Genre: Paranormal, Historical, Romance
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
Is death too great a risk when the reward is freedom?
Dáire Malone has been undead for over 200 years when he is summoned to the home of a would-be queen, a vampiress who possesses an unnatural potency. She declares that Malone will not leave without giving her a pledge of loyalty.
He’s been held in thrall before and would rather face his final death than let another have power over him.
Thomas Clifton is a pirate, or rather, a privateer. He too is summoned to the vampiress’s home and commanded to pledge his fealty to her. Clifton’s allegiance lies only with the man he sees in the mirror, and his first impulse is to run.
But Dáire Malone’s aura of mystery and his melancholy beauty appeal to Clifton, and Malone won’t leave until they destroy the source of the vampiress’s magic. Caught between opposing impulses, Clifton must choose.
Leave, and lose Malone, or stay and risk his freedom…and his life.
The Review
Daire Malone has been a vampire since at least 1598. He’s now residing at Vieux Carre in the hurricane-, insect- and humidity-ridden New Orleans of 1805. He’s in the company of his daughter, Dorothea Browne and her long time companion Elizabeth “Libbie” Leloup.
Daire has done many things that he cannot forgive himself for, and he struggles with the spirits of those he killed.
In rising, Daire finds out from Dorothea and Libbie that they have received a summons from Mlle. Clarice Arsenault, a vampiress with a reputation. Daire knows of the warnings that have been shared about Mlle. Arsenault. He also knows it’s not a good idea to attend the meeting, but by not going, they would seem to honor her. Daire’s boredom also gets the better of him. They decide to go, but not without precautions and a plan.
Captain Thomas Clifton of the ship Le Reve has also received a summons to Mlle. Arsenault’s country home. He has a definite reason for attending, and takes his long time second, Micajah “Cager” Longe with him.
Upon arrival at Mlle. Arsenault’s, Daire and Thomas are immediately intrigued by one-another. And everyone has observed strange happenings before even setting foot in the house. Most concerning are Mlle. Arsenault’s commands.
As the attraction between Daire and Thomas starts to grow, so does the danger. What course will they take to deal with the evil vampiress?
Rancourt spins a great tale in 1800’s New Orleans. Vampire Daire Malone and Captain Thomas Clifton are two smart, charming, romantic and brave gentlemen. This short story was wonderfully written and has everything paranormal you might want in a quick read – from pirates to vampires, werewolves and evil spells, danger and of course the evil vampiress herself.
There are also some great secondary characters here witj important roles in the story: Dorothea, Libbie, Cager, Etta and Kimmy.
I hate that this ended – I wanted more! I was left with this thought – that a pirate is destined to live on the sea, and a vampire belongs on dry land, awaiting his lover’s return. Since this is a duology, I can’t wait to see what Liv Rancourt will do to twist the heart and make me crave more for this romantic and suspenseful pirate/vampire story!
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.