ARC Review: The Vampire Voss by Colleen Gleason

The Vampire Voss
Author: Colleen Gleason
Publication: Mira; Original edition (March 22, 2011)


Description: Voss, also known as Viscount Dewhurst, relishes the sensual pleasures immortality affords. A member of the Dracule—a cabal of powerful, secretive noblemen marked with a talisman that reveals their bartered souls—the mercenary Voss has remained carefully neutral…until Angelica.


Angelica Woodmore possesses the Sight, an ability invaluable to both sides of a looming war among the Dracule. Her very scent envelops Voss in a scarlet fog of hunger—for her body and her blood. But he is utterly unprepared for the new desire that overcomes him—to protect her.
Now Voss must battle his very nature to be with Angelica…but this vampire never backs down from a fight.


My Thoughts: This book combines two of my favorite genres - Regency romance and paranormal romance. Voss, who is also Lord Dewhurst, is 148 years old and has spent his time as a vampire playing inappropriate jokes and gathering information about his fellow vampires. He isn't anyone's friend and is determined to remain neutral in the current conflict between two groups of Draculia. However, when he meets Angelica who is in danger from one of the branches of Draculia, his neutrality is tested.


Angelica is an upper class girl who is involved in the ton but she has a unique ability. She can hold an object belonging to anyone and see how they will die. She has used this talent to help other girls decide if their suitor is right for them. The vampires and especially Cezar Maldavi who heads up one of the vampire groups are interested in her. Her talent could prove useful to him and her brother has made off with his sister. He would love to use her as a hostage.


Angelica and her sister Maia have been instructed by their brother to contact Dimitri, Lord Corvindale if he isn't heard from in two weeks. The girls do contact Corvindale and move to his house to be protected by him. Neither girl knows more about vampires than the stories their old grandmother told them. Now that is going to change. Corvindale doesn't like Voss at all and tries to protect Angelica from him two.


I liked the character of Angelica right away. She is young but her psychic gift has made her wise beyond her years. She is practical and brave. I didn't warm to Voss quite so quickly. He was so hedonistic and uncaring of the people around him. 


I liked Gleason's take on the vampire trope. In her mythology vampires are all descended from Count Dracula but all descendants aren't invited to become vampires. Vampires are invited by Lucifer and wear his mark on their shoulders. They gain immortality but each has an individual weakness. They are also supposed to be hedonistic and greedy for blood and sex.


The book is filled with adventures and romance. The intimate scenes were spicy. It was wonderful to see how the love of a good woman could transform a man...or vampire.

Favorite Quote:

She trembled, shuddered, her hands against his shoulders. Whether she were pushing him away or merely steadying herself, he wasn't certain. He didn't care. When he wanted, he took.