Toni's Review of My Lord Vampire by Alexandra Ivy ***3.5 Stars***

THIS BOOK WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN 2003 UNDER AUTHOR NAME DEBBIE RALEIGH

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. . .

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This is a sweet story with a little bite.

Vampires left the human realm almost two hundred years ago for the Veil. The Veil is a place where vampires can live in peace. In the Veil, they have no fear of being hunted and they are no longer slaves to their primal hungers. Now traitors are threatening their calm existence. Gideon must cross back over to the human realm to find a maiden who has unknowingly been entrusted with a portion of the medallion that protects the Veil. He must not let the medallion fall into their hands, at all costs.

Gideon is an ideal vampire; confident, arrogant and sexy. He starts his quest with a conceit that gets blown out of the water. Vampires believe they are more intellectual and have a sense of superiority. Gideon brings that persona with him when he returns to the human realm. While he continues with his supremacy view of himself throughout most of the novel you can see Simone chipping away at his perceptions.

Simone, Simone, Simone…What to say about her? She had a quiet strength, but there were many times I wished she would grow a spine and stand up for herself. I will concede though, that considering the period that the novel takes place in, she was much stronger than most. Ms. Ivy didn’t fall into the trap of making her a woman of that era, stronger than they really were. But like I said my modern self had troubles with that simply because of my makeup and had nothing really to do with the book.

Gideon and Simone’s romance is hot, but in a sweet way. This book does not have explicit sex scenes, but their attraction is well described. I found myself pleasantly surprised. While the plot was not “grab your britches” enthralling, it was a nice change of pace. It had moments of greatness and I can’t wait for Lucien and Sebastian’s tales.

If you are trying to figure out what the hype is all about, in regards to paranormal novels, My Lord Vampire might be a good starter book for you. It had more of a historical feeling to it, so you are not inundated with alternate realities and monsters. Ms. Ivy didn’t saturate the novel with vampire lore, but I do have to say that I wish she would have explained her vision of vampires more. She has developed a unique universe and I hope to learn a bit more about it in the next book.

The next novel: My Lord Eternity is scheduled to be release late 2012 and I can’t wait to see what is in store next for these Immortal Rogues.

Thanks for reading!  - Toni