"Not your Typical Vampire Romances!"

Marriage In Moonlust by Kate Hill

Leona is about to die. She has been given to the cruel vampire that rules her homeland, an unwilling sacrifice intended to save the people of her village. She is saved from Kornel's deadly attention by the arrival of the eldest of the Debray Family, Narcisse. Narcisse was horrified by his brother's treatment of the girl, but even more so by the fact that her own parents had poisoned her. Her only hope is the elixir of his blood, something he gives gladly, but without her willing consent. Though Leona and Narcisse discover mutual feelings for each other, Kornel is not so willing to give up his prize, even if it means killing them all....

This story was quite fun. Hill's vampire world is well- created and her characters were both interesting and believable. Though this reviewer found the swiftness with which Leona deduced her love for the dark vampire somewhat suspicious, for the length of the work it was handled well. There were graphic erotic scenes to the story, but they didn't overpower the plot. They did, in fact, contribute to the characterization. Set in a fantasy/medieval world, Marriage In Moonlust is a new take on the concept of vampire romance that fans of the genre will be sure to appreciate.

Icarus by Sherri L. King

She's been dreaming of him, of a man — a monster — intent on her blood. Seeking solace, Morrigan flees her high- profile life for a small Scottish valley, never expecting that her flight to safety will land her right in the arms of the being who haunts her nights. His name is Azure, or Az, and he tells her that he has been searching for her, his mate. But can she trust a being that drinks her blood, lives in water, and possesses her dreams?

Icarus was a very different story. Though the hero exhibited the blood-drinking habits of a vampire, he was actually an alien. He had wings, as well as the power to live in his mate's dreams. Morrigan was a modern heroine, though she vacillated annoyingly before making a firm decision to trust Az. The novella was short, and focused intensely on the relationship between the characters, allowing plot complication only near the end of the story. This shouldn't been counted as a failure of the story, though, as it allows for the development of a believable relationship between the characters. King still manages a very satisfying ending, as well. Though the hero takes some getting used to, Icarus is an erotic romance that shouldn't be missed.

Sensuality Level: It has been given a Hard R rating from the publisher.

Reviewed by Ann Leveille
Courtesy Sensual Romance
Posted November 26, 2002

Summary

Marriage in Moonlust by Kate Hill: Sacrificed to a family of vampires, Leona is rescued by handsome, powerful Narcisse Debray. In spite of her initial fear of blood drinkers, Leona is unable to control her attraction to the vampire lord. His lovemaking excites her beyond her wildest imaginings and he offers devotion such as she's never known. Unfortunately, their happiness is tainted by the wickedness of a jealous enemy. Narcisse's younger brother will stop at nothing to see the lovers destroyed.

Icarus by Sherri L. King: He comes to her in dreams, when she is most vulnerable to his stirring touches and burning kisses. He drinks her blood and binds her to him in ways no mortal lover ever could...but Morrigan doesn't want to believe that her water-dwelling blood drinker is anything more than a figment of her deprived imagination. Morrigan wants to be free of her addiction to the highly sexual creature she knows only as Az. But Az has other plans...and soon he hopes that Morrigan will be too deeply under his spell to care that he wants to take her back to his homeworld... to be his mate for all eternity.