MARKED BY THE VAMPIRE is about what happens when the human world and the supernatural world collide with few barriers in place to control the mayhem that ensues. Olivia Maddox is a scientist who studies the 'creatures' of the paranormal world. She's particularly interested in the ones who go bad, killing and maiming humans along the way. Olivia pulls some strings and gets herself sent on assignment at Purgatory, an island fortress maximum security prison for vampires and werewolves. She wants to interview and study some select subjects, to discover why these supernaturals go savage.

Shane August is an FBI agent being sent undercover to Purgatory to ferret out the serious issues that have been going unchecked in the prison. He's also a very powerful vampire, and working for the Paranormal Unit of the FBI. Shane meets Olivia in his guise as a new prisoner, and is immediately attracted to her. When some of her inmate interviews go bad, he always seems be right there to protect and save her, even at the threat of blowing his cover. Although Olivia's project has the backing of a very powerful senator, Shane is stunned that someone would send her into such a dangerous place.

It's not long before Olivia is attacked by a werewolf and some things go seriously wrong at Purgatory prison. There is something special about Olivia, something that the supes and the new warden of the prison want. Shane and Olivia are forced to escape the prison and go on the run from the powerful werewolf who is determined to have her special blood.

It's not long before Shane realizes that there is much more to Olivia than meets the eye. She's not quite human and is close to reaching the emergence of her supernatural powers. It becomes clear that Olivia is being set up, and it is more than just the paranormal world interested in her developing capabilities. The pair attempt to discover who they can trust, and who they cannot. All the while, their attraction to each other is growing stronger as Shane attempts to keep Olivia safe.

MARKED BY THE VAMPIRE is set in the paranormal Purgatory series by Cynthia Eden. The action is almost non-stop, and the twists and turns in the plotline keep the reader breathless and guessing. As always, Eden has a rather unique take on werewolf and vampire lore. There is a lot going on in MARKED BY THE VAMPIRE, and the reader must pay attention to some of the quick and changing developments in the story.

This is the second book of the Purgatory series; and while it is a fully contained story that can be read standalone, it is not really recommended to do so. There are references to the characters and events of the first book 'The Wolf Within' that build on that story, and may leave the reader a bit confused. MARKED BY THE VAMPIRE is a fun, exciting read penned by the always excellent Cynthia Eden; a treat for both new readers and her long-time fans as well.