Port Henry, Canada – Present Day

A widow, sixty plus year-old Elvi Black went to Mexico with her best friend Mabel, for some fun in the sun. She came home with an extreme allergy to the sun -- vampirism. But life, or unlife, in Port Henry isn’t all bad. The small town accepts the changes in the former senior citizen, now a beautiful young woman again, and helps her survive the change in her life. But Elvi’s friends are getting older, and they worry about what will happen to Elvi when they are all gone. In the hope of finding Elvi a companion who will be with her forever, they place an ad in the singles section of the Toronto Times -- vampires only need apply.

Victor Argeneau is an enforcer for the North American Vampire council. It is his job to investigate rogue vampires and stop them from revealing their existence to the human population. He’s sure that the ad in the times is a joke -- but it must be investigated. Imagine Victor’s surprise when he meets Elvi -- and finds out that, while she did not place the ad in the paper, she is still guilty of exposing herself as a vampire to the entire town. And what surprises Victor the most is he’s not the only vampire to answer the ad. What’s an enforcer to do when his job demands he execute the woman he is sure is his lifemate?

With her usual flare for creating loveable and charming characters, Ms. Sands has once again given readers exactly what they want. A romance laced with humor and passion and peopled with a vast array of intriguing characters. Victor is a very old vampire. He’s also somewhat set in his ways. When he ventures off to investigate the possible rogue vampire, he is unprepared for Elvi. She’s lively, witty, charming and beguiling, and Victor will have to work hard to ensure that the Council doesn’t order her termination. Elvi is appalled by the ad placed by her friends, but she finds the sentiment behind the ad heartwarming. Elvi hasn’t had an easy time adjusting to being a vampire. She has no “sire” to guide her and pretty much just believes everything she’s ever read about vampires -- including the fact that she has to sleep in a coffin. When Elvi finds the whole coffin thing is a myth, she’s pretty put out. Along with Victor are several other very interesting vampires who have come to Port Henry in answer to the ad. Each is hoping to find a lifemate -- but they all stick around to see what Elvi will do next. Secondary characters are numerous and include Elvi’s best friend, Mabel, and Victor’s “assistant”, D.J. Benoit. Both are captivating secondary players involved in a secondary romance in the novel.

Sometimes poignant, sometimes hilarious, THE ACCIDENTAL VAMPIRE is a treat from the first page to the last. Fans of the series will be happy to read Victor’s story, and meet his lifemate, Elvi, as well as potential new leading men for future books. With each book in the Argeneau vampire series, I am amazed at the diversity in plot and characterization. This is a series I highly recommend.

Terrie Figueroa