THE VAMPIRE WHO LOVED ME

Author: Teresa Medeiros ISBN: 0060763035 10/2006 PARANOMRAL Publisher: AVON
Time Period: 1826 London

Once, as a girl of seventeen, beautiful, headstrong Portia Cabot saved the life of the dashing vampire Julian Kane—who marked her forever, then left to go in search of his soul. He returns five years later to find the enchanting young girl he left behind grown into a bewitching woman with a woman's heart...and a woman's desires. Portia quickly discovers that Julian's seductive and forbidden kiss can still make her crave the night...and his touch. But the Julian who has returned to London is not the vampire she remembers. His fruitless pursuit of his stolen mortality has reduced him to drunken debauchery. And a recent spate of murders makes Portia fear that the man she has always adored may truly be a monster. Julian knows he must drive Portia away—but his passion and hunger for her grows more irresistible every time they touch. For years he has fought the temptation to embrace his dark gifts, never realizing that Portia's love may give him the most dangerous gift of all...a reason to live...

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Good things come to those who wait...

And that definitely holds true for Teresa Medeiros's THE VAMPIRE WHO LOVED ME, the long awaited sequel to AFTER MIDNIGHT. THE VAMPIRE WHO LOVED ME is a stunning, gothic romance novel that truly highlights Medeiros's unique gift for story telling.

It's five years later and Julian Kane has come back to London. Unfortunately, a rash of murders heralds his return. His brother, Adrian, is determined to find out if Julian is behind these murders—if he is, than Adrian has no choice but to do the unthinkable. Not willing to believe that Julian is this murderous monster, Portia Cabot seeks him out alone.

Reuniting with each other, Portia warns Julian about Adrian's plot, just in the nick of time. Julian tells Portia that he's leaving London and to say farewell to his family. However, Julian can't leave London, not with this fierce passion he has for Portia.

Portia can't believe that she had Julian within her grasp—and now he's gone, again. She still keeps the secret of that night in the crypt with him private, and her love for him only grows stronger with each passing day. As she drifts off to sleep, she dreams a vivid dream of Julian, only to wake up and realize he was in her room while she slept. He's still in London.

Another murder occurs and now Adrian is more determined to find the killer. Portia sets herself up to lure Julian to her, and then to capture him and demand the truth about the murders. While she's on her way to meet him, she encounters another vampire who is more than willing to make Portia its meal. Julian is there to save her, and then a horrible truth surfaces—the vampire who was about to kill her, is no other than Julian's mistress and the keeper of his soul!

Now I know I have your attention. I absolutely refuse to give any more of this spectacular story away. All I can say is that Medeiros knows how to capture her reader's attention and she absolutely refuses to let go until her story has ended.

THE VAMPIRE WHO LOVED ME is an utterly beautiful love story. Not only do we get to share in Julian and Portia's romance, but we also get to visit with Adrian and Caroline and a few more characters from AFTER MIDNIGHT.

I love this book! Teresa Medeiros wrote an amazing love story that not only touched my heart, but also reinforced my belief that the power of true love can overcome any obstacle.

You simply must read Teresa Medeiros's THE VAMPIRE WHO LOVED ME.

Julie Kornhausl