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Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.6
Format: Bargain Price
Label: Berkley Trade
Manufacturer: Berkley Trade
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 272
Printing Date: August 07, 2007
Publishing house: Berkley Trade
Sale Popularity Level: 16573
Studio: Berkley Trade
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Product Description:
Betrayed by her uncle, the magically inclined Lady Gabrielle Wentworth has been sold into a betrothal with a man who will surely be her ruin. To survive-and to avoid being labeled as a witch-she must accept the help of a five-hundred-year-old vampire who's as dangerous to her chaste body as he is to her fragile heart.
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Rated by buyers 
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With so many paranormal romances being published, it's hard to find plots and characters that are original and fresh. Julia Templeton's Return to Me is fresh, due mainly to the secondary romance of the hero's homosexual brother. Templeton has taken a chance here - and it works.
Darius MacLeod, a 14th century Scot, would have died fighting in the Battle of Bannockburn if not for his vampire creator Remont. Remont changes him at the urging of his lover, Darius's brother Demetri. Darius eventually comes to grips with his new life mainly because of his devotion to his wife Rose and their unborn baby. Unfortunately, Rose figures out what he has become and in fear causes her own death. Darius, in his anguish, would have soon killed himself if not for the care of his brother and maker. At their urging, they all visit 1818 London for a vacation of sorts and Darius comes across Gabrielle Fairmont at a ball, believing her to be his reincarnated wife.
Gabrielle's mother was a witch who could read people's thoughts and heal their pain. Gabrielle inherited this same talent and tends to talk to her mother in her head. Her uncle and guardian is a drunken gambler; he sold her into marriage to the sadistic Viscount of Sutherland, who has already gone though three wives. Gabrielle mistakenly reads her fiancé's disturbing sexual thoughts and tries to escape his clutches during the same ball Darius attends. Darius helps her to get away, and at his townhouse convinces her that she is his dead wife. Gabrielle is all too willing to believe Darius and, overcome with lust for each other, they engage in some steamy lovemaking for the subsequent few chapters. Darius realizes they can't hide out for too long, because Sutherland is lurking around ready to kill him and kidnap Gabrielle. Along with Demetri and Remont, they return to his family castle in Scotland.
Darius and Gabrielle are both up front about their feelings and discuss whether Darius should make Gabrielle a vampire as well as her fears of being taken from Darius's arms. Gabrielle's constant mind talk with her mother and her "Little Mary Sunshine" attitude were annoying early on, but to my relief, this proclivity was toned down as the book went along.
My true delight was the on-going romance between Demetri and Remont. Even though Remont is the much older and wiser of the two, he had major issues about their relationship, for Demetri is what I would call an undead Duke of Slut. Watching these two men work through their relationship problems was very enjoyable and it was a shame that their story couldn't have been up front rather than that of Darius and Gabrielle.
There is a little bit of everything in Return to Me. I was glad I encountered these characters and I look forward to Templeton's subsequent work in the hope that she will continue to defy the predictable and ordinary.
Katiebabs
Rated by buyers 
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This book really wasn't all that great. The love scenes were stronger than some and that was a plus, but the plot was kind of boring. I found myself more interested in the back story of the female lead than in what was really going on. As far as it being a turn on, it was okay, but I've been more moved by other books, some of which weren't written with that strictly in mind.
Rated by buyers -
I picked up this book on a whim - I've never read anything by this particular author before nor had I ever heard about this title from fellow reader friends. I found it to be a delightful find!
The story line is easy to follow, the romantic scenes were hot and steamy, and it really is a no fuss read. I actually finished this book in one sitting (in flight to family vacation destination) and felt engaged nearly the entire time.
The only little complaint I had with this book was the writers use of the Scottish accent - sometimes it became a little annoying/distracting but nothing that would result in me putting the book down. There is a male/male romance in this story that may not be appealing for all readers, although I thought it was written beautifully and really added to the story.
Overall, great and easy paranormal erotic romance!
WARNING: This book contains EXPLICIT sex scenes that may not be appropriate for more conservative readers.
Rated by buyers 
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1314
Darius MacLeod and his brother Demetri were turned by a vampire named Remont. Darius' wife Rose was terrified when she found out. She refused to accept him and ran from him. When she died, Darius blamed himself. For centuries since then, Darius has taken lovers but has never loved again.
London, 1818
Gabrielle Fairmont is being forced to marry Lord Sutherland. He is a cruel and evil man and Gabrielle is desperate to escape her fate. When Daruis and Gabrielle meet at a ball, Daruis is struck by Gabrielle's resemblance to Rose. He is overjoyed that he may have a second chance at love with her. Gabrielle senses a familiarity with Darius as well and is drawn to him. Will she still feel the same when she finds out he is a vampire though? Will she have a chance to? Sutherland has no intention of letting Gabrielle go.
Return To Me is full of excitement, danger, and eroticism. Darius and Gabrielle's relationship is sensual and poignant, as is Demetri and Remont's. Remont and Demetri have a long and tumultuous history but it ultimately develops into something wonderful. The time Darius and Gabriel spent in Darius' bed and Demetri and Remont's heart to heart are very passionate and loving. I love Demetri and Remont, their lives are fascinating and their love is beautiful. Darius and Gabrielle complement each other very well, both in personality and appearance. Return To Me is another shining example of Julia Templeton's wonderful storytelling ability.
Nannette
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed
Rated by buyers -
If you're looking from some simple erotica that lacks any sort of complicating depth then this might be the perfect escape for you. If you're looking for a romance with a solid plot, or interesting characters I'd look elsewhere.
Gabrielle Fairmont steps out of a Mary Sue fanfic into this story as a super special, kind, gorgeous damsel in distress that also has super special magic powers and may be the reincarnation of a vampire's tragically deceased wife. Early in the book the author tries to fool us into thinking Gabrielle is a strong, independant figure who shapes her own destiny by plotting an escape from her murderous fiance and learning to survive on her own. This is apparently a fluke on Gabrielle's part, as she spends the rest of the book once vampire hunk Darius rescues her tottering between useless and TSTL (that's 'too stupid to live'). Gabrielle demonstrates the latter element to us perfectly with such brilliant ideas as 'Well I've been having visions of my murderous psycho fiance following me here, and it's daylight so my crew of vampire protectors are all deeply asleep because they burn in the sunlight, but I think now is a wonderful time to go outside the protection of the manor and sit alone in the sunlight on a hill to ponder'. We're supposed to believe this girl survived on her own for any length of time?
The problems with characterization certainly don't end there. Darius, a warrior turned vampire that lost his wife as she was fleeing him, is a flat character. The only thing that stands out about him is that he is 'anatomically impressive' and we are reminded of this repeatedly. Throughout the book the vampires carry a burden of being 'monstrous' except that there isn't really anything remotely monstrous or threatening about them. They feed off their lovers, who retain no memory of being bitten and behave with unfailing civility. Other characters that pass through the story are stereotypical, with good characters portrayed as attractive and 'bad' characters portrayed as being fat, drunk, and anatomically unimpressive. This book carries a naive sense of unerring grey and white, so that the characters more resemble caricatures than actual humans.
The relationship between Gabrielle and Darius is virtually nonexistant. They meet, he later saves her, and they start having sex. From then on the book is a constant stream of sex occasionally interrupted by the secondary romance between Darius's vampiric brother and sire. Oh, and there's the whole 'dangerous ex-fiance' matter too, which is both unsuspenseful and largely uninvolved. Gabrielle does have flashes of memories from her past life, but not enough to justify the quick and easy relationship with Darius. The plot here actually had a lot of potential for interesting conflict, but none of it was tapped. There is no conflict or real obstacles for their relationship.
By contrast, the relationship between Remont and Demetri is by far more interesting, but largely overlooked in favor of more Gabrielle/Darius sex scenes. Even this slightly more interesting plot line fails, because we are never given a good reason why Demetri cheats, and the resolution between them is anti-climatic at best.
There are dozens of other complaints I could make, but I've rambled on long enough. To conclude, I found this book to be boring, and uninspired. Don't let the descriptions on the book fool you- this has nothing to do with romance and everything to do with repetative sex.
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