I finished Enduring Instincts just last night and loved it. S. J. Frost has continued her universe of vampires and their Eternal Partners here with the 2nd book in her Instincts series. I thought her rockers were terrific (and yes, they still are), but I think her vampires are right up there in my affections.

As this book opens up, vampire Daniel Valente is still trying to recover from the events of the first book, Natural Instincts. His Master and former lover, Titus, has found eternal love with another and Daniel is trying to move on with little success. Ryunosuki Kimura returns to lend Daniel his support and more if Daniel is ready to accept it. But the young outlaw vampires have returned for vengeance and to try to overthrow the status quo of vampire society.

Daniel struggles with the nightmares of his past while dealing with the threats he helped create. SJ does a wonderful job in moving us with Daniel’s insecurities and pain. In SJ’s vampire society, you can live to be over 300 years old and still suffer from the vagaries of human emotions. Increased age and power doesn’t offset low self esteem, insecurities, and ambition of the human condition. Vampirism is rather a genetic mutation that enhances what is already present in the human form, for better or worse.

Her characters are layered, with all their flaws and demons to make them all the more accessible and understandable, even the “villains” of the piece. A truly satisfying read that I am hoping will continue as there are still some characters whose future is unresolved at the end. You don’t have to have read the first book to read this one but it helps in better establishing the plot and past events. Go, read, have fun! You will love it!

From MLR Press: Vampire Daniel Valente struggles to live on his own, now that his master, Titus Antonius Calidus, has found eternal love with another. Carrying mental and emotional scars, he lives in loneliness and feels as though he’s lost who he once was. Ryunosuke Kimura has known Daniel for hundreds of years, and loved him for many of them. Even though he believes Titus is the only one Daniel wants to give his heart to, when he hears Daniel needs his support, he rushes to be with him.With Ryu at his side, Daniel’s confidence returns, and with it, he sees the enduring love Ryu has always had for him. As they grow closer, new threats from old enemies arise, and if Daniel and Ryunosuke are to spend eternity together, they must first defeat the past.