Lucien

Vampire's Mate, Book 3

By: Grae Bryan

Narrated by: Michael Ferraiuolo

Jamie Hernandez loves his life. He has his family, his friends, and a successful freelance career at just 23. The only thing missing? His monster. The one Jamie has seen in his dreams for the past five years. Jamie doesn’t know much about the enigmatic man from his visions, but he doesn’t need to. He knows enough. He knows they belong together.

Lucien Volaire has been losing his mind for almost half a century, the monster within him steadily taking greater control over his thoughts and actions. He’s destroyed everything he’s touched, including the people he’s cared for. The one thing that could stop his final descent into madness? A mate. So when Luc meets a young man in the desert, one who smells like heaven and doesn’t run in fear, Luc knows he’s met his last chance at redemption.

But the more Lucien is enchanted by Jamie, the more reluctant he is to taint him with his own vampire curse. Can Lucien find a balance between love and obsession? Or will those that want Luc out of their territory step in before he has a chance?

Lucien is a heated, fated-mates MM paranormal romance with an HEA and no cliffhanger. It contains a morally grey, obsessive vampire with anger management issues and the bright, playful human who might just match him in possessive romantic tendencies. It also contains steamy scenes between two men, and the moderate violence (and mentions of blood) that one might expect from a vampire romance. This book can be listened to as a stand-alone, but the series is best enjoyed in order (it is especially recommended to listen to Book One first).

©2022 Grae Bryan (P)2023 Grae Bryan

The Redemption of Lucien

"What was the point of being the villain if he didn’t get what he wanted in the end?"

Michael Ferraiuolo gave us an amazing performance for the redemption arc of Lucien. As the villain in previous books we have only seen one side of him - his monster side. But in Lucien we get to see so much more. We get to see he how much he secretly cares. How much he worries. And we get to see him fall in love with the wonderful Jamie. Speaking of Jamie he was such a fun character. His wild personality is exactly what Luc needed in his life. I just adored him.

It was also great to see some old friends from previous books. Danny, Roman, and sweet Jay are always a welcome sight. It was fun seeing Jamie give Roman crap about his attitude. He may only be a human, but he isn't afraid to protect his vampire. I am glad I know at this point that the twins will be getting their own book. I'm excited to see what kind of dynamic their mating will end up!

The antihero gets his HEA!

Lucien is the epitome of the antihero and who better to pair him with than a strong human with the gift of sight.  I loved that Jamie had seen Luc coming and Luc didn’t quite know how to handle that.  It created levity which was a great foil to Luc’s intensity.  The chemistry between the two (especially with Michael Ferraiuolo as narrator) was also off the charts making for some great spice!  It was so nice getting a look into Luc’s backstory which really sheds light on him and why he is the way he is. Overall, I loved this book and Grae Bryan continues to impress with the “Vampire’s Mate” series!

Amazing narration for one of my favorites!

Listening to the audio and I adore Jamie and Lucien. Michael is doing a great job with this series. I especially love Lucien's accent in this one.

Grae Bryan really can do no wrong for me, this series has just been the answer to all of my vampire romance needs and wants, and I will always be recommending this series to people!

I've been waiting for Lucien's story - I love a good villain story, and this was just perfect for him. He's not the good guy necessarily, but he deserves his own HEA. Lucien, more than any other vampire, has been desperately searching for his fated mate to save him from reaching that point of no return and loss of humanity.

Enter Jamie - bold, sweet, confident, and so totally perfectly for Lucien in every way. Jamie has known that Lucien would come into his life at some point, and he's been ready and waiting. I love the total unconditional love and acceptance that Jamie has for Lucien, having "known" him through the visions he receives. He is the perfect match for Lucien's monster and I just love them together.

Of course, we get a nice visit from Danny and Roman (Danny, my sweet boy!) And I love these bad ass vampires - that are totally wrapped around their mates' fingers.

I love that as this world continues to grow, we learn more about the vampires and their world through the new characters and new interactions. And now I have more people I'm interested in stories for. And I can't wait for more, more, more!

Lucien - Hello Monster Daddy

Lucien - Hello, Monster Daddy!

‘Luc watched first in fascination as a myriad of different expressions crossed the man’s face in an instant—shock, delight, hope, awe—and then in increasing confusion as a wide smile stretched across full, surprisingly red lips.’

What a wonderful third book in Grae Bryan’s Vampire Mate series. We have known Lucien since Roman, book 1, and his character was further fleshed out in Soren, book 2, but in book 3, Lucien meets his match in the eclectic stranger with the cinnamon scent.

“There you are, monster. Where have you been?” These are the words that vampire Luc hears, when he comes across the smooth voiced human who is just too tempting to ignore. A wildfire of emotions eventually lead these two on a soul searching journey to find what the other needs.

Grae Bryan can pack such a wallop to the heart, as these paranormal characters find their truths, and eventually get out of their own way to find the love that they and their men deserve.

Narration by Michael Ferraioulo is a perfect match, as each accent has us feeling as though we are in the room with the green-haired Seer and his delectable monster.

What Took You So Long?

The way Lucien and Jamie meet with Jamie just standing there expecting him was priceless! Lucien's reactions had me laughing out loud. The way their relationship played out was the only way I think it could have worked for Lucien. He needed someone proud and sure like Jamie! Jamie was totally in control and Lucien's monster loved it. Speaking of Lucien's monster, Michael Ferraiuolo narrated all the facets of Lucien's personality with so much heart and emotion. Especially all the growly possessive thoughts! Glad Roman, Danny and Jay showed up for a time too! This series is phenomenal on audible. Fun, surprising, exciting and spicy!

Lucien and Jamie

I absolutely loved Michael Ferraiuolo’s portrayal of Jamie, but I especially loved his portrayal of Lucien. He did an amazing job with Lucien’s French accent and his monster’s voice. I don’t usually listen to audiobooks but I enjoyed this one so much. It was a great way for me to revisit one of my favorite couples from the series!

Do good

Each book gets better. I think this was my favorite!!! 2nd was sooooo dang good too and I still love the 1st one. I need them others to come out ❤️

Jaime and Lucien are superior

book 3 has always been my favorite... but this narrator was perfection for Jaime's Sass and Lucien's bratty monster. ugh. so beautiful.

Luc & Jamie - Perfect Together

OMG, OMG! I love this story. I have been waiting for Lucien's story and I was not disappointed. Jamie is the perfect mate to tame Lucien and his monster. I absolutely loved this audiobook with Michael Ferraiuolo narrating. I actually stayed up way too late to finish it. So good!

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion

Hello, Monster Daddy

I love listening to audiobooks of books I have physically read. I have been obsessed with this series. I have been patiently waiting to listen to Lucien. Lucien and Jamie are one of my favorite couples in this series.

After reading Roman I wasn’t sure how I would find redemption in Luc or how I could like his character. Luc is more complicated than he seems in book 1. When he finds his mate, the one he desperately been looking for, he doesn’t claim and turn him the second they meet, like everyone thought he would. He cares to deeply for Jamie and his humanity and doesn’t want to be selfish and take that away from him. These two definitely fall under grumpy/sunshine. They are polar opposites, but they still just fit. Jamie is all light, smiles, and happiness. Luc is all dark, grumpy, series and a snob lol. Luc is all about refinement. Jamie with his green hair and grunge look/vibe is not what Luc had envisioned for himself. Jamie is just what Luc needs – Jamie is not a push over; he calls him out and pushes Luc. They are good for each other.

I am such a sucker for nicknames and terms of endearment that are not your typical babe/baby. I MELT when Lucien calls Jamie his flower or desert flower. Jamie calling Luc “monster daddy” is just so Jamie.

This book is full of snark, humor, sweetness, spicy, and undeniable chemistry! Narration was flawless, did a great job with Luc’s French accent, and brought this story to life. Highly recommend! I can’t wait for Jay’s and Alexei’s story next on audiobook!

"Tall, built, intense. Smelling like absolute sin. With that lovely little smattering of salt and pepper at the temples of his abundant dark hair. Hello, Monster Daddy."