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Vampire Queen #4
Beloved Vampire
Fourth in the "darkly rich"( TwoLips Reviews ) Vampire Queen series.
Escaping the depraved servitude of a vampire master she killed, Jessica has found her way, with three nomadic guides, to the sun-baked desolation of the Sahara-only to slowly perish. Then she hears the tale of Farida, an enigmatic beauty lost as well to the Sahara three centuries ago, whose ancient desire for the legendary vampire Lord Mason is stirring the same desires in Jessica. But the more Jessica's fatal curiosity reveals of Farida, the closer she gets to Lord Mason's irresistible and forbidden secret.
Escaping the depraved servitude of a vampire master she killed, Jessica has found her way, with three nomadic guides, to the sun-baked desolation of the Sahara-only to slowly perish. Then she hears the tale of Farida, an enigmatic beauty lost as well to the Sahara three centuries ago, whose ancient desire for the legendary vampire Lord Mason is stirring the same desires in Jessica. But the more Jessica's fatal curiosity reveals of Farida, the closer she gets to Lord Mason's irresistible and forbidden secret.
451 pages, Paperback
First published August 4, 2009
54 people are currently reading
1779 people want to read
About the author
Joey W. Hill
115 books3,529 followers"BDSM Romance for the Heart & Soul"
A submissive herself, Hill brings authenticity to her intensely emotional BDSM love stories. With over fifty titles and seven series, her contemporary and paranormal romances feature everything from billionaires, bikers, SEALs, firefighters, cops and housemaids, to vampires, mermaids, witches and angels.
"Joey translates the world of BDSM with such intense power and exquisite beauty. LOVE is the most powerful element entwined through the Dominance and submission.” –Goodreads, Pink Lady
Joey is the recipient of the RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award for Erotic Romance, and she loves to hear from her readers!
If you're on Bookbub, she'd love for you to follow her:
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/joey-...
You can also find her here:
Website: storywitch.com
Facebook: @JoeyWHillAuthor
MeWe: mewe.com/i/joeywhill
Twitter: @JoeyWHill
A submissive herself, Hill brings authenticity to her intensely emotional BDSM love stories. With over fifty titles and seven series, her contemporary and paranormal romances feature everything from billionaires, bikers, SEALs, firefighters, cops and housemaids, to vampires, mermaids, witches and angels.
"Joey translates the world of BDSM with such intense power and exquisite beauty. LOVE is the most powerful element entwined through the Dominance and submission.” –Goodreads, Pink Lady
Joey is the recipient of the RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award for Erotic Romance, and she loves to hear from her readers!
If you're on Bookbub, she'd love for you to follow her:
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/joey-...
You can also find her here:
Website: storywitch.com
Facebook: @JoeyWHillAuthor
MeWe: mewe.com/i/joeywhill
Twitter: @JoeyWHill
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
February 14, 2016
4 1/2 Stars
To be honest, this series really isn't my cuppa–too much group sex, couple sharing (the vampires share their slaves), and BDSM–but I LOVED this book. I loved the love story and the couple.
To be honest, this series really isn't my cuppa–too much group sex, couple sharing (the vampires share their slaves), and BDSM–but I LOVED this book. I loved the love story and the couple.
August 16, 2010
*This will be a long one so I can fully discuss my opposing reactions. I don't think there are spoilers, but I figured I'd mark it just in case. One last thing, if you're into BDSM this is not meant to offend you. I'm just trying to be honest because these are my reviews for me to reference in the future.*
My reaction to this book was so polarized. I absolutely loved part of it, but was enraged by the rest. I couldn't give it a five star, because the later half of the book dimmed my enjoyment, but it is better than the average book. So, four stars it is!
This is not a book that falls into my normal preferences. I'm not enthused by BDSM and erotica usually leaves me cold. But I was recommended this book and decided that I had to give it a try if my GR friend, Lethal, loved it so much. Overall, it both exceeded my expectations, and adhered to them. I wish parts of it had been more to my taste, but I don't regret reading it because the parts that I did like were so excellent.
When this story opens Jessica, previously a vampire's human servant, is at death's door. She's racing the clock to fulfill one last task before she dies. She's not afraid of death. Indeed, after all that has happened to her she craves the release it will provide. Release from the withered mess her body has become; release from the horrible memories and terror; release from her own fractured mind.
Jessica's in a really bad place for most of this book and her emotions practically breathe off the pages. I felt her despair and her fear and her hatred of whatever cruel force had sent another vampire into her life. This girl was broken. She knew that her mind was fractured and she would slip into her fantasies to protect herself from the ultimate break.
Jessica has spent the last five years as a human servant to a sadistic vampire. To help her endure she studied a journal she found. It told the story of a girl falling in love with, and marrying, a man named Lord Mason. The girl, Farida, and her love for Lord Mason was so strong and pure and beautiful that it helped Jessica survive. After she was free she journeyed to Farida's tomb and discovered the truth about Lord Mason.
The author pulled no punches with Jessica. Her terror was a living thing. We, the reader, weren't told of that terror gently either. We got a play by play of her screaming and drooling and pissing herself in fear. I couldn't read that and remain unmoved.
In the beginning she was like a wild animal, more instinct than reason, and I couldn't help but pity her. As her strength grew that pity moved to admiration. I sympathized when she wanted to push beyond her limitations but was afraid to act out at the same time.
Mason exceeded my expectations. He was such a good man. I don't know why, but I expected him to be cast as a very dominant asshole. He wasn't though. In the beginning, he helps her in repayment of her honor to Farida. Then he helps her to make up for what his kind did to her. Finally, he helped her in the hope that she could one day be with him without fear. His longing and willingness to put her needs first was very moving.
Everything was going well until the later half of the book. That was when Jessica was well enough to finally start playing the master/servant role. What was a beautiful story of love and healing turned into that. All the beauty and emotion seemed to be pushed aside in favor of Jessica getting groped by multiple people and gentled into "willing submission." It became a chore to finish. Especially because the first 3/4 of the book was so excellent.
I know that it was how the characters were written, but I couldn't help but see their situation through my own perception. Their relationship was no longer about love. It turned into ownership. I couldn't help but get angry at the turn their relationship took. I wanted to save Jessica from herself. I really didn't feel that was a healthy situation for her. She longed for a partnership, but ended up settling.
What's crazy is that even though I hated his mastership, I still liked Mason. When they weren't playing sex games I still saw what I prized about their relationship. I loved the talks they had and the closeness they shared. But when it turned to talk of sexual "punishments" and her not coming until he "let" her...I was turned off.
He talked about requiring her to sit at his feet while other vampires visited so he could stroke her hair. And of having her turn into a servant in truth-fetching drinks, etc. I just wanted to scream at them both. She's not a dog! If you love her, respect her! Don't let other people share her!
I really disliked the role that Lyssa played here. I resented her ordering Jessica around and I resented Jessica listening. What I disliked even more than that was Lyssa advising Jessica to ignore all her mental anguish and give up everything in service to loving Mason. That's not a healthy relationship when she values her terror beneath his preference. Amara also irritated me for her pushy advice in the beginning. It seemed like Amara's role to Jessica was replaced by Lyssa.
By the way, is everyone is this whole book bisexual? I find it extremely hard to believe that every person they encountered didn't mind a crowd. Does everyone really not care who is giving the pain or pleasure as long as they're getting it? Also, if I could have gotten the mythos on vampires I would have really appreciated it. It bugged me that I didn't understand their history.
In closing, while I loved the beginning, I hated the end. The sex and the relationship resolution left me cold. It was so disappointing because I had such high hopes after the beginning. Hopefully this review will help people narrow down whether they'll like this book or not.
My reaction to this book was so polarized. I absolutely loved part of it, but was enraged by the rest. I couldn't give it a five star, because the later half of the book dimmed my enjoyment, but it is better than the average book. So, four stars it is!
This is not a book that falls into my normal preferences. I'm not enthused by BDSM and erotica usually leaves me cold. But I was recommended this book and decided that I had to give it a try if my GR friend, Lethal, loved it so much. Overall, it both exceeded my expectations, and adhered to them. I wish parts of it had been more to my taste, but I don't regret reading it because the parts that I did like were so excellent.
When this story opens Jessica, previously a vampire's human servant, is at death's door. She's racing the clock to fulfill one last task before she dies. She's not afraid of death. Indeed, after all that has happened to her she craves the release it will provide. Release from the withered mess her body has become; release from the horrible memories and terror; release from her own fractured mind.
Jessica's in a really bad place for most of this book and her emotions practically breathe off the pages. I felt her despair and her fear and her hatred of whatever cruel force had sent another vampire into her life. This girl was broken. She knew that her mind was fractured and she would slip into her fantasies to protect herself from the ultimate break.
Jessica has spent the last five years as a human servant to a sadistic vampire. To help her endure she studied a journal she found. It told the story of a girl falling in love with, and marrying, a man named Lord Mason. The girl, Farida, and her love for Lord Mason was so strong and pure and beautiful that it helped Jessica survive. After she was free she journeyed to Farida's tomb and discovered the truth about Lord Mason.
The author pulled no punches with Jessica. Her terror was a living thing. We, the reader, weren't told of that terror gently either. We got a play by play of her screaming and drooling and pissing herself in fear. I couldn't read that and remain unmoved.
In the beginning she was like a wild animal, more instinct than reason, and I couldn't help but pity her. As her strength grew that pity moved to admiration. I sympathized when she wanted to push beyond her limitations but was afraid to act out at the same time.
Mason exceeded my expectations. He was such a good man. I don't know why, but I expected him to be cast as a very dominant asshole. He wasn't though. In the beginning, he helps her in repayment of her honor to Farida. Then he helps her to make up for what his kind did to her. Finally, he helped her in the hope that she could one day be with him without fear. His longing and willingness to put her needs first was very moving.
Everything was going well until the later half of the book. That was when Jessica was well enough to finally start playing the master/servant role. What was a beautiful story of love and healing turned into that. All the beauty and emotion seemed to be pushed aside in favor of Jessica getting groped by multiple people and gentled into "willing submission." It became a chore to finish. Especially because the first 3/4 of the book was so excellent.
I know that it was how the characters were written, but I couldn't help but see their situation through my own perception. Their relationship was no longer about love. It turned into ownership. I couldn't help but get angry at the turn their relationship took. I wanted to save Jessica from herself. I really didn't feel that was a healthy situation for her. She longed for a partnership, but ended up settling.
What's crazy is that even though I hated his mastership, I still liked Mason. When they weren't playing sex games I still saw what I prized about their relationship. I loved the talks they had and the closeness they shared. But when it turned to talk of sexual "punishments" and her not coming until he "let" her...I was turned off.
He talked about requiring her to sit at his feet while other vampires visited so he could stroke her hair. And of having her turn into a servant in truth-fetching drinks, etc. I just wanted to scream at them both. She's not a dog! If you love her, respect her! Don't let other people share her!
I really disliked the role that Lyssa played here. I resented her ordering Jessica around and I resented Jessica listening. What I disliked even more than that was Lyssa advising Jessica to ignore all her mental anguish and give up everything in service to loving Mason. That's not a healthy relationship when she values her terror beneath his preference. Amara also irritated me for her pushy advice in the beginning. It seemed like Amara's role to Jessica was replaced by Lyssa.
By the way, is everyone is this whole book bisexual? I find it extremely hard to believe that every person they encountered didn't mind a crowd. Does everyone really not care who is giving the pain or pleasure as long as they're getting it? Also, if I could have gotten the mythos on vampires I would have really appreciated it. It bugged me that I didn't understand their history.
In closing, while I loved the beginning, I hated the end. The sex and the relationship resolution left me cold. It was so disappointing because I had such high hopes after the beginning. Hopefully this review will help people narrow down whether they'll like this book or not.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2016
Not a bad story, but it just had too many f... NASTY scenes that really turned me off this book, hence the low rating.
I get that this was a rape scene, but Joey:
I'm turned off this series forever, courtesy of that particularly revolting scene.
#TraumatizedForLife
As for healing a victim of repeated sexual assaults and outright torture by simply having sex with her... Uuuuh, NO, that doesn't sound remotely plausible to me.
I get that this was a rape scene, but Joey:
I'm turned off this series forever, courtesy of that particularly revolting scene.
#TraumatizedForLife
As for healing a victim of repeated sexual assaults and outright torture by simply having sex with her... Uuuuh, NO, that doesn't sound remotely plausible to me.
February 8, 2017
I apologize up front for the set up in this review, because, while it doesn't appear to have much to do with the book, "Beloved Vampire", it does, so please bear with me:
Joey W. Hill is one of two authors whose books I will read without hesitation. Every time. That is because of her gift for delving into the spirit and soul of her characters, and pulling out a perfectly flawed and yet perfectly relatable being whom you want to care for, want to cheer for, and ultimately love in spite of all of their "stuff". The fact that she often "pulls them out" for you to see by the short hairs (so to speak), only adds to the appreciation the reader achieves for the process of them "becoming" as good as they can be.
Now, add an imaginary world to that premise, such as Ms. Hill has created in the Vampire Queen Series (VQ), and anything goes in said process. The imagination is the limit, and Joey W. Hill explores it like no one else. But she presents it in such a way that it seems almost participatory. I can almost always impose my own nuances to the setting, the characters, the situations...without detracting from Ms. Hill's intent for the story. And THAT'S why readers can, and do, invest in her offerings with such verve.
"Beloved Vampire" is one of my favourite books in the VQ series. The human heroine is neither pitiful nor pitiable, though her life experience would fell most mere mortals. Jessica has been forced into servitude with the vampire from hell...even amongst vampires, he's a baddie. Without giving away the story, she does the impossible to escape him, only to find herself in the reluctantly merciful clutches of yet another vampire.
Said vampire, Mason, is tied to her escape in that it was his story which shored her will to survive her horrors, and break the bonds of her slavery to her former Master. Mason is required to save her life, by making her his own Servant; a task for which he is not mentally prepared, his own reclusive soul tortured by many remote events in his existence.
The journey out of their own personal dark places for both Jessica and Mason, sees them inextricably entwined. Placed into Ms. Hill's world, where the vampires are unapologetically vampire, it is an intense, occasionally dark, and always emotional ride for the reader.
And it is utterly beautiful in its evolution.
I can't say 'in its conclusion', because the beauty of the VQ world is that it, like its vampire immortals, continues on in captivating ways.
She's good, this Joey Hill person. Really, really good...
Joey W. Hill is one of two authors whose books I will read without hesitation. Every time. That is because of her gift for delving into the spirit and soul of her characters, and pulling out a perfectly flawed and yet perfectly relatable being whom you want to care for, want to cheer for, and ultimately love in spite of all of their "stuff". The fact that she often "pulls them out" for you to see by the short hairs (so to speak), only adds to the appreciation the reader achieves for the process of them "becoming" as good as they can be.
Now, add an imaginary world to that premise, such as Ms. Hill has created in the Vampire Queen Series (VQ), and anything goes in said process. The imagination is the limit, and Joey W. Hill explores it like no one else. But she presents it in such a way that it seems almost participatory. I can almost always impose my own nuances to the setting, the characters, the situations...without detracting from Ms. Hill's intent for the story. And THAT'S why readers can, and do, invest in her offerings with such verve.
"Beloved Vampire" is one of my favourite books in the VQ series. The human heroine is neither pitiful nor pitiable, though her life experience would fell most mere mortals. Jessica has been forced into servitude with the vampire from hell...even amongst vampires, he's a baddie. Without giving away the story, she does the impossible to escape him, only to find herself in the reluctantly merciful clutches of yet another vampire.
Said vampire, Mason, is tied to her escape in that it was his story which shored her will to survive her horrors, and break the bonds of her slavery to her former Master. Mason is required to save her life, by making her his own Servant; a task for which he is not mentally prepared, his own reclusive soul tortured by many remote events in his existence.
The journey out of their own personal dark places for both Jessica and Mason, sees them inextricably entwined. Placed into Ms. Hill's world, where the vampires are unapologetically vampire, it is an intense, occasionally dark, and always emotional ride for the reader.
And it is utterly beautiful in its evolution.
I can't say 'in its conclusion', because the beauty of the VQ world is that it, like its vampire immortals, continues on in captivating ways.
She's good, this Joey Hill person. Really, really good...
December 23, 2022
3.5 stars
Extra points for a realistic representation of how trauma effects a person long after the traumatic event stops.
Extra points for a realistic representation of how trauma effects a person long after the traumatic event stops.
Read
March 13, 2024DNF 15%.
The last book I read by this author (last 2 actually) were 5 stars. But I continue to dislike her propensity of writing about dom-sub and BDSM situations where there’s sharing and public sex. Is this simply part of the lifestyle? (Or in this case what turns vampires and their servants on?)
And yet, in the first 2 books in this series, about Jacob and Lyssa, we KNOW performing sex acts in public and with other ppl is NOT what Jacob wants at all. Yet bc it apparently turns Lyssa on and she doesn’t really care cuz it’s normal vamp politics, he has to do it. I hated that, despite giving those books good ratings for the other parts.
Now I just finished a book without the crap I dislike. I just don’t want to read any more of it.
This books seems to go back to that crap… I wanted to read about a Master in the mysterious Mason who actually keeps his sex stuff PRIVATE. And just between the TWO of them. It doesn’t appear I would get my wish here, so…
As much as I am intrigued by Mason, I’m DNFing this.
The last book I read by this author (last 2 actually) were 5 stars. But I continue to dislike her propensity of writing about dom-sub and BDSM situations where there’s sharing and public sex. Is this simply part of the lifestyle? (Or in this case what turns vampires and their servants on?)
And yet, in the first 2 books in this series, about Jacob and Lyssa, we KNOW performing sex acts in public and with other ppl is NOT what Jacob wants at all. Yet bc it apparently turns Lyssa on and she doesn’t really care cuz it’s normal vamp politics, he has to do it. I hated that, despite giving those books good ratings for the other parts.
Now I just finished a book without the crap I dislike. I just don’t want to read any more of it.
This books seems to go back to that crap… I wanted to read about a Master in the mysterious Mason who actually keeps his sex stuff PRIVATE. And just between the TWO of them. It doesn’t appear I would get my wish here, so…
As much as I am intrigued by Mason, I’m DNFing this.
July 9, 2012
Five years ago, Jessica had everything she wanted. She was living in Rome, working as a Historical Researcher and engaged to a loving man who was going to take her sailing around the world. And then she came to the attention of a Vampire. Who figured out the secret she didn't even know herself. That she was a submissive. And her dreamy life became a nightmare.
She spent the next 5 years being tortured. Literally. He hurt and hurt her more. When she attempted to escape, which she did eleven times, he hurt her in almost unspeakable ways. But as bad as the physical side was, he did something almost as bad to her psyche - he never made her submit. He never dominated her and taught her that submission was her nature. He just tormented her and encouraged his sadistic Vampire friends to do the same.
The sole thing that made her life bearable was a book she found about a young Bedouin girl named Farida and the love she bore for a mysterious Englishman 300 years ago. The depth of their relationship sustained her through her darkest moments.
Until she was pushed past the edge and killed her tormentor.
Dying from all the had gone through, she undertakes the dangerous and extreme journey to find Farida's resting place and make it her final resting place as well. And there she finds out something that turns her whole world upside down.
Farida's lover, Mason, is a Vampire and still lives.
Mason has never recovered from Farida's death in all the years since she was brutally taken from him. He has had servants and companions but never another true love.
For them to come together, Jessica has to learn that submission was a part of her before her ordeal. That the normal relationship between a Vampire and Servant is one of submission but also love.
Mason has to learn that he no longer has to punish himself for Farida's death. That 300 of self-torment is enough and it is time for him to find love again.
They have to decide this amidst a Vampire Society that either wants her dead for committing their ultimate crime or offers her an escape that will let her forget both the worst experiences of her life and the best as well.
She spent the next 5 years being tortured. Literally. He hurt and hurt her more. When she attempted to escape, which she did eleven times, he hurt her in almost unspeakable ways. But as bad as the physical side was, he did something almost as bad to her psyche - he never made her submit. He never dominated her and taught her that submission was her nature. He just tormented her and encouraged his sadistic Vampire friends to do the same.
The sole thing that made her life bearable was a book she found about a young Bedouin girl named Farida and the love she bore for a mysterious Englishman 300 years ago. The depth of their relationship sustained her through her darkest moments.
Until she was pushed past the edge and killed her tormentor.
Dying from all the had gone through, she undertakes the dangerous and extreme journey to find Farida's resting place and make it her final resting place as well. And there she finds out something that turns her whole world upside down.
Farida's lover, Mason, is a Vampire and still lives.
Mason has never recovered from Farida's death in all the years since she was brutally taken from him. He has had servants and companions but never another true love.
For them to come together, Jessica has to learn that submission was a part of her before her ordeal. That the normal relationship between a Vampire and Servant is one of submission but also love.
Mason has to learn that he no longer has to punish himself for Farida's death. That 300 of self-torment is enough and it is time for him to find love again.
They have to decide this amidst a Vampire Society that either wants her dead for committing their ultimate crime or offers her an escape that will let her forget both the worst experiences of her life and the best as well.
August 18, 2024
I finished this book last night. Stayed up past the time I should have gone to bed but I had to know how the story ended. I wish I could have written this last night so there wasn't a day of work to dull the joy of the story. First I have to say that I thought Ms. Hill was going to drive me into sexual frustration with this story. I think this is the first book that she has written that the hero and heroine don't claim each other until so close to the end of the book. However, there is so much sexual tension that I would squirm in my seat wanting to find a release for all the energy. I also have to say that this story is now at the top of my list of all time favorite books. Of course there are a lot of Ms. Hill's books in that category. I will also mention that there is a definite BDSM theme to this book and there are flashes of violence against the main female character so this book isn't going to be for everyone.
I have wanted Mason's story since he was first mentioned. He has intrigued me as much as Lady Lyssa and Lady Danny. Ms. Hill definitely didn't disappoint me. Mason's restraint and caring around Jessica melted my heart but there were times I wanted to shake him until his teeth rattled, much as Lady Lyssa and Jessica probably did. He is such a wonderful hero especially for his faults. He cares so much but there is a dangerous air to him that I wouldn't want to cross too much. I cried for his loss of Farida. I am not sure I wouldn't have done the same to her family and people if I had been in the same situation. Finally I will always have a soft spot for a Dominant male that is so confident and loving. They just make me HOT. I also was angry over the loss of his horse in such a brutal and unfeeling way. I love animals and it hurts me to see one tortured and killed.
Now for Jessica. She is such a brave and wounded soul. I so rooted for her to recover and see that not all vampires were like what she had been exposed to for five years. She is bright and intelligent and I could see why Mason was so attracted to her. I so enjoyed watching her bloom under his care. There were times I wished I could have held her and told her that she would get better and be able to face life again. I know she will be one of my favorite heroines for a long time.
I was also glad to see Lady Lyssa, Jacob, Lady Danny and Dev show up. I was excited about meeting Jacob and Lady Lyssa's son. I am sure he is going to be a handful when he is older. I have to wonder what this trio of mated pairs will be up to in the future. I am not sure the vampire world will survive with their stodgy ideals. In fact if and/or when this groups decides things need to change the vampire world maybe turned on its ear. LOL
Beloved Vampire is such a wonderful book I know I am going to have to re-read it again soon. I love this series so much and I am now looking forward to Gideon's story with bated breath.
I have wanted Mason's story since he was first mentioned. He has intrigued me as much as Lady Lyssa and Lady Danny. Ms. Hill definitely didn't disappoint me. Mason's restraint and caring around Jessica melted my heart but there were times I wanted to shake him until his teeth rattled, much as Lady Lyssa and Jessica probably did. He is such a wonderful hero especially for his faults. He cares so much but there is a dangerous air to him that I wouldn't want to cross too much. I cried for his loss of Farida. I am not sure I wouldn't have done the same to her family and people if I had been in the same situation. Finally I will always have a soft spot for a Dominant male that is so confident and loving. They just make me HOT. I also was angry over the loss of his horse in such a brutal and unfeeling way. I love animals and it hurts me to see one tortured and killed.
Now for Jessica. She is such a brave and wounded soul. I so rooted for her to recover and see that not all vampires were like what she had been exposed to for five years. She is bright and intelligent and I could see why Mason was so attracted to her. I so enjoyed watching her bloom under his care. There were times I wished I could have held her and told her that she would get better and be able to face life again. I know she will be one of my favorite heroines for a long time.
I was also glad to see Lady Lyssa, Jacob, Lady Danny and Dev show up. I was excited about meeting Jacob and Lady Lyssa's son. I am sure he is going to be a handful when he is older. I have to wonder what this trio of mated pairs will be up to in the future. I am not sure the vampire world will survive with their stodgy ideals. In fact if and/or when this groups decides things need to change the vampire world maybe turned on its ear. LOL
Beloved Vampire is such a wonderful book I know I am going to have to re-read it again soon. I love this series so much and I am now looking forward to Gideon's story with bated breath.
November 29, 2010
Oh goodness was this story heart-breaking. Jessica had so many horrible unfathomable things done to her. Mason was broken in his own way. This story was excellent. Tears I tell ya - tears explains it all.
Even though this is Erotica - the main characters don't get it on until the end of the book. And that's ok - they didn't need to, it would have wrecked their healing/journey/story. There are plenty of other situations going on with other people though. It was mainly a story of how 2 so desperately broken people heal and move on. The sensual scenes are quite hot though. Lyssa, Jacob, their baby Kane, Dev and Lady Danny all make appearances too.
Even though this is Erotica - the main characters don't get it on until the end of the book. And that's ok - they didn't need to, it would have wrecked their healing/journey/story. There are plenty of other situations going on with other people though. It was mainly a story of how 2 so desperately broken people heal and move on. The sensual scenes are quite hot though. Lyssa, Jacob, their baby Kane, Dev and Lady Danny all make appearances too.
June 11, 2010
Jessica Tyson was taken against her will and forced to become a vampire's servant. After five years of servitude she was given the opportunity to end the vampire's life and she took it. Only she was partially third-marked which means she didn't die right away like she should have. Instead she is slowly wasting away. Her will to live has exceeded her body's need to parish. Before she leaves this earth she is determined to find the grave of Farida whose diary kept her sane all those years. Once she finds Farida's tomb she is discovered by Lord Mason, Farida's lover who also happens to be a vampire. Lord Mason saves Farida's life the only way he knows how by marking her as his servant.
I had a hard time with Beloved Vampire. Jessica suffered horrible, indescribable torture at the hands of the sadistic vampire, Raithe. I was very disgusted by the things Raithe did to Jessica. She has HUGE baggage that she needs to deal with in order to gain some semblance of control over her life. She doesn't trust any vampires or anyone associated with vampires. To top things off she is a natural submissive and is confused by her desire to submit to someone stronger than her. She feels the need to please, yet feels guilty or ashamed by these submissive feelings.
Lord Mason is also tortured by his past. He had loved in the past and that love ended very tragically. Both he and Jessica need to overcome HUGE amounts of baggage before they can heal and move on with their lives. Here in lies the crutch of the problem for me. I felt that Mason and Jessica's relationship was overshadowed by each of their own individual problems that I did not believe in their romance. It was almost as if it was too much for me to comprehend and be able to relate too. I hate to say it be I was also bored on a certain level because the story became stagnant. Before Jessica could move forward she had to work through her issues and it seemed to stall the movement of the relationship between her and Mason.
Beloved Vampire is part of the Vampire Queen series. I don't feel that the other books need to be read in order to read this book. It is not the best of the series in my opinion. Although, other characters from previous books to play a small role in this story. I am sorry to say, I can not recommend this book.
I had a hard time with Beloved Vampire. Jessica suffered horrible, indescribable torture at the hands of the sadistic vampire, Raithe. I was very disgusted by the things Raithe did to Jessica. She has HUGE baggage that she needs to deal with in order to gain some semblance of control over her life. She doesn't trust any vampires or anyone associated with vampires. To top things off she is a natural submissive and is confused by her desire to submit to someone stronger than her. She feels the need to please, yet feels guilty or ashamed by these submissive feelings.
Lord Mason is also tortured by his past. He had loved in the past and that love ended very tragically. Both he and Jessica need to overcome HUGE amounts of baggage before they can heal and move on with their lives. Here in lies the crutch of the problem for me. I felt that Mason and Jessica's relationship was overshadowed by each of their own individual problems that I did not believe in their romance. It was almost as if it was too much for me to comprehend and be able to relate too. I hate to say it be I was also bored on a certain level because the story became stagnant. Before Jessica could move forward she had to work through her issues and it seemed to stall the movement of the relationship between her and Mason.
Beloved Vampire is part of the Vampire Queen series. I don't feel that the other books need to be read in order to read this book. It is not the best of the series in my opinion. Although, other characters from previous books to play a small role in this story. I am sorry to say, I can not recommend this book.
May 19, 2011
This book had my favorite line in this series "you need to fight with someone"...."you call on me." I loved Lord Mason from the first time I met him in the first book. To me he is a hero, sheltering and loving romantic but yet so dangerous. Seeing him on his horses in a desert is so exotic and fascinating combined with the fact that he speaks arabic and he's a vampire makes him that much more deadly.
This story is a very sad one, Jess who is so sad and believes in a story of love that got her through a five year period where she was tortured is now face to face with Mason the man of her dreams. She is a natural submissive which is the type of female I love to read about but she has been torn apart and this story is really about her putting herself back together. Lord Mason is so patient and he really puts himself out for her I just loved that about him.
I also want to mention Mason has a food thing and I would eat anything coming from him! The two of them riding on a horse was amazing and I loved that Jess got to experience Jacob and Dev that lucky girl. Lord Mason and all his appearences even the one where he saves Lyssa at the dance says so much about him. I cant get enough.
This story is a very sad one, Jess who is so sad and believes in a story of love that got her through a five year period where she was tortured is now face to face with Mason the man of her dreams. She is a natural submissive which is the type of female I love to read about but she has been torn apart and this story is really about her putting herself back together. Lord Mason is so patient and he really puts himself out for her I just loved that about him.
I also want to mention Mason has a food thing and I would eat anything coming from him! The two of them riding on a horse was amazing and I loved that Jess got to experience Jacob and Dev that lucky girl. Lord Mason and all his appearences even the one where he saves Lyssa at the dance says so much about him. I cant get enough.
June 29, 2010
After listening to my very dear friend Kristin talk about this book, I had to give the author and this series a read.
I started with book 1 and haven’t been able to stop reading. It’s easy at first to flinch a little at the world Joey Hill has created, but as I read through book 1 and the following books in the series, the world we’re introduced to and the relationships in it become about so much more than they initially seem.
I love each book for different reasons, but this one really stands out for me. Having both characters, Lord Mason and Jessica, struggle to overcome pasts of horrible heartbreak and even worse torture, made their story together all the more powerful. The quick flashbacks Jessica has of the abuse she suffered were at times hard to read, but seeing her character grow from beginning to end was amazing.
I couldn’t put the book down. The whole series has completely sucked me in, and I can’t wait to start the next book!
I started with book 1 and haven’t been able to stop reading. It’s easy at first to flinch a little at the world Joey Hill has created, but as I read through book 1 and the following books in the series, the world we’re introduced to and the relationships in it become about so much more than they initially seem.
I love each book for different reasons, but this one really stands out for me. Having both characters, Lord Mason and Jessica, struggle to overcome pasts of horrible heartbreak and even worse torture, made their story together all the more powerful. The quick flashbacks Jessica has of the abuse she suffered were at times hard to read, but seeing her character grow from beginning to end was amazing.
I couldn’t put the book down. The whole series has completely sucked me in, and I can’t wait to start the next book!
February 6, 2018
This was a wonderful story of 2 broken people and their journey to find love. Previous books in this series have relied a little on hot sex seance to keep the reader interested in the development of the relationships. But this book took you on a really harrowing journey into the broken mind of Jes and her learning to trust Mason. The sex was kept to a minimum and it suited the story. The other book focus on domination, submission being the required element to make the dominant work. This focused on the submission and it was a really thoughtful tale of true submission.
August 22, 2013
THIS is a book I would rec for sure!! Vamp lovers or not? This is a beautiful love story. Mason and Jess both brought a lot of emotion out for me.
JWH will be my go to for some HOT but still emotional and beautiful stories:))
Serious favorite of mine!!!!!!!
JWH will be my go to for some HOT but still emotional and beautiful stories:))
Serious favorite of mine!!!!!!!
December 17, 2023
The book ended me on a deep sigh. That's right, the book finished me and not the other way around.
Like with each and every creation of Joey Hill, this one reached so far deep into my very being that I could briefly see my soul reflected on the pages.
I'll share some of my favourite quotes instead of a proper review. I never have the right words anyway for how ms Hill wrecks me with her talent.
"He took her down to the mat on her back, sweeping her legs, but catching her on one arm, so she landed with all the violence of a babe being laid in her cradle."
""Do you think she realizes she’s being wooed?” “As much as he realizes he’s wooing her,”"
"I refuse to live without her. She is my third marked servant. A servant follows her Master into eternity. She is afraid of the dark, and I won’t let her be alone in the dark."
"He didn’t need to worry about sunrises or sunsets. His endings and beginnings were a circle. This circle. Her arms."
Like with each and every creation of Joey Hill, this one reached so far deep into my very being that I could briefly see my soul reflected on the pages.
I'll share some of my favourite quotes instead of a proper review. I never have the right words anyway for how ms Hill wrecks me with her talent.
"He took her down to the mat on her back, sweeping her legs, but catching her on one arm, so she landed with all the violence of a babe being laid in her cradle."
""Do you think she realizes she’s being wooed?” “As much as he realizes he’s wooing her,”"
"I refuse to live without her. She is my third marked servant. A servant follows her Master into eternity. She is afraid of the dark, and I won’t let her be alone in the dark."
"He didn’t need to worry about sunrises or sunsets. His endings and beginnings were a circle. This circle. Her arms."
September 29, 2018
I guess it's just me or the fact that I haven't read all of these, but I couldn't get into the characters or plot of this book. I did read all the way to the end though. While I love vampire books, this one just wasn't for me. Sorry!
April 19, 2021
I liked it a lot more then I expected...
August 4, 2010
I absolutely loved the 1st 35% of this book. It was so strong for me.
The middle bit got a bit angsty for me & the last 35%, while some of it took me out of the story, I did really enjoy it. By that point I was really rooting for the 2 MC's.
This is predominately romance. It's also very character driven.
Premise (possible Spoilers) :
Jessica is unknowingly stalked then kidnapped & put into forced servitude to a sadistic vamp who sees her rare & true submissive nature. She endures 5 years of ultra extreme torture (physical & emotional).
During that time - her mind splintered & one of the things that kept her alive was a journal of young star crossed lovers (Farida & Mason). When tortured, she would escape into their fantasy, imagine herself as the cherished woman in the journal.
She manages to escape & kill her master during a botched 3rd marking attempt while vampire hunters attacked his home. She is being hunted by his cronies. Jess knows she is dying but needs to know if what she read is actual reality b'c it was the only thing that got her through her nightmare.
She NEEDS it all to be real & wants to die in the lovers cave. She makes it there where Farida is lying in her open tomb, still perfect. Mason, her husband, is also there paying his respects. He sees Jessica & well w/out getting completely into it...saves her by making her a 3rd marked servant he intends to rehabilitate & let go once she gets her life back.
______
The 1st 35% of this book I found really intense. Hill really allowed us to get into Jessica's psyche & I found it heartbreaking & powerful. I was on the edge of my seat. I loved Hill's prose during all of this as well. She is very good at that heartbreaking tenderness which is never too saccharine.
As we move into her rehabing - we learn more about Mason. His guilt over how Farida died, what he has done over the last 300 years to assuage it & how it's shaped him into the man he is today.
Once thing that Hill explain so incredibly well was the whole submissive/ dominate nature. The why's & how's of it through Jess grappling with it by showing snippets of what she was taught to react to & her deep shame & humiliation as a result.
She also explains it through Mason's dominance, they way he brings her round, makes her confront, learns to trust, all while controlling his natural instincts.
Hill's Jessica's is a "natural" submissive nature. Hill also explain why that is attractive to vamps in her world & how if in the wrong hands, that nature can be severely abused (which it was) but in reality, for a true dominate nature - a submissive is a truly precious gift.
I've read fic's w/BDSM etc.. but no one, has been able to make me understand it in this way. Hill just made it come across as something natural. Although rare, some people are just built this way. It made perfect sense to me as I was reading.
I also liked seeing the character's from previous books. I wasn't quite sure what exactly happened between Jacob & Mason in this books & the character of Lyssa isn't my favorite, but I do really enjoy seeing where they are in their lives w/one another in every book.
All in all, another great escapist book from Hill. Really well written, esp the beginning. I don't know if I'd give it 4 stars if that trip into Jess's psyche hadn't been so strong. I felt like a was experiencing it with her. There were moments that were very powerful & had me tearing up.
I felt that power tapered off a bit when it moved more into the romance territory but overall, I think it's her strongest yet. I really enjoyed these 2 characters & their struggle to survive the ghosts of their pasts.
The middle bit got a bit angsty for me & the last 35%, while some of it took me out of the story, I did really enjoy it. By that point I was really rooting for the 2 MC's.
This is predominately romance. It's also very character driven.
Premise (possible Spoilers) :
Jessica is unknowingly stalked then kidnapped & put into forced servitude to a sadistic vamp who sees her rare & true submissive nature. She endures 5 years of ultra extreme torture (physical & emotional).
During that time - her mind splintered & one of the things that kept her alive was a journal of young star crossed lovers (Farida & Mason). When tortured, she would escape into their fantasy, imagine herself as the cherished woman in the journal.
She manages to escape & kill her master during a botched 3rd marking attempt while vampire hunters attacked his home. She is being hunted by his cronies. Jess knows she is dying but needs to know if what she read is actual reality b'c it was the only thing that got her through her nightmare.
She NEEDS it all to be real & wants to die in the lovers cave. She makes it there where Farida is lying in her open tomb, still perfect. Mason, her husband, is also there paying his respects. He sees Jessica & well w/out getting completely into it...saves her by making her a 3rd marked servant he intends to rehabilitate & let go once she gets her life back.
______
The 1st 35% of this book I found really intense. Hill really allowed us to get into Jessica's psyche & I found it heartbreaking & powerful. I was on the edge of my seat. I loved Hill's prose during all of this as well. She is very good at that heartbreaking tenderness which is never too saccharine.
As we move into her rehabing - we learn more about Mason. His guilt over how Farida died, what he has done over the last 300 years to assuage it & how it's shaped him into the man he is today.
Once thing that Hill explain so incredibly well was the whole submissive/ dominate nature. The why's & how's of it through Jess grappling with it by showing snippets of what she was taught to react to & her deep shame & humiliation as a result.
She also explains it through Mason's dominance, they way he brings her round, makes her confront, learns to trust, all while controlling his natural instincts.
Hill's Jessica's is a "natural" submissive nature. Hill also explain why that is attractive to vamps in her world & how if in the wrong hands, that nature can be severely abused (which it was) but in reality, for a true dominate nature - a submissive is a truly precious gift.
I've read fic's w/BDSM etc.. but no one, has been able to make me understand it in this way. Hill just made it come across as something natural. Although rare, some people are just built this way. It made perfect sense to me as I was reading.
I also liked seeing the character's from previous books. I wasn't quite sure what exactly happened between Jacob & Mason in this books & the character of Lyssa isn't my favorite, but I do really enjoy seeing where they are in their lives w/one another in every book.
All in all, another great escapist book from Hill. Really well written, esp the beginning. I don't know if I'd give it 4 stars if that trip into Jess's psyche hadn't been so strong. I felt like a was experiencing it with her. There were moments that were very powerful & had me tearing up.
I felt that power tapered off a bit when it moved more into the romance territory but overall, I think it's her strongest yet. I really enjoyed these 2 characters & their struggle to survive the ghosts of their pasts.
November 8, 2009
This is the fourth book in the Vampire Queen series but I have to admit I haven’t read the previous books. I won this one at a contest at the Knight Agency’s Blog and started directly with this one because it’s written to be read as a stand alone.
The first thing I noticed was the wonderful way Joey W. Hill writes. Her writing is like listening to music and her voice is just unique. I loved the way she jumps between different narrators. Okay, at the beginning that was a little confusing but I loved it more and more while reading this book. Her characters seem to be alive and real so I had to remind myself that this whole story is really just a story.
Jessica is one of the strongest characters I ever read about. No, she’s not one of these kick-ass chicks but she is so strong from within that I had to admire her. She lived through 5 years of brutal torture and multiple abuse and rape by a vampire master and his cronies. She is broken inside, no wonder after these years, but with the help of Lord Mason she discovers her will again and tries to fight these memories which still haunt her. She has throwbacks in her progress but this only made her more believable and real in my eyes.
Lord Mason is one of those tortured with the past heroes. He still can’t let go of his one great love although she died 300 years ago. He loved her and he thinks the guilt for her death lies with him. He sees in Jessica a way to safe her soul and perhaps redeem his own. He’s a real master, not only in the vampire world but also in the bedroom. He wants her submission but how to get it without reminding her of her past?
He has to find ways to show her that not all vampires are bad and that submitting is not the same as surrender after being brutalized.
The relationship between these two is developing really slow but this was the only possible way for it to be in this kind of situation. Jessica needs time to develop a foundation of trust and her past with vampires is a great burden for this goal. They both take only small steps but they won my heart with this.
In this book you have to wait long to get to the smex. Do you remember the books where the hero teases the heroine so long that she feel like bursting from being aroused more than mankind can imagine? You will so know what that means after reading this book. It’s not like nothing happens in the first 350 pages but the real smex is exclusive in the last hundred pages. That isn’t bad at all but at some points I could have screamed: “Now!!!!! Please!”
The overall plot was a bit lacking in my opinion. But perhaps I just couldn’t grip it because I haven’t read the first books. Some things were solved too easily and others felt like being a bit magnified. Luckily the emotional development between Mason and Jessica was so great that I didn’t mind the not so good main plot, not at all. Joey W. Hill is a great writer and I enjoyed this book and will buy all the others in this series ASAP.
The first thing I noticed was the wonderful way Joey W. Hill writes. Her writing is like listening to music and her voice is just unique. I loved the way she jumps between different narrators. Okay, at the beginning that was a little confusing but I loved it more and more while reading this book. Her characters seem to be alive and real so I had to remind myself that this whole story is really just a story.
Jessica is one of the strongest characters I ever read about. No, she’s not one of these kick-ass chicks but she is so strong from within that I had to admire her. She lived through 5 years of brutal torture and multiple abuse and rape by a vampire master and his cronies. She is broken inside, no wonder after these years, but with the help of Lord Mason she discovers her will again and tries to fight these memories which still haunt her. She has throwbacks in her progress but this only made her more believable and real in my eyes.
Lord Mason is one of those tortured with the past heroes. He still can’t let go of his one great love although she died 300 years ago. He loved her and he thinks the guilt for her death lies with him. He sees in Jessica a way to safe her soul and perhaps redeem his own. He’s a real master, not only in the vampire world but also in the bedroom. He wants her submission but how to get it without reminding her of her past?
He has to find ways to show her that not all vampires are bad and that submitting is not the same as surrender after being brutalized.
The relationship between these two is developing really slow but this was the only possible way for it to be in this kind of situation. Jessica needs time to develop a foundation of trust and her past with vampires is a great burden for this goal. They both take only small steps but they won my heart with this.
In this book you have to wait long to get to the smex. Do you remember the books where the hero teases the heroine so long that she feel like bursting from being aroused more than mankind can imagine? You will so know what that means after reading this book. It’s not like nothing happens in the first 350 pages but the real smex is exclusive in the last hundred pages. That isn’t bad at all but at some points I could have screamed: “Now!!!!! Please!”
The overall plot was a bit lacking in my opinion. But perhaps I just couldn’t grip it because I haven’t read the first books. Some things were solved too easily and others felt like being a bit magnified. Luckily the emotional development between Mason and Jessica was so great that I didn’t mind the not so good main plot, not at all. Joey W. Hill is a great writer and I enjoyed this book and will buy all the others in this series ASAP.
June 28, 2012
Ok
please do not skewer me but this is my first time reading material from this author. I purchased this book based on the glowing reviews I read here on this very forum. Maybe I set my expectations too high but goodness this book took up 10 hours of my life that I will never get back! the story itself was promising but it took every ounce of restraint in me to NOT skip any pages, convincing myself I would miss crucial information. The pace of this book was entirely too slow for my liking. I felt like Hill, was hammering home the main point relentlessly. I felt like yelling I get it! Jessica is damaged goods, Mason lives in a private hell...Let's move on! In retrospect that is the definition of insanity and clearly our heroine was in its deepest depths. Truth be told, this is a story that should have been summed up in 300 pages. It was just too longwinded for my taste. the ghost of Farrida for example, should have been exorcised a long time ago instead, her ghost dogs the footsteps of our hero and heroine making me question if either of them truely believes they have moved on from their tragic circumstances given the fact that our heroine tends to recite Farrida's words verbatim at every turn. Yes the message is conveyed that over time she will reclaim herself, mind body and soul but as it stood in the novel,I thought it too soon for her to make such a level of commitment to Mason only a few months after escaping the mouth of hell. I still felt the Stockholm syndrome was very much still in play w/ their romance despite the author's efforts to dispell it. Actually, I blame the author because she lingered in that world for 3/4s of the book making it impossible for anyone to buy into Jessica's (our heroine) "growth" from her harrowing experience. It all came across as too rushed in the end. the last 25 pages breaking away from the rest of the novel in a dead sprint that made me wonder why the hurry? I envisioned her editor signalling her to "wrap it up"
With that said, I do so look forward to reading the Vampire Queen's Servant. Lyssa and Jacob's story sounds interesting to say the least. If however, the writing drags as this one does, I doubt I will read another Joey Hill book and will stick with JR Ward instead.
Just a last FYI, if you do NOT possess a submissive personality, this book will grate your nerves. Maybe that's why I think I'll enjoy Lyssa's book. She reads as a very tough no nonsense type that doesn't mince words, stating what she thinks and moves on.
please do not skewer me but this is my first time reading material from this author. I purchased this book based on the glowing reviews I read here on this very forum. Maybe I set my expectations too high but goodness this book took up 10 hours of my life that I will never get back! the story itself was promising but it took every ounce of restraint in me to NOT skip any pages, convincing myself I would miss crucial information. The pace of this book was entirely too slow for my liking. I felt like Hill, was hammering home the main point relentlessly. I felt like yelling I get it! Jessica is damaged goods, Mason lives in a private hell...Let's move on! In retrospect that is the definition of insanity and clearly our heroine was in its deepest depths. Truth be told, this is a story that should have been summed up in 300 pages. It was just too longwinded for my taste. the ghost of Farrida for example, should have been exorcised a long time ago instead, her ghost dogs the footsteps of our hero and heroine making me question if either of them truely believes they have moved on from their tragic circumstances given the fact that our heroine tends to recite Farrida's words verbatim at every turn. Yes the message is conveyed that over time she will reclaim herself, mind body and soul but as it stood in the novel,I thought it too soon for her to make such a level of commitment to Mason only a few months after escaping the mouth of hell. I still felt the Stockholm syndrome was very much still in play w/ their romance despite the author's efforts to dispell it. Actually, I blame the author because she lingered in that world for 3/4s of the book making it impossible for anyone to buy into Jessica's (our heroine) "growth" from her harrowing experience. It all came across as too rushed in the end. the last 25 pages breaking away from the rest of the novel in a dead sprint that made me wonder why the hurry? I envisioned her editor signalling her to "wrap it up"
With that said, I do so look forward to reading the Vampire Queen's Servant. Lyssa and Jacob's story sounds interesting to say the least. If however, the writing drags as this one does, I doubt I will read another Joey Hill book and will stick with JR Ward instead.
Just a last FYI, if you do NOT possess a submissive personality, this book will grate your nerves. Maybe that's why I think I'll enjoy Lyssa's book. She reads as a very tough no nonsense type that doesn't mince words, stating what she thinks and moves on.
May 2, 2011
This is book 4 in the Vampire Queen series. Lord Mason, a high ranking vampire, takes Jessica, a human previously forced into service by her previous Master, under his wing. She has been condemned to die under the vampire Council laws for killing her Master, despite the unbelievable cruelty she suffered at his hand. Lord Mason sees something in her, a courage and a beauty reminiscent of his lost human servant and love of his life, Farida, who died for that love.
This is, like all of this series, a very character driven novel, so if you like constant action, this isn't for you. It delves deeply into the psyche of a natural submissive who has had her submissiveness exploited and abused. She becomes a shell of herself, scarred and traumatized, but refuses to be a victim. Her recovery under Lord Mason is beautiful to watch. Lord Mason himself, while not straying from his true dominant vampire nature, is so loving and compassionate, so understanding of her nature and her needs, that it was an absolute joy to read.
Like I said in the comments before, I feel like Joey Hill writes erotica that reads like literature. I'm no romance snob....I read it all and see value in many different styles in the genre. But despite the plot being paranormal here, it's written in such the way that it carries a weight of importance that I usually only get from reading "literature" that doesn't involve vamps or explicit sex. The emotional impact is huge for me. Can't wait to read the next one!!!!
This is, like all of this series, a very character driven novel, so if you like constant action, this isn't for you. It delves deeply into the psyche of a natural submissive who has had her submissiveness exploited and abused. She becomes a shell of herself, scarred and traumatized, but refuses to be a victim. Her recovery under Lord Mason is beautiful to watch. Lord Mason himself, while not straying from his true dominant vampire nature, is so loving and compassionate, so understanding of her nature and her needs, that it was an absolute joy to read.
Like I said in the comments before, I feel like Joey Hill writes erotica that reads like literature. I'm no romance snob....I read it all and see value in many different styles in the genre. But despite the plot being paranormal here, it's written in such the way that it carries a weight of importance that I usually only get from reading "literature" that doesn't involve vamps or explicit sex. The emotional impact is huge for me. Can't wait to read the next one!!!!
October 5, 2013
I really liked this one. Maybe it's the setting: romantic, tropical, secluded locale with all the flowers, horses & belly dancing. Maybe it's because this is the first book of the series that doesn't have a female vamp trying mostly in vain to turn a clearly alpha male into a servant…who knows? Who cares really? I liked it! Mason has this great blend of tortured soul, dominance, intelligence, gallantry, wisdom, patience, affection, humor & possessiveness that's just spellbinding. I was intrigued by him in The Mark of the Vampire Queen & his story did not disappoint.
Jess is kind of annoying BUT she has been through an awful lot. 5 yrs of hell at the hands of an unspeakably cruel vampire-Lord Raithe. 5 yrs of hell & torture doesn't just go away overnight so I guess I cut her some slack. Nevertheless, she is fairly slap worthy… often & could try the patience of a saint or in this case, Lord Mason.
Ms. Hill yet again impressed me with her penchant for quality research & stunning visuals. She's such a quality writer. Just impressive.
2 footnotes: (1) I'll never look at bananas quite the same way again & (2) Lady Lyssa makes another appearance and… *blinks* uh… somebody has acquired some serious new skills. O.O For real.
Anyhoo, on to Gideon's book now. Woot!
Jess is kind of annoying BUT she has been through an awful lot. 5 yrs of hell at the hands of an unspeakably cruel vampire-Lord Raithe. 5 yrs of hell & torture doesn't just go away overnight so I guess I cut her some slack. Nevertheless, she is fairly slap worthy… often & could try the patience of a saint or in this case, Lord Mason.
Ms. Hill yet again impressed me with her penchant for quality research & stunning visuals. She's such a quality writer. Just impressive.
2 footnotes: (1) I'll never look at bananas quite the same way again & (2) Lady Lyssa makes another appearance and… *blinks* uh… somebody has acquired some serious new skills. O.O For real.
Anyhoo, on to Gideon's book now. Woot!
July 18, 2009
Jessica, dying, thirsty and alone had made it to her goal. She had breached the walls of Farida's tomb and was quiet content to die there as had been her plan since she had killed Raithe, the vampire who had kidnapped her and abused her for over five years.
Unfortunately, she hadn't counted on her guides coming back for buried treasure. She really hadn't counted on Lord Mason, Farida's husband to show up and kill them. After all, Farida had died over 300 years ago!
Mason was stunned. There was an intruder in the tomb. When he finds Jessica, it is obviously she doesn't have long to live. He gives her a first bite and takes her home to recover. Little does he know how obsessed she is with Farida's history which includes him in a major way. Jess doesn't know anything except that Lord Mason must be a vampire - one of those who had tortured her all those years and she tries to escape more than once. As he tries to gain her trust she begins to understand that all vampires aren't alike - she hopes.
OMG! This has to be the best vampire novel I've read in a very long time! Joey Hill has outdone himself in descriptions and plot. This is not a small book (536 pages) and I read it in a day and a half (don't tell my boss!), couldn't put it down and did n't want it to end. If we had a star system, I'd give it 6 out of 5....and, on a hot scale a 10 out of 5. Definitely.
Unfortunately, she hadn't counted on her guides coming back for buried treasure. She really hadn't counted on Lord Mason, Farida's husband to show up and kill them. After all, Farida had died over 300 years ago!
Mason was stunned. There was an intruder in the tomb. When he finds Jessica, it is obviously she doesn't have long to live. He gives her a first bite and takes her home to recover. Little does he know how obsessed she is with Farida's history which includes him in a major way. Jess doesn't know anything except that Lord Mason must be a vampire - one of those who had tortured her all those years and she tries to escape more than once. As he tries to gain her trust she begins to understand that all vampires aren't alike - she hopes.
OMG! This has to be the best vampire novel I've read in a very long time! Joey Hill has outdone himself in descriptions and plot. This is not a small book (536 pages) and I read it in a day and a half (don't tell my boss!), couldn't put it down and did n't want it to end. If we had a star system, I'd give it 6 out of 5....and, on a hot scale a 10 out of 5. Definitely.
June 4, 2011
*sigh*
This is what I call romance at its best! Such a beautifully written story between Lord Mason and Jessica, a tortured and abused servant. The introduction of Jessica and her determination to die in the tomb of Lord Mason's lover was powerful, to say the least. She has no idea that Lord Mason is still alive and certainly no idea that he is a vampire. She is all too familiar with the vampire world and the last thing she wants is to be marked and bound to another. But Lord Mason sees a way to save Jessica and in doing so puts his dominating tendacies on the back burner by giving her space and an ultimately becoming her hero. Mason is such an honorable gentleman. He is ruthless and dominating, but such a tender and gentle soul. Knowing just what Jess needed at just the right times, he gave her a chance to rediscover herself and let her make her own choices. I loved the time he took with her, even as messed up in the head as Jess was (and Raithe messed her up some kinda bad!), Mason was just as tormented in his head as well. To show the reserve he had says alot about his character. The beginning filled me with a longing to find out what was driving this girl to find peace in death--the middle had me frustrated at her inner demons, the end had me completely in awe of this love story. And well, Lord Mason......He had me at "WHAP!".....
=D
This is what I call romance at its best! Such a beautifully written story between Lord Mason and Jessica, a tortured and abused servant. The introduction of Jessica and her determination to die in the tomb of Lord Mason's lover was powerful, to say the least. She has no idea that Lord Mason is still alive and certainly no idea that he is a vampire. She is all too familiar with the vampire world and the last thing she wants is to be marked and bound to another. But Lord Mason sees a way to save Jessica and in doing so puts his dominating tendacies on the back burner by giving her space and an ultimately becoming her hero. Mason is such an honorable gentleman. He is ruthless and dominating, but such a tender and gentle soul. Knowing just what Jess needed at just the right times, he gave her a chance to rediscover herself and let her make her own choices. I loved the time he took with her, even as messed up in the head as Jess was (and Raithe messed her up some kinda bad!), Mason was just as tormented in his head as well. To show the reserve he had says alot about his character. The beginning filled me with a longing to find out what was driving this girl to find peace in death--the middle had me frustrated at her inner demons, the end had me completely in awe of this love story. And well, Lord Mason......He had me at "WHAP!".....
=D
June 20, 2010
I have read all of the Vampire Queen novels. I really loved each and every one but this one has to be the best ever. The main female character is a strong human who has been scarred both physically and emotionally by the vampire she unwittingly serves.
Then comes Mason - a beautiful, enchanting, strong, physically magnificent vampire who she becomes involved with due to the fact that he saved her life by giving her a third mark early in their relationship.
The scenes are scorching in this book but not overtly so. The sexual tension builds throughout until the last quarter of the book for Mason and Jessica. In this book Joey makes you understand the beautiful relationship between vampire and servant, including the role of sexual and submissive that the servant plays and binds it together to make a wonderful relationship between the two.
You will love this book too!
Then comes Mason - a beautiful, enchanting, strong, physically magnificent vampire who she becomes involved with due to the fact that he saved her life by giving her a third mark early in their relationship.
The scenes are scorching in this book but not overtly so. The sexual tension builds throughout until the last quarter of the book for Mason and Jessica. In this book Joey makes you understand the beautiful relationship between vampire and servant, including the role of sexual and submissive that the servant plays and binds it together to make a wonderful relationship between the two.
You will love this book too!
September 7, 2016
Absolutely Brilliant!
It sinks its hooks into you from the first page and doesn't let you go. The hero Mason, is vampire with torments, who rescues the broken but strong willed heroine, Jess from death/suicide. He then tries to help her put her life back together. I adore Jess! She went through a very bad time but she is a survivor, strong and sensual at the same time. Mason is a HOT hero who is lonely and heartbroken but has dominance pouring out of his skin. I was immensely satisfied with the ending.
This book is extremely well written. I was immersed for days, I had to soak in every word and cry (a lot) from all the emotions and tortures that Jess went through. I totally recommend this book to anyone needing Vampire’s in their life and If you want to start the Vampire Queen’s series, read this book first.
It sinks its hooks into you from the first page and doesn't let you go. The hero Mason, is vampire with torments, who rescues the broken but strong willed heroine, Jess from death/suicide. He then tries to help her put her life back together. I adore Jess! She went through a very bad time but she is a survivor, strong and sensual at the same time. Mason is a HOT hero who is lonely and heartbroken but has dominance pouring out of his skin. I was immensely satisfied with the ending.
This book is extremely well written. I was immersed for days, I had to soak in every word and cry (a lot) from all the emotions and tortures that Jess went through. I totally recommend this book to anyone needing Vampire’s in their life and If you want to start the Vampire Queen’s series, read this book first.
May 1, 2014
The story of Lord Mason and Jessica. I could not put this book down! Joey Hill draws you into their world and I was very captivated! In reading about his story of his Farada in the desert, then will his gentleness for Jessica and humor between them and the sensual tension! Omg. I still think about the dance scene, yes very sexy and consumption of food and drink brings it to a different level. wow. This a great story ..
I am continuing with rest of series and hope that he will appear again. :) good job Joey Hill!
I am continuing with rest of series and hope that he will appear again. :) good job Joey Hill!
August 23, 2009
Loved this book. All of the books seem to focus on the human servant rather than the vampire, and I loved that we got to see a female servant as the focus. Jessica is a great heroine - abused, flawed, miserable - and she serves as the perfect foil for Lord Mason, who is pretty much the same but hides it better.
I can always trust Joey Hill to write a complex, darkly sexual book that I can't put down, and this one does not disappoint. Possibly my favorite in the series.
I can always trust Joey Hill to write a complex, darkly sexual book that I can't put down, and this one does not disappoint. Possibly my favorite in the series.
May 6, 2011
This is one of the better vampire books I've read. I really enjoyed Joey Hill's focus on the personality/psychology of the main characters. I enjoyed this book from start to finish. The fact that this book is in the middle of a series I haven't read yet didn't factor into it all. Even though some of the characters have been in previous books I never felt like I was missing and details of the world.
May 21, 2015
Marvelous story
This story was so emotional yet loving. Jessica is a super strong woman who has survived years of torment and torture who is looking for the place she has dreamed about to die. Mason has loved and lost but finds himself drawn to a strange dying woman who has found his lover's resting place. Both must overcome their past to have a future. Well-written and emotional, drew me in from page one!
This story was so emotional yet loving. Jessica is a super strong woman who has survived years of torment and torture who is looking for the place she has dreamed about to die. Mason has loved and lost but finds himself drawn to a strange dying woman who has found his lover's resting place. Both must overcome their past to have a future. Well-written and emotional, drew me in from page one!
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