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Vampire Romances #8
A Whisper of Eternity
In Amanda Ashley's compelling, lushly sensual novels, vampires exist alongside humans—but their desires are not relegated to the shadows. Now, a timeless passion is shattered by dangerous immortal ambition—unless an eternal kiss can hold back the darkness of true death...
He Will Not Lose Her Again
When artist Tracy Warner purchases the rambling seaside house built above Dominic St. John's hidden lair, he recognizes in her spirit the woman he has loved countless times over the centuries. Drawing her into the fascinating, seductive world of the vampire, he aches to believe that this time she will not refuse his Dark Gift. But when Dominic's ancient rival appears in Sea Cliff, hungry for territory and power, Tracy becomes a pawn in a deadly game. To save her—and the passion that burns between them—Dominic must offer...A Whisper of Eternity.
He Will Not Lose Her Again
When artist Tracy Warner purchases the rambling seaside house built above Dominic St. John's hidden lair, he recognizes in her spirit the woman he has loved countless times over the centuries. Drawing her into the fascinating, seductive world of the vampire, he aches to believe that this time she will not refuse his Dark Gift. But when Dominic's ancient rival appears in Sea Cliff, hungry for territory and power, Tracy becomes a pawn in a deadly game. To save her—and the passion that burns between them—Dominic must offer...A Whisper of Eternity.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 2004
34 people are currently reading
818 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
January 1, 2009
This book was VERY formulaic. Amanda Ashley has produced some enjoyable books, but this was the third one in a row that I will be sending to the used book store. If one were playing the Vampire Romance Drinking Game (yes, it exists) while reading this book, they would die of blood alcahol poisoning.
Dominic: Hello, I am the studly vampire for this book.
Tracey: Wow, you are good looking and handsome. I just met you, but I think I'm in love. I am not sure, though.
Dominic: It's you! The woman I loved and lost. Now you are reincarnated and I found you again.
Enter Dominic's sire: Wait! It is I, the slutty vampiress who turned you. I must strive to manipulate you and keep you two apart.
Enter more foes: It is us, the evil vampires who are here to make the hero look better. Compaired to us, he is not bad.
Tracey: I love you, but I don't want to be a vampire.
Dominic: You must, we are destined to be together.
Tracey: Oh, no, I have been bit and drained by the evil vampires.
Dominic: I will now turn you, it is perfect. Now I am turning you to save your life and am blameless in the matter.
Tracey: Now I'm a vampire. I didn't want to be turned. Curses. But, you are still so handsome and virile. I am happy.
D and T go traipsing along the moonlit beach.
While there is a change in names, many different authors have written versions of this same exact book. This did not have anything to make it stand above the others.
Dominic: Hello, I am the studly vampire for this book.
Tracey: Wow, you are good looking and handsome. I just met you, but I think I'm in love. I am not sure, though.
Dominic: It's you! The woman I loved and lost. Now you are reincarnated and I found you again.
Enter Dominic's sire: Wait! It is I, the slutty vampiress who turned you. I must strive to manipulate you and keep you two apart.
Enter more foes: It is us, the evil vampires who are here to make the hero look better. Compaired to us, he is not bad.
Tracey: I love you, but I don't want to be a vampire.
Dominic: You must, we are destined to be together.
Tracey: Oh, no, I have been bit and drained by the evil vampires.
Dominic: I will now turn you, it is perfect. Now I am turning you to save your life and am blameless in the matter.
Tracey: Now I'm a vampire. I didn't want to be turned. Curses. But, you are still so handsome and virile. I am happy.
D and T go traipsing along the moonlit beach.
While there is a change in names, many different authors have written versions of this same exact book. This did not have anything to make it stand above the others.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2015
I didn't have any expectations when I started this book. It was just something my husband randomly picked up for me. Now that I'm finished, I just want to dive back in and read it again. The love story was beautiful. The flashbacks to her past lives and his search for her was wonderful. I loved it.
April 1, 2009
This was the first Amanda Ashley book I read. I've been hooked ever since. She is one of my top five paranormal authors. I know if she is the author I will not be disappointed.
February 10, 2011
This novel is enchantingly romantic, as are all of Ashley’s books. In no time at all, the reader is pulled into the story, gliding through the author’s beautifully detailed dream…
The book’s cover hauntingly depicts the general tone of the novel; we see a house on a cliff, with the sea nearby, while the young female protagonist quietly stares at the scene. This presents a definitely Gothic, romantic, scenario. The very first two sentences in the book bear this out: “Nightingale House perched near the edge of a high, rocky cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The first time Tracy Warner saw the house, she thought it was the most beautiful place she had ever seen.”
The idea of a house with a name reminds me of the great 19th-century Charlotte Bronte romance, Jane Eyre, as well as Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca. It’s a very British tradition, one I dearly love! The name Ashley chose for this house is poetic, and she completes the metaphor by referring to the house as being “perched” on the cliff.
Dominic St. John is a vampire, while Tracy is the human woman he has irrevocably fallen in love with. He will simply have no other. She must be his, and to this end, he has embarked on a seemingly eternal quest, for he has pursued her through the centuries, in one incarnation after another.
In her present life, Tracy is an artist who paints landscapes and seascapes privately commissioned by wealthy clients for their homes or offices. She purchases Nightingale House, located near the village of Sea Cliff, in California, on impulse, using her grandfather’s inheritance to do so. She herself is mystified as to why she feels such a strong urge to own this house…. The reason becomes clear as the story progresses. Her soul has felt drawn to Dominic’s, although of course she is not aware of this on a conscious level.
Dominic and Tracy meet one moonlit night, while she’s walking by herself on her private beach, and he is returning from a feeding in a nearby city. While apprehensive at first on encountering a male stranger under such circumstances, she then allows him to walk her home, and, just as impulsively as she bought the house, invites him to dinner. He suggests a movie instead. Thus their beautiful tale begins….
The focus of the book steadfastly remains on their love. Tracy has so far rejected Dominic's offer of "The Dark Gift". He has long wanted her to become a vampire like himself, so that they will no longer be separated every time she dies. Lifetime after lifetime, however, she has refused to join the ranks of the undead, driving Dominic to the brink of despair.
Further conflict appears in the form of Petrina, a vampire who, like Dominic, was created by Kitana, the oldest vampire of them all, and Bryan, a human young man who has a crush on Tracy. His soul tie with her is a rather surprising one. Tracy earns Petrina’s jealous enmity, and Dominic must fight to retain control of Sea Cliff, which is his territory. This is no easy task, as his preference for Tracy has aroused Petrina's raging hatred. She will stop at nothing to kill him.
Added to this, and threading throughout the novel, is Tracy's fear of becoming a vampire. She has, after all, steadfastly denied Dominic's plea to allow him to "turn her" for centuries. Toward the end of the book, however, she starts to wonder if it might not be better for her to share Dominic's life completely. Will she finally give in to his desperate pleas, and become one of the undead? The reader is left in suspense almost until the very end of the novel, when Tracy's inner torment is finally resolved.
The idea of a man searching for, and finding, his soul mate, lifetime after lifetime, is an incredibly romantic one! It is so touching to see how devoted and loving Dominic is toward Tracy, whom he has known for centuries, under different guises and different names. He loves her soul, and it is her soul that draws him to her, and her to him, time after time.
I was surprised to find that, in this second reading, I could hardly put the book down! In fact, I enjoyed it even more than I did the first time! Furthermore, I was especially happy about the way Ashley stayed true to the beautifully illustrated theme -- true love is not only patient, but time-spanning, as well.
The book’s cover hauntingly depicts the general tone of the novel; we see a house on a cliff, with the sea nearby, while the young female protagonist quietly stares at the scene. This presents a definitely Gothic, romantic, scenario. The very first two sentences in the book bear this out: “Nightingale House perched near the edge of a high, rocky cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The first time Tracy Warner saw the house, she thought it was the most beautiful place she had ever seen.”
The idea of a house with a name reminds me of the great 19th-century Charlotte Bronte romance, Jane Eyre, as well as Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca. It’s a very British tradition, one I dearly love! The name Ashley chose for this house is poetic, and she completes the metaphor by referring to the house as being “perched” on the cliff.
Dominic St. John is a vampire, while Tracy is the human woman he has irrevocably fallen in love with. He will simply have no other. She must be his, and to this end, he has embarked on a seemingly eternal quest, for he has pursued her through the centuries, in one incarnation after another.
In her present life, Tracy is an artist who paints landscapes and seascapes privately commissioned by wealthy clients for their homes or offices. She purchases Nightingale House, located near the village of Sea Cliff, in California, on impulse, using her grandfather’s inheritance to do so. She herself is mystified as to why she feels such a strong urge to own this house…. The reason becomes clear as the story progresses. Her soul has felt drawn to Dominic’s, although of course she is not aware of this on a conscious level.
Dominic and Tracy meet one moonlit night, while she’s walking by herself on her private beach, and he is returning from a feeding in a nearby city. While apprehensive at first on encountering a male stranger under such circumstances, she then allows him to walk her home, and, just as impulsively as she bought the house, invites him to dinner. He suggests a movie instead. Thus their beautiful tale begins….
The focus of the book steadfastly remains on their love. Tracy has so far rejected Dominic's offer of "The Dark Gift". He has long wanted her to become a vampire like himself, so that they will no longer be separated every time she dies. Lifetime after lifetime, however, she has refused to join the ranks of the undead, driving Dominic to the brink of despair.
Further conflict appears in the form of Petrina, a vampire who, like Dominic, was created by Kitana, the oldest vampire of them all, and Bryan, a human young man who has a crush on Tracy. His soul tie with her is a rather surprising one. Tracy earns Petrina’s jealous enmity, and Dominic must fight to retain control of Sea Cliff, which is his territory. This is no easy task, as his preference for Tracy has aroused Petrina's raging hatred. She will stop at nothing to kill him.
Added to this, and threading throughout the novel, is Tracy's fear of becoming a vampire. She has, after all, steadfastly denied Dominic's plea to allow him to "turn her" for centuries. Toward the end of the book, however, she starts to wonder if it might not be better for her to share Dominic's life completely. Will she finally give in to his desperate pleas, and become one of the undead? The reader is left in suspense almost until the very end of the novel, when Tracy's inner torment is finally resolved.
The idea of a man searching for, and finding, his soul mate, lifetime after lifetime, is an incredibly romantic one! It is so touching to see how devoted and loving Dominic is toward Tracy, whom he has known for centuries, under different guises and different names. He loves her soul, and it is her soul that draws him to her, and her to him, time after time.
I was surprised to find that, in this second reading, I could hardly put the book down! In fact, I enjoyed it even more than I did the first time! Furthermore, I was especially happy about the way Ashley stayed true to the beautifully illustrated theme -- true love is not only patient, but time-spanning, as well.
July 26, 2011
A Whisper of Eternity, another wonderful vampire novel by Amanda Ashley.
Tracy Warner, buys a home near the ocean and slowly discovers her new romantic interest, Dominic St. John a sultry and sexy vampire, have been down this journey of love, adventure, and desire more than once only to end in sorrow, but maybe not this time.
No, I'm not going to give away the plot, you'll have to read it yourself and enjoy the journey this time around.
A good variety of characters, events, and plot are quite good! I had trouble putting the book down until my appetite had been satisfied by this well written vampire romance.
I've read several of her novels, and so far, this is my favorite: I loved it!
I highly recommend it to anyone who loves vampire/paranormal romance novels. You will not be let down. Amanda Ashley keeps the reader intrigued and wanting for more!
~A.S. Johnson, author
Tracy Warner, buys a home near the ocean and slowly discovers her new romantic interest, Dominic St. John a sultry and sexy vampire, have been down this journey of love, adventure, and desire more than once only to end in sorrow, but maybe not this time.
No, I'm not going to give away the plot, you'll have to read it yourself and enjoy the journey this time around.
A good variety of characters, events, and plot are quite good! I had trouble putting the book down until my appetite had been satisfied by this well written vampire romance.
I've read several of her novels, and so far, this is my favorite: I loved it!
I highly recommend it to anyone who loves vampire/paranormal romance novels. You will not be let down. Amanda Ashley keeps the reader intrigued and wanting for more!
~A.S. Johnson, author
May 31, 2011
one of my top 10 fav books
May 29, 2012
I liked this one. I enjoyed that Ms. Ashley used past lives and flitted back and forth between present day and the characters reliving their old lives. I liked that the town was a vampire haven and that the female character was a painter living in a rambling old house.I really loved how the vampire called her, "my best beloved one" and the attention to detail she placed into this book. One of her better present day stories, I think.
However, the reason I am only giving it three stars are these
1) I am tired of whiny, weak heroines that are pissed when they are dying and the "man" they love turns them into a vampire to save them. Blah!
2) I am tired of evil female vampires, or evil male vampire, evil doctors or even evil vampire hunters. I have read EVERYTHING by this author. And I am really hoping that her future stories she might beef up the villians a little bit. If you want to use an evil vampire or vampire hunter I need more of a back story.
3)I am REALLY tired of the secondary love interest which the reader KNOWS will either wind up dead or a vampire because he can't possibly compare to the vampire love interest. Espeically since these male characters always try and act heroic and "kill" the vampire. If the author wants to throw in this type of character let's change it up a bit, make it the girl's mom, dad, sister, brother even. I am bored with insipid mooning human boyfriends.
However, the reason I am only giving it three stars are these
1) I am tired of whiny, weak heroines that are pissed when they are dying and the "man" they love turns them into a vampire to save them. Blah!
2) I am tired of evil female vampires, or evil male vampire, evil doctors or even evil vampire hunters. I have read EVERYTHING by this author. And I am really hoping that her future stories she might beef up the villians a little bit. If you want to use an evil vampire or vampire hunter I need more of a back story.
3)I am REALLY tired of the secondary love interest which the reader KNOWS will either wind up dead or a vampire because he can't possibly compare to the vampire love interest. Espeically since these male characters always try and act heroic and "kill" the vampire. If the author wants to throw in this type of character let's change it up a bit, make it the girl's mom, dad, sister, brother even. I am bored with insipid mooning human boyfriends.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2014
Great book to read if you have some down time. The story went fast and was pretty entertaining. One thing I didn't go for was the stereotypical vampire lore. I was hoping the author would have a different interpretation or at least add to all that's been written about vampires. That kind of made the book a little boring. However, the characters were great and it was a joy to read.
December 21, 2009
just a great story love dominic hes every vampire a girl could want except the control issues
October 12, 2011
This novel is so awesome.
I fell in love with vampires :)
I like Amanda's way in reflecting the image and her detailed desciptive way.
I fell in love with vampires :)
I like Amanda's way in reflecting the image and her detailed desciptive way.
September 1, 2014
Delightfully entertaining. A love story that travels across the bonds of time.
July 30, 2013
Without contest, this is the worst book I have ever read. It is nothing but a rag dripping with sub par writing and Misogyny.
July 8, 2025
Hmmm...
What I liked:
-Change of scene
*Yes, this novel was gothic in language/love (brooding... all the brooding), but rather than our heroine being sequestered away at a remote European castle, Tracy is living in a beach front property. Seaside gothic is a new one for me.
-Dominic and Tracy's lore
*Turns out, she's been his almost lover many in all his lifetimes. And it's always when she's on the brink of death that he's ready to change her, but just like Josette with Barnabas, our girl can't fathom being one of the undead.
-This book made me get invested in ambient reading
*I mentioned seaside gothic earlier and that's a hard soundscape to find; too much wave, not enough melancholy.
But...
I was 100 pages into this book and thought "am I being fleeced out?". I've read this book before, right? Not this exact one, but Amanda Ashley is very... set in her ways. I've got two more books in by her in my physical TBR and am already wary of them (maybe not the short stories, though... I've heard she mixes it up with alien vamps 👀). Here's what I felt: bored with the brooding. Tracy missing Dominic, wanting him close, but early on not knowing what he was, and even later when she did...it got boring. Past me would've loved this constant wanting. But present me felt like I was falling asleep and losing my page count/re-reading the same passage. I'm just not feeling the rumination. Also, did anyone else think Tracy's incarnations would've made for a better book heroine than modern day Tracy? My favorites were her as a neglected queen who dies giving birth while Dominic, her bodyguard, offers up his heart and venom. Or on less dramatic note, when she was a school teacher in the 1800's who met a handsome stranger in a hat while out walking and got engaged to this version of Dominic. With this lifetime, if she marries, she'll be forced to give up teaching. And Tracy's ok with this at the time, before knowing what Dominic is. She just thinks "oh, I can just teach my own children" 🙃... Girl, we need to talk😬. That conflict would've been interesting to explore. Giving up all your passion/family plans for this vamp. Is it worth it?
By the end, it all just felt like the last two books I've read by her. And honestly, I feel like Amanda Ashley writes better historical romance vamps than 90's/2000's ones. Does the cheese stand alone 🤷♀️?
What I liked:
-Change of scene
*Yes, this novel was gothic in language/love (brooding... all the brooding), but rather than our heroine being sequestered away at a remote European castle, Tracy is living in a beach front property. Seaside gothic is a new one for me.
-Dominic and Tracy's lore
*Turns out, she's been his almost lover many in all his lifetimes. And it's always when she's on the brink of death that he's ready to change her, but just like Josette with Barnabas, our girl can't fathom being one of the undead.
-This book made me get invested in ambient reading
*I mentioned seaside gothic earlier and that's a hard soundscape to find; too much wave, not enough melancholy.
But...
I was 100 pages into this book and thought "am I being fleeced out?". I've read this book before, right? Not this exact one, but Amanda Ashley is very... set in her ways. I've got two more books in by her in my physical TBR and am already wary of them (maybe not the short stories, though... I've heard she mixes it up with alien vamps 👀). Here's what I felt: bored with the brooding. Tracy missing Dominic, wanting him close, but early on not knowing what he was, and even later when she did...it got boring. Past me would've loved this constant wanting. But present me felt like I was falling asleep and losing my page count/re-reading the same passage. I'm just not feeling the rumination. Also, did anyone else think Tracy's incarnations would've made for a better book heroine than modern day Tracy? My favorites were her as a neglected queen who dies giving birth while Dominic, her bodyguard, offers up his heart and venom. Or on less dramatic note, when she was a school teacher in the 1800's who met a handsome stranger in a hat while out walking and got engaged to this version of Dominic. With this lifetime, if she marries, she'll be forced to give up teaching. And Tracy's ok with this at the time, before knowing what Dominic is. She just thinks "oh, I can just teach my own children" 🙃... Girl, we need to talk😬. That conflict would've been interesting to explore. Giving up all your passion/family plans for this vamp. Is it worth it?
By the end, it all just felt like the last two books I've read by her. And honestly, I feel like Amanda Ashley writes better historical romance vamps than 90's/2000's ones. Does the cheese stand alone 🤷♀️?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2019
I loved the creative use of paintings in the book...finally Dominic could "see" himself again. I liked the reincarnation aspect, a bit different. Personally, if I watched myself die over and over, I would have gladly turned vampire. Dom loved her so much each reincarnation...such heartache he experienced each time. A term of endearment is nice...but disliked the use of "best beloved one" × 50?!?! Love triangles=Hate.
April 13, 2018
Meh
I didn't love it but didn't hate it enough to stop reading. Liked the idea but I wanted so much more. And I swear they had some really well oiled door hinges in this town, except her front door apparently that one time.
I didn't love it but didn't hate it enough to stop reading. Liked the idea but I wanted so much more. And I swear they had some really well oiled door hinges in this town, except her front door apparently that one time.
January 16, 2024
another hit
I love Amanda Ashley books the first book I read of hers was a darker dream when I was 15 years old … I’m now 37 and still love her books. Well rounded characters fantastic storylines read this book in a day I couldn’t put it down
I love Amanda Ashley books the first book I read of hers was a darker dream when I was 15 years old … I’m now 37 and still love her books. Well rounded characters fantastic storylines read this book in a day I couldn’t put it down
December 31, 2019
How do you even start to read a book in goodreads coz i can't figure it out
January 1, 2020
3½ stars
I really enjoyed this book, the vampires felt very old world Dracula. Would definitely recommend this book!
I really enjoyed this book, the vampires felt very old world Dracula. Would definitely recommend this book!
July 20, 2024
Genuinely reads like fanfic.
The Library Roulette claims its first loss.
The Library Roulette claims its first loss.
January 20, 2025
Reread. Still found it a good read. I will be reading the rest of this series too.
January 24, 2025
I read this book in two days. I would give this book a 4.5 if I could. Once I picked it up I was in the zone with it. Love the way she writes but I would say some parts did feel repetitive. But other than that for a lover of vampire books this one is a good read.
July 14, 2012
I truly enjoyed reading A WHISPER OF ETERNITY. Dominic St. John has been a vampire for over 2,000 years and once he met ‘Tracy Warner’ he spent those years searching and finding her, after watching her die in his arms, in which ever life she was living. Reincarnation has kept them apart, but when current life Tracy finds him, he’s not going to lose her again.
I don’t have a bone to pick either way with the idea of reincarnation, so for me, this was a great love story about a man who never gave up even though he had to start from scratch each time he found ‘Tracy’ again, even though she’s never accepted his plea for her to join him. However, he contemplates meeting the sun if he can’t win her over this time.
Few people have inhabited the house about his lair and they amount of time those people actually live in the house is even smaller, but without even meeting Tracy, he decides she can stay.
Tracy can’t explain the crazy compulsion that pushed her to buy the expensive house of the cliff, overlooking the ocean, or invite the fascinating stranger she meets on the beach to dinner the next night, but she can’t stop the spark that ignited when they touched.
The flashbacks to her past lives were probably one of my favorite parts. As the book progresses and their relationship forms, the visions become fewer and fewer, but they were great the few that there was. One after the other, she always dies in his arms refusing the Dark Gift. As she struggles to explain the weird feeling she gets about Dominic and the paintings that she’s drawing, it slowly becomes unexplainable until she accepts the truth.
Although she can finally admit her love for Dominic, Bryan, a lifeguard from the beach bids for her attention in numerous ways. Through multiple means, ranging from taking her away and threats on her life, Dominic works to squash her affection for the young man.
There really isn’t much conflict in the first half. It’s just getting Tracy to weed out her fillings and flip flop between accepting him and wanting a normal life.
The growing conflict does eventually come from a fledgling, Petrina, made by their common maker, Kitana. Though fond of both her fledglings, Dominic has always held a close part of her heart. Dominic is obviously unaware of her feelings as he is always fearful that she’ll turn on him.
Opening up a little with Bryan, he gives his opinion on living forever, his distrust of Dominic and his growing suspicion that he’s her son from her civil war past life. This conversation is split between before he’s abducted by Petrina and bonded with Kitana and after the fact.
Dominic finally wears Tracy down enough to accept his marriage proposal. Their two nights of honeymoon bliss is full of new experiences and powerful explosions.
However reality awaits and upon their return, Bryan has been turned and Petrina is ready for their final showdown. Outnumbered, Dominic isn’t able to keep Petrina from grabbing Tracy.
He finds upon arriving home that she has gone back on their deal not to harm Tracy when he finds Tracy near death at her hands. Instantly at her side after killing Petrina and her followers, he finds Tracy minutes from death. Once again she refuses, but he’s not willing to lose her again.
Waking the next night, Tracy’s anger quickly fades as she takes in her surroundings through new abilities. 6months later, life is amazing, they’ve made quite a few friends, and she’s got the love of her life forever.
I don’t have a bone to pick either way with the idea of reincarnation, so for me, this was a great love story about a man who never gave up even though he had to start from scratch each time he found ‘Tracy’ again, even though she’s never accepted his plea for her to join him. However, he contemplates meeting the sun if he can’t win her over this time.
Few people have inhabited the house about his lair and they amount of time those people actually live in the house is even smaller, but without even meeting Tracy, he decides she can stay.
Tracy can’t explain the crazy compulsion that pushed her to buy the expensive house of the cliff, overlooking the ocean, or invite the fascinating stranger she meets on the beach to dinner the next night, but she can’t stop the spark that ignited when they touched.
The flashbacks to her past lives were probably one of my favorite parts. As the book progresses and their relationship forms, the visions become fewer and fewer, but they were great the few that there was. One after the other, she always dies in his arms refusing the Dark Gift. As she struggles to explain the weird feeling she gets about Dominic and the paintings that she’s drawing, it slowly becomes unexplainable until she accepts the truth.
Although she can finally admit her love for Dominic, Bryan, a lifeguard from the beach bids for her attention in numerous ways. Through multiple means, ranging from taking her away and threats on her life, Dominic works to squash her affection for the young man.
There really isn’t much conflict in the first half. It’s just getting Tracy to weed out her fillings and flip flop between accepting him and wanting a normal life.
The growing conflict does eventually come from a fledgling, Petrina, made by their common maker, Kitana. Though fond of both her fledglings, Dominic has always held a close part of her heart. Dominic is obviously unaware of her feelings as he is always fearful that she’ll turn on him.
Opening up a little with Bryan, he gives his opinion on living forever, his distrust of Dominic and his growing suspicion that he’s her son from her civil war past life. This conversation is split between before he’s abducted by Petrina and bonded with Kitana and after the fact.
Dominic finally wears Tracy down enough to accept his marriage proposal. Their two nights of honeymoon bliss is full of new experiences and powerful explosions.
However reality awaits and upon their return, Bryan has been turned and Petrina is ready for their final showdown. Outnumbered, Dominic isn’t able to keep Petrina from grabbing Tracy.
He finds upon arriving home that she has gone back on their deal not to harm Tracy when he finds Tracy near death at her hands. Instantly at her side after killing Petrina and her followers, he finds Tracy minutes from death. Once again she refuses, but he’s not willing to lose her again.
Waking the next night, Tracy’s anger quickly fades as she takes in her surroundings through new abilities. 6months later, life is amazing, they’ve made quite a few friends, and she’s got the love of her life forever.
November 5, 2010
A story about a man looking for his soulmate over the centuries is never a bad thing and this was a good story. The premise is simple, an artist moves into an old house and meets a man on the beach. What she doesn't know is that this man is a vampire and she's already lived many lives with him, each time with a tragic ending where she has died in his arms after refusing to allow him to turn her into a vampire.
It's amazing the similarities that I got with Twilight at times even though the storyline is different. It was so apparent at times (the younger rival for Dominic's affections who Tracy ultimately feels less for than she does for Dominic despite having some sort of strong emotional tie to him, the mention of North American Indians having their own theories about vampires, Dominic's insistence on a marriage before he slept with Tracy...) that I actually ended up checking the dates to see if this was influenced by Twilight or vice versa (this was apparently earlier).
There were parts of this I really enjoyed - the flashes of the earlier lifetimes were diverse in terms of when they were, Dominic was the perfect romantic hero - powerful, possessive, attractive, loyal, dangerous, romantic yada yada yada and I enjoyed that the powers were far more traditional vampire with the ability to manipulate thoughts, turn into mist and yes, sleep in a coffin and burn in the sun.
Depite that though there were other parts I didn't like - Tracy often seemed ungrateful and unfeeling towards Dominic (to the extent that he contemplates killing himself), her flirtation with Bryan felt wrong and selfish, the 'drama' between the vampires almost didn't feel big enough and the tidy ending of Bryan and Dominic's creator was just a little too tidy.
It's being a bit nit-picky - this book isn't supposed to be a masterpiece, but it is a good, quick read and blends the romance and supernatural well. You might not care about Tracy, but you can't help but want Dominic to be happy and be glad that he gets his hearts desire after centuries. It's maybe not a book that will appeal to all, but it's a nice way to kill a couple of days.
It's amazing the similarities that I got with Twilight at times even though the storyline is different. It was so apparent at times (the younger rival for Dominic's affections who Tracy ultimately feels less for than she does for Dominic despite having some sort of strong emotional tie to him, the mention of North American Indians having their own theories about vampires, Dominic's insistence on a marriage before he slept with Tracy...) that I actually ended up checking the dates to see if this was influenced by Twilight or vice versa (this was apparently earlier).
There were parts of this I really enjoyed - the flashes of the earlier lifetimes were diverse in terms of when they were, Dominic was the perfect romantic hero - powerful, possessive, attractive, loyal, dangerous, romantic yada yada yada and I enjoyed that the powers were far more traditional vampire with the ability to manipulate thoughts, turn into mist and yes, sleep in a coffin and burn in the sun.
Depite that though there were other parts I didn't like - Tracy often seemed ungrateful and unfeeling towards Dominic (to the extent that he contemplates killing himself), her flirtation with Bryan felt wrong and selfish, the 'drama' between the vampires almost didn't feel big enough and the tidy ending of Bryan and Dominic's creator was just a little too tidy.
It's being a bit nit-picky - this book isn't supposed to be a masterpiece, but it is a good, quick read and blends the romance and supernatural well. You might not care about Tracy, but you can't help but want Dominic to be happy and be glad that he gets his hearts desire after centuries. It's maybe not a book that will appeal to all, but it's a nice way to kill a couple of days.
March 11, 2008
I cannot recall ever reading an Amanda Ashley novel before, but it wasn't a bad book!
More of a contemporary romance/preternatual/paranormal kind of deal. There wasn't much to the plot, but the story was good. I thought Tracy was a wonderful character; strong, independent, doing what she wants to do. The way she falls for Dominic, without wanting to; understanding things she didn't want to know about - that didn't exist - it was great to see what her mind thought.
Dominic is a vampire, one who striked me as selfish in the beginnning. But then, honestly, have you met a vamp who isn't? My heart clenched when he decided that if Tracy wouldn't be his, he'd end his life. Mind you, she figured that out. Sure, it made a nice story, but it was a card that shouldn't have been played. It seemed like a "if I can't have you, no one can" kind of deal - something to make her change her mind. Although, after two thousand years, I could understand why; it still was a card that shouldn't have been played.
I thought the story was cute; I just wish there'd been a little more to the plot. The action in the story - while most of it was at the end - was well played out. I just thought Tracy should have been a little more pissed at the end. When you read it, you'll understand what I mean. I'd have been pissed - not necessarily at Dominic per se, just at the situation in general. She took it way to easy for my taste. Still, not a bad romance novel. I'd recommend it for those who like straight romance.
More of a contemporary romance/preternatual/paranormal kind of deal. There wasn't much to the plot, but the story was good. I thought Tracy was a wonderful character; strong, independent, doing what she wants to do. The way she falls for Dominic, without wanting to; understanding things she didn't want to know about - that didn't exist - it was great to see what her mind thought.
Dominic is a vampire, one who striked me as selfish in the beginnning. But then, honestly, have you met a vamp who isn't? My heart clenched when he decided that if Tracy wouldn't be his, he'd end his life. Mind you, she figured that out. Sure, it made a nice story, but it was a card that shouldn't have been played. It seemed like a "if I can't have you, no one can" kind of deal - something to make her change her mind. Although, after two thousand years, I could understand why; it still was a card that shouldn't have been played.
I thought the story was cute; I just wish there'd been a little more to the plot. The action in the story - while most of it was at the end - was well played out. I just thought Tracy should have been a little more pissed at the end. When you read it, you'll understand what I mean. I'd have been pissed - not necessarily at Dominic per se, just at the situation in general. She took it way to easy for my taste. Still, not a bad romance novel. I'd recommend it for those who like straight romance.
March 8, 2011
I'm still on the fence about this book. I liked it and yet...I didn't like it. I usually give a book 100 pages to see if I want to keep reading -unless it's absolutely horrible, which this book wasn't. At 100 pages I was still somewhat intrigued and decided that I'd finish the book. No regrets over that, it's a cute story. Not something that I would want to read again. It was too formulaic for me.
The entire relationship between Tracy and Dominic seemed to be on fast forward. It didn't seem believable. True, reincarnation/vampire story have the edge of being unbelievable but at the same time being able to believe and relate to the story makes you want to wrap yourself in the characters. I wanted to slap Tracy and strangle Dominic. The characters and their story was a fantasy of clandestined love. Maybe I wasn't in the romantic mood when I read it that I felt their story was unreal.
Once conflict was brought into the story, the story started to get better. I needed some action in the story. It just seemed dry.
The entire relationship between Tracy and Dominic seemed to be on fast forward. It didn't seem believable. True, reincarnation/vampire story have the edge of being unbelievable but at the same time being able to believe and relate to the story makes you want to wrap yourself in the characters. I wanted to slap Tracy and strangle Dominic. The characters and their story was a fantasy of clandestined love. Maybe I wasn't in the romantic mood when I read it that I felt their story was unreal.
Once conflict was brought into the story, the story started to get better. I needed some action in the story. It just seemed dry.
September 12, 2013
MEH. I just found this book just kind of generic. Its like somebody had a Make Your Own Vampire Romance kit and barely filled it out.
That's not entirely fair. There are some elements that I hadn't seen before: past lives, Dominic turning into mist (admittedly pretty cool) and some...third thing. The biggest problem I had was there weren't anything noteworthy about it. It was competently written for a book directed to teenagers. Actually at times it made me feel like I was a "Sweet Valley" or "Babysitter's Club" book. Things were given the barest descriptions and it was paced moderately but that's all there is. It was like a slice of pizza from [insert your favorite chain here]. There's nothing wrong with it. It tastes fine while you're eating it but once you're done eating it, you don't think about it again. It doesn't stick in your mind like the worst pizza you've had or the best. It was filling and that's all.
That's not entirely fair. There are some elements that I hadn't seen before: past lives, Dominic turning into mist (admittedly pretty cool) and some...third thing. The biggest problem I had was there weren't anything noteworthy about it. It was competently written for a book directed to teenagers. Actually at times it made me feel like I was a "Sweet Valley" or "Babysitter's Club" book. Things were given the barest descriptions and it was paced moderately but that's all there is. It was like a slice of pizza from [insert your favorite chain here]. There's nothing wrong with it. It tastes fine while you're eating it but once you're done eating it, you don't think about it again. It doesn't stick in your mind like the worst pizza you've had or the best. It was filling and that's all.
May 27, 2013
Tracy is a painter who just bought a house giving view on a beautiful beach. One day along a walk, she meets Dominic. He's a vampire who's been long waiting for her return; searching for her soul through century but always denying the Dark Gift. He won't wait any longer for her soul to be reborn again in another life. She'll meet a man named Bryan. When she decide to defy him, he takes some steps to bring her back to him, at all cost.
This book is a romance between a vampire and a mortal which he chases through centuries. In every life, she falls in love with him all over again until reborn as Tracy, she rebels against him causing him to take decision he would have not taken otherwise. Bonne lecture!
This book is a romance between a vampire and a mortal which he chases through centuries. In every life, she falls in love with him all over again until reborn as Tracy, she rebels against him causing him to take decision he would have not taken otherwise. Bonne lecture!
December 8, 2010
While I really enjoyed the romance and storyline of this book, it just really didn't stand out. I felt that the reincarnation idea in the story was great and something that isn't seen very often, but the vampires were generic. The love and devotion that Dominic had for Tracy throughout her lives was extremely romantic. The most annoying part of this whole story was that you were made to believe that there is going to be a big fight that never really happens and remind you of Twilight which I really did not like. Overall this gets a mediocre rating.
November 5, 2019
I quite liked this! Ok, it's not the most riveting book I have ever read, but I kept the pages turning, finishing it in a couple of days. I think that whether you bought into Dominic loving Tracey through the centuries depends on whether you believe in true soul mates or not. I had no trouble buying into that! I did cringe when it was revealed who Bryan really was - clumsy, silly and really not necessary to the plot. But all in all, a good read and I'll definitely be tracking down more by this author.
November 28, 2014
this should have been a great book. I adore vampire books. i adore yearning through the lifetimes (Hell I am obsessed with Feehan's Dark Series on those two qualifiers alone). Plus through in a sexy broody vampire.
But this one was just I dont know... the lead female was wishy washy at best, though the flashbacks of her were better.
the "human" 3rd party offered no real competition.
Kitana and Petrina made for interesting villians, well Petrina was a villian, kitana almost seemed bored.
But this one was just I dont know... the lead female was wishy washy at best, though the flashbacks of her were better.
the "human" 3rd party offered no real competition.
Kitana and Petrina made for interesting villians, well Petrina was a villian, kitana almost seemed bored.
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