The Vampire Dimitri by Colleen Gleason

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Source: Free Ebook from NetGalley
Release Date: April 26, 2011


This is the second in the Regency Draculia series from Colleen Gleason who is also author of the Gardella Vampire series, which is still on my TBR-pile. In this series, Gleason's vampires have made a pact with Lucifer for eternal life, but they must feed on blood and sin. Restraining their baser urges causes a the mark they bear to become an agony, which is another trial for Dimitri as he's decided to lead a rather chaste life as penance. When Maia's brother disappears, it's up to Dimitri to chaperon her and her sisters until Maia's fiance, Alexander, returns from traveling.
It was a very disappointing start to what I thought would have been a unique story. Instead we spend the first quarter recounting the events that happened in the first book from the POV of Dimitri and Maia. Part of what can make a good romance is subtlety, which is what we saw in the burgeoning romance between them in the first book. Even though these books can be picked up out of order, I think it does a disservice to this couple to repeat the exact same story of the first book, just with a different POV. Once we moved to new ground it wasn't exactly thrilling anymore. I liked the give and take between the characters and I liked the influence of Beauty and the Beast, but in the end Dimitri and Maia felt like charted waters and I was already ready to move on. I can't say I recommend this installment of the series, but it's still better than some others out there. I won't be continuing with Narcise's story, which is released next.

The Vampire Voss by Colleen Gleason

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


***Review copy provided for free from NetGalley***
Anticipated Release Date: April 1st



Voss is part of the Draculia, men and women passed over judgement of Death by God because of a bargain with Lucifer. Forced to bare Lucifer's mark as a testament of their agreement, they 'live', but there is also a war brewing amongst their factions. Voss has returned to England with the purpose of retrieving some very valuable information: which of the Woodmore sisters possess the Sight. If he can glean the right information he's set.

I liked Voss, against my better judgement, almost immediately. He lives a life full of gluttony, but when you're going to live forever he feels there's really nothing else to fill the void of time. Angelica, our trusty heroine, was also refreshing. Lately, I've been very unimpressed with PNR heroines, because they swing to either side of the pendulum, sugary-sweet and innocent, or ass-kicking woman that doesn't take any prisoners. Angelica on the other hand has common sense along with not taking herself too seriously. It was a nice change of pace! Plus her reaction to the truth about Voss is what I've been looking to read, and that's all I'll say about that! ;)

Yet even with all of the things I did like about this story I was a bit disappointed with convenient resolutions to some of the problems. I thought it could have been fleshed out a bit more than black and white.

Definitely recommended for fans of PNR looking for something a cut above the rest. It was great historical romance, but with vampires! I know I'll be continuing with this series.