5 Best Vampire Romance Books With Bite [March 2023]

The best vampire romance books from Next Chapter [March 2023]

The vampire romance book genre has become increasingly popular in recent years, thanks in part to the success of books such as Twilight and the True Blood series. These books often feature supernatural elements, including vampires, werewolves, and witches, and typically revolve around a romantic relationship between a human protagonist and a vampire love interest.

One of the defining characteristics of the vampire romance genre is the idea of forbidden love. The relationship between a human and a vampire is often seen as taboo, as the two species are typically depicted as mortal enemies. This tension can create a sense of danger and excitement for readers, as they follow the characters' journey to navigate the challenges of their relationship.

In addition to the romantic elements, vampire romance books often include action, suspense, and mystery. The supernatural aspects of the genre allow for a range of imaginative plot twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Overall, the vampire romance genre offers a unique blend of romance and fantasy, making it a popular choice for readers looking for something different.

Below, we’ve collected some of Next Chapter’s best vampire romance books, all available from major book retailers. Some of the books on this page come with some steam as well, so please keep that in mind before delving in! You’ll also be happy to know that some of the books on this page are completely free to download as eBooks from Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Rakuten Kobo and Google Books.

If you like any of the books below, please take a moment to leave the author a review :) Don’t agree with our choices? Please leave a comment and let us know what books are your favorites in the genre!

Books featured on this page

• Knowledge Revealed (The Nememiah Chronicles Book 1) by D.S. Williams

• Ascension (Sabrina Strong Series Book 1) by Lorelei Bell

• Birthright (Rosewood Book 1) by Sue Mydliak

• Blood Fever by Simone Beaudelaire

• Dream Angel by Jo Wilde

Knowledge Revealed (The Nememiah Chronicles Book 1) by D.S. Williams

Book excerpt

I had no idea what time it was when I woke, there was no clock in the bedroom and I couldn't judge by the light outside. One of the problems of living in the north of the United States, as winter approached, it was perpetually overcast and difficult to estimate time without sunlight for guidance.

It took a minute or two to figure out where I was – laying between the soft cotton sheets, my head cradled against downy pillows was enormously comfortable – and definitely not my own hard cot and sleeping bag. I drew myself into a sitting position, looking around the room I'd been too drowsy to notice last night. This wasn't the cottage, that fact was indisputable. This room was roughly the same size as the entire cottage, the walls painted a sumptuous shade of claret with oak wainscoting covering the lower half. The bed was ornate, an oak four-poster which seemed almost medieval in appearance, carved motifs decorating the frame. Matching bedside drawers stood on either side. Fresh roses, in the deepest shade of crimson, sat on the oak dresser opposite the bed and I could smell their heady fragrance permeating the room.

Comprehension filtered into my sleep-addled brain, my cheeks heating with humiliation. Lucas must think I was an absolute lunatic. First – I walk in front of his car and get myself hit. Then, he has to stop me from plunging over a waterfall. And to add insult to injury, he brings me to his home and I fall asleep on the couch. I scored a perfect ten in the crazy stakes; there was no doubt about it. If there were a gold, silver, and bronze medal for making a complete fool of myself, I would take the trifecta.

I dragged myself out of bed, standing beside it uncertainly. Should I try to sneak out? It was Friday, perhaps he'd already left for work, but I dismissed the notion immediately. I couldn't be that lucky. Besides which, he probably wasn't thrilled about leaving a nutcase alone in his house. His very impressive house, I reflected, studying the room distractedly while I figured out what to do. In my whole life, I'd never seen a house like this. I cringed as I imagined Lucas in the tiny cottage, seeing my shabby furniture and bedside table made from a cardboard box. And that reminded me – how had he gotten into the cottage? I hadn't asked. How did he know where I lived? Another question I'd failed to ask. It seemed in things concerning Lucas Tine; I had only questions and no significant answers.

I raked my fingers through my hair, attempting to tame the wild curls into some semblance of order. I really should consider a haircut, I hadn't had one since… well, to be honest, I couldn't remember when. It had been a while.

I'd left my personal grooming behind quite a long time ago. Which led to another humiliated flush, as I thought of Lucas's casually stylish look. He looked like an advertisement from some fancy fashion magazine – I glanced down ruefully at my faded sweater and too-loose jeans – I looked like a homeless person.

I scouted around for my sneakers, groaning aloud when I recalled leaving them in Lucas's bathroom. They were still probably soaking wet. The day was deteriorating rapidly. Squaring my shoulders resolutely, I decided to just march out and deal with whatever lay ahead.

I opened the bedroom door noiselessly and timidly walked down the long hallway. I'd almost stepped into the living room when I realized Lucas was there and he wasn't alone. He was talking quietly to another man, who had his back to me. I turned to slip back up the hallway, figuring I'd keep out of their way.

“Good Morning, Charlotte.” Lucas's voice caught me unawares and I stopped in my tracks similar to a deer caught in headlights, uncertain what to do next.

“Um, hi,” I said cautiously, clutching my hands together nervously behind my back.

The second man turned and offered me a relaxed smile and I smiled back self-consciously, aware of my disheveled appearance.

“Charlotte, this is a friend of mine, Ben Becket.”

I nodded hesitantly, wishing the ground would open up and swallow me.

Ascension (Sabrina Strong Series Book 1) by Lorelei Bell

Book excerpt

I lounged back in my tub of bubbles and hot water. I couldn't help the flitting images of my night—what I remembered of it. I let my mind go with it, knowing good and well I'd only be haunted later tonight if I didn't allow them in the forefront now.

Nicolas would call me tonight. He expected me to sign up with Tremayne Towers. I had to find out more about this job before I dismissed it—he had said it paid “handsomely”. Admittedly, I was curious.

On one hand, I feared I would be making a mistake. On the other hand, my savings account had dwindled from the fifty-five hundred left to me from my father to about two thousand. The never-ending bills ate away at it. Of course, my not working was not helping things. This job was an opportunity that had practically fallen into my lap.

But work for vampires? In Chicago?

My mind conjured up the handsome man's image in the mirror that served as a monitor in Nicolas' bedroom. Was that Tremayne? I was certain of it. My heart thundered at the mere thought of that handsome vampire with the bluest eyes—they'd had a depth to them, like an ocean.

Emerging from the warm, lavender scented water, I grabbed my towel. That was when I thought of the darker thing. My other bite mark. The one I directly associated with my memory of the dark-haired stranger at my bedside when I was ten. I shivered all over suddenly. Nicolas had told me I'd been bitten by a master vampire. I didn't want to believe him. But what other explanation was there? The man who had come to me one night, long ago had been a vampire. He'd marked me for his own. Why?

I now examined both bites on my arm. Oddly enough, my older scar looked red, swollen—almost as if I'd been recently bitten. Shocked, I wondered what Nicolas had done to my old scar to make it look like that.

While dressing, I thought of the more pressing matters I needed to address. Like food. My refrigerator was so empty, it tempted me to clean it. My logic was that if I kept food in it, I wouldn't notice the grime. So, grocery shopping was high on my list, and either call or see my best friend, Jeanie Woodbine. The things I had to speak to her about were not something we could talk about openly. We could do lunch and I could fill her in. I had to get this off my chest and Jeanie was the only other human I could share this with.

I thought of Constance, my brother's wife, and my immediate need for money. I didn't want to take anything out of my savings, or the checking, which was low. Constance owned an antique and gift store, downtown Moonlight. My job was to help with the cash register, put out new items, clean, or whatever she needed, and she would pay me for my hours—minimum wage, of course. I was happy for the money, but it was part-time and it wasn't enough to pay all the bills. This was my normal day to come into the shop, so she would be looking for me. I could go to the grocery store after work with the cash she'd give me.

But I really needed to talk to Jeanie first. Jeanie worked at the only other bank in town—the one I didn't have an account in.

The crystal blue day was typical of mid-October northern Illinois weather. Leaves on trees ablaze in orange, gold, and crimson caught my eyes along my route, while golden corn fields blanketed my surroundings as far as my eye could see. Halloween was around the corner, announced by decorations in windows and carved pumpkins on doorsteps as I drove into town. My mood had become cheerful. That emotion had really been lacking in me for the past several months, since the funeral. I had to examine why I'd come away with this feeling after what had happened to me last night. I couldn't understand it—unless possibly, it was the job offer. The only good one I'd had—ever. A job that might end my worries about my future. I really shouldn't turn it down. I had been in turmoil, earlier, but now I was more inclined to take this job, no matter that it involved working for vampires.

Birthright (Rosewood Book 1) by Sue Mydliak

Book excerpt

It was 1859; Christmas was just around the corner. Kane had just finished visiting with some friends. He was on his way back home when the sun began to tuck itself into the hillside and suddenly, for no reason, he became nervous. The hair on the back of his neck stood up. It wasn’t normal for him to be nervous about anything, usually, it was he that everyone came to for help or protection, but this was different …unsettling. He looked about, carefully, cautious and when nothing was amiss, he laughed at himself and continued to walk. He stopped again; someone was behind him, following. He distinctly heard the crunch of footsteps in the snow and yet he saw nothing. With his ears straining to hear anything, his breathing slowed. His eyes searched for someone or something.

“Come out whoever you are, I’ve had enough of your hiding. Show yourself at once.” Nothing, just the sound of the ice crackling on branches as the wind blew through them. His heart thumped deep within his chest as he slowly searched the grounds once again. As he turned to head home, a dark figured stood in front of him. A menacing creature, with eyes that were ruby red, he had the appearance of a man in his 20’s but his gray hair confused the age. His suit, black, with a white shirt and cravat, he dressed for an evening out and he wore a signet ring on his left hand.

“W-who are you? What do you want of me, sir?” Kane knew this was no ordinary man; at least no men he ever knew had eyes of red that seemed to glow in the dark.

“My name is not important. What I want is… you.” The curve of his lips, as he smiled, caused goosebumps to rise on Kane’s skin.

“Then, what is it that you wish? Sir, it is late and the night air is not conducive to one’s health. So if you don’t mind, I wish you would hurry this conversation up a bit.” Kane wanted to leave, even going back into town, anything to get away, but as he tried to move, his foot stuck, as if frozen to the spot. He tried harder but to no avail. Panic swept deep within him, and yet, when he looked into the stranger's eyes he felt calm.

“You’ve spoiled the whole experience for me. I mean, what’s the point in hunting if you have to rush. The sport in it is the fear you hear in your prey’s heart, it beats so fast, it is so… exhilarating, you can’t imagine it, can you? No, I didn’t think so, but you wouldn’t because…” He laughed deep and low, almost like a growl, “…because you, sir, are the prey. Pity that I had to explain everything to you; you now know your position. I’ll just do it and be done, which is a pity because you looked like you would have put up a good fight too.”

Kane, appalled by what had been said, wished he had his handgun, but he had left it at the house before setting out earlier that day to visit the pastor and his daughter. The stranger crouched low as if he were a panther ready to strike his prey. His lips slid back over his teeth exposing his fangs. Just before he leaped, a hissing sound escaped his mouth.

Blood Fever by Simone Beaudelaire

Book excerpt

Daphne stared up at the pink-stuccoed house that so closely resembled all the other row houses in the French Quarter. Though they varied by color and by the presence or absence of flower boxes in the windows, this building, with its black, wrought-iron balcony shading the front door from the strong Louisiana sun, fit in amongst its neighbors with ease.

Home. Thank heaven.

Drawing the key from her purse, she slipped it into the lock and let herself into the house, following the sound of voices to a small but cozy parlor. Her shoes echoed on the polished wood of the floors, drawing the eyes of several ladies, all around her age.

“Daphne?” Jeannie rose to her feet, setting aside the fashion magazine she'd been clutching and crossing the room with a speed her dainty feet should not have permitted. Next to her tiny brunette roommate, Daphne always felt like a bear about to go into hibernation… sluggish and stuffed. Maybe I should ask her to design a slimming exercise regimen like she's learning at school. Then she thought of how much she would sweat if she began skipping rope. Maybe not.

“Yes, it's me, girls. I'm back early. The farm was a bore, and I wanted to get settled back in before I start my new job next week.”

“Oh, Daphne, I'm so glad to see you!” Anna cooed, also rising, but with an audible groan. Her generous curves far surpassed Daphne's, to the point of stoutness, but as she worked in a bakery, this surprised no one.

“Anna, are you back to work already? I had such a craving for your pralines. My ma is a good cook,” when she's not souring the meals with her frown, Daphne added silently, “but she doesn't believe in sweets, especially not for me.”

“I'm glad I never met her,” Anna replied with a shudder. “I feel fat enough without people calling attention to thinner girls.”

“You two are just silly,” April cut in. The naturally slender and fashionable, golden-haired girl approached on silent feet. “Plenty of men prefer plump women to thin ones.”

Says the girl with boys circling her like flies around the pigsty, Daphne thought, but she recognized the thought for green-eyed jealousy and pushed it away. “How have you been, April?”

The girl giggled. “I'm just dreamy,” she drawled. “My Ken proposed.” She showed them a chunky gold band with a heavily antiqued filigree and a square diamond set in the center.

“You look dreamy,” Daphne agreed, “but then you normally do, so it's hard to tell. What's the verdict, ladies, any change?”

They turned one way and then the other, meeting one another's eyes and shaking their heads. “Dizzy April,” Jeannie stated at last.

April stuck her lip out and flounced back to her chair, her perfectly-coiffed hair bouncing with her movements. No matter how she stomped her feet, she could not produce a satisfying tantrum, and a moment later, a giggle escaped, destroying the image.

All the women laughed, enjoying themselves as they reestablished the boarding house's dynamics. Then, a flash of red caught Daphne's eye. She turned to see a stranger; tall, flame-haired, and stoop-shouldered, lurking near the door of the sitting area.

“Come on in,” April urged. “I promise we won't bite you. Daphne, this is Mary. She's rooming with Phyllis. She's a bit shy, but ever so nice.”

“Pleased to meet you,” Daphne said, approaching the new arrival. “First year of college, or are you in town looking for work?”

“Both, actually,” the redhead whispered, accepting Daphne's offered hand but at the same time seeming to shrink away from contact.

Dream Angel by Jo Wilde

Book excerpt

Straight up six o’clock, I was on Ms. Noel’s front porch, knocking. Finding her house wasn’t hard, the fourth house next to the vacant house on the left. The house was small and appeared to need some repair. White paint chipped, and the porch sagged a touch. Black shutters that could use a coat of paint like the rest of the house. Judging by the home’s condition, I’d bet she’d lived here a good many years.

As I waited for her to answer the door, I questioned why she bothered calling her cousin, Frank? It wouldn’t help the fact that I didn’t have transportation.

All of a sudden, the screen squeaked, and there stood Ms. Noel, smiling. “Ah, you’re on time!” Her bright voice was as pleasant as I remembered from earlier today. She stepped outside onto the porch, shutting the door behind her. “Follow me, babee.” She waddled down the steps, waving for me to follow.

I followed her as she led me toward the back of the house. A faint breeze brushed my heated face as the cicadas amidst the pine trees buzzed in harmony. Oddly enough, I enjoyed their hum. Every evening about this time, the bugs would break out into a chorus.

There you go: the best vampire romance books from Next Chapter in 03/2023. We hope you enjoy the stories - and if you do, please leave a comment below, or a review in Goodreads or your favorite store. It would mean a lot to us!