Caressed By Moonlight (Rulers of Darkness #1) by Amanda J. Greene

Goodreads Summary:

Dorian Vlakhos is no ordinary aristocrat. He is a vampire king, who will do anything to save his clan from complete annihilation, before an ancient curse can claim his immortal life.

Penniless and orphaned, Victoria Kingston has nothing to bring to a marriage, yet she must shackle an unsuspecting gentleman into marriage by the end of the month or forfeit her rights as guardian of her younger sister. With the help of her dearest friend, Victoria begins her hunt, and vows to stay far away from the dark, mysterious, Prince Vlakhos.

After meeting the beautifully innocent Miss Kingston, Dorian had to have her. He would do absolutely anything to make Victoria his. One sweet stolen kiss would bring them together while a force, more powerful than any vampire would bind them for all eternity. But treachery, war, and death rule Dorian’s dark world and Victoria would be fortunate to survive.

My Review:

I had originally read an excerpt from Caressed By Moonlight (see below for the excerpt) and just based on that I knew I wanted to read this book. I hadn't previously read any historical romance books, but I knew I would like it.

Well it turns out I didn't like it.....I loved it!! I was completely engrossed in the story and read it in a day! This book is historical paranormal romance but there's also some edge of your seat action. I will give a little warning that there are some spicy sex scenes so if you're not into that then you may not want to read this...which will be a shame since it's a great book!

Victoria and Dorian cross paths at a ball. Was it happenstance or was it fate? They both have their own agendas and Victoria's does not include Dorian. Will some twist of fate bring them together? I'm surely not spilling the beans so you will have to read this awesome book to find out ;). I will say that I really connected to the characters and especially towards the end I know my forehead was creased with concentration. I'm really surprised my husband didn't notice!

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This is the excerpt that had me hooked. I borrowed it from the Amanda J. Greene's website (with permission of course). AND if you swing on by to her website you can download Caressed By Moonlight for free up until May 26th! Don't miss out!!

A Lustful Meeting 

Dorian despised parties. He hated the young girls fighting for his attention and he hated the jealous men. But he could not serve his clan if he wasn’t seen. He had to mingle with the people if he was to draw the attention of the hunters away from his family.

            Women smiled at him, fluttered their lashes, and even winked at him as he made his way through the room. Some were even bolder. They pressed against him and quickly whispered their names and addresses in his ear. It was the same everywhere he went. Even when he had been human women would beg for him to take them to his bed. Ever since it got out that Lady Tillman had paid him a strictly social visit he was now the talk of the ton. He had been interested in renting one of her properties to store his horses and, naturally, the rotten minds of the aristocracy would have to twist it into an afternoon tryst. He could not deny that he had taken lovers within the last month. He preferred his own kind. Humans could be so frail. His few tumbles had been vampires with the exception of those very talented gypsy women.

            Dorian shook hands with a few of the men and exchanged pleasant words with a few of the more respectable ladies before he dashed outside. He took in a deep breath of the fresh night air and spared a glance up at the moon. The sky was not as clear as back home and he found it irritating. The one thing that had ever given him peace was the brilliant shine of the moon.

“It isn't as clear as the country.”

“I'm sorry?”

“The sky. It is clearer in the country,” Victoria said as she stepped from the shadows of the trees.

            The man turned to face her and she gasped as if she had been struck. He was tall, taller than any man she had ever seen, muscled and thick. Strands of deep brown hair fell across his angelic yet masculine face, her fingers twitched with the desire to brush them away from his magnificent eyes. Those fathoms of blue were like the sea after a tremendous storm, piercing, penetrating, and exotic. His jaw was straight and square, his lips thin and alluring. He was absolutely beautiful, in a dangerous, masculine way.
“Yes.” Dorian’s delicious lips turned up in a smile.

            His husky voice moved over her skin like a caress, her entire body was aflame from his cool gaze that roamed over her, leaving nothing untouched.

            Dorian was swept away by this young woman's beauty. She looked like an ancient goddess. Her nearly black hair sat in tight ringlets atop her head; a few tussled locks fell and rested on her shoulders. He could see every detail of her face in the moonlight. Her deep green eyes framed with long flirting lashes, her slim nose, perfectly molded cheekbones, and lush lips that would tempt any man. His eyes slowly moved down the length of her bare neck, over her slender shoulders, and paused for the briefest of moments on her full breasts. Then continued their journey across her waist and hips, all the way down to the hem of her gown.

            Victoria shook her head trying to remember why it was she had come outside. She demanded herself to think and forced the thick sensual haze from her mind. She turned her eyes back to the man and found that his had never once left her. The way he studied her was beginning to grow irksome and she had the sudden desire to slap that satisfied smirk off his face.

“I do believe you are staring, sir.”

“I am,” he said, his smile widening.  And he wasn't finished. He looked her over once more, much to Victoria's aggravation. “Do you belong to anyone?” he asked.

“Belong, sir?”

“Yes.”

“In that case, no one.”

“No one?” he repeated, his interest rising.

“That is what I said.”

“And why is it that such a beautiful woman belongs to no one?”

“I'm not married or engaged,” she stated then snapped her mouth shut. She should not have given this seductive man that information. In his hands the knowledge could be dangerous.

“I concluded that, but surely your parent's–”

Victoria tilted her chin up. “My parents have recently passed away.”

“I'm sorry,” he apologized, his smile gone.

“Why should you be? You didn't know them,” she stated fighting the tears that threatened to fall. Now was not the time to cry, not in front of him, even if she had the desperate desire to feel his strong arms around her.

“The little kitten has claws,” Dorian said intrigued. “I like that.”

            She laughed. It was a warm sound that made him want to kiss those rich lips of hers.
“You are trying to make me blush, but it won't work. I’ve dealt with men like you before.”

            It was Dorian's turn to laugh now. She had never dealt with anyone like him. He was no ordinary man. He was a vampire king.

“Men like me, kitten?” he asked when he had finally gained control of his laughter.

“Yes,” she said with a nod, her irritation growing. He had laughed at her. Did he think she was a young naïve chit who knew nothing of men and their ways?

“You are the rakish type whose only talent is seducing innocent girls.”

“That is not my only talent. Although I must admit,” his smile turned devilish, “it is one of my favorites.”  He took a step forward. “Tell me your name, sweetheart,” his voice was bewitching, smooth and elegant.

Her name? Her name? Her mind was a whirlwind of sinful images, tender caresses, and feather light kisses. Her name? How could she have forgotten her name?

            Dorian chuckled at her confusion. She looked so sweet, her emerald eyes glazed over with passion; her lips parted and moist and he took another step.

“Please, a name my lady,” he begged, moving closer.

“My name?” she asked herself. “I–My–” She shook her head, clearing it of its sinful haze and announced, at long last, “Victoria Kingston.”

“Victoria,” he repeated with a nod. “A gorgeous name, it suits you well.” Another step, now they stood a breath apart. He could feel the heat from her body; her rapid heartbeat was music to his ears. This woman was a treat and it appeared that he would no longer need to amuse himself with gypsies and vampire whores. His policy was to never bed women who were members of fickle court life but he was more than willing to make an exception for this girl. She was a delicacy and everyone deserved a little indulgence once in awhile.

            Victoria backed away; she could not allow herself to be so close to him. He was a libertine and she could not afford to be seduced.

            She cleared her throat and opened her mouth to speak, but before she could say a word he announced, “I am Dorian Vlakhos.”

           Her eyes flew wide. This was the man Lady Wisten had warned her about. This was the man that had caused such a stir. Now she understood why the women were fawning over him. He was everything he was said to be, a devilishly handsome man who had seduction on his mind and she was out on the terrace alone with the letch. He could ruin her. He could tarnish her good name. Panic began to flutter in her belly.

“Well, Mr. Vlakhos–”

“Call me Dorian.”

“Mr. Vlakhos–”

“It’s much easier to say.”

“Mr. Vlakhos–”

“As you please,” he said with a shrug.

“Mr. Vlakhos,” she snapped. “I really must be getting back to the party, my friend is waiting.” She moved to step around him, but he caught her arm and pulled her back.

“Not yet.”

            Victoria sighed in exasperation.  “Mr. Vlakhos, I have no desire to become another one of your conquests for this season.”

“I just want us to become better acquainted,” Dorian stated. “And we will,” he added with a raised brow.

“No,” she declared yanking her arm back. “We won't.” She turned on her heel and stormed back into the house.

            Dorian watched her with a smile on his face. He could not remember the last time he had smiled and this girl had him smiling like a fool. He fought the urge to go after her, pull her back outside, and into the shadows where he could make true his promise.

            Victoria Kingston was going to be a hard skirt to catch, but he was not a man who backed down from a challenge, especially not when the reward was so sweet.

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Just an update to this post. The cover has been rereleased. See the new cover here.