Book Review: A Whisper of Eternity

A Whisper of Eternity

Author: Amanda Ashley

Mass Market Paperback

384 pages

Published by Zebra, February 1, 2004

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Vampire Romance

Reviewer's Notes:  I originally posted this review on Goodreads, on February 15, 2010.  Well, it was about time I posted it here!  Since I recently re-read the book, though, I decided to revise the review, adding more details in the process. 

Thanks to my second reading, I have realized that this wonderful romance deserves a higher rating.  Thus, I have now given it five stars!

Amanda Ashley is the pseudonym of Madeline Baker, a writer of historical romances.  She also writes paranormal romances -- mostly about vampires -- under the Ashley name.   Her vampire novels are characterized by being very sweetly romantic.  I especially like the fact that she does not write very graphic sex scenes, nor does she use a lot of profanity, unlike so many romance writers out there. 

This novel is enchantingly romantic, as are all of Ashley’s books.  In no time at all, the reader is pulled into the story, gliding through the author’s beautifully detailed dream…

The book’s cover hauntingly depicts the general tone of the novel; we see a house on a cliff, with the sea nearby, while the young female protagonist quietly stares at the scene.  This presents a definitely Gothic, romantic, scenario.  The very first two sentences in the book bear this out:  “Nightingale House perched near the edge of a high, rocky cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.  The first time Tracy Warner saw the house, she thought it was the most beautiful place she had ever seen.”

The idea of a house with a name reminds me of the great 19^th-century Charlotte Bronte romance, Jane Eyre, as well as Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca.  It’s a very British tradition, one I dearly love!  The name Ashley chose for this house is poetic, and she completes the metaphor by referring to the house as being “perched” on the cliff.

Dominic St. John is a vampire, while Tracy is the human woman he has irrevocably fallen in love with. He will simply have no other.  She must be his, and to this end, he has embarked on a seemingly eternal quest, for he has pursued her through the centuries, in one incarnation after another. 

In her present life, Tracy is an artist who paints landscapes and seascapes privately commissioned by wealthy clients for their homes or offices.  She purchases Nightingale House, located near the village of Sea Cliff, in California, on impulse, using her grandfather’s inheritance to do so.  She herself is mystified as to why she feels such a strong urge to own this house….  The reason becomes clear as the story progresses.  Her soul has felt drawn to Dominic’s, although of course she is not aware of this on a conscious level. 

Dominic and Tracy meet one moonlit night, while she’s walking by herself on her private beach, and he is returning from a feeding in a nearby city.  While apprehensive at first on encountering a male stranger under such circumstances, she then allows him to walk her home, and, just as impulsively as she bought the house, invites him to dinner.  He suggests a movie instead.  Thus their beautiful tale begins….

The focus of the book steadfastly remains on their love.  Tracy has so far rejected Dominic's offer of "The Dark Gift". He has long wanted her to become a vampire like himself, so that they will no longer be separated every time she dies.  Lifetime after lifetime, however, she has refused to join the ranks of the undead, driving Dominic to the brink of despair.

Further conflict appears in the form of Petrina, a vampire who, like Dominic, was created by Kitana, the oldest vampire of them all, and Bryan, a human young man who has a crush on Tracy.  His soul tie with her is a rather surprising one.   Tracy earns Petrina’s jealous enmity, and Dominic must fight to retain control of Sea Cliff, which is his territory.  This is no easy task, as his preference for Tracy has aroused Petrina's raging hatred.  She will stop at nothing to kill him.

Added to this, and threading throughout the novel, is Tracy's fear of becoming a vampire.  She has, after all, steadfastly denied Dominic's plea to allow him to "turn her" for centuries.  Toward the end of the book, however, she starts to wonder if it might not be better for her to share Dominic's life completely.  Will she finally give in to his desperate pleas, and become one of the undead?  The reader is left in suspense almost until the very end of the novel, when Tracy's inner torment is finally resolved.

The idea of a man searching for, and finding, his soul mate, lifetime after lifetime, is an incredibly romantic one! It is so touching to see how devoted and loving Dominic is toward Tracy, whom he has known for centuries, under different guises and different names. He loves her soul, and it is her soul that draws him to her, and her to him, time after time.

I was surprised to find that, in this second reading, I could hardly put the book down!  In fact, I enjoyed it even more than I did the first time!  Furthermore, I was especially happy about the way Ashley stayed true to the beautifully illustrated theme -- true love is not only patient, but time-spanning, as well.

Beautiful Book Covers: The Fallen series

The Fallen 1: The Fallen and Leviathan

Thomas Sniegoski

Published by Simon Pulse, March 9, 2010

544 pages, Young Adult

This is another addition to my TBR pile!  I've been meaning to get to

these books, as I have so many others....

The story is about a young boy who finds out, when he turns eighteen,

that he is the son of an angel and a human.  But there's more...

for he has been chosen to redeem the Fallen.

Sound as fascinating as the cover is enticing!

The Fallen 2: Aerie and Reckoning

Thomas Sniegoski

Published by Simon Pulse, July 20, 2010

576 pages, Young Adult

In this second book of the series, Aaron, the half-angel, half-human

introduced in the first book, must battle

the leader of the Dark Powers,

who is, of course, determined to destroy him, at the same time

eliminating all hope of an angelic reconciliation.

Naturally, there's also Aaron's girlfriend, whom he must protect...

as well as the family he has come to love.

I think I'll move these books to the top of the pile -- not only are the covers

incredibly attractive, but the story line sounds like just

the thing I enjoy reading!

Beautiful Book Covers: Passion's Blood

Passion's Blood

(Love Spectrum Romance)
Cherif Fortin & Lynn Sanders

Published by Medallion Press

December 1, 2008

81 pages, novella/art book

I was browsing the Internet tonight, looking for the most beautiful book covers I could possibly

find, and came across this gem of a book!

It's a fantasy romance novella, a collaboration between

two writers who are also artists and photographers.

The plot concerns a princess, Lady Leanna, 

renowned for her flaming red hair, and the two brothers who love her. 

Love triangles are, of course, a cliche of romance fiction;

however, this novella adds the element of magic to the plot.

Leanna is betrothed to Prince Emric, whom she loves, 

although she is not happy about the fact that this is an arranged match.

Emric's brother, Prince Bran, wants the lovely princess

for himself, and attempts to seize his opportunity

when Emric goes off to war.

Leanna must strive to keep her betrothed alive 

through her love and the use of her magic powers.

If this plot sounds a bit too flimsy to work,

I still say that this exquisite book is worth buying, 

if only for the absolutely enchanting illustrations!  Of course, I definitely approve

of their choice of male model for the paintings...

The cover pictured above is from the second edition.  The cover of

first edition is pretty nice, but this one is absolutely stunning!!





Here is one of the gorgeous illustrations to be found inside the book,

which only has 81 pages. 

The text of the novella is printed in small print, so

the story is longer than one would think,.

The emphasis, quite obviously, is placed on the stunning

illustrations.   These are the lovers,

Prince Emric and Lady Leanna.

Here are the portraits of Emric and Leanna.

I know that I  must own this book!  It's just a matter of time, and not

too much of it, at that!

Daughter of Xanadu: Author Interview/Giveaway at "A Myriad of Books"

Daughter of Xanadu

Dori Jones Yang

Published by Delacorte Books for Young Readers

January 11, 2011

352 pages, Young Adult

This novel sounds like an utterly fascinating YA read!  I also think that the cover is very beautiful!

Princess Emmajin is determined to become a warrior in her grandfather's army, and he is none other than the fearsome Kublai Khan...  Enter the great explorer, Marco Polo, to whom she becomes fiercely attracted as they travel across 13th-century China, encountering incredible adventures.  Thus she feels the tension experienced by every modern woman -- that between love and the call to a meaningful life mission.

The love story also offers what promises to be a totally enthralling exposition and contrast of two very different cultures.  According to Kat's review, Ms. Jones Yang has thoroughly researched the time period, with the result that one is totally immersed in it.  As everyone knows, there's nothing quite like getting lost in a good book!

Dori Jones Yang

The author has actually traveled to China, and visited the site where the Palace of Xanadu once stood.  Read the interview with Kat of A Myriad of Books, check out her review, and enter the giveaway!!   I, for one, am doing all three!  

And, last but definitely not least, Ms. Jones Yang has hinted that there just might be a sequel.... 

Fan Fiction: "Beautiful Creature of Darkness"



Disclaimer: I do not own Erik the Phantom, and yet he owns me...Neither do I own the rest of the characters. What I do own, however, is the ability to dream up new scenarios for them. I can certainly create the events that should have happened...

Author's Notes:

Erik, the Phantom of the Opera, was my first dark hero.  After him, I was totally hooked, and went looking for more of the same.  Thus I found the romantic vampire.  I've never looked back!

I would like to explain the title of this story, which, by the way, first appeared on fanfiction.net, under the pen name "Angelmuse".

The original phrase, from the musical as well as the film, is "pitiful creature of darkness". All of us phans who are madly in love with Erik (sigh...), especially in the form of one Mr. Gerard Butler, know that our Phantom is anything but a "pitiful" creature!  I don't like to think of Erik as "pitiful".   To me, this equates to "pathetic".  Erik is, indeed, a beautiful creature of darkness!   In short, I much prefer the title I have chosen.



Chapter I - A Torchlit Madness

Erik

The torches cast an eerie, fitful glow on the walls of the tunnels as the mob descended, further and further. I knew that it would not be long before they were able to discover the home that I had so lovingly, so painstakingly, designed for myself. I no longer cared...

My strength was suddenly spent. Yet, I could not let them find me, at least, not alive. They would probably tear me to pieces. Even if they failed to do so, however, I would be bound and overpowered, and taken to the police, where I would surely be caged. Bound. Overpowered. Caged. The words stung. I could not allow this to happen. I had to put an end to myself, as quickly as possible. After all, I had nothing to live for now. She had left me, to go off with that wretched aristocrat. He would ensure that she lived in total comfort, of that I was totally certain. He would care for her, and take pains so that she never felt less than secure. Her soul, however, would never again know the sweet tyranny of music's love...He would require her to leave the stage forever. No proper wife of an aristocrat could possibly follow a career on the opera stage. It was simply not done. I wondered, too, and the thought was like a dagger in my chest, whether this would be her only regret. Would she truly feel nothing for me, as she reclined in her luxurious chateau with her handsome young husband at her side? She had, after all, kissed me full on the lips. She had touched my ravaged face, and gazed into my eyes with what seemed like love. And yet, she had walked away from me...Yes, I must end it all now...

The sounds of the mob were growing louder and louder now. "Murderer!" "He must not be allowed to escape!" I looked around, not knowing what to do. I had smashed all my mirrors. None were left unscathed to torment me any further...Perhaps a shard of glass...No, that would be too painful...I wanted to leave this miserable world without agonizing interminably...I wanted to feel no more. This pain tearing at my gut, this horrible pain, the pain of betrayal, was much more than I could bear...I began to search wildly for my pistol. That would be the most efficient method of ending my agony. I would simply put it to my right temple, and pull the trigger. Then, it would all be over. The music of the night had already ended. I would probably never play or compose again. My beautiful muse, my angel, my Christine, was gone. Where was that blasted pistol? I searched like a madman for it. Never had I dreamed that I would turn my onetime lust to kill upon myself. It was entirely logical, however. Was this not a fitting end to a murderer's life?

I ran from room to room, my heart pounding as if it would break out of my chest, my head feeling as if a hammer had installed itself inside. Sweat dripping from me, I tried to locate the pistol. The sounds were growing ever closer...Then I heard it. Someone was calling out my name. No, it couldn't be! I must locate that pistol!

Finally, I went into a small storeroom that I had always kept locked. It was located directly behind Christine's former bedroom, and she knew nothing of its existence, as it was very cleverly hidden. Surely the pistol was ensconced within. I had no time to look for the key, although I was fairly confident that I knew where it was. This, of course, was not a problem at all. Lock picking was the least of my considerable talents.

The door was at last open, and I stepped inside. As I did so, I heard the voice again...I shook my head, deciding that it had to be my imagination, playing tricks on me. Surely it could not be her voice! I rummaged around inside the storeroom, cursing myself for not bringing a candle with me. There were odds and ends in there, including old sheet music and discarded clothing. No pistol as yet...I went further inside, groping blindly, with a grim determination to find the instrument that would blow my disfigured head to kingdom come. I would no longer horrify, no longer offend, no longer be in the way. My existence would cease to present a problem to others.

Ah, my questing right hand finally closed on the object of my search. Success! I drew the pistol out of its hiding place, gloating like a man who has found a treasure. Well, in a manner of speaking, I had. This was the treasure that would at last set me free. I would leave all this torment, all this unbearable pain, and would be forcibly transported to sweet oblivion. That was all I truly wanted now.

I stepped out of the storeroom, and into Christine's bedroom. Ah, it seemed most fitting for me to do the deed here. I would splatter my brains, my blood, all over the bed where I had once laid her, the night she fainted after seeing her likeness decked in wedding finery. After checking the pistol to make sure that it was properly loaded, I put it to my right temple. My hand was trembling violently, my chest heaving just as violently. Uncharacteristically, I breathed a quick prayer asking for forgiveness. I suppose one's childhood teachings never completely desert one, especially in times of great need. I had, after all, been raised a Catholic, and I knew the Church's view on suicide. Once finished with my simple little prayer, I cocked the pistol.

"Erik!"

I whirled around, my arm still raised to my temple. She stood there, her gown sopping wet, her beautiful hair bedraggled, and her face, her lovely face, was twisted with a terrible anguish, an anguish that caused a fresh fire of pain to knife me in the chest.

"Erik, for the love of God!" she screamed, though not daring to come toward me, fearing that I might do the unthinkable, and pull the trigger right in front of her.

She now took two tentative steps in my direction, holding her hands out in a pleading gesture. Tears poured down her face. She had never looked more beautiful to my eyes. She seemed to be a vision from beyond. For one stunning, time-stopping moment, I thought that perhaps I had pulled the trigger, and was seeing a denizen from the highest reaches of the heavenly realm. I stood completely still, frozen and numb. This could just not be happening...

"Erik, please... " she entreated me, now approaching, yet slowly. "Put that horrible thing down, please. Do you wish my life to end, also? It surely will if you do away with yourself. Please, my love, my angel!" As she finished saying these words, a great racking sob tore through her. I continued to stare at her, stupefied into immobility.

Two or three minutes passed, while we both stood, staring at each other, with the background noises of the approaching mob now incredibly loud in the passages near the lake. At last, I put my arm down, slowly, though still staring at her, not able to feel anything, totally in shock as I was.  She inhaled sharply, and then suddenly rushed toward me, weeping hysterically. She came right into my arms, and they automatically went around her, as tears began pouring from my own eyes. I began to shake with an uncontrollable emotion, tightening my arms around her. "Christine. Christine," I murmured over and over, as we both sobbed into each other's arms...

"This is the way!" a voice screamed, too close to the lake...Suddenly I sprang into action. Letting the pistol clatter to the ground, I swung her into my arms, and went out into the lake. I splashed my way to the grilled gate, now remembering that it had stayed open when Christine and Raoul had left. However, it was not up far enough. Apparently, it had come down to some extent after they had gone through it.

"Erik, hurry!" Christine screamed, jumping down from my arms. I pushed at the lever, and was able to raise the gate further. Impatiently, she grabbed my hand, and we bent down a bit so as to go underneath the gate. My little angel had apparently abruptly taken charge of the situation!

We kept on, splashing through the rather murky water, our hearts pounding as one. On and on, as behind us, there were suddenly cries of "The gate! He has escaped through the gate!" and "After him, my lads!"

"Christine!" I cried out, panting, as I marveled at her swiftness, although I was easily able to keep up with her, "Where do you think you are taking me? Have you any idea, sweet?"

She turned suddenly to look at me, and the smile I had started to direct at her, in spite of the grimness of the situation, disappeared from my face. Her face was completely drained of color, and her eyes were like those of a hunted animal. We stared at each other briefly as we ran, and then, characteristically, she fainted right then and there. I was able to catch her as she fell, and kept right on running without breaking stride.
I would take another passageway that I was sure Raoul would not have known about. He and Christine would most likely have taken the most obvious route, which lay straight ahead of them. They would never have noticed this other route, which was invisible to the naked eye. I had to push a particular stone in the wall, and we would be through. I would then shut it behind us, and we would never be followed. The mob, if they dared to go that far, would believe that we had simply vanished. That suited our purposes perfectly.

Reaching the place where I was sure the hidden passageway lay, I paused, shifting Christine to my right shoulder. I began feeling along the wall with sensitive fingers, hoping to find the slight dip that would indicate a movable stone. It only took a couple of minutes for me to find it. I then pushed in just the right way, and the stone slid inward. Reaching inside, I felt around for the hidden lever that would open a door in the wall. As I did so, Christine moved slightly on my shoulder, and pausing in my efforts, I turned to look down at her. She was still unconscious, however, so I continued with my task. Finding the lever, I pulled on it with as much strength as I could muster, given that I had to keep my balance so I would not drop her. The lever moved forward, and I heard a dull roar as the mighty stone door opened. I stepped through, and, turning, pushed the door shut. There was still water in the passageway, as the underground lake continued throughout the entire length of the foundations of the Opera House. I sloshed on in the darkness, entirely sure of where we were going. Had I not designed all these passageways myself?

It would not be long now. We would soon emerge out into the street. However, there was now fresh cause for distress. I had forgotten my mask in the rush to get away! No one had seen my face, not even at the very end of my opera, "Don Juan Triumphant". I would probably not be recognized, and Christine would perhaps be taken for a victim of the great chandelier disaster, if she were still unconscious when we left the Opera House.

I pushed forward with new-found strength. My concern was now for her. I had to save her; she was my love, and had risked her own life to come back for me. On and on I went, while my angel slept on, unknowing. Ah, such sweetness, to carry this beloved woman in my arms! If necessary, I would carry her to the ends of the earth...

At last, I felt the lake bottom growing shallower, and finally emerged on the shore. There was a gentle slope leading up to the steps that would take me to the door that opened out into the street. This door would, naturally enough, be locked, but that was the least of my worries.

Finding the steps, I took them two at a time, bearing my precious burden in my arms. Her weight was slight, yet, had it been heavier, I would gladly have borne it without question. The steps seemed interminable. Up and up I went. At long last, I came to the door. Setting her carefully upon my left shoulder, I began to expertly pick the huge lock. At first, nothing happened, and the sweat began to collect upon my brow. Then, after two or three desperate tries, the lock gave. Pushing with all my strength, I was able to make the door move, albeit quite slowly.

The door swung open on its rusty, time-worn hinges. There was a sudden little breeze on my face. I stepped out onto a badly-lit alley, mindful of my sweet burden. Turning, I again applied all my strength, and pushed the door shut.