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From Afar

by Ava March (Goodreads Author)

3.74 of 5 stars 3.74 · rating details · 283 ratings · 39 reviews

Some rules are destined to be broken.

Loneliness. A concept with which Raphael Laurent is very familiar. He's lived a solitary life for thirty-six years, shunning the excesses of the local vampire clan--until he spots Lord Aleric Vane, the handsome and dissolute third son of a duke. For three years Raphael has watched from a distance, for only when he is near Aleric does th...more

ebook, 80 pages

Published February 23rd 2010 by Samhain Publishing (first published 2010)

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The Gentleman and the Rogue by Bonnie Dee

Best Gay Historical Romance

69th out of 273 books — 454 voters

Best Gay Vampires

59th out of 275 books — 343 voters

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Apr 03, 2011 Bookwatcher ~Mary MooCow~ rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Bookwatcher ~Mary MooCow~ by: Harper

Shelves: vampires, paranormal-romance, glbt-gay, historical-romance

You are having second thoughts about a regency romance with gay vampires?

The story (Without spoilers)
In the regency times two lonely soul will meet in London.
Mr Raphael Laurent with his golden hair and angel face is a vampire, tired of his reclusive life.

In a night of little distraction he will take his hungry eyes from the young gentleman that fill his mind with sexual fantasies. And in this night, seeing that beautiful man dying after a robbery attack, Raphael will turn him too... and a new

...more

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Nov 08, 2011 Trix rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: angst, bi-sexual, mm-novels, vampires

This rated 2.5 stars for me.

I really like Ava March's regency stories. There is something incredibly erotic about debauched young nobleman, acting the part in society but letting loose behind closed doors.

However there was too little story in this one. Other than a small introduction in the beginning, there is no real development of the history of the characters. (view spoiler)...more

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Sep 20, 2010 Kassa rated it 3 of 5 stars

From Afar is a pretty typical Ava March offering. If you’ve read other books by this author you know what you’re going to get - a good historical backdrop against lots of hot sex and gorgeous but brooding characters. Here a vampire is thrown into the mix with the anguished and lonely Raphael. He’s been following Aleric and late one night changes the object of his affection to a vampire rather than let him die.

The strength of the story is really Raphael. He’s a very typical brooding vampire, alo...more

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Feb 27, 2010 Jenre rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historicals, m-m, romance

This novella begins with vampire Raphael standing in the boughs of an oak tree spying on a man with a female prostitute. The man is Lord Aleric, third son of a duke, and someone who has captured Raphael’s heart. Raphael secretly follows Aleric wherever he goes, as his unrequited love for the man eases his painful loneliness. After leaving the brothel, Aleric is attacked by footpads and Raphael saves him, and in the process he has a chance of happiness with the one man whose love he has craved fo...more This novella begins with vampire Raphael standing in the boughs of an oak tree spying on a man with a female prostitute. The man is Lord Aleric, third son of a duke, and someone who has captured Raphael’s heart. Raphael secretly follows Aleric wherever he goes, as his unrequited love for the man eases his painful loneliness. After leaving the brothel, Aleric is attacked by footpads and Raphael saves him, and in the process he has a chance of happiness with the one man whose love he has craved for years.

As I mentioned above the first scene of the book is a voyeurism scene where Raphael watches Aleric with a female prostitute. This does mean that the book contains some m/f sex. However, we see the scene from Raphael’s point of view so the focus is solely on Aleric and the descriptions are of his body, his reactions and his actions with very little focus on the female character. What worked well about this scene was that it gave me an understanding of Raphael’s extreme loneliness and in some ways makes his a slightly pathetic figure as he gets his rather unsatisfactory sexual kicks from watching the man he loves. This made it easier for me to accept the way that the love between the two men grows quickly. Whereas in other stories the ‘insta-love’ sometimes feels forced, here I understood that Raphael’s yearning for Aleric quickly became love once the pair got to know each other.

The strength of the book is in the development of the relationship between Raphael and Aleric. I liked that for all that Raphael follows Aleric around, he actually knows very little about him or his life. During the first scene I was given all sorts of false impressions of Aleric through Raphael’s eyes, and I was surprised and delighted that he turned out to be so much more that the spoiled rich man about town. When the two men finally come together, the sex scenes are pretty scorching, but it’s not long before feelings of dependence and love begin to grow and I found myself immersed in the romance part of the plot.

Another part which worked well was in the historical setting. The setting of London at night – from the affluent areas to the seedier side – was described in vivid detail and added greatly to the overall atmosphere of the book.

The parts that didn’t work as well were mainly to do with the sub-plot between Raphael and the vampire clan. The reader is introduced to several characters and yet nothing was really developed from that. I was expecting something more dramatic from this part of the story but it all just fizzled out, leaving me with too many questions and loose ends by the end of the story.

Overall, this novella is definitely worth reading, especially for the romantic relationship and historical setting. I’ve not read an Ava March book before but I shall certainly be reading more of her books in future.(less)

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Nov 24, 2010 Emanuela ~plastic duck~ rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: rainbow-gay, glbt, historical, paranormal, romance

The beginning of this book is really something else. Wow! I've read two beautiful historical stories by Ava March, where one of the characters has been longing for someone apparently unattainable. Here the things are complicated not because the object of the desire is a lord, but because the pursuer is a vampire.

The opening scene is incredibly erotic: Raphael, the vampire, is spying Lord Aleric's encounter with his mistress. Perched on a tree branch (that's Raphael!). We learn that Raphael has b...more The beginning of this book is really something else. Wow! I've read two beautiful historical stories by Ava March, where one of the characters has been longing for someone apparently unattainable. Here the things are complicated not because the object of the desire is a lord, but because the pursuer is a vampire.

The opening scene is incredibly erotic: Raphael, the vampire, is spying Lord Aleric's encounter with his mistress. Perched on a tree branch (that's Raphael!). We learn that Raphael has been following Aleric for years and Raphael's desire is described with Ava March's usual intensity. Raphael is not a vampire like all the others in London, he is a loner and loving Aleric from afar is like basking in the sunlight that has been denied to him when he was turned.

Aleric, the lord, leads a dissolute life and has been shunned by his family because he didn't want to conform to his father's wishes. He doesn't have money and barely a roof on his head, he is at the low point of his life. While returning home from the brothel, he is robbed and stabbed to death and Raphael can't help saving him, even if this could be trouble for him.

While their encounters are detailed (and super hot), there are many things that are just hinted at (I'm thinking of the appearing and disappearing of Aleric's gloves, for example) and it's like the author is whispering something in our ear, something secret that reveals the depth of Raphael's devotion. Raphael is more complex a character than Aleric. I wish we had learned more about his turning, because there's a compelling melancholy in him and it's not really explored.

In this book the problem of homosexuality in 1800s England is not so prominent as in other books, because the "inhuman" nature of the two protagonists puts them above the law. Their concerns stem from the resident vampire clan, which is ruled by a woman who sets her eyes on Alaric, much to Raphael's discomfort.

I hope the book will have a sequel. The vampire society of London is only sketched but there was so much more that could have been told. Raphael is concerned for his own and Aleric's security, but the book ends sort of abruptly (but sweetly), that's why I can't give 5 stars. (less)

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Mar 12, 2010 Elisa Ramblings added it

Regency Vampires is a very thriving genre, and usually the stories are quite gothic and dark, and not only since, obviously, they are set at night. Reading the blurb of From Afar I was expecting nothing different, the story of the vampire Raphael and his unrequited love for nobleman Aleric; Raphael is forced to turn Aleric when the man is mortally wounded by some thieves and now he fears the man will hate him.

But since the beginning, the story reveals to be quite different from expected. First,...more Regency Vampires is a very thriving genre, and usually the stories are quite gothic and dark, and not only since, obviously, they are set at night. Reading the blurb of From Afar I was expecting nothing different, the story of the vampire Raphael and his unrequited love for nobleman Aleric; Raphael is forced to turn Aleric when the man is mortally wounded by some thieves and now he fears the man will hate him.

But since the beginning, the story reveals to be quite different from expected. First, it begins with a very sexy scene, Raphael perched on a tree spying Aleric with a female prostitute… well, yes, it’s a sexy scene, especially when Raphael starts to masturbate, but indeed I was also worried for Raphael’s safety, wondering if he was risking to fall down the tree. I don’t know but this scene revealed a lot of Raphael, of how, despite being a 36 years old vampire, he is really still the young 21 years old boy he was when turned. Raphael is not a strong and mourning vampire; he is instead a young man who is searching for love. 3 years before he fell in love for Aleric, but like a very “ordinary” unrequited love, he has never had the courage to reach for it; truth be told, I felt like what restrains Raphael is more the moral sin, they are both men, than the vampire thing: even if Raphael was human, I think that he the same would not acknowledge his existence to Aleric.

When he is forced to turn Aleric to save his life, at first Raphael feels guilty; he did nothing to mortally wound Aleric, but indeed it was a good chance for him. But then to Aleric takes very few time to accommodate to his new status, maybe helped in that from the fact that he was totally destitute, without any real chance, and if not for Raphael’s independent wealth, he would have no idea how to pay his debts. It’s not clearly stated, but this is a winning turn of the evens for Aleric from all perspectives: Aleric has always had forbidden desires for men, but he has never had the courage to really indulge in them… now he has an handsome young man all for himself; Aleric has no money and no way to gain them, and instead Raphael has plenty; Raphael feels guilty for turning Aleric and so he is willing to grant any whim of the man.

There are odd but very nice contrapositions in the story: Aleric is the nobleman, but it’s Raphael who has the money; Aleric is the less experience in man love of the two, but he is the one who is more sexually driven to explore; Raphael, turned at 21 years old and with 36 years of experience as vampire, is the oldest between them, but it’s Gabriel who seems to be the “leader” in the relationship (even if, as I said just before, it’s Raphael who has the money). All of them (and maybe some other I forgot), make the characters multilayered and original, and so, even if this is only a novella that spans for only 2 nights in the life of the men, it has a wider breath.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0038089TI/?...(less)

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Apr 07, 2012 Mary rated it 3 of 5 stars

From Afar is a delightful short story. Emphasis on the short. My biggest complaint is that this story doesn't have more to it. It had all the elements to create an amazing novel but instead settled for being a short story. Because of this there are some questions left unanswered and others that are glossed over in explanation. Despite this though, From Afar is still an engrossing novel with endearing characters and steamy scenes. Raphael is a well-rounded character who I felt very empathetic for...more

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Feb 25, 2010 Mandi Schreiner rated it 3 of 5 stars

Raphael Laurent is in love. Problem is the person he is in love with, Lord Aleric Vane, remains a stranger, one he has never spoken to. He watches him though – a lot. Aleric visites Madame Bettes brothel, and Raphael has found a tree that gives him the perfect view into the bedroom and all the indecent things Aleric does with his woman. Raphael also has seen Aleric do things with other men, and knows this is his secret desire. Aleric has been cut off from his family for not going into the church...more Raphael Laurent is in love. Problem is the person he is in love with, Lord Aleric Vane, remains a stranger, one he has never spoken to. He watches him though – a lot. Aleric visites Madame Bettes brothel, and Raphael has found a tree that gives him the perfect view into the bedroom and all the indecent things Aleric does with his woman. Raphael also has seen Aleric do things with other men, and knows this is his secret desire. Aleric has been cut off from his family for not going into the church, and spends his last coin at the brothel. His life is going nowhere and he yearns for something different and more.

For three years, Raphael has followed Aleric from a distance, keeping him safe and battling lust so strong it pains him. His voyeurism is not his only secret. Raphael is also a vampire, and after following Aleric home one night, Aleric gets stabbed by robbers. Raphael is seconds too late to stop the thieves and now must make a decision. Let the love of his life rest in peace, or make a life changing decision for them both.

From Afar is Ava March’s first foray into paranormal romance. I really liked the character of Raphael and his desperation and need to get closer to Aleric. You could feel his pain as he watches Aleric with someone else, his anxiety to have a moment with him. And when that moments comes, Aleric is hovering near death. Oh the irony.

Ava March writes such wonderfully romantic, yet naughty love scenes and with a vampire in the mix, we get lots of biting. The passion between these two is scorching from the start. The book is quite short, so their lust is fast and furious. Ava March can write such emotional distress in characters that you can’t help but feel a connection with them, even with the novella length.

Raphael is very concerned the head vampire in London, Katernia will not approve of Aleric in her territory. Much of the story is a build up to a meeting with her and I felt the confrontation with her is a let down and nothing is really resolved. Raphael and Aleric make a decision at the end of the book, but we never hear back from Katernia and I just expected her to be sterner or more of a threat than what she ends up being.

We do meet two other vampires, Roman and Grant and although we only see them for a page or two, I am very intrigued and I hope Ava March revisits this world.

From Afar creates a world where there is definitely more to explore, and I am sure Ava March has more sexy men in store for us.

Rating: 3.5/5(less)

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May 23, 2010 Brita rated it 5 of 5 stars

I positively loved this book and would give it ten stars if I could. I didn't think I could read about vampires, having never done it. However, I love the Twilight movies and still lament the loss of "Moonlight" with Alex O'Loughlin on CBS (I lament CBS as well, but for very different reasons.)

Ava has been a favorite author of mine for sometime, but this book just boosted her rating to the top of my list. She created two characters, Raphael and Aleric, who are simply unforgettable. The angst was...more

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Mar 02, 2010 Sophia (FV) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Rating: 3.5 stars

When Mandi at SmexyBooks told me that Ava March had a Paranormal Historical m/m coming out, I was intrigued. I’ve heard great things about Ava March’s Historical m/m books but when she threw in the paranormal angle I promptly emailed Ms. March and requested a review copy.

The story starts off with a bang with the vampire Raphael in a tree outside the window of a brothel. He’s secretly watching Lord Aleric Vane, the man he’s been in love with from afar for 3 years, with his favori...more Rating: 3.5 stars

When Mandi at SmexyBooks told me that Ava March had a Paranormal Historical m/m coming out, I was intrigued. I’ve heard great things about Ava March’s Historical m/m books but when she threw in the paranormal angle I promptly emailed Ms. March and requested a review copy.

The story starts off with a bang with the vampire Raphael in a tree outside the window of a brothel. He’s secretly watching Lord Aleric Vane, the man he’s been in love with from afar for 3 years, with his favorite whore.

Cloaked in the shadow of the tree trunk, he unbuttoned the placket of his black knee breeches and pushed aside his shirttail. Gaze fixed on the nude pair standing at the side of the bed, he pulled out his cock and ran a hand along the hard length, his touch light, mimicking hers.

[…:]Hand braced against the tree truck, Raphael continued to stroke his cock as he watched Aleric’s large hands coast up and down her back. His dark hair mingled with Hannah’s honey brown as he dropped his head to nuzzle her neck. Raphael’s lips tingled, as if the silken strands of Hannah’s hair tickled the surface. Idly stroking Aleric’s prick, she pressed her mouth to his chest.

While this particular scene is admittedly quite titillating, I was a little concerned thinking that with a start like this the focus would be mainly on sex and there would be little relationship development and substance to the story. I’m pleased to say I was very wrong. Not only did Ava March bring it with the steamy scenes, but her characters, particularly Raphael, came to life and touched me with their vulnerabilities and emotional realism.

In From Afar we see two very different kinds of vampires. There is Raphael who has chosen to live apart from the local vampire clan and their indulgent, violent lifestyle. Because of his choice, he is forced to live a lonely life apart from both human and vampiric society. The clan vampires, all male, live together under the rule of a single female vampire, Katerina. All but two of the vampires in the clan have been turned by Katerina and therefore they belong to her. Since Raphael was not turned by the female vampire he has no loyalties to her and although it may be dangerous for him, he chooses loneliness over the clan.

When Raphael rescues Aleric from a vicious late night attack in an alley he is torn. Should he allow the man he’s loved from afar for years to die as a result of his injuries, or risk his own life by challenging Katerina’s authority in turning Aleric into a vampire and dooming him to a life he himself has long suffered?

I really felt for Raphael. His loneliness came through so clearly and when presented with a chance at possible happiness, he was torn between his need for the man he loved and the fear of losing him forever either in death or the chance that Aleric would hate him for turning him into a Vampire. He was forced to make a choice that would change everything, not knowing if that would be for worse or better.

I admit I was distrustful of Aleric early on in his relationship with Raphael. Before being turned, Aleric had not yet fully come to terms with his attraction to men. I worried that he was drawn to Raphael more because of the vulnerability he felt in his new vampire nature and was concerned he would eventually hurt or betray Raphael once he became more at ease with his new life as a vampire. Wondering if he would proclaim his love for Raphael or leave him in favor of clan life kept me on the edge of my seat.

My only problem with From Afar was the unexpected ending. I was engrossed in the story and looking forward to reading about how Aleric and Raphael would overcome their problems with Katerina and the clan vampires and was a little surprised when the story came to an end.

Ava March is an author that I will most certainly want to read more from. Her writing style easily drew me into this paranormal Regency Era romance from the very beginning. The romantic relationship in From Afar was convincing, tugged at my heart strings, and left me wanting more. (less)

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Jan 30, 2012 Gerry Burnie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, fiction, gay-fantasy, homosexual-content

Gerry B's Book Reviews - http://gerrycan.wordpress.com

Since my last couple of reviews have dealt with non-GLBT books I thought it was time I should get back to the mainstream of Gerry B’s Book Reviews. Ava March’s novella From Afar [Samhain Publishing, Ltd., 2010] is one of the books that has been languishing on my TBR list, and so I happily turned to it this week.

This is one of those crossover stories featuring vampires that seem to be popular these days. For the life of me I can’t figure out w...more Gerry B's Book Reviews - http://gerrycan.wordpress.com

Since my last couple of reviews have dealt with non-GLBT books I thought it was time I should get back to the mainstream of Gerry B’s Book Reviews. Ava March’s novella From Afar [Samhain Publishing, Ltd., 2010] is one of the books that has been languishing on my TBR list, and so I happily turned to it this week.

This is one of those crossover stories featuring vampires that seem to be popular these days. For the life of me I can’t figure out why, and to date no one has been able to provide a definitive answer, but that is a discussion for another day and forum.

This story is set in Regency England, and features a young vampire by the name of Raphael. At the opening of the tale we find Raphael up a tree spying on a libertine lord (Aleric) at play with a prostitute—something that Raphael has apparently watched more than once. The truth is that Raphael is infatuated with Aleric, but given his (Raphael’s) inhuman characteristics a full-fledged relationship is an impossibility.

However, circumstances change when Aleric is critically wounded in a mugging, and rather than see his unconscious love die Raphael gives him the bite of ‘everlasting life’ as a vampire, but since it is without Aleric’s consent the question is how will he react when he regains consciousness?

To give him his due Raphael’s love is genuine, for he goes to great lengths to revive his “lover,” and when he does he is rewarded by a compliant Aleric. The reality is the Aleric is a lord in name only, and is otherwise destitute. Moreover, he had always been more than just a bit bi-curious, and so there follows quite a charming ‘getting-to-know-you’ segment in which Aleric learns the dos-and-don’ts of being a vampire.

The tension in the story is provided by a dominant clan of vampires under the control of a female who, rather awkwardly, develops an attraction to Aleric, and while she can’t destroy Raphael she can cause serious and grave difficulties for both him and Aleric.

It is a cleverly conceived story, capably written and well worth a read, but it is also a little incredulous in places. For one thing I found Aleric’s acceptance and adjustment to his new life a bit too ready, and the ending seemed truncated for what needed to be resolved. Three and on-half bees.
(less)

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May 15, 2010 Angel Martinez rated it 4 of 5 stars

I love Ava March - can I just start with that? This isn't your grandma's Regency novel, though, so don't expect parlor teas and country dance parties. This is Ava's version of Vampire Regency - and it's steam heat and bared fangs erotic.

It's a short piece, but packed with top-notch characterization - lots of emotional punch for the length. Loneliness, frustration, confusion, misunderstandings - my heart just ached for Raphael.

A little more backstory wouldn't have been amiss and I did find the e...more

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Jun 20, 2012 Annelise L'Estrange rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, m-m, vampires

The couple was wonderful. The vampire thing was the sexiest ever. The villain, Katarina? Awesome.

Unfortunatelly, Ava March commited her favorite sin AGAIN: this damn thing was TOO SHORT.
I don't know if she's lazy, if she doesn't believe in her plots or couples. I DON'T KNOW.

The fact is that almost all her histories has this unfinished feeling and you know that they are not sequels. Or at least, not intended to be. From Afar was one of them. When I thought I was going to see another delicious rou...more

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Jan 17, 2012 Book Utopia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: erotic-romance, historical, m-m

I like good erotic scenes as much as the next gal, but if it’s trying to be sold as a romance, too, I need a little bit more than that. This novella is a perfect example of just not enough.

The eroticism begins almost immediately, with vampire Raphael perched in his favorite tree, watching the object of his lust and affection with a prostitute. He jerks off, then proceeds to follow Aleric home. When Aleric is jumped by thieves, Raphael intervenes to help. His aid comes too late, however, and Aler...more I like good erotic scenes as much as the next gal, but if it’s trying to be sold as a romance, too, I need a little bit more than that. This novella is a perfect example of just not enough.

The eroticism begins almost immediately, with vampire Raphael perched in his favorite tree, watching the object of his lust and affection with a prostitute. He jerks off, then proceeds to follow Aleric home. When Aleric is jumped by thieves, Raphael intervenes to help. His aid comes too late, however, and Aleric is mortally wounded. Raphael reacts to the moment and proceeds to turn him.

To be honest, not a whole lot happens after that, except sex, a little bit of tension regarding the head of the London vampire clan, and then some more sex. So while the author’s prose affords satisfying tension within the erotic scenes, when it comes to anything else, well…there’s just not much there. Both male leads suffer from stunted characterization. They’re not unlikeable. They’re just very one-note. Raphael is consumed with his crush on Aleric, while Aleric spends too much time floundering from his vampire adolescence to have any real understanding of what he might be like. Without being able to connect to them emotionally, I can’t connect to the romance, no matter how sizzling their sex scenes might get.

As impressed as I was with the facility of slipping into the author’s human historical world, I was equally disappointed by the paranormal aspect. We get some answers about how the vampires work in her vision, but not many, and in a market where every author tends to pick and choose which mythos to use, that’s a detriment. It’s understandable why more aren’t forthcoming. Raphael is an outsider to the vampire world, and his one real source of information is a potentially deadly one to him. But choosing to gloss over real answers because of a protagonist’s lack of insight felt like a copout. It’s too easy, and left me ultimately dissatisfied.

Overall, this was an easy, hot read, but if you’re looking for any type of depth of real romance, you’re not likely to find it here.(less)

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Feb 28, 2010 Tam rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, historicals, vampires

Raphael is a vampire who has basically been stalking Aleric since he moved to London three years ago. He just feels compelled to be near him. One night he rescues him from some muggers but Aleric is stabbed and the only way to save him is to turn him into a vampire. Amazingly it goes pretty well, Aleric has always had a thing for guys and they burn up the sheets. However the vampire clan in London is run by a woman. It’s very bad to create a new vampire without her permission but Raphael lives o...more

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Mar 01, 2010 Maggie rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: My friends

Recommended to Maggie by: Drew

Shelves: damn-i-wish-he-was-straight, opposites-attract, rainbow-relationships, to-die-for-heroes, yesteryear

This book was recommended by a very cool friend, and I have to say that I'm thrilled he pointed me in the right direction.
I really enjoyed this book! I was surprised by some of the reviews on here. It left me wondering if we read the same story. The historical setting sucked me in, I loved both of the heroes AND Ava's vampire clan she constructed was very fascinating!
Yes the ending was abrupt, but I know I'll find out all of the answers in the obvious sequel she's going to write.
Very cool boo...more

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Mar 06, 2010 Eyre rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: anyone who loves vampires, manlove, and hotness!

Shelves: because-i-am-a-cover-slut, historical, paranormal, romance, gay-glbt-mm-mmf

This book has four things going for it:

1. Hot, hot, hot manlove!
2. Vampires!
3. It's a historical, which you rarely see in this genre.
4. Most importantly, Ava March wrote it so you know it has to be spectacular!

I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves vampires and m/m romance. Ava has created two wonderful characters and has written some of the hottest scenes I've read in a while.

I can really see this as a series. I think there should be at least two more books--One more for Aleric and Raphael...more

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Jul 03, 2012 Shannon rated it 3 of 5 stars

It's not this book's fault that I've reached my Ava March saturation point, but nonetheless I have. I was curious to see how she'd handle paranormals, and was disappointed that there was nothing particularly original here. Just Rafael playing the Edward Cullen and stalking his lover. Bleh.
The sex was hot, though, and I liked the characters OK. They're just... not the Brook Street boys.

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Apr 01, 2012 kasjo_peja rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, m-m, paranormal, vampires

The description of the XIX century London can be called sketchy at best, so it's rather weak historical romance. The same can be said about the paranormal aspect of the story - we don't find more about vampires apart from stereotypical few things: they drink blood, they are strong, they need to avoid day light. The novella shines when it comes to hot sex scenes and I would classify it as erotica.

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Mar 26, 2011 Meggie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: vampire

The story was actually really good. I mean from vampire aspect. At list it wasn't dirty, bloody way. Anyway the story is simple but enjoyable. The attraction between Aleric and Raphael seemed real and their described feelings, too. The only negative point was this abrupt ending and short preview of new Ava March book. I would rather read more from first book then this preview for new book.

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Mar 27, 2011 Kitty Purr rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, nook

This was my first book from Ava March and it doesn't turned to be as good as I was expecting.

The book doesn't even have 100 pages! There's almost no story at all!!!

I like a good m/m story and I didn't read many until this one, but still, this one doesn't brought nothing new to me.

Later I'll try another book from A. March and see if I just get bad luck with this one.

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Mar 01, 2012 Kate Aaron rated it 4 of 5 stars

Regency romance and vampires? This is almost the perfect story. I just wish March made her books a little bit longer. She builds up this wonderful tension between her characters, and then at the last it just deflates. This story ends with more questions than answers, and I'd love to see a sequel.

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Mar 02, 2010 Lindsay rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-ll-reread-over-and-over, homoerotic-romances, heroes-with-flair, heroes-who-can-eat-crackers-in-my-b, favorites, paranormal, can-t-wait-until-the-sequel

I won actually won this book off of Ava's blog. (Thank you Ava!) One thing about Ava's books is She's consistent with having a quick paced plotline and her heroes are so very sexy!
I loved Ava's vision of vampires and he world they live in and I'm dying to read more about them! I can't wait until the sequel!

7 likes · like · see review

Aug 31, 2010 Missy Welsh rated it 4 of 5 stars

Good lord, Ava! I couldn't put this down. That hardly ever happens to me. Aleric was wonderfully snarky, Raphael was beautifully dedicated, and I must know what happens next. There's a sequel, right? There better be, Ava. Please?

1 like · like · see review

May 25, 2012 Persephone rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: favourite, historical, i-own, romance, vampires

The only reasons I hadn't read this novel sooner was because of the vampire element within it. Thats why it looses a star. I don't like historical vampire novels. But this is Ava March so it was still good :)

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Mar 21, 2013 Janie rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m-vampire

I thought the idea behind this story was very well written. I think Ava March is a great author. But I'm just not big into historical romance. Otherwise this story was really good.

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Mar 04, 2012 Ace rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, m-m-historical, supernatural, m-m-vampires

Quick read. Ending was pretty abrupt. I would have preferred a more fleshed out ending, but since the book was only 76 pages I guess the author felt that her ending was good enough.

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Mar 24, 2013 willaful rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, fated-to-be-mated, story-novella-or-anthology, voyeur

Vamp spies on hot English Lord, turns him to save his life, and then sex sexes the sex. Not much room left for plot or romance, and the story felt unfinished.

3 likes · like · see review

Apr 29, 2012 Chris Weg rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, vamp

This book was good except for the ending, there was sooo much more that could have come after. It just felt to short.

1 like · like · see review

Sep 22, 2012 Wendy Schuffert rated it 5 of 5 stars

OMFG!!!!! This was sooooooooooo good. I loved it. I would actually love to read more with Rapheal and Aleric...

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Genres

Romance > M M Romance

70 users

Paranormal > Vampires

32 users

Fantasy > Paranormal

25 users

Romance > Historical Romance

14 users

Romance

13 users

Regency

8 users

Romance > Paranormal Romance

7 users

M M Romance > M M Paranormal

5 users

Romance > Erotic Romance

4 users

Glbt

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About Ava March

I'm Ava March, an author of smoking hot M/M historical erotic romances. I love writing in the Regency time period, where proper decorum is of the utmost importance, but where anything can happen behind closed doors.

I love to hear from readers. You can visit me on the web at www.AvaMarch.com

Or at my blog www.AvaMarch.blogspot.com

Or send me an e-mail at Ava at AvaMarch.com

More about Ava March...

Books by Ava March

Object of His Desire (Somerville Park, #1)

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