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The Dark Kiss Trilogy #1
My Love Eternal
4 Stars from Romantic Times Book Reviews magazine
Blood, sex and eternal life... What more could a girl ask for? Tall, dark, and sexy, as well as fabulously wealthy, Giovanni is everything a girl could ask for in a lover. There's only one catch. He's been undead for more than three hundred years. When Rachel is drawn into Giovanni's world, she learns that the rules of human existence mean nothing in the world of vampires. This, however, is a fair price to pay for a love that will last forever. Hunted by the Desmarais family, who carry a centuries-old vendetta, Rachel and Giovanni travel to the ends of the earth in order to stay one step ahead. Can their love survive, or will their eternity together end? Content Violence, sexual encounters with the undead.
Blood, sex and eternal life... What more could a girl ask for? Tall, dark, and sexy, as well as fabulously wealthy, Giovanni is everything a girl could ask for in a lover. There's only one catch. He's been undead for more than three hundred years. When Rachel is drawn into Giovanni's world, she learns that the rules of human existence mean nothing in the world of vampires. This, however, is a fair price to pay for a love that will last forever. Hunted by the Desmarais family, who carry a centuries-old vendetta, Rachel and Giovanni travel to the ends of the earth in order to stay one step ahead. Can their love survive, or will their eternity together end? Content Violence, sexual encounters with the undead.
278 pages, Paperback
First published January 28, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
October 4, 2010
My Love Eternal is the first part of the The Dark Kiss Trilogy where Rachel is drawn into the world of Giovanni. Liz Strange's vampires are unappologetic, forceful, dark and ready for whatever is thrown at them. This book is quite different to many other vampire romances around; it's dark in places yet full of love in others. Bloodlust taken in stride yet much of the possitve aspects of being human are never totally lost.
The dramatic twists and turns towards the end of the book will have you needing to read the next instalment!
Giovanni is described on the book blurb as:-
"Tall, dark, and sexy, as well as fabulously wealthy, Giovanni is everything a girl could ask for in a lover. There’s only one catch. He’s been undead for more than three hundred years."
Rachel is drawn to him from the outset and her love takes her to many places, emotionally as well as physically.
Rachel and Giovanni's love should last for an eternity but he is hunted by the Desmarais family, who carry a centuries-old vendetta against Giovanni. They travel to the ends of the earth to escape and hold onto their love, but can it survive? You'll have to read My Love Eternal to find out if their love endures for eternity.
My review was published on my blog, if you'd like to check my blog out visit:
http://magicfaeriesparanormalreview.blogspot.com/2010/07/my-love-eternal-is-first-part-of-the.html
The dramatic twists and turns towards the end of the book will have you needing to read the next instalment!
Giovanni is described on the book blurb as:-
"Tall, dark, and sexy, as well as fabulously wealthy, Giovanni is everything a girl could ask for in a lover. There’s only one catch. He’s been undead for more than three hundred years."
Rachel is drawn to him from the outset and her love takes her to many places, emotionally as well as physically.
Rachel and Giovanni's love should last for an eternity but he is hunted by the Desmarais family, who carry a centuries-old vendetta against Giovanni. They travel to the ends of the earth to escape and hold onto their love, but can it survive? You'll have to read My Love Eternal to find out if their love endures for eternity.
My review was published on my blog, if you'd like to check my blog out visit:
http://magicfaeriesparanormalreview.blogspot.com/2010/07/my-love-eternal-is-first-part-of-the.html
April 1, 2010
Liz Strange's vampires don't get all angsty and squeamish about biting people. I love that about this book. I'm tired of reading about morose, dark strangers who are just trying to make it through their tortured eternity one night at a time and blah blah blah.
Seriously, go step into a sunbeam if you are that miserable. Ugh!
Not MY LOVE ETERNAL. Giovanni has no qualms about killing people. Makes him a pretty interesting hero. And Rachel? let's just say she adapts pretty quickly.
MY LOVE ETERNAL is not your typical vampire romance. It's dark, sexy, and anything but angsty. If you are looking for something different in the world of paranormal romance, this is your ticket.
Seriously, go step into a sunbeam if you are that miserable. Ugh!
Not MY LOVE ETERNAL. Giovanni has no qualms about killing people. Makes him a pretty interesting hero. And Rachel? let's just say she adapts pretty quickly.
MY LOVE ETERNAL is not your typical vampire romance. It's dark, sexy, and anything but angsty. If you are looking for something different in the world of paranormal romance, this is your ticket.
April 6, 2010
My Love Eternal by Liz Strange is a wonderful combination of the original vampire story with just a perfect mix of romance and mystery.
If you are looking for a story that is from the vampires' point of view and shows their dark, bloody, and passionate daily life then you have found it.
Summary:
My Love Eternal tells the story of Rachel a human who chooses to leave her life as human to become a vampire. She meets her eternal love while working as a secretary in a local hospital. From the time they meet there is nothing but passion, action, exotic places, passion, and real feelings.
The lives of the two characters are very realistic to the stories of the likes of Anne Rice. There is no brooding only the realization of who they are. But the main character must face the consequences of an action that he committed centuries early but this only develops the characters even more.
The perfect lives of these lovers are interrupted by the fact that the Desmarais family is searching for them to make Giovanni pay for his past crimes. And in the end Rachel is left to some hard decisions to make.
Review:
Rachel is a wonderful example of a female lead character that show strength as well as vulnerability. She makes the choice to become a vampire and even though she doesn't like all the aspects she toughens up, makes decisions, and lives her vampire life to the fullest.
The story begins with Rachel being human but that is the only similarities to so many other books that I have read. She is a strong human, sired early in the story, and is empowered throughout the entire book.
The story is not the typical romance book. There are romantic scenes as well as some explicit erotic scenes but that does not overshadow the actual storyline of the book. The relationship between the vampires and humans in the story are very deep. The adventure is paced perfectly with just enough action and gore without it being too much for the reader.
The character development throughout the story is done at a pace that the reader can develop with her. The story certainly has a fast pace while reading and a very shocking twist at the end.
There are some erotic scenes, violence, rape scene and a questionable scene at the end of the story but they are all done with taste and not gratuitously.
About the author:
Liz Strange is a single mother of four who resides in Ontario. She loves all things dark and mysterious and has been an avid reader since childhood. She loves to hear from her readers and will answer email and questions.
My Love Eternal is the first of The Dark Kiss Trilogy. The second book is A Second Chance at Forever and the final installment of the series is Born of Blood and Retribution.
If you are looking for a story that is from the vampires' point of view and shows their dark, bloody, and passionate daily life then you have found it.
Summary:
My Love Eternal tells the story of Rachel a human who chooses to leave her life as human to become a vampire. She meets her eternal love while working as a secretary in a local hospital. From the time they meet there is nothing but passion, action, exotic places, passion, and real feelings.
The lives of the two characters are very realistic to the stories of the likes of Anne Rice. There is no brooding only the realization of who they are. But the main character must face the consequences of an action that he committed centuries early but this only develops the characters even more.
The perfect lives of these lovers are interrupted by the fact that the Desmarais family is searching for them to make Giovanni pay for his past crimes. And in the end Rachel is left to some hard decisions to make.
Review:
Rachel is a wonderful example of a female lead character that show strength as well as vulnerability. She makes the choice to become a vampire and even though she doesn't like all the aspects she toughens up, makes decisions, and lives her vampire life to the fullest.
The story begins with Rachel being human but that is the only similarities to so many other books that I have read. She is a strong human, sired early in the story, and is empowered throughout the entire book.
The story is not the typical romance book. There are romantic scenes as well as some explicit erotic scenes but that does not overshadow the actual storyline of the book. The relationship between the vampires and humans in the story are very deep. The adventure is paced perfectly with just enough action and gore without it being too much for the reader.
The character development throughout the story is done at a pace that the reader can develop with her. The story certainly has a fast pace while reading and a very shocking twist at the end.
There are some erotic scenes, violence, rape scene and a questionable scene at the end of the story but they are all done with taste and not gratuitously.
About the author:
Liz Strange is a single mother of four who resides in Ontario. She loves all things dark and mysterious and has been an avid reader since childhood. She loves to hear from her readers and will answer email and questions.
My Love Eternal is the first of The Dark Kiss Trilogy. The second book is A Second Chance at Forever and the final installment of the series is Born of Blood and Retribution.
July 22, 2010
This is not your average vampire story. It is dark, sensual, and intensely romantic. There was no gratuitous sex, no jedi mind tricks and these vampires killed their victims sometimes very violently. I do admit that the story sometimes dragged a bit, but I never found myself doing the "proverbial" skipping sections to get to the good part. It was all good. I found myself lost in Giovanni and Rachel's story and their uncertain future. The dramatic twists during the end of the book, literally left me with my mouth open. My heart was unexpectedly broken at the end of this story.
March 7, 2010
I must admit to being somewhat biased because I edited this novel, but I'm thrilled this tale of vampiric love has been unleashed upon the world. Offering a thoroughly enjoyable dip into a world without Sunlight, Liz is definitely an author worth watching out for, and I'm looking forward to seeing continuations of this milieu go out to entertain fans of dark fiction.
November 23, 2010
Review by Ronda
bittenbyparanormalromance
DARK & GRUESOME!
My Love Eternal isn’t like a lot of the vampire romances out there where there is all hot and sugar coated romance revealed. No, if you like the dark side of vampires such as the gory bloodshed violence of the horrifying kill and the fear vampires thrive on then this book is right up your alley.
There is passion, but not the descriptive erotica that we all love from sexy vampires. For my taste I thought the sexual encounters between Giovanni and Rachel lacked the steaminess or maybe there wasn’t enough foreplay. The sex scene kind of grossed me out when he bit her neck and then spit her blood into her mouth. The way Rachel describe the taste of copper and then how she felt nausea with stomach cramps but wet and aroused at the same time completely turned me off. The book fully embraces vampire “life” and what it brings with it to survive.
The story sometimes dragged a bit especially the first 50 pages of the story and almost lost interest but I hung on thinking this has to get better. I thought the writer spent too much time with Rachel experiencing the trance state in the beginning. However, I did enjoy the second half of the novel more than the first.
The story did intrigue me as Giovanni and Rachel travel though out the country to hide from the Desmariais family who was in search for Giovanni to take revenge for an old grudge of past crimes. I loved how Rachel took in Eli, a small boy whom they end up raising. The ending was sad but I thought that the writer could have given Giovanni a better fighting chance. Even though the perfect lives of these lovers are interrupted with a brutal ending, Rachel carries on with her life and I admired that about her.
bittenbyparanormalromance
DARK & GRUESOME!
My Love Eternal isn’t like a lot of the vampire romances out there where there is all hot and sugar coated romance revealed. No, if you like the dark side of vampires such as the gory bloodshed violence of the horrifying kill and the fear vampires thrive on then this book is right up your alley.
There is passion, but not the descriptive erotica that we all love from sexy vampires. For my taste I thought the sexual encounters between Giovanni and Rachel lacked the steaminess or maybe there wasn’t enough foreplay. The sex scene kind of grossed me out when he bit her neck and then spit her blood into her mouth. The way Rachel describe the taste of copper and then how she felt nausea with stomach cramps but wet and aroused at the same time completely turned me off. The book fully embraces vampire “life” and what it brings with it to survive.
The story sometimes dragged a bit especially the first 50 pages of the story and almost lost interest but I hung on thinking this has to get better. I thought the writer spent too much time with Rachel experiencing the trance state in the beginning. However, I did enjoy the second half of the novel more than the first.
The story did intrigue me as Giovanni and Rachel travel though out the country to hide from the Desmariais family who was in search for Giovanni to take revenge for an old grudge of past crimes. I loved how Rachel took in Eli, a small boy whom they end up raising. The ending was sad but I thought that the writer could have given Giovanni a better fighting chance. Even though the perfect lives of these lovers are interrupted with a brutal ending, Rachel carries on with her life and I admired that about her.
May 26, 2010
My Love Eternal is the first book in Liz Strange’s Dark Kiss Trilogy & it is not your average vampire romance, I’d even venture to say it’s a dark paranormal.
Rachel has always been different, but when a strange man appears in her office at the hospital & she can hear his thoughts, she falls for him right away. She knows he is different & one night she feels what he feels, while he is feeding. Giovanni is a vampire & Rachel is the one he’s been waiting for. Without much of a glance into her life, Rachel leaves it all behind for Giovanni but it’s not all happy, Giovanni is being hunted & will do anything to survive. Especially when Giovanni is being hunted due to a 300 year old grudge.
My Love Eternal isn’t like a lot of the vampire romances out there right now, it’s geared more towards the dark side of vampires. There is passion, but there is no whining that they’re vampires, they fully embrace vampire “life” & what it brings with it. Even blood drinking & killing to survive.
While I liked the storyline & plot, I wasn’t really a fan of Rachel. I felt like she put no thought into her decision to turn into vampire & there wasn’t much background information given to see why she didn’t care for her human life. Honestly, I just didn’t like Rachel much she had no redeeming qualities for me. Giovanni I loved, he’s very old world & a lover, but with a very very dark side. I also loved that you cannot predict what is going to happen next, just when you think you know…boom something happens that flips that upside down. That is what kept me reading.
If you are looking for something very dark & different from most vampire romances out there, get a copy of My Love Eternal but Rachel may drive you to look for a stake.
Rachel has always been different, but when a strange man appears in her office at the hospital & she can hear his thoughts, she falls for him right away. She knows he is different & one night she feels what he feels, while he is feeding. Giovanni is a vampire & Rachel is the one he’s been waiting for. Without much of a glance into her life, Rachel leaves it all behind for Giovanni but it’s not all happy, Giovanni is being hunted & will do anything to survive. Especially when Giovanni is being hunted due to a 300 year old grudge.
My Love Eternal isn’t like a lot of the vampire romances out there right now, it’s geared more towards the dark side of vampires. There is passion, but there is no whining that they’re vampires, they fully embrace vampire “life” & what it brings with it. Even blood drinking & killing to survive.
While I liked the storyline & plot, I wasn’t really a fan of Rachel. I felt like she put no thought into her decision to turn into vampire & there wasn’t much background information given to see why she didn’t care for her human life. Honestly, I just didn’t like Rachel much she had no redeeming qualities for me. Giovanni I loved, he’s very old world & a lover, but with a very very dark side. I also loved that you cannot predict what is going to happen next, just when you think you know…boom something happens that flips that upside down. That is what kept me reading.
If you are looking for something very dark & different from most vampire romances out there, get a copy of My Love Eternal but Rachel may drive you to look for a stake.
October 9, 2010
DARK & GRUESOME!
My Love Eternal isn’t like a lot of the vampire romances out there where there is all hot and sugar coated romance revealed. No, if you like the dark side of vampires such as the gory bloodshed violence of the horrifying kill and the fear vampires thrive on then this book is right up your alley.
There is passion, but not the descriptive erotica that we all love from sexy vampires. For my taste I thought the sexual encounters between Giovanni and Rachel lacked the steaminess or maybe there wasn’t enough foreplay. The sex scene kind of grossed me out when he bit her neck and then spit her blood into her mouth. The way Rachel describe the taste of copper and then how she felt nausea with stomach cramps but wet and aroused at the same time completely turned me off. The book fully embraces vampire “life” and what it brings with it to survive.
The story sometimes dragged a bit especially the first 50 pages of the story and almost lost interest but I hung on thinking this has to get better. I thought the writer spent too much time with Rachel experiencing the trance state in the beginning. However, I did enjoy the second half of the novel more than the first.
The story did intrigue me as Giovanni and Rachel travel though out the country to hide from the Desmariais family who was in search for Giovanni to take revenge for an old grudge of past crimes. I loved how Rachel took in Eli, a small boy whom they end up raising. The ending was sad but I thought that the writer could have given Giovanni a better fighting chance. Even though the perfect lives of these lovers are interrupted with a brutal ending, Rachel carries on with her life and I admired that about her.
My Love Eternal isn’t like a lot of the vampire romances out there where there is all hot and sugar coated romance revealed. No, if you like the dark side of vampires such as the gory bloodshed violence of the horrifying kill and the fear vampires thrive on then this book is right up your alley.
There is passion, but not the descriptive erotica that we all love from sexy vampires. For my taste I thought the sexual encounters between Giovanni and Rachel lacked the steaminess or maybe there wasn’t enough foreplay. The sex scene kind of grossed me out when he bit her neck and then spit her blood into her mouth. The way Rachel describe the taste of copper and then how she felt nausea with stomach cramps but wet and aroused at the same time completely turned me off. The book fully embraces vampire “life” and what it brings with it to survive.
The story sometimes dragged a bit especially the first 50 pages of the story and almost lost interest but I hung on thinking this has to get better. I thought the writer spent too much time with Rachel experiencing the trance state in the beginning. However, I did enjoy the second half of the novel more than the first.
The story did intrigue me as Giovanni and Rachel travel though out the country to hide from the Desmariais family who was in search for Giovanni to take revenge for an old grudge of past crimes. I loved how Rachel took in Eli, a small boy whom they end up raising. The ending was sad but I thought that the writer could have given Giovanni a better fighting chance. Even though the perfect lives of these lovers are interrupted with a brutal ending, Rachel carries on with her life and I admired that about her.
June 29, 2010
Liz Strange tells the story of a young woman, Rachel, who knows there is something missing in her life, but isn’t certain of what that is until she meets the mysterious vampire Giovanni. The attraction is obvious, but the instant psychic connection is something neither understands, but can’t and won’t deny.
Rachel knows she’s not like other people her age. She doesn’t socialize like her friend’s believe she should and she keeps odd hours. It isn’t until she enters the world of vampires that she finally finds her place in the world.
Giovanni is a lonely creature of the night who believes is condemned to never feel the emotion of love… until he meets Rachel. Both characters fit beautifully together and you immediately experience the peace they share as they start their new life together.
Liz Strange takes us all over the globe with enticing locale descriptions that immediately draw you into each setting without the feeling that it has been overdone. Though the sexual encounters between the characters lacked steaminess, I felt myself overlooking that aspect and focusing more on the emotions of the characters as they struggle for survival. The ending is completely unexpected and I eagerly await the next installment.
Also posted @ Happily Ever After Reviews:
http://hea-reviews.blogspot.com/
Rachel knows she’s not like other people her age. She doesn’t socialize like her friend’s believe she should and she keeps odd hours. It isn’t until she enters the world of vampires that she finally finds her place in the world.
Giovanni is a lonely creature of the night who believes is condemned to never feel the emotion of love… until he meets Rachel. Both characters fit beautifully together and you immediately experience the peace they share as they start their new life together.
Liz Strange takes us all over the globe with enticing locale descriptions that immediately draw you into each setting without the feeling that it has been overdone. Though the sexual encounters between the characters lacked steaminess, I felt myself overlooking that aspect and focusing more on the emotions of the characters as they struggle for survival. The ending is completely unexpected and I eagerly await the next installment.
Also posted @ Happily Ever After Reviews:
http://hea-reviews.blogspot.com/
June 11, 2010
Don’t be confused by that description of Giovanni – he may be the requisite “hawt vamp” but the real star here is Rachel. With nary a backward glance Rachel leaves behind her boring life as a hospital clerk and joins Giovanni in his vampire existence. What, you say, no hand-wringing over leaving behind a normal life, no agonizing over drinking human blood to survive, no emo whinging over killing people to survive? NO! None of that! To which I say, YES! Rachel and Giovanni make the best of their undead creature of the night existence. Rachel devotes herself to expanding her world through both travel and study, something I thought was awesome. Their little family of two eventually expands when she finds a young boy, newly orphaned and traumatized, and brings him home to take care of him. Giovanni’s past catches up with them, in more ways than one. The ending, which I will not divulge, was such a shock I really didn’t see it coming, especially in a book with the genre tag “paranormal romance.”
Grrr… I wish I could talk about the ending but I don’t want to spoil it for anyone who hasn’t read it. Let me just say this: ending the book this way was a brave thing for an author to do. My Love Eternal is the first in a three part series and I’ll definitely be getting the next two.
Grrr… I wish I could talk about the ending but I don’t want to spoil it for anyone who hasn’t read it. Let me just say this: ending the book this way was a brave thing for an author to do. My Love Eternal is the first in a three part series and I’ll definitely be getting the next two.
June 29, 2010
Yadkny’s Review
Liz Strange tells the story of a young woman, Rachel, who knows there is something missing in her life, but isn’t certain of what that is until she meets the mysterious vampire Giovanni. The attraction is obvious, but the instant psychic connection is something neither understands, but can’t and won’t deny.
Rachel knows she’s not like other people her age. She doesn’t socialize like her friend’s believe she should and she keeps odd hours. It isn’t until she enters the world of vampires that she finally finds her place in the world.
Giovanni is a lonely creature of the night who believes is condemned to never feel the emotion of love… until he meets Rachel. Both characters fit beautifully together and you immediately experience the peace they share as they start their new life together.
Liz Strange takes us all over the globe with enticing locale descriptions that immediately draw you into each setting without the feeling that it has been overdone. Though the sexual encounters between the characters lacked steaminess, I felt myself overlooking that aspect and focusing more on the emotions of the characters as they struggle for survival. The ending is completely unexpected and I eagerly await the next installment.
3 1/2 Tea Cups!
Liz Strange tells the story of a young woman, Rachel, who knows there is something missing in her life, but isn’t certain of what that is until she meets the mysterious vampire Giovanni. The attraction is obvious, but the instant psychic connection is something neither understands, but can’t and won’t deny.
Rachel knows she’s not like other people her age. She doesn’t socialize like her friend’s believe she should and she keeps odd hours. It isn’t until she enters the world of vampires that she finally finds her place in the world.
Giovanni is a lonely creature of the night who believes is condemned to never feel the emotion of love… until he meets Rachel. Both characters fit beautifully together and you immediately experience the peace they share as they start their new life together.
Liz Strange takes us all over the globe with enticing locale descriptions that immediately draw you into each setting without the feeling that it has been overdone. Though the sexual encounters between the characters lacked steaminess, I felt myself overlooking that aspect and focusing more on the emotions of the characters as they struggle for survival. The ending is completely unexpected and I eagerly await the next installment.
3 1/2 Tea Cups!
November 5, 2010
I read this a few months ago and did not really appreciate it at the time because I let my expectations override my usually open mind. I had also not read the ebook about the woman being held hostage and given chicken soup...very dark stuff but I loved it.
When I focus on the flow of My Love Eternal, I find I don't particularly enjoy it but when I focus on the characters, I get a different feel for the story. I decided to re-read the ebook a few weeks ago and skim the parts I thought were too slow moving. I went for the meat and found that I truly wanted to know what happens to these characters. I especially can't stand the thought that Giavonni is gone for good. I also think Eli might not be the disloyal, love sick kid I thought he was. I will have to see where Ms. Strange takes me in book two. I hope to get to it soon before someone post a detailed spoiler.
When I focus on the flow of My Love Eternal, I find I don't particularly enjoy it but when I focus on the characters, I get a different feel for the story. I decided to re-read the ebook a few weeks ago and skim the parts I thought were too slow moving. I went for the meat and found that I truly wanted to know what happens to these characters. I especially can't stand the thought that Giavonni is gone for good. I also think Eli might not be the disloyal, love sick kid I thought he was. I will have to see where Ms. Strange takes me in book two. I hope to get to it soon before someone post a detailed spoiler.
August 30, 2010
I was surprised and delighted when I began reading this different take on vampire romance. I loved the first person perspective, and the confident, unapologetic, main character. Clearly Ms. Strange doesn’t think that her readers are so one-dimensional that we can’t appreciate and like characters who are more than one-dimensional.
I loved Rachel. She becomes something other-than-human, a murderer, and a predator who enjoys killing. Yet I was always cheering for her and identified with her. (Despite the fact that I am not a sadistic vampire myself.)
The love scenes left me wanting something, but as a whole I found this book fabulous and can’t wait to read the sequel. I love finding a new Canadian author with so much talent!
I loved Rachel. She becomes something other-than-human, a murderer, and a predator who enjoys killing. Yet I was always cheering for her and identified with her. (Despite the fact that I am not a sadistic vampire myself.)
The love scenes left me wanting something, but as a whole I found this book fabulous and can’t wait to read the sequel. I love finding a new Canadian author with so much talent!
July 23, 2010
I liked it and cant wait for the next one. These new vampires are different.. darker, fearce.. I love them..lol.. unapologetic, know what they want, and make what they want come to them.. awesome.
May 21, 2010
DNF. First 50 pages didn't keep me interested enough to read further.
dnf
November 21, 2011Nope...don't like it... Abandoned.
January 6, 2012
We all know books like these, it doesn’t take a scientist to figure out the premise (look at the cover art)
There are thousands of women that devote time, energy and a boat-load of money to keeping this particular genre alive. (Yes… I have been known to indulge in some blatant “trash” novels myself) There are even conventions to let those same women bath in a little eye candy while chatting up their favorite authors.
Now, while every novel differs in its own way, to write a successful novel like this there are a few (but very important) things that need to take place.
1. You must quickly establish the 2 main objects of affection, however, it’s important to keep them apart and tease the audience with their “togetherness” for a few chapters. (The more you tease the more invested the reader will be in the outcome)
2. There must be a dramatic interference in the lovers lives, something that (once they finally get together) starts to tug them apart. This could be 1 of about 5 million scenarios.
3. The drama (mentioned in 2) has to start immediately and span the entire length of the novel. It must twist and turn the characters in ways you didn’t imagine, it must make the reader continually question whether or not the lovers will survive this horrible hiccup and it must culminate in epic fashion somewhere around the 75-85% mark in the novel.
Now… here is my point, (yes, I know… that was a really long winded way to get there)
“My Love Eternal” had all of the above, (it even had vampires) but unfortunately they were plotted horribly and the lasting effect was one of complete indifference. (God I hate admitting that)
“Liz Strange” has the ability to write a knock out (I could see her potential glimmering right under the surface, ) but for a novel that is supposed to be the start to a new series, the way in which THIS novel was set up was even more detrimental than if this was a stand alone read. The first 40% was a weird twist of dream like sequences and confessions of undying devotion. The initial chemistry “set-up” between characters was severely lacking going from 0-60 in just a few paragraphs, and there was absolutely no mention (or hinting of) potential life changing drama. Finally at about 50% in we got the details, the “Watch out… here is my really ugly ghost and I just plopped you down into Casper’s path drama” but after 3 paragraphs of “rushed chaos” and “Oh my gods” the entire problem disappeared. For 20 years. (Literally) It was not until 95% of the book was long gone that the story finally started to get exciting and even then I found myself caring more about the “son” in the story than the 2 leads.
Could this story have been a good one? Yes…absolutely. Like I said above it had all of the necessary elements to capture the hearts of the “devoted” it’s just to bad that the timeline was unforgivingly crumpled.
If you want to take the risk, go for it, who knows… maybe Liz will take some notes, find her inner goddess and let the world she has created take over in a fit of fury in book 2, but as for me… this was just another book, and not a very compelling one.
Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: sometimes even vampires can be boring.
There are thousands of women that devote time, energy and a boat-load of money to keeping this particular genre alive. (Yes… I have been known to indulge in some blatant “trash” novels myself) There are even conventions to let those same women bath in a little eye candy while chatting up their favorite authors.
Now, while every novel differs in its own way, to write a successful novel like this there are a few (but very important) things that need to take place.
1. You must quickly establish the 2 main objects of affection, however, it’s important to keep them apart and tease the audience with their “togetherness” for a few chapters. (The more you tease the more invested the reader will be in the outcome)
2. There must be a dramatic interference in the lovers lives, something that (once they finally get together) starts to tug them apart. This could be 1 of about 5 million scenarios.
3. The drama (mentioned in 2) has to start immediately and span the entire length of the novel. It must twist and turn the characters in ways you didn’t imagine, it must make the reader continually question whether or not the lovers will survive this horrible hiccup and it must culminate in epic fashion somewhere around the 75-85% mark in the novel.
Now… here is my point, (yes, I know… that was a really long winded way to get there)
“My Love Eternal” had all of the above, (it even had vampires) but unfortunately they were plotted horribly and the lasting effect was one of complete indifference. (God I hate admitting that)
“Liz Strange” has the ability to write a knock out (I could see her potential glimmering right under the surface, ) but for a novel that is supposed to be the start to a new series, the way in which THIS novel was set up was even more detrimental than if this was a stand alone read. The first 40% was a weird twist of dream like sequences and confessions of undying devotion. The initial chemistry “set-up” between characters was severely lacking going from 0-60 in just a few paragraphs, and there was absolutely no mention (or hinting of) potential life changing drama. Finally at about 50% in we got the details, the “Watch out… here is my really ugly ghost and I just plopped you down into Casper’s path drama” but after 3 paragraphs of “rushed chaos” and “Oh my gods” the entire problem disappeared. For 20 years. (Literally) It was not until 95% of the book was long gone that the story finally started to get exciting and even then I found myself caring more about the “son” in the story than the 2 leads.
Could this story have been a good one? Yes…absolutely. Like I said above it had all of the necessary elements to capture the hearts of the “devoted” it’s just to bad that the timeline was unforgivingly crumpled.
If you want to take the risk, go for it, who knows… maybe Liz will take some notes, find her inner goddess and let the world she has created take over in a fit of fury in book 2, but as for me… this was just another book, and not a very compelling one.
Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: sometimes even vampires can be boring.
June 14, 2011
The opening scene presents a woman named Rachel who is working late one evening, and is alone in her office in the late hours of the evening. A man named Giovanni passes by and stops at her door, introducing himself and asking her odd questions about her work and about herself. Although she has never met the man before and he seems very strange, she cannot help but feel drawn to him. Coincidentally, after the man leaves, Rachel runs into the building’s guard and is informed that several patients have died that evening without cause.
Rachel soon discovers that the deaths had some very strange elements in common; the patients had great amounts of blood loss and were all also terminal patients. Could this man have been the cause of their deaths?
Giovanni is a handsome man, however feels extremely lonely with no one to share his emotions. He believes that he can never allow himself to experience true love due to his curse of being a vampire. This all changes the instant he meets Rachel, and he feels that he must have her as his mate.
Rachel becomes obsessed with the idea that Giovanni may be a vampire and wants to face him. What will happen when Rachel discovers the truth?
My Love Eternal is a wonderful tale about a woman and a vampire who cannot resist the fact that they are drawn to each other. From the very instant they meet at the hospital where Rachel works, sparks fly between the two characters. The novel is filled with powerful emotions such as passion, love, and hatred.
My favorite aspect of this novel was how Liz Strange presented Rachel as a woman with great strength, yet has a vulnerable side to her as well. I also enjoyed Giovanni’s background story of how he became a vampire. The ending was definitely surprising which made me want to read the second installment immediately after finishing My Love Eternal.
Liz Strange portrays the characters as two broken individuals who find strength in each other. Although they are very passionate for one another, the world around them brings trouble and chaos but they fight together until the very end.
Please note that there are some scenes that may not be appropriate for all readers as they present graphic violence and intimacy. My Love Eternal is the first novel in The Dark Kiss Trilogy, followed by A Second Chance at Forever and Born of Blood and Retribution.
I recommend this novel to those who enjoy Adult fiction and Paranormal Romance.
4/5 – An Enjoyable Read, Well Written, Recommended
Rachel soon discovers that the deaths had some very strange elements in common; the patients had great amounts of blood loss and were all also terminal patients. Could this man have been the cause of their deaths?
Giovanni is a handsome man, however feels extremely lonely with no one to share his emotions. He believes that he can never allow himself to experience true love due to his curse of being a vampire. This all changes the instant he meets Rachel, and he feels that he must have her as his mate.
Rachel becomes obsessed with the idea that Giovanni may be a vampire and wants to face him. What will happen when Rachel discovers the truth?
My Love Eternal is a wonderful tale about a woman and a vampire who cannot resist the fact that they are drawn to each other. From the very instant they meet at the hospital where Rachel works, sparks fly between the two characters. The novel is filled with powerful emotions such as passion, love, and hatred.
My favorite aspect of this novel was how Liz Strange presented Rachel as a woman with great strength, yet has a vulnerable side to her as well. I also enjoyed Giovanni’s background story of how he became a vampire. The ending was definitely surprising which made me want to read the second installment immediately after finishing My Love Eternal.
Liz Strange portrays the characters as two broken individuals who find strength in each other. Although they are very passionate for one another, the world around them brings trouble and chaos but they fight together until the very end.
Please note that there are some scenes that may not be appropriate for all readers as they present graphic violence and intimacy. My Love Eternal is the first novel in The Dark Kiss Trilogy, followed by A Second Chance at Forever and Born of Blood and Retribution.
I recommend this novel to those who enjoy Adult fiction and Paranormal Romance.
4/5 – An Enjoyable Read, Well Written, Recommended
November 5, 2010
I had a hard time getting into this book. Rachel and Giovanni meet quickly and the spark is there right away but then Giovanni disappears. What follows are brief encounters between the two and Rachel going into a down word spiral physically and emotionally because of a man she has spent minutes with. I didn't care much for the first part of the book. It felt very slow and Rachel came off as a weak character because since Giovanni was not coming to her, she could not function right. After she is turned, the pace does improve but the story it self doesn't get much better.
After she is turned Giovanni informs Rachel that he is being hunted by the Desmarais family because of something that happened three centuries ago. The Desmarais have passed the vendetta on from generation to generation and are closing in on Giovanni so they will need to constantly look over their shoulders and be on the move. They do get to settle down in Greece for a decade and there Rachel finds a young boy named Eli who they adopt as their own son. Shortly after they find Eli, the Desmarais are seen close to their home and they are forced to flee. After a year of moving around, they arrive in England where they raise Eli and this is where the remainder of the book takes place.
After Rachel is turned, her and Giovanni's relationship does become kind of sweet and you do feel their love for each other. The Desmarais were a good villain because they were able to put fear in the characters without actually being there until the end. Other than that, I didn't care too much for My Love Eternal. I had to force myself more than once to continue reading because a lot of the scenes are drawn out and there is little action. The story just felt bland and the relationship that develops between Rachel and her adoptive son Eli at the end didn't feel right. This book has gotten some really good reviews on Amazon so this book just may not have been my cup of tea. If you have the time and patience then feel free to judge it for yourself. I would describe it over all as being an ok vampire romance. If I was to continue on with the series (which is a trilogy) it would only be to find out what happens with the Desmarais.
~Stephanie
After she is turned Giovanni informs Rachel that he is being hunted by the Desmarais family because of something that happened three centuries ago. The Desmarais have passed the vendetta on from generation to generation and are closing in on Giovanni so they will need to constantly look over their shoulders and be on the move. They do get to settle down in Greece for a decade and there Rachel finds a young boy named Eli who they adopt as their own son. Shortly after they find Eli, the Desmarais are seen close to their home and they are forced to flee. After a year of moving around, they arrive in England where they raise Eli and this is where the remainder of the book takes place.
After Rachel is turned, her and Giovanni's relationship does become kind of sweet and you do feel their love for each other. The Desmarais were a good villain because they were able to put fear in the characters without actually being there until the end. Other than that, I didn't care too much for My Love Eternal. I had to force myself more than once to continue reading because a lot of the scenes are drawn out and there is little action. The story just felt bland and the relationship that develops between Rachel and her adoptive son Eli at the end didn't feel right. This book has gotten some really good reviews on Amazon so this book just may not have been my cup of tea. If you have the time and patience then feel free to judge it for yourself. I would describe it over all as being an ok vampire romance. If I was to continue on with the series (which is a trilogy) it would only be to find out what happens with the Desmarais.
~Stephanie
December 14, 2010
Liz Strange's Book “My Love Eternal"
Liz Strange writes a very emotional and powerful book filled with love. The love that Rachael and Giovanni feel for each other oozes passion. I loved this book. Liz's writing shows you what true love is really about.
After laying eyes on Giovanni, when he walked into Rachael's place of work, she falls head over heels for him. Rachael confesses her love for Giovanni, and that she wants to spend the rest of her life with him. Giovanni on the other hand, asks her to really think deeply about what she is going to be giving up if she wants to be with him. Rachael must realize that Giovanni is a vampire, and that she will always be moving from place to place every ten years. She stands to loose contact with all of her family and friends.
Is Rachael willing to give up everything for a beautiful man who walked into her place of work one faithful night, or will she stay and live out her life how it was before?
Find out what happens in the wonderful book written by Liz Strange.
4 Bats out of 5
Reviewed by Raven Kelly- Webmistress of VampireBooks.ca and Book Reviewer
Click Here to Visit VampireBooks.ca
Liz Strange writes a very emotional and powerful book filled with love. The love that Rachael and Giovanni feel for each other oozes passion. I loved this book. Liz's writing shows you what true love is really about.
After laying eyes on Giovanni, when he walked into Rachael's place of work, she falls head over heels for him. Rachael confesses her love for Giovanni, and that she wants to spend the rest of her life with him. Giovanni on the other hand, asks her to really think deeply about what she is going to be giving up if she wants to be with him. Rachael must realize that Giovanni is a vampire, and that she will always be moving from place to place every ten years. She stands to loose contact with all of her family and friends.
Is Rachael willing to give up everything for a beautiful man who walked into her place of work one faithful night, or will she stay and live out her life how it was before?
Find out what happens in the wonderful book written by Liz Strange.
4 Bats out of 5
Reviewed by Raven Kelly- Webmistress of VampireBooks.ca and Book Reviewer
Click Here to Visit VampireBooks.ca
April 14, 2011
I don’t often find it hard to get through a book, but with My Love Eternal I just couldn’t. I read 60+ pages but that was through forcing myself to read it. For me, the story couldn’t keep me occupied and I found the main character Rachel, annoying. Her complete and utter obsession with Giovanni put me off. I feel bad for writing this review, but I couldn’t finish the book. It’s quite dark and a little violent. It reads a little like a grown ups version of Twilight, with the female lead having an obsession with the vampire male. Rachel’s story telling felt uninspired, and I actually felt drained, but not in the good way. I’m not too sure what else to say. This is the first review I have done like this and I think I’ll just have to leave it at that, I guess.
February 11, 2011
As a first attempt in PR, Liz Strange did well. Though i found the ending upsetting and have yet to understand why one of the main characters would be taken out of the equation when this is a first book in a series. Character development was lacking and portrayal of her characters are away from the norm when dealing with vampires. I will continue on the series to see how Strange writes without one of her leading characters.
October 23, 2013
I love all of Liz Stange's books. Before reading her Vampire Trilogy I was a mostly literary fiction reader. I became hooked on her as an author and have been introduced to fantasy, pararomance, and science fiction. Her writing flows without unnecessary fillers. The stories are just plain well written and enjoyable to read. I would give anything she writes a try. The lady can tell a story. Recommend very highly!
August 9, 2010
I didn't really care for the writing style; I felt like I was reading a soap opera and it was just too dramatic for me. I did enjoy the second half of the novel more than the first, but I don't plan on reading the next in the series.
August 11, 2016
--Actual rating 3.5 skulls
My Love Eternal isn't your everyday sexy vampire romance, it's a dark paranormal, and it's full of beautifully descripted world building, romance without over the top sex, and dark heart.
My Love Eternal isn't your everyday sexy vampire romance, it's a dark paranormal, and it's full of beautifully descripted world building, romance without over the top sex, and dark heart.
December 21, 2018
DNF
I got about half way through the book but I found myself not caring what happened.
I got about half way through the book but I found myself not caring what happened.
June 30, 2010
couldn't finish- this happens rarely, I just couldn't get into it
June 9, 2010
Not bad... not bad at all. I always prefer a Happy Ending to my smut, so that's my only disappointment.
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