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Shelley Holmes, Werewolf Detective #2
The Trelayne Inheritance
Women were dying, the blood drained from their bodies and two mysterious pinprick marks imprinted on their necks. And for all her training as a chemist, Angelina Corbett could not help wondering whether the whispers of a "vampire" haunting her uncle's isolated estate might have a basis in fact, especially after meeting their enigmatic neighbor, the Earl of Trelayne.
Locked in his powerful embrace as they waltzed across an opulent ballroom, Angel felt rational thought flee. His golden good looks rivaled the brilliance of Apollo, but an impenetrable shadow dogged his every step. His voice mesmerized her, his eyes silently beseeched her, his touch enflamed her and left her longing for fulfillment. She did not need scientific evidence to know he was her soul mate, but would his dance lead her to the heights of ecstasy or the downward spiral of the damned?
Locked in his powerful embrace as they waltzed across an opulent ballroom, Angel felt rational thought flee. His golden good looks rivaled the brilliance of Apollo, but an impenetrable shadow dogged his every step. His voice mesmerized her, his eyes silently beseeched her, his touch enflamed her and left her longing for fulfillment. She did not need scientific evidence to know he was her soul mate, but would his dance lead her to the heights of ecstasy or the downward spiral of the damned?
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 2002
2 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
About the author
Colleen Shannon
19 books48 followerscolleen1011@gmail.com
Colleen Shannon's ancestor signed the Texas Declaration of Independence and her West Texas roots give her the optimistic yet inquiring viewpoint that she tries to reflect in her books. Believing in the redeeming power of love, the benefits of knowledge, with a bit of sprituality included, are the elements she most enjoys in books and that's what she tries to write. With a bit of humor thrown in for spice!
The strength of her first book for Berkley many years ago led to her nomination by Romantic Times as Best New Historical Author. She went on to win and/or be nominated for numerous other awards, including a Kiss Award for all three heroes of her Fairy Tale trilogy which she wrote for Dorchester Books.
She recently sold three Ranger series books to Lyrical Press. #16 Foster Justice debuted December 2014, and its stand alone sequel #17, Sinclair Justice, will be released in July 2015. The third series book will be released sometime in 2016, tentatively titled Austin Justice. They are her first published romantic suspense-- contemporaries about Texas Rangers.
Colleen Shannon's ancestor signed the Texas Declaration of Independence and her West Texas roots give her the optimistic yet inquiring viewpoint that she tries to reflect in her books. Believing in the redeeming power of love, the benefits of knowledge, with a bit of sprituality included, are the elements she most enjoys in books and that's what she tries to write. With a bit of humor thrown in for spice!
The strength of her first book for Berkley many years ago led to her nomination by Romantic Times as Best New Historical Author. She went on to win and/or be nominated for numerous other awards, including a Kiss Award for all three heroes of her Fairy Tale trilogy which she wrote for Dorchester Books.
She recently sold three Ranger series books to Lyrical Press. #16 Foster Justice debuted December 2014, and its stand alone sequel #17, Sinclair Justice, will be released in July 2015. The third series book will be released sometime in 2016, tentatively titled Austin Justice. They are her first published romantic suspense-- contemporaries about Texas Rangers.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 30, 2019
Flat, choppy, cheesy, & bloated with paranormal tropes, none of which were bolstered by the pedestrian writing. I'd label it YA except for the sex. :P
Despite some good ideas, things just didn't hang together. I enjoyed the Gothic(tm) vampire culture (which reminded me a bit of Thea Devine's DARKEST HEART), but overall there was too much going on in too many disparate stories that didn't mesh (Shelly the werewolf, Gustav, magicians(?!), shapeshifting, a serial killer, vampirism that could be undone by other vampirism...whut? O__o). No doubt the author was partly inspired by Anne Rice, because Sarina's character is much in the vein of Rice's vampire queen (no pun intended). Indeed, Sarina was the most interesting character in the book--not to mention more consistent than Angel, who ping-pong'd from one conclusion to another at the drop of a hat. And I still don't get the damn epilogue. WTF.
Even so, it wasn't all bad. There were scenes I liked, but they never lasted long enough to invest me in the outcome. At some point I realized I was plowing through to finish the thing & be done--not because it was gripping, but because I've got other books waiting in the wings.
Typical 3-star read; not awful, but not worth keeping.
Despite some good ideas, things just didn't hang together. I enjoyed the Gothic(tm) vampire culture (which reminded me a bit of Thea Devine's DARKEST HEART), but overall there was too much going on in too many disparate stories that didn't mesh (Shelly the werewolf, Gustav, magicians(?!), shapeshifting, a serial killer, vampirism that could be undone by other vampirism...whut? O__o). No doubt the author was partly inspired by Anne Rice, because Sarina's character is much in the vein of Rice's vampire queen (no pun intended). Indeed, Sarina was the most interesting character in the book--not to mention more consistent than Angel, who ping-pong'd from one conclusion to another at the drop of a hat. And I still don't get the damn epilogue. WTF.
Even so, it wasn't all bad. There were scenes I liked, but they never lasted long enough to invest me in the outcome. At some point I realized I was plowing through to finish the thing & be done--not because it was gripping, but because I've got other books waiting in the wings.
Typical 3-star read; not awful, but not worth keeping.
March 29, 2015
3.5
Gothic, thy alias is cheese. The Trelayne Inheritance, surprisingly, isn’t as cheesy as I figured it would be because of the, ya know, THEME (whispers: vampires…) It’s a modern day take on the older genre, complete with castles, paranormal activity, over the top love interest, mystery, twists, and ominous warnings around every corner…
People like to make fun of these mini soap operas but really some of them are surprisingly intricate. This one was better than I’d hoped it’d be. The story seems a little weak for most of the book, and I guessed the surprise that came up in regard to the villain. Still, the journey entertained because the heroine was feisty, the friend funny, and there was always something strange going on to hold attention.
Humor is done well enough. I dug the hero as realistically handsome. The author was more or less paving the plot as she went with regard to the mother story, but it ends up working at the end.
Overall it’s not the best of its kind but it’s actually very good for a paranormal romance vampire gothic type. There’s an actual story, it’s fun reading it, they hold off on the unrealistic clichés that usually accompanies this type. I was a bit bummed with an aspect with the end and what happened as I feel it’s overdone in this type as a happily ever after solution for vampire PA stories, but not enough to mind that much.
If you’re in the mood for a gothic, this one delivers a few fun-filled hours.
Gothic, thy alias is cheese. The Trelayne Inheritance, surprisingly, isn’t as cheesy as I figured it would be because of the, ya know, THEME (whispers: vampires…) It’s a modern day take on the older genre, complete with castles, paranormal activity, over the top love interest, mystery, twists, and ominous warnings around every corner…
People like to make fun of these mini soap operas but really some of them are surprisingly intricate. This one was better than I’d hoped it’d be. The story seems a little weak for most of the book, and I guessed the surprise that came up in regard to the villain. Still, the journey entertained because the heroine was feisty, the friend funny, and there was always something strange going on to hold attention.
Humor is done well enough. I dug the hero as realistically handsome. The author was more or less paving the plot as she went with regard to the mother story, but it ends up working at the end.
Overall it’s not the best of its kind but it’s actually very good for a paranormal romance vampire gothic type. There’s an actual story, it’s fun reading it, they hold off on the unrealistic clichés that usually accompanies this type. I was a bit bummed with an aspect with the end and what happened as I feel it’s overdone in this type as a happily ever after solution for vampire PA stories, but not enough to mind that much.
If you’re in the mood for a gothic, this one delivers a few fun-filled hours.
April 23, 2016
At first I wasn't too impressed with this book, it seemed simple and the scenes at the ball and immediately after almost turned me off it. I don't know if it was how I was feeling at the time (I was a little out of it :P), but it just seemed surreal to me. Luckily, that passed and I really enjoyed the rest of the book. It was fast-paced and had some original ideas in it. There was enjoyable banter between Angel and Max, who suited each other (imho), and I absolutely loved Shelly! Although what color are her eyes, green or grey? I don't know if the did that author purposely or not, although I think not since nothing is explained about it. I did wish Ms. Shannon had gone more into Angel's background, like who is her father? A human, I would presume, but who knows? How exactly did she become a vampire? How (or why) was her mother able to give birth to her? I'm a little iffy about Max having loved Angel's mother, too, since apparently Angel's a spitting image of her. Though that's just my personal preference not to have something like that in a book dealing with vampires. I did suspect who turned out to be the "Beefsteak Killer," but I enjoyed the story nonetheless and would definitely get more from this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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July 20, 2021Not a fan
May 5, 2019
DNF
The summary made it sound like this was kind of modern, because Angel is a chemist, but then it mentioned ballrooms and waltzing and earls, so I didn't know what to think. But it is set in the 1800s.
Angel--what a name--is from the U.S. while her mom was born in England but kept her away from the country her whole life. She didn't want Angel having any contact there whatsoever. As soon as Angel visited her mom's grave in England, she saw Maximilian. Who instantly recognized her as her mom's daughter and made a gross comment about the only rule Bylthe women have is that there aren't any. Okayyy...
Sarina wanted to be the lab assistant to her uncle. Upon meeting him and his wife, Sarina, Sarina announced that she was a hussy of a wife and that hussies are more interesting than prim and proper ladies. Her uncle said the weather's so bad to have to find someone amiable to cuddle with. Because people said those kinds of things in the 1800s...in England.
Alexander made a comment that all the other men envy him for Sarina but he likes it because she comes home to him. What a modern thought.
Angel made a comment aloud about the typical labor in a marriage when watching a male sheep go to butt a baby away and the mom intervene, and Shelly said ten seconds of pleasure for the male a lifetime of toil for the female. How very modern a sentiment. But she did swap the word work for toil...
It was complete with instant attraction. Mere hours after seeing him, after the coachman accused Max of being a vampire and made to shoot him, and Sarina warned her to stay away from him because he's a rake and poses that kind of danger to her, Angel said she didn't want to stay away from him. Bear in mind she only saw him for a few minutes and exchanged a few cryptic sentences where he warned her to go back to America and stay there for her safety. I loathe instant feelings.
Max sounded like an asshole. He was sickened by the thought of drinking cold blood and wanted it from Angel's neck, because instant attraction went both ways. But he couldn't forsake the Watch Bearer tradition that's been passed down in his family for a "chit who hadn't a clue of her sexual power." There you go, name call in a sexually demeaning way and put her down for being a virgin. Guaranteed ways to get me to dislike the hero.
Shelly said men aren't superior because they have the requisite genitalia. But she appreciated the gender differences at the right moments. Because women not only knew about sex, they came out and talked about it with strangers.
I was astounded that the vampire was called Sir Alexander. I knew something was up with him and Sarina, but didn't expect them to be vampires. Or for him to condemn Max for being cold hearted and ruthless, killing other vampires because he wants to rule England.
Max crashed the party, signing his name over all her other dance partners. They danced together and Angel hinted at his being a vampire. Where is your sense of self-preservation? And I can't stand instant acceptance of the supernatural, especially when the character said they don't believe in things like that. Even worse, he took her out on the balcony, lifted her up, and sucked her nipple through her ball gown. That's moving pretty fast, don't you think? And who sucks someone's nipples there at the person's uncle's house, right on the balcony where a party is going on inside?
Shelly signed on at stable manager while really investigating Alexander and Max to see which one is the Beafsteak Killer, killing women. She had seen Alexander put an aphrodisiac into Angel's glass, and he let Max run off with her and didn't try to stop him.
Max said rumors say he's a great lover and asked her if she wanted to be curious about that. I find that to be crass to brag about your sex skills. When he put them in a carriage she told him no, and he asked them why did she allow him to carry her off. He's but a man with a man's needs, needs that he controls, and he coldly asked if she does the same. You don't kidnap someone and then blame them for giving you the wrong idea.
I couldn't do it. It reeked of an 80s romance so I was blown away that it was published in '02. You'd never know. I can't stand the heroine, the instant attraction, and how far they almost went. But the deciding factor was when I read another's review that said he loved her mother. What kind of sick person writes that the hero was in love with her mom? Do YOU want your husband to have loved your mom first??
The summary made it sound like this was kind of modern, because Angel is a chemist, but then it mentioned ballrooms and waltzing and earls, so I didn't know what to think. But it is set in the 1800s.
Angel--what a name--is from the U.S. while her mom was born in England but kept her away from the country her whole life. She didn't want Angel having any contact there whatsoever. As soon as Angel visited her mom's grave in England, she saw Maximilian. Who instantly recognized her as her mom's daughter and made a gross comment about the only rule Bylthe women have is that there aren't any. Okayyy...
Sarina wanted to be the lab assistant to her uncle. Upon meeting him and his wife, Sarina, Sarina announced that she was a hussy of a wife and that hussies are more interesting than prim and proper ladies. Her uncle said the weather's so bad to have to find someone amiable to cuddle with. Because people said those kinds of things in the 1800s...in England.
Alexander made a comment that all the other men envy him for Sarina but he likes it because she comes home to him. What a modern thought.
Angel made a comment aloud about the typical labor in a marriage when watching a male sheep go to butt a baby away and the mom intervene, and Shelly said ten seconds of pleasure for the male a lifetime of toil for the female. How very modern a sentiment. But she did swap the word work for toil...
It was complete with instant attraction. Mere hours after seeing him, after the coachman accused Max of being a vampire and made to shoot him, and Sarina warned her to stay away from him because he's a rake and poses that kind of danger to her, Angel said she didn't want to stay away from him. Bear in mind she only saw him for a few minutes and exchanged a few cryptic sentences where he warned her to go back to America and stay there for her safety. I loathe instant feelings.
Max sounded like an asshole. He was sickened by the thought of drinking cold blood and wanted it from Angel's neck, because instant attraction went both ways. But he couldn't forsake the Watch Bearer tradition that's been passed down in his family for a "chit who hadn't a clue of her sexual power." There you go, name call in a sexually demeaning way and put her down for being a virgin. Guaranteed ways to get me to dislike the hero.
Shelly said men aren't superior because they have the requisite genitalia. But she appreciated the gender differences at the right moments. Because women not only knew about sex, they came out and talked about it with strangers.
I was astounded that the vampire was called Sir Alexander. I knew something was up with him and Sarina, but didn't expect them to be vampires. Or for him to condemn Max for being cold hearted and ruthless, killing other vampires because he wants to rule England.
Max crashed the party, signing his name over all her other dance partners. They danced together and Angel hinted at his being a vampire. Where is your sense of self-preservation? And I can't stand instant acceptance of the supernatural, especially when the character said they don't believe in things like that. Even worse, he took her out on the balcony, lifted her up, and sucked her nipple through her ball gown. That's moving pretty fast, don't you think? And who sucks someone's nipples there at the person's uncle's house, right on the balcony where a party is going on inside?
Shelly signed on at stable manager while really investigating Alexander and Max to see which one is the Beafsteak Killer, killing women. She had seen Alexander put an aphrodisiac into Angel's glass, and he let Max run off with her and didn't try to stop him.
Max said rumors say he's a great lover and asked her if she wanted to be curious about that. I find that to be crass to brag about your sex skills. When he put them in a carriage she told him no, and he asked them why did she allow him to carry her off. He's but a man with a man's needs, needs that he controls, and he coldly asked if she does the same. You don't kidnap someone and then blame them for giving you the wrong idea.
I couldn't do it. It reeked of an 80s romance so I was blown away that it was published in '02. You'd never know. I can't stand the heroine, the instant attraction, and how far they almost went. But the deciding factor was when I read another's review that said he loved her mother. What kind of sick person writes that the hero was in love with her mom? Do YOU want your husband to have loved your mom first??
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2013
whoeva thought i would like gothic romance?! i really enjoyed it :D
July 4, 2015
This book was a hot mess! I say that in the kindest way possible. I really wanted to like it, and I did enjoy aspects of it. However, it just didn't work.
July 29, 2025
Angel returns to the country of her mothers birth on the request of her last living relatives.
She hopes they will welcome her into their laboratory, as science has always been a great passion
of hers. Instead, her uncle wishes to parade her around in society - for what end she does not know
but she does indeed attract the attention of a certain gentleman. Maybe the wrong sort of gentleman who is tall, fair haired and far too dangerous.
Max knows the ploy of the beautiful Angel's uncle and he knows what he must do to prevent it. But
he can't quite compel himself to stay away from the temptation. He loved her mother, he couldn't
save her but he vows to save her daughter, even from herself. See Angel is a rare half breed, half
human and half vampire. Her blood could mean his destruction, that's why Angel's being tricked'
into thinking he is the enemy. But he is only thing that is stopping vampires from their evil
deeds.
Back and forth they play the game of trust, lust and distrust with the fate of Angel's soul in
the balance.
I didn't have any interest in this book. Neither character managed to endear themselves to me.
The plot was pointless and laughable at times - who could be afraid of a serial killer dubbed
the Beefsteak Killer? And why was the fact of vampires existing so easy for everyone to
comprehend? I just didn't understand. The back and forth between Angel trying to figure out who
was looking out for her best interest was dull and I truly didn't care at the end of the day. This
book was a failure in my opinion.
She hopes they will welcome her into their laboratory, as science has always been a great passion
of hers. Instead, her uncle wishes to parade her around in society - for what end she does not know
but she does indeed attract the attention of a certain gentleman. Maybe the wrong sort of gentleman who is tall, fair haired and far too dangerous.
Max knows the ploy of the beautiful Angel's uncle and he knows what he must do to prevent it. But
he can't quite compel himself to stay away from the temptation. He loved her mother, he couldn't
save her but he vows to save her daughter, even from herself. See Angel is a rare half breed, half
human and half vampire. Her blood could mean his destruction, that's why Angel's being tricked'
into thinking he is the enemy. But he is only thing that is stopping vampires from their evil
deeds.
Back and forth they play the game of trust, lust and distrust with the fate of Angel's soul in
the balance.
I didn't have any interest in this book. Neither character managed to endear themselves to me.
The plot was pointless and laughable at times - who could be afraid of a serial killer dubbed
the Beefsteak Killer? And why was the fact of vampires existing so easy for everyone to
comprehend? I just didn't understand. The back and forth between Angel trying to figure out who
was looking out for her best interest was dull and I truly didn't care at the end of the day. This
book was a failure in my opinion.
April 18, 2008
When I started this book I was not sure how much I would enjoy it. It is after all a romance and well, I don't read romance. But I was pleasantly surprised as I LOVED this book. It is a wonderful supernatural love story! Great Read.
August 25, 2016
This book is gloriously insane. Honestly, the mystery part of the book was well done, and some of the characters were well created; the plot was just a bit unbelievable. Will definitely be seeking out the rest of the series.
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March 5, 2018gaggg
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews