ARC Review: The Vampire Dimitri by Colleen Gleason

The Vampire Dimitri
Author: Colleen Gleason
Publication: Mira; Original edition (April 19, 2011)


Description: Regency London loves a society wedding— even if there are vampires on the guest list.


Dimitri, also known as the Earl of Corvindale, should be delighted that the headstrong Maia Woodmore is getting married. His mortal ward and houseguest has annoyed—and bewitched—the Dracule nobleman too long, and denying his animal cravings grows more excruciating by the day.

Miss Woodmore’s family has a rather…complicated history with the immortals and she herself possesses a keen sensibility far beyond mere women’s intuition. Marriage will give her safety, respectability and everything else a proper young lady could wish for. Everything, that is, except passion.

In the looming battle between Dracule factions, all pretenses will shatter as Maia and Dimitri come together in an unholy union of danger, desperation and fiercest desire.


My Thoughts: At first I didn't know what to think when I began this story. It takes place at the same time as The Vampire Voss but is told from the viewpoint of different characters. I thought I already knew the story and wondered if I would be bored this time through. I was not!


Seeing Maia through her own eyes and thoughts gave me a different perspective on a character who had seemed to be bossy, managing and overly concerned with propriety. Inside she was managing because she had to be after her parents died and because of her brother's frequent absences. She also has an unfortunate incident in her past that has led to her concern with propriety.


Dimitri, Lord Corvindale, was also different. In this story we got to see his Puritan past and the past experiences that led him to be the way he was. He gave up his soul for love of a woman who wasn't worthy of him and is determined not to do so again. He is still concerned with doing research to try to find a way to break the bond he has with Lucifer. He is still irritated that he has to be the guardian for two human girls. But he is also reluctantly attracted to Maia. She is one of the few people who is willing to stand up to him. He has to respect her intelligence even while being irritated by her managing ways.


It was wonderful watching the romance grow between Maia and Dimitri. Maia was definitely the more open to the idea of loving Dimitri than Dimitri was to loving Maia. He was more certain that loving was not possible for him. Each one has the opportunity to be the hero in the many adventures that occurred on their way to their own "happy ever after."


I recommend this one to lovers of vampire romance and historical fiction. Though there is less of the Regency activities -- balls, masquerades, and ton events -- than in the previous book. 


Favorite Quote:

He was naked, and the image she'd seen for only the briefest moment was burned into her brain.

And it was much more fascinating -- no, no, intimidating -- than her previous, mental one.

I read the eARC from Mira via NetGalley. You can purchase this book in print form at Amazon. As of the date I wrote the review there was no ebook listed.