Author: Colleen Gleason
Genre: Historical Paranormal Romance
Series: Regency Draculia, #2
Publisher: Mira
Pub. Date: May 1, 2011
Received By: Net Galley
~ Blurb ~
Dimitri, also known as the Earl of Corvindale, should be delighted that the headstrong Maia Woodmore is getting married. His mortal ward and houseguest has annoyed— and bewitched—the Dracule nobleman too long, and denying his animal cravings grows more excruciating by the day.
Miss Woodmore's family has a rather…complicated history with the immortals and she herself possesses a keen sensibility far beyond mere women's intuition. Marriage will give her safety, respectability and everything else a proper young lady could wish for. Everything, that is, except passion.
In the looming battle between Dracule factions, all pretenses will shatter as Maia and Dimitri come together in an unholy union of danger, desperation and fiercest desire.
Miss Woodmore's family has a rather…complicated history with the immortals and she herself possesses a keen sensibility far beyond mere women's intuition. Marriage will give her safety, respectability and everything else a proper young lady could wish for. Everything, that is, except passion.
In the looming battle between Dracule factions, all pretenses will shatter as Maia and Dimitri come together in an unholy union of danger, desperation and fiercest desire.
After reading the first book, The Vampire Voss, of the Regency Draculia trilogy, I just knew I had to get my hands on the second! Book one set the stage for a most unlikely pairing -- a vampire who loathes what he is, desperate to find a 'cure', and an overbearing, head-strong human heroine under his care who does nothing but disrupt his orderly and very isolated life. Colleen Gleason delivers fervid passion, dangerous adventure, selfless sacrifice, and unmistakable love that will keep readers engaged and anticipating the conclusion of The Vampire Dimitri!
Lord Dimitri Corvindale has spent over a century trying to rid himself from his vampiric 'curse' laid upon him in a moment of human weakness by the devil himself. A horrific scar that adorns his shoulder represents his deal with the devil, and with each passing day that Corvidale tries to resist his vampiric nature and desires -- both through blood and body, the scar eminates a searing pain to remind him of who and what he is. His search for release has made him cold, distant, and isolated from the rest of the world. Imagine just how disjointed and chaotic his life becomes when he becomes guardian of three mortal, human young woman by means of a repayment for his friend -- and their brother -- Chas Woodmore, the vampire slayer! Yes, vampire slayer. But that's a story for the third installment (next book) of the Regency Draculia trilogy!
Maia Woodmore can't believe that she, the eldest sister of three woman, has been placed in the care of an aloof earl -- and by her older brother who is often gone himself. She's used to taking charge and control while her brother is away. But, little does she know that she was put in Lord Corvindale's care for a very important reason. Maia and her sisters have unknowingly become pawns in a dangerous war between Chas Woodmore the vampire slayer and a vicious vampire Lord Moldavi.
The tension -- and attraction -- that brews and bubbles between Maia and her new guardian Lord Corvindale, is nothing short of intense. Maia is annoyingly head strong and deeply disrupts Corvindale's distant world and hidden and repressed desires for human blood and a woman's body. But it's not just any blood and body that will do for Corvindale. No, Maia's constant fiery presence has gotten under Corvindale's skin and soon he finds himself breaking every vow and oath he has ever made -- literally and figuratively -- in order to have Maia for himself!!
And, Maia Woodmore feels the same way towards Corvindale. But she has a predicament all her own. She is betroythed to a man she hasn't seen in a over a years time. When he finally comes back to claim her and marry her, Corvindale and Maia will have to eventually put their wants, desires, and hearts out there.
Ms. Gleason approached the structure of the second book differently than usual when reading a subsequent in a series. She doesn't start off right at the end where the previous book left off, but rather takes us back to the beginning of how book one started; however, flips the POV to the hero, vampire Lord Dimitri Corvindale and the heroine Maia Woodmore. Readers are privy to their feelings on meeting one another, Maia's continuous badgering and persistence to get out from the care of her brotherly imposed guardianship to Lord Dimitri Covendale, their vehemently denied growing affection towards one another, and the fiery, passionate conclusion of a love that can't be passed-off.
Readers of book one will only find fractional moments during the beginning that tend to be slow, but because the light is completely shifted to the character and relationship development between Lord Corvindale and Maia Woodmore, readers that have read the first installment will be given a different angle of the protagonists meeting and interactions. After about a sixth of the way into the book, the plot thickens as both Maia and Dimitri find themselves in danger as Dimitri's past comes back to haunt them. This is a vital element that directly plays into Dimitri's own internal conflict, and which drives Dimitri's growth. Readers of the previous book will gain a much more substantial view of the relationship between the two and a new action and character driven plot.
But, what about readers who may be jumping in to book two without reading the previous? No need to fret! The set-up gives a healthy dose of how Maia and her sisters came to be under the guardianship of a wealthy Lord and vampire (albeit unknowingly) and what came to be with Maia's younger sister and the handsome Lord Voss (another vampire) from the previous book.
One of the most lovable aspects I have for this new addition to the trilogy is the fact that Gleason ups the bar with strong sexual tension, an explosive culmination of the passion between Maia and Corvindale (which readers from book one where all-to-aware of and anxiously awaiting), all steaming from the unraveling of character growth. Like previously mentioned, readers of book one who were anticipating the relationship between these two opposite characters will not be disappointed!
Readers will enjoy feeling as though they are part of a Regency world with a strong setting, dialogue, and consistent, fast-paced plot. The character development is front in center and shines true with the characters as they grow with each turn of the page. Fabulously wrote sexual tension will keep readers nice and warm and waiting on the edge of their seat for the 'moment'! :)
In conclusion, I have to say that this was a fantastic addition to the Regency Draculia trilogy!! I was highly anticipating the relationship between Dimitri and Maia, and Colleen Gleason delivered a dynamic story that completely met my expectations! Readers who delight in the combination of sub-genres in Regency historical and paranormal, and who can't get enough electrifying romance will find enjoyment in The Vampire Dimitri!
Lord Dimitri Corvindale has spent over a century trying to rid himself from his vampiric 'curse' laid upon him in a moment of human weakness by the devil himself. A horrific scar that adorns his shoulder represents his deal with the devil, and with each passing day that Corvidale tries to resist his vampiric nature and desires -- both through blood and body, the scar eminates a searing pain to remind him of who and what he is. His search for release has made him cold, distant, and isolated from the rest of the world. Imagine just how disjointed and chaotic his life becomes when he becomes guardian of three mortal, human young woman by means of a repayment for his friend -- and their brother -- Chas Woodmore, the vampire slayer! Yes, vampire slayer. But that's a story for the third installment (next book) of the Regency Draculia trilogy!
Maia Woodmore can't believe that she, the eldest sister of three woman, has been placed in the care of an aloof earl -- and by her older brother who is often gone himself. She's used to taking charge and control while her brother is away. But, little does she know that she was put in Lord Corvindale's care for a very important reason. Maia and her sisters have unknowingly become pawns in a dangerous war between Chas Woodmore the vampire slayer and a vicious vampire Lord Moldavi.
The tension -- and attraction -- that brews and bubbles between Maia and her new guardian Lord Corvindale, is nothing short of intense. Maia is annoyingly head strong and deeply disrupts Corvindale's distant world and hidden and repressed desires for human blood and a woman's body. But it's not just any blood and body that will do for Corvindale. No, Maia's constant fiery presence has gotten under Corvindale's skin and soon he finds himself breaking every vow and oath he has ever made -- literally and figuratively -- in order to have Maia for himself!!
And, Maia Woodmore feels the same way towards Corvindale. But she has a predicament all her own. She is betroythed to a man she hasn't seen in a over a years time. When he finally comes back to claim her and marry her, Corvindale and Maia will have to eventually put their wants, desires, and hearts out there.
Ms. Gleason approached the structure of the second book differently than usual when reading a subsequent in a series. She doesn't start off right at the end where the previous book left off, but rather takes us back to the beginning of how book one started; however, flips the POV to the hero, vampire Lord Dimitri Corvindale and the heroine Maia Woodmore. Readers are privy to their feelings on meeting one another, Maia's continuous badgering and persistence to get out from the care of her brotherly imposed guardianship to Lord Dimitri Covendale, their vehemently denied growing affection towards one another, and the fiery, passionate conclusion of a love that can't be passed-off.
Readers of book one will only find fractional moments during the beginning that tend to be slow, but because the light is completely shifted to the character and relationship development between Lord Corvindale and Maia Woodmore, readers that have read the first installment will be given a different angle of the protagonists meeting and interactions. After about a sixth of the way into the book, the plot thickens as both Maia and Dimitri find themselves in danger as Dimitri's past comes back to haunt them. This is a vital element that directly plays into Dimitri's own internal conflict, and which drives Dimitri's growth. Readers of the previous book will gain a much more substantial view of the relationship between the two and a new action and character driven plot.
But, what about readers who may be jumping in to book two without reading the previous? No need to fret! The set-up gives a healthy dose of how Maia and her sisters came to be under the guardianship of a wealthy Lord and vampire (albeit unknowingly) and what came to be with Maia's younger sister and the handsome Lord Voss (another vampire) from the previous book.
One of the most lovable aspects I have for this new addition to the trilogy is the fact that Gleason ups the bar with strong sexual tension, an explosive culmination of the passion between Maia and Corvindale (which readers from book one where all-to-aware of and anxiously awaiting), all steaming from the unraveling of character growth. Like previously mentioned, readers of book one who were anticipating the relationship between these two opposite characters will not be disappointed!
Readers will enjoy feeling as though they are part of a Regency world with a strong setting, dialogue, and consistent, fast-paced plot. The character development is front in center and shines true with the characters as they grow with each turn of the page. Fabulously wrote sexual tension will keep readers nice and warm and waiting on the edge of their seat for the 'moment'! :)
In conclusion, I have to say that this was a fantastic addition to the Regency Draculia trilogy!! I was highly anticipating the relationship between Dimitri and Maia, and Colleen Gleason delivered a dynamic story that completely met my expectations! Readers who delight in the combination of sub-genres in Regency historical and paranormal, and who can't get enough electrifying romance will find enjoyment in The Vampire Dimitri!
2 comments:
Wonderful review, I just finished this myself this weekend and concur with you on many points! Dimitri was a great, tortured vamp hero!
I've been trying to start this book for three weeks now but things just keep popping up that need my immediate attention. Blast!
Insteresting set up here. I totally expected this book to start where TVV ended but instead, Gleason rehashes the beginning and the first meet up of Corvindale and Maia? Huh. Totally unexpected.
5 stars?! Woot! Man, my schedule NEEDS to clear up!!
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