by Thea DevinePublisher: Gallery
Release Date: June 21, 2011
Source: sent by publisher
My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Summary from SimonandSchuster.ca
Ever since a terrible fire killed her older son, one ambition has ruled Countess Lazlaric. Desperate to continue the family legacy, she is determined that her rakehell second son wed and produce an heir. Now, she's found the perfect bride. A distant relative, writing to beg for help, is ideal for her secret plans.
Alone in the world, beautiful raven-haired Senna Landseth finds more than just Drom Manor's isolation sending a shiver down her spine. Countess Lazlaric seems overly eager to welcome her, strange noises fill the cavernous corridors of the gloomy manor, and she senses she is being spied upon. Then a note mysteriously appears, inscribed with chilling words: "I'm watching you. Nicolai."
In the years since the fire that supposedly destroyed him, Nicolai Lazlaric has inhabited the world of a vampire, consumed with seeking revenge on the creature who turned him. Now, it is time to return to Drom Manor. But Nicolai has no idea how badly the Countess wants an heir—or that his hated brother's prospective bride is residing there. Senna's unexpected presence upends Nicolai's plans, for he can think only of possessing the beautiful innocent, of taking her in a blood-binding seduction from which she will never escape. . . .
My Review:
This book almost felt like two completely different books. The first half was an old-fashioned, spooky, gothic mystery. Senna found herself in a creepy old house with a monstrous Countess trying to marry her off to her scary son. Then, of course, there's the Countess' other son, the vampire. I really enjoyed the fist half of the book, there were thrills and chills behind every dark corner.
Then there was the second half of the book. All of a sudden, every scene was just another uncomfortable vampire sex scene. I know this is a really popular theme in books, but it's not my cup of tea. The second half lost the whole gothic tone and mystery of the first half.
Dominick's voice overs of every scene grew tiresome as well. I liked it when he took the form of a fly that other characters swatted away because I felt the same way with his voice overs interrupting every page.
Main Characters: 3/5
Supporting Characters: 3/5
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 3/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 3/5
Writing: 4/5
Bottom Line: The first half is a spine-tingling gothic historical, but the second half is disappointing.