The air was shockingly crisp, and a soft breeze gently whispered through the deserted alley on the morning of Elizabeth Debonaie’s immortal birth. Levelheaded and sensible, Elizabeth felt she could handle any situation dealt forth by fate with adequate grace and adept skill. That was, until she came face to face with the tall, dark figure of a man whose striking profile spoke of overwhelming power and ageless strength. Unable to resist his devastating appearance and mysteriously dark aura, she realized too late that the man before her was not human, but the archangel of death.
Cursed and hated by all mankind for his unholy existence, Adrien had long ago resigned himself to living his immortality in bitter seclusion and lonely isolation. But as his sharp and assessing gaze drank in the beautiful visage of the girl who unknowingly passed mere inches in front his shrouded figure, he felt the flicker of a mortal emotion deep within him. Suddenly plagued by feelings he’d thought long dead, he knew this creature before him was his destiny. Vowing to make her his, he laid claim to her essence, body, and immortal soul.
The dark figure of a man, big and powerful, emerged from the shadows. He was tall and handsome, with a beautifully proportioned body. His profile was sharp and confident. It spoke of intense power and ageless strength.
Full wavy black hair flowed from his face like a crest. His dark brows and sapphire eyes were stark against his alabaster skin. Rubicund lips were firm and sensual.
Elizabeth’s eyes strayed to the dominating set of his shoulders. They filled the black coat he wore, straining against the fabric. He had an air of authority and the appearance of one who demanded instant obedience.
She took an unsteady step back, panic beginning to rise like bitter bile in back of her throat. She wasn’t sure what frightened her most, the knowledge of what he really was, or the overwhelming power of his maleness. He was absolutely devastating.
Adrien’s mouth curved into an irresistible smile. He took a step toward her, extending his hand. “Don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you,” he said with a silky purr. Slowly and seductively, his gaze slid along her shapely body, mentally caressing her with its intensity.
Elizabeth looked at his outstretched palm. Uncertainty plagued her brain. His compelling blue eyes, the firm features of his face, and the confident set of his shoulders were enthralling, drawing her to him like magic.
Temporarily forgetting her fear, she took a shaky step toward him.
As though obeying a command, the fog separated, allowing silvery fingers of moonlight to shine through and caress his brilliant smile. It gleamed off his dazzling grin, illuminating the sharpness of his elongated fangs.
Elizabeth was shockingly reminded of Philipe’s death. The gruesome picture filled her brain with reality, bursting through her dream-like trance and breaking his illusory spell. Her hand flew to her mouth, stifling a strained gasp.
Panic overcame her and she turned to flee, but he was there, directly in front of her. Elizabeth turned the other direction, and he was there also. He was all around her, surrounding her, smothering her with his overwhelming presence. Escape was impossible.
“No!” Elizabeth protested, as he wrapped his strong arms around her slender frame and pulled her against his immortal body. She struggled fiercely within his steely embrace.
With mixed feelings of overwhelming fear and excited anticipation, she watched as his sensual mouth descended upon hers, covering it and sealing her fate.
Elizabeth’s mind began to whirl as his lips moved over hers, devouring their softness with delightful expertise. For a long moment, she felt as if she was floating, and her feet seemed to be drifting on billowy clouds. Parting her reluctant lips, she granted permission for his probing tongue to explore the moist recesses of her tremulous mouth.
Fear receded as warmth began to spread throughout Elizabeth’s chaste body. His touch was so compelling, his allure so potent, that she could feel the delicate threads of her humanity beginning to unravel. With reckless abandon, she pressed her yielding body against his, wanting to feel every inch of his wonderfully hard frame.
His mouth burned a path down her neck, pausing on the pulsating hollow at the base of her throat. Elizabeth felt his lips brush lightly across her skin like a silken whisper. The feathery touch made her tremble, sending currents of desire across her innocent flesh. She marveled at how the tender caress made her toes curl and her insides melt.
His male scent clung to her body, surrounding her in a cocoon of heady sandalwood, spring pine needles, and freshly cut cedar. She wasn’t sure if it was just the trick of aromatic cologne, or if it was his very essence that permeated her nostrils, coursed through her body, and invaded her soul.
“Your name?” Adrien asked, his voice stroking the delicate curve of her neck.
A delightfully pleasant shiver of wanting raced through her insides. Weakened by the quivering of her limbs, she clung to the lapels of his coat. “Elizabeth,” she breathed out in a heated rush.
“Hmm...Lizbeth,” he purred.
She tingled as he called her by the shortened name, and wondered how one word, spoken from his lips, could make her pulse race and body yearn for his touch. The underlying sensuality of his voice captivated her, once again drawing her into a state of dreamy bliss.
Raising his head, Adrien sought her eyes. He looked deeply into their sparkling jade depths. “You belong to me, Lizbeth. Now and forever.”
Professional Reviews
Escape To Romance
To support herself and her ailing father, Elizabeth worked as a tavern maid and walked home alone after work. Her father offered to come to the tavern and walk her home every evening, but she refused the offer as he was already sick. This night, when she left the tavern, she was attacked by two drunken sailors who had been thrown out earlier for harassing her. They planned to rape and possibly kill her, but she managed to break free and run. Before she could get very far, she found her way blocked by a third man, Adrien.
Adrien, a vampire, had also been following Elizabeth and had seen what was happening. When she had escaped the two men he had quickly dispatched them and caught her for himself. He asked her name, but then shortened it to Lizbeth. He feeds from her and then leaves her where she falls. Just moments later, he changes his mind and returns for her, meaning to "bring her over," but she has vanished without a trace.
Lizbeth wakes a couple days later, to find herself locked in a basement room with a mangled corpse. She had been rescued from the street by yet a fourth man, Mikel, another vampire. And now she is one of them.
She stays with Mikel for the next eleven years and he gives her frequent reports on her father's health, feeds her, and provides clothing for her. He also makes her life a living hell, until finally she has a chance to escape. During the escape attempt, she's kidnapped by a sea captain, Hunter, and taken to America. She becomes very fond of Hunter, who knows what she is and accepts her anyway, and stays with him in America until he is murdered. She's knows that his killer is looking for her and that if she stays, she'll either be blamed for the captain's death or caught by the killer, so she runs again.
America - 2000
Elizabeth has spent over 80 years wandering, running and hiding, to stay ahead of the man/men who are looking for her. She knows that if Mikel finds her, he'll kill her. But she thinks that Adrien, too, is searching for her and she's not sure why he wants to find her.
Strong characters, a good plot, and non-stop action are all ingredients of a good novel, and this book has them all and more. The main characters are perfect foils for each other. And some of the lesser characters are just as great. I wasn't at all happy with Hunter's demise and I don't think anyone else will be either, but it is a pivotal point in the story.
One of the best parts of the book is the ending. Be on the alert, readers, for a sequel to this book. And for the author, hurry!!
Love Romances
Shannon Leigh’s, IMMORTAL DESIRES, is one extremely well written and dark horror story of a vampire romance.
Elizabeth Debonaie had no idea that her mortal life was about to end when a mysterious stranger saves her from a bunch of would-be rapists. But she soon realizes her mistake in thinking she is now safe, as her savior sinks his teeth into her neck draining her lifeblood.
Adrien has long ago given up his humanity for immortality, cursed to live in darkness and feed off the unsuspecting. But as Elizabeth passes by him one night, a spark of emotion has him following her. As she is dying in his arms, Elizabeth curses Adrien for tricking her into giving him life. Realizing too late that Adrien has just walked away from his destiny, he goes back only to find Elizabeth gone.
This reviewer thoroughly enjoyed IMMORTAL DESIRES. It is such a nice change to see an author take the road not traveled and write something so dark and disturbing that it is difficult to figure out who the hero in the book is supposed to be.
After Adrien unwillingly turns Elizabeth, she is found and taken in by his one-time friend and now enemy, Mikel. It appears for a while that Mikel is our hero, but then he ends up abusing Elizabeth and she flees from both him and Adrien. Her life takes many twists and turns until Adrien once again finds her and devotes his life to her happiness. Of course, Mikel has no intention of letting Elizabeth go. The battle that ensues leaves Mikel apparently dead, but the ending leaves the door open for Mikel to again seek revenge.
No doubt about it, this reviewer couldn't put this book down. It was a very dark horror story that leaves readers going back and forth between feeling sorry for all three of these interesting characters, and hoping they all end up dead so at least they might find some peace. Leigh's vampires all lead a horribly sad and lonely existence, killing to keep themselves alive. It will be awhile before this reviewer can get this book out of her head. If you like your vampire romance with a heavy dose of horror, sink your teeth into IMMORTAL DESIRES; Leigh does not disappoint.
Sensual Romance Reviews
Our story begins in Paris in the year 1900. Elizabeth was lucky to get the job working as a barmaid in the tavern. Now that her father is ill, she has the only income with which to support the two of them. Shortly after her mother's death, they lost the farm. Her father's health also quickly declined. When Elizabeth is attacked by drunken sailors after her shift, she is saved by a man with beautiful blue eyes. Unfortunately for Elizabeth, this being is not a man, but a vampire.
Adrien can't resist tasting Elizabeth. With her body sweetly pressed against his, he needs more than a taste. Adrien realizes to turn Elizabeth would be to destroy her, so he leaves her on the ground in the alley. When he goes back to turn her anyway, she is gone. He becomes tortured by her image and scent.
Naturally, Mikel can't let this opportunity for revenge pass him by. Adrien turned Mikel and made sure Mikel's first meal came from his wife. This was just the first of many things Mikel seeks revenge for. Mikel had a beautiful mistress. When she became pregnant with his child, she ran away. Mikel went after her, but couldn't find her. When he went back to Adrien's apartment, he found her dead body. Now he plans on using Elizabeth to get his revenge on Adrien. However, after taking Elizabeth's virginity, he decides he can't let her go.
Elizabeth's life is sheer torture. She is at Mikel's mercy, he is blackmailing her with her father's life. If Elizabeth tries to leave him, he will kill her father. He tortures her, rapes her, withholds blood from her, and beats her. She is haunted by Adrien, by his image and by her feelings for him.
Will Elizabeth ever get away from Mikel? Will he always haunt her? What about Adrien? Will he ever find Elizabeth again? And what will happen if he does?
IMMORTAL DESIRES is an erotic vampire tale spanning over one hundred years. Shannon Leigh has not written a typical vampire romance. In IMMORTAL DESIRES, we have the opportunity of looking into the mind of an unbalanced vampire. This only makes him more dangerous with his vampiric abilities. Mikel is not only obsessed with Elizabeth, but also obsessed with gaining revenge on Adrien. IMMORTAL DESIRES shows us what can happen when a man without a conscience is given extra abilities and how he will use anyone and everyone to get what he wants. If you're in the mood for a different type of erotica, I highly recommend IMMORTAL DESIRES by Shannon Leigh. This one will stay with you for quite some time.
In the predawn hours during a solitary ride on her ranch, Montana Freeborn collides with Seth Phoenix, centaur-turned-man and the embodiment of her psychic visions.
In this heartfelt romantic memoir, Harry and Elizabeth share their passions and feelings about the poignant events that brought them back together after being divorced and estranged for almost twenty years. Filled with emotion, suspense, and humor --
Enchanted Desire, published by The Wild Rose Press, tells the story of a beautiful young college student, Shanna, who is looking for a fresh start and a way out of a bad relationship. She meets and falls in love with Kenny, a sexy 6 foot 8 Native Ame
