Rating: 
Summary: Great Taboo subject, not much in the way of LUST!
Review: Vampire Vow is a very well written novel about the Vampire Victor who falls in love with Jesus. While the idea is definitely taboo, which makes it an interesting read; this book is not for the reader who wants to be wooed by vampire eroticism whether it is gay or otherwise. If you like a good read with a definite underlying taboo tone then this is the book for you, however if you want lust then I suggest you read Poppy Brite, Anne Rice, or Laurell Hamilton.
Rating:
Summary: Great Taboo subject, not much in the way of LUST!
Review: Vampire Vow is a very well written novel about the Vampire Victor who falls in love with Jesus. While the idea is definitely taboo, which makes it an interesting read; this book is not for the reader who wants to be wooed by vampire eroticism whether it is gay or otherwise. If you like a good read with a definite underlying taboo tone then this is the book for you, however if you want lust then I suggest you read Poppy Brite, Anne Rice, or Laurell Hamilton.
Rating: 
Summary: Vampire Vow is a Wow!
Review: Vampire Vow is the story of the Roman soldier Victor Decimus, stationed in Palestine, who is obsessed with the one thing he could never have, the physical conquest of Jesus. As Jesus repeatedly refuses his sexual advances, Victor's rage becomes self-destructive and he chooses to flee imprisonment, and worse, humiliation, by becoming a Vampire. At the same time Victor enters the Dark Kingdom, he meets for the last time the risen Christ, who rejects him one final time, ascending into Heaven. Victor blames God for depriving him of the only one he ever loved, and sets about, over the next 2 millennium, the systematic destruction of what to him is the symbol of God, the idealistic men of Monastic life. Settling in at a monastery in present day rural Tennessee, Victor meets the pious monk Michael, perhaps almost an equal to Jesus in spirituality, and attempts to win Michael over to everlasting life in the Dark Kingdom.
Michael Schiefelbein has superbly crafted a powerful, gripping novel. The character of Victor as a raw, crude, vicious villain serves as the perfect counterpoint to Michael, who, like Jesus, is a pure, spiritual, unbreakable man. And there is no better place than a serene Monastary for a brutal monster to conceal his true nature. His expert, first hand knowledge of the priesthood and Catholicism adds dimension and reality to the plot and charaters. The most devout Christian would appreciate his handling of Jesus. And indeed, that just adds authenticity to the creation of the plot. The book is fast paced and fluid, an easy, pleasing read. I highly recommend it, especially to people interested in a great mix of gay fiction, Vampires and the priesthood.
Rating:
Summary: A matter of faith
Review: Victor was a Roman officer in the time of Jesus (whom he calls Joshu; and yes, that one). After Joshu rejects his advances (despite a mutual attraction) in favor of his faith, Victor turns toward an offer of darkness, and becomes a vampire. For centuries he wreaks havoc with Joshu's followers. In the guise of a monk, Victor enters a monastery where he finds Brother Michael, who just might offer the kind of love and peace Victor craves. But Victor will not turn from his dark path, and Michael cannot leave his convictions behind, so what can the lovers do? Schiefelbein's intelligent and potent tale is equal parts thriller and meditation on the boundaries of light & dark (heaven & hell). Despite its typical vampire story ending, "Vampire Vow" is an extraordinary book worthy of high praise. If you adore Ulysses Dietz's "Desmond", then you will certainly delight in this.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting Tale of Hate, Lust and . . . Love?
Review: WARNING: People of faith who don't like their religion to be challenged should NOT read this book. You'll likely be shocked, even mortified, and probably won't get past the first five pages. (This is based on the reactions I'm sure would come from my own friends and family.)However, in general, I found this book fascinating. I read it all in one setting (made easier as it's only around 200 pages), and even read certain parts over again when they really threw me. Victor is a Roman officer serving Pilate who is madly in love with Jesus (before he became Christ). Jesus rejected any possibility for a relationship, although not for the reasons you might expect. In response, Victor became a vampire, with a future pass to the "Kingdom of Darkness." His sole eternal goal: to corrupt young men and thereby destroy the Church. Skip a few millennia filled with thousands of victims, and you come to a small monastery in rural Tennessee. Enter "Brother" Victor. Add a couple victims. Add a tall, strong young Brother. And you've got an interesting tale of hate, lust and . . . love? To be honest, I found Victor's idea of Love to be very "confusing." He loved someone so much that he'd try to destroy what they were / stood for? He loved someone so much that when hey chose light over darkness, he physically assaulted him and forced him to endure physical, spiritual and emotional pain? And he rejected love when it was offered in a pure form? . . . Not what I think of when I "love" someone. (On a side note, if you're looking for an erotic vampire story, this one's geared for gay audiences. So keep that in mind.) As well, some of the spiritual subject matter did not register at all with me. Perhaps that's because I'm not Catholic. But growing up in a conservative, Bible-reading home, much of the story did make me cringe. It definitely took the questions many of us have about faith to an extreme level. As a final word, the book was good reading. If you can get past the "sacriligiousness" (most of you won't), it may be read as an interesting dialogue of God's relationship to man. But if all you want is a thrill, there's enough vampirism to make a good story and maybe a few good nightmares!
Rating:
Summary: A fast and intriguing read.
Review: When I first started to read this book, I wasn't sure if I would like it. It was very graphic and Victor, the main character, just didn't seem able to relate to. But after the first 30 pages, I was hooked. As the book moved, the writing became more fluid and Victor became more refined. When it was over, I wanted it to be longer. This book is for those that are open minded, that's for sure. Those that don't want their beliefs questioned would not like it at all. There are some graphic bits of homosexuality too. I thought this would bother me but as the book went on, it felt natural for the characters. I would recommend this book for those looking for a fast and enjoyable read.
Rating: 
Summary: Huh?
Review: While I'm the first to admit that I thoroughly enjoy gay erotica, especially gay vampire erotica, I found this book difficult to digest. Perhaps it's my Christian upbringing, but I just couldn't make myself believe that a vampire was enamored with Jesus Christ. I found the book poorly written with a decidecly cliched plot. The author jumped back and forth quite a bit with the various story lines, and I found that disconcerting. All in all, not my first choice for a good read.
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