Denise K. Rago

Eternal Hunger is book 3 in Denise K Rago’s vampire series. I have read both Immortal Obsession and Blood Tears.
This third book in the series continues the story of Christian Du Mauré, Michel Baptiste and Amanda Perretti. These three have been in a love triangle as Amanda is mortal but the descendant of a powerful vampire Josette Delacore. Amanda’s blood is irresistible to immortals.

This book starts off where the last one left off, with a pregnant Amanda and Michel leaving NYC and now living in Venice Beach, not knowing if Christian is still alive but hoping he will come to them.

Josette is wicked, Christian has always loved her, Michel loves her as well and these three have been involved for centuries but Josette wants to kill Amanda. There is plenty of drama and mystery here as the chapters alternate from 1700’s past to present then back to the past again. Secrets are also revealed. I found I wasn’t too keen on the changes in the time line only because it would be for example 2010 then 2014 then back to 2010. The story is alternately narrated by a few of the characters, Josette, Christian, Michel, Amanda and even her son Julien. As I mentioned this is book 3 in this series and although the past is explained throughout I feel you should still read the first two books before jumping in.

What I enjoy about these books is that author Denise K Rago has a passion for art and the French Revolution and her descriptive passages about France and its museums are nice to read about. Versailles is on my bucket list. Amanda’s character worked at the Met in the previous installments which is a favorite places in NYC. It is nice to see art and history woven into the storyline.
I also like that the plot has many layers that are revealed bit by bit and the writing is dramatic.

The first book in this series remains the best one in my opinion. I felt like with this one there was a little but too much of explaining of past events. We don’t get to see Julien’s birth, which I wanted to, instead it is referred back to later. At one point Julien finds out something that happened to Christian from someone else, I’d rather have been reading that from Christian’s POV as it happened to him. I’d rather see it all unfold, not be told about it in hindsight. Much of the book is also about these vampires bloodlines and the order of things and who fathered who etc.

I find the love triangle between Amanda, Christian and Michel to be interesting. It changes and evolves. This is not your usual love story here.

There are twists and turns and surprises throughout and this third installment leaves it wide open for the next one. I met author and fellow Jersey girl Denise K. Rago online several years ago through book blogging and it has been really nice reading her books through the years. If you enjoy paranormal sagas with dramatic vampires and a dash of art history you might enjoy these.

https://bookwormnai.wordpress.com/2019/01/16/eternal-hunger-by-denise-k-rago/

disclaimer: This review is my honest opinion. I did not receive any kind of compensation for reading and reviewing this book. I am under no obligation to write a positive review. I received a free review copy of Eternal Hunger via the author.… (altro)

Having read and enjoyed the first installment in Denise K. Rago's vampire books called Immortal Obsession, I was eager to dive into this second book.

This second installment has the same main players, vampires Christian and Michel, and the mortal Amanda with a new set of characters added into the storyline. Christian and Amanda are lovers now. Christian and Michel were close pre-vampire days and their friendship has endured through the ages. Amanda is pregnant and the big question is paternity, since she was attacked by another vampire. The child she carries is thought to be part of a prophecy, as it will be half vampire and half mortal.

The story goes back and forth from 18th century Paris to modern day New York. This is how you learn more about Christian's past. By a twist of fate Amanda is exhibiting a historic diary at the museum where she works, and when Christian takes a peek, he realizes it is the diary he gifted his former lover Josette so long ago. There are rumors Josette may still be alive and turned vampire herself.

I won't reveal too much but secrets are revealed and drama ensues as the plot continues to take dangerous twists and turns as Christian leaves Amanda and goes to Paris in search of Josette. There are alot of revelations here.

I find Denise's work to be reminiscent of Anne Rice's vampires. Christian and Michel share a strong bond, like Louis and Lestat once did.

"She was a swirling mass of contradictions. how could someone so beautiful and well-mannered be so direct, so sensual? Who was the girl underneath the intelligent eyes and warm smile of a woman?"
p.164, Blood Tears by Denise K. Rago

One of the things that draws me into these books is the settings. Denise's love of the French Revolution and of art shine through in her work. The way she describes Paris, New York and these immortals, with vivid and rich descriptions is enjoyable to read. The plot is fast paced, especially towards the latter half of the story.

I recommend the Immortal Obsession books to fans of vampires, romance and paranormal intrigue.

Disclaimer:
This review is my honest opinion. I did not receive any type of compensation for reading and reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers and authors, such as this one, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. The author provided me with a copy of her book for a possible review.… (altro)

Immortal Obsession is the most entertaining vampire novel I've read to date. The storyline sucked me in and kept me turning each page with anxiousness and excitement to find out what was going to happen to Christian next. I fell in love with Christian from the start though his friend was enticing as well, and I will enjoy getting to know his character better, hopefully in sequels to come. The author has a talent of pulling her reader in and keeping them there. What interests me greatly, is the obvious deep connection that the author has with Christian,almost a haunting connection...I look forward to reading more on Christian's saga, and reading more from Denise K. Rago in hopefully,a very near future. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is at all first, a fan of vampire stories, and secondly, a fan of a well written and entertaining novel,thirdly,enjoy stories about the ins and outs of friendship, and last but not least, a sweet romance.… (altro)

The vampire Christian Du Mauré loses his married mortal artistocrat lover Josette during the French Revolution. Before she dies, she reveals to Christian that her daughter, Solange, is really his child and makes him swear to care for her always.

Fast forward two centuries later, in modern day New York, where Christian lives with his best friend Michel. When they were mortals, Christian and Michel were inseparable. When Michel was turned vampire by his lover, he bit Christian soon after.

The two vampires now own a club in the city called the Grey Wolf. Christian gave Solange up as a child to be raised in London. She has always resented him for that and felt he abandoned her. This resentment has fueled a rage inside her. She too was turned vampire.

Siblings Amanda Perretti and her brother Ryan are descendants of Solange's line. Ryan is a drug addict that sells his blood to vampires in return for money to buy his next fix. Word has it that his blood is special, the vampire who drinks it will be able to walk in broad daylight.

Amanda has always been fascinated by the French Revolution, and works in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. When she witnesses her brother killed before her very eyes, she also sees Christian for the first time when he steps in and saves her life from the vampire that killed her brother. Though heartbroken and mortified, she cannot get the image of Christian out of her mind. When she runs into him six months later, she is drawn to him.

As soon as I began reading Immortal Obsession I was easily swept into the storyline. I really liked the modern day New York setting, this being one of my favorite places I could easily visualize the sights and sounds of the city.

I like Denise K. Rago's vampires, they remind me of Anne Rice's immortals, with their beauty and seductiveness. The love story within the book was interesting and I kept wondering when and if Christian and Amanda would get together. I liked Christian and how he still kept a shred of humanity within himself.
There is also a very strong bond between Christian and Michel, and the two are like soulmates.

If you're in the mood for a good romance with paranormal aspects, I recommend Immortal Obsession. This is Denise K. Rago's debut novel, and I hope to read more of her work someday. She leaves the ending wide open for a sequel.… (altro)