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Vampire Memories #3
Memories of Envy
Her wiles are irresistable.
Her hunger... insatiable.
A reluctant vampire, Eleisha Clevon has made a home for herself and other vampires in Portland, Oregon. Despite the risks, she is determined to locate all vampires who still reside in isolation so she can offer them sancturary and, more important, so she can teach them to feed without killing. She is shocked when she learns that a lost vampire may be living as close as Denver — and she has to handle this one more carefully than any she has ever approached.
Simone Straford is a beautiful, delicate-looking creature from the roaring twenties who enjoys playing elaborate games with mortals, stoking their passion for her before finally draining them of their blood.
When Eleisha and her protector, Philip Branté, go to Denver to search for Simone, what they find is far worse — and more seductive — than either one bargained for.
Her hunger... insatiable.
A reluctant vampire, Eleisha Clevon has made a home for herself and other vampires in Portland, Oregon. Despite the risks, she is determined to locate all vampires who still reside in isolation so she can offer them sancturary and, more important, so she can teach them to feed without killing. She is shocked when she learns that a lost vampire may be living as close as Denver — and she has to handle this one more carefully than any she has ever approached.
Simone Straford is a beautiful, delicate-looking creature from the roaring twenties who enjoys playing elaborate games with mortals, stoking their passion for her before finally draining them of their blood.
When Eleisha and her protector, Philip Branté, go to Denver to search for Simone, what they find is far worse — and more seductive — than either one bargained for.
Praise for Hunting Memories
"One of the year's better vampire novels."
—Booklist: American Library Association
"Gripping."
—Darque Reviews
"Enjoyable and creative... a thriller of a vampire tale."
—Midwest Book Review
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
2 people are currently reading
558 people want to read
About the author
Barb Hendee
70 books1,161 followers[See barbhendee.org]
Like most writers, I've worked at many jobs in my life, including teaching pre-school until I completed my master's degree in Composition Theory. Between 1993 and 2006, I taught college English while writing fiction on the side, some independently and some with my husband and life-long partner J.C.
Over the years, we've lived in Washington State, Idaho, Colorado, and now moved just south of Portland, Oregon. I love the Northwest, and it's a great place to write.
We have a lovely and talented daughter, Jaclyn, who lives in Houston, Texas along with our wonderful and talented son-in-law, Paul.
J.C. and I sold Dhampir in 2001, which changed our lives considerably. It was published in January 2003, and we've published a book in the Noble Dead Saga every year since. In May of 2006, we were both able to quit our teaching jobs and move into full time writing.
Recently, I've begun writing romance/suspense novels, beginning with: Alone with a Soldier. I am so glad my books have found an audience because I love to write fiction more than anything else in the world... and I'm not really good at anything else.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 23, 2018
Another fantastic squeal to Hendee's Vampire Memories. I adore Eleisha and Philip's unique relationship, Rose and her brother Semus the ghost and last but not least Wade. Each book brings new troubles finding and convincing her kind to join them and stop the blood shed.
Simone is a new vampire that the group has found and try to bring into the fold, unfortunately her childhood and gift of envy has turned into an obsession. She's turned her eternal existence into a game in which mortals always loose, first by betraying their true love (not Simone), and then their life.
I truly enjoy this series. Once I start any of her books I can't put t down. I read an entire book from start to finish in about 24 hours. I just love Hendee's writing style.
Simone is a new vampire that the group has found and try to bring into the fold, unfortunately her childhood and gift of envy has turned into an obsession. She's turned her eternal existence into a game in which mortals always loose, first by betraying their true love (not Simone), and then their life.
I truly enjoy this series. Once I start any of her books I can't put t down. I read an entire book from start to finish in about 24 hours. I just love Hendee's writing style.
February 8, 2024
I enjoyed it.
This time we are looking at someone who enjoys what she is and doesn't want to change.
I can't say more without letting out spoilers.
But I believe the dynamic between everyone is starting to grow and shift.
This time we are looking at someone who enjoys what she is and doesn't want to change.
I can't say more without letting out spoilers.
But I believe the dynamic between everyone is starting to grow and shift.
November 23, 2018
Good, not super action packed.
November 15, 2010
This story revolves around a vampire named Simone Stratford, who Rose discovers after touching Maggies hair brush, and what she went thru as a child, up to the point where Maggie turned her, and onto meeting with Phillip and Eleisha.
Eleisha's character in this book was a huge disappointment to me. She's a vampire with a guilt complex a mile long that brings the story to a grinding halt when it's centered on her. She spends so much time weeping and feeling sorry that Robert lost his head to Julian, that I wanted to reach out and slap her silly. Yes, she wants all vampires to follow the four rules of the vampires of the past, but she is also clueless on how Julian is able to use her to find these solo vampires and eliminate them. I mean, c'mon already.
Phillip gets a bit more of a role to play in this book, showing exactly what he really is. He is not a nice person. He is a vampire who loves to kill for pleasure and for survival and doesn't really believe in Eleisha's ideas of not killing humans for sport. He sticks by Eleisha's side because she truly has feelings for him, and trusts him, which really make no sense to either Wade or Rose who suddenly finds herself with Psychometry powers.
Simone's story was poignant and gritty and a vampire equal to Phillip in horrorific killings. She grew up in a household that had to pleasure her father above anyone's happiness. Simone's gift is the power of Envy, thus the title of the story. She makes women and men want to be like her, and want to be with her. She uses this power successfully on Phillip which leads to a hunt that ends up killing a handful of drunkards. Only then does he realize how utterly dangerous Simone really is, and for Eleisha to bring her back to the "underground" would be a huge mistake.
Mary, Julian's ghost, picks up the evil pretty much right away. Mary is a different character from Seamus, in that she doesn't rely on anyone for her energy. She survives to do the bidding of Julian, and has been his spy against the Underground as they hunt for other vampires.
We got to see a new side of Wade, and I'm hoping that the writer keeps going with this. He is fiercely loyal to Eleisha and espeically Seamus, the ghost. Even though he hates Phillip, he knows that without him around, they would all be in grave danger from Julian. He has come to realize that he is actually with people that understands him, even though he is the only human in the group...HELLO PUBLISHERS WEEKLY>>>>ROSE IS NOT HUMAN!!!!!
Julian actually plays the hero in this story, even though he clearly has an agenda of riding the world of the older vampires with psychic powers. Yes, he is using the underground for his own nefarious jobs, but this time around he saves Eleisha from being toasted alive. He is, afterall, Eleisha's maker, and I don't think he truly wants to hurt her even though he pretty much turned her, and dumped her with his insane vampire father.
Seamus, Rose's nephew and ghost, is a sad story. He has been with Rose since she was turned into a vampire, and relies heavily on her energy for survival. In this story, he has lots of problems and at one point you actually think that he is gone forever for using up too much energy. Seamus hates Phillip and how he treats Rose. He has a chance to end Phillips life in this story, but quickly changes his mind.
I liked the fact that the writer gave Rose new powers of Pyschometry. She is still scared to be by herself, thus leaving Wade to watch over her when Eleisha and Phillip go to Denver. But, she is getting to be a character you can actually like, and route for.
The next book in the series won't be released until October 2011, and October 2012.
Eleisha's character in this book was a huge disappointment to me. She's a vampire with a guilt complex a mile long that brings the story to a grinding halt when it's centered on her. She spends so much time weeping and feeling sorry that Robert lost his head to Julian, that I wanted to reach out and slap her silly. Yes, she wants all vampires to follow the four rules of the vampires of the past, but she is also clueless on how Julian is able to use her to find these solo vampires and eliminate them. I mean, c'mon already.
Phillip gets a bit more of a role to play in this book, showing exactly what he really is. He is not a nice person. He is a vampire who loves to kill for pleasure and for survival and doesn't really believe in Eleisha's ideas of not killing humans for sport. He sticks by Eleisha's side because she truly has feelings for him, and trusts him, which really make no sense to either Wade or Rose who suddenly finds herself with Psychometry powers.
Simone's story was poignant and gritty and a vampire equal to Phillip in horrorific killings. She grew up in a household that had to pleasure her father above anyone's happiness. Simone's gift is the power of Envy, thus the title of the story. She makes women and men want to be like her, and want to be with her. She uses this power successfully on Phillip which leads to a hunt that ends up killing a handful of drunkards. Only then does he realize how utterly dangerous Simone really is, and for Eleisha to bring her back to the "underground" would be a huge mistake.
Mary, Julian's ghost, picks up the evil pretty much right away. Mary is a different character from Seamus, in that she doesn't rely on anyone for her energy. She survives to do the bidding of Julian, and has been his spy against the Underground as they hunt for other vampires.
We got to see a new side of Wade, and I'm hoping that the writer keeps going with this. He is fiercely loyal to Eleisha and espeically Seamus, the ghost. Even though he hates Phillip, he knows that without him around, they would all be in grave danger from Julian. He has come to realize that he is actually with people that understands him, even though he is the only human in the group...HELLO PUBLISHERS WEEKLY>>>>ROSE IS NOT HUMAN!!!!!
Julian actually plays the hero in this story, even though he clearly has an agenda of riding the world of the older vampires with psychic powers. Yes, he is using the underground for his own nefarious jobs, but this time around he saves Eleisha from being toasted alive. He is, afterall, Eleisha's maker, and I don't think he truly wants to hurt her even though he pretty much turned her, and dumped her with his insane vampire father.
Seamus, Rose's nephew and ghost, is a sad story. He has been with Rose since she was turned into a vampire, and relies heavily on her energy for survival. In this story, he has lots of problems and at one point you actually think that he is gone forever for using up too much energy. Seamus hates Phillip and how he treats Rose. He has a chance to end Phillips life in this story, but quickly changes his mind.
I liked the fact that the writer gave Rose new powers of Pyschometry. She is still scared to be by herself, thus leaving Wade to watch over her when Eleisha and Phillip go to Denver. But, she is getting to be a character you can actually like, and route for.
The next book in the series won't be released until October 2011, and October 2012.
August 12, 2016
As always, Hendee's writing is full of character driven action and a cast of diverse and complicated people things. (Vampires count as people things, right?) One of the aspects that continues to make this series stand out from the other urban fantasy fare is the lack of the stereotypically "strong" female character, the aggressive one who wears leather pants and carries a plethora of weaponry with her. The ladies here are powerful in their own right, but they don't have to physically beat people or "prove" themselves on every page. Both Eleisha and Rose are strong in their vulnerabilities, deceptively soft on the outside but with an inner strength other urban fantasy ladies only wish they had.
Also refreshing? These vampires aren't all human-loving softies. Every one of them is willing to kill, given the right motivation, and some of them positively enjoy it. Their enjoyment doesn't necessarily paint them as villains, however, since these are vampires and let's face it, blood is what they do. It's not prettied up and it's not skimmed over. These are not the romantic heroes of so many recent books.
Simone is a delightfully dark character, a manipulative woman who delights in destroying those around her. She calls it "the game" and she's very, very good at it. This is not a two-dimensional villain type, though. Simone is complex and nuanced, not exactly the kind of person you'd want to hang out with but fascinating nonetheless.
Philip fans out there (and let's face it, I'll have to count myself as one) will be pleased to hear he explores both his dark side and the "good" parts of him, the parts he wants to present to those in the Underground. He's driven right to the brink of his contradictory needs, and ends up needing to pick which lifestyle he'll embrace instead of straddling the line as he's done so far.
In some ways, the book felt like a side venture to the series. Eleisha and company begin searching for an entirely different vampire and stumble upon the discovery of Simone quite by accident. Only at the end of the book do they turn their attention back to the vampire they originally intended to seek out. It's a fun and worthwhile pitstop, but a pitstop nonetheless. That being said, I don't recommend skipping over it, because a good read is a good read, and this is the kind of book I couldn't put down once I'd started.
Also refreshing? These vampires aren't all human-loving softies. Every one of them is willing to kill, given the right motivation, and some of them positively enjoy it. Their enjoyment doesn't necessarily paint them as villains, however, since these are vampires and let's face it, blood is what they do. It's not prettied up and it's not skimmed over. These are not the romantic heroes of so many recent books.
Simone is a delightfully dark character, a manipulative woman who delights in destroying those around her. She calls it "the game" and she's very, very good at it. This is not a two-dimensional villain type, though. Simone is complex and nuanced, not exactly the kind of person you'd want to hang out with but fascinating nonetheless.
Philip fans out there (and let's face it, I'll have to count myself as one) will be pleased to hear he explores both his dark side and the "good" parts of him, the parts he wants to present to those in the Underground. He's driven right to the brink of his contradictory needs, and ends up needing to pick which lifestyle he'll embrace instead of straddling the line as he's done so far.
In some ways, the book felt like a side venture to the series. Eleisha and company begin searching for an entirely different vampire and stumble upon the discovery of Simone quite by accident. Only at the end of the book do they turn their attention back to the vampire they originally intended to seek out. It's a fun and worthwhile pitstop, but a pitstop nonetheless. That being said, I don't recommend skipping over it, because a good read is a good read, and this is the kind of book I couldn't put down once I'd started.
February 10, 2011
Memories of Envy
is the 3rd book in the Vampire Memories series, so some series spoilers may exist.
Reading Order:
In Memories of Envy Eleisha is still working to locate all the remaining vampires, still in isolation, along with the ever loyal, human w/abilities Wade, the deceptive vamp Phillip, the timid vamp Rose and her ghostly brother Seamus. During their search, they find Simone. She is a wickedly powerful and deeply twisted vamp who will prove that not every vampire in hiding should be brought into their refuge and not all they find will want to learn to feed without killing. Some enjoy killing.
I was sort of disappointed with this book in the series. I enjoyed the previous books much more than this one. Eleisha, a character I liked in the earlier books, spent way too much time depressed and stressed over the loss of the vampires that died in earlier books. I understand she'd have some guilt over the way they died, but it took up too much of the book, IMO.
I was very happy to see more of Wade, who is dedicated to helping Eleisha and the others, including Phillip, who he knows is trouble, but a needed part of the group. He has formed a strong relationship with Rose and her brother, Seamus.
Julian, Eleisha's creator, continues to hunt vampires, with the help of his ghost, Mary, because he fears those with psychic powers (which he does not possess). Mary is not like Seamus, who is tied to Rose and must use her energy to sustain himself.
I'll be continuing with the series, but I hope that in those Eleisha will have moved on from the losses of the past and will be focused on the future.
Reading Order:
In Memories of Envy Eleisha is still working to locate all the remaining vampires, still in isolation, along with the ever loyal, human w/abilities Wade, the deceptive vamp Phillip, the timid vamp Rose and her ghostly brother Seamus. During their search, they find Simone. She is a wickedly powerful and deeply twisted vamp who will prove that not every vampire in hiding should be brought into their refuge and not all they find will want to learn to feed without killing. Some enjoy killing.
I was sort of disappointed with this book in the series. I enjoyed the previous books much more than this one. Eleisha, a character I liked in the earlier books, spent way too much time depressed and stressed over the loss of the vampires that died in earlier books. I understand she'd have some guilt over the way they died, but it took up too much of the book, IMO.
I was very happy to see more of Wade, who is dedicated to helping Eleisha and the others, including Phillip, who he knows is trouble, but a needed part of the group. He has formed a strong relationship with Rose and her brother, Seamus.
Julian, Eleisha's creator, continues to hunt vampires, with the help of his ghost, Mary, because he fears those with psychic powers (which he does not possess). Mary is not like Seamus, who is tied to Rose and must use her energy to sustain himself.
I'll be continuing with the series, but I hope that in those Eleisha will have moved on from the losses of the past and will be focused on the future.
August 24, 2016
There are very few vampires in existence today because they failed to abide by the laws of the elders – because they killed humans. Eleisha Clevon lives by that rule and the other laws. She has gathered two vampires to the Portland underground. She has an investigator who locates other vampires so Eleisha can try to help them conform to the old laws. But Simone Stratford is more than Eleisha ever bargained for…
This is a slick and haunting tale of a woman who is good and just - and another woman, who is neither good nor just, but enjoys the hunt and it’s her singular thrill in life. When good and evil aren’t black and white, and things aren’t always what they seem – that’s when things get interesting. Read this with the lights on and other people around!
Vampire Memories series: Blood Memories (1), Hunting Memories (2), Memories of Envy (3), In Memories We Fear (4), Ghosts of Memories (5)
This is a slick and haunting tale of a woman who is good and just - and another woman, who is neither good nor just, but enjoys the hunt and it’s her singular thrill in life. When good and evil aren’t black and white, and things aren’t always what they seem – that’s when things get interesting. Read this with the lights on and other people around!
Vampire Memories series: Blood Memories (1), Hunting Memories (2), Memories of Envy (3), In Memories We Fear (4), Ghosts of Memories (5)
December 17, 2012
This entire series just keeps getting stronger!
Memories of Envy takes a pretty significant leap forward in comparison to the first book of this series, and it is also stronger in a lot of ways than Hunting Memories.
The greatest part of this book? The villain, Simone. She is so atypical for a villain that you just can't help but be entranced by her; even readers find themselves envious of Simone.
A bulk of this story rests on Simone's shoulders, but she carries it wonderfully. The other characters are there, but they are often eclipsed by Simone's character. I'm not a huge fan of Philip, and that kind of intensified in this book...but that is pure personal interpretation as I'm sure plenty of people will simply love him.
Again, this series is really building...it may have started slower, but it is quickly becoming a fast moving train.
Memories of Envy takes a pretty significant leap forward in comparison to the first book of this series, and it is also stronger in a lot of ways than Hunting Memories.
The greatest part of this book? The villain, Simone. She is so atypical for a villain that you just can't help but be entranced by her; even readers find themselves envious of Simone.
A bulk of this story rests on Simone's shoulders, but she carries it wonderfully. The other characters are there, but they are often eclipsed by Simone's character. I'm not a huge fan of Philip, and that kind of intensified in this book...but that is pure personal interpretation as I'm sure plenty of people will simply love him.
Again, this series is really building...it may have started slower, but it is quickly becoming a fast moving train.
January 17, 2022
I don't know why I thought I was going to like this one when I didn't like the previous two. But lo and behold, I was drawn in by that gorgeous cover. I say gorgeous cover very loosely, because it's really not all that stellar. But the woman on the cover, dressed to the nine's like she comes from the 1920s sure got my attention. I'm drawn to that sort of stuff. So I had hope that this one's plot would be a little more...interesting. I was wrong. The series got worse. Yet somehow I still forced myself to finish the book. And on Christmas day, no less. Anyway, at this point, the series had proven to me it was a lost cause. Yet somehow I STILL tried to read the next book? The book gods are usually generous with me, but I guess they really wanted me to keep going with this one for whatever reason.
Read
April 12, 2013A reluctant predator, Eleisha Clevon is determined to locate all vampires still existing in isolation, so she might offer them sanctuary at her home in Portland-and more importantly, so she can teach them to feed without killing. But the beautiful and delicate Simone Stratford doesn't want to be saved.
Made into a vampire in the Roaring Twenties, she enjoys playing her own elaborate games with mortals, stoking their passion for her before finally draining them of their blood. And soon Eleisha and her protector, Philip Brant, find themselves caught up in one of Simone's games, which turns into a battle for Eleisha's life and Philip's soul...
January 9, 2012
i can finish this series i was actually reading it until i found something else to read, and i did so i put a stop to it. i don't really like it and i went to most of the other book because i was hoping for the romance to come out to play but that never happen. and in the end i just wasn't getting to much into it, the book was to sad and they didn't get to much happines only sad and cry nothing more out it.
the book it has a good base and all that but it need it a little more of laugh and life to it the book feel death and death it had on it. i do hope in the future to get into it but for right now is a no-no for me.
the book it has a good base and all that but it need it a little more of laugh and life to it the book feel death and death it had on it. i do hope in the future to get into it but for right now is a no-no for me.
July 8, 2014
The only reason I read this one is because I checked out both this book and the prior one at the same time. I hate to check out a book and then not read it. I was not a fan of the book before this one and I am still not a fan of this one. I don't care for the characters and Eleisha is just too single-minded and blind to the flaws of her companions, specifically Philip, who I really dislike. I had to force myself to finish this book.
I don't intend to read any more of this series, which is sad because it seemed so promising in the beginning, and because it is by a local author. I usually enjoy books written by writers in my area, maybe her other series would be of interest to me?
I don't intend to read any more of this series, which is sad because it seemed so promising in the beginning, and because it is by a local author. I usually enjoy books written by writers in my area, maybe her other series would be of interest to me?
February 8, 2014
Yet, another great novel by Barb Hendee. Simone, the vampire with Memories of Envy, proved to be a great opponent for Eleisha and her friends. Even Philip had to be on guard so he wouldn't totally lose who he wishes to be for Eleisha. With a childhood filled with the need to be loved unconditionally, Simone was raised into a woman who always wanted what someone else had. With her special gift of envy, every man wanted her and every woman wanted to be her. Once her gift took hold, she'd move in for the kill. I'm already reading the next book.
December 6, 2010
This is the third book in the series and despite being one of the most poorly written series I've ever read, I had hope that there could be something redeeming about this one. It was shallow, poorly executed and not gripping in the least. I just read it really fast to get it over with. As a side note, I read the first of the Noble Dead saga books which she wrote with her husband and despite hearing good things, I was sorely disappointed with that too. Won't read any more books by the Hendees.
November 27, 2010
Hard to pinpoint how I feel about this installment. It was such a quick read and I felt the plot was too uncomplicated. Eleisha is beginning to seem incredibly naive and her mission seems increasingly a bad idea. This one was just OK, I feel a little unfulfilled after reading it. I guess I expected a bit more.
November 12, 2010
More about Phillip and Simone than any of the other characters. Not as much Wade as I would have liked and Eleisha comes of weaker than ever. A little disappointing, but picks up a bit towards the middle of the book. Interested to see if they do anything interesting with Julian's involvement in the next one.
January 8, 2012
Another book in the vampire series. A group of vampires are learning how to live by the old laws and live together. Philip and Elisha go off to Denver to bring back a vampire they had found. But she is set in her ways and don't understand these laws that Elisha talks about. Fast paced and entertaining read.
August 30, 2012
I didn't realize this was the 3rd book in the series until after I read it, but it wasn't confusing like some books are. I liked it, an easy read. I probably would have liked it more if I had read one and two first. I probably won't search for the other books in the series, but if I come across them I would read them.
December 15, 2012
Only because I enjoyed the Noble Dead series by Hendee am I reading these at all. The charters are weak and pathetic and the story never really takes off. If I wanted the life story of a bunch of sad morons I'd watch reality TV.
January 27, 2011
The story gets more interesting as it goes along. I have a love/hate relationship with Philip though. I share Rose's opinion of him, but he's devoted to Eleisha, so I cut him some slack. I hope to continue to see him grow and evolve. I'm looking forward to the next book.
April 7, 2011
je l'ai lui aussi trouvé un peu mieux que le deuxième, on avance un peu plus dans l'histoire mais les caractères et les envies des personnages se transforment, on ne comprend pas vraiment ce que chacun veut, c'est difficile à suivre...J'espere que le tome 4 expliquera un peu plus tout ça.
November 30, 2011
All these books start to feel the same and have very similar formats. I am becoming increasingly bored with this series. The characters have not developed any depth and I have not grown that attached to any of them. I did like the last chapter and am hoping the next one improves.
November 15, 2010
Hendee's vampire mythos is complex and multi-dimensional, as are her characters and stories. I'm enjoying the series and look forward to more.
December 18, 2010
it was okay...nothing special enuf to write home about, but im not sorry i read it...but i probably wont bother reading the first three though...
November 30, 2011
This series has become quite repetitive. There's so much unfulfilled potential, and Eleisha is starting to drive me crazy with her clueless-ness.
July 21, 2013
This series is definitely getting much better as it goes on. This installment was even better then the last. The characters are developing and growing and are interesting to follow.
June 30, 2013
A quick read. I like this book well enough. It is an interesting story and plan to continue reading the series.
pass
March 18, 2022Passed 2022
3 Stars 2013
3 Stars 2013
January 25, 2016
I'm loving this series. I can't wait for more
July 20, 2011
Read from 6/15 - 6/16.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews