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Vampire Romances #16
Immortal Sins
Desire Is The Darkest Magic Of All
Three centuries ago, vampire Jason Rourke succumbed to temptation with a wizard's lovely daughter--and that brief taste of pleasure earned him a powerful curse. Trapped within a painting, unable to quench the hellish thirst that torments him, Jason has given up hope of escape until Karinna Adams purchases the painting and unwittingly frees him.
At first, Jason plans only to enlist Kari's help in navigating this strange new world so he can find and punish the wizard who entrapped him. But Kari's enticing sensuality and innocence incite a growing need in Jason to touch and taste her, to possess her utterly. For the gulf between them--and the danger that awaits--is nothing compared to a potent, primal hunger that will last for all eternity. . .
Three centuries ago, vampire Jason Rourke succumbed to temptation with a wizard's lovely daughter--and that brief taste of pleasure earned him a powerful curse. Trapped within a painting, unable to quench the hellish thirst that torments him, Jason has given up hope of escape until Karinna Adams purchases the painting and unwittingly frees him.
At first, Jason plans only to enlist Kari's help in navigating this strange new world so he can find and punish the wizard who entrapped him. But Kari's enticing sensuality and innocence incite a growing need in Jason to touch and taste her, to possess her utterly. For the gulf between them--and the danger that awaits--is nothing compared to a potent, primal hunger that will last for all eternity. . .
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 2009
36 people are currently reading
743 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
February 22, 2012
I would give this one 2.5 stars if I could.
Some spoilers
It starts out really well. Kari sees a painting in a shop and visits it every day for 2 weeks before finally having the shopkeeper shove it at her. It is a man walking in the moonlight, or riding a horse or standing in a castle...it changes constantly. Kari takes it home, and after a few days she finally feels she's gone nuts since the man is now talking to her...in her mind. She calls him out to find he's a vampire who was cursed into a painting by a vindictive sorcerer because he deflowered said sorcerer's daughter.
Then Kari freaks. Then Kari is okay with it, then she freaks some more, then it gets boring and mundane. Then they go to Romania to save the wizard's daughter Ana Luisa who was also cursed into a painting.
And then the Author shows off everything you need to know to visit Romania...but not in a visual or descriptive way, but in a copy from the brochure kind of way. I am certain that she was trying to grace the reader with a sense of a wonderful country, but she missed the mark.
Then Rourke and Kari only stayed in Romania for 3 days during which they rescued Ana Luisa from her prison/painting...and yet it was done in 5 pages. boring. Then Kari just can't accept that Rourke's a vampire. Maybe I'm pro-vamp or something, but I wanted her to accept him, to want to spend eternity with him...he's this super sexy, hot, considerate vampire who wants to marry her and she still can't sleep with him because every time she thinks of him as Undead, she freaks. Yet she'll let him drink from her.
Rourke is amazing...I would jump him if I ever met him, and Kari is likable but annoying with the whole "I want him in my life but won't ever love him for what he truly is." Oh and every single stupid vampire myth you've ever heard of is in here. Rourke actually slept in a coffin!!! gag. He also "dies" throughout the day. As in becomes a corpse.
I think that the storyline is good, the characters are okay, (but Ana Luisa escapes from the painting, is jealous of Kari, but conveniently falls in love with someone else so she's out of the picture..tidy) but there is too much potential for what could have been done with the book, that wasn't. Maybe it's just the author's style...I don't know.
Some spoilers
It starts out really well. Kari sees a painting in a shop and visits it every day for 2 weeks before finally having the shopkeeper shove it at her. It is a man walking in the moonlight, or riding a horse or standing in a castle...it changes constantly. Kari takes it home, and after a few days she finally feels she's gone nuts since the man is now talking to her...in her mind. She calls him out to find he's a vampire who was cursed into a painting by a vindictive sorcerer because he deflowered said sorcerer's daughter.
Then Kari freaks. Then Kari is okay with it, then she freaks some more, then it gets boring and mundane. Then they go to Romania to save the wizard's daughter Ana Luisa who was also cursed into a painting.
And then the Author shows off everything you need to know to visit Romania...but not in a visual or descriptive way, but in a copy from the brochure kind of way. I am certain that she was trying to grace the reader with a sense of a wonderful country, but she missed the mark.
Then Rourke and Kari only stayed in Romania for 3 days during which they rescued Ana Luisa from her prison/painting...and yet it was done in 5 pages. boring. Then Kari just can't accept that Rourke's a vampire. Maybe I'm pro-vamp or something, but I wanted her to accept him, to want to spend eternity with him...he's this super sexy, hot, considerate vampire who wants to marry her and she still can't sleep with him because every time she thinks of him as Undead, she freaks. Yet she'll let him drink from her.
Rourke is amazing...I would jump him if I ever met him, and Kari is likable but annoying with the whole "I want him in my life but won't ever love him for what he truly is." Oh and every single stupid vampire myth you've ever heard of is in here. Rourke actually slept in a coffin!!! gag. He also "dies" throughout the day. As in becomes a corpse.
I think that the storyline is good, the characters are okay, (but Ana Luisa escapes from the painting, is jealous of Kari, but conveniently falls in love with someone else so she's out of the picture..tidy) but there is too much potential for what could have been done with the book, that wasn't. Maybe it's just the author's style...I don't know.
July 12, 2010
All I can say is that this book was a complete waste of time. The plot was an "OK" one, but it was very dull. The two main character's were constantly building up sexual tension but nothing never happened. So I was thinking,"Okay, so when they finally do have sex it's going to be very intense, passionate, and descriptive". This is expected because this is how Amanda Ashley writes, but NO not in this book. There are 369 pages in this novel and she saved the sex scene for the very last chapter on the very last page! It was 1 freaking paragraph, that's all there was! I was freaking pissed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2011
Loved this book, my sister gave me it.(thanks Anita) Good story and very ineresting characters! Added it to my favs of paranormal romance books.
August 7, 2021
Well written and easy to read. This is a quite a different Vampire novel, with a slow burn romance and an entertaining back story. There's also a secondary romance half way through. Our hero has been trapped in a painting for 300 years until our heroine accidentally wishes him out. They then try to find the wizard who trapped him there whilst trying to not act on their desire for each other. 3.5 stars
March 28, 2021
Girl gets cursed painting. Boy is cursed yo be in the painting. Girl starts hearing boy's voice in her head. Awkward, boring and unbelievable relationship between the two starts to develop. Snooze
November 24, 2011
This book was okay. I wanted to like it more but couldn't. I didn't particularly care about reading it like I was being narrated to.
The story itself was not bad. The beginning was slowwww. There were a lot more going on at the end. The story could have space out a little better, which would have mad better execution.
I didn't really like the characters at all. Didn't feel the connection between H/H. Heck, I didn't feel the connection between any of them.
I have a couple more books from the author on my shelf. But probably not going to read them right away....
The story itself was not bad. The beginning was slowwww. There were a lot more going on at the end. The story could have space out a little better, which would have mad better execution.
I didn't really like the characters at all. Didn't feel the connection between H/H. Heck, I didn't feel the connection between any of them.
I have a couple more books from the author on my shelf. But probably not going to read them right away....
May 18, 2020
Doesn’t even deserve the one star.
Possibly one of the worst books I’ve read.
The writing was horrid and repetitive and yes there is such a thing as being too descriptive. Nobody cares what anybody is wearing!
Overuse of the same 3-4 words throughout the whole book.
Terrible love story.
Characters all sound the same.
***** Spoiler alert!! *****
Considering Kari spent the ENTIRE book whining about how much she hates vampires, it took one sentence (quite literally) for her to accept it all... ONE SENTENCE!!
I don’t think I’ll ever read another of this author’s work.
Possibly one of the worst books I’ve read.
The writing was horrid and repetitive and yes there is such a thing as being too descriptive. Nobody cares what anybody is wearing!
Overuse of the same 3-4 words throughout the whole book.
Terrible love story.
Characters all sound the same.
***** Spoiler alert!! *****
Considering Kari spent the ENTIRE book whining about how much she hates vampires, it took one sentence (quite literally) for her to accept it all... ONE SENTENCE!!
I don’t think I’ll ever read another of this author’s work.
October 8, 2025
This was the least liked book I've ever read by Amanda Ashley (and I've read 10 of her vampire books and several books under her other pen name, Madeline Baker).
The book started out promising with the "Hero" Jason Rourke trapped in a painting for 300 years after getting frisky with a wizard's daughter, Ana Luisa, who he also banished to a different painting. Yep, a real peach of a guy and a father. Karinna (Kari), the "heroine" of present day 2005, goes ga ga over the painting and being a broke single girl living in a house, buys the painting. She then starts seeing the man in the painting show up in different parts of the painting. Like, no freaking out?? I would have returned that painting to the store that same day!
When Jason finally gets Kari to wish him out of the painting, she justifiably faints. And what does Rourke do? Why, briefly considers taking all her blood. What a great guy! He acts all sweet and loving in the painting only to get free and think about taking Kari out (and I don't mean to the movies). And this is the Hero???
Fortunately, he decides he owes her one for getting him out of the painting (ya think?) and only takes a little of her blood, then goes to feed elsewhere. The rest of the book goes down hill from that point on.
Where to start?? Jason-- or Rourke...his name is used interchangeably throughout the book. He is the least heroic character, who isn't a villain or morally gray hero, I've read in a long, long time. He pretty much uses Kari throughout the whole book. He gets the gullible girl, who supposedly doesn't have all that much money as she works at a business (barely works is more like it) and has all the regular bills to pay, to buy him a new wardrobe and plane tickets for them to go to Transylvania to go save Ana Luisa from her fate. Seriously, I've never read about a vampire who had no money! Every single vampire I've read about has been either filthy rich or at least, well off. Even if he was stuck in a painting for 300 years, he couldn't have saved the money in a European bank hundreds of years ago or mesmerized someone to get the money? A broke vampire??
Then, there's Kari...she was a wishy washy wimp. Honestly, who just says, sure! I'll pay hundreds of dollars to a good looking stranger (who didn't mesmerize her to do so) for a brand new wardrobe and plane tickets to a foreign country. Does she have a single brain cell in her head? I'm surprised she even has any money from all the takeout food she would get.
And that's another thing! The majority of the story was detailed descriptions of everything the characters did. Kari spent her time doing chores and fixing this meal or ordering a pizza or pasta or doing this or that. Everytime Kari ate, we knew what she was eating. Too many boring descriptions! Then, we knew everything of "modern day" 2005 in the book as evidenced by current events going on and tv shows that were on, which really dates the book. A little vagueness would have been nice. And Kari reading up on Transylvania was like reading the travel guide itself. Again, too many descriptions! Rather than actions, the book was more like reading a direction booklet.
Then, there was absolutely NO chemistry (zero, nada, none) between Jason and Kari. It was like reading about 2 roommates for almost the whole book. There were a couple lackluster kisses, but then Kari would remember that Rourke was a vampire and cool things off. No wonder she didn't have any romantic prospects. There was more chemistry between the secondary characters of Ana Luisa and Ramon Vega, whom I wish had been the main characters instead.
There wasn't even any smexx between Jason and Kari except at the very end when she becomes trapped in a painting and then it's only in her dreams! 🤦♀️ At the very, very end they finally have smex, but it was blah. No steam at all. And Rourke saves her from the painting by turning her. Is Kari grateful? Heck no! She's angry with him and stays that way until the end of the book where she then forgives him and loves him. Both main characters were quite unlikeable that I truly didn't care if they ended up together. It might have been better if it was a love triangle with Jason, Kari, and Ramon. I finally had to skim the last part of the book because it was so unromantic and unexciting.
This was nothing like the amazing books that Amanda Ashley has written. Usually, her books are 4-5 stars, but this one I could barely get read. I usually don't say this, but I would recommend saving this book for last and reading her other vampire books first as they are much, much better.
The book started out promising with the "Hero" Jason Rourke trapped in a painting for 300 years after getting frisky with a wizard's daughter, Ana Luisa, who he also banished to a different painting. Yep, a real peach of a guy and a father. Karinna (Kari), the "heroine" of present day 2005, goes ga ga over the painting and being a broke single girl living in a house, buys the painting. She then starts seeing the man in the painting show up in different parts of the painting. Like, no freaking out?? I would have returned that painting to the store that same day!
When Jason finally gets Kari to wish him out of the painting, she justifiably faints. And what does Rourke do? Why, briefly considers taking all her blood. What a great guy! He acts all sweet and loving in the painting only to get free and think about taking Kari out (and I don't mean to the movies). And this is the Hero???
Fortunately, he decides he owes her one for getting him out of the painting (ya think?) and only takes a little of her blood, then goes to feed elsewhere. The rest of the book goes down hill from that point on.
Where to start?? Jason-- or Rourke...his name is used interchangeably throughout the book. He is the least heroic character, who isn't a villain or morally gray hero, I've read in a long, long time. He pretty much uses Kari throughout the whole book. He gets the gullible girl, who supposedly doesn't have all that much money as she works at a business (barely works is more like it) and has all the regular bills to pay, to buy him a new wardrobe and plane tickets for them to go to Transylvania to go save Ana Luisa from her fate. Seriously, I've never read about a vampire who had no money! Every single vampire I've read about has been either filthy rich or at least, well off. Even if he was stuck in a painting for 300 years, he couldn't have saved the money in a European bank hundreds of years ago or mesmerized someone to get the money? A broke vampire??
Then, there's Kari...she was a wishy washy wimp. Honestly, who just says, sure! I'll pay hundreds of dollars to a good looking stranger (who didn't mesmerize her to do so) for a brand new wardrobe and plane tickets to a foreign country. Does she have a single brain cell in her head? I'm surprised she even has any money from all the takeout food she would get.
And that's another thing! The majority of the story was detailed descriptions of everything the characters did. Kari spent her time doing chores and fixing this meal or ordering a pizza or pasta or doing this or that. Everytime Kari ate, we knew what she was eating. Too many boring descriptions! Then, we knew everything of "modern day" 2005 in the book as evidenced by current events going on and tv shows that were on, which really dates the book. A little vagueness would have been nice. And Kari reading up on Transylvania was like reading the travel guide itself. Again, too many descriptions! Rather than actions, the book was more like reading a direction booklet.
Then, there was absolutely NO chemistry (zero, nada, none) between Jason and Kari. It was like reading about 2 roommates for almost the whole book. There were a couple lackluster kisses, but then Kari would remember that Rourke was a vampire and cool things off. No wonder she didn't have any romantic prospects. There was more chemistry between the secondary characters of Ana Luisa and Ramon Vega, whom I wish had been the main characters instead.
There wasn't even any smexx between Jason and Kari except at the very end when she becomes trapped in a painting and then it's only in her dreams! 🤦♀️ At the very, very end they finally have smex, but it was blah. No steam at all. And Rourke saves her from the painting by turning her. Is Kari grateful? Heck no! She's angry with him and stays that way until the end of the book where she then forgives him and loves him. Both main characters were quite unlikeable that I truly didn't care if they ended up together. It might have been better if it was a love triangle with Jason, Kari, and Ramon. I finally had to skim the last part of the book because it was so unromantic and unexciting.
This was nothing like the amazing books that Amanda Ashley has written. Usually, her books are 4-5 stars, but this one I could barely get read. I usually don't say this, but I would recommend saving this book for last and reading her other vampire books first as they are much, much better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2019
Picked this up for the theme of vampires as well as the oddly familiar scenario described on the cover. Someone magically trapped inside a painting? Able to move about inside it? Oh yeah! The movie, The Witches; a beloved childhood favorite of mine. Still, I wanted to read this author's interpretation of the concept. It could at least be comical, right?
What... did I just finish?
First off, the characters were flavorless with reiterated surface desires throughout. The setting was ambiguous at best and downright confusing at worst. "This character went here, bought bread, drank coffee, then went there and answered email. Oh, and showered." Matter-of-fact descriptions of the mundane was not what I hoped for.
The main protagonist was first described as someone surviving on lower income, yet somehow affords pricey endeavors. The vampire had no real flaws, and of course, was drop dead gorgeous in every sense. I had trouble believing in the budding romance which felt more convenient than anything based in actual love.
Honestly, I tried to like this book. The descriptions of moving within the painting world was the only interesting aspect. Otherwise, I was presented with a blandly written story and characters, a heroine with no depth, and a vampire who fell madly in love with... normalcy. I could feel no real tension, no urge to see the characters succeed, and the plot involving the villain was nothing more than an afterthought to light domestic drama.
What... did I just finish?
First off, the characters were flavorless with reiterated surface desires throughout. The setting was ambiguous at best and downright confusing at worst. "This character went here, bought bread, drank coffee, then went there and answered email. Oh, and showered." Matter-of-fact descriptions of the mundane was not what I hoped for.
The main protagonist was first described as someone surviving on lower income, yet somehow affords pricey endeavors. The vampire had no real flaws, and of course, was drop dead gorgeous in every sense. I had trouble believing in the budding romance which felt more convenient than anything based in actual love.
Honestly, I tried to like this book. The descriptions of moving within the painting world was the only interesting aspect. Otherwise, I was presented with a blandly written story and characters, a heroine with no depth, and a vampire who fell madly in love with... normalcy. I could feel no real tension, no urge to see the characters succeed, and the plot involving the villain was nothing more than an afterthought to light domestic drama.
March 15, 2023
It is a very easy read with basic language and sentence structure that allows you to easily speed through the book. It’s nice for just a brain numbing escape from reality. The wording can be repetitive and there is way too much unnecessary information given. I found myself skipping over paragraphs that detailed the main character grocery shopping and the useless information she found while researching Romania.
The story itself started out very interesting and I was very excited after only the first chapter. There was so much potential with the story line, but the execution was poor and the plot progressed too quickly. The characters lacked depth, their decisions and emotional reactions having absolutely no consistency. There was no actual chemistry between any of the characters, yet they were suddenly in love despite minimal romantic interaction. Characters would go from being angry to perfectly content within a few sentences without any resolution.
The characters are flat, the plot is quick and full of unrealistic situations, and everyone lives happily ever after with absolutely zero character development. Overall it wasn’t the worst book I’ve read, and it was a nice guilty pleasure read to just numb my brain from reality, but I will never read it again.
The story itself started out very interesting and I was very excited after only the first chapter. There was so much potential with the story line, but the execution was poor and the plot progressed too quickly. The characters lacked depth, their decisions and emotional reactions having absolutely no consistency. There was no actual chemistry between any of the characters, yet they were suddenly in love despite minimal romantic interaction. Characters would go from being angry to perfectly content within a few sentences without any resolution.
The characters are flat, the plot is quick and full of unrealistic situations, and everyone lives happily ever after with absolutely zero character development. Overall it wasn’t the worst book I’ve read, and it was a nice guilty pleasure read to just numb my brain from reality, but I will never read it again.
January 1, 2021
When I got this book at where the thrift store I worked, I thought it is cool after I read the back of the book about a girl had freed a vampire that got trapped in a painting. That would cool if I will get my idea of it after I read the book,because I am an artist,too.
But I guessed wrong that this book isn't great. I thought the book was pretty good and I was interested in,but until I found out that the vampire had turned to be nothing but more than a creep and douchbag. He was maniputed the main character all entire time and then used her to go Transylvania to rescued the witch from a painting that her father had prisoned her in. I thought the witch was supposed to be bada**,but she just had turned out to be notthing but more a big whiny crybaby and she didn't known the vampire that didn't tell her what he is after she slept with him. She is the witch and I thought she has known that he is a vampire because she is a freaking a witch. Then he dumped her for the main girl and leaves her with a vampire creep that wanted to forced her to turned her into a vampire against her will. What a douchbag. What that main girl got herself into.
So I DNF'ed it after it turned out to be a disappointed to me.
But I guessed wrong that this book isn't great. I thought the book was pretty good and I was interested in,but until I found out that the vampire had turned to be nothing but more than a creep and douchbag. He was maniputed the main character all entire time and then used her to go Transylvania to rescued the witch from a painting that her father had prisoned her in. I thought the witch was supposed to be bada**,but she just had turned out to be notthing but more a big whiny crybaby and she didn't known the vampire that didn't tell her what he is after she slept with him. She is the witch and I thought she has known that he is a vampire because she is a freaking a witch. Then he dumped her for the main girl and leaves her with a vampire creep that wanted to forced her to turned her into a vampire against her will. What a douchbag. What that main girl got herself into.
So I DNF'ed it after it turned out to be a disappointed to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2025
It has been so incredibly long since I read this book but sometimes I see Jason coming out of the painting in my dreams. This was the first book I ever owned and it is in the worst condition out of my books having moved with me five times and surviving a house fire. I will always treasure this book as it my first true experience of being trapped in a world so different and far from reality. I also blame this book for my love of the Vampire Diaries universe and blame and thank it for the fact that I watch the show before reading those books.
January 13, 2020
Great
Kari entranced by a painting at the art gallery has to see it every night but upon inspecting she notice the guy in the painting moves. Thinking she lost her mind till she starts reading notes from the guy in painting now she must be insane till she wishes him to come and boy she gets more then she expected. With some magic , sexy vampires ,and a jealous girl the story keeps u turning the pages
Kari entranced by a painting at the art gallery has to see it every night but upon inspecting she notice the guy in the painting moves. Thinking she lost her mind till she starts reading notes from the guy in painting now she must be insane till she wishes him to come and boy she gets more then she expected. With some magic , sexy vampires ,and a jealous girl the story keeps u turning the pages
June 6, 2022
This is the second book from this author I’ve read. The first was better. This one the heroine kind of loses her brain in the end and catches a case of the dumbs. Aside from that, the vamp lore is not consistent across the two books.
Otherwise, the storyline wasn’t bad, and I’ll read more from this author.
Otherwise, the storyline wasn’t bad, and I’ll read more from this author.
August 26, 2025
It was a thoroughly enjoyable romance; very steamy, but low spice. I was able to read it in just a few hours. The ending was not 100% satisfying. I almost enjoyed the secondary love story more than the main one.
All in all, it is a decent book that is worth a quick read.
All in all, it is a decent book that is worth a quick read.
February 28, 2018
Incredibly imaginative!
August 30, 2018
My first book by this amazing author! Bought it at a yard sale, and it was by far, the best buy of the summer!!! Excellent story of intrigue and love! Absolutely reccomend it!!!
May 2, 2019
Wonderful story
Amanda,
I just love the characters in the story. Rourke is every woman’s dream. I have read all of your books and looking forward to the new one in September!
Amanda,
I just love the characters in the story. Rourke is every woman’s dream. I have read all of your books and looking forward to the new one in September!
May 3, 2020
Bit much in some places
Kira’s stubbornness was both good and bad
Flip flop from 3 or 4 stars.
Kira’s stubbornness was both good and bad
Flip flop from 3 or 4 stars.
February 26, 2021
Really? The whole book on Kari having hot and cold moments, but two lines on the battle between the villain and the hero! Nice... not! It’s a festival to word-vomiting indecisiveness.
July 20, 2022
Pretty good story. I enjoyed it even though it wasn't my normal kind of book.
January 20, 2025
Reread. Still found it a good read. I will be reading the rest of this series too.
October 16, 2009
First of all, I have to begin by saying that Amanda Ashley is one of my top two favorite authors. I love her books, and I was so excited about her newest release. Unfortunately, for me, this book felt a little slow and at times a little boring. My favorite part of the book was the last 50 pages (that part alone to me is probably about 3 or 3 ½ stars).
The hero, vampire Jason Rourke, was imprisoned in a painting 300 years ago by a powerful wizard after he discovered Jason deflowering his daughter. Being the kind wizard and dad that he is (Josef Vilnius) also imprisoned his daughter (Ana Luisa) in a separate painting of her own. Although, Ana Luisa, at the time, did not know her lover was a vampire.
Our heroine, Karinna Adams (Kari), finds Rourke’s painting in an art gallery near her home and quickly becomes obsessed with it and buys it. Rourke is able to move around in the painting and is able to leave messages- written in blood- for Kari who eventually says the right thing to get him out of the painting.
This sounds like such a promising book, right? And it does- I was super excited about this book- I kept reading- and kept waiting for something to happen…
Rourke starts off by using Kari to get around the modern world. For Kari it’s confusing and scary- she is drawn to Rourke- but she doesn’t know if it’s her own true feelings or because of his vampire powers. Rourke convinces Kari to go to Romania with him so that he can free Ana Luisa. They go- they free her- they return to Kari’s house. Kari shows Ana Luisa round too- and buys her a new wardrobe as well. Ana Luisa realizes that Rourke and Kari are in love and wonders around in the dark until another vampire- Ramon Vega shows up- they are instantly pretty in love with each other (he’s just been a vampire for 5 years)- they go back to his house and a couple of nights later she asks him to turn her and he does.
Vilnius- who up to this point had a special bound with his daughter and always knew if she was alive or not- well- the bond get severed with Ana Luisa’s turning. So, Vilnius, assuming that his daughter is dead, decides that Rourke killed her and sets off to America to find him and kill him. About this time Rourke tells Kari that he is going back to Romania to find Vilnius (hopefully kill him) and get back his father’s sword, which the wizard has. So, of course Rourke is no where around when Vilnius shows up at Kari’s door and imprisons her in a painting of her own. So, Rourke gets his father’s sword, comes back to Kari’s house to find her gone- with a note for Vilnius. Rourke goes to see Vegas and Ana Luisa. They work together to plan a way to bring Vilnius down. They do exactly that. Ana Luisa is the main distraction as her father thinks she is dead. They kill him. But, they are unable to free Kari from the painting. Rourke goes into the painting to tell her that they don’t know why the spell isn’t broken, but he has an idea of turning her into a vampire, which should work, and then she should be free. She doesn’t want to do it- Kari wants him to destroy the painting. He doesn’t agree and turns her against her will. Kari is free from the painting the following day- but boy is she angry! But, she gets over it after talking to Vega and Ana Luisa. Then the last two pages in the book- Kari and Rourke finally make love for the first time.
What could have made this book better? Well, for me, personally, I wish that Vilnius would have been brought into the picture much earlier so we could have seen more of the main conflict. And cutting out of how many times I had to read what and when Kari ate- wow- it feels like she ate a lot with how many scene I read. I can’t give an exact count as I did not count them all. To me, it just felt like they were too many. And the love scene? Being the very last two pages in the book? Very disappointing for me. Although I’m not terribly surprised as I felt no chemistry between Kari and Rourke at any point in the book.
I am looking forward to Ms. Ashley’s next book coming out if February!
The hero, vampire Jason Rourke, was imprisoned in a painting 300 years ago by a powerful wizard after he discovered Jason deflowering his daughter. Being the kind wizard and dad that he is (Josef Vilnius) also imprisoned his daughter (Ana Luisa) in a separate painting of her own. Although, Ana Luisa, at the time, did not know her lover was a vampire.
Our heroine, Karinna Adams (Kari), finds Rourke’s painting in an art gallery near her home and quickly becomes obsessed with it and buys it. Rourke is able to move around in the painting and is able to leave messages- written in blood- for Kari who eventually says the right thing to get him out of the painting.
This sounds like such a promising book, right? And it does- I was super excited about this book- I kept reading- and kept waiting for something to happen…
Rourke starts off by using Kari to get around the modern world. For Kari it’s confusing and scary- she is drawn to Rourke- but she doesn’t know if it’s her own true feelings or because of his vampire powers. Rourke convinces Kari to go to Romania with him so that he can free Ana Luisa. They go- they free her- they return to Kari’s house. Kari shows Ana Luisa round too- and buys her a new wardrobe as well. Ana Luisa realizes that Rourke and Kari are in love and wonders around in the dark until another vampire- Ramon Vega shows up- they are instantly pretty in love with each other (he’s just been a vampire for 5 years)- they go back to his house and a couple of nights later she asks him to turn her and he does.
Vilnius- who up to this point had a special bound with his daughter and always knew if she was alive or not- well- the bond get severed with Ana Luisa’s turning. So, Vilnius, assuming that his daughter is dead, decides that Rourke killed her and sets off to America to find him and kill him. About this time Rourke tells Kari that he is going back to Romania to find Vilnius (hopefully kill him) and get back his father’s sword, which the wizard has. So, of course Rourke is no where around when Vilnius shows up at Kari’s door and imprisons her in a painting of her own. So, Rourke gets his father’s sword, comes back to Kari’s house to find her gone- with a note for Vilnius. Rourke goes to see Vegas and Ana Luisa. They work together to plan a way to bring Vilnius down. They do exactly that. Ana Luisa is the main distraction as her father thinks she is dead. They kill him. But, they are unable to free Kari from the painting. Rourke goes into the painting to tell her that they don’t know why the spell isn’t broken, but he has an idea of turning her into a vampire, which should work, and then she should be free. She doesn’t want to do it- Kari wants him to destroy the painting. He doesn’t agree and turns her against her will. Kari is free from the painting the following day- but boy is she angry! But, she gets over it after talking to Vega and Ana Luisa. Then the last two pages in the book- Kari and Rourke finally make love for the first time.
What could have made this book better? Well, for me, personally, I wish that Vilnius would have been brought into the picture much earlier so we could have seen more of the main conflict. And cutting out of how many times I had to read what and when Kari ate- wow- it feels like she ate a lot with how many scene I read. I can’t give an exact count as I did not count them all. To me, it just felt like they were too many. And the love scene? Being the very last two pages in the book? Very disappointing for me. Although I’m not terribly surprised as I felt no chemistry between Kari and Rourke at any point in the book.
I am looking forward to Ms. Ashley’s next book coming out if February!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2013
The story follows a lustful vampire named Jason Rourke. Blinded by sexual desire and blood lust, he deflowers and drinks from a powerful wizard's daughter. Well, the wizard is pissed to say the least, and banishes his own daughter and Jason into paintings. After hundreds of years, the painting that Jason is trapped in grabs the attention of Karinna Adams.
Okay, here is where the plot starts to take off. She is completely enamored with the painting from the first time she see it. After several weeks of viewing the work of art, she finally inquires about it. Here is something that I found error in. The owners brother lets Kari "borrow" the painting for a few days. He tells her to try it out. Okay, that being said, she never takes it back to the gallery or actually buys the painting that Jason comes from! Who just gives away a one of a kind painting? Enough on that then.
This is supposed to be a paranormal romance novel. Where in the heck is all the romance?!? Jason and Kari have feelings for one another, but come on. They share their strong feeling for one another, but never act on their sexual desires. Its isn't until the last flipping chapter that they even make love for the first time! I was dying from the third chapter to see them get it on! Oh yeah, Kari is 25 and is still a virgin, which had huge story potential. I just found this dang story lacking any amount of real sustenance.
If you're into the softer romance without loads of super sexy situation, then this read will be a good read for you. Just really not my cup of tea.
Okay, here is where the plot starts to take off. She is completely enamored with the painting from the first time she see it. After several weeks of viewing the work of art, she finally inquires about it. Here is something that I found error in. The owners brother lets Kari "borrow" the painting for a few days. He tells her to try it out. Okay, that being said, she never takes it back to the gallery or actually buys the painting that Jason comes from! Who just gives away a one of a kind painting? Enough on that then.
This is supposed to be a paranormal romance novel. Where in the heck is all the romance?!? Jason and Kari have feelings for one another, but come on. They share their strong feeling for one another, but never act on their sexual desires. Its isn't until the last flipping chapter that they even make love for the first time! I was dying from the third chapter to see them get it on! Oh yeah, Kari is 25 and is still a virgin, which had huge story potential. I just found this dang story lacking any amount of real sustenance.
If you're into the softer romance without loads of super sexy situation, then this read will be a good read for you. Just really not my cup of tea.
September 8, 2010
This is the fifth Amanda Ashley novel that I have read. Once again, she didn't disappoint. I have never been disappointed with any of her books, but this is my favorite by far.
I don't know why I liked it as much as I did because she seems to use the same formula for all of her books. However, it's the kind of formula I like so I don't have too much of a problem with it.
Maybe the fact that Karinna didn't want to be a vampire had something to do with is since in most of these kinds of stories, the girl is willing to become a vampire to be with the man she loves. But, Karinna isn't willing to give up all the different food she can eat and her family and friends for Jason which I just love since it was refreshing and different. And, to be honest, it was a bit more realistic. I just don't see many girls who would be completely willing to drop everything and everyone from their life to be with the man they love
Overall, a very good book, as usual from Amanda Ashley.
I don't know why I liked it as much as I did because she seems to use the same formula for all of her books. However, it's the kind of formula I like so I don't have too much of a problem with it.
Maybe the fact that Karinna didn't want to be a vampire had something to do with is since in most of these kinds of stories, the girl is willing to become a vampire to be with the man she loves. But, Karinna isn't willing to give up all the different food she can eat and her family and friends for Jason which I just love since it was refreshing and different. And, to be honest, it was a bit more realistic. I just don't see many girls who would be completely willing to drop everything and everyone from their life to be with the man they love
Overall, a very good book, as usual from Amanda Ashley.
February 4, 2011
Wonderfully written novel. I loved the attention to detail, it drew me in, and I couldn't put this novel down until I was done reading it.
I enjoyed the parallel world of the vampire trapped in the painting; it was a great idea and character.
The novel was easy to follow along, has a good plot, and interesting characters that made the novel even more enjoyable to read.
I think the novel is good for any age group 13 and up. It's one of those novels you wouldn't mind handing to your mom, a sister, or a niece and let them read it, and that is what I did. I passed the book to my sister Char and then to her daughter. Yes, they both liked it as well and thought the vampire in the painting was a nice twist & added plus.
I know, I'm a write too, but I also read and I love to read romance novels as well. Amanda Ashley's novel "Immortal Sins" was a great winter read. I loved it & I highly recommend it!!
~A.S. Johnson
I enjoyed the parallel world of the vampire trapped in the painting; it was a great idea and character.
The novel was easy to follow along, has a good plot, and interesting characters that made the novel even more enjoyable to read.
I think the novel is good for any age group 13 and up. It's one of those novels you wouldn't mind handing to your mom, a sister, or a niece and let them read it, and that is what I did. I passed the book to my sister Char and then to her daughter. Yes, they both liked it as well and thought the vampire in the painting was a nice twist & added plus.
I know, I'm a write too, but I also read and I love to read romance novels as well. Amanda Ashley's novel "Immortal Sins" was a great winter read. I loved it & I highly recommend it!!
~A.S. Johnson
September 20, 2022
I liked the premise of this book but I thought it could of used some editing. For example: there is a huge section where the MC goes into a travel guide type section of Romania. Lol! Dont get me wrong Romania is gorgeous, full of culture and beautiful sites to see. However, we dont need to be told about it in a fictional book about vampires haha. We can easily google Romania ourselves or...go there. When the Mc goes to Romania thats where we could see a bit more of the travel guide stuff...show us Romania dont tell us about it. Youre not Rick Steves.
There was also quite a bit of repetition. Characters would say the EXACT same thing multiple times in different parts of the story and that would be fine if you followed it with he asked again, repeated ect. But even then its something I feel like an editor should of caught and took out.
Overall though this was an easy read and an interesting premise I just think the editor failed her a bit.
There was also quite a bit of repetition. Characters would say the EXACT same thing multiple times in different parts of the story and that would be fine if you followed it with he asked again, repeated ect. But even then its something I feel like an editor should of caught and took out.
Overall though this was an easy read and an interesting premise I just think the editor failed her a bit.
October 9, 2013
i saw a group of 1-2 star ratings for this, which i don't understand at all. this was a unique story while still being a classic Amanda Ashley. most of her books tend to remind me of Betty Neels in style - they're the same basic characters/story/formula, but enjoyable for possibly that reason. the only thing keeping this from being a 5 star, for me, was the lack of dialogue between Kari & Rourke. my favorites always include just a little more detail in the hanging out parts. BUT! i really enjoyed the "trapped in a painting" aspect - or, rather, that we got to see them interact in the painting/dreamworld. that was neat.
December 3, 2010
I did not really like this story. I picked it up because I wanted something to read, and I happened to be in the library. The overall premise sounded pretty good. However I really did not like the main characters at all. Kari was a lot like other heroines that I have read from similar types of books. I wish she was stronger and had more confidence. I did not really like Ana Luise's character either for many of the same reasons as I didn't like Kari.
The book is okay if you want a quick read that is not too good, but
The book is okay if you want a quick read that is not too good, but
October 30, 2018
At the very start of the book, it was awesome and made me giggled and laughed. However, as I went along, the story became dragging because the plot was getting hollow. I would say it was needed to be well-developed like the author should have made it more intense, especially in the wizard and Rourke part. Well, it had also romance which was also good. However, it is also needed to be developed due to fact that the two main characters seemed just playing around; they usually made the readers thought if they would really go deeper or not. In other words, it's kind of disappointing.
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