Ratings: V4, S4, H3
Publisher and Titles: Signet Eclipse
Kiss of the Rose (2010)
Blood of the Rose (2011)
Mark of the Rose (2011)
This blog entry was revised and updated on 1/25/12 to include a review of the third book in the series: Mark of the Rose. That review is located at the very end of this entry, following this summary of the series so far.
The titular rose symbolizes both the Tudor rose (heraldic emblem of that royal dynasty) and the heroine of the series: Rosalind Llewellyn, druid and vampire hunter. In the prologue (1485), King Henry VII aligns himself with the ancient druid gods and promises to help them kill vampires with the assistance of members of the Llewellyn family. In exchange, Henry wins the English throne from Richard III.
Kiss of the Rose (2010)
Blood of the Rose (2011)
Mark of the Rose (2011)
This blog entry was revised and updated on 1/25/12 to include a review of the third book in the series: Mark of the Rose. That review is located at the very end of this entry, following this summary of the series so far.
The titular rose symbolizes both the Tudor rose (heraldic emblem of that royal dynasty) and the heroine of the series: Rosalind Llewellyn, druid and vampire hunter. In the prologue (1485), King Henry VII aligns himself with the ancient druid gods and promises to help them kill vampires with the assistance of members of the Llewellyn family. In exchange, Henry wins the English throne from Richard III.
The series begins 44 years later with Henry VIII on the throne in the waning years of his first marriage to Catherine of Aragon (here spelled Katherine). Rosalind's grandfather has sent her to Court to protect the king and queen from a vampire threat, accompanied by Rhys Williams, fellow druid vampire hunter and wannabe lover. To Rosalind's horror, the Cult of Mithras (the Llewellyn family's hated rivals) has sent its own representative, the young and handsome Sir Christopher Ellis, to Court to investigate a series of mysterious murders.
From the time of the Roman Empire, members of Mithras have been vampire protectors and druid killers. Eventually (did you see this coming?) Rosalind and Christopher fall into a love/hate relationship that seesaws back and forth throughout the book (and probably the series).
A supporting character in books 1 and 2 is Elias Warner, a powerful vampire who wheels and deals at Court as he looks out for the interests of the Vampire Council. Initially, Elias and Rosalind are bitter enemies, but gradually their relationship mellows, with respect creeping in on both sides. Elias is a key figure in the plots of the first two books.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFqWbhean1sk1cANr_5vM-PCBH4RtvqnDPD3oRRH_gImHgus7yASAQzTfUdc0xDGRcGrVdCKeByrMi5QCjOINuxVJgz2DflWnq-3vwfvpWqB_yYRARbr1SYX7u0r-tl4yL4xMJAKgWM0/s200/kissoftherose.jpg)
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I'm not a big fan of historical romance fiction, but this series kept me interested through the first two books—not so much in book 3. The characters are classic romance figures, and the paranormal twisting of Tudor history is clever. Didn't you always suspect that there was something strange going on with Anne Boleyn? And wait until you see what's in store for her daughter, Elizabeth!
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