Customer Reviews

A Taste for Blood

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Diana Lee has produced a Victorian Vampire novel for those interested in the Lesbian and S&M set. This book has no lack of sex, multiple commitments, and pain as pleasure (and pain as pain). Lee's writing improves as the chapters go by. The story is heavy on the butch/femme dynamic, but the roles each character evinces aren't stringent. If any of this sounds in the least bit interesting, give this book a shot- especially if rough girl -on- girl action, the hunt, blood & eroticism, and/or butch/femme roleplaying are your thing. I found it interesting enough to read in one evening, even though the power play stuff isn't really my usual fare. My only peeve is the cemented shut ending. I would have liked it more open or even left to the imagination (in which case it would have been begging for a sequel)- but buy it, read it, and let me know if you agree or not....

Diana Lee's book takes off where Ann Rice leaves off presenting us with two strong, lesbian vampires. Ryan is an 800-year-old stone butch who was born when the Vikings were raiding the Saxon cost and the clan lords of her native Scotland were fight feuds whose causes were long forgotten. One night as Ryan fleas from her fate as a treaty bride she meets her doom, and a life of betrayal and pain. She strives to become less then the monster she was intended to be by then vampire he shaped her into the tool of his vengeance.

Carissa was born into the Victorian age where women didn't even have the right to own property and their identities were defined by their husbands. She too rejects the groom chosen for her by her parents. A woman of conscience, she strives to be more then the chattel society defines her as. Ryan offers her a new kind of life, but with a price she may note be able to pay.

Lee's characters are rich, and I found myself drawn into their lives and conflicts. The sex is steamy while fitting into an intricately woven plot. This perhaps isn't a book for the Ann Rice purest, but it is for those who enjoy a strong, fast moving plot coupled with good erotica.

A Taste for Blood is lesbian erotica at its best. This book is not for the faint at heart as the sex is very explicit. It is a refreshing look at vampirism.

Ryan is an 800-year-old vampire with an amazing history. She currently masquerades as the mysterious Lord Wolf, a Scottish noble. Ryan dresses and acts as a man to allow her to function in the male dominated 1800s. Ryan has a very long history with the descendants of her first love, Bryn. Carissa, a descendant of Bryn, becomes Ryan's companion, lover, and vampire child. As the story progresses, Ryan's history catches up with her. All her secrets are revealed and Carissa is the ultimate price in her game for revenge.

While I would not generally recommend this book due to the explicit sex, it was very well written. Ryan is a very powerful, intelligent, cunning protagonist. Her story takes us on a journey from the Celts of the twelfth century, to the royal court of thirteenth century France, and finally to Scotland of the 1800s. Each auxiliary character is involved in the plot intimately. The primary focus of the book is female orientated, but men are included. Heterosexual men are generally weak or evil with a few exceptions. The book is interlaced with mystery and erotic tales.

Diana Lee is the author of numerous novels and textbooks. She has been published by numerous magazines and is the editor by NOLOSNE News, the quarterly publication of the National Organization for Lesbians of Size.

You know how they always say dont judge a book by its cover. Well its totaly true with this one. The cover is nothing like what the book is like. Its way better. If you like vampires and sexual encounters that mean something, instead of just random sex, with people and vampires that are with only women and very detailed, then this book is for you. The way she writes it is perfect on every level, from the vampires, sexual encounters, the ass kicking moments, and to the story behind it all. I have never wanted to read a book for the second time but this one I do. It just sucks you into this new life that you wish could be real.

A delicious treat. A compelling, racy, seamlessly crafted story that grabs you and doesn't let go! Lee delivers all the skill and heat of the best old-school vampire tales, but with feminist-lesbian politics and cutting edge sexuality. It's a tale that transcends its genre. The story is intimate, the sex is magnificent, and the characters stay with you long after the book is closed. Once you have A Taste for Blood, you'll be dying for more.

Sondra Solovay, Esq
Author of Tipping the Scales of Justice

This was my first foray into this genre. I couldn't put the book down. It was so different from the usual lesbian romance stories that I'm used to. I enjoyed the story, but of course I hate the ending! It was easily worth the $20 paid. I certainly hope there is a sequel. The main characters were so interesting and exciting; I want to read more about them! I completely disagree that this book is "lesbian porn." There is a great love story here, it's not just about sex.

I certainly do not have the eloquence of a writer, but I do read
Vampire Novels by the truck load. Diana Lee is right up there with Poppy Z Brite, Ann Rice, and Laurel K Hamilton. A Taste For Blood is a delicious novel about sensual, emotional, butt kicking female vampires. You won't find my copy for sale in the used book section. It will take a place of honor on my bookshelf beside the best of the best.

A Taste for Blood was a decent read, however the main character Ryan is more trans-gendered than lesbian. She walks around with a strap-on in her pants and with her supernatural vampire powers she transmits to others the illusion that she is a man. And the sex scenes are very heterosexual considering Ryan is practically a man! So if you are into the whole hard-core so butch I am practically a man with a woman type stuff than this is the book and sex scenes for you. However if you are a lesbian because you want no part of a penis (like myself) I wouldn't recommend this book for you, what kept my interest was my love for vampires.

Bought the book after reading a review in On Our Backs magazine and was shocked.

All the reviews I read claimed she was comparable to Anne Rice. If that isn't an overstatement, I don't know what is. What a laugh! The quality of the writing was so-so NOT rich like the front cover claims. The tone of the words/writing didn't seem to match the setting of the story. Combination of various subtle mistakes destroy the enjoyment of it.

A lot of grammatical errors like then instead of than!!!
Plus some pages were double-spaced while others were single ..ughhh
Even if it's intended to be a cheap trill, it's horrific. You want poetic writing? Engaging story? Forget it. Want some real erotica? Get Anne Rice's Trilogy!! (The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty etc.)

bought this book after reading a positive review from the online community i belong to. i was sadly disapointed. this is nothing more than glorified lesbian porn. now dont get me wrong i have nothing agaisnt lesbians or porn- but if you are expecting a great vampire story this is not it. dont waste your money and time. the characters are one deminsional(lol i probably spelled that wrong) at best and the ending is rushed. the only possible good parts are all copied from other authors. i dont know what to recommed in stead if you have already read all of anne rice's stuff.