Inspired by a real love story so intense and tormented that it became impossible for the lovers to endure, "The Black Rose" unfolds a beautiful yet tragic tale. This romantic saga spans thousands of lifetimes, chronicling the tumultuous relationship between a seductive vampire queen and a dashing wizard.
She is the Black Rose, the supreme queen of all vampires, and he is the Black Master, the most powerful wizard. As sworn enemies and passionate lovers, their bond oscillates between deep love and fierce rivalry. Twisted plots and unexpected events constantly draw them together and tear them apart, creating a continuous adventure filled with sensual scenes that will captivate your curiosity.
Will they ultimately find each other and defy the odds? This gripping story will keep you enthralled until the very last page.
Inspired by a real love story so intense and tormented that it became impossible for the lovers to endure, "The Black Rose" unfolds a beautiful yet tragic tale. This romantic saga spans thousands of lifetimes, chronicling the tumultuous relationship between a seductive vampire queen and a dashing wizard.
She is the Black Rose, the supreme queen of all vampires, and he is the Black Master, the most powerful wizard. As sworn enemies and passionate lovers, their bond oscillates between deep love and fierce rivalry. Twisted plots and unexpected events constantly draw them together and tear them apart, creating a continuous adventure filled with sensual scenes that will captivate your curiosity.
Will they ultimately find each other and defy the odds? This gripping story will keep you enthralled until the very last page.
24th September, 2023
Clacton-on-Sea, England
Rose arrived at the club 5 minutes earlier, but she was listening music in her car, waiting for Kieran to arrive. She doesn’t want to get inside before him, she really doesn't want to look too eager, even she long for his presence. Finally, her phone is vibrating, she received his message that he’s inside the club. Rose was so nervous; she feels like a school girl at her first date. She hoped that she could keep her calm and her butterflies in control. He was sitting by the fireplace, calm and majestic, smiling at her. Rose smiled back and she tried to look cool, while she was walking slowly, swinging her round hips, and waving her long black hair.
- Hello again, my beautiful.
- Hello, again, handsome.
- I'm really glad that you came.
Rose smiled, and she sits down next to him, kissing him on the chick. Kieran kissed her back, but he aimed for her round and plumped lips.
- I was hoping that you will be sitting next to me this time, and he gently put his right arm around her shoulder.
She smiled again, fluttering her long lashes at him.
- Can I ask you if you don't mind? I wanted to ask you last time, where are you from, because you have an extraordinarily strong accent.
- I'm from Romania.
- Uhh, vampires. Are you one of them?
- I don't know, I might be. And I suppose, you might be a wizard, because you’re from England?
- Uhh, interesting. I want to know more about you. He grabs her closer to him and he bathes in her dark blue eyes and played with her long silky hair.
- Can I ask you, how long have you been in England?
- I'm living in England from almost three years.
- Oh, your English is pretty good. Do you like it here?
- Yes, I like it very much.
- What do you like the most?
- Is it crazy for me to say that I like the weather here?
- Are you kidding? Most of the Europeans are complaining about our weather, even we are complaining about our weather. How so? What do you like about it?
- I have a delicate skin and here it is not very bright and sunny, most of the days the sky is covered with clouds, or is raining, and I like the sound of the rain. I can’t stand too much sun or too much heat.
- Oh, well, you are a rarity among your fellow Europeans.
- Yes, I think so. I like to be in England any way, and I enjoy this club. Thanks for asking me out, because it’s my birthday today and I’m glad that I can be here with you.
- Wow! Happy birthday! You should have said something, now I feel bad that I don't have a present for you.
- Oh..., but you do... Rose whispered while she was slowly drinking her drink, staring at him with a smirk on her face.
- Pardon, what?
- Nothing, I said I don’t need a present, I’m happy that I’m here with you.
- Oh, right.
Everyone was on the dance ring, but they remained at the table sipping their drinks and chatting for hours, God knows about what. At some point, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer to him and kissed her tasty round lips. She calmly summited into his grip, and he drinks her juicy lips with thirst. His curious tongue makes room between her teeth, opening her mouth to make room inside. Oh, God, his tongue is so playful, it is exploring all her mouth, and she can’t stop him, but she doesn’t really want him to stop.
Oh my God, it is true what they say about British men, they are very good kissers, indeed.
He charmed her with his lips, and she suddenly realised that his left hand was exploring her trembled body. She cannot help it, her legs are opening wide, calling him in, like a magnet.
I must behave, she was thinking, it's only our second date, I can't give in so easily.
But he keeps exploring her body, and people in the club started to stare at them with bad eyes.
- I think people are staring at us. Soon they will shout at us to get a room.
- Do you want me to stop?
- No but let us try to slow down a bit.
She feels so good in his arms, she slowly laid her head on his shoulder, sniffing his bitter-sweet perfume. He is so strong, so tall and so handsome, like a brave Viking coming from another time. She is playing with his long black hair, and she feels lost in his deep brown eyes. Rose wishes so much that she could tell him.... but,
- Kieran, can we go? It is really late.
He looked at his watch.
- OMG, it is late. I don't know when the time passed.
Kieran gently escorted her to her car. They could not stop kissing under the formidable force that drowned their bodies together. She dives into his warm body, listening his heartbeat pumping his blood rapidly. His hands were all over her body, but on the dark alee, no one was disturbing them. She couldn't help it, and she surrenders her whole being to his gentle touch. The chemistry between them is too strong. If he does not stop, she will not be able to control herself.
- Ok, I really must go, it's almost dawn. Thank you for the wonderful night. I really felt like I know you...
- ..... from a previous life.
The best word to describe The Black Rose is “tumultuous.” From a whirlwind plotline to messy relationships between characters, with poor editing choices thrown into the mix, this novel has so much untapped potential that is unfortunately wasted in this first volume.
The story follows main characters Black Rose and Kieran, star-crossed lovers. One is the queen of vampires with a frightening and abusive husband, while the other is both a wizard and a werewolf? The first third of the book is a combination of the two repeatedly linking up, as well as some content explaining Rose’s other relationships with various lovers and vampires. When Rose’s husband finds out about their love affair, can they survive together? Will Kieran find out about Rose’s status as the vampire queen?
These questions are definitely answered. Without revealing major spoilers, there are a lot of exposition dumps, cliché lovers’ quarrels, and third act plot twists that reveal everything readers will likely question throughout the novel. There is a lot of material to be uncovered and the potential for excellent worldbuilding, with vampire clans and the existence of other paranormal races. Black Rose has an entire backstory that can be told through time and intrigue. Unfortunately, a recurring theme of the novel is telling rather than showing events to the reader. Actions are described as simply happening, which takes one out of the story. And, especially in the opening chapters, there are several switches in tense that
make comprehension confusing.
The last largely negative criticism for The Black Rose is minor but very important. A few of the comments made by the protagonists are problematic, but never addressed.
Trigger warning:
During one of the sexual scenes in the novel, Kieran remarks that Rose is “tight” and asks if she is a virgin again. While, from what can be gathered from Rose’s reaction, virginity is affected by vampirism, Kieran at this point has no idea Rose is a vampire. Therefore, this is basically him asking her a sexist question relating to her sexual organs. For those who don’t know, “tightness” occurs regardless of sexual experience, and the idea that women’s sexual organs become “looser” over time is a myth. This is an unnecessary remark that is barely addressed again and adds a sour undertone to their relationship. It can easily be removed and perpetuates sexist stereotypes.
Overall, this novel deserves one star for lost potential.