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Vampire Romances #4
A Darker Dream
In all his four hundred years, Rayven never met a woman like Rhianna McLeod. She is a vision of light, of warmth, of everything he is not?nor can ever be. Doomed to live forever in darkness and solitude, he knows all too well the risk in getting close to her, yet he hungers for her with a fierce passion he swears he will never allow himself to feel.Rhianna's father sold her to Rayven to put food on the table so she had no choice but to go with the dark stranger. To her surprise, he gives her everything she wants the finest clothes, education, and the run of the castle everything, that is, except his touch. For although she senses danger beneath the soft-spoken manner, although even Rayven himself warns her to stay away, she is drawn to this creature of the night, and loves him as she will no other.
391 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1997
185 people are currently reading
1045 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
January 26, 2013
This book did little more than repeat itself over and over again. First torment and agony. Then hope. Then no hope. Then more torment and agony. Then hope. Over and over an over. The hero in particular changed his mind more than Lady Gaga changes hair color. It was a book with repeated and various versions of torment and angst. There was little to no action. The book was entirely focused on the romance, which isn't always a bad thing, but in this case, I could have certainly used more. By the time I was 3/4 of the way through, I really didn't care what happened to the hero and heroine. I just wanted it to be over.
December 19, 2016
Still a better love story than Twilight... I'm so bad
March 8, 2013
Bought this book late yesterday afternoon, and I've finished it already. I literally did not put it down. Soon as I finished, I wiped away the tears, turned back to page one and started reading again. I have never found a book that has made me laugh, cry, get angry, yell at the characters and read it cover to cover in a little less than 12 hours, then flip back and want to read it again. True enough, the flow of the story is a bit repetitive, but imagine one's feelings would be a little back and forth between joy and torment were we in the character's position. I think I found my new favorite book!!!! Highly recommended!!!
February 1, 2011
This review was first posted at http://VampireReview.blogspot.com. Go there to see even MORE vampire and dark fiction books reviewed.
Review Title: Vampyre Stuck In The Wash Cycle
Book Title: A Darker Dream
Author: Amanda Ashley
Format: Paperback $9.99
REVIEW:
Most books have what I would describe as "ordinary washing machine cycles." (A means for the reader to get clean through the book.) First, the writer separates the laundry (helps the reader distinguish it from others in the genre) then pre-soak begins, the wash cycle starts, and there's the rinse cycle. Finally, at the end, the spin.
"A DARKER DREAM"
SEPARATING THE LAUNDRY:
Times are hard in the 1800s. Main character, Rhianna, finds her very delicate self standing on an auction block. Her crusty father is selling her to raise money. That's when Rhianna gets separated from her mother and four sisters. A very strange and brooding (but silky) recluse, who lives in a castle and sits in the shadows, pays for Rhianna's servitude. Yet he already has a man-servant living with him, attending to his every need. He doesn't need a second slave.
THE PRE-SOAK BEGINS
Thus Rhianna is immersed in change. Her feelings for the 400 year old vampire (whom she assumes is just a socially awkward but very romantic man) are confused with a sense of mystery that turns into deep passionate yearning. When Lord Rayven finally kisses Rhianna's hands, wrists, and arms, it's very much like Gomez Addams (of "The Addams Family" fame) might kiss his wife, Morticia. Except Lord Rayven is much more artful, sophisticated, and dangerous!
THE WASH CYCLE
Then Lord Rayven and Rhianna get into an agitated relationship that can only be described as a very prolonged romantic hurricane. This is where the plot becomes rather repetitive and tedious and looks something like this:
• Lord Rayven: "Run for your life" (while he secretly pleads, under his breath, "please don't leave me Rhianna")
• Rhianna says: "Anything you wish M'Lord" and leaves - but then sneaks back: "M'Lord?"
• To which the couple explore each other's mouths passionately, Lord Rayven kisses her hands and wrists and arms (some more) until he cannot bear the passion and commands "Leave!" (again).
• So Rhianna leaves ... only to return ... and the whole cycle happens over and over and over again.
Sample text: (page 164)
"You once begged me to let you stay," he said, his voice moving over her like a dark wind. "Now I am begging you."
She felt the tears dry on her cheeks. "I've changed my mind."
"Too late, Rhianna. Shall I go down on my knees and plead with you, my sweet?"
WASH CYCLE GETS STUCK HERE, ON PAUSE
Amazingly, that wash cycle lasts for more than five of Rhianna's delicate years and, while the relationship takes on a funny smell, the plot never thickens. It's as though a loud mechanical buzzer should go off. Nothing's going anywhere until chapter thirteen when Vampire Rayven finally explains (hear my sigh of relief) to the still unsuspecting Rhianna, "duh!" that he really is a vampyre!
THE RINSE:
To say more about the story would spoil the ending for anyone whose deeply inspired by prolonged romantic scenarios. The book becomes more passionate ... but a repetitive plea of "have you come to destroy me?" haunts the next few chapters.
I'm giving this book four stars because the writing is just so very polished, compelling, and I really enjoyed the read even if the plot, itself, left much to be desired. Author Ashley conveyed her characters' romantic pursuits in a most poetic and fluid style. She's definitely mastered the gift of writing with rhythm and romantic allure.
Reviewer's Admission: *(I purchased this book and read it as a paperback)
Review Title: Vampyre Stuck In The Wash Cycle
Book Title: A Darker Dream
Author: Amanda Ashley
Format: Paperback $9.99
REVIEW:
Most books have what I would describe as "ordinary washing machine cycles." (A means for the reader to get clean through the book.) First, the writer separates the laundry (helps the reader distinguish it from others in the genre) then pre-soak begins, the wash cycle starts, and there's the rinse cycle. Finally, at the end, the spin.
"A DARKER DREAM"
SEPARATING THE LAUNDRY:
Times are hard in the 1800s. Main character, Rhianna, finds her very delicate self standing on an auction block. Her crusty father is selling her to raise money. That's when Rhianna gets separated from her mother and four sisters. A very strange and brooding (but silky) recluse, who lives in a castle and sits in the shadows, pays for Rhianna's servitude. Yet he already has a man-servant living with him, attending to his every need. He doesn't need a second slave.
THE PRE-SOAK BEGINS
Thus Rhianna is immersed in change. Her feelings for the 400 year old vampire (whom she assumes is just a socially awkward but very romantic man) are confused with a sense of mystery that turns into deep passionate yearning. When Lord Rayven finally kisses Rhianna's hands, wrists, and arms, it's very much like Gomez Addams (of "The Addams Family" fame) might kiss his wife, Morticia. Except Lord Rayven is much more artful, sophisticated, and dangerous!
THE WASH CYCLE
Then Lord Rayven and Rhianna get into an agitated relationship that can only be described as a very prolonged romantic hurricane. This is where the plot becomes rather repetitive and tedious and looks something like this:
• Lord Rayven: "Run for your life" (while he secretly pleads, under his breath, "please don't leave me Rhianna")
• Rhianna says: "Anything you wish M'Lord" and leaves - but then sneaks back: "M'Lord?"
• To which the couple explore each other's mouths passionately, Lord Rayven kisses her hands and wrists and arms (some more) until he cannot bear the passion and commands "Leave!" (again).
• So Rhianna leaves ... only to return ... and the whole cycle happens over and over and over again.
Sample text: (page 164)
"You once begged me to let you stay," he said, his voice moving over her like a dark wind. "Now I am begging you."
She felt the tears dry on her cheeks. "I've changed my mind."
"Too late, Rhianna. Shall I go down on my knees and plead with you, my sweet?"
WASH CYCLE GETS STUCK HERE, ON PAUSE
Amazingly, that wash cycle lasts for more than five of Rhianna's delicate years and, while the relationship takes on a funny smell, the plot never thickens. It's as though a loud mechanical buzzer should go off. Nothing's going anywhere until chapter thirteen when Vampire Rayven finally explains (hear my sigh of relief) to the still unsuspecting Rhianna, "duh!" that he really is a vampyre!
THE RINSE:
To say more about the story would spoil the ending for anyone whose deeply inspired by prolonged romantic scenarios. The book becomes more passionate ... but a repetitive plea of "have you come to destroy me?" haunts the next few chapters.
I'm giving this book four stars because the writing is just so very polished, compelling, and I really enjoyed the read even if the plot, itself, left much to be desired. Author Ashley conveyed her characters' romantic pursuits in a most poetic and fluid style. She's definitely mastered the gift of writing with rhythm and romantic allure.
Reviewer's Admission: *(I purchased this book and read it as a paperback)
December 4, 2007
OH SOOOO GOOD!!!! This is another book that I re-read OFTEN! This is a great historical vampire romance book! However, if you HATE the damsel in distress/pretty weak heroine you will probably not like this book. If you love the old, dark, brooding, secluded, mysterious vampire hero who doesn't think he deserves anything good, then you will LOVE this book!
December 9, 2015
This story had so much potentials, instead most of the pages were spent with both main characters being broody and couldn't make up their mind.
Some of the brooding was heartbreaking, the poetry was sweet. It was enjoyable enough. At least Rayven wasn't sparkly.
Some of the brooding was heartbreaking, the poetry was sweet. It was enjoyable enough. At least Rayven wasn't sparkly.
August 5, 2016
This author's books were my first introduction to the vampire romance genre. She has remained one of my favorites ever since, although Stephenie Meyer will always be my top favorite. In fact, I consider Meyer to be the undisputed queen of the vampire romance, although I will also say that Amanda Ashley is a very close second. This is in spite of the fact that Meyer writes primarily for young adults, while Ashley's books target the adult market exclusively.
This novel begins with a scene that immediately elicits outrage in the modern reader. A desperately poor farmer, Vincent McLeod, is actually selling his fifteen-year-old daughter to the highest bidder. Such things were still taking place in 1843 England, which is the setting of the story. Slavery, of course, was still a viable institution across the Atlantic, in the United States. Considering the status of women at the time, also, it is not too surprising that McLeod was selling his own daughter.
The dark hero, Rayven, begins to feel quite disturbed as he watches this auction. All around him in the dimly lit tavern where the poor girl, Rhianna, is being exhibited like a fine piece of horseflesh, are men who are leering and wondering what she looks like underneath her shapeless gown. Unable to tolerate it anymore, Rayven decides to buy her himself, on the spot. So it is that Rhianna McLeod is taken to Castle Rayven, a desolate place indeed, for the nearby villagers are afraid of the castle and its solitary, antisocial owner.
As time passes, Rayven and Rhianna fall in love, which is, of course, a foregone conclusion. In spite of the predictability of this event, their relationship doesn't immediately begin, since Rayven is loath to have her fall in love with a vampire. After Rhianna has done some growing-up, she insists that she wants Rayven, no matter what he is, so their relationship begins...
The love story of Rayven and Rhianna blossoms into an eternal union of soul, mind, and body, leaving this reader satisfied and content.
Ashley portrays Rayven in a very realistic manner, and it’s fascinating to see how his inner torment plays out in his relationship with Rhianna. Although he is a vampire, he does not delight in killing. He is tortured by his terrible compulsion to survive on blood. Frequently, he kills sheep from his own herd, instead of slaking his thirst on humans. He ruthlessly isolates himself in his castle, unwilling to put the villagers nearby in danger. Nevertheless, he still sees himself as a monster, someone totally unworthy of love.
As for Rhianna herself, she is the epitome of feminine compassion, innocence, and kindness. She, too, is tortured, for she does fear for her life at Rayven’s side. It is the true self she perceives in him, however, that gives her the strength to override that fear. She knows he longs for the light, and she attempts to bring as much of that into his life as she can. Instead of despairing, she touches his soul with her unconditional love. Her selfless devotion enchants him, and is the beginning of his long journey toward personal redemption.
This novel is an enchantingly beautiful, wonderfully romantic tale of how a man who has carried a burden of loneliness, darkness, and self-loathing for centuries, at last finds love and light with a woman who accepts and loves him with her whole being.
There is a brief sex scene in the book, but it's tastefully done. There are no extremely graphic details. The emphasis is on tenderness and sweet passion. Ashley apparently stands alone among vampire romance authors in this regard. She is also unique because of the absence of profanity in her novels.
There are many lyrical passages in the book, especially when Rayven and Rhianna meet in his garden maze at night. I could picture these scenes in my mind as if they had been put on film. Indeed, I wonder why this story has not been made into a movie. It certainly is a grand romantic tale! Moreover, the ending is nothing short of miraculous. As a hopeless romantic, I couldn’t help basking in it all!
This is the second time I have read the book. The first time was several years ago, and I know I will read it again!
Ashley's novels usually delight and enchant. This one is no exception, although she has really outdone herself here! The story really sweeps one away, and cannot be put down until the very last word is read. If that should happen at three o'clock in the morning, then so be it!
This novel begins with a scene that immediately elicits outrage in the modern reader. A desperately poor farmer, Vincent McLeod, is actually selling his fifteen-year-old daughter to the highest bidder. Such things were still taking place in 1843 England, which is the setting of the story. Slavery, of course, was still a viable institution across the Atlantic, in the United States. Considering the status of women at the time, also, it is not too surprising that McLeod was selling his own daughter.
The dark hero, Rayven, begins to feel quite disturbed as he watches this auction. All around him in the dimly lit tavern where the poor girl, Rhianna, is being exhibited like a fine piece of horseflesh, are men who are leering and wondering what she looks like underneath her shapeless gown. Unable to tolerate it anymore, Rayven decides to buy her himself, on the spot. So it is that Rhianna McLeod is taken to Castle Rayven, a desolate place indeed, for the nearby villagers are afraid of the castle and its solitary, antisocial owner.
As time passes, Rayven and Rhianna fall in love, which is, of course, a foregone conclusion. In spite of the predictability of this event, their relationship doesn't immediately begin, since Rayven is loath to have her fall in love with a vampire. After Rhianna has done some growing-up, she insists that she wants Rayven, no matter what he is, so their relationship begins...
The love story of Rayven and Rhianna blossoms into an eternal union of soul, mind, and body, leaving this reader satisfied and content.
Ashley portrays Rayven in a very realistic manner, and it’s fascinating to see how his inner torment plays out in his relationship with Rhianna. Although he is a vampire, he does not delight in killing. He is tortured by his terrible compulsion to survive on blood. Frequently, he kills sheep from his own herd, instead of slaking his thirst on humans. He ruthlessly isolates himself in his castle, unwilling to put the villagers nearby in danger. Nevertheless, he still sees himself as a monster, someone totally unworthy of love.
As for Rhianna herself, she is the epitome of feminine compassion, innocence, and kindness. She, too, is tortured, for she does fear for her life at Rayven’s side. It is the true self she perceives in him, however, that gives her the strength to override that fear. She knows he longs for the light, and she attempts to bring as much of that into his life as she can. Instead of despairing, she touches his soul with her unconditional love. Her selfless devotion enchants him, and is the beginning of his long journey toward personal redemption.
This novel is an enchantingly beautiful, wonderfully romantic tale of how a man who has carried a burden of loneliness, darkness, and self-loathing for centuries, at last finds love and light with a woman who accepts and loves him with her whole being.
There is a brief sex scene in the book, but it's tastefully done. There are no extremely graphic details. The emphasis is on tenderness and sweet passion. Ashley apparently stands alone among vampire romance authors in this regard. She is also unique because of the absence of profanity in her novels.
There are many lyrical passages in the book, especially when Rayven and Rhianna meet in his garden maze at night. I could picture these scenes in my mind as if they had been put on film. Indeed, I wonder why this story has not been made into a movie. It certainly is a grand romantic tale! Moreover, the ending is nothing short of miraculous. As a hopeless romantic, I couldn’t help basking in it all!
This is the second time I have read the book. The first time was several years ago, and I know I will read it again!
Ashley's novels usually delight and enchant. This one is no exception, although she has really outdone herself here! The story really sweeps one away, and cannot be put down until the very last word is read. If that should happen at three o'clock in the morning, then so be it!
August 19, 2013
This was a great love story. It told of how the two characters developed their relationship. I loved this book. Not a lot of intimate scenes in this but that is what made it great--the story of the feelings and emotions of the characters. I really loved this book and read it in one setting. 2 thumbs up and 2 big toes! :-D Rayven tugged at my heart and the fact that Rhianna knew he was lonely and sad was very intuitive of her. She loved her man and he loved her despite the battle his inner self had with him being a vampire. Great love story.
October 19, 2017
This book was terrible! The book could have been half as long and still gotten everything in. And the narrator I felt couldn't decided between an Irish accent or stereo typical vampire "I want to suck your blood" accent. I don't even know why I kept listening to this book. I kept hoping it would get better. Rhianna was just stupid. She kept being shocked and scared that Raven was a vampire even after he told her and showed her he was. Even after she willingly let him drink from her. Raven wasn't any better. This whole book was just awful!
February 6, 2014
I absolutely loved this book! It was classy and very well written. I fell in love as they fell in love and hurt when they hurt. I could put the book down and was addicted from page one. I wish the book had never ended!
March 24, 2009
The story is good, but I prefer more detailed actions. The male leading character seemed to be running all the time and it's quite annoying.
January 21, 2016
It was ok. The story seemed to drag.
April 6, 2020
The beginning was quite lame. Rhianna is the oldest of 5 daughters and her family is starving and her parents can't afford all of them. So her dad sold her at an auction to get money to take care of the rest. Funny how he can afford 6 people but not 7....Anyway, the men there wanted to see her body so her dad must have told her to do it, and she started unbuttoning her bodice until Rayven had her stop. Where is your backbone, you doormat? Where was any strength? And Rayven is so absolutely feminine. Raven isn't a good name for a guy anyway, but especially when you add the y, it just makes it sound even more like a woman.
Her dad told her to do whatever Rayven asked without question and asked if she kenned his meaning...dad of the year award material right here. But Rhianna didn't seem to mind. She said they she understood. She tried not to hate him and tried to feel satisfaction that her family would be fed. Rhianna went right to the door when he dropped her off, didn't even think of running away. I had no respect for her.
When I found out she was only 15 I was so turned off and repulsed. Couldn't she have been a grown woman, an adult at the least? It was so unbelievably creepy to have this young girl in the home of an immortal.
It was oh so creepy to have this man call her a child, a young girl, to have young girl's dreams, and to call her a child-woman while he was lusting after her. Here's yet another author who promotes stalking as romance. Rayven went to her room each night and touched her cheek, lips, and neck, listened to her breathing, her heartbeat, and her blood flowing through her veins. Just because women married young back then does not mean a young teenager and a grown man make a good romance. And sneaking into someone's room and watching them while they sleep is grounds for a restraining order.
Rayven's behavior was so villainous. As he was in her room each night staring at her and listening to her bodily sounds, he would feed from her. Rhianna had nightmares, scars, and lethargy by morning while he was being kept alive. That's something the villain would do, not the hero. He's brought many young, beautiful, poor women to his house but of course Rhianna is the youngest and most beautiful. And even though tales abound about the women who come to his house disappearing, he pays them and sends them far away instead.
Time passed so quickly. It was only pg. 36 that Rayven was obsessed with her, couldn't stop thinking about her, wanted her more than he had anyone else. By pg. 46, almost 6 months had passed. Who condenses 6 months into 3 chapters?
Not only was Rhianna the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen, but she was good at the piano, painting, she learned to read quickly, she was bright and had a keen intellect, and sense of humor. I don't know why authors keep thinking readers like this type of heroine. It's not realistic; it's not relatable, and it's not likable.
The very first night she was there, he came to her room after she changed into her nightgown and she asked him if she should get in bed, then asked if she should disrobe. Wth is wrong with her? Why would she ask him that if she didn't want him to? Even if you expect the man who bought you to use you for sex, why the hell would you bring it up and make him think of if? 0 respect at all for the woman who went docile to this purchase and offered herself to her buyer. They talked of why he bought her one night and she told him she thought he had so she wouldn't have to disrobe in front of everyone. But she said he never came to her bed and I'm like wth is wrong with her? I can't respect a woman who wants to be considered desirable by a man so much that she wants him to use her for sex. She had shades of too-stupid-to-live.
She was there for over 6 months, and when Bevins told her Rayven was sending her to Paris, only then did she mention her family. She hadn't even thought of them once since she first got here! And the author tried to spin it that Rhianna felt guilty for living in such splendor while her family was poor. Yeah, you really believe that because Rhianna hadn't mentioned it once.
Rayven offered her a boon, anything she wanted, and she said she wanted to stay with him. He agreed to have her there for a year. Montroy came to see her and Rhianna told him like there was nothing wrong with it at all. He asked to court her and this shameless loser agreed to let him. And even though she told Montroy she loved Rayven, he still wanted to marry her, convinced he could have her heart. Of course! Dogged, determined side male isn't even turned off by the heroine loving another man. Rhianna was going to use him to make Rayven jealous, a truly respectable pursuit.
Rhianna undressed before the maize and put a cloak on, dropped it when she found Rayven. He hadn't seen a fully naked woman in over 400 years. Rhianna was the first woman to love him and want his touch since he'd turned. And just when you start to relax, the author opens up and drops a bomb. He'd taken a harlot, young but wise beyond her years, as a vampyre, to ease his hunger but he killed her instead.
Once when they kissed she had seen a glimpse of him attacking a man and she was afraid of him and wanted to go home. He locked all the doors and wouldn't let her, asked her to pity him. So not attractive. But lo, Rhianna said she wanted to stay. You fear him, but you don't want to leave. Makes sense.
We also got to hear about the woman who turned him. She was married, the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. His lust ran hit and he went to events hoping to see her, kissed her in gardens and corners.
Rayven left for good, told Rhianna to marry another. He found Lysandra's home somehow and asked her to kill him. He told her she was still beautiful. She caressed his hair, and once she'd also drained him she kissed him on the lips. Wtf.
There were some nice moments, like when he was outside at night and she had seen him and went down to join him. He asked if she would kiss him, and she replied if he wished, and he said "Not as I wish." And he wanted her to kiss him of his own free will. He had told her not to go in the east wing and she did one day. He had smelled her and knew she had been in the forbidden part of the castle (there's always a forbidden place in the castle...) and he questioned her about it at dinner. He knew he would give her a necklace to go with a dress because she was the first woman to be brave enough to disobey him.
The night before she was to leave for Paris, she went into the labyrinth garden and found him at the center. He hadn't heard her and said no mortal has ever been able to creep up on him. She told him to only ask her to stay and she would.
He gave her sister a dowry so she could marry and he had their house fixed up and an allowance, as well as paying for Rhianna's schooling, and giving her spending money.
She went to Paris for four years and came back at age 19. I had wondered if she'd have to age before they were together because this relationship was in desperate need of some propriety. She told him she'd missed him and he said it was impossible to believe.
There were comments about one of his favorite past times being pursuing beautiful women and the best times of his life in lush, candlelit bedrooms.
He would ask her to do something and she would say "If it pleases you." She was all the time asking if he was mad at her, what she'd done to anger him, apologizing for whatever she did to offend him, asking why he didn't touch her, and asking him to touch her. She was a pathetic, spineless, doormat.
The romantic scenes with them touching and kissing were so boring I could barely pay attention. And then the sex. Both times--he time they almost had sex and the time they really did--he thought back to the whore he'd had. Granted, it wasn't out of pleasure; he was afraid he'd kill Rhianna the way he had her, but I don't want the hero remembering any other woman when he's about to sleep with the heroine, and I don't want to think of it before a romantic scene.
The sex was barely described, hardly any details at all, glossed over and finished so quickly. Totally not worth the long wait and all the false starts and failed attempts.
Rhianna had told him he was kind and he said no one had ever accused him of that. Another time she'd told him he was kind and he said no one had ever accused him of that. You already wrote that. Rhianna had accused him of that the first time she told him...
She made references to his breath, like he lost his breath, or he looked like he wasn't breathing, when vampires don't have breath. That’s a major oversight.
It was all so generic. His home was on Devil Tree Mountain. What kind of lame, villainous name is that? He had a cloak that was almost alive. It was bizarre!
And a plot that consisted of her doing nothing more than shopping and blowing his money. At one point she said "And why shouldn't she?" in regards to buying something, because he had offered her anything she wanted.
I was disappointed to learn that the poems were written by other people, because they were the only good thing about the book.
The plot stayed at ground level and I kept pondering on what she was going to do to lift this off the ground and wondered if she was just going to have Rhianna continue to buy hats and dresses. It wasn't until about the 85% mark that something of interest actually happened when Rayven left and intended to die. Her health was tied to his and she began declining as he did. Salvatore made an appearance, and performed a ritual to return Rayven to mortality. With the many paranormal romances I've read, I've never found a book in which the hero returns to being a human to join the heroine in mortality and grow old with her. Kudos for originality and that's what I wanted to happen for them. But this relationship was all kinds of f'ed up. He wasn't attractive. She kept throwing herself at him, hot and cold. One minute she wanted him despite everything, the next she was afraid. She was constantly worried about offending him and displeasing him, forever apologizing even when she had no idea what she'd done. He was messed up, a complete piece of work with a crap ton of baggage. She constantly pitied him because he was a pitiable creature, and that's not hot. I barely felt anything reading these two. They're not inspiring and this was dismal, depressing, and dragged out.
Her dad told her to do whatever Rayven asked without question and asked if she kenned his meaning...dad of the year award material right here. But Rhianna didn't seem to mind. She said they she understood. She tried not to hate him and tried to feel satisfaction that her family would be fed. Rhianna went right to the door when he dropped her off, didn't even think of running away. I had no respect for her.
When I found out she was only 15 I was so turned off and repulsed. Couldn't she have been a grown woman, an adult at the least? It was so unbelievably creepy to have this young girl in the home of an immortal.
It was oh so creepy to have this man call her a child, a young girl, to have young girl's dreams, and to call her a child-woman while he was lusting after her. Here's yet another author who promotes stalking as romance. Rayven went to her room each night and touched her cheek, lips, and neck, listened to her breathing, her heartbeat, and her blood flowing through her veins. Just because women married young back then does not mean a young teenager and a grown man make a good romance. And sneaking into someone's room and watching them while they sleep is grounds for a restraining order.
Rayven's behavior was so villainous. As he was in her room each night staring at her and listening to her bodily sounds, he would feed from her. Rhianna had nightmares, scars, and lethargy by morning while he was being kept alive. That's something the villain would do, not the hero. He's brought many young, beautiful, poor women to his house but of course Rhianna is the youngest and most beautiful. And even though tales abound about the women who come to his house disappearing, he pays them and sends them far away instead.
Time passed so quickly. It was only pg. 36 that Rayven was obsessed with her, couldn't stop thinking about her, wanted her more than he had anyone else. By pg. 46, almost 6 months had passed. Who condenses 6 months into 3 chapters?
Not only was Rhianna the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen, but she was good at the piano, painting, she learned to read quickly, she was bright and had a keen intellect, and sense of humor. I don't know why authors keep thinking readers like this type of heroine. It's not realistic; it's not relatable, and it's not likable.
The very first night she was there, he came to her room after she changed into her nightgown and she asked him if she should get in bed, then asked if she should disrobe. Wth is wrong with her? Why would she ask him that if she didn't want him to? Even if you expect the man who bought you to use you for sex, why the hell would you bring it up and make him think of if? 0 respect at all for the woman who went docile to this purchase and offered herself to her buyer. They talked of why he bought her one night and she told him she thought he had so she wouldn't have to disrobe in front of everyone. But she said he never came to her bed and I'm like wth is wrong with her? I can't respect a woman who wants to be considered desirable by a man so much that she wants him to use her for sex. She had shades of too-stupid-to-live.
She was there for over 6 months, and when Bevins told her Rayven was sending her to Paris, only then did she mention her family. She hadn't even thought of them once since she first got here! And the author tried to spin it that Rhianna felt guilty for living in such splendor while her family was poor. Yeah, you really believe that because Rhianna hadn't mentioned it once.
Rayven offered her a boon, anything she wanted, and she said she wanted to stay with him. He agreed to have her there for a year. Montroy came to see her and Rhianna told him like there was nothing wrong with it at all. He asked to court her and this shameless loser agreed to let him. And even though she told Montroy she loved Rayven, he still wanted to marry her, convinced he could have her heart. Of course! Dogged, determined side male isn't even turned off by the heroine loving another man. Rhianna was going to use him to make Rayven jealous, a truly respectable pursuit.
Rhianna undressed before the maize and put a cloak on, dropped it when she found Rayven. He hadn't seen a fully naked woman in over 400 years. Rhianna was the first woman to love him and want his touch since he'd turned. And just when you start to relax, the author opens up and drops a bomb. He'd taken a harlot, young but wise beyond her years, as a vampyre, to ease his hunger but he killed her instead.
Once when they kissed she had seen a glimpse of him attacking a man and she was afraid of him and wanted to go home. He locked all the doors and wouldn't let her, asked her to pity him. So not attractive. But lo, Rhianna said she wanted to stay. You fear him, but you don't want to leave. Makes sense.
We also got to hear about the woman who turned him. She was married, the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. His lust ran hit and he went to events hoping to see her, kissed her in gardens and corners.
Rayven left for good, told Rhianna to marry another. He found Lysandra's home somehow and asked her to kill him. He told her she was still beautiful. She caressed his hair, and once she'd also drained him she kissed him on the lips. Wtf.
There were some nice moments, like when he was outside at night and she had seen him and went down to join him. He asked if she would kiss him, and she replied if he wished, and he said "Not as I wish." And he wanted her to kiss him of his own free will. He had told her not to go in the east wing and she did one day. He had smelled her and knew she had been in the forbidden part of the castle (there's always a forbidden place in the castle...) and he questioned her about it at dinner. He knew he would give her a necklace to go with a dress because she was the first woman to be brave enough to disobey him.
The night before she was to leave for Paris, she went into the labyrinth garden and found him at the center. He hadn't heard her and said no mortal has ever been able to creep up on him. She told him to only ask her to stay and she would.
He gave her sister a dowry so she could marry and he had their house fixed up and an allowance, as well as paying for Rhianna's schooling, and giving her spending money.
She went to Paris for four years and came back at age 19. I had wondered if she'd have to age before they were together because this relationship was in desperate need of some propriety. She told him she'd missed him and he said it was impossible to believe.
There were comments about one of his favorite past times being pursuing beautiful women and the best times of his life in lush, candlelit bedrooms.
He would ask her to do something and she would say "If it pleases you." She was all the time asking if he was mad at her, what she'd done to anger him, apologizing for whatever she did to offend him, asking why he didn't touch her, and asking him to touch her. She was a pathetic, spineless, doormat.
The romantic scenes with them touching and kissing were so boring I could barely pay attention. And then the sex. Both times--he time they almost had sex and the time they really did--he thought back to the whore he'd had. Granted, it wasn't out of pleasure; he was afraid he'd kill Rhianna the way he had her, but I don't want the hero remembering any other woman when he's about to sleep with the heroine, and I don't want to think of it before a romantic scene.
The sex was barely described, hardly any details at all, glossed over and finished so quickly. Totally not worth the long wait and all the false starts and failed attempts.
Rhianna had told him he was kind and he said no one had ever accused him of that. Another time she'd told him he was kind and he said no one had ever accused him of that. You already wrote that. Rhianna had accused him of that the first time she told him...
She made references to his breath, like he lost his breath, or he looked like he wasn't breathing, when vampires don't have breath. That’s a major oversight.
It was all so generic. His home was on Devil Tree Mountain. What kind of lame, villainous name is that? He had a cloak that was almost alive. It was bizarre!
And a plot that consisted of her doing nothing more than shopping and blowing his money. At one point she said "And why shouldn't she?" in regards to buying something, because he had offered her anything she wanted.
I was disappointed to learn that the poems were written by other people, because they were the only good thing about the book.
The plot stayed at ground level and I kept pondering on what she was going to do to lift this off the ground and wondered if she was just going to have Rhianna continue to buy hats and dresses. It wasn't until about the 85% mark that something of interest actually happened when Rayven left and intended to die. Her health was tied to his and she began declining as he did. Salvatore made an appearance, and performed a ritual to return Rayven to mortality. With the many paranormal romances I've read, I've never found a book in which the hero returns to being a human to join the heroine in mortality and grow old with her. Kudos for originality and that's what I wanted to happen for them. But this relationship was all kinds of f'ed up. He wasn't attractive. She kept throwing herself at him, hot and cold. One minute she wanted him despite everything, the next she was afraid. She was constantly worried about offending him and displeasing him, forever apologizing even when she had no idea what she'd done. He was messed up, a complete piece of work with a crap ton of baggage. She constantly pitied him because he was a pitiable creature, and that's not hot. I barely felt anything reading these two. They're not inspiring and this was dismal, depressing, and dragged out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2017
I enjoyed this book. My only issue was that the story seemed rather redundant. I would have liked to read more scenes, other than the same, he's a vampyre, she's scared, and they can't be together. The ending was a little anticlimactic too. Salvatore disappears after he performs the ritual to cure him from his bloodlust. If it was so easy to do, why couldn't he have called on him 400 years before?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2016
I really loved this book and playing around with the characters...I also do love my VAMPIRE books...I would also like to thank the Author Amanda Ashley for doing what you do for us Readers...Will definitely be back to read more :)
December 16, 2010
To tolerate this book for long you must feel empathetic toward the h/h but I was too smart to fall for that.
June 26, 2016
This book is what I call my guilty pleasure . The spine is ruined because of my multiple rereads !
I am going to update my review once I reread it again .
I am going to update my review once I reread it again .
April 7, 2014
Not my favorite Ashley novel. A lot of the characters just whining about what they should do then doing the opposite. I still love this author but I think I'll stick to her newer novels.
October 20, 2015
becoming human after 400 years???!!! then having a child... still a good read
March 8, 2021
I adore Amanda Ashely. This was one of the first romances I ever read, and I was hooked. I read it again every few years, and relive the magic.
February 18, 2025
I went into to this unsure and came out moderately pleased.
This book kind of gave me the vibe of an 80s low budget foreign film. It had that loose dreamy, time-is-not-real construct. For example? Rayven pulls Rhianna into the maze, it feels like they're walking for hours and suddenly they're in the center. He asks her to plant flowers there. Scene ends and next scene she's planted a garden full of flowers. How did she know how to get to the center after only being taken there once at night? Yeah, a lot of that. He sends her to finishing school one one page, she's home after five years on the next page.
It also became very angsty, very Bella Lugosi dark. It leaned into it so heavily I couldn't dislike it. Doors opening on their own, coffins in the cellar…
I didn't find Rayven’s constant inner battle about Rhianna annoying. It made sense for him to be scared of allowing a human into his life when he knew he could lose control around her. I just wish there had been more variety in the interactions between himself and Rhianna, but they do get points for constant communication.
And major bonus points for the coolest cape worn by a Mc. But how was it made?!?
Very little steamy interaction. The lack of foreplay bothered me because a. She's a virgin! b. Rayven is always so considerate and sweet, there's no way he forgets the most crucial part of intimacy (even if it has been 400 years).
I wasn't a fan of the lack of time period knowledge. How did Rayven, who lives in an isolated little town, take Rhianna to the opera one night? We know London was a very far journey and I don't believe opera houses dotted the English countryside.
And why did the gowns keep changing? Women weren't wearing square necked gowns in the 1840s.
Also, The story doesn't really gallop towards a climax, it rolls and peaks and rolls and peaks and suddenly the ending is there.
This book kind of gave me the vibe of an 80s low budget foreign film. It had that loose dreamy, time-is-not-real construct. For example? Rayven pulls Rhianna into the maze, it feels like they're walking for hours and suddenly they're in the center. He asks her to plant flowers there. Scene ends and next scene she's planted a garden full of flowers. How did she know how to get to the center after only being taken there once at night? Yeah, a lot of that. He sends her to finishing school one one page, she's home after five years on the next page.
It also became very angsty, very Bella Lugosi dark. It leaned into it so heavily I couldn't dislike it. Doors opening on their own, coffins in the cellar…
I didn't find Rayven’s constant inner battle about Rhianna annoying. It made sense for him to be scared of allowing a human into his life when he knew he could lose control around her. I just wish there had been more variety in the interactions between himself and Rhianna, but they do get points for constant communication.
And major bonus points for the coolest cape worn by a Mc. But how was it made?!?
Very little steamy interaction. The lack of foreplay bothered me because a. She's a virgin! b. Rayven is always so considerate and sweet, there's no way he forgets the most crucial part of intimacy (even if it has been 400 years).
I wasn't a fan of the lack of time period knowledge. How did Rayven, who lives in an isolated little town, take Rhianna to the opera one night? We know London was a very far journey and I don't believe opera houses dotted the English countryside.
And why did the gowns keep changing? Women weren't wearing square necked gowns in the 1840s.
Also, The story doesn't really gallop towards a climax, it rolls and peaks and rolls and peaks and suddenly the ending is there.
May 6, 2025
Ick. This book was boring, repetitive, and uninspired. The hero and heroine were not even relatable or likable. The woman fixing a broken, emotionally stunted, controlling man with her unwavering sacrifice and love is not a positive message.
October 16, 2023
Kudos to me, your girl's finally done it: found a Gothic historical/paranormal romance! And with a splash of BATB? Be still my English major heart!
First things first: this is heavy on the Gothic motif, even down to the smut. So, if bodice ripping and detailed description is what you're into (no shame, I am a studious smut hound myself), then this will disappoint. Yes, Rhianna and Rayven do in fact, do-the-do, however, it is nearly hidden under purple prose and lace lined underclothes. However, the fact that our guy is so nervous about doing the deed after nearly a four hundred year wait he is trembling as he removes her clothes and in direct contrast with her bold stripping of him, is well-worth the read.
The fact that although Rayven has the rise and fall of empires, gotten richer than most men in his tax bracket, and even marries Rhianna before he's made mortal again, it all means nothing when compared to the "mundane" life he missed out on; he's sad he can't watch a sunrise with her, and thinks their marriage is just stepping stone on the way to the real thing. A real marriage to him/given his time period includes children, something they both long for and he fears she'll eventually go off and marry someone who can give her what he's already done and more. All their love-making to him will culminate to nothing, and I wonder if the author meant for us to get this deep with it (no pun intended), he's climaxing for nothing, a metaphor for his "achievements" in the vampyre (yes, Google, that's the way it's spelled here) "life".
It was interesting how a woman was his OG downfall (Lysandra turned him), but a man was his salvation (Salvatore turned him mortal again through bloodletting). Sexist or feminist? You (whoever you are) be the judge.
The Gothic is strong with this one. I'm talkin'
-Moonlit walks through rose gardens
*One of which culminates in Rhianna stripping naked before Rayven's very eyes.
-"Dreams" of Rayven sitting on Rhianna's bed, touching/kissing/biting her neck as she sleeps.
-Our heroine spends many a night roaming down the corridors of the castle, clad only in an elaborate nightgown.
-Our hero dons only black, down to his cloak which literally billows with each turn, ala POTO
*But with a twist: at first I thought the cloak covering him was an homage to how a vampire bat sleeps (with its wings tightly round the body). Turns out, the cloak is infused with his mother's essence, making it akin to a baby blanket. Aww!
-Actual dreams of red roses drawing red blood from her fingertips as the thorns graze her skin
-Poems of darkness, desire, and vampirism are interspersed throughout this book! It's like it was made for me!
The BATB refs. were sprinkled throughout
-The whole reason Rhianna comes to Rayven is because her dad literally sells her in a card game to pay his debts (seriously, he makes Rhianna nearly strip down among the players). Almost in the vein of Belle taking her father's place to his debt to Beast.
-Rhianna is given run of the castle, but is forbidden to go into the east wing... because it's the direction of the rising sun, and therefore where Rayven would be sleeping during the day.
*In most stories, Belle is forbade from entering the West wing, where Beast resides.
-Rayven can shift into a wolf, and he does this in order to feed off animals without feeling too, dare I say, beastly? (it was right there, I had to).
*Ref. to Beast being both man and animal. Duh.
Bonus: A mini Playlist
-"A Kiss is a Terrible Thing to Waste" Gina Taylor
-"Carpe Noctem"-OG Tanz Der Vampire soundtrack
-"Total Eclipse of the Heart"-Bonnie Tyler
-"Two Souls Yearning"-Dark Flower
-"It's All Coming Back to Me Now"-Celine Dion (Extended version, btw)
-"It Just Won't Quit"-Meatloaf
-"Good Girls Go to Heaven (Bad Girls Go Everywhere)"-Pandora's Box
-"Transylvanian Lullaby"-Erutan
-"These Dreams"-Heart
-"Midnight Masquerade"-Nick Murray
-"Show Me Heaven"-Maja Francis
And don't get me started on the Sundae's cherries:
-the epilogue ends with Rayven holding his newborn daughter while Rhianna sleeps, finally having achieved his mortal dream as a mortal man once more. While having kids isn't for me, I have to say *chef's kiss* for Rayven and Rhianna.
-Before Rayven even marries Rhianna, she paints him a sunrise so they can see it together!
-She tells him that she actually likes that he's a vampire, because they never would've met without his curse making him immortal.
Side note, did anyone else think Rhianna name is ref. to the goddess, Rhiannon? Rhianna the character makes Rayven's ultimate dream of mortality a reality and awakens his desire to live again and try to be a whole person (including love and family life) after being undead in every sense of the world, believing himself to be a lonely creature of the night. This is very akin to the power of Celtic goddess Rhiannon, who has can grant dreams, including her own and others; she also can use her songbirds to sing humans to sleep and to awaken souls in the underworld....
I'd be interested in reading this author's take on werewolves (if she has any). All in all, perfect for the spooky season!
First things first: this is heavy on the Gothic motif, even down to the smut. So, if bodice ripping and detailed description is what you're into (no shame, I am a studious smut hound myself), then this will disappoint. Yes, Rhianna and Rayven do in fact, do-the-do, however, it is nearly hidden under purple prose and lace lined underclothes. However, the fact that our guy is so nervous about doing the deed after nearly a four hundred year wait he is trembling as he removes her clothes and in direct contrast with her bold stripping of him, is well-worth the read.
The fact that although Rayven has the rise and fall of empires, gotten richer than most men in his tax bracket, and even marries Rhianna before he's made mortal again, it all means nothing when compared to the "mundane" life he missed out on; he's sad he can't watch a sunrise with her, and thinks their marriage is just stepping stone on the way to the real thing. A real marriage to him/given his time period includes children, something they both long for and he fears she'll eventually go off and marry someone who can give her what he's already done and more. All their love-making to him will culminate to nothing, and I wonder if the author meant for us to get this deep with it (no pun intended), he's climaxing for nothing, a metaphor for his "achievements" in the vampyre (yes, Google, that's the way it's spelled here) "life".
It was interesting how a woman was his OG downfall (Lysandra turned him), but a man was his salvation (Salvatore turned him mortal again through bloodletting). Sexist or feminist? You (whoever you are) be the judge.
The Gothic is strong with this one. I'm talkin'
-Moonlit walks through rose gardens
*One of which culminates in Rhianna stripping naked before Rayven's very eyes.
-"Dreams" of Rayven sitting on Rhianna's bed, touching/kissing/biting her neck as she sleeps.
-Our heroine spends many a night roaming down the corridors of the castle, clad only in an elaborate nightgown.
-Our hero dons only black, down to his cloak which literally billows with each turn, ala POTO
*But with a twist: at first I thought the cloak covering him was an homage to how a vampire bat sleeps (with its wings tightly round the body). Turns out, the cloak is infused with his mother's essence, making it akin to a baby blanket. Aww!
-Actual dreams of red roses drawing red blood from her fingertips as the thorns graze her skin
-Poems of darkness, desire, and vampirism are interspersed throughout this book! It's like it was made for me!
The BATB refs. were sprinkled throughout
-The whole reason Rhianna comes to Rayven is because her dad literally sells her in a card game to pay his debts (seriously, he makes Rhianna nearly strip down among the players). Almost in the vein of Belle taking her father's place to his debt to Beast.
-Rhianna is given run of the castle, but is forbidden to go into the east wing... because it's the direction of the rising sun, and therefore where Rayven would be sleeping during the day.
*In most stories, Belle is forbade from entering the West wing, where Beast resides.
-Rayven can shift into a wolf, and he does this in order to feed off animals without feeling too, dare I say, beastly? (it was right there, I had to).
*Ref. to Beast being both man and animal. Duh.
Bonus: A mini Playlist
-"A Kiss is a Terrible Thing to Waste" Gina Taylor
-"Carpe Noctem"-OG Tanz Der Vampire soundtrack
-"Total Eclipse of the Heart"-Bonnie Tyler
-"Two Souls Yearning"-Dark Flower
-"It's All Coming Back to Me Now"-Celine Dion (Extended version, btw)
-"It Just Won't Quit"-Meatloaf
-"Good Girls Go to Heaven (Bad Girls Go Everywhere)"-Pandora's Box
-"Transylvanian Lullaby"-Erutan
-"These Dreams"-Heart
-"Midnight Masquerade"-Nick Murray
-"Show Me Heaven"-Maja Francis
And don't get me started on the Sundae's cherries:
-the epilogue ends with Rayven holding his newborn daughter while Rhianna sleeps, finally having achieved his mortal dream as a mortal man once more. While having kids isn't for me, I have to say *chef's kiss* for Rayven and Rhianna.
-Before Rayven even marries Rhianna, she paints him a sunrise so they can see it together!
-She tells him that she actually likes that he's a vampire, because they never would've met without his curse making him immortal.
Side note, did anyone else think Rhianna name is ref. to the goddess, Rhiannon? Rhianna the character makes Rayven's ultimate dream of mortality a reality and awakens his desire to live again and try to be a whole person (including love and family life) after being undead in every sense of the world, believing himself to be a lonely creature of the night. This is very akin to the power of Celtic goddess Rhiannon, who has can grant dreams, including her own and others; she also can use her songbirds to sing humans to sleep and to awaken souls in the underworld....
I'd be interested in reading this author's take on werewolves (if she has any). All in all, perfect for the spooky season!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2025
Had to stop at 12% because SHE IS 15!!! and Mr pedo/vampire was like:
“hunger and desire riding him with whip and spurs as he sat down on the bed beside her”
WTH????!!!!
“hunger and desire riding him with whip and spurs as he sat down on the bed beside her”
WTH????!!!!
March 2, 2025
Reread. Still found it a good read. I will be reading the rest of this series too.
December 24, 2025
Only wished the ending was a bit different
December 4, 2011
Once again, not my most favorite, but good enough. I've finding from this book and the last one I read, Immortal Sins, that they just seem too freaking long. You could take this 389 page book and it would have been must better as a 250-300 pages instead.
Lord Rayven bought 15 year old Rhianna McLeod when her father was trying to sell her to put food on the table for her mother and four other sisters. Keeping her from having to disrobe in front of men, he impulsively buys her. His servant, Bevins whom he saved many years ago, is surprised by him bringing her there.
For months, Rhianna doesn't see the man who bought her, but has given her everything anyone could ever want. When she does see him, its never during the day and she always feels this quality of loneliness and danger around him. yet, the few kisses shared, only makes her want him more.
When Rayven feels his attraction and hunger growing, he sends her to Paris for a formal education. For four years, they don't see each other, but are never far from the others thoughts.
Four years later she returns for her father's funeral and learns he's taken care of her family all these years. She finds herself visiting his castle each night despite Bevins denial of him being there. When he seeks her out in the garden, the reunion isn't what she was expecting and he banishes her from ever coming back.
As she gets courted by another man, she makes one last attempt after his mask appearance to her. Caught in a storm, he has no choice but to let her stay in the castle. In his attempt to get her to leave, he allows her one wish. Wishing to stay with him, he has no choice and giver her one year to stay with him.
Although at first he keeps his distance they begin their dance around each other and the secrets between them. He begins wishing for his mortal life that was stolen from him. With a year promise, he tells her what he is. Surprisingly, she doesn't totally freak, but during their time, her thoughts occasionally become panicked and their relationship is strained.
Its after her sister's wedding, that he asks for her hand at least for the remainder of their year together. Wishing nothing more, they plans are in motion and she becomes him wife in every sense of the word.
The castle he always saw as cold and unforgiving is turned into a real home with Rhianna's touch. His whole life has brightened by her, yet his self loath has increased due to all he can't give her.
Finally his hunger is too much and a note tells Rhianna goodbye. As he's searching for his maker, either for a cure or for destruction, Rhianna herself begins a downward spiral in her health.
Feeling her withdrawal, he barely saves himself and weak, makes his way back to her. Saving her, he still can't control hunger and just as determined to meet the sun, Salvatore an old vampire who taught him the ways, shows and has a possibility for a cure.
Taking the risk, Rayven wakes a mortal man with Rhianna at his side. A year later he's holding his baby girl.
I felt the out of the blue cure was phony and a cheap way to solve their problem. To me I don't see how there is anyway of reversing the effects of turning into a vampire, but I guess not all her books can end the same way.
Lord Rayven bought 15 year old Rhianna McLeod when her father was trying to sell her to put food on the table for her mother and four other sisters. Keeping her from having to disrobe in front of men, he impulsively buys her. His servant, Bevins whom he saved many years ago, is surprised by him bringing her there.
For months, Rhianna doesn't see the man who bought her, but has given her everything anyone could ever want. When she does see him, its never during the day and she always feels this quality of loneliness and danger around him. yet, the few kisses shared, only makes her want him more.
When Rayven feels his attraction and hunger growing, he sends her to Paris for a formal education. For four years, they don't see each other, but are never far from the others thoughts.
Four years later she returns for her father's funeral and learns he's taken care of her family all these years. She finds herself visiting his castle each night despite Bevins denial of him being there. When he seeks her out in the garden, the reunion isn't what she was expecting and he banishes her from ever coming back.
As she gets courted by another man, she makes one last attempt after his mask appearance to her. Caught in a storm, he has no choice but to let her stay in the castle. In his attempt to get her to leave, he allows her one wish. Wishing to stay with him, he has no choice and giver her one year to stay with him.
Although at first he keeps his distance they begin their dance around each other and the secrets between them. He begins wishing for his mortal life that was stolen from him. With a year promise, he tells her what he is. Surprisingly, she doesn't totally freak, but during their time, her thoughts occasionally become panicked and their relationship is strained.
Its after her sister's wedding, that he asks for her hand at least for the remainder of their year together. Wishing nothing more, they plans are in motion and she becomes him wife in every sense of the word.
The castle he always saw as cold and unforgiving is turned into a real home with Rhianna's touch. His whole life has brightened by her, yet his self loath has increased due to all he can't give her.
Finally his hunger is too much and a note tells Rhianna goodbye. As he's searching for his maker, either for a cure or for destruction, Rhianna herself begins a downward spiral in her health.
Feeling her withdrawal, he barely saves himself and weak, makes his way back to her. Saving her, he still can't control hunger and just as determined to meet the sun, Salvatore an old vampire who taught him the ways, shows and has a possibility for a cure.
Taking the risk, Rayven wakes a mortal man with Rhianna at his side. A year later he's holding his baby girl.
I felt the out of the blue cure was phony and a cheap way to solve their problem. To me I don't see how there is anyway of reversing the effects of turning into a vampire, but I guess not all her books can end the same way.
July 25, 2012
This book is not like the usual vampire book that someone will find.I cannot say why is that but it was different from the vampire books I usualy read.Maybe it's because of Rayven and the way he acts.
Summary:Part 1:In 1939 Rayven bought Rhianna from an auction.Rhianna found herself sold because her family needed the money to a man who according to the rumors is scary and acts weird.She thinks that he wants her for sex and she is surprised when he says that he doesn't want anything from her and in addition he says that she can learn to read,play piano,do anything she wants,explore his house except the east wing and buy anything she wants.As the time passes she falls in love with Rayven and he with her but he can't do anything since he is a vampire and she is mortal and he sends her in France.
Part 2:Four years late Rhianna returns after her fathers death and decides to stay at home and not return to Paris.After a visit to Rayven Castle Rayven says that he will do one favor to her and her request surprise him as she asks to let her stay a year with him.Since he gave her his word he lets her stay.Rhianna learns about Rayvens true nature.Rhianna stays with him after that and he ask her to marry him for a year with the promise that when the time ends he will broke the wows(and I don't think he meant they will get a divorce,more like I will walk in a sunny day way of divorce)cause he wants her to marry and have children.After 6 months of marriage he leaves her and says that he will never return.She gets depressed to the point of death and he goes to his maker to kill him,the last moment he decides that he wants to live with Rhianna and that he wants to live.He hides in a crypt for a while and Salvatore comes and visits him saying that he has a way to make a vampire mortal again but it has a very high risk.So Rayve and Salvatore return home and he says to Rhianna his decision.i wont say what happens in the end.
Rayvenis a very tortuned character who suffers from his nature.He lives with Tom and only him and his is a very close person.He would have make his life a lot easier if he could embrace his vampire nature and try to make friend even for a while.I like him but I think he was a little overeacting about the whole vampire thing.Rhiannais innocent,pure,young and in love with Rayven.She accepted his true nature and made his nights warm and made him feel alive with her character and that says much about her.
The book was nice different from the usual vampire books.The vampires in this book have characteristics the "traditional"vampires have.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2013
4.75 Stars!
A Darker Dream... Now, as much as I HATED the Twilight series, I loved this one. To be honest, this was a book that my wife and I read together in bed. Every night I would come home from work and after the kids were in bed, we would read at least one chapter. The story was compelling, the characters were dynamic and emotional (hell, our heroine actually separated from the pack of illogical teenage girls and didn't want to be a vampire, throwing a hell of a wrench into the classic plot), and the "vampyre" Ashley uses here is actually a twist of the forgotten classic (before the wondrous off-shoot, the werewolf).
In the end, though, there isn't too much I can say without giving away spoilers, but basically a 15-year-old girl's poverty-stricken father sells her to a tavern full of men. The dark and mysterious Lord Rayven purchases her (to save her the humiliation of having to undress before the audience). He does not, however, take her to his bed. He shows her every kindness. Lord Rayven is no mortal man, though. He is vampyre. I STRONGLY recommend this book to anyone with an interest in paranormal romance, dark fiction, vampire lore, or just good old regular romance. The ending will throw you (for better or worse), but I guarantee this one's worth reading.
A Darker Dream... Now, as much as I HATED the Twilight series, I loved this one. To be honest, this was a book that my wife and I read together in bed. Every night I would come home from work and after the kids were in bed, we would read at least one chapter. The story was compelling, the characters were dynamic and emotional (hell, our heroine actually separated from the pack of illogical teenage girls and didn't want to be a vampire, throwing a hell of a wrench into the classic plot), and the "vampyre" Ashley uses here is actually a twist of the forgotten classic (before the wondrous off-shoot, the werewolf).
In the end, though, there isn't too much I can say without giving away spoilers, but basically a 15-year-old girl's poverty-stricken father sells her to a tavern full of men. The dark and mysterious Lord Rayven purchases her (to save her the humiliation of having to undress before the audience). He does not, however, take her to his bed. He shows her every kindness. Lord Rayven is no mortal man, though. He is vampyre. I STRONGLY recommend this book to anyone with an interest in paranormal romance, dark fiction, vampire lore, or just good old regular romance. The ending will throw you (for better or worse), but I guarantee this one's worth reading.
October 13, 2009
My cover is different than this one...as I have a 1997 copy. The writing is very 1997, but I love Amanda Ashley's writing. As Amanda Ashley, she writes paranormal romances (I only like the vampire ones), but under the name Madeline Baker she writes historical romances set in the American West (which is why I started reading her in the first place).
This one is a slower paced novel about a vampire who falls in love with the young woman whose father had sold her to him to put food on the table for the rest of his family. The night-dwelling Rayven fights the passion he swears he can never feel and tries to become a benevolent host to the beautiful Rhianna. He takes care of her while she's young, then sends her away because he can't resist her...only to have her return.
I liked the hero (brooding, of course) and heroine, though I thought her to be a bit naive...probably an accurate depiction of a young woman of that time (can't remember the time...sorry). I was a little irritated by Rhianna's mother, and furious with her father for selling her. But...oh well...still thought the story was great!
This one is a slower paced novel about a vampire who falls in love with the young woman whose father had sold her to him to put food on the table for the rest of his family. The night-dwelling Rayven fights the passion he swears he can never feel and tries to become a benevolent host to the beautiful Rhianna. He takes care of her while she's young, then sends her away because he can't resist her...only to have her return.
I liked the hero (brooding, of course) and heroine, though I thought her to be a bit naive...probably an accurate depiction of a young woman of that time (can't remember the time...sorry). I was a little irritated by Rhianna's mother, and furious with her father for selling her. But...oh well...still thought the story was great!
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