Customer Reviews

A Darker Dream (Love Spell romance)

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Rayven, a vampire of some 400 years' existence, sees a young girl being auctioned off so that her family will have money to buy food. Seeing the local gentry eyeing Rhianna up and planning to have her in their beds, he intervenes and buys her. But we soon discover that he has no intention of sleeping with her - he only wants to creep into her bedroom at dead of night and drink from her, hypnotising her so that she thinks she's dreaming.

Rhianna and Rayven are drawn to each other, much as he tries to keep away from her and make her stay away from him. In the end, afraid that he will eventually hurt or kill her because his need for her seems to increase over time, he sends her away to Paris for three years. But when she comes back, she's determined to seek him out again and she gets his agreement to let her live with him for a year.

And then she discovers that he's really a vampire... and her love for him mingles with fear.

I ...agree ... that this book has problems. The angst on its own didn't bother me, although it was repetitive; every time we thought that Rayven had got over his 'I'm going to kill her if I don't let her go' fears, they resurged again, almost to a ludicrous level at one point in which Rayven almost kills himself. The period atmosphere wasn't right either; the characters did not behave like nineteenth-centuey English people, nor did they speak in a manner commensurate with the period. Dallon Montroy in particular (and what kind of a name is that for an English nobleman?!) did not fit at all with the period.

What bothered me, too, was the part of the book where Rayven takes Rhianna to London for several weeks. They stay in a hotel - but where does Rayven spend the days? He's supposed to need complete darkness and privacy, and yet he'd never get that in a hotel-room. Yet there's no mention of how that is handled.

... the absurd and very convenient plot device at the end was almost an insult to the readers' intelligence. Ashley could have done much better than that!

Having said that, parts of the book were very enjoyable and kept me reading, so on balance perhaps 2.5 stars really.

This is the first book I have bought by Amanda Ashley. I brought it home and began reading the first chapter...I could not put it down! Amanda Ashley has a talent for making a Vampire seem romantic and kind, even though these creatures are depicted as quite scary in history. This novel was deep and intense and not for the faint of heart. The book will transport you to the era and makes you imagine, even for a few hours or reading the book, that you are the heroine and you are actually living this story. Now, if that isn't a good book, what is? I have read the book 5 times since I bought it, and I picked it up off of my shelf this very day to read it for the sixth time. It is a must read for all of you super-natural romance readers.

I really, really love vampire romance novels. Having cut my teeth, as it were, on Maggie Shayne's "Twilight" series, I expect my vampire romances to be quick-paced, passionate, emotional, and fun. This book was a huge disappointment. The premise was promising--a "Beauty and the Beast" reworking, complete with an intelligent herione and a brooding evil hero who really is a softie underneath his tortured facade. Unfortunately, Amanda Ashley forgot to add a plot or meaningful conflict to her book. I felt like I was in a time warp, reading the same scenes over and over again for a seemingly interminable 390 pages. "Oh, I love her so much, but I'm afraid I'll kill her if show her how I feel." "Oh, I love him so much--why won't he show me how he feels?" I believe a love story can be interesting without a villain, but only if the characters move their relationship forward in a meaningful way. This novel just went in circles with the we-love-each-other-but-we-don't-trust-ourselves-enough-to-have-each-other scene. Adding insult to injury, the author also felt the need to liberally intersperse her repetitive prose with some truly abominable poetry. The beginning and ending of the novel were imaginative and entertaining, but I won't be in a hurry to pick up another Amanda Ashley novel any time soon.

Well after reading some of the reviews people gave for this book I started to disgree with them. Yes the book could have been a 100 pages shorter if the convo of "leave me now" and "no Iwont leave you I love you." Didnt occur so oftem, but it fit into the story... after all it is a romance novel people!

This book was great. I just finished reading it for the 2nd time today and I loved it even more then I did the first day, and this book happened to be one I picked up at the super market while waiting in line.

The hero is a lonley vampyer who meet a young woman who falls in love with. For the first time in four hundred years he feels love and needs it, but he can hardly control his hunger.

This story brings a new light to vampyers and romance. Every romance lover needs to read this book. You senses will run wild.

Have you ever fantisized about necking with a vampire?
What about having one gallantly kiss your hand and in the
process, nibble at your wrist? If you ever have, A Darker
ream, by Amanda Ashley is for you. In this blood tainted
tale, everything seems pretty stereo-typical of all romances
until the reader discovers that Lord Rayven has purchased a beautiful
girl not to drink from her red lips, but to drink from her white
neck. That gives an interesting twist to the novel that other
romances don't usually have. The unfair prejudices of her family
and friends creates a bit of a conflict, and the ever-seeking,
always lonely nature of the vampire is a problem that has
to be dwelt with also. Of course, the heroine, Rhianna, soon looses
her fear of Rayven and lovingly supports him throughout the story. One
other interesting character in A Darker Dream is the hero's cloak, an
inanimate object that really isn't lifeless. In the end, the message
of this book is that love conquers all when one is willing to
sacrifice everything.

The reasons I really enjoyed A Darker Dream were the elements of
surprise throughout the book and the editions Ms. Ashley made
to the vampire legend. She didn't try to copy the original ideas of
Vampire author Anne Rice, which was very refreshing. The vampire
legend hasn't been covered by thousands of romance authors
like so many other subjects have. Yes, the hero and heroine
look pretty typical of most romance characters, but if they weren't
would romance genre fans want to read about them? Lord Rayven can
do tricks that would put Fabio in the dust: He canread the heroine's
thoughts and by glancing at Rhianna he can turn her on (wouldn't
we all love a man like that?!). If you enjoy a well developed plot
and you aren't squeamish about a little "blood lust," be sure to read
A Darker Dream, by Amanda Ashley. It'll give you chills and thrills
simultaneously!
-Kathleen Cash

This might be a simple love story, but it's a simple love story with a bite... There is no major plot, or looming danger. No twists and turns... If your looking for that you might want to try: I Burn For You by Susan Sizemore... However, if your in the mood for an endearing love story, this is the book to read. :-)
I couldn't put it down... ....

This is the first book of Ashley's I have ever read but it will not be the last. I loved the fact that it was a simple love story often times in historical romances there has to be some sort of external mystery or other action taking place besides the love story. Ashley creates an endearing tale about a vampire in love with a human. There were instances where the characters became a little to repetitve but besides that i would give it five stars. I would encourange anyone who loves vampire novels or historical romance to read this book.

Through dark soulless eyes, he claims Rhianna McLeod as his own. By doing so, he saves her the shame and humiliation of being auctioned off by her heartless father. Now she belongs to the mysterious Lord Rayven, a man that is known to live in the shadows of a darkness that only the night can provide for him. Will she be able to erase the pain and loneliness that consumes him? Or will her efforts be met with grave consequences?

Rayven is a prisoner doomed to a life of misery. Upon seeing Rhianna, he realizes that she has the ability to bring light into his bleak existence. She, alone, is able to bring him a sense of peace and tranquility, and to blur the memories that haunt the depths of his being. Unfortunately, the bliss he finds in her arms cannot last forever, as within a year he has made a promise to himself to release her and set her free. Doing so could mean a return to the heart of darkness that lies within him, and to the cold unfeeling heart that is capable of destroying the both of them.

This is the first vampire novel that I have ever read. Its words called out to me magically, as I skimmed the first paragraph. I was impressed with Ms. Ashley's ability to persuade the reader to accept the vampire existence. I felt myself agonizing over how it would end; I felt Rayven was bound for certain death and destruction. Only an author as talented as Ms. Ashley could move a skeptical reader to feel such intense emotions

Written almost 13 years ago, this is a book about a tortured vampire. Rayven was turned against his will over 400 years ago and abhors what he is. He longs for a normal life and a family. Wealthy, he has everything he wants, but mortality.

Rhianna is only 15 when her father auctions her off for money to support the rest of his large family. Rayven happens to be at the auction. It was held in a dark tavern and even though he cannot see her well, he is drawn to her and "buys" the young woman, despite his better judgement. Determined to do her no harm, he's very good to Rhianna and she begins to want her life with him, but realizing just how drawn he is to her, Rayven sends her to away to Paris for schooling. She stays there for 4 years. After school, she returns to Rayven. He is a mystery to her and she find herself falling, more deeply, in love with him. This, in spite of the dark sadness and violence she feels emanating from his soul. Rhianna is somewhat "sighted" and has visions into his tortured being. She loves him, even though she feels apprehension and sometimes fear. Of course, she comes to realize he is a vampire. Rayven has finally found someone who truly loves him, unconditionally, but knows they can never "truly be". Still, they embark on a journey together with a surprising outcome.

There are as many different twist to the vampire theme as there are authors, but Rayven does what all good vampires do; he gets into the mind of his object of desire, and... he watches her while she sleeps. In one heartfelt scene, he says he can see the sun again...through her dreams. Ashley has written a touching, well drawn story of torment, angst, and love overcoming all. This is a classic.

For four hundred years the vampire Rayven has lived a lonely existence separated from humanity. He lives his life in the shadows but that soon changes when Rhianna Macleod comes into his life. Rhianna's father is a poor farmer who can barely support his family so he sells Rhianna to Rayven . Initially, Rayven thinks only to use Rhianna to satisfy his craving for blood never intending to care for her. Rhianna is intrigued by the dark lord of the castle whose sadness touches her heart. Rayven is a mystery to Rhianna , he has bought her beautiful dresses and instructed his servant to teach her how to read and write but avoids her presence as much as possible. Fearing that she will learn his secret and that he will harm her, Rayven sends Rhianna to a young ladies academy in France. Four years later, Rhianna returns home after learning that her father has died. She meets Rayven again and falls in love with him. Rayven also feels the same about Rhianna but knows that he has no future with her because he is a vampire and she is mortal.Even after learning Rayven's secret ,Rhianna still wants to be with him. Rayven fears his nature as his need for blood is growing stronger. Can Rhianna's love save Rayven from himself?
I thoroughly enjoyed A Darker Dream. It is one of the most romantic and heart wrenching love stories I've read in quite some time.Rayven is the epitome of the dark and tortured hero; he hates what he is and tries to protect Rhianna from himself. Her welfare comes first for him and he wants to do what is honorable. Rhianna loved Rayven unconditionally even though he was a vampire. The conflict in the novel is such that readers will wonder if Rayven and Rhianna will get a happy ending together. I have read several novels by Amanda Ashley and enjoyed them. She is one of my favorite authors.