Temptation Calls

Samantha Turner runs the Artemis Shelter in Spanish Harlem. She is also a vampire, who had suffered abuse in both life and in un-life. She had created this halfway house as a haven to help other women and children avoid the same fate. The neighborhood credits her with the peace that has settled on their little corner of NYC. But that peace is suddenly shattered by a drive-by shooting which takes the lives of a several teenagers. Samantha's vampiric speed had spared three of the kids but not even she had enough time to save them all. Unfortunately her actions would not go unnoticed. NYPD Detective Peter Daley is sent to investigate the crime. (Peter assisted FBI Agent Diana Reyes in murder investigations in books 1 and 2, see DARKNESS CALLS and DANGER CALLS.) Peter is definitely suspicious about the miraculous rescue, and even more so when he finds a blood stained and bullet ridden blouse in a dumpster. The clues lead him back to the shelter and the beautiful proprietor. Samantha bears no wounds from the shooting but Peter cannot fail to notice the scars crisscrossing her back. She'd been abused, hence her reason for not trusting men. Peter himself no longer trusted beautiful women, a lesson taught to him by his faithless wife. Yet he finds himself returning to the crime scene again and again. Soon neither can deny their attraction. Three of Diana's vampire friends have mysteriously disappeared from the Blood Bank, a club frequented by their kind. When Diana is nearly the fourth, Peter intervenes. When Samantha tell him that there's nothing he can do to help, that she and her friends are "different" Peter calls in a friend, FBI Agent Diana Reyes. He's often suspected that she and her lover Ryder Latimer are "different" too. He has no idea how different Samantha and Ryder are until they meet for the first time in 140 years. The meeting is decidedly hostile, due to past history, and their true natures are revealed. Will their undeniable attraction overcome Peter's shock and disbelief? Will they find the kidnapper before he strikes again? Can Ryder find a way to forgive Samantha and learn to embrace his nature? More connections are made with the past as the reader learns about the connection between Ryder, Samantha, and the Civil War era Danvers family. Although this installment definitely can stand alone, the villain has also played a major role in events of the recent past. I really recommend reading books 1 and 2, DARKNESS CALLS and DANGER CALLS if copies can be obtained. TEMPTATION CALLS is another enthralling story sure to please lovers of mystery, suspense, paranormal, and romance. Ms. Pineiro has penned a profound tale of angst overcome by heart and heroism. Reviewed by Leslie Tramposch for PNR Reviews

Don't miss the next installment of THE CALLING vampire series. DEATH CALLS, featuring Diana Reyes and Ryder Latimer as the leads once again, will be out in December 2006!

In 2004 Spanish Harlem, Samantha Turner runs the Artemis Shelter to help women and their small children. However, even she is unable to prevent a drive by shooting from killing three children under sixteen years old though she saved the lives of three others due to her vampiric powers that she gained during the Civil War. NYPD Detective Peter Daley investigates the incident, but cannot fathom how three children survived or who the mysterious Good Samaritan is. He finds a blouse with blood and two bullet holes in the garbage and a tape at a nearby grocer shows a woman wearing that blouse in the store just before the killings. He learns her name and finds most people consider her a saint. The Medical Examiner tells him blood he found does not fit any known classification and lacks DNA. As he continues to investigate, he and Samantha fall in love. He knows she is different, although he is not sure how. She fears intimacy ever since her husband battered her killing her unborn son back in 1860. Their seemingly star-crossed worlds are about to collide with chances heavily in favor that neither will survive. TEMPTATION CALLS is a fabulous supernatural police procedural romance starring a wonderful caring female and a likable intelligent detective. The story line works on two levels that merge together as Sam hides her vampire background while Peter follows the clues one at a time until he learns the truth. As she did with her two previous "calls" (see DANGER CALLS and DARKNESS CALLS), Caridad Pineiro will take a large bite out of the readers' sleep to finish this fine thriller in one sitting. Harriet Klausner

Samantha Turner looks young, frail, and sweet. In truth she is ancient, strong, and extremely deadly. Samantha is a vampire. She wants to be mortal or at least pass for one. Since she moved into the neighborhood and opened The Artemis Shelter (a halfway house where women and children can heal and find a way out of abusive relationships), crime drastically reduced. The people that live in the area believe Samantha is, somehow, responsible for all their good fortunes. They don't know how right they are! Samantha only ventures outside during the day whenever the sun is weak. At night she patrols the neighborhood, going rooftop-to-rooftop, helping people and stopping crime. Then came a drive-by shooting. Samantha's speed let her save three of the children, even though she took two bullets herself. This could not be covered up. Others were dead in the street or wounded. Police and paramedics would come. Mortals who would ask questions that she dare not answer. Detective Peter Daly did not believe Ricardo's story. Ricardo claims to be the sole witness. But evidence points to Samantha being the witness instead. Why would they lie? What are they hiding? Samantha and Peter find themselves attracted to each other. Samantha knows she should get rid of Peter, yet she is drawn to him. Then her vampire friends begin disappearing. ***** This series may be in the Silhouette line, but it is anything but normal. "THE CALLING" is a vampire series unlike any I have read. In 3/04 the series began with "Darkness Calls". Fans yelled for more. So in 6/05 "Danger Calls" was released. This story is the third in the series. Don't worry, each book can easily stand alone. You have no need to read the previous novels to fully understand and appreciate this one. Yet I recommend that you do so. Characters from earlier books show up to assist the new characters. Author Caridad Piñeiro writes engrossing novels of the darker side of life. Sometimes I wonder if the author writes in blood, because the story simply oozes with realism. I often forget that vampires are not real. This is an outstanding tale that I highly recommend to all. ***** Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

4 Stars RT BookClub: "This is a great read. Fast-paced and emotional, offering further insight into the author's vampire world." 5 Stars Huntress Book Reviews: "This series may be in the Silhouette line, but it is anything but normal. "THE CALLING" is a vampire series unlike any I have read. In 3/04 the series began with "Darkness Calls". Fans yelled for more. So in 6/05 "Danger Calls" was released. This story is the third in the series. Don't worry, each book can easily stand alone. You have no need to read the previous novels to fully understand and appreciate this one. Yet I recommend that you do so. Characters from earlier books show up to assist the new characters. Author Caridad Piñeiro writes engrossing novels of the darker side of life. Sometimes I wonder if the author writes in blood, because the story simply oozes with realism. I often forget that vampires are not real. This is an outstanding tale that I highly recommend to all." www.loveromances.com: " . . . fans of Paranormal Romances will absolute love the third book in author Caridad Pineiro's "The CALLING Vampire Series", TEMPTATION CALLS . . . fast paced, intriguing paranormal. Reader fans will want to watch for the next set of books, continuing the series, in 2006 & 2007 with "Death Calls", "Devotion Calls", and "Duty Calls". A definite recommend!" [...]: "TEMPTATION CALLS is a fabulous supernatural police procedural romance starring a wonderful caring female and a likable intelligent detective. The story line works on two levels that merge together as Sam hides her vampire background while Peter follows the clues one at a time until he learns the truth. As she did with her two previous "calls" (see DANGER CALLS and DARKNESS CALLS), Caridad Pineiro will take a large bite out of the readers' sleep to finish this fine thriller in one sitting." [...]: "For her third book in The Calling Vampire Series, talented writer Caridad Pineiro has created a fascinating community of supernatural beings in New York City. With her original storyline, Ms. Pineiro constructs a vividly realistic world which is totally believable. Each character's unique personality is so well described that I found myself completely involved in their lives, whether the scene was suspenseful and dangerous or touching and passionate. TEMPTATION CALLS has a riveting plot, memorable characterization and a sensual love story. . . Caridad Pineiro knows how to keep readers entertained. The constant action and danger throughout the book kept building the suspenseful mystery until the explosive ending. . ." www.theromancereadersconnection.com: "This is a fantastically told story of two people who are afraid to love again. Their characters are well developed and their story is just the right pace. There are all the elements necessary for a great vampire tale and a true romance. This installment in The Calling series is a true pleasure to read. I am very much looking forward to the next installment from Silhouette