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Lady of Shadow: Special Edition
DESIRE IS DEADLY.
A VAMPIRE IN EXILELucilla is a hauntingly beautiful 700-year-old vampire from Hungary. She lives in exile in the dark forests outside Charleston, South Carolina. Lucilla is powerful, reckless, and unpredictable. When Dorian enters her life, she feels invigorated but ultimately commits unspeakable acts of violence to please him.A FATEFUL ENCOUNTERHired by a wealthy business tycoon to recover a lost family artifact, prominent antiques investigator Dorian Hunter gets more than he bargained for when a seemingly normal retrieval mission leads him to Lucilla. When his intrusion sparks her fury, Dorian desperately offers his services in exchange for his life.A TORRID AFFAIR BEGINSA passionate romance ignites, but soon Lucilla’s affection for him takes a dark turn. Trapped by her obsessive rage and pursued by the authorities, Dorian must find a way to escape both the law and the vampire who will stop at nothing to claim him forever.
A VAMPIRE IN EXILELucilla is a hauntingly beautiful 700-year-old vampire from Hungary. She lives in exile in the dark forests outside Charleston, South Carolina. Lucilla is powerful, reckless, and unpredictable. When Dorian enters her life, she feels invigorated but ultimately commits unspeakable acts of violence to please him.A FATEFUL ENCOUNTERHired by a wealthy business tycoon to recover a lost family artifact, prominent antiques investigator Dorian Hunter gets more than he bargained for when a seemingly normal retrieval mission leads him to Lucilla. When his intrusion sparks her fury, Dorian desperately offers his services in exchange for his life.A TORRID AFFAIR BEGINSA passionate romance ignites, but soon Lucilla’s affection for him takes a dark turn. Trapped by her obsessive rage and pursued by the authorities, Dorian must find a way to escape both the law and the vampire who will stop at nothing to claim him forever.
322 pages, Paperback
Published September 17, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 27, 2026
I really loved this book. There was a unique way she became a vampire and I loved that. The author wrote her character so well I actually felt sympathy for Lucilla, even though she was a savage monster.
MMC Dorian is an investigator for artifacts and finds the items that people hire him for. A billionaire him a huge sum of money to find a huge gold cross that belongs to his family.
Dorian is sent to the Tillman Plantation to find it.
There are three of Tillmans men he sent with him.
This is where they all meet Lucilla. She sees them stealing her cross and kills them one by one.
This is where they all story of Dorian and Lucilla begins. Bravo to Kevin Fee,Jr for writing this wonderful book. I would love to see the book made into a movie or series! Deborah Richards
MMC Dorian is an investigator for artifacts and finds the items that people hire him for. A billionaire him a huge sum of money to find a huge gold cross that belongs to his family.
Dorian is sent to the Tillman Plantation to find it.
There are three of Tillmans men he sent with him.
This is where they all meet Lucilla. She sees them stealing her cross and kills them one by one.
This is where they all story of Dorian and Lucilla begins. Bravo to Kevin Fee,Jr for writing this wonderful book. I would love to see the book made into a movie or series! Deborah Richards
September 13, 2025
What really sets this book apart is the atmosphere. Fee writes with a cinematic eye, painting scenes that are at once haunting and beautiful. The shadows in this story are emotional, moral, and symbolic, giving the book a depth that lingers long after you’ve finished.
If you love fantasy that’s immersive, character-driven, and full of imagination, Lady of Shadow deserves to be on your TBR. I can’t wait to see where Fee takes this world next.
If you love fantasy that’s immersive, character-driven, and full of imagination, Lady of Shadow deserves to be on your TBR. I can’t wait to see where Fee takes this world next.
September 20, 2025
lots of deadly twists and turns
I don’t usually read vampire genre but this one intrigued me. I must admit it is spicy with some interesting twists and turns. I also enjoyed the location of the book being in Charleston SC. Kevin Fee Jr has done a good job with his first novel. I look forward to more.
I don’t usually read vampire genre but this one intrigued me. I must admit it is spicy with some interesting twists and turns. I also enjoyed the location of the book being in Charleston SC. Kevin Fee Jr has done a good job with his first novel. I look forward to more.
September 5, 2025
This is such a fun and wild romantasy ride, it’s a must-read! Lucilla (a hundreds of years old vampire) lives in Charleston and meets Dorian Hunter, and the adventure begins. The book is thrilling and such a page turner—excited for everyone to join the world of the Lady of Shadow.
July 11, 2026
3.75 ⭐️
One of the things I didn't care for was that Dorian, the MMC was a womanizer. As a female that really urked me (personal opinion tho) Was that intentional, possibly, however, you can worship and adore a woman without it feeling gross. Does he get what he deserves in the end... we have yet to see.
I was looking forward to meeting this stunning vampire on the cover of the book, but she was made out to be a bipolar monster with control issues. Goodness, girl had my head spinning with how up and down she was.
For me, the plot was there, but wasnt a fan of the sex scene right from from the go. When two characters commit, I'm one to look for that connection, what caused them to feel such posession? Both of the situations were very rushed, again, personal preference here.
How the vampire became one was an interesting concept, though. That was cool. The description of the house in the beginning had me reminiscing about old movies where you know its going to be bad but you keep watching anyway.
The idea sounds great, but the storyline and pacing felt a little disjointed at times, and misogynistic, even if that wasnt the authors intention. Maybe thats the point? Give readers a character to loathe? 🤔
Definitely some room for improvement, but there's great potential!
This just was not for me, but someone else may love it. Reading is subjective and I always promise an honest review.
One of the things I didn't care for was that Dorian, the MMC was a womanizer. As a female that really urked me (personal opinion tho) Was that intentional, possibly, however, you can worship and adore a woman without it feeling gross. Does he get what he deserves in the end... we have yet to see.
I was looking forward to meeting this stunning vampire on the cover of the book, but she was made out to be a bipolar monster with control issues. Goodness, girl had my head spinning with how up and down she was.
For me, the plot was there, but wasnt a fan of the sex scene right from from the go. When two characters commit, I'm one to look for that connection, what caused them to feel such posession? Both of the situations were very rushed, again, personal preference here.
How the vampire became one was an interesting concept, though. That was cool. The description of the house in the beginning had me reminiscing about old movies where you know its going to be bad but you keep watching anyway.
The idea sounds great, but the storyline and pacing felt a little disjointed at times, and misogynistic, even if that wasnt the authors intention. Maybe thats the point? Give readers a character to loathe? 🤔
Definitely some room for improvement, but there's great potential!
This just was not for me, but someone else may love it. Reading is subjective and I always promise an honest review.
February 2, 2026
UPDATE:
Since reading this book the author, Kevin T. Fee Jr. actually made changes to the book! It is so amazing to have an author actually listen to their readers. I just read the updated book and let me tell you. The edits made are FANTASTIC! Gone are the cringy words and this book and author truly deserves my 5 Star review!
Keep an eye out for the updated version coming soon!
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
🌶️🌶️
The plot in this book is so good.
Lucilla is an exiled vampire living in Charleston, SC. She has lived in an old, run down mansion still full of treasures, but only one really means anything to her a golden cross that represents a centuries old agreement with the Tillman family.
Dorian Hunter, an antiques investigator, is hired to find the cross and return it to the current head of the Tillman family. Unknown to him, this simple job turns into a dangerous and obsessive deal with Lucilla. He wants out, but she refuses to let her new lover walk away.
My only negative about this book is the choice of words chosen by the author to describe certain body parts. It came off pretty cringy reading about Lucilla 's "chalice" and "crown jewel". As well as Dorian 's "love muscle". Outside of that I enjoyed this book immensely. If you can look past the few times that is mentioned I highly recommend reading Lady of Shadow.
Lucilla 's obsession with Dorian was riveting and I never knew what crazy thing she would do next. The atmosphere was so amazingly described that I felt myself walking through the streets of Charleston and the empty halls of the manor right beside the characters.
This book would be good for anyone who loves vampires, dark and historical settings, and obsessive, strong females.
Since reading this book the author, Kevin T. Fee Jr. actually made changes to the book! It is so amazing to have an author actually listen to their readers. I just read the updated book and let me tell you. The edits made are FANTASTIC! Gone are the cringy words and this book and author truly deserves my 5 Star review!
Keep an eye out for the updated version coming soon!
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
🌶️🌶️
The plot in this book is so good.
Lucilla is an exiled vampire living in Charleston, SC. She has lived in an old, run down mansion still full of treasures, but only one really means anything to her a golden cross that represents a centuries old agreement with the Tillman family.
Dorian Hunter, an antiques investigator, is hired to find the cross and return it to the current head of the Tillman family. Unknown to him, this simple job turns into a dangerous and obsessive deal with Lucilla. He wants out, but she refuses to let her new lover walk away.
My only negative about this book is the choice of words chosen by the author to describe certain body parts. It came off pretty cringy reading about Lucilla 's "chalice" and "crown jewel". As well as Dorian 's "love muscle". Outside of that I enjoyed this book immensely. If you can look past the few times that is mentioned I highly recommend reading Lady of Shadow.
Lucilla 's obsession with Dorian was riveting and I never knew what crazy thing she would do next. The atmosphere was so amazingly described that I felt myself walking through the streets of Charleston and the empty halls of the manor right beside the characters.
This book would be good for anyone who loves vampires, dark and historical settings, and obsessive, strong females.
May 9, 2026
The story itself was a very strong urban fantasy with rich Southern Gothic vibes that I absolutely loved. One of the standout elements for me was the vampire FMC—a 700-year-old woman who has retained very little of her humanity. That aspect made her fascinating to follow, and her journey feels like it has so much potential moving forward.
The atmosphere, tone, and darker elements all worked really well for me, and I found myself genuinely invested in the story itself.
That said, I honestly think this would have worked better for me without the sex scenes. The vocabulary and phrasing used during those moments often felt out of place with the tone of the rest of the book, and it pulled me out of the story more than once.
Overall though, the urban fantasy elements, gothic atmosphere, and compelling FMC were strong enough that I’m still interested in seeing where the series goes next.
The atmosphere, tone, and darker elements all worked really well for me, and I found myself genuinely invested in the story itself.
That said, I honestly think this would have worked better for me without the sex scenes. The vocabulary and phrasing used during those moments often felt out of place with the tone of the rest of the book, and it pulled me out of the story more than once.
Overall though, the urban fantasy elements, gothic atmosphere, and compelling FMC were strong enough that I’m still interested in seeing where the series goes next.
January 3, 2026
This is a paranormal romance and nothing like I have read recently. Dorian, our MMC is captivating, and he reminded me of a modern day Indiana jones. He ends up what feels like the wrong place at the wrong time to retrieve an artifact only to come face to face with Lucilla, our FMC who is deadly as she is beautiful, and she is willing to strike a deal with the handsome Dorian. It’s a deal he can’t refuse and doesn’t want to. Although, it’s pretty clear to me he may not have been thinking with the right head. Check this out if vampires are your thing!!! I can’t wait to see what happens to Dorian next!
January 19, 2026
I absolutely loved this book! It follows Dorian Hunter, who is hired to retrieve a family heirloom from an abandoned mansion. When he arrives at the Charleston mansion, he finds out its not actually abandoned....a 700 year old vampire named Lucilla lives there and she's hungry. They quickly become obsessed with each other but things get out of control...I loved the spice and the action. I was hooked from the first page and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough! I cannot wait to continue this series! 5 stars!!
April 5, 2026
I enjoyed the overall plot of this book. The characters were well written and the story of an antiques hunter getting involved with a vampire was entertaining and fast paced.
This is a spice heavy novel - I enjoy spice in the books that I read, but this felt like it was written more for the male gaze.
This is a spice heavy novel - I enjoy spice in the books that I read, but this felt like it was written more for the male gaze.
August 20, 2026
I gave this story 3 stars because the reasons that I liked it are definitely not. The way it is supposed to be looked at. This is a spacy hot romance between a young man and a vampire but that's not how I chose to look at it.
If you look at it just from that vantage point, it is well written and could be a good story. From my perspective, this was an excellent exploration of a man in a narcissistic abusive relationship showing just how hard it is to actually escape. The concept of narcissistic and abusive relationships towards women have been explored in pretty much every format. However, it's not often explored on the men's side. Men also suffer from abusive relationships that they can't escape. It's the cycle of abuse. This showed a very good exploration of that cycle of abuse on a man instead of a woman. The man is repeatedly forced into intimate relations through coercion and threats. He is broken until he willingly helps Lucilla with any task she tells him too. At first he struggles, but with her strength and manipulation and threats, there's not a whole lot that he can do. Not only does this happen with one abusive female, it shows that it's likely to continue. The cycle of abuse is extremely hard to break, and it takes someone extremely strong to stand up and break it. Dorian is not strong enough to break it. Like most in his situation, he genuinely does not have that kind of strength. I founded a very fascinating exploration of domestic violence in a very unique way.
If you look at it just from that vantage point, it is well written and could be a good story. From my perspective, this was an excellent exploration of a man in a narcissistic abusive relationship showing just how hard it is to actually escape. The concept of narcissistic and abusive relationships towards women have been explored in pretty much every format. However, it's not often explored on the men's side. Men also suffer from abusive relationships that they can't escape. It's the cycle of abuse. This showed a very good exploration of that cycle of abuse on a man instead of a woman. The man is repeatedly forced into intimate relations through coercion and threats. He is broken until he willingly helps Lucilla with any task she tells him too. At first he struggles, but with her strength and manipulation and threats, there's not a whole lot that he can do. Not only does this happen with one abusive female, it shows that it's likely to continue. The cycle of abuse is extremely hard to break, and it takes someone extremely strong to stand up and break it. Dorian is not strong enough to break it. Like most in his situation, he genuinely does not have that kind of strength. I founded a very fascinating exploration of domestic violence in a very unique way.
August 24, 2026
Gothic Dark Romance
This was an entertaining gothic romance. I read it in one gloomy, rainy day. I really enjoyed the descriptive setting and the plot. The fmc was so intense and the mmc was unlike the mmcs I am used to reading, but it somehow worked! I am looking forward to the next book.
Thank you to the author and The Space Network for the opportunity to read and review this novel!
This was an entertaining gothic romance. I read it in one gloomy, rainy day. I really enjoyed the descriptive setting and the plot. The fmc was so intense and the mmc was unlike the mmcs I am used to reading, but it somehow worked! I am looking forward to the next book.
Thank you to the author and The Space Network for the opportunity to read and review this novel!
March 20, 2026
The suspense and plot twists kept me hooked. The author clearly has a strong imagination and a knack for building tension. While this vampire series is about the Lady of Shadow, I found myself connecting more with the MMC, Dorian. This was largely because the story gave deeper insight into his thoughts and perspective. While it wasn’t perfect for me, it was still an entertaining and memorable read.
September 24, 2026
Dorian is an antique historian and is hired to retrieve an artifact from an old mansion. When at the mansion, he meets Lucia a 700 year-old vampire who is quite vicious and violent. She lives in Charleston, South Carolina. I thought that was so fun . This was a fast burn romance with obsession, forced proximity, and a male point of view , I enjoyed that change. My favorite part was the suspense and the adventure of this read. I loved the twists and turns, the Author definitely delivered. This is also surprisingly emotional especially the end. Highly recommend this fun vampire read.
July 26, 2026
3.5 stars! I’d say with this book I have relatively mixed feelings but overall I enjoyed it. Let’s start with things that I loved. I love that you get drawn in to the story pretty quickly, I love the vampirism in general how it felt kind of nostalgic and reminded me of vampire movies I’d see on tv when I was a kid with monster vampire vibes and gorey attacks. What I didn’t love was how instant love the relationship was. I felt like the story could have benefitted if it was more drawn out type of thing. There were times were it was too sexy forward in areas that just felt out of place and unnecessary. And the middle chunk of the book just felt kind of stagnant. The last 100 or so pages really drew me back in with a vampire revenge massacre and it set up intrigue for book 2 alright. I am definitely curious to see where the series goes but I’m not like dying to rush into the next one ya know?
April 26, 2026
I really enjoyed this book! Im not a big fan of vampire books because you know..."sparkling vampires" but this book was really, really good. Its about this antique historian named Dorian hunter who was hired by a guy named Romulus Tillman who wanted Dorian go to retrieve a artifact at an old mansion. Dorian and a group of guys went to go get the artifact when Dorian met Lucilla, an actual vampire. Instead of killing Dorian...they enter a sexual interaction. The more Dorian gets sucks into Lucillas ways, the more Dorian is horrifide, and knew he had made a mistake awaken the vampire.
Dorian hunter is an absolute manwh*re!!
*I cannot wait to read the next book!!
Dorian hunter is an absolute manwh*re!!
*I cannot wait to read the next book!!
April 8, 2026
3.75 stars. Loved how this book was written, and really did enjoy the whole story line. The spicy scenes could have used some different vocabulary, but enjoyed the book overall! I will be reading book 2! Here we go New Orleans!!
August 14, 2026
I could definitely see the potential in Lady of Shadow from the beginning, and the overall premise made me curious to see where the story would go. I’m a big fan of paranormal romance, so the combination of romance, vampires, mystery, and darker elements caught my attention.
That being said, I did struggle with some aspects of the book. While I enjoy spice in the books I read, I felt that the intimate scenes happened a little too frequently for my personal taste. At times, they felt somewhat forced or unnatural within the story rather than adding to the connection between the characters. I also had a difficult time connecting with the third-person writing style, which made it harder for me to fully immerse myself in the characters and their emotions.
*** I initially began reading an original physical copy of Lady of Shadow, but partway through I was provided with the Special Edition. This edition included changes to some of the wording based on feedback the author had received from other readers. The original verbiage was actually one of the aspects I was struggling with early on, so I appreciated having the opportunity to continue with the revised version. I found the changes made the reading experience smoother for me and helped me continue with the story when I had initially been having difficulty getting through it. My review and rating are therefore based on my overall experience with the story, while keeping in mind that I finished the revised Special Edition rather than the original edition. ***
Dorian was another source of frustration for me at times, particularly because of how easily he seemed to become captivated by different women throughout the story. I found myself wishing for a little more depth and development in some of his relationships and choices.
Despite the things I struggled with, the plot itself had enough intrigue to keep me curious about what was going to happen. There were elements of the story that I genuinely enjoyed, and I could see the potential in the concept even when the execution didn’t always work for me personally.
Overall, Lady of Shadow was an interesting paranormal read with a creative premise, but it wasn’t quite the right fit for me in terms of writing style, character choices, and the balance between the romance and the larger story. I’m glad I gave it a chance, and I think readers who enjoy darker, spice-heavy paranormal romances may have a very different experience with it than I did!
Tropes:
* Vampire Romance
* Dark Paranormal Romance
* Spicy Romance
* Vampire × Human
* Love Triangle / Multiple Love Interests
* Murder Mystery
* Obsession & Possessiveness
* Toxic Relationship Dynamics
* Crime / Investigation
* Supernatural Suspense
* On the Run
* Revenge
Trigger / Content Warnings:
* Graphic violence and murder
* Blood and gore
* Death
* Frequent explicit sexual content
* Toxic and controlling relationship dynamics
* Obsessive/possessive behavior
* Stalking
* Kidnapping and captivity
* Physical violence
* Threats and intimidation
* Police violence/deaths
* Manipulation
* Non-consensual supernatural transformation
That being said, I did struggle with some aspects of the book. While I enjoy spice in the books I read, I felt that the intimate scenes happened a little too frequently for my personal taste. At times, they felt somewhat forced or unnatural within the story rather than adding to the connection between the characters. I also had a difficult time connecting with the third-person writing style, which made it harder for me to fully immerse myself in the characters and their emotions.
*** I initially began reading an original physical copy of Lady of Shadow, but partway through I was provided with the Special Edition. This edition included changes to some of the wording based on feedback the author had received from other readers. The original verbiage was actually one of the aspects I was struggling with early on, so I appreciated having the opportunity to continue with the revised version. I found the changes made the reading experience smoother for me and helped me continue with the story when I had initially been having difficulty getting through it. My review and rating are therefore based on my overall experience with the story, while keeping in mind that I finished the revised Special Edition rather than the original edition. ***
Dorian was another source of frustration for me at times, particularly because of how easily he seemed to become captivated by different women throughout the story. I found myself wishing for a little more depth and development in some of his relationships and choices.
Despite the things I struggled with, the plot itself had enough intrigue to keep me curious about what was going to happen. There were elements of the story that I genuinely enjoyed, and I could see the potential in the concept even when the execution didn’t always work for me personally.
Overall, Lady of Shadow was an interesting paranormal read with a creative premise, but it wasn’t quite the right fit for me in terms of writing style, character choices, and the balance between the romance and the larger story. I’m glad I gave it a chance, and I think readers who enjoy darker, spice-heavy paranormal romances may have a very different experience with it than I did!
Tropes:
* Vampire Romance
* Dark Paranormal Romance
* Spicy Romance
* Vampire × Human
* Love Triangle / Multiple Love Interests
* Murder Mystery
* Obsession & Possessiveness
* Toxic Relationship Dynamics
* Crime / Investigation
* Supernatural Suspense
* On the Run
* Revenge
Trigger / Content Warnings:
* Graphic violence and murder
* Blood and gore
* Death
* Frequent explicit sexual content
* Toxic and controlling relationship dynamics
* Obsessive/possessive behavior
* Stalking
* Kidnapping and captivity
* Physical violence
* Threats and intimidation
* Police violence/deaths
* Manipulation
* Non-consensual supernatural transformation
July 9, 2026
4.25 ⭐ #Gifted Review
TLDR; A dark, spicy vampire romance between a vicious vampire woman and a man just trying to do the right thing in the South.
🧛🏻♀️For Fans of:
- vampire erotica romance
- erotica
- fast burn
- spooky to spicy
- obsession
- paranormal
- forced proximity
- antiquities MMC
- unpredictable vampire FMC
- Charleston, SC
- male POV
✏️ Spoiler-Free ARC Review
There’s slow burn and then there’s throwing a last-hope match onto a puddle of lighter fluid. Lady of Shadow is the latter. It’s a fast-burn vampire romance that begins when Dorian Hunter enters the creepy house of vampire Lucille on an antiquities job and ends the night begging for his life by offering sexual favors.
As a woman, I found it funny and totally on brand that the man, caught in this vampire woman’s claws, about to die, is like “okay but what if we bang and THEN you kill me?” I rolled my eyes before realizing, yeah, that’s actually pretty realistic, and I kinda want to know how he gets out of this and if she kills him or not.
She chooses not to kill him (not a spoiler) but only for him to realize that he is now bound to her forever—for whatever sexual needs she has, to try to save the world from her, and to try to forget his own ambitions.
He sacrifices himself over and over to spare others death but it’s just not enough and it’s only the beginning.
While I was initially rolling my eyes, I found myself enthralled in the story and worried about where the story was going, what would happen next, and if the horrors would end as he struggles with his lust and survival versus his good conscience to protect people from her.
The story winds its way through this very toxic relationship and the conflicting thoughts of morality and how he can save people.
ALSO, if you’re a guy, I feel like you’ll absolutely love this book because when I first shared the description with my husband, he started asking for daily synopsis of the plot as I was reading 😂
🖤 Thank you to author Kevin T. Fee, Jr and publisher Foresight Publishing for the #Gifted physical copy.
As always, my reviews are honest, my own, and voluntary!
📚 Book: Lady of Shadow by Kevin T. Fee Jr.
📚 Series: Lady of Shadow - Book 1
📅 Release Date: OUT NOW
⭐ Rating: 4.25 out of 5
TLDR; A dark, spicy vampire romance between a vicious vampire woman and a man just trying to do the right thing in the South.
🧛🏻♀️For Fans of:
- vampire erotica romance
- erotica
- fast burn
- spooky to spicy
- obsession
- paranormal
- forced proximity
- antiquities MMC
- unpredictable vampire FMC
- Charleston, SC
- male POV
✏️ Spoiler-Free ARC Review
There’s slow burn and then there’s throwing a last-hope match onto a puddle of lighter fluid. Lady of Shadow is the latter. It’s a fast-burn vampire romance that begins when Dorian Hunter enters the creepy house of vampire Lucille on an antiquities job and ends the night begging for his life by offering sexual favors.
As a woman, I found it funny and totally on brand that the man, caught in this vampire woman’s claws, about to die, is like “okay but what if we bang and THEN you kill me?” I rolled my eyes before realizing, yeah, that’s actually pretty realistic, and I kinda want to know how he gets out of this and if she kills him or not.
She chooses not to kill him (not a spoiler) but only for him to realize that he is now bound to her forever—for whatever sexual needs she has, to try to save the world from her, and to try to forget his own ambitions.
He sacrifices himself over and over to spare others death but it’s just not enough and it’s only the beginning.
While I was initially rolling my eyes, I found myself enthralled in the story and worried about where the story was going, what would happen next, and if the horrors would end as he struggles with his lust and survival versus his good conscience to protect people from her.
The story winds its way through this very toxic relationship and the conflicting thoughts of morality and how he can save people.
ALSO, if you’re a guy, I feel like you’ll absolutely love this book because when I first shared the description with my husband, he started asking for daily synopsis of the plot as I was reading 😂
🖤 Thank you to author Kevin T. Fee, Jr and publisher Foresight Publishing for the #Gifted physical copy.
As always, my reviews are honest, my own, and voluntary!
📚 Book: Lady of Shadow by Kevin T. Fee Jr.
📚 Series: Lady of Shadow - Book 1
📅 Release Date: OUT NOW
⭐ Rating: 4.25 out of 5
January 28, 2026
This is very much a “right book for the right reader” situation, and for fans of spicy vampire romance with obsession, control, and high drama, this will absolutely hit the spot.
One thing I genuinely loved was the setting. The Charleston descriptions were immersive and the city felt like a character of its own, and the action scenes were fast-paced and suspenseful, which kept me turning pages even when I had adulting to do. I definitely lost a couple of hours of quality sleep because "just one more chapter..."
The romance and characters will definitely resonate differently depending on what you enjoy most in romance. This story leans hard into intensity and dominance, which many readers will love, even if it wasn’t entirely my personal preference. As someone who doesn’t usually gravitate toward vampire romance, that aspect just didn’t fully land for me—but that’s very much a taste thing, not a dealbreaker for the intended audience.
This is also the first book in a planned series, and I’mcurious to see where the author takes the story next. There’s a solid foundation here, especially when it comes to atmosphere and pacing, and I think future installments could really build on that. Will I read book two? Absolutely.
Overall, this is a fast, dramatic, spicy paranormal romance that fans of the genre are likely to enjoy—and I think readers who love intense vampire stories will have a blast.
One thing I genuinely loved was the setting. The Charleston descriptions were immersive and the city felt like a character of its own, and the action scenes were fast-paced and suspenseful, which kept me turning pages even when I had adulting to do. I definitely lost a couple of hours of quality sleep because "just one more chapter..."
The romance and characters will definitely resonate differently depending on what you enjoy most in romance. This story leans hard into intensity and dominance, which many readers will love, even if it wasn’t entirely my personal preference. As someone who doesn’t usually gravitate toward vampire romance, that aspect just didn’t fully land for me—but that’s very much a taste thing, not a dealbreaker for the intended audience.
This is also the first book in a planned series, and I’mcurious to see where the author takes the story next. There’s a solid foundation here, especially when it comes to atmosphere and pacing, and I think future installments could really build on that. Will I read book two? Absolutely.
Overall, this is a fast, dramatic, spicy paranormal romance that fans of the genre are likely to enjoy—and I think readers who love intense vampire stories will have a blast.
August 2, 2026
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A huge thank you to Kayla at The Space Network for the opportunity to read a copy of Lady of Shadow by Kevin T.Fee JR.
Kevin has an incredible imagination and a real strength with writing suspense and tension which made for an amazing read. I absolutely loved all of the plot twists, not only do they keep you immersed in the story they definitely kept me guessing.
Lucille the FMC is an exiled vampire. Living in the perfectly apt Charleston in a run down old mansion full of weird and wonderful treasures, none of them she cares much about apart from a golden cross, which we learn is representation of a centuries old agreement with the Tillman family.
This brings in Dorian the MMC. He’s an antiques investigator whose been tasked with locating the cross and delivering it back to the head of the Tillman family, poor Dorian has absolutely no idea what he’s just walked into.
Lucille’s obsession with Dorian is ignited and she refuses to let her new love interest walk away. You literally never know what unhinged thing Lucille is going to do next which keeps the pages turning!
If dark, vampire, obsessive and strong females are your vibe, get this book downloaded and read!
A huge thank you to Kayla at The Space Network for the opportunity to read a copy of Lady of Shadow by Kevin T.Fee JR.
Kevin has an incredible imagination and a real strength with writing suspense and tension which made for an amazing read. I absolutely loved all of the plot twists, not only do they keep you immersed in the story they definitely kept me guessing.
Lucille the FMC is an exiled vampire. Living in the perfectly apt Charleston in a run down old mansion full of weird and wonderful treasures, none of them she cares much about apart from a golden cross, which we learn is representation of a centuries old agreement with the Tillman family.
This brings in Dorian the MMC. He’s an antiques investigator whose been tasked with locating the cross and delivering it back to the head of the Tillman family, poor Dorian has absolutely no idea what he’s just walked into.
Lucille’s obsession with Dorian is ignited and she refuses to let her new love interest walk away. You literally never know what unhinged thing Lucille is going to do next which keeps the pages turning!
If dark, vampire, obsessive and strong females are your vibe, get this book downloaded and read!
August 17, 2026
This was such a dark and interesting take on vampire romance! Lucilla is a 700-year-old vampire who is beautiful, powerful, unpredictable, and honestly a little terrifying. Then Dorian comes into her world, and what starts as an unexpected encounter quickly turns into something much darker and more complicated.
I really liked the gothic atmosphere of this one. It has romance, obsession, danger, violence, and that creepy feeling that something could go wrong at any moment. Lucilla definitely isn't your sweet, lovable vampire—she's intense and morally questionable, which made her very interesting to read about.
Dorian and Lucilla's relationship kept me curious because you never quite know how far things are going to go. If you read paranormal romance with vampires, darker themes, obsessive love, and a gothic feel, Lady of Shadow is worth checking out. If you read at night this one might keep you up! I loved it!
I really liked the gothic atmosphere of this one. It has romance, obsession, danger, violence, and that creepy feeling that something could go wrong at any moment. Lucilla definitely isn't your sweet, lovable vampire—she's intense and morally questionable, which made her very interesting to read about.
Dorian and Lucilla's relationship kept me curious because you never quite know how far things are going to go. If you read paranormal romance with vampires, darker themes, obsessive love, and a gothic feel, Lady of Shadow is worth checking out. If you read at night this one might keep you up! I loved it!
February 7, 2026
I'll just say it: this book is HOT. It's a love letter to the genres of fantasy, horror, and erotica. Fee's writing draws us into a world that combines the adventure and artifacts of Indiana Jones with the suspense and romantasy of the best vampire stories. It explores the sexual tension between Dorian, our antiques investigator protagonist, and Lucilla (a centuries-old vampire with a violent streak), in a page-turning fashion. You'll find it difficult to put down as Dorian navigates a confusing vortex of sexual temptation, money, and morality.
September 2, 2026
Mistress of Shadows is an incredibly fun ride. Although I wasn't sure where the story was headed at first, the introduction of a jealous, possessive vampire was a fantastic turn. The plot was filled with twists and turns that kept me glued to my Kindle from start to finish. While Dorian frustrated me at times—to the point where I found myself yelling at him throughout the book—I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. All in all, I cannot wait for the next installment in the series! Thank you to Kevin T Fee Jr and SPACE Network for the opportunity to read and review this book!
March 26, 2026
I absolutely loved this book. I couldn't put it down. I read it in a day and a half. I read it while I cooked and cleaned. I even read it while taking care of a 2 year old. If you have not read this book and you love fantasy romance novels then this is a must read. I can not wait until book 2 in the series comes out. Also I met the author of the book in the bookstore and he and his wife are super sweet and down to earth. Now everyone go buy/read this book. Immediately 😂
July 10, 2026
First, I want to thank Kevin for sending me such a beautiful PR box for Lady of Shadow. The presentation was stunning, and the cover art alone immediately drew me in.
Lady of Shadow tells the story of a 700-year-old vampire bound to a plantation in Charleston, South Carolina, a property gifted to her by a powerful family she once helped rise to wealth and prominence. Their agreement was simple, she could remain in her mansion undisturbed, so long as she had no interaction with humans beyond the caretakers. Over the centuries, however, the estate changes hands, eventually falling to Romulus Tillman, who fails to uphold the family’s long-standing pact. The once a beautiful mansion deteriorates into a neglected, crumbling shell.
In an effort to recover a valuable family artifact believed to be hidden somewhere on the plantation, Romulus enlists his niece, Savannah, to contact an antiques investigator. When Dorian Hunter arrives and is not informed of the vampire and the agreement his intrusion into her domain sets off a chain of events that quickly spirals.
The concept and overall plot are genuinely compelling, with a strong, original foundation. However, the execution lacked the level of polish and maturity needed to fully bring the story to life. Lucilla, the FMC, has an intriguing and unique origin story that sets her apart from traditional vampire lore. That said, her character development becomes inconsistent, at times veering into a more chaotic, horror-slash slasher tone that disrupts the narrative flow.
Dorian Hunter, the MMC, is introduced as a sophisticated antiques expert, but his characterization shifts noticeably as the story progresses. He loses much of his initial depth, coming across as immature and lacking the strength or presence expected from his role. A more grounded, consistent portrayal would have greatly strengthened the dynamic between the leads.
While the book does not shy away from spice, the execution of these scenes felt uncomfortable and, at times, off-putting. I would strongly recommend that readers look into potential trigger warnings before diving in.
Overall, Lady of Shadow has a strong and intriguing premise that absolutely hits the mark in concept. With more refined character development and a more polished approach—particularly in tone and pacing—it has the potential to be something truly standout.
Lady of Shadow tells the story of a 700-year-old vampire bound to a plantation in Charleston, South Carolina, a property gifted to her by a powerful family she once helped rise to wealth and prominence. Their agreement was simple, she could remain in her mansion undisturbed, so long as she had no interaction with humans beyond the caretakers. Over the centuries, however, the estate changes hands, eventually falling to Romulus Tillman, who fails to uphold the family’s long-standing pact. The once a beautiful mansion deteriorates into a neglected, crumbling shell.
In an effort to recover a valuable family artifact believed to be hidden somewhere on the plantation, Romulus enlists his niece, Savannah, to contact an antiques investigator. When Dorian Hunter arrives and is not informed of the vampire and the agreement his intrusion into her domain sets off a chain of events that quickly spirals.
The concept and overall plot are genuinely compelling, with a strong, original foundation. However, the execution lacked the level of polish and maturity needed to fully bring the story to life. Lucilla, the FMC, has an intriguing and unique origin story that sets her apart from traditional vampire lore. That said, her character development becomes inconsistent, at times veering into a more chaotic, horror-slash slasher tone that disrupts the narrative flow.
Dorian Hunter, the MMC, is introduced as a sophisticated antiques expert, but his characterization shifts noticeably as the story progresses. He loses much of his initial depth, coming across as immature and lacking the strength or presence expected from his role. A more grounded, consistent portrayal would have greatly strengthened the dynamic between the leads.
While the book does not shy away from spice, the execution of these scenes felt uncomfortable and, at times, off-putting. I would strongly recommend that readers look into potential trigger warnings before diving in.
Overall, Lady of Shadow has a strong and intriguing premise that absolutely hits the mark in concept. With more refined character development and a more polished approach—particularly in tone and pacing—it has the potential to be something truly standout.
January 14, 2026
I really like the premise of the book. The plot line was interesting. The writing style was not for me. The bedroom scenes were utilitarian and did not feel intimate. The mmc was an average horny male that eyed every woman’s backside that spoke to him. The fmc was selfish and violent. This book should come with some trigger warnings that are not present. It does end on a cliffhanger. Now, I am an ocd reader. This book has a great mystery to it and should be enjoyed by most. The writing style just wasn’t for me.
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