The Vampire's Bride

Professional Reviews

4.25 STARS: "There was so much about this story to love. Josephine is torn between marrying a man because it would result in a stable if not uneventful future and the vampire who owns her heart. But in the past when she gave Alaric her heart, he’d broken it. There is also the added element of Richard. Where Alaric is, Richard is sure to be as well and she is powerless to refuse his commanding authority. He takes her and she willingly submits. Alaric loves her but doesn’t satisfy that small part, deep within that need to be used and abused in deviantly naughty ways. Richard was so scrumptious in his dominant ways. Alaric was emotional and sensual. The combination was arousing and created heat within the story that nearly burned the screen of my e-reader. There are a few unanswered questions regarding Maverick house, but the story of Josephine and who will own her heart is full of emotion and was a pleasure to read. At first I was a little concerned about the fiancé left at the alter, but I shouldn’t have worried. Ms. Jones does a brilliant job of weaving what could be an uncomfortable platform for her story with twists and turns that entertained. I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Vampire's Bride." -- Seriously Reviewed

Excerpt

STORY EXCERPT

“Oh, what are you doing here?” The last person Josephine McDonough wanted to see on her wedding day was this man.

“A white dress? After all we shared together?” Alaric leaned against the wall and surveyed her. “Really, baby?”

No, no, no. This can’t be happening. Not now. I am over you, damn it. “Don’t baby me, vampire.” This auburn-haired vampire was not going to get in her way. It had taken too long to get over him.

He spread his hands and grinned, two long fangs nestled on either side of a row of perfect white teeth. “I never did anything to you that you didn’t enjoy, mortal.”

That was true. Sex with Alaric was amazing. However, there was more to life than fantastic sex. I am getting married today. I will get married today. Josephine bunched her hands into fists to stiffen her resolve. “Alaric—”

“Josephine—” He mimicked her tone.

“At the risk of sounding repetitious, what the fuck are you doing here?” She hadn’t seen him months. Josephine wasn’t about to allow this vampire back into her life. He made it messy and complicated. I’m thirty-two years of age, damn it. I need normal and boring.

“You’re getting married. Where else would I be?”

The smile he gave her made her tremble. Only Alaric had the power to make her shiver with a simple glance.Josephine ran her hands down the cool white satin of her wedding gown. “Why now?”

“I can’t believe you’re marrying someone other than me.”

For a moment Josephine was speechless. Was he really that dense? Had Alaric no concept of how badly he’d hurt her when he walked out of her life?

“You never asked me to marry you.” Once, maybe she would have. Maybe. But not now. Too much time had passed. And I want more than a part-time lover with his own agenda.

Alaric pushed off from the wall and moved towards her. “Did you want me to?”

Yes…no…fuck, I don’t know. “If I have to make you propose, then it’s not the same thing. Besides, it’s not like there was any commitment between us.” Pinning Alaric down was like trying to pin jelly to a wall. And, it had nothing to do with the whole vampire thing. That was the least of Josephine’s concerns. Although he was a vampire and longevity was their forte, Alaric was not good at focusing on anything for any length of time. Except Maverick House, of course. He loved it more than her. That Gothic, aging pile of stone and mortar once more reminded Josephine of the fickleness of this man. Maverick House had always meant more to him than her.

“We were damn good together.” Alaric reached out to touch her arm.

The last thing Josephine wanted was to feel any part of him against her. No man’s touch could heat her upas Alaric’s. He was her downfall. “Marriage is more than sex.” She took another couple of steps back.

“What’s sex like with Dimmy?”

Josephine rolled her eyes at his words. “My fiancé’s name is Jimmy.”

“And?”

“Everything doesn’t revolve around sex.” Jimmy was good and sweet, and more importantly, normal. His passions didn’t send him off on crusades for justice like those of Alaric.

“He hasn’t fucked you?” Alaric arched his eyebrows in surprise. “What’s wrong with him?”

“Nothing.” It was all her. Unlike being with Alaric, Josephine had felt no wild need to jump into bed with Jimmy, and he had told her he respected that. At first that had thrown her somewhat. Josephine loved sex. That Jimmy wasn’t as ardent was hard to get used to. However, she was sure once they were married that issue would resolve itself. Above all, she wanted to be loved exclusively for herself without competing factions getting in the way, and Jimmy loved her.  

“What’s wrong with you then, baby?” Once more Alaric advanced on her.

Josephine then made her first mistake. She pushed him away. Her hands met his chest, and a rush of heat shot up her arms.

ADULT EXCERPT

“For comfort.”

“Mine or yours?”

“Both.” Alaric lay between her thighs, his face level with hers, and he smiled. “Hello.”

Josephine sighed. He had a beautiful smile. I could spend forever with that smile. “Hello.”

“We need to stop arguing and just be together.”

Josephine went to speak. Alaric put a finger to her lips.

“I know I’m irresponsible and annoying and arrogant and I just expect you to fall into line with my plans, but I’m in love with you, and that makes me do crazy things.”

“Like pull me from my wedding?”

“And make love to you.”

“And tie me up?”

“And make love to you again.”

He was impossible and beautiful and just perfect for her. “Why?”

“Because I love having sex with you.”

“Why?”

“Because I adore you and I need to be with you and I’ll never leave you again.”

Josephine wanted to believe that. “Really?”

“You can trust me.” Alaric pushed back the hair from her face. “Yeah, the idea of marrying you to get Maverick House did appeal to me, but not for the reasons you think. I missed you. I needed you.” He started kissing her neck.

“You were an idiot to let me go.”

“Yes.” His lips moved up to her jaw.

Oh, that was so nice. Josephine felt like she was melting under his soft, sweet kisses. “I’m the best thing that ever happened to you.”

“Oh yes.” Alaric kissed all around her mouth, but not her lips.

Josephine closed her eyes and gave in to the tender pleasure. “But this doesn’t mean I forgive you.”

Alaric’s hands caressed her breasts. “No, I understand.”

Did he really? “I need more from you.”

“I’ll do whatever I can to make you happy.”

“Alaric?” The need to be filled as only he could was upon her. She was wet and ready, and having the man she loved as close as her heartbeat was what she needed.

“Yes, baby?”

“Come inside me.”

“With pleasure.” He wasted no time. Alaric freed his cock and pushed into her cunt.

Alaric’s lips found hers, and they kissed as he fucked her with a slow, deep pace. She whimpered and cried out. She was tied up and at his mercy, and yet she wasn’t. This was exactly what Josephine wanted. Alaric made love to her without her having to urge him on with caresses. This was about him pleasing her.

Her eyes met his. “Please.” One more thing would make this perfect. She tilted her head to the side to expose her neck.

“Thank you.”