Book Review (LVI) Morgan D'Arcy: A Vampyre Rhapsody by Linda Nightingale

The greatest enemy of a vampire is boredom. Four centuries of existence have taught Lord Morgan Gabriel D'Arcy to fear nothing and no one. Humans and their weapons have little chance against his preternatural speed and arcane powers. Vampires are viral mutations of human DNA. Still, the Vampyre code requires secrecy, and he has learned to hide his nature from the world. The lure of mortality, of a life in the sun, puts Morgan again and again at the mercy of calculating human women though they fail to consider his charm and determination into the equation. However, even grooming a future bride from infancy proves to be fraught with heartbreak. And second chances are not always what they seem unless... you are Morgan. Immortality and beauty, aren’t they grand?

 My Review

I haven't read many vampire books.  But something in the description spoke to me. This book was a crazy ride, that's for sure. A collection of four stories  Devil’s Waltz, Sunrise Sunset, Night Moves and Intermezzo  having a character that links them all - Morgan D’Arcy, vampire. Morgan is a complicated creature.  A vampire who loves to play the piano and craves to become mortal again.

Vampires are no longer monsters, but fine seducers, purveyors of passion.

Excellent read! The author  created a story that captured and held my mind. My interest held, never wavering while my inquisitive nature wouldn't let me put this book down till I reached the last page.

The characters just come to life on the page. Dr. Amber Wolfe, scientist and temptress, will pay a too dear price for her wish to be like Morgan, immortal

Fiona Allman. dark-haired minx who offers Morgan a day in the sun in exchange for murdering a man.

Sheila the thin waif earning her living as a prostitute  but proves a real surprise for him and Ellen Amesworth are his partners in each chapter. I enjoyed all stories, but I must admit I went back and reread paragraphs from Sunset Sunrise.

I am being vague on purpose. I don't want to take from your enjoyment, so you'll have to discover all this on your own. So what are you waiting for? If you haven't read this book yet, go do it now!

Guest Promo (CXXXVIII) #Eggcerpt Exchange Linda Nightingale

                                    Gambler’s Choice

                              by Linda Nightingale

 

Blurb:

Becca McQuaid came to England to find the perfect horse but instead met a darkly mysterious challenge in Austen Heath, Baron of Hampton. She’s determined to buy Austen’s stallion Gambler’s Choice. He’s determined not to sell, but the rivals are thrown together by an accident that leaves Austen with a broken leg and the threat he’ll never ride again.

Austen Heath has the title, heritage and manor house…but not the fortune. Becca is wealthy. Her charms are irresistible, but he believes she’s shopping for a Ladyship to go with her money. He has another reason to hold the sexy blonde at arms’ length—the unexplained disappearance of an old friend everyone thinks was his lover. When her body is discovered on his property, he becomes a suspect in her murder.

Excerpt:

Rebecca McQuaid was in England for one reason.

To find the perfect match.

Size was important. Becca was a tall girl. Money was of no consequence whatsoever. Becca was a wealthy girl. Heart mattered most. He must have the heart to go the distance. She dreamed of a partnership that would last a lifetime. But looks did rank quite high on her list of priorities.

“I simply can’t ride an ugly horse. That would be like dating an ugly man.” Tossing her long blonde hair over her shoulder, she laughed and winked at her friend.

Meg shot her a frown, her tone accusing Becca of being an uncivilized colonist. “Rebecca McQuaid, you say the damnedest things.”

An appreciative chuckle turned her around to squint into the sun. A tall, elegant, dark figure of a man on a magnificent horse caught her imagination mid-stride. She couldn’t see the rider’s face, but she knew he’d overheard the exchange with her friend. He saluted her with a tap of his whip to the brim of his hat as he rode past. Excitement capered over her, and she smiled. The horse’s muscled, blood bay rump glistened. The stallion was sixteen-two hands, fit and impeccably groomed.

“Nice buns. That one’s good-looking enough for me.” She elbowed her friend. “Who is it?”

Meg shaded her eyes. “Gambler’s Choice and Austen Heath. Both horse and rider satisfy your criteria, my dear girl.”

“The horse is handsome.” She wished she had gotten a better look at the bay, but he was a mahogany blaze in the morning sun. “Are you telling me the rider is?”

“That’s the general consensus, but Austen hides in that rambling, dark mansion of his.” Meg studied the pair picking up a trot along the arena. “Fierce competitors. Hard to beat at Intermediate. We’ll see how they handle Advanced.”

 “An Advanced horse?” Becca wriggled her shoulders. “I’m in the market.”

“Look elsewhere.” Meg’s finger jutted at Becca’s nose. “Austen won’t sell Gambler for love or money. Guaranteed. Not even for the kind of money you’re willing to spend.”

“Meggie.” She linked arms with her friend. “Everything has a price.”

Meg balked like a donkey. “You’re in a different world, princess.”

“Well, not everything. Love doesn’t have a price.” Pain wrenched her heart as a memory of the breakup with Daniel flashed through her mind. The hurt was too fresh to even think of another man. “But I’m not in the market for love.”

Becca had found that the best way to protect her heart was to play spoiled little rich girl. She had that part down pat, and, as Winston Churchill had said, There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man. She was looking for a horse to fall in love with and help mend her broken heart.

Buy Link:Amazon.com

Character Interview

1.   Nickname:  Becca (short for Rebecca) McQuaid
2.    Currently residing in...Horse Country, Virginia, and a lovelier place you’ve never seen…except Somerset, England, perhaps
3.    Favorite type of pet – I wouldn’t really call a horse a pet, more like a friend and partner, but hands down, the horse.
4.    Most important goal – To own Gambler’s Choice, a beautiful bay stallion—a problematic dream, since his owner, the Baron of Hampton, refuses to sell—for any amount of money
5.    Wealthy, poor, or somewhere in between? I’m a rich girl, but that doesn’t guarantee I get everything I want...like Gambler’s Choice.

6.    Secret desire or fantasy – To tuck the Baron of Hampton between the sheets

About Linda:

Born in South Carolina, Linda has lived in England, Canada, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Atlanta and Houston.  She’s seen a lot of this country from the windshield of a truck pulling a horse trailer, having bred, trained and showed Andalusian horses for many years.

Linda has won several writing awards, including the Georgia Romance Writers Magnolia Award.   She is the mother of two wonderful sons, a retired legal assistant, member of the Houston Symphony League, and enjoys events with her car club.  Among her favorite things are her snazzy black convertible and her parlor grand piano.  She loves to dress up and host formal dinner parties.

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