Candace Steele's life would be simpler if the guys in Ocean's Eleven, either version, had really paid for their crime. Ever since, wannabes have tried to emulate them, creating more work for security experts in Vegas. Now, she has not the Rat Pack, or even the Brat Pack, to contend with, but the Bat Pack, a set of vampires who try to look like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Peter Lawford, and Sammy Davis Junior.

On top of that, there's a high stakes poker tournament in the Sher, not to mention a major shake-up going on in vamp politics, and, of course, her would-be lover and constant nemesis, the vampire, Ash, is back in town. Somehow, all these events come together to make Candace's life interesting, in the curse sense of the word.

Although this second entry is still rather steamy and laden with flashbacks, these two factors were less hampering than in the prior novel, resulting in a story that flowed better. Candace and Ash's relationship has some of the same dynamics going on as early Jean-Claude/Anita Blake tensions, but Ash is more of an alpha, and much less ambiguous in his trustworthiness. The Ocean's Eleven element is a fun addition.

Synopsis
WHERE'S THERE'S BLOOD, THERE'S PASSION

Sexy vampire killer Candace Steele is back on the Las Vegas strip and determined to steer clear of Ash, the seductive vampire whose smoldering allure begs her to surrender to the dark side. But determination may not be enough when Candace's job at the glitzy Scheherazade casino drives her right into the center of Ash's deadly domain, for there are rumors of a New Year's Eve vampire assault on the casino, and only Candace can stop it.

With the clock ticking down to the fateful night, Candace isn't sure if she can resist the overwhelming desire she feels for Ash, but she has run out of choices. She must go to Ash for help; even though she knows that the price he'll expect in return is nothing less than her body and her soul.