Mortal Illusions

by Kathryn R. Blake

Broadway--New York City. Bright lights and hot nights.

Despite a nightly, on-stage seduction by her sultry, debonair costar, Claire Daniels didn't believe vampires were real. Not at first. But her brother was dying and she was willing to believe in anything that might save him. Armed with only her blood and innocence for barter, Claire entered into the dark, silken web of the vampire with the belief that she could seduce one of its most powerful and elusive leaders into helping her save her brother. Such illusions, however, would cost Claire far more than any mere mortal could fathom.

342 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2003

About the author

Kathryn R. Blake Lessons in Love is Kathryn R. Blake's sixth novel with Blushing Books, and fifth spanking romance where Domestic Discipline is primary to the plot. Although Kathryn is relatively new to the spanking romance market, she is not new to stories where the hero spanks the heroine. In fact, most of her novels have some sort of spanking in them. However, even in Kathryn's novels where the hero firmly believes in using spanking as a deterrent, he has no desire to cause the heroine injury and takes no delight in hurting the woman of his heart. In fact, sometimes he finds it extremely difficult to follow through on his threats or promises.
To date, all of her heroes are dominant, alpha males who are extremely protective of the women they love. However, part of that protectiveness includes the need for a certain amount of control. They do not suffer defiance or disobedience lightly. Even so, these men aren't infallible, and they do make mistakes, but love and respect will always triumph in the end.
Kathryn has been a member of RWA since the early 1980s and has joined several local and special interest chapters. Besides writing, Kathryn enjoys traveling, reading, attending the theatre, and is a passionate lover of animals, so much so that in 2015 a stray cat adopted her. The stray now sleeps in Kathryn's bed. She has also recently taken up the expensive hobby of making and selling jewelry.
Her personal website, www.kathrynrblake.com, is filled with photos and links to information about her many interests as well as peppered with quizzes, contests, games and lots of other fun things to do and she loves to hear from her readers, so she has an e-mail link at the bottom of every page.

Reviews

[SirenBookReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Claire and Germaine. Germaine is a vampire from the age of the French Revolution who is still somewhat damaged by occurrences from the past. Germaine was tortured during the revolution while his family was murdered and eventually, he was turned by his inquisitor. This has left a mark on him and he has decided never to turn anyone. Claire is the daughter of the last woman that Germaine loved and let grow old. Claire's mother has just passed from cancer leaving the request that the two of them pair up. This is the opening to Mortal Illusions.

The book itself was an engaging easy read. The story enjoyable and in parts even sad to the point of tears. Watching Claire and Germaine work out their issues with each other and death at a few points became nearly painful. Claire loses her mother and her brother, while Germaine relives losing his whole family, Claire's mother and eventually Claire. However, personally I found Germaine to be far too autocratic. He gives Claire orders constantly and expects absolute obedience without giving her any explanations as to why. Of course then Claire disobeys and Germaine shuts her off for days to weeks at a time in a huff.

Personally, I found this to be abusive behaviour and if I were Claire, would have run off in a heartbeat with his second in command Marcus. Even Nick, while flighty, would have been more fun than Germaine. So, while this was a good story, Germaine is not the vampire for me. I look forward to reading the story of the Roman Marcus. His quiet nobility struck me far more than Germaine's autocratic petulance.

[Loves To Dive · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claire Danielson is an aspiring Broadway actress whose mother and brother are both terminally ill, there may be no hope for her mother but she would do anything to save her brother. Germaine St. Justine is a charming, wealthy producer who has more than a little to hide. Before they know it, Claire and Germaine's lives become entwined in ways neither would ever have imagined or wanted.

This is a well written book with a little of everything that will appeal to the paranormal romance reader. Claire's desire to help her brother beyond all else will at times make you want to cry and at other times make you want to shake her out of frustration. The characters are well fleshed out and the back story of Germaine's past helps us to understand who and what he was and has grown into. The secondary characters are all well written and help give the book depth. The book brought out all sorts of emotions in me, I cried (very early too), I got frightened, I had a hot flash or two, I got angry (very often) and I even laughed.

I did have a few issues with Claire's personality and down right stubbornness at times, but they weren't enough to make me put down the book. This is a quick read with enough sub-plots going to keep you interested. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good love story with some vampire politics, musical theater and a very unusual take on what constitutes punishment.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a problem with Claire's stubbornness, but overall it was a good book. the characters are engaging and the story line flowed well.

[dsneaks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book on goodreads first reads giveaways. I had a hard time at first really getting into this book, no fault of the book and was mainly on myself, for being tired and just not in the mood for reading at the time I started the book. Mortal Illusions I did find to be very well written. It had many things going on it in, and was a emotional roller coaster. It had a supernatural sense but the emotions and situations displayed in the book gave a real life every day feel, in a way that made it relatable for the reader. It starts out with Clarie's mother dying in a hospital, then goes to Claire and Germaine dealing with the death of Clarie's mother, falling in love, saving Robert (Clarie's brother) from death, then to him ultimately dying. My biggest thing with this book was Germaine or to Claire's mother as he was known then Andre was Claire's mother lover who then becomes Claire's lover. Upon Claire's Mother's death bed she is begging both her daughter and her former lover to become lovers. This I found to utterly disturbing and gross, but this is later forgotten once you get really into the relationship of Germaine and Clarie. There were points in the book were I was getting so mad at Germaine and other points were I was getting upset over their situation. Its been a long time since a book was stirred such a reaction in me.
Claire's fight for Robert to be cured of his disease and for him to live though is successful, ends up with her brother dead anyway, which is a little disheartening. But the book ends with a horrific but generally good ending that leaves you satisfied and content. All in all i would say this is actually a really good book and was glad for the opportunity to read it and would recommend any one interested in vampires to read it. Though a hint of warning these vampires are not the vampires of modern culture, these are more a modern day take of the Dracula type of vampires. Which gives us hopes for the vampire genre yet. Maybe the genre has not been totally overtaken by the modern day romanticized vampires. These vampires have feelings and emotions but they are also horrific in the sense of they will do horrific acts to mortals or other immortals to meet their own desires and avoid being exposed.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a little slow to start with but the second half of the book definitely makes up for it. There were some funny parts like when Claire tried to summon Germaine with a spell! I also liked the tension between Claire, Germaine, and Harry. At times it seemed Germaine was being too moody and distant with Claire but then again Claire never would listen to him. She clearly doesn't like to listen to anyone lol! I really liked how the author went into detail of what happens when one transforms into a vampire. I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars.

[현서 이 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mortal Illusions is the love story of Germaine a little more than 200 year old vampire and Clare a theater actress. I found the story line flowed fluently, very well written; the characters alluring and likable, a bit different from most of the vampire romances I have read, but I enjoyed reading it from beginning to the end. I have read it many times and I am spellbound every time.