The Vampire Viscount

by Karen Harbaugh

Unholy Wedlock

Leonore Farleigh shuddered when she learned she was to marry the Viscount St. Vire. What sort of monster would take advantage of her father's debts to buy her has his bride?

But one meeting with her future husband turned her dismay to desire. Lord Nicholas St. Vire was blindingly handsome and supremely seductive. It was only after they were man and wife that questions began to poison her perfect marriage. Why did he fear to go out in the light of day? What fueled the hellfire torment in his eyes? How was he linked to the ravishing Lady Mercia Lazlo, about whom such dark rumours flew? Could the most irresistible lord in London be the most horrifying creatures of the night? Lenore had to find out as her marriage moved to its ultimate moment of truth - when the viscount's all-consuming kiss would crown her eternal happiness - or seal her undying doom....

Genres: Romance, Vampires, Historical Romance, Paranormal Romance, Regency, Paranormal, Historical

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 1, 1995

About the author

Karen Harbaugh is a half-Japanese U.S. Northwesterner Navy brat with a BA in English, is happily married to a sweet and supportive engineer, and has one alarmingly intelligent son. She has found being a full-time romance writer, mom and wife to be a heck of a lot more challenging than being a Quality Assurance Analyst for a major HMO or being a technical writer. The job has longer hours, for one thing, and she is on call a good 24 hours a day, and there is no such thing as vacation time. She has written for HarperCollins under the pseudonym, Kathleen Elliott.

Reviews

[BJ Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

A weak 4* but stronger than 3*
Lord Nicholas St. Vire is a reluctant vampire, hates the woman who 'turned' him, and has spent decades searching for a way to reverse the process. He's sure he's finally found it, and all he has to do is find a willing virgin to marry, one who will love him even knowing what he is.

This book is said to be the first Regency-vampire book - my copy was published in 1995. I think it held my interest because the author chose how she would interpret/carry out the "rules" of vampirism. Vampires burn up in sunlight *check* Vampires need blood *check* Vampires can't eat food *Umm, really?*

This was different enough to make it worthwhile - and I may search for another paranormal Harbaugh wrote before this one, about a Regency man who makes a bargain with the devil, and then wants to get out of it - and the bargain involves a decent woman, of course!

[scarr · Rating 3 out of 5]

2025 reread: In her author's note of the ebook re-release, Harbaugh writes that when she published this in 1995, the book was controversial for having a vampire appear in a Regency setting and despite the controversy, the book "sold out" within the first week of publication and was one of Signet's bestselling releases.

I must have had such a fun time the first time I read this lol the reread wasn't as smooth - it took me a few days to finish. I will read more of Harbugh's Regency PNRs because I do think there is potential here!

2024 review: 3.5 rounded up. Marriage of convenience with a vampire who needs a virgin to break his vampirism curse. I had a fun time - these Signet Regencies have some delightful gems. I'm going to read more by Harbaugh!

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE WITH A VAMPIRE


Nicholas Viscount St.Vire is a vampire. Afraid of going mad, and losing of all his senses, he has for the past many years been searching for a way to help himself. At last via a book of spells he has found the answer. There's just one thing he needs, a willing virgin.

Leonore Farleigh is twenty five, working as a governess to supplement her family's income. Her abusive father drinks and gambles away any funds that he has. When her father returns home earlier than usual from the gaming hells. It is to take Leonore to Viscount St. Vire's house. He had lost a large amount of money to the Viscount, but had struck a bargain with him, for Nicholas to marry his daughter. Leonore is drawn to the handsome Viscount, who promises to treat her well. Hoping that through her marriage, she might be more able to protect her mother and younger sister, she agrees to marry Nicholas.

First read for my by this author, I was tempted to buy it as I love regency romances, and vampire stories, and here I had both on offer, all in the one book. I have to say that as I started to read this I thought I wasn't going to like it, it was a bit slow to get going. But I stuck with it, and I was glad I did. As this turned out to be quite the little gem IMO. The characters were very well portrayed for the time period. There is no world building for the vampires they are the straight up kind where they cannot go out in the sun, and they drink blood. No this is a story about a vampire who is using magic spells to solve his problem. That's where Lenore comes in. She marries Nicholas, believing he has a sickness that prevents him from going about during the day. Which I suppose was not really a lie. She starts to care for Nicholas, but he is now starting to be afraid as to what will Leonore's reaction be, when she discovers the truth about him. To make matters worse the woman who turned him has returned to London, and is expecting to pick up with their relationship. When she discovers that Nicholas is married. The situation gets dangerous, especially for Leonore.

As the story unfolded it became a real page turner. All in all a great little book with a vampire amongst the ton.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

VERY GOOD!!! Vampire Regency. Find, read, and put on keeper shelf! If you don't enjoy Regency books and want to read this simply because it's a "vampire romance" then you will probably not enjoy this book. However, if you like Regency romances AND vampire romances, then I think you will enjoy this book. Hero is looking for a virgin bride to redeem his vampire nature.

[ash · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read it for the writerly history (First Regency vampire!) and wasn't necessarily disappointed, but didn't love it. Some fun interactions, but, like most romances I've read, would've been easily de-dramatized if people simply spoke to each other. Vampirism is probably a harder truth to admit than most, but like, come ooooon. Lackluster, but worth its historical weight.

[Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

​Title: The Vampire Viscount (I always imagine this being spoken with a dramatic French accent!)
Author: Karen Harbaugh
Genre: Regency romance, vampire romance (in the preface, the author mentions that hers was one of the first to combine the two!)
Setting: London during the Regency
Reason for Reading: 50 book PoC challenge #33!! Rolling down the slope now... only 17 books left to go!
Relevance to the Project: This was the fourth romance that I read for the project, and the first one not to have any characters of color. Considering the publication date and the conventions of Regency romance this is not too surprising.
Finished In: Perhaps a month or two. I picked it up and put it down a fair bit.
Pages: 224
Copyright Date: 1995
Cover: A woman in a shockingly red dress. The man (or should I say vampire?) behind her looks about to nibble her neck.
First lines: "The Viscount St. Vire closed his book with a snap and shoved it away from him. He was tired of being reclusive."
Themes and Triggers: Vampires, domestic abuse, alcoholism, dysfunctional relationships, balls, marriage of convenience.
Best part: I really enjoyed the way Harbaugh portrayed the process of her vampire slowly developing feelings for his wife.
Worst part: I didn't love the inclusion of St. Vire's vampiric sire. The horrible temptress in red lipstick who wants to kill and control everybody? Isn't that a little... done?
Grade: B-. I enjoyed it but the standard of books I've been reading this year is great, so I'm only going to give it a B- because I didn't love it. I realize, ironically, that if I'd read this before some of the other Regencies I've read in my life I'd probably have enjoyed it more!
Recommended for: Romance fans should enjoy this one. For a Regency that's not written by Georgette Heyer (who pretty much invented the genre) it's good.
Related Reads: The Masqueraders and other Regency romances by Georgette Heyer. Hotel Transylvania and anything else by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro.

[Nicole Pelcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable and scratches the itch I had for a paranormal historical romance.

"The Vampire Viscount" by Karen Harbaugh is regency romance with a Vampiric twist. Lord Nicholas St. Vire wants to become human again, and to do that his first step is to take a wife. The future wife in question is Leonore Farleigh who he won in a gamble. Unfortunately as happiness seems to be on the horizon for both of these characters Nicholas creator and ex Lady Mercia Lazlo enters the picture...

This had some of my favourite regency tropes including marriage of convenience, flirtatious but brooding hero, and a class difference relationship. Though the class difference is only slight in this as her father is a gentleman(in name only) they are incredibly poor due to his gambling and drinking debts.

For a book so short I was very surprised and impressed how much time was actually spent on the characters wooing eachothed. Though I do wish they communicated a bit more after marriage though I get why they didn't. I mean hes hiding the fact hes a vampire and his crazy ex girlfriend is in town. Makes it hard to unpack all of that.

If you're looking for an easy and quick read, with older historical charm this could definitely be for you. Especially if you're like me and wish there way more vampire historical romances.

[Sharyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Written in 1985, Harbaugh invents her own Vampire ethos. It is fun reading an older book like this, but I did eventually start skimming because it did become a little slow and wordy. There was a happy ending for all involved.

[Elizabeth Bolin]

Well written. Love affair between the couple was very tender and sweet.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this a lot actually! A fun gothic story about a vampire trying to turn back human by marrying a lady.

Heat level: on page but easily cruisable over

[absolutely _ grim · Rating 2 out of 5]

This had a severe case of the Telling and Not Showing.

[Tina Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vampire seeks willing Virgin

I came across this romance the other day, attracted by its title and the cover but especially the book blurb. I love to read both paranormal and Regency romances and I really like historical novels with an arranged marriage theme. The story centres on the Viscount St. Vire, a vampire who tries to invoke a magic spell to restore his humanity and prevent his slow but sure descent into madness due to his vampire state.

In The Vampire Viscount, reclusive Nicholas, St. Vire, has found that he needs to marry a virgin, who will come willingly to him and after a year he will be human again. Fate plays into his hands when he fleeces a drunk and impoverished Mr Edward Farleigh at cards and for payment accepts the hand of his virginal daughter, Leonore in lieu of this and other debts. Leonore at first resents being ‘sold’ in such a way, preferring to continue with her life as a governess. However, she acquiesces to the match in the hope that she can secure a better future for her mother and sister. She also believes that Nicholas is seriously ill and does not have long for this world, his wan complexion and need to avoid the sunlight bearing testimony to some sort of wasting disease and she feels pity for him. Leonore and Nicholas have a whirlwind courtship, where he seduces her with his wit and charm.

Once they are married Leonore willingly gives herself to him and falls hard for him as he is all that is attentive and kind and they appear to share a mutual attraction. She suspects nothing of his true nature, which is kept well hidden and Nicholas eagerly awaits a time when he may be human again. All is well until Leonore suspects that Nicholas has secrets that he is not willing to share with her and she begins to lose trust in him. This trust is severely put to the test when a mysterious woman, the widow Lady Lazio, appears. The unfolding tale contains elements of jealousy, deception and murder.

The storyline flowed smoothly and I enjoyed the central romance and the supporting characters. I liked both the hero and the heroine and enjoyed their witty repartee. There are some sweet lovemaking scenes, and St. Vire is a very cheeky viscount indeed as he pushes the boundaries of what is acceptable in Regency society during their courtship! Leonore does not trust easily due to her experiences with her drunk and abusive father. However, she is no shrinking violet and speaks her mind. Nicholas, although jaded by his vampire state, appears thoughtful and charming and has a great sense of humour. Although he is clearly using Leonore for his own ends, he does develop strong feelings for her. My only concern was that perhaps more could have been made of the dark side of his nature. However, this is perhaps not surprising as Nicholas is a vampire who values his humanity and tries to control his vampire urges. Also this book was first published in 1995 and as the author explains in a preamble to the book, the melding together of vampires in a regency romance was unheard of then! Overall I thought this novel was a really enjoyable read and I liked the fact that it helped pioneer the paranormal sub genres that I love.

Although there is much romance in this book, there is less emphasis on the world of vampires. If you are looking for a Regency romance with strong paranormal elements, this probably is not the book for you. However, if you’d like to read a Regency romance with an innovative paranormal twist then this fits the bill perfectly.

[Spazfungus · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first time I read this, I hated it, this isn't a traditional clean regency romance and its seduction scenes aren't as good as true romance novels. However a second slower reading revealed the small touches that showed their growing love (not just lust) for each other and the book grew on me. I still think the end is rushed, dialogue a little too sappy, magic too convenient, and the characters are a bit too one dimensional, but there are only 224 pages!


****Spoiler Summary****
In break his vampire enchantment, living forever without feeling, Viscount Nicholas needs to marry a virgin wife on midsummer night for a year. He buys Leonore as a means to pay her father's gambling debts. They fall in love, but before they tell each other, Mercia, Nicholas' maker returns to London. To protect Leonore, Nicholas pretends to tire of Lenore and seduce Mercia, eventually forcing Leonore away. But Leonore comes back, they try to escape, Mercia follows, tries to kill Leonore, is set on fire by Nicholas. With dawn approaching, Nicholas seems to die, Leonore declares her love, breaks the enchantment.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't believe this was 1st pubbed in 1995. Its very telling that you can read a book from 1995 and have it still be enjoyable now. Leonore is a poor spinster verbally and physically abused by her drunken father Mr. Farleigh. In a card game he literally auctions off Leonore to Nicholas St.Vire-the viscount. He agrees to meet Leonore before agreeing to an arranged marriage. When they meet Leonore is overcome by how handsome he is. He in turn is charmed by her wit and beauty. They agree to become engaged with a wedding in 2 months time. Leonore is introduced to society life-a lot of gossip and intrigue. Nicholas pampers her with gowns for her and her younger sister Susan as well as getting her an introduction with some of the most influential ladies in society. Oh, I didn't mention the most important detail, Nicholas is a vampire unable to go out in the sunlight. He hopes with his magic and Leonore's help he can cure himself.Enter the "big bad" Mercia, another of his kind who threatens Leonore. Nicholas manages to stop Mercia and regain his humanity. Excellent book, would love to read Susan's story!

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

While this plot had quite a bit of potential the end result was a sloppy mess. The two characters had their bright spots but they also had pretty large if petty flaws. For instance the hero was really vain for no apparent reason and its a fairly prominent feature in the book. The two characters went well together but i didn't like they spent enough time getting to know each other for me to believe that they were actually in love. The plot was interesting but it moved pretty slowly along. Where it got really bad though is the writing-while it wasn't riddled with spelling/grammar errors it was a hot mess overall. She gives us no major plot points until nearly the end. I still have no clue about the abilities of the vampires or their mythology. It's about 3/4 of the way through before we find out how he was made...his goal isn't explicitly stated until like the last 40 pages. Is this "spell" to merely make his vampire mind hold on to sanity or to turn him human? This was something i would've like to know from the start. For a vampire book the vampire stuff were oddly absent for most of the book...should've gone with my first instinct and quit after the first chapter

[Taramisu · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise: Viscount St. Vire has been a vampire for 60 years. In that time, he's discovered a sell to turn him back into a human before the madness of vampirism sets in. He must seduce a willing virgin for the period one year. Enter Leonore Farleigh. Nicholas manages to essentially purchase Leonore from her wastrel of a father in exchange for substantial gambling debts.

Miscellaneous notes: The first two thirds of the book was wonderful. I truly felt Nicholas' desire to become human again and live his life to a natural conclusion. He, of course, falls in love with the lovely Leonore, but just cannot find the right time/way to tell her of his true nature.

The story falls apart when the vampire who made Nicholas returns and expects him to become her consort once again.

The most cliché of endings made me close the book and put it in the sell pile instead of the keep pile.

[Gisela · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was clearly written when vampires werren't as popular as they are now. If this had been published today, the ending would have been ddifferent. The heroine would have been turned into a vampire and they would live together forever. I didn't mind the ending, what I didn't like was Leonore, I really didn't connect with her she was so focused on remaining closed off from Nicholas, she hides herself from the reader. She blows hot and cold and it's hard to know who she really is. Basically in the end I really didn't care if Merrcia killed her or not.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another freebie from Kindle (you only need to know where to look to pick hem up!).

Actually, not something I would normally read, but enjoyable nonetheless, as it wasn't too vampiric in content.

A 4 star read, and I might actually try more by this author.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this Regency romance, since it was so different from the ordinary book. But I'm not really into vampires.

[Faye · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okay, after reading the Twilight series, I was in the mood for a vampire book. This was beyond bad. Incredibly boring.

[Mina Lobo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book's light on vampy horror but very, very romantic. The hero's charming and loving, the heroine's worthy of respect. I enjoyed this unfolding love story very much.

[wordgirl · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really fun diversion - nice to read a 'vampire romance' without a lot of the usual baggage that is included these days!

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing gets me going like an angsty historical romance vampire

CW: Sexual content, violence, blood/gore