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Vampire Romances #13
Dead Perfect
Be careful what you wish for…
Only a woman with nothing left to lose knocks on a vampire’s door and asks for help. Shannah Davis is convinced that the mysterious dark-haired man she’s followed for months can save her life—if he doesn't kill her first. But though Ronan insists he can’t give her what she needs, his kiss unleashes a primal hunger that makes her feel truly alive for the first time.
After centuries of existence, Ronan has done the unthinkable. He has fallen in love with a mortal—and one with only weeks to live. Sensing the fear and reluctance beneath Shannah’s request, he offers her a different bargain that will keep her near him during the time she has left. Every hour spent together leaves him craving her touch, her scent, her life’s essence. Soon, only Shannah can satisfy his thirst. But if he saves her from death, will she love him for it—or spend eternity regretting what she has become?
Only a woman with nothing left to lose knocks on a vampire’s door and asks for help. Shannah Davis is convinced that the mysterious dark-haired man she’s followed for months can save her life—if he doesn't kill her first. But though Ronan insists he can’t give her what she needs, his kiss unleashes a primal hunger that makes her feel truly alive for the first time.
After centuries of existence, Ronan has done the unthinkable. He has fallen in love with a mortal—and one with only weeks to live. Sensing the fear and reluctance beneath Shannah’s request, he offers her a different bargain that will keep her near him during the time she has left. Every hour spent together leaves him craving her touch, her scent, her life’s essence. Soon, only Shannah can satisfy his thirst. But if he saves her from death, will she love him for it—or spend eternity regretting what she has become?
384 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2008
45 people are currently reading
964 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
February 23, 2008
Rarely have I come across authors that rub me the wrong way, this is one of them. Her characters are flat two-dimentional creatures that inspire NOTHING.
When I read the first chapter excerpt on the publishers website it sounded interesting and plausible. How wrong I was. The hero is moody and indecisive, the heroine is a dieing virgin who despite knowing she’s going to croak refuses to go past first base and a little kissy face without getting her white wedding gown and her walk down the isle first.
The author basically tossed the characters all together all at once without any planning or thought. Kind of like tossing vegetables together in water calling it soup and hoping for a palatable outcome.
If you were to take away the thin veil of the vampire and the virgin angle. What you have left is a poorly written, non-regency, plain-jane romance. Save your self time and hard earned book money. I wish I had.
When I read the first chapter excerpt on the publishers website it sounded interesting and plausible. How wrong I was. The hero is moody and indecisive, the heroine is a dieing virgin who despite knowing she’s going to croak refuses to go past first base and a little kissy face without getting her white wedding gown and her walk down the isle first.
The author basically tossed the characters all together all at once without any planning or thought. Kind of like tossing vegetables together in water calling it soup and hoping for a palatable outcome.
If you were to take away the thin veil of the vampire and the virgin angle. What you have left is a poorly written, non-regency, plain-jane romance. Save your self time and hard earned book money. I wish I had.
September 23, 2011
Amanda Ashley does it again. I am helplessly in love with her books. She takes a simple vampire story and turns it into one of love, understanding, and new beginnings.
Faced with a deadly illness, Shannah Davis begins following Ronan for months believing he's a vampire who can save her. Finally she gets up the courage...somewhat...and knocks on his door in the late afternoon. Unexpectedly he answers and, believing he's not a vampire, she turns to leave but faints before getting far.
From his first taste of the unconscious Shannah in his arms, Ronan knows she's dying. What he doesn't know is what makes him allow her to stay the day while he sleeps, but he does and finds her the next night when he rises.
As a successful author under many names, all of them women, Ronan's publicist and agent have been pursuing him to do a tour. The idea comes to him that she could pretend to be the author, but first he has to convince her.
She's dying anyways right? Why not have a little fun. Despite Ronan's suggestions, Shannah can't help but notice the odds things about him, nor ease the uneasy feeling she gets about him.
Spending time preparing her for the book tour, Ronan quickly realizes what's happening to him. He's falling in love with a mortal, on that won't even live the normal length of a mortal's life. Although she came looking for a vampire, he can't bring himself to tell her what he really is. But as her sickness progresses, he gives her his blood, which sets the illness back and wipes it from her mind.
Never before has she been wined and dined the way Ronan has done for her since he came into her life. Her life has suddenly become exciting and she's aware her feelings are morphing into more for him.
There for her when her sickness strikes, through natural disasters, Ronan can no longer imagine a life without her in it.
When his secret is revealed by vampire hunter Jim Hewitt and reporter Carl Overstreet, who both make their presence known throughout the book. Although the clues were there, the truth is still hard to swallow, but after talking it through, it appears Ronan hasn't lost her.
Knowing the only option to keep her with him is if he were to turn her, he verbally puts the idea out there and takes her to meet some of his vampire acquaintances to show her vampire lives almost normal lives.
Unfortunately, she hasn't agreed yet when her illness is too much for his blood to fight. Not able to let her go, he brings her over and faces her wrath when she learns what she's become.
It takes him nights to talk her into coming home and a few more before she would allow him to help her. But like true lover, she realizes she would have been dead and she can't think of not being with Ronan and all is forgiven.
With a wedding to plan and eternity together, these two couldn't have been more perfect.
Faced with a deadly illness, Shannah Davis begins following Ronan for months believing he's a vampire who can save her. Finally she gets up the courage...somewhat...and knocks on his door in the late afternoon. Unexpectedly he answers and, believing he's not a vampire, she turns to leave but faints before getting far.
From his first taste of the unconscious Shannah in his arms, Ronan knows she's dying. What he doesn't know is what makes him allow her to stay the day while he sleeps, but he does and finds her the next night when he rises.
As a successful author under many names, all of them women, Ronan's publicist and agent have been pursuing him to do a tour. The idea comes to him that she could pretend to be the author, but first he has to convince her.
She's dying anyways right? Why not have a little fun. Despite Ronan's suggestions, Shannah can't help but notice the odds things about him, nor ease the uneasy feeling she gets about him.
Spending time preparing her for the book tour, Ronan quickly realizes what's happening to him. He's falling in love with a mortal, on that won't even live the normal length of a mortal's life. Although she came looking for a vampire, he can't bring himself to tell her what he really is. But as her sickness progresses, he gives her his blood, which sets the illness back and wipes it from her mind.
Never before has she been wined and dined the way Ronan has done for her since he came into her life. Her life has suddenly become exciting and she's aware her feelings are morphing into more for him.
There for her when her sickness strikes, through natural disasters, Ronan can no longer imagine a life without her in it.
When his secret is revealed by vampire hunter Jim Hewitt and reporter Carl Overstreet, who both make their presence known throughout the book. Although the clues were there, the truth is still hard to swallow, but after talking it through, it appears Ronan hasn't lost her.
Knowing the only option to keep her with him is if he were to turn her, he verbally puts the idea out there and takes her to meet some of his vampire acquaintances to show her vampire lives almost normal lives.
Unfortunately, she hasn't agreed yet when her illness is too much for his blood to fight. Not able to let her go, he brings her over and faces her wrath when she learns what she's become.
It takes him nights to talk her into coming home and a few more before she would allow him to help her. But like true lover, she realizes she would have been dead and she can't think of not being with Ronan and all is forgiven.
With a wedding to plan and eternity together, these two couldn't have been more perfect.
November 21, 2011
I am sure that every one of us have asked the question "What if Grace Livingston Hill were alive today? Would she write a vampire romance?"
Well, fear not gentle readers, because here is the gentle Christian abstince vampire novel that you have all been dreaming of. Or maybe not! Spoiler alert- there is no sex, no conflict, and very little plot. For those of you who complain of books where the entire plot is driven by a misunderstanding that could have been cleared up with one sentence, this is one to avoid.
However, if your fantasy includes borrowing a vampire's credit card, this one is for you. Shanna may not get any nookie until she walks down the aisle in her white dress, but she does get a shopping spree on Rodeo Drive. She also gets front row seats to a Broadway show, and gets to buy Ronan all new furniture. I realize that things like this are fantasies to many people, but I thought that it was shallow and boring.
There is also some kind of vampire hunter side plot, but to be honest for all the attention it was given it may has well not have existed. This book has about as much action as the sky mall catalogue.
That being said, this book is much more like what I expected a vampire romance to be than many other books in the genre, and that isn't an entirely bad thing! The bones of an interesting story are here, and I willl probably read another Amanda Ashley book before a judge the entire series.
Well, fear not gentle readers, because here is the gentle Christian abstince vampire novel that you have all been dreaming of. Or maybe not! Spoiler alert- there is no sex, no conflict, and very little plot. For those of you who complain of books where the entire plot is driven by a misunderstanding that could have been cleared up with one sentence, this is one to avoid.
However, if your fantasy includes borrowing a vampire's credit card, this one is for you. Shanna may not get any nookie until she walks down the aisle in her white dress, but she does get a shopping spree on Rodeo Drive. She also gets front row seats to a Broadway show, and gets to buy Ronan all new furniture. I realize that things like this are fantasies to many people, but I thought that it was shallow and boring.
There is also some kind of vampire hunter side plot, but to be honest for all the attention it was given it may has well not have existed. This book has about as much action as the sky mall catalogue.
That being said, this book is much more like what I expected a vampire romance to be than many other books in the genre, and that isn't an entirely bad thing! The bones of an interesting story are here, and I willl probably read another Amanda Ashley book before a judge the entire series.
January 23, 2024
3.5⭐️
I was hoping for smut, but only fade to black with little to no spice. However, very cute vampire romance!
I was hoping for smut, but only fade to black with little to no spice. However, very cute vampire romance!
November 24, 2009
My Summary: Shannah is going to die. She has a blood disease that none of the doctors can identify, and she only has months to live. She’s on her last month, possibly her last week… she hates to think it’s her last day, but it sure feels like it. She has been watching the strange tall, dark (and hansom) man for several months, and is convinced that he is a vampire (though she’s not exactly sane when she makes that decision). She goes to him seeking immortality, but collapses in near death on his front porch. When she wakes up, she feels better. What did he do that healed her? She’s not a vampire, but even the doctors couldn’t heal her… then there’s the fact that she’s pretty sure that she’s falling in love with him. but Ronan’s healing doesn’t last forever… and Shannah has to make a hard choice.
Ronan is five hundred and thirteen years old. He has never loved anyone in his life, but when Shannah comes to his door he takes her into his house and begins to heal her in his own special way. But then he accidentally falls in love with her. That causes problems—when your mortal soulmate is going to die soon and she isn’t sure she wants to be a leach her whole life. If he changes her against her will, will she hate him forever? Are his only choices letting her die and losing her, or changing her and losing her?
And then there’s that whole problem with a vampire hunter tracking down Ronan… and trying to kill him.
My Thoughts—at first glimpse, this seemed so twilight-ish. But once I started reading it I got out of my vampire stereotype and enjoyed this book quite a lot. I was at the library and dying for a light-hearted vampire romance (because I was just in that mood) so I picked it up. It’s a very quick read, and very sweet.
The Plot—the plot moved quickly, though at one point a thought crossed my mind, “there isn’t much story here, how is the author dragging it out into 345 pages and is still managing to keep it interesting?” although the plot seemed a little simple, it held my attention very well.
The Characters—I loved the characters in this book. Shannah was depicted as a desperate-to-do-anything-to-keep-alive kind of girl, to the point that she was willing to live with a vampire. Ronan had so much passion and love for this poor girl that it made him endearing. I love how he’d always call her “love.” It was so sweet. Jim Hewitt, the hunter, was a character that you just didn’t like one bit—a strong willed jerk who, although he thought he was doing the right thing, even that he was doing it to keep Shannah safe, I didn’t like him and I felt sorry for him. Though, in my opinion, I liked what happened to him at the end ;)
The writing—There were a lot of really good descriptions in this book, I was able to see everything that the author said in beautiful detail. There wasn’t any graphic sex, though there were a few scenes at the end, but it was brief. There were a few re-used phrases in the book though, and that gets annoying. (My sister and I call this the JMG Syndrome, or “Jenny McGrady” syndrome, because of a series we read when we were younger. Jenny was always feeling “like she got slugged in the stomach”. The phrase was used several times in all fifteen books. It got old really fast.) Shannah had many kissed “brushed across her brow” in this book. But besides that, the writing was warm and welcoming.
My Recommendation: I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good paranormal romance, vampires, or just a romance in general. Ages 16+, only because of the frequency of sex at the end of the book (though I will say that the vampire held fast to abstinence, so that was encouraging.) there wasn’t any foul language, and I really liked that! I hate books that have so much language that I feel dirty reading it. But this book was very clean.
~Haleyknitz
January 20, 2018
I would like to say that I honestly don't think I've ever read a worse, published book. The writing in this was so bad that I would rate it 0/5 if I could, but I would give it a solid 5/5 for how many times it made me laugh simply because of how awful and inconsistent it is. But don't just take my word for it. Let's go through some examples:
1.) Did she notice how handsome he was or not?
pg. 9: "He was a handsome man--tall, dark, and handsome..."
pg. 16: "She had never really noticed how handsome he was."
2.) Questionable motives.
pg. 14: "Still, she wanted those days. In the last few months, she lad learned that each new day, each new hour of life, was a precious gift from God..."
All she had done for four/five months was stalk this guy. She doesn't have a job. She doesn't hang out with people. All she's done for months was follow a guy around. She even has a campsite set up outside his house. If you're going to say how much you've come to appreciate life, why don't you do something with it?
3.) I'm not even going to type all of this out because it's absurd, but on pg 21, she starts describing what's in a box of groceries, and she describes it down to the very last detail. I'm not kidding. Ten full lines of nothing but what's in this box. If it doesn't matter for the book, don't put stuff like that in there.
4.) The box from pg 21 isn't even accurate. It's stated multiple times that there were no other groceries aside from what was in the box, but on pg 31, she makes a tomato paste out of tomatoes, basil, and oregano. None of those three items were in the box that the author went through such a painstaking effort to itemize.
5.) Questionable upbringing.
pg 36: "She had been raised better than [to move in with a stranger]."
Really? Really? When she's been stalking him for months? Would your parents condone that one? My parents are just about as wholesome as they come by, and I think they'd trust me more on moving in with someone (you're not even sharing a room with!) than they would be okay with knowing I was stalking someone for literal months and sleeping outside their house.
----
All right. I'm gonna call it quits on saying everything wrong with this book but not before pointing out that all of those examples were just in the first 50 pages. There are 346 pages in this book. It doesn't get better. If you comment and want more, I can give them to you. I marked them every time I noticed them. The glaring inconsistencies continue throughout the entire book, and to make it worse, there's not even a substantial plot to make up for it. The characters are so two dimensional I'm not even convinced they'd cast shadows, and the romance was barely existing at best. I'd like to believe in my heart that Amanda Ashley's other books are substantially better for her to have such a following, but I certainly won't be reading them to find out.
1.) Did she notice how handsome he was or not?
pg. 9: "He was a handsome man--tall, dark, and handsome..."
pg. 16: "She had never really noticed how handsome he was."
2.) Questionable motives.
pg. 14: "Still, she wanted those days. In the last few months, she lad learned that each new day, each new hour of life, was a precious gift from God..."
All she had done for four/five months was stalk this guy. She doesn't have a job. She doesn't hang out with people. All she's done for months was follow a guy around. She even has a campsite set up outside his house. If you're going to say how much you've come to appreciate life, why don't you do something with it?
3.) I'm not even going to type all of this out because it's absurd, but on pg 21, she starts describing what's in a box of groceries, and she describes it down to the very last detail. I'm not kidding. Ten full lines of nothing but what's in this box. If it doesn't matter for the book, don't put stuff like that in there.
4.) The box from pg 21 isn't even accurate. It's stated multiple times that there were no other groceries aside from what was in the box, but on pg 31, she makes a tomato paste out of tomatoes, basil, and oregano. None of those three items were in the box that the author went through such a painstaking effort to itemize.
5.) Questionable upbringing.
pg 36: "She had been raised better than [to move in with a stranger]."
Really? Really? When she's been stalking him for months? Would your parents condone that one? My parents are just about as wholesome as they come by, and I think they'd trust me more on moving in with someone (you're not even sharing a room with!) than they would be okay with knowing I was stalking someone for literal months and sleeping outside their house.
----
All right. I'm gonna call it quits on saying everything wrong with this book but not before pointing out that all of those examples were just in the first 50 pages. There are 346 pages in this book. It doesn't get better. If you comment and want more, I can give them to you. I marked them every time I noticed them. The glaring inconsistencies continue throughout the entire book, and to make it worse, there's not even a substantial plot to make up for it. The characters are so two dimensional I'm not even convinced they'd cast shadows, and the romance was barely existing at best. I'd like to believe in my heart that Amanda Ashley's other books are substantially better for her to have such a following, but I certainly won't be reading them to find out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2013
Shannah Davis is dying, her docts have been telling her that she will only have weeks left to live. With a will of iron, to live and find a way to escape the diagnosis, she suspects a certain mysterious stranger of being a vampire. At first she intends to ask him to change her into a vampire, so that she can live. However when the time arrives, events occur in a way that changes her mind, however she is still intrigued by Ronan. Ronan is at first intrigueed by Shannah, when she ends up at this doorstep questioning him that no other mortal would ever ask of him, he is eager to wonder where she learned his nature from. Ronan has lived 500 years no less, and is a romance author, but no one in the world knows that he is a man, since the name of the author for the public is a woman's name. So he makes a deal with Shannah, that if she will do a book tour and act like she is the real author, he will pay her. However after spending time with each other, they grow closer together intimately and before they know it they start falling in love, but will that love be strong enough when Ronan acts uunexpectadley?
I real loved "Dead Perfect" its the first I have read by Amanda Ashley, I saw the cover of this one, and just thought that I would give it a try, and I am so glad that I did. She is a talented author, and when I checked out her website, I learned that she is also Madeline Baker, whom I have read a couple of books from, so no wonder I liked her so much :) Also another reason that I loved this book, was that it is paranormal, and I love everything paranormal, and this was one of the best that I have read in the genre. It was filled with the perfect mix of everything that I enjoy in a good romance; action, romance and passion, strong characters and a intense plot. The cover also is very compelling, and draws you into reading it. There is also deep emotion that vibrates throughout the whole book and Amanda Ashely does a great job in portraying strong emotions and transferring it to the reader.
I real loved "Dead Perfect" its the first I have read by Amanda Ashley, I saw the cover of this one, and just thought that I would give it a try, and I am so glad that I did. She is a talented author, and when I checked out her website, I learned that she is also Madeline Baker, whom I have read a couple of books from, so no wonder I liked her so much :) Also another reason that I loved this book, was that it is paranormal, and I love everything paranormal, and this was one of the best that I have read in the genre. It was filled with the perfect mix of everything that I enjoy in a good romance; action, romance and passion, strong characters and a intense plot. The cover also is very compelling, and draws you into reading it. There is also deep emotion that vibrates throughout the whole book and Amanda Ashely does a great job in portraying strong emotions and transferring it to the reader.
September 25, 2010
Ok, but not recommended. Great beginning. Less interesting last half.
The story started out well. It was interesting, a little different, and my initial thoughts were of settling in for a nice long good read. The characters intrigued me. However, by the middle of the book, my feelings changed. It felt too long and drawn out. I was tired of waiting for Ronan to tell Shannah he was a vampire. I was also tired of waiting for them to get together. I lost interest and wanted it to be over.
Story brief: Shannah is dying of a blood disease. She is intrigued with Ronan’s habits at night and follows him for several months. She believes he might be a vampire. She works up the nerve to go to his home to ask him to change her to a vampire since she is dying. In her heart, she really doesn’t want to be changed, which he knows through his mind reading ability. He takes her in and has her drink a little of his blood, which temporarily halts her disease. He has to continue doing this periodically to keep her healthy. After each time, he removes her memory of drinking his blood. Ronan writes romance novels under the name Eva Black. His agent wants him to do book signings and interviews. He hires Shannah to pretend to be Eva Black and do the signings and interviews for him. She agrees. They fall in love with each other, but have no sex because he fears he might accidentally kill her. A subplot involves a vampire hunter and a reporter who believe Ronan is a vampire and follow him. One wants to kill him, the other wants an interview.
CAUTION SPOILERS:
Some readers might be attracted to the story because the couple does not have sex until after they marry. They want her white wedding gown to have special meaning. The end-of-the-book sex scenes are tame and vague, possibly appropriate for young adults.
Story length: 340 pages. Sexual language: almost none. Number of sex scenes: 3. Total number of sex scene pages: 4. Setting: current day various cities U.S. Copyright: 2008. Genre: paranormal romance.
The story started out well. It was interesting, a little different, and my initial thoughts were of settling in for a nice long good read. The characters intrigued me. However, by the middle of the book, my feelings changed. It felt too long and drawn out. I was tired of waiting for Ronan to tell Shannah he was a vampire. I was also tired of waiting for them to get together. I lost interest and wanted it to be over.
Story brief: Shannah is dying of a blood disease. She is intrigued with Ronan’s habits at night and follows him for several months. She believes he might be a vampire. She works up the nerve to go to his home to ask him to change her to a vampire since she is dying. In her heart, she really doesn’t want to be changed, which he knows through his mind reading ability. He takes her in and has her drink a little of his blood, which temporarily halts her disease. He has to continue doing this periodically to keep her healthy. After each time, he removes her memory of drinking his blood. Ronan writes romance novels under the name Eva Black. His agent wants him to do book signings and interviews. He hires Shannah to pretend to be Eva Black and do the signings and interviews for him. She agrees. They fall in love with each other, but have no sex because he fears he might accidentally kill her. A subplot involves a vampire hunter and a reporter who believe Ronan is a vampire and follow him. One wants to kill him, the other wants an interview.
CAUTION SPOILERS:
Some readers might be attracted to the story because the couple does not have sex until after they marry. They want her white wedding gown to have special meaning. The end-of-the-book sex scenes are tame and vague, possibly appropriate for young adults.
Story length: 340 pages. Sexual language: almost none. Number of sex scenes: 3. Total number of sex scene pages: 4. Setting: current day various cities U.S. Copyright: 2008. Genre: paranormal romance.
February 8, 2008
Unfortunately, this book was not “Dead Perfect.” While it was a good vampire romance book, it was not a great vampire romance for Ms. Baker (AKA Amanda Ashley). Ronan, a 513 year old vampire falls in love with Shannah, a 24 year old who is dying. Shannah has a feeling that Ronan is a vampire, and seeks him out because she doesn’t want to die. I won’t give the rest away in case you want to read it for yourself. The two positives and different things about this book (and why it has 3 stars)is that are different from the usual are: the heroine is dying and the heroine is an emotionally strong character (based on Ms. Baker’s other characters) who can actually DO things for HERSELF! What a concept! Now, I’m not saying that once and a while it isn’t nice to have a little fainty-weak character, but it IS nice to finally see a strong character after having a strong character drought from “Midnight Embrace.” Please write another historical vampire romance! Those are few and far between and oh so yummy! A hybrid between “A Darker Dream” and “Midnight Embrace.”
July 3, 2009
wow. what a great story! i have read some of her short stories in anthologies and have loved them. and i wanted to read more from her. and wow. i have read dead after dark another great one btw. it is really a vampire/romance story. very awesome. it was so sweet. she was dying he saved her in an unconventional way. but truly great. Shannah and Ronan what a couple. he is such a gentleman it is so incredible to read that and to think there still might be men like that. it gives you hope. he was definitely her knight in shining armor.
November 1, 2010
I really did not enjoy this. I have been reading far too many vampire books recently and as a result someone from my work lent this book and told me to read it because it was super good. I read about half of the book before I put it down. Its about a girl who is dying who befriends a vampire (she is unaware of this) who in turn feeds her blood while she is sleeping to help her feel better. The writing is amateur and I didn't enjoy it at all. I give this book 1 star out of 5.
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June 29, 2009Bad. Ashley's books are going downhill. And they are so typical and predictable. BUT this book has some twists. Ronan is actually an author undercover lol. Using an alias of course, and he hires Shannah to pretend to be Eva Black, his pen name. This sucked. Majorly. DON'T read. NOT RECOMMENDED, EVEN IF YOU'RE AN ASHLEY FAN. 0.5/5 stars.
February 5, 2009
This was a dull read - it never got exciting and the ending was lackluster.
June 5, 2009
Holy hell!
After reading this I now realize that ANYONE can get published.
After reading this I now realize that ANYONE can get published.
January 6, 2015
I really this book!! This is the third time I read it and it never gets old!!!
July 30, 2017
This is a paranormal vampire romance that I picked up free from the place where I go for my physical therapy, someone had put out a couple of boxes of books for anyone to help themselves to, so I picked out about seven or eight books, this was one of them. I haven't read a vampire romance in many years, and when I saw this, I picked it up because I wanted/needed a book that was pure escapism, which this definitely is, but with a rather good backstory. The woman in this story, Shannah Davis has a disease that is never actually named, but is slowly killing her. She is figuring that the only way she might ptolong her life is through the mysterious man that she's been following for months. Shannah is unaware that Ronan is really a vampire at first, and when they first meet, there's an instant attraction. The plot grows with the fact that there's a vampire hunter following Ronan, he and a reporter are wanting the vampire kill and an exclusive story. I actually rather enjoyed this for what it is, and I was rather pleased to discover that it isn't too campy. For a good paranormal read, I recommend it, and I'm actually going to read a few other of Ms. Ashley's books in the future.
July 20, 2017
The first half of the book was alright, but then it started to go downhill fast. 3/4 of the way through, it had become so campy and painfully cheese that I had to force myself to finish reading. it was like they author realized she needed to wrap things up and did it as fast and stereotypically as possible.
February 25, 2021
Why are we not allowed to give zero stars? This book is so bad I want to vomit!
Ronan is an idiot for falling in love with a person that changes her mind more than she changes her panties! I don’t want to die, no let me die! I am so afraid to die, let me die! Damn you, why didn’t you let me die?? Because you are a total demented person, and he is an idiot for loving you!
Ronan is an idiot for falling in love with a person that changes her mind more than she changes her panties! I don’t want to die, no let me die! I am so afraid to die, let me die! Damn you, why didn’t you let me die?? Because you are a total demented person, and he is an idiot for loving you!
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September 2, 2024Dead Perfect
Shannah a second chance is presented to her, was intrigued by Ronan’s aura. Following him every night and the cherry on top was he looked like a model. The guts she has made it easier to cross over to the dark trick. Ronan falls in love with Shannah at first sight, but the problem is the death that he sees in her face. The question is will she love of what she has become…
Shannah a second chance is presented to her, was intrigued by Ronan’s aura. Following him every night and the cherry on top was he looked like a model. The guts she has made it easier to cross over to the dark trick. Ronan falls in love with Shannah at first sight, but the problem is the death that he sees in her face. The question is will she love of what she has become…
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2019
Kinda boring. The girl annoyed me. When he changed her she was hella dramatic for nothing. _____Sinking down on the bed, she cried for the life she had lost, cried because the man she loved had betrayed her trust and thrust her into a new world that was strange and scary._____
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2021
Too much fluff for me
May 15, 2021
Her books are soooo addictive!! I finished this in less than 24hrs!😅 An absolute page turner!! I need to buy more of her books ASAP!!
July 27, 2023
One of my favorite Vampire Romances by one
of favorite authors
of favorite authors
July 27, 2023
Thoroughly enjoyed this beautifully written vampire romance novel. I love the perspective shifts that allow you to know what's going on in each of the characters' heads.
January 20, 2025
Reread. Still found it a good read. I will be reading the rest of this series too.
September 11, 2020
This was a nice story. I bit slow but it held my interest. Strong love interest only one sex scene which I appreciated.
January 14, 2017
i read this on plane to PR, and i loved it.
March 6, 2015
I enjoyed this book immensely. I read it one day because I couldn't put it down. It had a huge amount of sexual tension because the main character, Shannah, was a virgin and Ronan being a vampire who's from a different century would not deflower her.
The story begins with the back story of Shannah. She's in her twenties and is dying of a rare disease. She has a few days perhaps a few weeks left to live. During one of her outings at night she see's a man leaving a movie theater late at night and believing he's a vampire she follows him. From then on she follows him daily and learns his living habits for weeks. She learns that he's never goes out during the day. He never leaves to get food and food is never delivered. After days of trying to build up her courage she knocks on his door during the day, believing that if he answers he's not a vampire and if he doesn't answer then he's a vampire. He answers the door and apologizes and while trying to leave she trips and falls and cuts her head. While unconscious Ronan goes back in to retrieve a cape and get's her inside and places her in one of his upstairs bedroom to rest.
Shannah awakens during the day and Ronan having expected this had food delivered for her to make for herself. At night he emerges and after spending some time with her, he asks her to stay. Spending time with her is difficult because her blood calls to him. He begins to like her, which is amazing since he'd stopped associating with humans centuries before.
He learns about her disease and attempts to lengthen her life by giving her some of his blood to strengthen her. He knows it's temporary, but with every day he spends with her he can't seem to let her go.
I wont give away the plot in the story. I will say that toward the end of the story after she's abducted her desires catches up with her and Ronan rescues her only to find her unconscious. He has to decide weather to let her go or to turn her in order to save her. Her choices up that point are direct with regards to what she wants, still it's up to Ronan at the last moment weather or not he's willing to let her go.
It's a heart stopping moment that tugged at my heart. Ronan having fallen in love with the first woman in his entire existence see's ready to let go. But sensing the fear and reluctance in Shannah is hard for him as well.
The story begins with the back story of Shannah. She's in her twenties and is dying of a rare disease. She has a few days perhaps a few weeks left to live. During one of her outings at night she see's a man leaving a movie theater late at night and believing he's a vampire she follows him. From then on she follows him daily and learns his living habits for weeks. She learns that he's never goes out during the day. He never leaves to get food and food is never delivered. After days of trying to build up her courage she knocks on his door during the day, believing that if he answers he's not a vampire and if he doesn't answer then he's a vampire. He answers the door and apologizes and while trying to leave she trips and falls and cuts her head. While unconscious Ronan goes back in to retrieve a cape and get's her inside and places her in one of his upstairs bedroom to rest.
Shannah awakens during the day and Ronan having expected this had food delivered for her to make for herself. At night he emerges and after spending some time with her, he asks her to stay. Spending time with her is difficult because her blood calls to him. He begins to like her, which is amazing since he'd stopped associating with humans centuries before.
He learns about her disease and attempts to lengthen her life by giving her some of his blood to strengthen her. He knows it's temporary, but with every day he spends with her he can't seem to let her go.
I wont give away the plot in the story. I will say that toward the end of the story after she's abducted her desires catches up with her and Ronan rescues her only to find her unconscious. He has to decide weather to let her go or to turn her in order to save her. Her choices up that point are direct with regards to what she wants, still it's up to Ronan at the last moment weather or not he's willing to let her go.
It's a heart stopping moment that tugged at my heart. Ronan having fallen in love with the first woman in his entire existence see's ready to let go. But sensing the fear and reluctance in Shannah is hard for him as well.
July 11, 2010
This book started out interesting - dying woman seeks vampire to turn her and ultimately save her life. Shannah has been following Ronan for months and is convinced he is the vampire who can save her. Ronan (who secretly is a famous romance novelist, Eva Black) knows she has been following him, but for some reason he doesn't stop or confront her. When she faints away on his doorstep, he takes her into his home. With one taste of her blood, he knows she's dying. However, he is drawn to Shannah and wants her to stay with him. He then decides that she's going to pretend to be "him" during a book promotion tour. And he convinces her to stay with him, even though she knows nothing about him, except that he's a reclusive, writer.
I liked Shannah and Ronan, but her story was just too perfectly pat for me. Ronan doesn't eat, he's not around during daylight hours, etc., yet Shannah doesn't really question his being a vampire. HUH? Shannah is the first woman that he has allowed in his life in 70 years, and she's the perfect person to pretend to be him for his book tour. Really? And then she's kidnapped by a supposed vampire hunter, who never once really tried to kill Ronan; and so-called "reporter" who tracks vampires???? Seriously, I'm supposed to be "drawn in" by this story? Ronan saves Shannah, makes her vampire (which she realized she didn't really want to be), and she's just a little pissed. But in true Amanda Ashley style, everything works out in the end -and yes there is a wedding. This books whole theme of virgin meets vampire, they fall in love, someone is out to get the vampire, virgin ends up dying, vampire turns virgin, virgin is pissed but not really, every loose end to the story is tied up with a nice pretty bow, a wedding takes place and of course they live happily ever after.
I have no problem with a story ending on a high note, but this author just can't seem to "bring it." Her story was just too nicey, nice for me. There was no drama or suspense. The sexual chemistry was there between Shannah and Ronan, but once they came together, it was totally lackluster. The storyline started out good, but ended up totally unbelievable. I tried to give Amanda Ashley another shot but found myself disappointed, yet again.
I liked Shannah and Ronan, but her story was just too perfectly pat for me. Ronan doesn't eat, he's not around during daylight hours, etc., yet Shannah doesn't really question his being a vampire. HUH? Shannah is the first woman that he has allowed in his life in 70 years, and she's the perfect person to pretend to be him for his book tour. Really? And then she's kidnapped by a supposed vampire hunter, who never once really tried to kill Ronan; and so-called "reporter" who tracks vampires???? Seriously, I'm supposed to be "drawn in" by this story? Ronan saves Shannah, makes her vampire (which she realized she didn't really want to be), and she's just a little pissed. But in true Amanda Ashley style, everything works out in the end -and yes there is a wedding. This books whole theme of virgin meets vampire, they fall in love, someone is out to get the vampire, virgin ends up dying, vampire turns virgin, virgin is pissed but not really, every loose end to the story is tied up with a nice pretty bow, a wedding takes place and of course they live happily ever after.
I have no problem with a story ending on a high note, but this author just can't seem to "bring it." Her story was just too nicey, nice for me. There was no drama or suspense. The sexual chemistry was there between Shannah and Ronan, but once they came together, it was totally lackluster. The storyline started out good, but ended up totally unbelievable. I tried to give Amanda Ashley another shot but found myself disappointed, yet again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 6, 2014
This one I was not to impressed with. I think that Ms. Ashley is an amazing writer, but fell short of the mark with this book. I was in by the seemingly interesting plot and was ready to ride the waves through this one.
The story starts off decent enough with a young woman in search of a miracle. I appreciated the set up as some authors tend to just gloss over this in a rush to begin getting to the meat of their tale. While I found the plot intriguing, I quickly came to find that the characters were one dimensional, stock characters if I have ever seen them.
Our main man, Ronan, is a 'tall, dark, and handsome' fellow that also happens to be a vampire... Not very original. I was looking for some spice, hangups, an attitude problem, is into the kinky stuff ANYTHING! I really wanted to fall in love with the character and it just was not happening. Our heroin was not much better. Shannah is fighting for her life on the journey to find someone to save her and her clock is ticking. I found that there was a little more depth to her than Ronan, but not nearly enough for me to become invested in their happy ending.
I felt detached from these characters as if I was watching from a distance and someone had hit the mute button. I saw the emotions and the chaos, but was completely unable to feel any of it. This is an important part of reading for me. I want to be moved by what I am reading and that did not happen in this one.
I think that this book has a good plot that runs you right through and would be good for a quick read when you are in-between finding that "perfect" next book. Ms. Ashley does a good job of keeping your interest, but don't expect too much in the way of depth.
The story starts off decent enough with a young woman in search of a miracle. I appreciated the set up as some authors tend to just gloss over this in a rush to begin getting to the meat of their tale. While I found the plot intriguing, I quickly came to find that the characters were one dimensional, stock characters if I have ever seen them.
Our main man, Ronan, is a 'tall, dark, and handsome' fellow that also happens to be a vampire... Not very original. I was looking for some spice, hangups, an attitude problem, is into the kinky stuff ANYTHING! I really wanted to fall in love with the character and it just was not happening. Our heroin was not much better. Shannah is fighting for her life on the journey to find someone to save her and her clock is ticking. I found that there was a little more depth to her than Ronan, but not nearly enough for me to become invested in their happy ending.
I felt detached from these characters as if I was watching from a distance and someone had hit the mute button. I saw the emotions and the chaos, but was completely unable to feel any of it. This is an important part of reading for me. I want to be moved by what I am reading and that did not happen in this one.
I think that this book has a good plot that runs you right through and would be good for a quick read when you are in-between finding that "perfect" next book. Ms. Ashley does a good job of keeping your interest, but don't expect too much in the way of depth.
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