Sweeter than Wine review

 

Sweeter Than Wine is the fourth story in Bianca D'Arc's Brotherhood of Blood series. It is the first full length novel in the series and features Christy and Sebastian.

Christy is one of the original five female friends that we met in One and Only. She was the only one who was married and, as the series progressed, her friends became worried that her marriage was abusive. In Sweeter Than Wine, that suspicion is confirmed and Christy must be turned in order to save her life. This is where Sebastian steps in. While not the Master of the region, Sebastian is unusually strong for his age and, of course, is friends with Marc and Atticus. He is also friends with the local werecougars, a slightly unusual situation as vampires and shifters usually avoid each other. Sebastian has been smitten with Christy since he first saw her at Atticus and Lissa's wedding and now as her Maker, he knows they will be together for centuries even if she doesn't prove to be his One.

Unfortunately, Christy's ex-husband is not just an abusive jerk but is also in league with a Venificus agent who has infiltrated the Altor Custodis. The Venificus are the "big bad" for the paranormal world. They've popped up in previous books but in Sweeter Than Wine we get more details on their history and mission.

There was a more detailed storyline in Sweeter Than Wine because the length allowed for it and it was very action packed. It flowed very well and the chemistry between Christy, Sebastian, and Matt was palpable. I would recommend reading the entire series in order though or some things could be confusing.

There is also a bit of crossover with D'Arc's Tales of the Were series in this book but I hadn't read those stories and it didn't seem that I was missing anything in Sweeter Than Wine by not having done so.

Synopsis

An abused woman has the power to unite werefolk, fey and vampire against an evil that would see them all dead -- if she can learn to love again. Christy lies near death after a brutal beating by her estranged husband. Her preternatural friends reach a desperate conclusion: The only way to save her is to turn her. Sebastian steps forward to take on the burden of being her Maker. For him its no burden at all. She draws him as no other woman has for centuries. With the help of a werecougar friend, Sebastian teaches Christy about her new life and abilities, making certain she is as strong as he can make her. Only then can she face her abusive ex-husband and put her old life behind her. But Christys ex-husband is involved in something more dangerous than any of them had guessed. Vampire, were, and even a fey knight must work together to put an end to the threatening evil. To overcome her past, help keep the darkness at bay, and fight for a new life with Sebastian, Christy must draw on all of her new-found strength. Will it be enough? 

Warning, this title contains explicit sex, graphic language, menage a trois, hot neck biting and werecougar stroking.