ORDER A COPY: My Lord Vampire (Immortal Rogues)
Publisher: Kensington Books
Publishing Date: February 28, 2012
Paperback: 278 pages
Rating: 4 stars
In the first of a mesmerizing trilogy, Alexandra Ivy, author of the Guardians of Eternity series, introduces the Immortal Rogues—three vampires duty-bound to protect their own kind even as they fall prey to mortal desires. . .
Centuries have passed since Gideon Ravel dwelled among humans. Now he must infiltrate the cream of London society to earn the trust of one woman. Simone, Lady Gilbert, possesses an amulet of unimaginable power, and no concept of the threat that surrounds her. The ton’s gossip prepared him for her beauty and wit. But he is blindsided by her barely disguised sensuality and his growing need to possess her. . .
None of the idle aristocrats who vie for Simone’s attentions know about her past. To them, she is the sophisticated, worldly widow known as the “Wicked Temptress.” The truth would ruin her, and she has never been tempted to reveal it until now. Yet beneath Gideon’s bold, black-eyed stare is a hunger that demands satisfaction and complete surrender. . .and a secret far more dangerous than her own.
Gideon Ravel is a vampire who lives behind the Veil; hidden and separated from the world of mortals and dedicating himself to knowledge and peace. He has been sent out into the mortal realm to find and stop a dangerous traitor who is attempting to destroy the Veil and enslave both the vampires and the humans for his own evil purposes.
One of the three medallions that created the Veil have been given to Lady Simone Gilbert by kindly gypsy woman for safe keeping, and Gideon must protect her and the medallion from falling into the wrong hands.
There is nothing more coveted by the London Ton than an invitation to the salon of the “Wicked Temptress,” Lady Simone Gilbert. What the members of London’s society don’t know is that Lady Gilbert is hiding a dark secret that would destroy her reputation in society.
Gideon is drawn immediately to Lady Gilbert and not just for his need to protect her; but there is no way to woo the beautiful Simone, when they are both hiding such secrets that trust between them is impossible.
This is a re-released book which was originally released in 2003 under her alter ego, Debbie Raleigh. Now I am a huge fan of Alexandra’s Guardians of Eternity series and as far as I am concerned, she can’t write them fast enough. Saying that it pains me terribly to say that this book was just okay. There is nothing too terribly vampiric?…vampiry?…about this story. He could simply have been a Lord and protecting her from an evil man willing to kill to get the powerful or simply valuable amulet. There was no real need for vampires since he didn’t bite or do anything too vampirish.
Now please don’t interpret my “okay” to mean bad, and it wasn’t the PG rating that affected my review. I can enjoy a well written young adult book as much as some of the erotica that’s out there. Heck there is usually more actual story in a young adult book than in the erotica. It wasn’t a bad story and I read it in about a day. It just didn’t give me the buzz of excitement that I usually get from the characters in her Guardians of Eternity series.
It’s an easy read and decent story, and if you a fan of Alexandra Ivy (like I am) you will enjoy her writing, but it isn’t a “drop what you’re reading and get this today” book. (God it hurts me to say that.)
Received an ARC from Kensington Books.
Favorite Scene:
“There.”
Simone raised her brows in bewilderment. “It is a portrait.”
“Look closer.” Mary commanded.
Biting back an impatient sigh, Simone lifted the candelabra and studied the dark picture. It took only a moment as the soft light revealed the finely hued countenance of the gentleman for her heart to skid to a halt.
“Good heavens,” she whispered. “It is Mr. Ravel.”
“That is what I though, until I noted the small plaque.” Mary retorted.
Lowering her gaze Simone read the words engraved into the plaque. “Lord Ravel. PenwhickCastle. 1520 A.D.”
“I assure you that it gave me quite a start when I first noticed it.”
Simone’s disbelieving gaze returned to the portrait, noting the heavy velvet and lace that the gentleman wore. Certainly there was no gentleman today who would choose such garments.
“It is impossible.”
“It does look remarkable like him, even that gold ring he wears.”
Simone gave a shake of her head, her breath oddly elusive as she searched for some hint that this was not Gideon.
“It looks precisely like him,” she muttered.
“I suppose it must be a relative of Mr. Ravel’s,” Mary continued to chatter, unaware of the tension gripping Simone.
“Yes,” she agreed, although deep within her she could not make herself accept that it was mere coincidence. She had always looked much like her sister, both of them with the same golden hair and slender frames. They both even had a similar birthmark upon their hip. But this…this was not merely resemblance. Every feature, from the glossy dark hair to the arrogant tilt of his chin was precisely the same.
“He looks quite dashing with that ruff and lace. Do you suppose he was as sinfully charming as the current Mr. Ravel?”
Simone shivered, “No doubt.”
Thank you for sharing, Lucy.