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Enthralled #1
Enthralled
A suicidal young man, Colin Dobson, seeks death, but finds an unconventional reason to live in the arms of a seductive, dark stranger. Rowland Campbell is an ancient and powerful vampire on the brink of death after a surprise attack by vampire hunters. Dark desires are awakened, as one strives to survive and the other begs for deliverance from the burden of life.
This book has been previously released.
This book has been previously released.
41 pages, ebook
First published October 26, 2006
1 person is currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Laura Baumbach
48 books311 followersLaura Baumbach is the best-selling, multi-award winning, acclaimed author of short stories, novellas, novels and screenplays. Most recently, Mexican Heat, written in collaboration with Josh Lanyon, has been chosen as a FINALIST for Best Gay Romance in the 2009 Lambda Literary Awards, a FINALIST in the 2010 EPPIE Awards, and has received an Honorable Mention at the 2009 San Francisco Book Festival. Laura was nominated for Best GBLT Author 2008 in the LRC's Best Of Awards for 2008. Her adventure story The Lost Temple of Karttikeya won the 2008 EPPIE Award for Best GLBT novel. Her sequel to the best-selling novel A Bit of Rough, Roughhousing, was 2007 Reviewers' Choice Award Winner.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 2, 2016
I forgot to rate this. Read it a while ago.
August 25, 2009
I happened across this particular book and it’s sequel when looking at Baumbach’s backlist. She’s a fabulous author and this one I’d had my eye on for a while and I’m really happy I finally took the plunge and got this and it’s sequel, Breathing. If you haven’t read either this author or this story, please do so!
This is a short story, under 40 pages, but typifies the author’s excellent writing in fully realizing two dynamic characters and an intense and dark relationship amidst a brooding, eloquently described backdrop of the city. From the vivid opening scene describing Colin’s death wish and detailed enough that we’re presented with his clothing down to a golden thread trembling over a socked foot to the a haunting declaration of forgiveness, Enthralled does just that. This story gripes and quickly draws you into the dark world of vampires and death.
Colin is a lovely character with a death wish. His reasons are not fully known yet hinted at when describing his isolated, privileged upbringing, his rare blood disease, and untouched sexual state. His inner darkness is deep but he struggles with the violence required to kill himself, not quite getting it right. He’s stopped from his latest attempt by the rather dramatic arrival of the wounded vampire, who gives him a reason to live. Colin’s emotions and reactions from drugged to vulnerable cast him as an appealing innocent.
Rowland is the perfect foil for Colin’s purity. As the dark and violent bringer of death to survive, Rowland epitomizes the callous stereotype of vampires. Cruel, selfish, and evil he somehow stumbles onto his very own angel and instinctively refuses to let go. His insistence on Colin’s presence in his life – now and forever – creates a love story sure to please the most ardent of romance fans, even if his use of bodily fluids was slightly much for me.
Although these two are given classic roles within the vampire/human theme, Baumbach’s superb writing elevates this story from being a throwaway into something engaging, fascinating and memorable. Tight writing and beautiful prose give this tale and its characters a haunting beauty in combination with a lushly detailed backdrop. I highly recommend this short story to anyone who’s a fan of darker, edgier vampire themes within m/m fiction. You’ll devour it.
This is a short story, under 40 pages, but typifies the author’s excellent writing in fully realizing two dynamic characters and an intense and dark relationship amidst a brooding, eloquently described backdrop of the city. From the vivid opening scene describing Colin’s death wish and detailed enough that we’re presented with his clothing down to a golden thread trembling over a socked foot to the a haunting declaration of forgiveness, Enthralled does just that. This story gripes and quickly draws you into the dark world of vampires and death.
Colin is a lovely character with a death wish. His reasons are not fully known yet hinted at when describing his isolated, privileged upbringing, his rare blood disease, and untouched sexual state. His inner darkness is deep but he struggles with the violence required to kill himself, not quite getting it right. He’s stopped from his latest attempt by the rather dramatic arrival of the wounded vampire, who gives him a reason to live. Colin’s emotions and reactions from drugged to vulnerable cast him as an appealing innocent.
Rowland is the perfect foil for Colin’s purity. As the dark and violent bringer of death to survive, Rowland epitomizes the callous stereotype of vampires. Cruel, selfish, and evil he somehow stumbles onto his very own angel and instinctively refuses to let go. His insistence on Colin’s presence in his life – now and forever – creates a love story sure to please the most ardent of romance fans, even if his use of bodily fluids was slightly much for me.
Although these two are given classic roles within the vampire/human theme, Baumbach’s superb writing elevates this story from being a throwaway into something engaging, fascinating and memorable. Tight writing and beautiful prose give this tale and its characters a haunting beauty in combination with a lushly detailed backdrop. I highly recommend this short story to anyone who’s a fan of darker, edgier vampire themes within m/m fiction. You’ll devour it.
July 29, 2017
I'd forgotten I'd read this book already until I came across its sequel.
Really interesting how the two characters meet and more so, how their relationship starts. I've always liked the author and her stories, and this was very nice to read.
Really interesting how the two characters meet and more so, how their relationship starts. I've always liked the author and her stories, and this was very nice to read.
June 28, 2018
3.5 Stars
June 3, 2010
Ok. Not a lot to review on this one. I don't usually read short stories. I think that is why it didn't get a higher rating from me. I really liked Colin and Rowland. The sex is pretty hot, in a different kind of way. This was the first Gay Vamp book that I have read. I really liked it. The one thing I would have liked better was at the beginning of the book I would have liked a little more emotional background on Colin and how he came to be at his decision. I felt the turmoil and despair, I just don't understand why. If I missed something let me know. I know they have another book following this one and I can't wait to check it out.
August 16, 2016
Ok, so I had to suspend my belief quite a bit to enjoy this one. Considering it was a short read and Laura Baumbach is a good writer, I didn’t mind suspending my belief. The way Colin and Rowland met was original. Since Colin had such a sheltered life, the only person to see any value in Colin was a vampire. Lucky for Colin, Rowland’s saliva kinda cured him of his hemophelia. Falling in love was indeed a bit too fast for my taste and the cover is quite atrocious, but their sex was right up my alley.
January 10, 2010
Uhm, like WOW!! :D. This is the first story of Laura Baumbach that I have ever read. Even if it's a novella, less than 40 pages, but I feel that the characters are developed wonderfully. Two person finding each other, one a young man with hemophiliac, who is about to kill himself when fate brought him face to face with a wounded millenia-old vampire. The story is intriguing. Not just erotic but SEXY (two different thing for me). I guess I will just jump into the sequel now.
August 3, 2011
Rowland is a vampire. Colin is about to commit suicide. These two will meet, and hot sex may save them both. Very good novella, with just enough back story to make it work. This would have made an excellent novel though.
March 1, 2012
Colin is just heartbreaking, his thoughts and feelings on the balcony...so sad.
Rowland is obviously a non glittery kind of vampire, he kills, hunts and is selfish...until he meets Colin!
Now, if we could just do something about that awful cover!
Rowland is obviously a non glittery kind of vampire, he kills, hunts and is selfish...until he meets Colin!
Now, if we could just do something about that awful cover!
April 2, 2013
This shorty is an oldie but sweetly pulling and romantic, too. I liked both MC's. Rowland, an ancient vampire, finds a new thrall in Colin, a suicidal young man. Each character is seeking for something but they find the solution through joining their bodies, passions and love. I liked it.
March 20, 2012
Well written, but very short. Took only a moment to read.
May 23, 2012
3.5 stars
February 15, 2013
The prose is rather purple and not terribly original and the characters felt cardboard. I enjoyed a few parts but generally this book had too many moments just made me shake my head.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews