lostinworlds's review
A lot of reasons. Repeating of words and sentences. The fade to black scene (which doesn't make sense when they already had a heated foreplay). I didn't care much for the lack luster plot line. The only reasons I'd have continued it is to see if she kills her brother.
And maybe to actually read at least one sex scene lmao
And maybe to actually read at least one sex scene lmao
renpuspita's review
2.0
Dracula's Secret is Linda Mercury's novel debut. Its also from Kensington ebook line. The premise is intriguing. The famous Dracula, actually is woman. But, its failed in execution. Let me tell you why.
This book have a gripping prologue. With Vlad II waiting for the birth of his second son, just to discover that the baby is a girl. So, he disguise that girl, name her as Vladimir. And so Vladimir become Vlad Tepes. The infamous Dracula. Become undead and vampire for more than 600 years, he decide to back to his original self, as woman. And took name Valerie Tate. Back to present, Valerie is in the town to kill her younger brother that also vampire and undead, Radu Tepes. There's she meet a man with holy soul, Lance Soleil.
Lance might be her savior for her undead and dark soul, and Valerie feel instant attraction to Lance. Turn that her brother, Radu, target Lance, so she become Lance's bodyguard afterward. The city is in havoc, because human don't want the supranatural come to their city. Switch to past and present, while Valerie remember her past and guarding Lance, she must kill Radu for the chance to redeem her soul. Can she do it? Kill her own younger brother? And are Lance destined to be her mate for forever?
Dracula's secret have an unique premise,some promising paranormal and urban fantasy element. Ass kick heroine with long coat ala Selene in Underworld movies? Check. A hot heroes? Check. A well written sexual tension? Check. An unique world building? Check. Then, why its failed?
First, Valerie failed as ass kick heroine for me. I think the author just try to write her as though as possible. While Valerie does is busy lusting over Lance. Seems like she can't control her libido! I wonder if the author want this book to be categorized as erotica. Sadly to said, its failed too. What I got are some good sexual tension (with some purple sex prose that make me giggling), but the first sex scene is totally fade to black! What? I want a scorching hot sex scene, not just a hot foreplay. And then, nothing.
Second, some eww moment. We know the real Dracula have a thick moustache, right? Let we know that Valerie miss her moustache. Gross! I know some women have it, but really, gross. She also remembering her life with her wife, Ilona. But then Ilona never know that her husband, Vlad, is a woman! My feeling is a little bit mix about this. There's a possibility of threesome between Valerie, Lance and John Jante, Lance's close friend. Maybe it will more explored in the next book.
Then, I can't feel connection between the characters. The enemy, Radu, also laughable. His evil deed seems childish to me. Some historical fact are thrown in this book, but its like the author want to said: "Hey, I know historical facts about Dracula. And Bram Stoker as well. I twisted it into new story. How cool is that?" Alas, if Linda Mercury want to make Dracula Secret's like Night Huntress by Jeaniene Frost, and Valerie Tate kinda like Cat Crawfield, I'm afraid she totally... failed.
Do I want to read the next book,[b:Dracula's Desire|16002831|Dracula's Desire (Blood Wings, #2)|Linda Mercury|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1347359898s/16002831.jpg|21765396] ? The ending kinda have cliffhanger, with a surprising event happen to Valerie. So yeah, I will.
Thanks for Kensington and Netgalley to provide a copy.
This book have a gripping prologue. With Vlad II waiting for the birth of his second son, just to discover that the baby is a girl. So, he disguise that girl, name her as Vladimir. And so Vladimir become Vlad Tepes. The infamous Dracula. Become undead and vampire for more than 600 years, he decide to back to his original self, as woman. And took name Valerie Tate. Back to present, Valerie is in the town to kill her younger brother that also vampire and undead, Radu Tepes. There's she meet a man with holy soul, Lance Soleil.
Lance might be her savior for her undead and dark soul, and Valerie feel instant attraction to Lance. Turn that her brother, Radu, target Lance, so she become Lance's bodyguard afterward. The city is in havoc, because human don't want the supranatural come to their city. Switch to past and present, while Valerie remember her past and guarding Lance, she must kill Radu for the chance to redeem her soul. Can she do it? Kill her own younger brother? And are Lance destined to be her mate for forever?
Dracula's secret have an unique premise,some promising paranormal and urban fantasy element. Ass kick heroine with long coat ala Selene in Underworld movies? Check. A hot heroes? Check. A well written sexual tension? Check. An unique world building? Check. Then, why its failed?
First, Valerie failed as ass kick heroine for me. I think the author just try to write her as though as possible. While Valerie does is busy lusting over Lance. Seems like she can't control her libido! I wonder if the author want this book to be categorized as erotica. Sadly to said, its failed too. What I got are some good sexual tension (with some purple sex prose that make me giggling), but the first sex scene is totally fade to black! What? I want a scorching hot sex scene, not just a hot foreplay. And then, nothing.
Second, some eww moment. We know the real Dracula have a thick moustache, right? Let we know that Valerie miss her moustache. Gross! I know some women have it, but really, gross. She also remembering her life with her wife, Ilona. But then Ilona never know that her husband, Vlad, is a woman! My feeling is a little bit mix about this. There's a possibility of threesome between Valerie, Lance and John Jante, Lance's close friend. Maybe it will more explored in the next book.
Then, I can't feel connection between the characters. The enemy, Radu, also laughable. His evil deed seems childish to me. Some historical fact are thrown in this book, but its like the author want to said: "Hey, I know historical facts about Dracula. And Bram Stoker as well. I twisted it into new story. How cool is that?" Alas, if Linda Mercury want to make Dracula Secret's like Night Huntress by Jeaniene Frost, and Valerie Tate kinda like Cat Crawfield, I'm afraid she totally... failed.
Do I want to read the next book,[b:Dracula's Desire|16002831|Dracula's Desire (Blood Wings, #2)|Linda Mercury|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1347359898s/16002831.jpg|21765396] ? The ending kinda have cliffhanger, with a surprising event happen to Valerie. So yeah, I will.
Thanks for Kensington and Netgalley to provide a copy.
gale_bruckner's review against another edition
4.0
When I heard an excerpt from this series at Linda's presentation during the 2018 Emerald City Writing Conference I was very intrigued and excited to know more.
The premis of a powerful woman who's lived a good portion of her existence as a man is another compelling facet of this story. I love Valerie's no nonsense attitude, and the fact that she has some facial hair isn't glossed over. She's not afraid to embrace her sexuality, but her capacity to be vulnerable frightens her.
Lance's unwavering compassion and warmth combined with John's suave confidence fit surprisingly well around Valerie's prickly affection. I'm eager to read more about these three and the powder keg world of humans and paranormals they live in.
The premis of a powerful woman who's lived a good portion of her existence as a man is another compelling facet of this story. I love Valerie's no nonsense attitude, and the fact that she has some facial hair isn't glossed over. She's not afraid to embrace her sexuality, but her capacity to be vulnerable frightens her.
Lance's unwavering compassion and warmth combined with John's suave confidence fit surprisingly well around Valerie's prickly affection. I'm eager to read more about these three and the powder keg world of humans and paranormals they live in.
eloiseinparis's review
4.0
In a world where humans and paranormal creatures share an uneasy coexistence, Valerie Tate has a secret. Not only is she one of the last surviving vampires, she is also the Dracula of legend, having lived her life in disguise and eventually reverting to her natural, female form after going into exile during World War II. On the eve of a historic paranormal summit in Portland, Valerie meets former Army chaplain Lance Soliel. Her attraction to him and need to protect her love may keep her from her goal, to kill her brother Radu.
Non stop action, steamy sex, and tons of mythical creatures. This is my kind of Urban Fantasy. The character’s are complex, the flashback’s are relevant and help move the story along. The story never fails to keep me on my toe’s. The idea that Vlad the Impaler was actually a woman is genius and makes Dracula’s story that much more interesting.
If you like Urban Fantasy, strong female character’s, strong male leads that are actually good men, and good writing you’ll love this book. A must have for Kate Daniels fan’s.
Non stop action, steamy sex, and tons of mythical creatures. This is my kind of Urban Fantasy. The character’s are complex, the flashback’s are relevant and help move the story along. The story never fails to keep me on my toe’s. The idea that Vlad the Impaler was actually a woman is genius and makes Dracula’s story that much more interesting.
If you like Urban Fantasy, strong female character’s, strong male leads that are actually good men, and good writing you’ll love this book. A must have for Kate Daniels fan’s.
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