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Seducing The Vampire
In Marie Antoinette's Paris, the beautiful vampire Viviane seeks a male patron who will allow her to live on her own terms. Courted by two feuding brothers, Viviane succumbs to the handsome rebel, Rhys, unaware that he has other, darker, motives. He seeks revenge against his brother Constantine by stealing Viviane and tainting her with his blood. But just as Rhys realises the depth of his love for Viviane, his brother takes his revenge. By casting a spell on the woman they both desire, he condemns her to a living death inside a glass coffin.
Two centuries later, Rhys hears the legend of the Snow White vampiress, imprisoned deep in the tunnels under Paris. He must find her and set her free, but will he be able to save her from the evil still intent on destroying them?
379 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 21, 2010
22 people are currently reading
907 people want to read
About the author
Michele Hauf
209 books939 followersMichele has been writing romance, action-adventure and fantasy stories for over twenty years. Her first published novel was DARK RAPTURE.
France, musketeers, vampires and faeries populate her stories. And if she followed the adage 'write what you know', all her stories would have snow in them. Fortunately, she steps beyond her comfort zone and writes about countries she has never visited and of creatures she has never seen.
Michele also writes as Michele Renae, and you can find her erotica, chick lit, and Harlequin Romance titles at your favorite online retailer.
--From the author's website bio
France, musketeers, vampires and faeries populate her stories. And if she followed the adage 'write what you know', all her stories would have snow in them. Fortunately, she steps beyond her comfort zone and writes about countries she has never visited and of creatures she has never seen.
Michele also writes as Michele Renae, and you can find her erotica, chick lit, and Harlequin Romance titles at your favorite online retailer.
--From the author's website bio
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
December 12, 2010
Quick Take:
I was quite mesmerized by this book. There were uneven segments, but overall I am so glad I read this. Part historical, part contemporary, all paranormal-romance goodness. ^_^
Have you ever watched the Quentin Tarantino film, Pulp Fiction? You know how it jumbles up the story's timeline, beginning the film with the "end?" Well, that's this book. In the very prologue, we find out the result of some as-yet untold story. We're treated to the mental and physical torture of a female vampire powerless to change her fate (don't worry: there's nothing too hard to read through). From there, we go a bit back in time (same Paris, same 1785) to follow the life of one Viviane LaMourette. It doesn't take much to realize you're being made to watch the circumstances under which a sweet and unassuming woman finds herself in the unfortunate situation.
That timeline is interspersed with cuts to "present day" Paris. You'd think a story might be less exciting, going in knowing so much about certain major occurrences. One knows early on who will fall in love, who will survive, and who will meet a gruesome fate. But the progression--of both timelines--is very arresting. The transitions between temporal settings are seamless, even as they create tremendous tension.
From the get-go, the dynamic between the three main characters--Viviane, Rhys, and Constantine--was addictive. All three are seductive and powerful creatures, yet ultimately bound by societal expectations and limitations...some human, some paranormal. The love story's emergence and progression is no surprise, but I was pleased to see it well-weaved into an intricate game of posturing and scheming. Rather like "Dangerous Liasons," in a way.
There was a section of the book--what I'd liken to the third or fourth of a five act story--dragged on a bit and was bogged down by a great deal of angst and lengthy character indecision. (Think, "I should buy a Snickers. But no, it'll make me fat. But yes, I'm hungry. But no, it costs a whole dollar. But yes,....") I wouldn't have minded if that particular chunk was cut down, and the subsequent "act" filled out some more. But that's just me..."grain of salt" and all that. And at any rate, the story eventually picked back up and remained extremely engaging through the end.
Indeed, this book should have been called "Seducing the Reader," because that's certainly what it did to me. I absolutely cannot wait for the release of Forever Vampire, a book that takes place after the events of this one.
I was quite mesmerized by this book. There were uneven segments, but overall I am so glad I read this. Part historical, part contemporary, all paranormal-romance goodness. ^_^
Have you ever watched the Quentin Tarantino film, Pulp Fiction? You know how it jumbles up the story's timeline, beginning the film with the "end?" Well, that's this book. In the very prologue, we find out the result of some as-yet untold story. We're treated to the mental and physical torture of a female vampire powerless to change her fate (don't worry: there's nothing too hard to read through). From there, we go a bit back in time (same Paris, same 1785) to follow the life of one Viviane LaMourette. It doesn't take much to realize you're being made to watch the circumstances under which a sweet and unassuming woman finds herself in the unfortunate situation.
That timeline is interspersed with cuts to "present day" Paris. You'd think a story might be less exciting, going in knowing so much about certain major occurrences. One knows early on who will fall in love, who will survive, and who will meet a gruesome fate. But the progression--of both timelines--is very arresting. The transitions between temporal settings are seamless, even as they create tremendous tension.
From the get-go, the dynamic between the three main characters--Viviane, Rhys, and Constantine--was addictive. All three are seductive and powerful creatures, yet ultimately bound by societal expectations and limitations...some human, some paranormal. The love story's emergence and progression is no surprise, but I was pleased to see it well-weaved into an intricate game of posturing and scheming. Rather like "Dangerous Liasons," in a way.
There was a section of the book--what I'd liken to the third or fourth of a five act story--dragged on a bit and was bogged down by a great deal of angst and lengthy character indecision. (Think, "I should buy a Snickers. But no, it'll make me fat. But yes, I'm hungry. But no, it costs a whole dollar. But yes,....") I wouldn't have minded if that particular chunk was cut down, and the subsequent "act" filled out some more. But that's just me..."grain of salt" and all that. And at any rate, the story eventually picked back up and remained extremely engaging through the end.
Indeed, this book should have been called "Seducing the Reader," because that's certainly what it did to me. I absolutely cannot wait for the release of Forever Vampire, a book that takes place after the events of this one.
December 30, 2010
Confession time, I have never been into Romance books. I was a military cop, trained on weapons that make some other girls cry. Seriously, they fire them once and burst into tears, I have seen it more than once. I have thrown live hand grenades, I have been to Saudi Arabia not as a tourist, and I don’t like pink anything. So I am just not a romance kinda girl. Also, I do not think I have ever read an actual romance book. So why did I read one this time? I was TRICKED!
Its like when my son says there is no way he will like broccoli, then I cover it in cheese or ranch dressing and suddenly he is eating so much of the little green veggie that I have to make him stop for fear he will have a stomach ache. Same thing happened to me, I saw the word vampire and I was blinded. I know that the word “seducing” was in there too, but I can not be bothered to read all the words of the title once I see Vampire.
Viviane was a heroine who didn’t make me want to gag every time she opened her mouth like I thought I would, in fact I liked her. She was independent and bold and I admired her for it. Rhys was dangerous but sweet in his love for her. They both were fully fleshed characters to me and I cared about their romance and about what happened to them in general. I actually believed in this romance and I didn’t want to put the book down. There was a depth to this story that I really enjoyed, there was murder and mystery and sweetness and danger and all sorts of other characters to add to the drama of their story. Of course the rival for her affections was devilish and a nasty mean guy but there was more going on than just the typical “who she will chose” storyline.
Another positive for me is that this one is not for children. I have been reading a lot of Young Adult titles lately and I will admit I have enjoyed them. This was a welcome back to adulthood and I appreciated every delicious paragraph of steaminess. That is another departure for me, generally I do not like to read about “quivering members” or “heaving breasts” or whatever. This book is not like that and I was surprised. There was steaminess but it was actually steamy and didn’t make me roll me eyes and skim till it was over as I am sometimes inclined to do in non-romance books.
I am going to have to rethink my whole opinion of myself after loving this book this much. I might even start wearing pink and crying at movies. Ummmm….. Nah. Now excuse me while I go play Black Ops and kill some people.
Its like when my son says there is no way he will like broccoli, then I cover it in cheese or ranch dressing and suddenly he is eating so much of the little green veggie that I have to make him stop for fear he will have a stomach ache. Same thing happened to me, I saw the word vampire and I was blinded. I know that the word “seducing” was in there too, but I can not be bothered to read all the words of the title once I see Vampire.
Viviane was a heroine who didn’t make me want to gag every time she opened her mouth like I thought I would, in fact I liked her. She was independent and bold and I admired her for it. Rhys was dangerous but sweet in his love for her. They both were fully fleshed characters to me and I cared about their romance and about what happened to them in general. I actually believed in this romance and I didn’t want to put the book down. There was a depth to this story that I really enjoyed, there was murder and mystery and sweetness and danger and all sorts of other characters to add to the drama of their story. Of course the rival for her affections was devilish and a nasty mean guy but there was more going on than just the typical “who she will chose” storyline.
Another positive for me is that this one is not for children. I have been reading a lot of Young Adult titles lately and I will admit I have enjoyed them. This was a welcome back to adulthood and I appreciated every delicious paragraph of steaminess. That is another departure for me, generally I do not like to read about “quivering members” or “heaving breasts” or whatever. This book is not like that and I was surprised. There was steaminess but it was actually steamy and didn’t make me roll me eyes and skim till it was over as I am sometimes inclined to do in non-romance books.
I am going to have to rethink my whole opinion of myself after loving this book this much. I might even start wearing pink and crying at movies. Ummmm….. Nah. Now excuse me while I go play Black Ops and kill some people.
May 18, 2011
This is an impressive story that is told by a talented writer whose work has been on my TBR pile for quite some time.
The story is set in Marie Antoinette's Paris so we are dealing with historical timelines, period clothing, and linguistics. The story centers around three characters that seem cursed before they fell into one another’s lives but find they are far worse off once they do. Vampriess Viviane is beautiful, independent, and a born vampire. Because women can’t work and earn their own way, she is dependent on a patron to supply her needs including blood. She is being relentlessly courted by a vampire clan leader named Constantine. She is not interested but feels the pressure to take his offer when her current patron is murdered. Going against vampire culture, Henry, her patron did not mix the process of sharing blood with sex which is a natural part of the way females existed along with a death sentence without the blood bond. The sex seems to be pretty much without choice since no self-respecting vampire is going to be a patron and not collect on all the benefits. Viviane is accustomed to her freedom. It is not something she is willing to consider parting with but she knows she is in trouble. She needs the financial security and protection Constantine offers but she is not interested in being one of his many women or in having his babies. Enter stage left, Rhys. For some reason that name is real popular for werewolves. I know I have seen it before more than once. I digress. Rhys sees Viviane and is smitten. He is even more interested when he finds out his brother Constantine also seeks the rare beauty. The two brothers have never gotten along and Viviane quickly becomes the next focus of their ongoing battle to one-up the other. Rhys is not only a born vampire but he is also a born werewolf. Werewolves are hated by the vampires and visa versa. Being duel natured he is not accepted in either world fully.
This is a dark tale with evil deeds, violence, and suffering. Constantine was clearly the bad guy but I have a feeling that he may have a story. I felt that he was driven by something and that perhaps he does not want to be as he was. I hope I am right because I really felt sorry for him by the time all was said and done despite his abominable actions. Viviane was a challenge for Constantine and Rhys from page one. I wanted to slap her a couple of times myself which is a testament to Ms. Huff’s skills. I respected her desire to be independent but I thought she brought some of her problems on herself. She is the type to play with matches and then wonder why the house is burning down. I did not gain a full understanding of the vampire limitations and strengths. So that annoyed me. They could not go out in the sun but could be awake during the day. They had no magic. They could be born or made with born being the rarest and most coveted. There are other supernatural beings living on the down-low alongside the vamps and weres such as the fae, witches, etc. The story pulls the reader into the lives of these three characters and reminds us of the power we all have to hurt and be hurt. I don’t recall a single funny scene but there were a few ‘ahhhh’ moments. Ms. Huff broke my heart, put it back together, and then broke it again before she was done. I loved the way she weaved back and forth from past to present day. She also made Viviane to be an Urban Legend that Rhys stumbles on after being unsure of her fate for 200 years.
Ms. Huff has won me over as a fan. I am especially glad my library carries her books because they are not cheap for Kindle. Although this book does not appear to be part of a series, I understand there is at least one that follows -- Forever Vampire, which is a relatively new release. I have it on reserve.
The story is set in Marie Antoinette's Paris so we are dealing with historical timelines, period clothing, and linguistics. The story centers around three characters that seem cursed before they fell into one another’s lives but find they are far worse off once they do. Vampriess Viviane is beautiful, independent, and a born vampire. Because women can’t work and earn their own way, she is dependent on a patron to supply her needs including blood. She is being relentlessly courted by a vampire clan leader named Constantine. She is not interested but feels the pressure to take his offer when her current patron is murdered. Going against vampire culture, Henry, her patron did not mix the process of sharing blood with sex which is a natural part of the way females existed along with a death sentence without the blood bond. The sex seems to be pretty much without choice since no self-respecting vampire is going to be a patron and not collect on all the benefits. Viviane is accustomed to her freedom. It is not something she is willing to consider parting with but she knows she is in trouble. She needs the financial security and protection Constantine offers but she is not interested in being one of his many women or in having his babies. Enter stage left, Rhys. For some reason that name is real popular for werewolves. I know I have seen it before more than once. I digress. Rhys sees Viviane and is smitten. He is even more interested when he finds out his brother Constantine also seeks the rare beauty. The two brothers have never gotten along and Viviane quickly becomes the next focus of their ongoing battle to one-up the other. Rhys is not only a born vampire but he is also a born werewolf. Werewolves are hated by the vampires and visa versa. Being duel natured he is not accepted in either world fully.
This is a dark tale with evil deeds, violence, and suffering. Constantine was clearly the bad guy but I have a feeling that he may have a story. I felt that he was driven by something and that perhaps he does not want to be as he was. I hope I am right because I really felt sorry for him by the time all was said and done despite his abominable actions. Viviane was a challenge for Constantine and Rhys from page one. I wanted to slap her a couple of times myself which is a testament to Ms. Huff’s skills. I respected her desire to be independent but I thought she brought some of her problems on herself. She is the type to play with matches and then wonder why the house is burning down. I did not gain a full understanding of the vampire limitations and strengths. So that annoyed me. They could not go out in the sun but could be awake during the day. They had no magic. They could be born or made with born being the rarest and most coveted. There are other supernatural beings living on the down-low alongside the vamps and weres such as the fae, witches, etc. The story pulls the reader into the lives of these three characters and reminds us of the power we all have to hurt and be hurt. I don’t recall a single funny scene but there were a few ‘ahhhh’ moments. Ms. Huff broke my heart, put it back together, and then broke it again before she was done. I loved the way she weaved back and forth from past to present day. She also made Viviane to be an Urban Legend that Rhys stumbles on after being unsure of her fate for 200 years.
Ms. Huff has won me over as a fan. I am especially glad my library carries her books because they are not cheap for Kindle. Although this book does not appear to be part of a series, I understand there is at least one that follows -- Forever Vampire, which is a relatively new release. I have it on reserve.
December 31, 2010
Unlike the other female vampires in 1785 Paris, Viviane LaMourette has freedom to do as she pleases. That freedom is threaten when her male patron is murdered and she must find another to survive. Constantine de Salignac is a vampire tribe leader and wants Viviane for his own so that she will produce male children to make his tribe stronger. Viviane is aware of this but sees it as her only option until Constantine's dark and handsome brother Rhys Hawkes approaches her and steals her heart. She cares for Rhys but can't help feel that there is something not right about him. A fight between brothers ensues and before Rhys and Viviane can be together, Constantine takes his final blow imprisoning Viviane away from her lover for eternity. Over two centuries later, Rhys has learned of a legend that says there is a vampiress in a glass box under the streets of Paris. Is his love still alive? What will he find, the love he thought long dead or a crazed shell of a woman who will be his end?
I loved how independent Viviane is in a time where that should not have been possible for a woman. She won't be a push over and simply bow to Constantine because has what she will ultimately need. When she notices Rhys she sees he is not as well dressed or manured as his brother and there is something....off about him that both makes her wary and wanting of him. What I didn't care for was her attitude towards Rhys once she found out his secret. She acts a bit snobby towards him but soon his actions start to appeal not appall her.
Rhys first wants Viviane because he knows how much she means to his brother and their past is dark and painful. He seeks Viviane out to ruin any chance his brother has but soon falls for the headstrong woman. Rhys is very rugged and sweet but has a secret he is not forthcoming with to Viviane because he knows what her reaction will be. As they get to know one another, Rhys brings out a less uptight side of Viviane and Viviane gives Rhys another chance at love. It's cat and mouse between these two and I liked that they switched between roles. But again, Viviane was a bit harsh to Rhys for a lot of the book. I would never want her to give in willingly because that is not who she is but sometimes it was too hot and cold with her.
The feud between Constantine and Rhys has been bloody over the years and things come to a head during the battle for Viviane's heart. Constantine sees his brother as being beneath him and can't tolerate the thought of losing Viviane and her ability to give him a bloodborn child to his halfbreed brother. He defiles her and with the help of a witch, traps Viviane under the streets of Paris leaving Rhys to think she perished in a fire. Constantine plays the depraved bad brother to the T.
Seducing the Vampire strikes all your emotional cords and is the kind of dark, forbidden love story you can't get enough of. The book jumps from 1785 to the present day to tell how Viviane and Rhys first came together and how Rhys will do anything to get his vampiress back. There was a steady pace (not too much action but then not too much sappy time either) to the story and the only other issue I had with it was that towards the end everything felt rushed when it came to finding Viviane. The very last few pages were some of the most emotional and the book ends with you wanting the next book. I really liked this one and I think fans of paranormal romance will like it as well.
Stephanie G
I loved how independent Viviane is in a time where that should not have been possible for a woman. She won't be a push over and simply bow to Constantine because has what she will ultimately need. When she notices Rhys she sees he is not as well dressed or manured as his brother and there is something....off about him that both makes her wary and wanting of him. What I didn't care for was her attitude towards Rhys once she found out his secret. She acts a bit snobby towards him but soon his actions start to appeal not appall her.
Rhys first wants Viviane because he knows how much she means to his brother and their past is dark and painful. He seeks Viviane out to ruin any chance his brother has but soon falls for the headstrong woman. Rhys is very rugged and sweet but has a secret he is not forthcoming with to Viviane because he knows what her reaction will be. As they get to know one another, Rhys brings out a less uptight side of Viviane and Viviane gives Rhys another chance at love. It's cat and mouse between these two and I liked that they switched between roles. But again, Viviane was a bit harsh to Rhys for a lot of the book. I would never want her to give in willingly because that is not who she is but sometimes it was too hot and cold with her.
The feud between Constantine and Rhys has been bloody over the years and things come to a head during the battle for Viviane's heart. Constantine sees his brother as being beneath him and can't tolerate the thought of losing Viviane and her ability to give him a bloodborn child to his halfbreed brother. He defiles her and with the help of a witch, traps Viviane under the streets of Paris leaving Rhys to think she perished in a fire. Constantine plays the depraved bad brother to the T.
Seducing the Vampire strikes all your emotional cords and is the kind of dark, forbidden love story you can't get enough of. The book jumps from 1785 to the present day to tell how Viviane and Rhys first came together and how Rhys will do anything to get his vampiress back. There was a steady pace (not too much action but then not too much sappy time either) to the story and the only other issue I had with it was that towards the end everything felt rushed when it came to finding Viviane. The very last few pages were some of the most emotional and the book ends with you wanting the next book. I really liked this one and I think fans of paranormal romance will like it as well.
Stephanie G
November 11, 2010
Absolutely wonderful!
Viviane LaMourette (Vampire) is courted by two feuding brothers Rhys Hawkes (Vampire/were-wolf) and Constantine (full blooded Vampire). Both brother’s constantly wanting vengeance against each other and this time around it is Rhys turn for vengeance by stealing Constantine’s one love Viviane and tainting her with his blood. However, plans don’t work out as Rhys finds himself falling in love with this beautiful pure blood Vampire.
Viviane is a free spirit and doesn’t want to be controlled by anyone but her patron that she is bonded to along with his wife is killed and now she finds herself needing a new patron. Constantine believes he is the perfect Vampire for her but not just because he desires her but because of her pure blood tribal blood that will maintain his status within his tribe and position on the council.
The story heats up when Rhys and Viviane finally give in to their love for each other and Constantine’s jealousy drives him mad and does the most unthinkable thing imaginable. For revenge against his brother Rhys and against Vivian for her disloyalty, he has a warlock (Grim) cast a spell on her to condemn her to a living death inside a glass coffin where she can see and hear everything but her body remains frozen with no movement.
The story absolutely captivated me and I found myself addicted wanting to find out if Rhys finds his lover Vivian and if he retaliates against his brother or if Vivian somehow escapes and comes back to kill Constantine or Grim the warlock.
This is a must read story, so many things happen and I loved the ending with the twin baby boys (Vaillant & Trystan) and the Fairy Cressida. I have to say that I enjoyed this deep read paranormal romance and was happy it had were-wolves, Fairy, and that the time period started out in the 18th century and ended in the 21st century - it is not a fast page turner because you don’t want to miss anything that happens between each paragraph.
I look forward to read the next book in the series “Forever Vampire” in May 2011.
Viviane LaMourette (Vampire) is courted by two feuding brothers Rhys Hawkes (Vampire/were-wolf) and Constantine (full blooded Vampire). Both brother’s constantly wanting vengeance against each other and this time around it is Rhys turn for vengeance by stealing Constantine’s one love Viviane and tainting her with his blood. However, plans don’t work out as Rhys finds himself falling in love with this beautiful pure blood Vampire.
Viviane is a free spirit and doesn’t want to be controlled by anyone but her patron that she is bonded to along with his wife is killed and now she finds herself needing a new patron. Constantine believes he is the perfect Vampire for her but not just because he desires her but because of her pure blood tribal blood that will maintain his status within his tribe and position on the council.
The story heats up when Rhys and Viviane finally give in to their love for each other and Constantine’s jealousy drives him mad and does the most unthinkable thing imaginable. For revenge against his brother Rhys and against Vivian for her disloyalty, he has a warlock (Grim) cast a spell on her to condemn her to a living death inside a glass coffin where she can see and hear everything but her body remains frozen with no movement.
The story absolutely captivated me and I found myself addicted wanting to find out if Rhys finds his lover Vivian and if he retaliates against his brother or if Vivian somehow escapes and comes back to kill Constantine or Grim the warlock.
This is a must read story, so many things happen and I loved the ending with the twin baby boys (Vaillant & Trystan) and the Fairy Cressida. I have to say that I enjoyed this deep read paranormal romance and was happy it had were-wolves, Fairy, and that the time period started out in the 18th century and ended in the 21st century - it is not a fast page turner because you don’t want to miss anything that happens between each paragraph.
I look forward to read the next book in the series “Forever Vampire” in May 2011.
August 1, 2013
33^ LETTURA DI GRUPPO BN
Ma non so mi aspettavo di meglio.
Forse avendolo letto a spizzichi e bocconi per la prima metà ha perso un pò il suo fascino. Ma anche dopo che dire..mi ha lasciato un pò così.
Carina l'idea ma essendo stata scritta anche qui con salti temporali, all'inizio molto presenti,mi hanno un pò fatto perdere il filo della trama rendendomelo un pò ostico.
Forse sono io che ultimamente ho bisogno di libri senza troppi rimandi a tempi passati, ho bisogno di libri lineari e questo per più della metà non lo è.
Peccato il primo mi era molto piaciuto..e forse anche il fatto che questo in relatà andava letto prima dello scorso volume...
Perchè li pubblicano sempre in ordine sbagliati??? mi fanno venire un nervoso!!!!
Ma non so mi aspettavo di meglio.
Forse avendolo letto a spizzichi e bocconi per la prima metà ha perso un pò il suo fascino. Ma anche dopo che dire..mi ha lasciato un pò così.
Carina l'idea ma essendo stata scritta anche qui con salti temporali, all'inizio molto presenti,mi hanno un pò fatto perdere il filo della trama rendendomelo un pò ostico.
Forse sono io che ultimamente ho bisogno di libri senza troppi rimandi a tempi passati, ho bisogno di libri lineari e questo per più della metà non lo è.
Peccato il primo mi era molto piaciuto..e forse anche il fatto che questo in relatà andava letto prima dello scorso volume...
Perchè li pubblicano sempre in ordine sbagliati??? mi fanno venire un nervoso!!!!
December 29, 2020
A book that started on good but then proceeded to be poorly written with weak story line.
February 23, 2011
Viviane LaMourette is an independent young vampiress, barely two centuries old, bloodborn, and patroned to Henri Chevalier. He took her under his patronage with the death of her parents, but has allowed her independence, demanding nothing of the young vampiress. When Constantine de Salignac proposes taking her patronage, possibly a match and marriage to create a line of bloodborn vampires, pure blood, creating a tribe of vampires to rival all of Paris, she balks, she will answer to no man, nor bow down, vampire or not.
Rhys Hawkes spies the young vampiress in the salons of Paris. He's been sent to investigate the murder of a vampire couple, Henri and Blanche Chevalier, the very same patron of Viviane. Was this deed committed by a crazed werewolf? Rhys has more secrets, he is a half breed, born half vampire half werewolf. When he scents Viviane, he realizes he has to have her as his own. Will she be able to accept his wolf? Will his vampire allow him to love the vampiress?
When Lord Salignac discovers the half breed's intentions, he reveals the well kept secret, and that Rhys Hawkes is his own half brother. Though, Viviane has been tempted by Rhys, she rejects the truths he has hidden. Can he win her back? Will Constantine de Salignac allow his brother to have what he demands as his own?
Seducing the Vampire by Michele Hauf tells the story of what happens to an independent woman, before her time. It's a time when vampires and werewolves shared the title as the Dark Ones. Women were subservient to men, even vampiresses. The male vampire was not demanded to seek out a female vampire for life, but the female of the species was depended upon the male for survival, forced to partake blood from the male or die. It is the same for Viviane, but her patron demands nothing more, Salignac demands submission, sex, and bloodborn children. She will be nothing more than a brood mare. She rails against his demands, refuses him. Then, suddenly Henri is gone, as will be her life if she does not take another patron. Salignac wants to fill that role. But Rhys discovers an awful secret, one that will bring Salignac to his knees, if he can nail the bastard down, how could his own brother commit such a dastardly deed? Viviane can see no one other than Rhys, even with his half blood, he is more of a man than Salignac can ever hope to be. When Salignac sees he is going to lose to the half blood abomination, he acts quickly and horrifically. While Rhys is sating his wolf, Salignac is committing a horrible crime.
Seducing the Vampire is historical paranormal romance, a story told in two different times, jumping from the past to the present to render a heart wrenching story of loss and hope. It is the retelling of the Snow White story with the vampiress as the poor maiden thrown into an aware paralyzed sleep by an evil Lord and his warlock underling for more than two centuries. When Snow White is awaken, she is near crazed with a bloodlust, lost to herself. It is only through love that she is able to find her way again. Michele Hauf was written wonderful retelling of the Snow White story, but it's not the Disney version, it's much more frightening and evil. It does take the handsome prince to bring his beauty back to life, to live once again within the society of humanity. If you're a fan of historical romances, this is an unique story with all the elements of a good historical. For all paranormal romance lovers, this one fills the bill, a love story to stand the test of the times. And urban fantasy fans will find this as a vivid imagining of the Snow White story where a dark world is created with the beginning of a light world to reveal witches, warlocks, familiars, faeries, vampires, and weres as well as the mortals who wander among them. Ms. Hauf mentions some favorite characters from other stories to tie the series together. If you enjoy Michele Hauf storytelling, this is one not to be missed, she combines the past and present to create a excellently told tale, it was a page turner to the end. I very much enjoyed it as I have most of Ms. Hauf's books, and I'll be waiting for the next, Forever Vampire, May 2011. For more information about Ms. Hauf or her books, please visit her website.
I received this ebook from Net Galley and Harlequin for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Rhys Hawkes spies the young vampiress in the salons of Paris. He's been sent to investigate the murder of a vampire couple, Henri and Blanche Chevalier, the very same patron of Viviane. Was this deed committed by a crazed werewolf? Rhys has more secrets, he is a half breed, born half vampire half werewolf. When he scents Viviane, he realizes he has to have her as his own. Will she be able to accept his wolf? Will his vampire allow him to love the vampiress?
When Lord Salignac discovers the half breed's intentions, he reveals the well kept secret, and that Rhys Hawkes is his own half brother. Though, Viviane has been tempted by Rhys, she rejects the truths he has hidden. Can he win her back? Will Constantine de Salignac allow his brother to have what he demands as his own?
Seducing the Vampire by Michele Hauf tells the story of what happens to an independent woman, before her time. It's a time when vampires and werewolves shared the title as the Dark Ones. Women were subservient to men, even vampiresses. The male vampire was not demanded to seek out a female vampire for life, but the female of the species was depended upon the male for survival, forced to partake blood from the male or die. It is the same for Viviane, but her patron demands nothing more, Salignac demands submission, sex, and bloodborn children. She will be nothing more than a brood mare. She rails against his demands, refuses him. Then, suddenly Henri is gone, as will be her life if she does not take another patron. Salignac wants to fill that role. But Rhys discovers an awful secret, one that will bring Salignac to his knees, if he can nail the bastard down, how could his own brother commit such a dastardly deed? Viviane can see no one other than Rhys, even with his half blood, he is more of a man than Salignac can ever hope to be. When Salignac sees he is going to lose to the half blood abomination, he acts quickly and horrifically. While Rhys is sating his wolf, Salignac is committing a horrible crime.
Seducing the Vampire is historical paranormal romance, a story told in two different times, jumping from the past to the present to render a heart wrenching story of loss and hope. It is the retelling of the Snow White story with the vampiress as the poor maiden thrown into an aware paralyzed sleep by an evil Lord and his warlock underling for more than two centuries. When Snow White is awaken, she is near crazed with a bloodlust, lost to herself. It is only through love that she is able to find her way again. Michele Hauf was written wonderful retelling of the Snow White story, but it's not the Disney version, it's much more frightening and evil. It does take the handsome prince to bring his beauty back to life, to live once again within the society of humanity. If you're a fan of historical romances, this is an unique story with all the elements of a good historical. For all paranormal romance lovers, this one fills the bill, a love story to stand the test of the times. And urban fantasy fans will find this as a vivid imagining of the Snow White story where a dark world is created with the beginning of a light world to reveal witches, warlocks, familiars, faeries, vampires, and weres as well as the mortals who wander among them. Ms. Hauf mentions some favorite characters from other stories to tie the series together. If you enjoy Michele Hauf storytelling, this is one not to be missed, she combines the past and present to create a excellently told tale, it was a page turner to the end. I very much enjoyed it as I have most of Ms. Hauf's books, and I'll be waiting for the next, Forever Vampire, May 2011. For more information about Ms. Hauf or her books, please visit her website.
I received this ebook from Net Galley and Harlequin for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
August 11, 2024
Weirdly enough, this book got me out of a reading slump. Do not be fooled by the book cover, this book HITS!
Set in 1700s France a half werewolf half vampire man falls in love with a vampiress, Vivanne. I wish Vivanne had a little bit more depth to her.
Conflict between brothers lead to Vivanne being entombed in THE PARIS CATACOMBS FOR 200 YEARS! Insane stuff! I wish it would have been a bit longer, just to see what's up with Vivanne now, but I guess that's what's the sequel for.
I did not appreciate the random SA that did not add to the story, nor were there any warnings.
Set in 1700s France a half werewolf half vampire man falls in love with a vampiress, Vivanne. I wish Vivanne had a little bit more depth to her.
Conflict between brothers lead to Vivanne being entombed in THE PARIS CATACOMBS FOR 200 YEARS! Insane stuff! I wish it would have been a bit longer, just to see what's up with Vivanne now, but I guess that's what's the sequel for.
I did not appreciate the random SA that did not add to the story, nor were there any warnings.
December 3, 2010
The part that I loved most about this captivating book is how the author managed to tell the story in between the past and the present. It begins with the past in 1785 in Paris, France. The future is in Paris, France as well but it’s the 21 century. All the questions that are raised throughout the present are answered with the past and vice-versa. The historical aspect and love story are exhilarating. I read this entire book in one day as I could not put it down. I was glued from the moment I started to the end.
The story is about Viviane who is a blood born vampire whose patron is killed in an accident. Viviane is an independent vampire, who has been patron by Henri who has given her the freedom she loves. A patron is a male vampire who supplies blood to female vampires in order to live. It is said that this might have been another way of controlling female vampires. Well Viviane is without a patron and has caught the eye of the Lord Salignac. He’s handsome, wealthy and also a blood born vampire. He wants Viviane and will stop at nothing to have her, even if his brother Rhys steps in his way. Rhys is a half vampire and half werewolf and is unable to patron Viviane because of the “unknown”. It gets hot and steamy with Rhys and Viviane is falling in love with him but she must make a choice as her vampire need blood and Rhys is unable to give it to her. Viviane needs to choose who she will stay with. Would she choose to stay with Rhys, her first true love, which will grant her freedom? Or will she go with Lord Salignac who can patron her but has his own agendas? You’ll need to read to find out. I recommend this book to adults only!
review link: http://www.onceuponatwilight.com/2010...
The story is about Viviane who is a blood born vampire whose patron is killed in an accident. Viviane is an independent vampire, who has been patron by Henri who has given her the freedom she loves. A patron is a male vampire who supplies blood to female vampires in order to live. It is said that this might have been another way of controlling female vampires. Well Viviane is without a patron and has caught the eye of the Lord Salignac. He’s handsome, wealthy and also a blood born vampire. He wants Viviane and will stop at nothing to have her, even if his brother Rhys steps in his way. Rhys is a half vampire and half werewolf and is unable to patron Viviane because of the “unknown”. It gets hot and steamy with Rhys and Viviane is falling in love with him but she must make a choice as her vampire need blood and Rhys is unable to give it to her. Viviane needs to choose who she will stay with. Would she choose to stay with Rhys, her first true love, which will grant her freedom? Or will she go with Lord Salignac who can patron her but has his own agendas? You’ll need to read to find out. I recommend this book to adults only!
review link: http://www.onceuponatwilight.com/2010...
November 24, 2021
I could not help but feel for the bad guy Constantine in the book" she really leads him on the poor guy, but no she did not deserve what he does to her in the end....
August 12, 2022
I am going to whine about something, so I'm putting this behind spoiler tags.
Despite my rant about the main theme in this book, I do think it is still worth reading if you are interested in the synopsis.
Have fun reading!
Despite my rant about the main theme in this book, I do think it is still worth reading if you are interested in the synopsis.
Have fun reading!
January 1, 2020
I hadn’t read Hauf in a long while and thought I’d read some of her work again. I picked this because I bought ‘Forever Vampire’ and saw in the reviews later that it was better to read ‘Seducing the Vampire’ first for better back-story clarification.
Anyway...
To sum it in one word: disappointing.
The heroine is too hot and cold. The hero falls in love too suddenly. The villain wasn’t really a good villain until the end. And what he does to her just before the glass coffin was really disturbing. I understand it’s necessary for the next book but.. I really struggled with that moment.
I’m still going to read ‘Forever Vampire’ as I had originally intended but with lower hopes.
I don’t know. This book just felt all over the place and left me feeling like something was missing.
Anyway...
To sum it in one word: disappointing.
The heroine is too hot and cold. The hero falls in love too suddenly. The villain wasn’t really a good villain until the end. And what he does to her just before the glass coffin was really disturbing. I understand it’s necessary for the next book but.. I really struggled with that moment.
I’m still going to read ‘Forever Vampire’ as I had originally intended but with lower hopes.
I don’t know. This book just felt all over the place and left me feeling like something was missing.
January 1, 2021
This’s my first book from this author. Could’ve been better! The ending made me feel so incompletely. I didn’t get the satisfaction after reading the book. Besides, I thought it’s a single book but it’s a series. Unfortunately, the other 2 books are about this book’s main character’s children so we’d only get bits and pieces of what happens to Rhys and Vivian later on. But I’m not going to read the other two books only to let down again. so I read few review on other 2 book. It seems Vivian became complete crazy and stays that way. There’s no HEA. This author is not for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2025
2.5 ⭐ (okeyish):
Story: 3
Plot: 3
Execution: 2
Writing: 2.5
FMC : 2.5
MMC: 2.5
Romance: 2.5
Ending: 2
The premise and characters were appealing at first, but the pacing felt uneven and many events left little impact. I enjoyed certain parts, yet often found myself losing interest. In the end, I finished it more out of curiosity for the conclusion rather genuine excitement.
Eventhough this didn't satisfy my need for a vampire x werewolfe fated mates romance, I will be looking for more, until I find a 5 star one (I hope)
Story: 3
Plot: 3
Execution: 2
Writing: 2.5
FMC : 2.5
MMC: 2.5
Romance: 2.5
Ending: 2
The premise and characters were appealing at first, but the pacing felt uneven and many events left little impact. I enjoyed certain parts, yet often found myself losing interest. In the end, I finished it more out of curiosity for the conclusion rather genuine excitement.
Eventhough this didn't satisfy my need for a vampire x werewolfe fated mates romance, I will be looking for more, until I find a 5 star one (I hope)
March 4, 2021
Gave up at 55% .
This book had great elements that could have made it amazing. The setting - in the Maria Antoinette era, A strong female lead, A passionate love story. But it felt dull, flat and muddled through after a while. It also seemed to drag and I really disliked the pace of tue book.
This is such a shame becasue the book could have been really mind blowing, a sort of retelling/ story similar to the Katrine/ Stefan/ Damon story from TVD but the book just couldn’t execute properly.
This book had great elements that could have made it amazing. The setting - in the Maria Antoinette era, A strong female lead, A passionate love story. But it felt dull, flat and muddled through after a while. It also seemed to drag and I really disliked the pace of tue book.
This is such a shame becasue the book could have been really mind blowing, a sort of retelling/ story similar to the Katrine/ Stefan/ Damon story from TVD but the book just couldn’t execute properly.
February 12, 2021
It was a good palette cleanser of a romance novel, more intrigue and story building than a typical dime self romance. Confusing and at times frustrating bouncing of time, unnecessary for story telling. Ending felt rushed, as if the series was not planned but a last min decision to reduce information and cut the reader off to get them into the next book.
October 20, 2018
1.5 Stars
June 24, 2020
A great read.
Exciting, surprising and unexpected. It's hard to please me but I much say this one I really enjoyed. Looking forward to future novels .
Exciting, surprising and unexpected. It's hard to please me but I much say this one I really enjoyed. Looking forward to future novels .
February 18, 2021
I did not enjoy this book as much as the others I have read.
June 15, 2022
I loved this book but I’m so sad on the last sentence. I feel like there needs to be a sequel…
March 2, 2024
It was ok. It's not my favorite but I like the author.
January 22, 2011
Rhys, half vampire half werewolf - a confusing mix... and because of a pact with a faery, he is in control for all but one day... but he promised his first born to the faery in exchange... his werewolf is in control of the vampire 29 days, but on the full moon the vampire takes control of the were and wants blood - he must lock himself away to keep others safe.... he is young, making his way... he is kindhearted, strong... he is the opposite of his half brother Constantine, a cruel vampire... he loved a were, but she died at the hands of vampires, and Rhys suspected Constantine coordinated it...
Viviane, 200 year old vampire... a bloodborn, and valued - 2 bloodborns mated would have a powerful vampire child... her patron, Henri, for 200 years - she would take his blood 2 to 4 times a year - and yet he never asked for more intimacies - in fact married 20 years earlier... he granted her great freedom... but Constantine orchestrates Henri's death, employing a witch to help, and she needs another patron (or so they thought in the 1700's)... Constantine is trying to woo Viviane, because he wants a child with her to strengthen his clan - and at his house at a party, Viviane meets Rhys - who is investigating the death of a werewolf...
Rhys and Viviane have an interesting courtship - mostly he comes to her, teases her both with words and kisses - until they finally fall to bed together... but he cannot be her patron because if they exchange blood, he fears his vampire would go on a rampage... his werewolf does not hurt Viviane though... hmmmm... and they love...
and a jealous Constantine engages the witch to spell Viviane, to freeze her (like snow white), and he encloses her in a glass coffin and buries her in the catacombs... and he makes a vampiress of a woman roughly looking like Viviane, kills her and burns her in Viviane's house... and Rhys (coming home after the full moon) finds her ashes, and believes that Viviane is dead...
200 years later, Rhys hears of a legend of a glass coffin ... and he knows it must be Viviane... he returnes to France to search for her... and on the 2nd day, 2 dead bodies (still unclear who killed them, probably Viviane) and a broken glass coffin...
he traces her upside - and we connect with Viviane first... she is confused, disjointed thoughts, hungry, but she isn't killing now, only taking enough blood - she comes across Steve, who helps her, washes her, makes friends and tries to understand what she is saying... she is more coherent after she takes blood... but she gets scared and runs, just as Rhys gets to their block... Steve & Rhys join forces to find her...
and they find her within 30 minutes of the full moon... making it back to Rhys' place, where he apologises and leaves her to be locked up... she remembers that Rhys is her lover, and that she had thought about his need, and she believed that they needed to exchange blood to tame his vampire... so she staggers to him, forces his assistant to open his cage... and they exchange blood...
and she is herself, and the embryo she was carrying, that was frozen with her starts to grow... and 9 months later she delivers twins... and the faery comes for one... the one she thought was a hybrid were/vamp... but in his adolescence, he does not change and thirsts, though he will not take blood... and a doctor examines him and he is full vamp / bloodborn - no value to the faery... and the story ends in her screams... i hope that means that he gets to go home to his parents...
i wonder if there will be a part 2, and if so, will I ever know about it?
Viviane, 200 year old vampire... a bloodborn, and valued - 2 bloodborns mated would have a powerful vampire child... her patron, Henri, for 200 years - she would take his blood 2 to 4 times a year - and yet he never asked for more intimacies - in fact married 20 years earlier... he granted her great freedom... but Constantine orchestrates Henri's death, employing a witch to help, and she needs another patron (or so they thought in the 1700's)... Constantine is trying to woo Viviane, because he wants a child with her to strengthen his clan - and at his house at a party, Viviane meets Rhys - who is investigating the death of a werewolf...
Rhys and Viviane have an interesting courtship - mostly he comes to her, teases her both with words and kisses - until they finally fall to bed together... but he cannot be her patron because if they exchange blood, he fears his vampire would go on a rampage... his werewolf does not hurt Viviane though... hmmmm... and they love...
and a jealous Constantine engages the witch to spell Viviane, to freeze her (like snow white), and he encloses her in a glass coffin and buries her in the catacombs... and he makes a vampiress of a woman roughly looking like Viviane, kills her and burns her in Viviane's house... and Rhys (coming home after the full moon) finds her ashes, and believes that Viviane is dead...
200 years later, Rhys hears of a legend of a glass coffin ... and he knows it must be Viviane... he returnes to France to search for her... and on the 2nd day, 2 dead bodies (still unclear who killed them, probably Viviane) and a broken glass coffin...
he traces her upside - and we connect with Viviane first... she is confused, disjointed thoughts, hungry, but she isn't killing now, only taking enough blood - she comes across Steve, who helps her, washes her, makes friends and tries to understand what she is saying... she is more coherent after she takes blood... but she gets scared and runs, just as Rhys gets to their block... Steve & Rhys join forces to find her...
and they find her within 30 minutes of the full moon... making it back to Rhys' place, where he apologises and leaves her to be locked up... she remembers that Rhys is her lover, and that she had thought about his need, and she believed that they needed to exchange blood to tame his vampire... so she staggers to him, forces his assistant to open his cage... and they exchange blood...
and she is herself, and the embryo she was carrying, that was frozen with her starts to grow... and 9 months later she delivers twins... and the faery comes for one... the one she thought was a hybrid were/vamp... but in his adolescence, he does not change and thirsts, though he will not take blood... and a doctor examines him and he is full vamp / bloodborn - no value to the faery... and the story ends in her screams... i hope that means that he gets to go home to his parents...
i wonder if there will be a part 2, and if so, will I ever know about it?
June 6, 2012
I should start this by saying that this is not a book for young teens – I’d recommend this only for a mature audience, as there are strong sexual themes and some violence throughout the book.
Admittedly, this one pretty much followed the basic formula of paranormal romance – vampire + werewolf = romance! And yet, it’s all set in Eighteenth century Paris.
Now, given this is a Mills and Boone nocturne, you expect most of the book to be fairly explicit. I’ve read previous titles and more of Michele Hauf’s previous work, and yeah, it pretty much fitted with that convention. However, this one was much more romantic in nature than previous titles.
Viviane, a newly patron-less (think a sponsor… a male vampire who gives the female blood to survive) vampiress, is a bloodborn vampire rather than a turned vampire, and therefore lusted over by other males. Amongst said suitors is Constantine de Salignac, the head of the powerful vampire tribe, Nava, who wants to cement his position of power by producing blondborn offspring. He wants Viviane due to the rarity that is the female bloodborn vampire. Unfortunately, his half-brother and half-breed vampire/werewolf crossbreed, Rhys Hawkes, stands between him and his goal.
Rhys intends to extract vengeance from a longstanding grudge match with his brother, and the best way he can see of managing that is to steal the object of his brother’s affections. Unfortunately, that goes wrong, when Rhys finds himself falling for Viviane in a way he never expected.
Throughout the novel, the story is told between the perspectives of both Viviane and Rhys, and some of the story is set in Eighteenth century Paris, and some in the present day – all I’ll really say is think Vampires combined with Snow White and smut.
Overall, the story was fairly good, but there were a few things that bothered me. One was the to-ing and fro-ing between Rhys and Viviane, with deciding whether he could viably be her patron, and should she go for Constantine instead, and no, she shouldn’t, yes she should… and yeah, so it goes on. Secondly, the way that things were sorted out at the end.
However, overall, this book does deliver what it says on the tin, and this was a fairly enjoyable read, even if it isn’t particularly original, and does, to a degree, simply follow the ‘normal’ paranormal romance novel parameters. I enjoyed the book – it isn’t one for the younger audience – but it was a perfect holiday easy read, and yeah, there are hot and steamy bits if you’re into that sort of thing!
Admittedly, this one pretty much followed the basic formula of paranormal romance – vampire + werewolf = romance! And yet, it’s all set in Eighteenth century Paris.
Now, given this is a Mills and Boone nocturne, you expect most of the book to be fairly explicit. I’ve read previous titles and more of Michele Hauf’s previous work, and yeah, it pretty much fitted with that convention. However, this one was much more romantic in nature than previous titles.
Viviane, a newly patron-less (think a sponsor… a male vampire who gives the female blood to survive) vampiress, is a bloodborn vampire rather than a turned vampire, and therefore lusted over by other males. Amongst said suitors is Constantine de Salignac, the head of the powerful vampire tribe, Nava, who wants to cement his position of power by producing blondborn offspring. He wants Viviane due to the rarity that is the female bloodborn vampire. Unfortunately, his half-brother and half-breed vampire/werewolf crossbreed, Rhys Hawkes, stands between him and his goal.
Rhys intends to extract vengeance from a longstanding grudge match with his brother, and the best way he can see of managing that is to steal the object of his brother’s affections. Unfortunately, that goes wrong, when Rhys finds himself falling for Viviane in a way he never expected.
Throughout the novel, the story is told between the perspectives of both Viviane and Rhys, and some of the story is set in Eighteenth century Paris, and some in the present day – all I’ll really say is think Vampires combined with Snow White and smut.
Overall, the story was fairly good, but there were a few things that bothered me. One was the to-ing and fro-ing between Rhys and Viviane, with deciding whether he could viably be her patron, and should she go for Constantine instead, and no, she shouldn’t, yes she should… and yeah, so it goes on. Secondly, the way that things were sorted out at the end.
However, overall, this book does deliver what it says on the tin, and this was a fairly enjoyable read, even if it isn’t particularly original, and does, to a degree, simply follow the ‘normal’ paranormal romance novel parameters. I enjoyed the book – it isn’t one for the younger audience – but it was a perfect holiday easy read, and yeah, there are hot and steamy bits if you’re into that sort of thing!
November 6, 2012
Ironico il modo in cui ho scelto questo libro, praticamente al supermercato ne ho preso uno a caso ed era questo. Ammetto la mia ignoranza su "harlequin mondadori", ma comunque qualcosa nella mi testa mi diceva che sapeva di un Harmony, già dalla copertina.
Parte della collana Bluenocturne di settembre 2012, La bara di cristallo si rivela un erotico tra creature fantasy, lupi e vampiri.
La storia per certi versi prende e tiene ma non vi dico quando sono incappata nella parte erotica ed ero in treno!!!Pensavo che potevano leggere nella mia testa quello che stavo a mia volta leggendo. Comunque il libro va bene per una lettura "frugale", per chi ha necessità, come me in quel momento, di leggere qualcosa. Non so dare un giudizio, andrà bene per gli/le amanti del genere, io non ne ricomprerei uno simile!! E' vero comunque che l'autrice ha un modo scorrevole di scrivere e che riesce a fare un parallelo tra il presente e il passato senza far perdere il filo al lettore. Mi è piaciuta molto l'idea della bara di cristallo legata a un vampiro rinchiuso da secoli in un sonno magico; una biancaneve dei vampiri. Non credevo inoltre che potesse reggere una storia erotica tra creature "non umane" invece l'autrice coglie nel segno, crea inoltre delle chicche di diversità rispetto a quanto fino ad ora ho letto sui vampiri.
Vi posto dunque la trama, direttamente dalla pagina Harmony: Nella Parigi di Maria Antonietta, la bellissima vampira Viviane cerca un protettore che la lasci libera di vivere come preferisce, cosa che di certo non accadrebbe se accettasse la proposta di matrimonio del potente Constantin de Salignac. L'unico ad accenderle il sangue è Rhys Hawkes, il bellissimo, affascinante, enigmatico fratello di Constantin. Ma proprio quando la passione travolgente che li unisce sta per trasformarsi in qualcosa di più, l'odio secolare che divide i due uomini condanna Viviane a un destino terribile: trascorrere l'eternità nelle viscere di Parigi, sepolta viva in una bara di vetro. Due secoli dopo Rhys, che non l'ha mai dimenticata, sente raccontare la curiosa leggenda della Biancaneve dei vampiri, e la speranza si riaccende nel suo cuore. Che sia la sua splendida principessa svanita nel nulla, l'altra metà della sua anima immortale?
Sarah
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Parte della collana Bluenocturne di settembre 2012, La bara di cristallo si rivela un erotico tra creature fantasy, lupi e vampiri.
La storia per certi versi prende e tiene ma non vi dico quando sono incappata nella parte erotica ed ero in treno!!!Pensavo che potevano leggere nella mia testa quello che stavo a mia volta leggendo. Comunque il libro va bene per una lettura "frugale", per chi ha necessità, come me in quel momento, di leggere qualcosa. Non so dare un giudizio, andrà bene per gli/le amanti del genere, io non ne ricomprerei uno simile!! E' vero comunque che l'autrice ha un modo scorrevole di scrivere e che riesce a fare un parallelo tra il presente e il passato senza far perdere il filo al lettore. Mi è piaciuta molto l'idea della bara di cristallo legata a un vampiro rinchiuso da secoli in un sonno magico; una biancaneve dei vampiri. Non credevo inoltre che potesse reggere una storia erotica tra creature "non umane" invece l'autrice coglie nel segno, crea inoltre delle chicche di diversità rispetto a quanto fino ad ora ho letto sui vampiri.
Vi posto dunque la trama, direttamente dalla pagina Harmony: Nella Parigi di Maria Antonietta, la bellissima vampira Viviane cerca un protettore che la lasci libera di vivere come preferisce, cosa che di certo non accadrebbe se accettasse la proposta di matrimonio del potente Constantin de Salignac. L'unico ad accenderle il sangue è Rhys Hawkes, il bellissimo, affascinante, enigmatico fratello di Constantin. Ma proprio quando la passione travolgente che li unisce sta per trasformarsi in qualcosa di più, l'odio secolare che divide i due uomini condanna Viviane a un destino terribile: trascorrere l'eternità nelle viscere di Parigi, sepolta viva in una bara di vetro. Due secoli dopo Rhys, che non l'ha mai dimenticata, sente raccontare la curiosa leggenda della Biancaneve dei vampiri, e la speranza si riaccende nel suo cuore. Che sia la sua splendida principessa svanita nel nulla, l'altra metà della sua anima immortale?
Sarah
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January 7, 2011
I must say that I found this book A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!! It is probably going to end up as one of my favourites.
Now I really don't like to give away a lot of the plot or spoilers in my reviews, so if that is what you are looking for, it ain't here!!!
So where do I start??? I don't really know what to say. If I love a book, I love its entirety, from the plot, to the characters. I really feel that this book had a lot of emotion put into it. I wasn't just reading the words, I was feeling the emotion behind them. I know that sounds corny, but that is what happened.
I must say that I really enjoyed this world with paranormal characters better than a lot of other books. Other books will try and complicate the paranormal world too much, when it becomes a point of re-reading paragraphs to try and understand. Then re-reading again just to make sure you have understood it correctly. This wasn't the case in this book. Don't get me wrong, don't think that I am saying this book is simple, no way. It is complex, but easily understood, make sense??? Also I wasn't reading it thinking to myself that I knew what would happen next, so that was enjoyable.
Not sure what else to say, everything about it was good. Well better than good, but you get the point. Actually I really enjoyed how all supernatural beings interacted, well at least in Paris. They might not get along but not many chose to be isolated.
When I started reading and I saw one chapter said 'Modern Day, Paris' I screamed a little inside because in most books changing between time periods isn't done well, and predominantly in this book is set in 'Paris, 1785'. But instead with this book I was screaming because every time I changed time periods I wouldn't want to because I would want to stay where I was, but then when I changed back to the other time period I so loved I would not want to change from the time period I was on. Did that make sense??? Oh well...
Anyway, such an enjoyable read you'll be hooked, if not, you're not well. Go see a doctor. Go on, go get it now...
Whoops forgot to mention I won this book off Goodreads off Michele Hauf, though believe me that didn't change my perception. Okay now that is all, go buy, go buy.
Now I really don't like to give away a lot of the plot or spoilers in my reviews, so if that is what you are looking for, it ain't here!!!
So where do I start??? I don't really know what to say. If I love a book, I love its entirety, from the plot, to the characters. I really feel that this book had a lot of emotion put into it. I wasn't just reading the words, I was feeling the emotion behind them. I know that sounds corny, but that is what happened.
I must say that I really enjoyed this world with paranormal characters better than a lot of other books. Other books will try and complicate the paranormal world too much, when it becomes a point of re-reading paragraphs to try and understand. Then re-reading again just to make sure you have understood it correctly. This wasn't the case in this book. Don't get me wrong, don't think that I am saying this book is simple, no way. It is complex, but easily understood, make sense??? Also I wasn't reading it thinking to myself that I knew what would happen next, so that was enjoyable.
Not sure what else to say, everything about it was good. Well better than good, but you get the point. Actually I really enjoyed how all supernatural beings interacted, well at least in Paris. They might not get along but not many chose to be isolated.
When I started reading and I saw one chapter said 'Modern Day, Paris' I screamed a little inside because in most books changing between time periods isn't done well, and predominantly in this book is set in 'Paris, 1785'. But instead with this book I was screaming because every time I changed time periods I wouldn't want to because I would want to stay where I was, but then when I changed back to the other time period I so loved I would not want to change from the time period I was on. Did that make sense??? Oh well...
Anyway, such an enjoyable read you'll be hooked, if not, you're not well. Go see a doctor. Go on, go get it now...
Whoops forgot to mention I won this book off Goodreads off Michele Hauf, though believe me that didn't change my perception. Okay now that is all, go buy, go buy.
January 5, 2011
Hauf takes us between the eighteenth century to present day in this book. Rhys Hawkes is half vampire and half werewolf. He falls in love with a bloodborn vampire named Viviane LaMourette who has lost her patron Henrie Chevalier who was murdered. Viviane has to now find a new patron (because at that time it was believed that bloodborn vampiress must feed from a familiar bloodborn source to maintain their life essence) but she doesn't want to lose the freedom she had with Henri. Enter Rhys' half brother Constantine de Salignac, leader of the tribe Nava, who has been looking for a bloodborn vampire to sire his children. Viviane knows that if she accepts his proposal that she will just become part of his harem. Constantine and Rhys have had bad blood ever since he let Rhys' first love Emeline die. And so ensues the fight for Viviane's love. Eventually she chooses to be with Rhys even knowing that if they were to ever have children the first born must be handed over to a faery to pay Rhys' boon. This infuriates Constantine so he sets it up to have Viviane's house on fire with her in it.
Rhys in present day is the founder of Hawkes Associates which is a bank for the paranormal nations. They store treasures, house volatile objects of a magical nature and offer them a safe and lasting place to keep and exchange, for new currency, their money and valuables as they pass through the centuries. He has mourned the loss of Viviane for over 200 years but now has learned that she might still be alive. After overhearing an urban legend about the Vampire Snow White he figures out that she might have been spelled by a witch and placed in a glass coffin by Constantine instead of dying in the fire. Rhys hires a cat shifter to take him through the tunnels under Paris to look for his beloved.
Hauf has weaved a great story here! I was able to follow the transitions between past and present with no problem. This is a dark paranormal romance and it kept me turning the pages wanting to know more. The epilogue will definitely leave you hanging!! In this book you will find tons of fun characters from faeries, witches, vampires, werewolves and cat shifters! This book I would recommend to readers who love both the paranormal and historical books.
Rhys in present day is the founder of Hawkes Associates which is a bank for the paranormal nations. They store treasures, house volatile objects of a magical nature and offer them a safe and lasting place to keep and exchange, for new currency, their money and valuables as they pass through the centuries. He has mourned the loss of Viviane for over 200 years but now has learned that she might still be alive. After overhearing an urban legend about the Vampire Snow White he figures out that she might have been spelled by a witch and placed in a glass coffin by Constantine instead of dying in the fire. Rhys hires a cat shifter to take him through the tunnels under Paris to look for his beloved.
Hauf has weaved a great story here! I was able to follow the transitions between past and present with no problem. This is a dark paranormal romance and it kept me turning the pages wanting to know more. The epilogue will definitely leave you hanging!! In this book you will find tons of fun characters from faeries, witches, vampires, werewolves and cat shifters! This book I would recommend to readers who love both the paranormal and historical books.
October 20, 2011
69. Seducing the Vampire by Michelle Hauf
Genre: Paranormal Historical Romance
Pages: 384
Acquired: 09/30/11
Book of Your Shelf? No
Why I read it: NetGalley
Series: No
Think Snow White meets vampires, werewolves, and France. Three of my favorite things and one of my favorite fairy tales growing up (I went through 3 copies of the Disney movie). Our fair princess is played by the blood born vampiress, Viviane LaMourette. Now blood born vampires are rare, and females even more so. So enter the evil queen (errr king in this case), Constantine de Salignac, the local vampire tribe leader who will have Viviane or else no one will! Prince Charming is played by quite an unusual character, a half werewolf half vampire named Rhys Hawkes, who just happens to be half-brother to Constantine. Now remove the 7 dwarfs, unless I totally missed something, and we have our main characters.
The story itself takes us back and forth between present time and the time of Marie Antoinette's court in France. We first meet Viviane on her way to visit her patron in France where she meets Rhys for the first time and Constantine presses her to become his. Fearing for her independence should she choose to be with Constantine, Viviane tries to delay giving him a decision and ends up falling for Rhys. When Constantine finds out, saying he is mad would be the understatement of the century. He sets out for revenge.
In the present time, Rhys hears a myth of a "Vampire Snow White" in the sewers of France. The timing and description of the fair vampire maiden reminds him of Viviane, thought lost to him for all this time. He immediately takes off to France to try and find her (Prince Charming to the rescue).
The story's jump between time periods was well written. There was never any confusion when you started a section as to which time you were in now. There was a lot of action, but it never got too overwhelming or confusing with too much going on all at once. This was a great read.
4/5
Genre: Paranormal Historical Romance
Pages: 384
Acquired: 09/30/11
Book of Your Shelf? No
Why I read it: NetGalley
Series: No
Think Snow White meets vampires, werewolves, and France. Three of my favorite things and one of my favorite fairy tales growing up (I went through 3 copies of the Disney movie). Our fair princess is played by the blood born vampiress, Viviane LaMourette. Now blood born vampires are rare, and females even more so. So enter the evil queen (errr king in this case), Constantine de Salignac, the local vampire tribe leader who will have Viviane or else no one will! Prince Charming is played by quite an unusual character, a half werewolf half vampire named Rhys Hawkes, who just happens to be half-brother to Constantine. Now remove the 7 dwarfs, unless I totally missed something, and we have our main characters.
The story itself takes us back and forth between present time and the time of Marie Antoinette's court in France. We first meet Viviane on her way to visit her patron in France where she meets Rhys for the first time and Constantine presses her to become his. Fearing for her independence should she choose to be with Constantine, Viviane tries to delay giving him a decision and ends up falling for Rhys. When Constantine finds out, saying he is mad would be the understatement of the century. He sets out for revenge.
In the present time, Rhys hears a myth of a "Vampire Snow White" in the sewers of France. The timing and description of the fair vampire maiden reminds him of Viviane, thought lost to him for all this time. He immediately takes off to France to try and find her (Prince Charming to the rescue).
The story's jump between time periods was well written. There was never any confusion when you started a section as to which time you were in now. There was a lot of action, but it never got too overwhelming or confusing with too much going on all at once. This was a great read.
4/5
March 13, 2013
Firstly i must say if you havent read any of Michele Hauf's work you must go out right now and purchase one of her books hehe. this was my first of her books but i already have 2 more on order.
what was not to love about this book it had everything a girl could want. Strong independent hero and heroine, love, paris, 1785, mystery, sex and of course a villian with which u hate no if buts or maybe you hate them!
Throught out the whole book i was intrigued and loved the way it kept reverting back to 1785 then modern day. the story tells of brothers constantine and rhys whom have a centuries old feud and fall for the same woman who is an independent bloodborn (not created but born of 2 vampires) vampiress named viviane but here lies the twist
what was not to love about this book it had everything a girl could want. Strong independent hero and heroine, love, paris, 1785, mystery, sex and of course a villian with which u hate no if buts or maybe you hate them!
Throught out the whole book i was intrigued and loved the way it kept reverting back to 1785 then modern day. the story tells of brothers constantine and rhys whom have a centuries old feud and fall for the same woman who is an independent bloodborn (not created but born of 2 vampires) vampiress named viviane but here lies the twist
August 15, 2025
When Rhys first laid eyes on Vivianne- the beautiful vampire whom his half brother is courting, Rhys sees an opportunity to take his brothers new toy. Charming and very different from most vampires (being half werewolf), he manages to gain her attention. She’s standoffish at first, free and as independent as a female could be but she is glorious. It’s very soon that his game turns into true love. But his halfbred nature prevents him from becoming Vivanne’s patron, the one who will supply her blood and the internal battle of knowing the idea of her with another man will kill him and her going hungry is tearing him apart.
Vivanne loved her last patron but after his murder, she knows it’s only a matter of time before she’s forced into the arms of another. Rhys brother is a rake and overall disagreeable vampire but with him, she has a chance to continue her free life. She never imagined the halfbred Rhys would find his way into her heart. Despite her hatred for werewolves, despite her growing collection of unintentional werewolf killings. Now she knows she will love only one man.
It’s been over 200 years since Vivanne was presumed dead but was instead locked away in a coffin below the city of Paris. Rhys once mourned her death straight down ot his bones, now he’s filled with the deepest regret over never having saved her from her prison sooner.
While this book wasn’t my favourite romance per say – what it did posses was one of the most amazing plotlines I have ever read in my life. The trauma of these characters, there constant struggle paired with devotion to one another read like a movie before my eyes. It was imaginative and heartfelt and it was very dark at times. Rape, murder and the oppression of females was deeply ingrained in the pages but it had a lot of lightness to it. Vivanne’s steadfast belief in Rhys – Rhys abandonment of everything he’s ever known for her. I can’t tell you know surprised but happy I was reading this book.
Vivanne loved her last patron but after his murder, she knows it’s only a matter of time before she’s forced into the arms of another. Rhys brother is a rake and overall disagreeable vampire but with him, she has a chance to continue her free life. She never imagined the halfbred Rhys would find his way into her heart. Despite her hatred for werewolves, despite her growing collection of unintentional werewolf killings. Now she knows she will love only one man.
It’s been over 200 years since Vivanne was presumed dead but was instead locked away in a coffin below the city of Paris. Rhys once mourned her death straight down ot his bones, now he’s filled with the deepest regret over never having saved her from her prison sooner.
While this book wasn’t my favourite romance per say – what it did posses was one of the most amazing plotlines I have ever read in my life. The trauma of these characters, there constant struggle paired with devotion to one another read like a movie before my eyes. It was imaginative and heartfelt and it was very dark at times. Rape, murder and the oppression of females was deeply ingrained in the pages but it had a lot of lightness to it. Vivanne’s steadfast belief in Rhys – Rhys abandonment of everything he’s ever known for her. I can’t tell you know surprised but happy I was reading this book.
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