I wanted so very much to enjoy this book. It started out pretty promisingly as well. Camille was in Paris, trying to coordinate her life so that she could finally take back control and get away from her abusive boyfriend. Paris was meant to be a jolt to get her life going. And it seems to be working out.

Flash forward a couple of years and Camille is in Louisiana and has built a fairly decent life for herself. Or so it looks. Here's where the book lost me the first time--we leave Camille in Paris promising to be stronger and to leave the guy. When we re-open she is still afraid of a guy harassing her, is trying to leave him and his abusive ways behind. Until her friend arrives and says 'But you just left an abusive a-hole!' I had no idea that it was someone different then the guy back west.

I understand that often abuse victims find it hard to break that cycle, but Camille seemingly was ABLE to break the cycle (not that we saw her do this) and then winds up right back where she started (though we never see how that relationship began) only this time far away from her support network. Any 'strength' that Camille exhibits was only talked about. The end of her first relationship, the beginning of the second one and then when she decided to end this relationship all happen in that nebulous time between the end of the prologue and the beginning of the first chapter.

I soldiered on however because I liked Gavin and was intrigued. Things happen at a (very) rapid pace, with Camille's lifelong friend falling head over heels for Gavin's friend Gabe. And then of course Gavin and Camille. Though she doesn't mention her sinister ex.

And then we come upon the second time the book lost me--at some point Camille's friend implores Gabe to make her a vampire like he (and Gavin and Camille's violent ex in Louisiana) is. Then she hops back on the plane and leaves.

Only to come right back again when things get hairy and Camille's life is in danger. At this point Wade skipped a lot of development in my opinion. Camille finds out that not only is Gavin a vampire but so is practically everyone we've met in this book. Not only THAT but Gavin has a master plan to free himself (and others? I guess?) from the evil vampire queen's rule (or something) so him falling in love with Camille is VERY inconvenient timing wise. Especially since he POSTPONES the attack to let her lick her wounds and forgive him.

We never see Gabe and her friend become so close (Camille mentions how lovey-dovey they are from the first, but we don't actually SEE this develop), we never see Camille when she isn't in an abusive relationship or trying to leave one, we don't see why she would trust Gavin so very much given how evasive he is, we don't see the strength Camille has or that she has learned from past mistakes.

In the end I didn't buy into the characters or situation. ( )

Are journey starts with Camille Hart and her struggle to leave behind an abusive past and dysfunctional family to start anew in Louisiana. Camille’s character she so easy to relate to. So many woman go through what Camille goes through on a daily basis (of course minus the supernatural aspects) and you can’t help but feel the pain and fears that she faces. Camille is very passionate and loving to a fault because when she falls she falls full force which is her weakness, but she is stronger than what she gives herself credit for. In the beginning she travels to Paris for her birthday alone to do some thinking. Where she meets Gavin and they have coffee and she finds herself drawn to him but can not figure out why and she needs up telling him about her life, and then she goes back home to Seattle where she decides to escape her abusive relationship and dysfunctional family and moves to Louisiana where she meets and falls for Andrew which in turns puts her back into a abusive relationship to where to turns to Hoodoo Voodoo to get out of the relationship with several failed attempts. One day at work she runs into Gavin the guy she meet in Paris and from there them seem to pick up like it was just yesterday. This is where the story takes a turn and the vampires come into play Camille finds out about them. Ok guys can’t give any good spoilers all I will tell you is don’t wait go get your copy of Amaranth today. Rachael’s character are so solid and she gives wonderful description not to mention the world she creates for them it is fantastic. ( )

*yawn* ( )

This was the first book in the trilogy released, on 9/30/2011

I can say this was a wonderful book! Most young adult vampire romance series seem to me to be all the same some what of a "cheesy romance" but by far this book blew me away.The main character in this book is Camille who is trying to escape an abusive relationship. She is a wonderful character that has so much vulnerability. Camille meets Gavin after there relationship reaches new heights, there are secrets and not everything in Camille's life is what it appears to be.

This book leaves you wanting more, will love prevail?

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars! I don't read these kinds of books normally but couldn't find myself putting it down, love it. Love comes in every shape and form. LOVE LOVE and can't wait. ( )

I really and truly loved this book! It was so different from what I usually read in the fantasy genre.

I liked the main character Camille Hart. She was insecure and vulnerable through most of the book which wasn’t a bad thing. The main reason being that Camille was a victim in an abusive relationship with her boyfriend Andrew; she is trying to find herself through all the chaos. I also enjoyed the Side characters a little more to tell the truth especially Camille’s best friend Audrey. She is what I would call a true friend because she has tried to help Camille get out of her boyfriend’s abusive ways.
At the beginning I was so wrapped up in Camille’s story that I totally forgot that this was book was supposed to have some fantasy and paranormal elements. So when the fantasy elements came into play I was blown away!

As Camille tries to break away from her abusive boyfriend who continues to stalk her and won’t take no for an answer she meets Gavin Devereaux. He is dark and handsome and only has eyes for Camille. As Gavin and Camille’s relationship continues to grow things become more supernatural when Gavin tells Camille that he is a vampire as well her best friend Audrey. Then things get really interesting when the rest of the supernatural beings are introduced and boy there are a lot of twist and turns from then on. The story really takes off and there’s a huge amount of romance and action to satisfy my needs! I really loved Joel’s character he was super sweet and hot!

This book will keep you guessing till the very end! Rachael Wade really took her time with all the characters and I loved how you couldn’t tell this was going to be a paranormal read in the beginning and then when the fantasy came it was amazing! I Loved Loved the amazing twist at the end of how all the characters are connected it was really shocking and I wanted to read more! This book totally took me by surprise and its hard to believe this is her first book!

Recommend to: Twilight and Evermore(but way better than Evermore ) ( )