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Lord Vampyre
Vanni and Damion grow up like brothers in the duke’s castle of Cliffside Keep. From childhood to adulthood, they have been best friends, laughing and playing between the wide open sea and the fairy-like forests that surround them.In their beautiful world,Vanni’s secret love for Damion grows like the tide-swept shores and the salt air that has become intrinsic to his heart.But when a guest of their father’s comes to visit, everything changes.Lord Neverelle is more compelling and darkly beautiful than any man the two have ever met. Soon, they are swept up in a rising tide of passion that threatens their own brotherly bond and the very household Vanni stands to inherit.Vanni watches helplessly as Damion falls first for the alluring and seductive stranger.Not satisfied with Damion alone, Never uses a vampire trick called “the tempt” to compel Vanni, who is brought into a love triangle that includes fiery passion and nightly threesomes.Now Vanni must ask Is any of this consensual? And what about Damion—does he really want to be with Vanni, or is it all a sensual play controlled by vampire compulsion?A softly lyrical and compelling story of childhood best friends, coming of age, first time virgin, vampire compulsion, mmm high steam and passion, angst and jealousy, dubious consent, immortality, and an mm happy ending.
249 pages, Paperback
First published November 27, 2018
About the author
Wendy Rathbone
159 books359 followersWendy Rathbone has had dozens of stories published in anthologies such as: Hot Blood, Writers of the Future (second place,) Bending the Landscape, Mutation Nation, A Darke Phantastique, and more. The book "Dreams of Decadence Presents: Wendy Rathbone and Tippi Blevins" contains a large collection of her vampire stories and poems. Over 500 of her poems have been published in various anthologies and magazines. She won first place in the Anamnesis Press poetry chapbook contest with her book "Scrying the River Styx." Her poems have been nominated for the Science Fiction Poetry Association's Rhysling award at least a dozen times.
Her recent books include:
"Pale Zenith," science fiction novel
"The Foundling," male/male romance novel
"None Can Hold the Dark," sequel to "The Foundling"
"The Secret Sharer," science fiction romance novella
"Unearthly," omnibus collection of 7 out-of-print poetry booklets
"The Vampire Diaries: The Myth," available from Kindle Worlds
"The Vampire Dairies: Deep In the Virginia Woods," available from Kindle Worlds
"My House Is Full Of Whispers," erotica short story collection
"Letters To An Android," science fiction novel
Upcoming very soon:
"Risque Science Fiction," short stories by Wendy Rathbone
"The Red Fountain, Where Vampires Come to Drink," short stories and poetry by Wendy Rathbone
Look for more novels and short story collections coming up in 2014.
She lives in Yucca Valley, CA with her partner of 32 years, Della Van Hise.
Her recent books include:
"Pale Zenith," science fiction novel
"The Foundling," male/male romance novel
"None Can Hold the Dark," sequel to "The Foundling"
"The Secret Sharer," science fiction romance novella
"Unearthly," omnibus collection of 7 out-of-print poetry booklets
"The Vampire Diaries: The Myth," available from Kindle Worlds
"The Vampire Dairies: Deep In the Virginia Woods," available from Kindle Worlds
"My House Is Full Of Whispers," erotica short story collection
"Letters To An Android," science fiction novel
Upcoming very soon:
"Risque Science Fiction," short stories by Wendy Rathbone
"The Red Fountain, Where Vampires Come to Drink," short stories and poetry by Wendy Rathbone
Look for more novels and short story collections coming up in 2014.
She lives in Yucca Valley, CA with her partner of 32 years, Della Van Hise.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 3, 2018
I enjoyed this mm romance up until the first appearance of the vampire. A young noble gains a companion and a rival for his father's affection. He enjoys having a young ward and they grow closer. The vampire ruins everything. I didn't particularly like the ending.
Typos: repetition of the phrase "Vanni's manners made no distinction between human," "You have know him all alone" should be "all along."
Typos: repetition of the phrase "Vanni's manners made no distinction between human," "You have know him all alone" should be "all along."
December 2, 2018
A copy of the novel was provided by the author for an honest review.
Giovanni is in love with Damion, the son of his father's new mistress. Damion is enraptured by Lord Never.
The men eventually attract the attention of Never, a gorgeous Vampire who uses his powers, called the tempt, to seduce both of them.
The novel is primarily the seduction from Giovanni's perspective. Because of the Vampire tempt, the book is very dub-con.
Never claims he is primarily interested in Giovanni, because of his strong will and ability to occasionally throw off the tempt, but the explanation is superficial, as are Never's explanations and disappearance.
I like the premise, and I'm interested in learning more, but I need a sequel for a fuller opinion.
Giovanni is in love with Damion, the son of his father's new mistress. Damion is enraptured by Lord Never.
The men eventually attract the attention of Never, a gorgeous Vampire who uses his powers, called the tempt, to seduce both of them.
The novel is primarily the seduction from Giovanni's perspective. Because of the Vampire tempt, the book is very dub-con.
Never claims he is primarily interested in Giovanni, because of his strong will and ability to occasionally throw off the tempt, but the explanation is superficial, as are Never's explanations and disappearance.
I like the premise, and I'm interested in learning more, but I need a sequel for a fuller opinion.
July 18, 2020
Warning: non/dub-con bordering on plain old rape.
Two innocent young men, Vanni 20 and Damion 18 (step brothers), both virgins, fall under a spell of a vampire. Neverelle, the vamp, moves into the boy’s family’s castle, gets rid of their parents and the non-stop orgy begins. Vanni still has some presence of mind left to know that whatever is happening is wrong: he mourns his and Damion’s past; he worries about Never hurting Damion, because sex with Never is rough; Vanni loves Damion but is willing to let him go without a fight, even knowing that Damion is being manipulated.
I loved the story up to about 40%, when Never invaded he Keep. Not sure why Never had to set his own house on fire when he could have easily manipulated Vanni’s parents in letting him stay as a guest.
DNF-ing at 61%. There is nothing but sex and mind control. The story became overly repetitive and boring. I skimmed to the end and.... what the actual F?
4 stars for the first 40%, 1 for the rest. Very disappointed.
PS I got the impression the book was trying to be dark, but it didn’t work for me, not in the slightest. Want a good dark story with vampires and/or manipulation and innocent young men? Try Becca Abbott’s Reifu Rising and Cethe.
Two innocent young men, Vanni 20 and Damion 18 (step brothers), both virgins, fall under a spell of a vampire. Neverelle, the vamp, moves into the boy’s family’s castle, gets rid of their parents and the non-stop orgy begins. Vanni still has some presence of mind left to know that whatever is happening is wrong: he mourns his and Damion’s past; he worries about Never hurting Damion, because sex with Never is rough; Vanni loves Damion but is willing to let him go without a fight, even knowing that Damion is being manipulated.
I loved the story up to about 40%, when Never invaded he Keep. Not sure why Never had to set his own house on fire when he could have easily manipulated Vanni’s parents in letting him stay as a guest.
DNF-ing at 61%. There is nothing but sex and mind control. The story became overly repetitive and boring. I skimmed to the end and.... what the actual F?
4 stars for the first 40%, 1 for the rest. Very disappointed.
PS I got the impression the book was trying to be dark, but it didn’t work for me, not in the slightest. Want a good dark story with vampires and/or manipulation and innocent young men? Try Becca Abbott’s Reifu Rising and Cethe.
December 30, 2018
Uhm... 3.5 stars.
It wasn’t that good but it wasn’t bad either. It was just confusing on some parts.
It wasn’t that good but it wasn’t bad either. It was just confusing on some parts.
February 23, 2019
Crappy ending.
December 19, 2018
Lord Vampyre by Wendy Rathbone is a dark and enticing read that includes an alluring vampire who , tempts, seduces and manipulate two young men who have lived a mainly sheltered life. It is a steamy one.
Damion entered Vanni's life when they were young boys, growing up together with a strong bond that eventually turned into a forbidden attraction. When Lord Neverelle (Never) comes into the picture and introduces the pleasures of enjoying each others' bodies... all three of them. But I think the great part was Vanni and Damion alone together..no manipulation, just love and lust. And it is a satisfyingly hot read.
I received an advanced reader's copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
Damion entered Vanni's life when they were young boys, growing up together with a strong bond that eventually turned into a forbidden attraction. When Lord Neverelle (Never) comes into the picture and introduces the pleasures of enjoying each others' bodies... all three of them. But I think the great part was Vanni and Damion alone together..no manipulation, just love and lust. And it is a satisfyingly hot read.
I received an advanced reader's copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
December 4, 2018
In this period romance by Wendy Rathbone, vampire mythos lurks in the background of a ménage tale of love, obsession and dark temptation.
While many vampire romances deal with the inescapable allure of vampires, Rathbone focuses on the wary obsession and dawning horror of her main protagonist, Giovanni, as he realises the extent of his desires for the seductive Never. Torn between his practically lifelong adoration for the son of of his father's mistress and the new arrival of Lord Neverelle, Vanni is no longer certain that he has any will left with which to resist the irrevocable pull of either. But when he succumbs to his desire, he is torn between love and lust, affection and primal sexuality.
This is the first novel in a new series by Rathbone.
While many vampire romances deal with the inescapable allure of vampires, Rathbone focuses on the wary obsession and dawning horror of her main protagonist, Giovanni, as he realises the extent of his desires for the seductive Never. Torn between his practically lifelong adoration for the son of of his father's mistress and the new arrival of Lord Neverelle, Vanni is no longer certain that he has any will left with which to resist the irrevocable pull of either. But when he succumbs to his desire, he is torn between love and lust, affection and primal sexuality.
This is the first novel in a new series by Rathbone.
December 2, 2018
Dark, and yet true love conquered all...
I liked how dark this book was. Never was seductive, and deadly. At no point in the story was I under the impression that he wasn't only ever looking out for himself. Both Damion and Vanni always knew it too, despite the tempt, and yet, they both sought out that danger. Ultimately, it was their love for one another that brought them through to the end.
I liked how dark this book was. Never was seductive, and deadly. At no point in the story was I under the impression that he wasn't only ever looking out for himself. Both Damion and Vanni always knew it too, despite the tempt, and yet, they both sought out that danger. Ultimately, it was their love for one another that brought them through to the end.
June 8, 2023
Wasn't In Love
Just wasn't in love with any of the characters... A jaded vamp, a childhood love, and an abused young man... But, depth was lacking... A lot of whining... I am surprised... This author delivers in every book thus far... But, this??? Incomplete... An unnecessary obsession with sea-witches... Who outside a dream were irrelevant... Just a bit of a jumbled mess... I would not recommend this book...
Just wasn't in love with any of the characters... A jaded vamp, a childhood love, and an abused young man... But, depth was lacking... A lot of whining... I am surprised... This author delivers in every book thus far... But, this??? Incomplete... An unnecessary obsession with sea-witches... Who outside a dream were irrelevant... Just a bit of a jumbled mess... I would not recommend this book...
December 6, 2018
A different take
This was the first book I’ve read from this author. Definitely not disappointed. There were a few times the story dragged a little and as much as I loved the ‘prophesy’ from the sea-witch, I’m not sure where it fit.
I was on the edge of my seat a lot of the time. I didn’t quite see where it was heading.
Well worth the read.
This was the first book I’ve read from this author. Definitely not disappointed. There were a few times the story dragged a little and as much as I loved the ‘prophesy’ from the sea-witch, I’m not sure where it fit.
I was on the edge of my seat a lot of the time. I didn’t quite see where it was heading.
Well worth the read.
December 2, 2018
OMG!! This book!! This awe...ohhhh, grrrrr.. OH book. This wide range of emotions, this need a cold shower but you don't want to stop reading book. So ya your going to want to read it Again and again !!!
November 5, 2023
Great story
Loved the story it drew me into their lives!! Great flow read it in one setting - fell in love with Damian, Giovonni and Never!!!
But oh so sad that Never didn't return so sad brought me to tears
Thank you for a great story
Loved the story it drew me into their lives!! Great flow read it in one setting - fell in love with Damian, Giovonni and Never!!!
But oh so sad that Never didn't return so sad brought me to tears
Thank you for a great story
December 12, 2018
This is a new take on the Vampire story. Vanni and Damion have grown up together and when Never comes to the keep to stay things start to heat up.
This is an intriguing read that won't disappoint.
This is an intriguing read that won't disappoint.
January 6, 2019
Pretty good.
This is a new to me author and this was pretty good. It was a bit slow for me in the beginning but once I got around 30% it picked up the pace.
This is a new to me author and this was pretty good. It was a bit slow for me in the beginning but once I got around 30% it picked up the pace.
February 12, 2020
Dark but also enticing.
Wendy Rathbone books are darkly intense and enticing to the senses . They leave you looking for more as will any well written book .
Wendy Rathbone books are darkly intense and enticing to the senses . They leave you looking for more as will any well written book .
April 26, 2022
3.5, slow at times. Was slow to start and then the ending felt rushed. I would read others by her. Steamy with medium angst.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews