Lord of the Vampires

By: Gena Showalter

Narrated by: Genvieve Bevier

Once upon a time… the Blood Sorcerer vanquished the kingdom of Elden. To save their children, the queen scattered them to safety and the king filled them with vengeance. Only a magical timepiece connects the four royal heirs - and time is running out.

Nicolai the Vampire was renowned for his virility, but in a twist of fate “The Dark Seducer” had become a sex slave in the kingdom of Delfina - stripped of his precious timepiece and his memory. All that remained was a primal need for freedom, revenge - and the only woman who could help him.

In her dreams, a wanton vampire called to Jane Parker, drawing her to his dark sexuality and his magical realm. But for a human, all was not a fairy tale in Delfina. Jane was the key to Nicolai’s memory… but exploiting her meant dooming the only mortal he craved.

This is the first book in Royal House of Shadows. The Quartet features new books from some of the biggest names in paranormal fantasy romance: Gena Showalter, Jill Monroe, Jessica Andersen, and Nalini Singh. Listen to a new book in the series every month, from now through November.©2011 Gena Showalter (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Elden's Eldest Son

First I would recommend listening to some of Gena's works to get a feel of the rhythm of her stories and her off beat sense of humor. This is the first of four books written by four different authors but all tied together to tell the story of Elden. I have read the reviews of this book and disagree with most of them. The narration could have been better, but only that she didn't do a good job on the main male character Nicolai's voice. But the characterization of both Nicolai and Jane I thought was right on point. The book launches into the story and remember I said story kinda of a fairy tale of Elden. Sex yes, in your face yes, but that is Gena's style and it really doesn't take away from the tale. I took this as a very sexual fairy pulling from one of Grimm's tale. Not sure if this is for everyone and from the reviews it is not. But I found it entertaining and it falls in line with the other 3 books. So it is a flip of a credit if you choose to step into their world.

Not what I was expecting

I've read and listened to many Vampire books and this one was a great change of pace. Not the typical story line and gives one a new look at them. A good pace and makes you want to get the rest of the books in the story to see what happens. Interesting switch to an entire story. You will enjoy all 4 books.

Not for Nuns

I listened to this as an audiobook, narrated by Genvieve Bevier.

This story mostly follows Nicolai and Jane as they escape from the evil clutches of some regal witches and work their way back to Nicolai’s kingdom. Nicolai is a vampire who has been enslaved as a sex slave and Jane is a modern day woman who has been transported back in time to where Nicolai is being held in a castle.

First, I must tell you that I don’t usually read erotica and I didn’t realize that this book was in that category. The reason I don’t read erotica is because I like to have some story with a little sex thrown in, not some sex with a little story thrown in.

I liked the idea of this story but, the actual story involved a lot of caveman type sentences for the main character, Nicolai. There was no build up of romance between the main characters. Just throw them into a room together and let the gyration begin. It kind of blew the top off of my prude-o-meter.

I think for those who like erotica, this book would fit right in squeezed between another hot, steamy book and juicy novel dripping with desire. 

The Narration Review
For the most part, Genvieve Bevier did an okay job narrating this story, until it came to the main character, Nicolai. I did not enjoy her voice for him at all. It sounded like she was trying too hard to create a male sounding voice and it just came out wrong.

Too Hot!!!!

This book made me blush majorly. I had to use head phones to listen to it, as I couldn't allow others to hear exactly what I was listening to. It goes beyond literary soft porn. It gets pretty detailed and graphic during the intimate scenes. I prefer some things to be left to the imagination. Outside of the graphic nature, the story is pretty good. It is written in typical showalter style. You know.... "she is mine", "i need to mark her" type stuff. I was hoping she would change it up a little. Imagine one of the Lords of the Underworld with fangs. The narration was pretty good. The narrator is female, and the male voice she used sort of made the main character sound unintelligent. The book starts a little slow, but give it a chance and you will become wrapped up in the story. It does make me want to read the next one in the series.

Nice story

I must admit I finally figured half way through the book what bothered me. The narrator made the main man character sound “slow” in the head. So that took away a bit from the fun.
Otherwise it’s an easy listen and fun.
The main female character was not weak and wheepy, she was strong and smart which was nice as well.

Narration ruined this for me

Although I love anything written by Gena Showalter, the narrator ruined this book for me. Her constant imitation of William Shatner's "Captain Kirk" was like nails on a chalkboard and she made the "hero" of the story sound (to put it plainly) like a total doofus.
I would recommend reading this one. Buying the audio version is a waste of money.

Ok story decent narration

All right, first off good book and I'll be reading the next book. That being said the story itself is lacking a little in the characters. They come off a little flat. The narration is descent however voice she is as for Nicolai coupled with the monosyllabic responses make a sound like a caveman. The internal narration for him is great it's just the spoken voice that's off this two tracks from the overall story.

Interesting fairytale twist

I almost stopped listening because the narrator made Nikolai sound like a Neanderthal, it was really horrible. The rest of the narration was okay; Genevieve Bevier reads with expression. I stuck with it because I am reading this series out of order and wanted this installment.
It is not very complex, it is a romantic road story with “amnesia” as the main conflict, other baddies as side conflicts.
There is sexy sex and discussion of sexy sex but the entire story is not just sex. It starts out as insta-love but there is a back story so if you hate insta-love, hold on for a bit.
This series, “Royal House of Shadows” is written with four different authors. I didn’t know this and passed by this book because I am bored with vampires. Nalini Singh’s is the one that pulled me in and hers is the final book.
I am glad I listened in the Romance package, I wouldn’t have paid for it.

Lord of the the Vampire.

Well this an amazing book and interesting story. Life have a way of bring things in motion. Yet one thinks he use her to get his freedom but only for him to found out the he cannot get way from her. They were faced with many upstarcile and evils powers. But in the end it was love that save them and the will for love that gave them hope, faith, and courage to find each other again.

Great story!

I listen to audio books when I clean. With this story, my house was spotless. I couldn't stop!