home and confesses to her landlord and friend, Zachary Trevelyan. Teresa has harbored feelings for Zack, but to keep things from becoming complicated when they live together, they both resist them. However, when he sees her upset, Zack agrees to be her date for the wedding and the passion between them blossoms. However, Zack has to be careful that Teresa doesn't become suspicious of her secrets. She's already noticed Zack's skin is always cold, but he blames it on anemia; he suffers from photosensitivity and cannot go out in the sunlight; and sometimes when he looks at her in passion in his eyes, she notices that his canines are long and sharp. In fact, if Teresa didn't know any better she might suspect he was a vampire...

Buddies Don't Bite is closer to chick lit than to erotica. This is more a story of friends who become lover than a passionate tale of two people who can't resist each other (though the latter is present as well). Zack is nicer than your traditional vampire, and inifinitely more naive. He is very shy and hesitant around Teresa, forcing her to be the one who makes the first move. Teresa, conversely, is a take charge kind of girl. She's the perfect foil for a shy guy like Zack. If you like your stories sweeter and more humorous, this one will be more your style.

Under Her Skin by Mathilde Madden

Raised by two of the world's most famous vampire hunters, Merle Cobalt is torn when her father's archnemesis Darius Cole demands that she stay with him hin his home for 25 days or he will let her father die of a mysterious illness. Since she was a child, Merle was raised to believe that Darius Cole was like the Boogeyman as was the worst and strongest vampire ever created. His psychic powers are legendary, and both Merle and her parents hope she doesn't fall under his spell. Still, this is the only way to protect her father, so Merle agrees to the ploy. What she doesn't expect is that in doing so, she might realize that the myth of Darius Cole might not all be true. Soon the line between fact and fiction blurs and Merle doesn't know if she should trust her parents or the vampire she's falling for...

Under Her Skin is the strongest story in this collection. The plot is the most fully fleshed-out and the characters are completely described and three dimensional. It was an interesting story and offers a unique Catch 22 situation. The daughter of vampire hunters who falls in love with the most dangerous vampire alive. And with Darius's psychic powers and haughty demeanor, he is indeed someone to be wary of. Merle is an interesting heroine and it was exciting to watch her fall for Darius's charm. Even though she knew she shouldn't trust him, her traitorous heart just wouldn't let her resist for long. Under Her Skin is the best story in this collection and encompasses erotica, romance, and paranormal without sacrificing quality.