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.
"An intriguing historical romance loaded with erotic pleasure."
Reviewed by Mandy Burns
Posted July 20, 2007
Darius Macleod is on the medieval battlefield with a life- threatening wound when a friend of his brother comes upon him and attempts to convince him that becoming a Vampire is the only way he can live. When Darius returns home alive and well, his wife Rose becomes suspicious of his late nights and asks him what is wrong. He decides to tell her the truth. She is so devastated, she falls down a flight of stairs trying to escape him, killing both herself and his unborn child.
The past 500 years have given Darius time to become comfortable with his new life, but a woman who compares to his Rose eludes him until his brother finds Gabrielle Wentworth. Gabrielle not only resembles his beloved Rose, but she also appeals to him like no other woman he's met. Unfortunately, Gabrielle comes with excess baggage that makes it incredibly difficult to win her heart.
RETURN TO ME is hot, sexy, intriguing and a pleasure to read. Julia Templeton's story of Darius and Gabrielle takes you on an action-packed journey that will keep you turning every page with anticipation.
5 Stars!
Often times when I have been absorbed by a story I find it difficult to know where to start. I sit staring at a blank page until I feel confident enough to put down how much the story thrilled and moved me. This was one of those times.
*** I was completely absorbed and emotionally drawn in to this exquisitely written and passionate love story. The author held me emotionally captive from beginning to end. Initially showing Darius to be a young man in the prime of life when fate intervened grabbed my heart. He had found his true love with Rose and was awaiting the birth of a child conceived of that love. Though not his decision to be changed, he could never have imagined the tragedy to follow. The author’s portrayal of after five hundred years and Darius finally finding the woman he’d never forgotten was portrayed in such a way it brought tears to my eyes.
Characterized as a young woman with special powers, Gabrielle was special from her initial introduction into the story. As serious as the drama of this story was I actually had a chuckle or two when Gabrielle, who kept her powers hidden for the most part, threw a couple of uncomfortable spells towards Sutherland when he was at his most repulsive behavior. My admiration for this author’s originality in Gabrielle’s ingenuity and resourcefulness after her escape from the ball, in finding shelter and a way to fund her escape out of London was inspired. In another scene, Gabrielle’s gift to Darius was so filled with emotion it brought tears to my eyes and is one instance that was truly unforgettable.
Not only was I captivated by the adventure and romance of Gabrielle and Darius, but Remont and Demetri’s story also held me spellbound. As the vampire who had turned both Demetri and Darius, Remont came across as truly compassionate and caring and I was rooting for him to find the happiness he deserved after centuries of existence.
In short Return to Me is a remarkable, sensually passionate, well-written and incredible paranormal historical novel that must be read by both paranormal and historical fans alike.
Marilyn Rondeau – Reviewers International Organization (RIO)
Score: 5/5
Darius MacLeod dies on a Scottish battlefield in 1314. Thanks to Remont, his brother Demetri's lover, he is reborn as a vampire. Now, all Darius wants, is to return home to his wife Rose and their unborn child. But, Darius is about to learn the old adage, you cannot go home again. Because when Rose finds out what he has become, she is fearful for her life, as well as her baby's. When she tries to flee from Darius, she causes her and the child's death.In 1818 London, Gabrielle Fairmont has been “sold” to Lord Sutherland by her cruel uncle to pay for his debts, in the guise of a marriage. She must use all of her wits and her powers as a witch, to leave Sutherland before an actual wedding can take place. Will Gabrielle be able to escape this evil fiend before she ends up dead, like his four previous wives? When Darius sees Gabrielle, he knows instantly she is his beloved Rose reincarnated. With the help of Demetri and Remont, he will stop at nothing to save Gabrielle from Sutherland, because Darius knows she belongs with him. Will Gabrielle remember her former life with Darius? Will she accept him for who and what he really is? Or will the obsessed Lord Sutherland tear the two soul mates apart? Julia Templeton has given us an undying love story that will stand the test of time itself! Darius and Gabrielle's tale is a true work of art. You will devour this book in one sitting; my fingers could not turn the pages fast enough. You will feel yourself being swept up like a leaf in the wind as their love story takes hold of you and will not let go!My heart went out to Remont and his love for Demetri. There is nothing secondary about these two gentlemen! They need to have their story be told in the future. I cannot wait to see into their pasts as well as their futures.Mrs. Templeton takes us on a journey of the heart in “Return to Me” and she gives us a love story we will never forget! I am looking forward to taking Mrs. Templeton's next voyage, wherever that may lead.
Reviewer: Janean Sparks
NIGHT OWL ROMANCE
In 1314 Darius Macleod lies dying on the battlefield of Bannockburn when his twin brother Demetri’s friend Remont informs him he will only survive his fatal wounds if he converts to the life of the undead. Demetri asks Remont to change Darius. Soon afterward he comes home from the war healthy and alive. However his wife Rose worries about her spouse who is not the same person who performed his duty with honor. She finally confronts him; he admits that he became a vampire to save his life. Horrified and terrorized, Rose flees only to fall down steps killing herself and their unborn child.
In 1818 Darius is still missing his Rose until his brother introduces him to Gabrielle Wentworth, whose uncle has “sold” her into a betrothal with the detestable Lord Sutherland. Perhaps it is her resemblance to his memory of Rose, but for the first time in five hundred years Darius feels alive as he wants her. However, in spite of his efforts including his supernatural skills, Darius struggles to persuade Gabrielle that they belong together preferably for eternity as she has family demons eating at her soul.
This entertaining heated Regency paranormal romance stars two delightful protagonists who belong together. Although Gabrielle’s uncle and Sutherland are caricatures of evil humans, they serve as a counterpoint to the siblings leading to readers pondering just who the monsters are. Fans will appreciate this exciting tale as Darius will do anything including accept his final death if that means his beloved Gabriella lives a safe and contented life.
Harriet Klausner
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 next 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 next work in the hope that she will continue to defy the predictable and ordinary.
Kate Garrabrant
ALL ABOUT ROMANCE
Return To Me has four likeable main characters: Darius, the warrior turned vampire who lost his wife Rose, by accident 500 years earlier; Gabrielle, who kind of shares her body and soul with Rose and is now Darius’ love interest; Demetri, Darius’ vampire brother and Remont’s love interest; Remont, the oldest vampire who first turned Demetri then Darius.
Ms Templeton has written the characters into numerous dramatic circumstances, so this story is full of interesting sagas. She has successfully written Darius and Gabrielle’s storyline, with attention to Demetri and Remonts voices also being heard.
The love/sex scenes are likely to appeal to most any reader, and the vampiric events are, (dare I say), taste..fully written.
I would recommend Return to Me; I enjoyed most all of the story. I wonder why (hopefully without giving too much of the story away) Gabrielle ventured out of the Scotland house when she knew Sutherland was out there? It seems a little out of character. For this reason I gave Return to Me a 4.75 rather than a 5.
Did I like the Darius character? I’d have to ask you if you’ve ever had an Italian cherry soda. I’d be hard pressed to choose between the two!
Reviewer: Dee
NIGHT OWL ROMANCE
"An intriguing historical romance loaded with erotic pleasure."
Darius Macleod is on the medieval battlefield with a life- threatening wound when a friend of his brother comes upon him and attempts to convince him that becoming a Vampire is the only way he can live. When Darius returns home alive and well, his wife Rose becomes suspicious of his late nights and asks him what is wrong. He decides to tell her the truth. She is so devastated, she falls down a flight of stairs trying to escape him, killing both herself and his unborn child.
The past 500 years have given Darius time to become comfortable with his new life, but a woman who compares to his Rose eludes him until his brother finds Gabrielle Wentworth. Gabrielle not only resembles his beloved Rose, but she also appeals to him like no other woman he's met. Unfortunately, Gabrielle comes with excess baggage that makes it incredibly difficult to win her heart.
RETURN TO ME is hot, sexy, intriguing and a pleasure to read. Julia Templeton's story of Darius and Gabrielle takes you on an action-packed journey that will keep you turning every page with anticipation.
Reviewed by Mandy Burns
