Book Review: Vampire Cursed by Rachel Carrington

Title: Vampire Cursed (Amazon)
Series: Vampires Destined, #1
Author: Rachel Carrington
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Sensuality Rating: Steamy
Source: review copy from publisher
Published: May 2012

Cursed to live alone. Existing as cold, soulless vampire. His life is no longer his own.

Nathaniel, Duke of Lehr, has been waiting for someone to love, a woman to break the witch’s curse that holds him captive within the walls of his own home. For only unfettered, unconditional love will sever the ties binding him to a reality he abhors.

Abby’s been drawn to Castle Lehr for a long time. She wants an interview with the elusive owner, a chance for a big break in journalism. But the story isn’t one she can write about in the newspaper.

One moment, one connection, is all it takes for Nathaniel to realize his heart will be forever bound to Abby’s, but could she ever trust a vampire much less love one?

Reviewed By: J9

In a Nutshell: Great potential but missed opportunities to show romance development.

The Set Up: Nathaniel has been held captive in his castle home for nearly three hundred years by a witch’s curse. Abby has been drawn to the castle because she lands an interview with the reclusive owner. But when Nathaniel tells Abby she’s destined to break his curse, she rethinks her purpose in visiting.

Why I Read this Book: I like short reads and if they involve vamps, I’m even happier.

What I Liked: The short story had a good synopsis. I’m all about women rescuing men curses in castles and if said men are hot blood-suckers, even better!

What I Didn’t Like: This is a VERY short story (34 pages) and the romance development was at hyper-speed. The build-up to the couple meeting took more time than the couple spending time together. I wanted Nathaniel and Abby to talk to each other way more than they did.

Also, the big question of why Nathaniel was cursed was never explained. I *think* it was because Nathaniel rebuffed the witch’s romantic overtures but it never said why and I think that would have been good to know.

Lastly, the author could have had Abby and Nathaniel deal with the witch problem together and thus show some relationship bonding but instead, Nathaniel deals with the witch off screen. This was a huge miss in my opinion, especially for such a short story.

IMO: This isn’t a terrible way to spend a half hour reading but it won’t wow you either.

J9’s Rating: