No Rest for the Wicked by Kresley Cole

No Rest for the Wicked:
Centuries ago, Sebastian Wroth was turned into a vampire -- a nightmare in his mind -- against his will. Burdened with hatred and alone for ages, he sees little reason to live. Until an exquisite, fey creature comes to kill him, inadvertently saving him instead.

A Valkyrie assassin dispatched to destroy him . . .

When Kaderin the Cold Hearted lost her two beloved sisters to a vampire attack long ago, a benevolent force deadened her sorrow -- accidentally extinguishing all of her emotions. Yet whenever she encounters Sebastian, her feelings -- particularly lust -- emerge multiplied. For the first time, she's unable to complete a kill.

Become competitors in a legendary hunt.

The prize of the month-long contest is powerful enough to change history, and Kaderin will do anything to win it for her sisters. Wanting only to win her, forever, Sebastian competes as well, taking every opportunity -- as they travel to ancient tombs and through catacombs, seeking relics around the world -- to use her new feelings to seduce her. But when forced to choose between the vampire she's falling for and reuniting her family, how can Kaderin live without either?

Kresley Cole's second book in her Immortals After Dark series, is a strong follow-up to the incredible A Hunger Like No Other. Her supernatural Lore is unique and has guaranteed I will definitely be picking up the rest of this series. Kresley's writing pulled me in from the first pages and it's easy to visualize the characters and story. The sexual tension runs rampant throughout this book and the constant action makes this book un-put-down-able! Kaderin was once betrayed by her soft heart, so for centuries she has lived with the Blessing; she has not felt anything since the days after her sisters were struck down in battle, by a vampire she showed mercy to. That is until she meets Sebastian--a vampire she has been sent to kill. A few minutes in his presence brings back the world of feelings for her and she runs from him thinking it is a terrible mistake. Sebastian has despised himself for being turned against his will, but upon meeting Kaderin he discovers his Bride (his mate for eternity), and is determined to find her. They enter a deadly scavenger hunt (known as the Hie, a twisted version of The Amazing Race) with a grand prize that Kaderin will kill for--a chance to save her sisters-- and the competition is fierce. Sebastian wishes only to win the competition to gain Kaderin's favor, but she is strong, independent and has won the last five competitions; she will not allow anyone to help her. The tasks take them around the globe and bring them closer together as Kaderin's prejudice against vampires weakens against Sebastian's constant search for her happiness. The soothsayer of Kaderin's coven has predicted her death before the end of the Hie, and while she is willing to sacrifice her life to save her sisters, Sebastian will stop at nothing to keep her by his side forever.