Perpetual Light by Jordan K. Rose

Publisher: Crescent Moon Press
Pages: 286

(Released: February 26, 2012)

From the Cover:

Fate is cruel. Especially when the one you've sworn to love for all eternity, the very soul who changed your destiny, is the last person you should trust.

After more than three hundred years of running, Lucia Dicomano must make a choice.

Forced to take her place as a Pharo of Redemption, the divine slayer needs to master her forgotten powers. Lucia turns to Vittorio, the one vampire she's failed to deliver from eternal damnation. But overcoming smoldering remnants of love, lust and anger aren't their only obstacles.

Samuel, who may know Lucia better than she knows herself, hunts her with a fervor stoked by a thousand years of vengeful hatred. His plan-capture and enslave the weakened Pharo then take control of her elusive power.

Can Lucia trust Vittorio long enough to reclaim her powers? Or will she have no choice but to kill him and battle Samuel alone?

Lucia has been alive more lifetimes than she can remember, only she doesn't know it. In this lifetime, she's Lucia, the designer, but for all time, she's a Pharo of Redemption. Only she can bring the lost to the light. Her dreams, in reality, are nothing more than remembrances from the past, some purely pleasant, others outlandish nightmares to drive any sane person crazy. One constant in and out of her dreams, and real life, is Vittorio. He's the one true love of her life, and potentially, her deadliest enemy. Because, she wants him, it the bottom of her soul, he's the one who breathes life into her body. He's also one of the lost and must be brought to the light, and to do so, he must die.

Vittorio was ripped away from his cherished life that he shared with Lucia by a creature who turned him, possessing him, body and soul. He hates the killing, the blood, the madness. Only Lucia can save him from his cursed existence, and from himself. The search for her is the only reason he keeps going. And, when he finds her, he refuses to let her go, even if she is sworn to bring the lost to the light. But, first, he was teach her everything she needs to know to defeat Samuel. It is Samuel who has stolen her away, time and time again, and Vittorio refused to lose to him and his minions again. He will keep Lucia, or die trying.

Perpetual Light by Jordan K. Rose is a different twisted on the vampire love story. One that traverses the lines of time. Lucia and Vittorio's story starts three centuries ago when she is the daughter of the local vintner and he is a laborer on her father's vineyard. They marry, ready to start a wonderful life when Vittorio is torn from their happy existence and plunged into the world of death and destruction. Kerina steals the life from his body, turning him into a blood-drinker. It forces Lucia into her destiny as a Pharo of Redemption, bringing the lost into the light and the Abyss. Through all of her lifetimes, Vittorio has searched for and finally, his goal is in sight when Samuel raises his ugly head in a bid for the same soul, Lucia. It is Vittorio's goal to keep them both alive until Lucia realizes her full powers and Samuel is removed, one way or another. But, Lucia must bring the lost, even if she doesn't want to, she's bound by a power greater than herself.

Perpetual Light is a new twist in the vampire genre, one where the vampires may exist in the daylight, but not very well, their beauty becomes less and they're more vulnerable. Vittorio has created a small family for himself, but only forsaking those who would have died with his assistance. Lucia has a hard time forgiving him this, but everyone needs companionship, and she can hardly deny him his. Her jealous of other women though makes her realize another important fact, she wants Vittorio for herself, and only her. And there in lays the conundrum, how can she have what she has sworn to kill?
Perpetual Light is a fast, exciting read, taking place in the quite vineyards of Italy's past to the present day streets of Rhode Island. The evil Samuel would like to drain Lucia dry and claim her for himself, but Vittorio is having none of that, Samuel will meet the light, if it's the last thing he does. As a reader, I'm always on the look for something in the vampire genre to read, my first love, and Jordan K. Rose delivers that difference in Perpetual Light. It's one not to be missed by vampire lovers everywhere.

Five out of Five Fairy kisses for this reader and lover of the vampire genre.

I met the lovely Jordan K. Rose at RT2012 this Spring, (and yes, she really is lovely) where she offered me a copy of her book to review. So glad she did! All opinions expressed are my own.

Chiller TV ~ November is Vampire Month

Chiller TV was picked up by our cable company about a year ago, so I'm relatively new to the Chiller programming. But it has declared November 'Vampire Month' and some of my favorite series are being re-broadcast. They will also be showing all types of vampire movies including Bram Stoker's Dracula, Bitten, The Vampire Effect and many others. They be also showing scifi related shows like Millennium, Poltergeist The Legacy, and Tales from the Darkside. I've recently discovered a British show called Hex which is witchy fun! They also have an anni-Monday currently. If Chiller TV is available in your area, you might like to take a peek.

Here are the series that will be re-broadcasted:

Kindred, The Embrace (all 8 episodes will be broadcast)



Moonlight



Forever Night



Also available on Hulu.com

Dark Shadows (remake of 1960's show - Johnny Depp considering movie possibilities.)
Dark Shadows (1991) is also available of Hulu.com

I found this interesting picture from Dread Central.com:



Sorry to all of you Blood Ties lovers, the only place to catch these episodes is on Lifetime Channel.

Updated!!! Vampires, Can't be alive with them, Can't live without them.

Cecile and I were chatting the other day, and she mentioned that she hadn't seen Gerard Butler in Dracula 2000. This all started when the wonderful Ms. Amanda McIntyre had a post this weekend for preferences between scruffy or sharp dressed, Gerard Butler has no problem fitting into both categories, his scruffy is sharp.

In this incarnation of the Dracula franchise, Gerard Butler comes across as the super sexy scary bloodsucker like no one has before.



There have been plenty of scarier vampires,

like Gary Oldman in Bram Stoker's Dracula (for Ms. Charlotte Featherstone)



or Frank Langella first as young Dracula, then the older Dracula (for Ms. Marta Acosta).

Then there are always the vampire couples
like Anita Blake and Jean Claude (this is for me, I love Anita and Jean Claude),


Louis and Lestat from Interview With The Vampire (for Ms. Moonlight)


and Queen Akasha and Lestat in Queen of the Damned (for Ms. Moonlight)




Bella and Edward (for all the Twilight fans out there, which I am one),


and Henry Fitzroy and Vicki from Bloodties (for Chris, I too loved Bloodties)


Mick St. John and Beth/Mick St. John and Coraline (again for me and for my sweet blogger buddy, Lea)




Buffy and Angel/Buffy and Spike (again for Ms. Marta Acosta, wow, Angel and Spike),


Jessica and Hoyt (who knows how this is going to end, could be bad for Jessica), or


Sookie and Bill/Sookie and Eric (we had to know where this is going to end or where we'd like this to end, if they follow the books even a little).



Or vampire groups like The Lost Boys (again for me, hot scary teenage vamps).


But none look like Gerard Butler as our sexy scary addition in Dracula 2000 (these are all for Cecile and Ms. Amanda McIntyre).





I dug up these clips of fan made videos because the music was so fitting to the performances in the movie.


I loved this song put to the scenes from the movie, again fan made.


And finally, the actually movie trailer.


So, everyone knows of my love for vampires, the good, the bad, the sparkly, and the anime. I love reading vampire novels, watching the movies and TV shows, and writing short stories about them. Does anyone else have an opinion??

I hope everyone as a beautiful Thursday, only one more day until the weekend!!!

Dayhunter by Jocelynn Drake

Publisher: EOS Books, Harper Collins
Pages: 356

From the Cover: Nightwalkers and Naturi battle:

A new day dawns blood red.

A master of fire, Mira is the last hope for the world. For centuries she has secretly enforced the history-altering edicts of the Triad. Now she and her unlikely ally—the human vampire hunter, Danaus—have come to Venice, home of the nightwalker rulers. But there is no safety in the ancient city, for the threat of conflict is in the wind . . . with unholy alliances and earth-shattering betrayals taking hideous form in the shadows.

Banished for eons beyond the world's boundaries, the malevolent naturi prepare to feed once again upon a vulnerable earth—and treachery is opening wide the portal that will enable their dread re-emergence. The great battle that has always been Mira's destiny is looming, and she must remain powerful in the face of a shocking revelation: that Danaus, the only creature she dares to trust, is something more than the man he claims to be . . .

Mira and Tristan slam into an alley, bloody, battered, and battle weary. Thorne has been killed by the Naturi before Mira could save him. It was a wonder that any had made it from the London bar. She has sworn to try to free Tristan from their maker and to keep him alive if possible. It will be a daunting task, considering his youth and the fact that most of the Nightwalkers will consider him chum...easy pickings for the more powerful and greater hierarchy.

Now, Jabari is demanding her return to Venice, somewhere she really doesn't want to be. But does she really have a choice, both Jabari and Danuis have proved that they can easily wield her as a weapon. Better to go on her own and forced by a will not her own. Mira's maker, Sadira has also been summoned to explain the unexplainable, the death of Tabor and the Naturi's ability to break the seal which separates the evil fae led by Rowe to release his wife and Queen to seek revenge and reek havoc upon the humans and vampires alike. The Naturi wish to kill both species and rule the Earth as they feel the fae are destined to be.

Venice is the stronghold of the vampire council, now missing one member of the council of four with the death of Tabor. That was the whole point of going to London, to seek out one of Tabor's bloodline, Thorne. The Naturi poisoned him, but Mira and Danuis were able to avenge the death. Who knew that together Danuis and Mira would yield enough power to destroy the Naturi, not only in the immediate vicinity, but for miles around. Mira, best known as the Fire Starter - the one true death that vampires feared, and Danuis of the Brotherhood - vampire hunter and the holder of a power so great - to make the blood boil from the inside out. Together, they are force to be reckon with by only the ancients.

When Mira and Danuis arrive in Venice, it is only to find that Weres are also present as well as some of the Naturi, what would the evil fae be doing in the vampire stronghold?

To make matter worse, Mira discovers Sadira's plot to sacrifice Tristan to the wannabes of the vampire council to make up for the loss of Tabor. She is his maker and he is her toy, but Mira has given him her vow of protection. She must go against her maker and claim Tristan as her own, marking him as part of her family; something she has avoided for 600 years. She has also vowed to make sure Danuis leaves Venice alive, will she never learn? Now she is responsible for two lives.

Mira has been an enforcer for the Triad (the keepers of the seal and law enforcers for Nightwalkers), seeking out those you have broken the vampire code to meet their end. Now, the Triad must be remade to keep the Naturi at bay. The Bori, evil fae of demon origin, have also been locked away. But they're not Mira's consideration at this time, the Naturi are the danger.

Danuis feels it's only fair to reveal the origin of his birth to Mira, to explain his longevity and his need to destroy evil; they have battled together and will be forced into a continued alliance. Mira cannot believe what he tells her, and she knows he doesn't understand to truth of his origins as she does. Now she has another secret to hide or the council will kill them both.

As the time draws near to the magical hour when Rowe will try to break the seal that will lead to the eventual release of his Queen, Mira begins to wonder who can be trusted. Surely not Jabari, her once mentor, friend, and teacher who wants nothing more than her head on a spike. Valorie, possibly as they had wondered Italy for years. Sadira, never, Mira has stolen one of her children. The other two members of the council want Mira dead just because of her ability as a Fire Starter. Mira knows the battle must be fought, but who will remain standing...Nightwalkers, Naturi, the Brotherhood? All have reasons to kill her even if she does survive.

Dayhunter by Jocelynn Drake is the second book in the Dark Days Series. Nightwalker, the first in the series, was one of my top picks for 2008 and Jocelynn Drake is one of the best up and coming young authors in urban fantasy. I was not disappointed by her ability with this second installment. She continues to weave a world beyond the knowledge of the human reality. I am enthralled with her series and I hope it continues for many more books. Mira is a heroine who has been tortured in life. She was born of Crete heritage but stood out with vibrant red curling locks, pale skin tones, and jewel green eyes, so unlike the ruddy brown of hair, eyes, and skin tones of her ancestors. She was born with the ability of the fire starter; it did not come as a gift of vampirism. Sadira stole Mira from her family and kept her for many years before offering her the choice of vampire or death. Mira choose life of a vampire over a certain death. She chooses to live alone, with no one but her Angels (her guards) to watch over her resting body during daylights hours. She seeks the humanity lost to her, protecting those whom she preys upon. Even as she needs to feed, she never drains her victims, only taking what she needs to survive. Danuis, our hero, is a supremely tortured individual who has been hiding the origins of his soul for more than thousand years. He has been alive since the Romans controlled the civilized world. He has sought out the evil to destroy as his self imposed punishment. He doesn't understand fully what he is or knows the exist of the evil that could be unleashed by his presence. Mira feels an almost unreasonable attraction to this vampire hunter. She knows it can never be, as he does with his uneasy need to protect her and the vampire that she is. Each has vowed to kill the other. I loved the way this story flowed so seamlessly, the pieces fitting nicely together. Book Two starts almost on the last sentence and thought of Book One. The description of Venice was amazingly well done down to describing the smells associated with a city that has lived under water and the crumbling architecture that surrounds the vampire stronghold. This is Jocelynn Drake's first foray into published writing and she has been rewarded with a second contract. The series in order to date is Nightwalker (7-29-08), Dayhunter (4-28-09), Dawnbreaker (to be released 9-29-09), as well as Unbound, an anthology with Kim Harrison, Melissa Marr, Jeaniene Frost, and Vicki Pettersson that will be available 8-25-09. For more information about Jocelynn Drake and her fantastical books, please visit her website or her blog.

Happy Hour at Casa Dracula by Marta Acosta

Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Pages: 314

From the Cover: Latina Ivy League grad Milagro de Los Santos can't find her place in the world or a man to go with it. Then one night, at a book party for her pretentious ex-boyfriend, she meets an oddly attractive man. After she is bitten while kissing him, she falls ill and is squirreled away to his family's estate to recover. Vampires don't exist in this day and age — or do they? As Milagro falls for a fabulously inappropriate man, she finds herself caught between a family who has accepted her as one of their own and a shady organization that refuses to let the undead live and love in peace.

Milagro De Los Santos is your average everyday young female American trying to survive in a male dominated world. She did everything right. She went to the big Fancy University, she had a sweet boyfriend, she went to all right parties... so why isn't she taken seriously. She wrote novels about political issues and substituting zombies for the nasties. Sebastian has had no trouble getting his insipid book published. She went to F.U. too, so what's the problem? Who doesn't like politics and zombies? Apparently, the agents and publishers didn't.

Milagro makes money doing odd jobs, even though her parents are well to do. Her mother, Regina, convinced her father that her next face lift was more important than a Master's Degree. Milagro is a personal reader, works in a nursery, and does other menial jobs to keep her crummy basement apartment which she thinks is rat infested.

Then, one evening at a reading of her ex-boyfriend Sebastian Beckett-Witherspoon's new book whom she hates with the fire of a hundred suns; she happens to meet a strange man. He's wearing an old fashioned suit, but wears really well, she notices. In fact, she notices, he's really kind of fabulous looking. When this strange man approaches Milagro, she's a little frightened. He seems to draw her to him, capturing her attention.

When he introduces himself as Oswald and asks her back to his hotel to talk about publishing, at first she wants to refuse, but as she gazes into his eyes, she finds herself agreeing. What's wrong with her? When Beckett-Witherspoon tries to chase her down, they rush to leave. But at the hotel, it seems that Oswald only wants to talk about Beckett-Witherspoon, so she offers Sebastian's phone number and wants to leave. As Oswald reaches out to stop her, they trip and fall on top of each other. A drop of red blood oozes from Oswald's lip as Milagro realizes she wants nothing more than to kiss that bloodied lip, and she does but, her lip is bitten as well.

That night, Milagro becomes ill, it's the flu, she thinks. She's worse the second night, and the night after. But, then she starts to feel better, her hearing is better and her vision has gotten better, she no longer needs her contacts. But the cravings she's having are really weird. She decides to talk to her friend and nightclub owner, Mercedes, but Sebastian is waiting outside for her, professing his long lost love; offering dinner and ride in his limo. She decides she can afford him a second chance, but Sebastian has other devious plans and tries to kidnap her instead, showing how much he actually loathes her. He has joined CA-CA and his organization works to eliminate vampires. Okay, so Sebastian has lost his marbles, vampires don't exist....or do they? She must save herself from Sebastian and the evil CA-CA if she is to survive.

Gabriel, Oswald's cousin saves her and takes her away to the family's country estate. There, she meets Oswald's fiance, Winnie, who is cold, but who can blame her...Milagro was swapping smooches with Oswald and now she has been infected with a rare blood disorder causing her to have weird cravings for the red fluid. Oswald's grandmother, Edna, who's as prickly as a catcus, has no love for Milagro, or so she thinks. Sam, Oswald's other cousin, is sweet to Milagro and tries see to her needs, but does he want something? What will she do? Who can she trust?

Happy Hour At Casa Dracula by Marta Acosta is a fun filled laugh riot. Milagro is always taken by the next mess that turns out to be her life. She just can't get ahead no matter what she tries. You never know what's going to happen, except that she's attracted to Oswald, but knows he's engaged to someone else. That puts him into the creep column for asking her to his hotel, she doesn't usually do things like that. She needs to be taken seriously, trying to channel great thinkers to help in the writing process. Unfortunately, beach reads are all she attracts. In the meantime, Oswald and his family is trying to foil the evil CA-CA and he needs to find out what she knows about Sebastian and his organization. Milagro is a vulnerable heroine who has never know the love of her family. She learns gardening from one of father's employees, even though her father has a huge landscaping business. The person she loved the most, her abuelita - her small grandmother, was killed in a car accident. Her grandmother was totally devoted to Milagro, she goes from having love to having nothing. Her mother, Regina, only loves Regina and what money can buy for her. Her father only loves making money and her mother, Regina. Oswald is a misunderstood hero who wants one thing from life, to be happy. He isn't happy with Winnie, but their DNA is a perfect match. Too bad they can't stay to touch each other. The one thing he wants is Milagro, his beautiful young spicy love. I loved this book, I started laughing on page one and didn't quit until the last page was turned. There were times when I felt Milagro's pain of a loveless life and a hopeless future, but she never lets it get her down for long and she wins in the end. If you want to read a book with a fresh look and feel, and all about a very rare blood disorder (vampirism), then Happy Hour At Casa Dracula is for you. I highly recommend this book for those who want a fast fun filled look at the life of a girl who does everything right, attends F.U., works hard, and writes about issues important to her, but life keeps throwing her for a loop. For more information about Marta Acosta's other great books please see her website or her blog. Both are fun and interesting.

Here's a peek at the book trailer Marta Acosta made, it shows the story so well. The music was deleted, but my son added some......he's a big Tenacious D fan.

Masquerade, Book Two of the Blue Blood Series by Melissa De La Cruz

Publisher: Hyperion Paperbacks
Pages: 307

From the Cover: Schuyler Van Alen wants an explanation for the mysterious deaths of young vampires. With her best friend, Oliver, Schuyler travels to Italy in the hope of finding the one man who can help---her grandfather. Meanwhile, back in New York, preparations are feverishly under way for the Four Hundred Ball, an exclusive gala hosted by the city's wealthy, powerful, and unhuman---a true Blue Blood affair........

Schuyler Van Alen was introduced in Blue Bloods as a young blue blood, vampire, who has just started to show her true blue blood lines. She attends Duchesne, a prestigious high school for the rich and famous, as well as vampire, in New York City. There have been attacks from the legendary Silver Bloods that the committee no longer believes to exist. With the death of Schuyler's grandmother, Cordelia who has in reality entered her resting cycle to be reborn, Schuyler has been sent to Venice to locate her self-imposed exiled grandfather, Lawrence Van Alen. It must also be remember that these souls, all except Schuyler's, have been reborn many times, reincarnated or recycled, transplanted to America since the original Mayflower Crossing doomed to life on Earth for helping the fallen angel, Lucifer. All Blue Bloods have renounced any allegiance that they once had with Lucifer whose few remaining followers are the master of death, the Silver Bloods. Charles Force (The Angel Michael) and Allegra Van Alen (The Angel of White) were the only two angels who left on their own accord. Allegra because she couldn't bear to part from her parents, Lawrence and Cordelia, and Michael because he couldn't bear to part from Allegra.

Schuyler is reaching the point of depression, she has searched relentless for any sign of her grandfather without luck. Venice has been a disappointment with only one day remaining in Oliver's and her stay. As one last act of desperation, she visits Venice Biennale pavilions to wonder through the darken rooms and corridors where her grandfather may have once frequented. There she meets a young man who asks her why she is looking for the Professor, Lawrence Van Alen. Explaining that she's his grandfather and has a message from Cordelia in the ancient tongue. "Adiuvo Amicus Specialis. Nihilum cello. Meus victus est tui manus." I come to you for aid as a secret, special friend. I have nothing to hide. My life is in your hands. (page 48).

She is taken to a palace where she in fact does meet her grandfather, who is also the young man from the Biennale, able to shift shapes. She explains her dire predicament and that the Silver Bloods have returned. Lawrence either cannot or will not help her. She returns home more frustrated than before she left. Upon her return, it is the night of the Four Hundred Ball. Upon Schuyler's returned, she finds she must attend and Oliver, being a Red Blood, will not be allowed to attend.

Mimi Force (The Angel of Death - Azrael) has also been busy, not only with the Four Hundred Ball, but with planning an unsanctioned Masquerade party following the Ball. Only the best of the blue bloods will be invited which will not include Schuyler Van Alen who Mimi's brother Jack (The Angel of Destruction - Abbadon) seems to have an unreasonable attraction to. She knows that he, in his previous lives, has always been attracted to Allegra (Schuyler's comatose mother), The Angel of White, the light always calls to the dark. Mimi needs to device a way to get Schuyler out of the way if she hopes one day to have a life with Jack.

Jack and Mimi have been reborn many times, but this is the first time as twins, brother and sister. Maybe this is a sign that in this life, Schuyler will be his chosen one. He is incredibly attracted to her, and although, he realizes it may actually be an attraction to the light, he can't help himself when he stumbles upon her alone at the Masquerade. He does what he has been forbidden to do and steals a passionate kiss from the lips of Schuyler from behind his masquerade mask, with no one the wiser.

Kingsley is a new student at Duchesne and impossibly arrogant. Bliss Llewellyn is attracted as is Mimi Force. Kingsley seems to know the dark secrets that no one is allowed to talk about and he dabbles in the dark arts, spells that are not allowed. As he entices Bliss with how to ward off the Silver Bloods who seems to be drawn to her; he is, at the same time, trying to coax Mimi Force into performing the dark art spells. Only is he everything he appears to be?

With fear for Schuyler, Lawrence Van Alen does return to New York only to find Schuyler has become ill and may fall into a coma like her mother if she doesn't take a familiar to feed upon. Oliver, her conduit, is her only true friend, but when Schuyler asks him to also be her familiar, to feed from him, he cannot agree. Oliver is in love with Schuyler if she could only see. Fearing for Schuyler's death, he reluctantly agrees. But after the feeding is accomplished, Schuyler knows it was wrong; she has seen into his Red Blood soul and knows his secret and his love.

Kingsley tempts Mimi Force to try to call a Silver Blood to kill Schuyler Van Alen. Mimi is almost at the end of her rope with Jack's attraction to Schuyler and the only way to fix the problem is to remove it. She agrees to try to call the Silver Blood. What she doesn't know and apparently Kingsley does that this is an offense that has the highest punishment, death. Not just the death in this life, but never to exist again, blood drain and burned. Will Mimi be put to death? Who is Kingsley really? Who will figure out the truth? Can Schuyler save her one true enemy, Mimi Force? Does she even want to try?

Masquerade is the Second Book in the Blue Blood Series by Melissa De La Cruz. It continues the world of the Blue Blood Vampires as well as the story of the Silver Bloods. Schuyler Van Alen is a very alluring heroine. She's stronger than she thinks after living with Cordelia all of these years and never having a mother. She is strongly attracted to Jack, but knows he will always belong to Mimi as he as for centuries, Death and Destruction. But Jack is a hero that wants to find the light, who desperately wants to leave the darkness behind. I was drawn to Jack's sense of fairness, he appears to have grown and maybe he will find the light this time. It is because of Jack that Schuyler will attempt a blood reading that may lead to her death, not everyone can survive the blood reading. Oliver is the other hero in the story and sadly he is attracted to Schuyler, it is a very confusing time for our young heroes and heroine. Mimi Force is an anti-heroine, one who would take over the story if allowed, she will have to grow and change if she has any hope of keeping Jack by her side. I loved this second installment in the Blue Blood Series. It helped fill in some of the missing pieces and expands from the first book as well as bring the characters to life, showing some of their true personalities. This is excellent YA reading, and I'm looking forward to Revelations. For more information about all of the books in the Blue Blood Series as well as many others, please visit Melissa De La Cruz' site.


Gratuitous Video of Lily Allen ~ The Fear ~ What I'm Currently Listening To --
It just felt right for reading this book.

Reviewette: Bite Anthology --- Galahad --- by Angela Knight

Publisher: Jove Publishing / Penguin Group Publishing
Pages: 135 - 218

Cover the Cover: Step closer to the hot blood edge of passion as a mythology of the night is unveiled.

How would you liked to be ripped from everything that you knew and transported to a different place and then the loser who tricked and turned you, up and leaves? That what happened to Carolyn Lang and the story only gets better.

Carolyn Lang finds herself in the land of Avalon, a newly made Magae, a witch. Dominic her loser boyfriend and who she was sooo over, found her professing love, only to turn her into a witch with endless visions and a Magae. He then dumped her in Avalon without so much as a See You Later and took off for green pastures. Now she having visions of a swordsman and she could kill Dominic for leaving without any instructions.

Galahad is a vampire and errant knight for King Arthur and one time lover of Morgana. He has nothing better to do, having just completing his mission, but to sit and wait for the next one to occur. That's where Carolyn finds him, sitting in a vampire bar, waiting. And that new mission would be Carolyn.

Carolyn tells him of her vision, causing him to spring into action, contacting Morgana. Merlin's Grail has been stolen and is being used to manufacturing Geriolf's (a demon like creature) dark vamps, there are battles raging all over Avalon. Galahad sees that Carolyn is flushed and has seen the symptoms before; inquiries when was the last time she 'milked' or fed on by a vampire. She has never fed a vampire. Magae are meant to feed Magi, vampires. Dominic should have made sure she knew all about Magae and Magi before he left to seek another. It's the only way that each can exist for the other. If the Magae refused to feed the Magi, the Magae will die. Merlin's magic, which keeps Avalon alive, demands it.

Carolyn and Galahad thrown together in the battles, fighting side by side. Unknowingly, she has chosen Galahad's armor as her own for battle and he finds this incredibly cute. After the battle, he takes her to his castle to rest and recuperate, the dragon Soren takes human form to impart a spell that will finish the battles, but it can only be imparted with a kiss. Galahad never thought he would hate Soren, but Soren had never kissed Carolyn before. As Soren leaves, he tells Galahad that Carolyn will be his mind-fusion mate, to be a Truebond.

To be a Truebond mate means that Carolyn will be able to use magic though him. After spending a few nights together, Galahad and Carolyn are called back into serve. As they re-enter the battle, they are trapped and to be sacrificed. The only way out is to Truebond, becoming one, and stopping the evil priestess before she can sacrifice them. It takes all of their energies but the deed is done, and Carolyn and Galahad are bonded for life, and also destroy the evil priestess.

This was an action packed short that felt more like a book! It was a page turner that introduces the reader to an alternate Avalon. One that never died, but continues to exist on another plane. The knights aren't so gallant and all are vampires. Galahad is a sexy vampire who finds the lovely Carolyn and makes her his mate. Fun, short read! Visit Angela Knight's site to find out more about her great books.

Reviewette: Bite Anthology --- Biting in Plain Sight --- By Mary Janice Davidson

Publisher: Jove Publishing / Penguin Group Publishing
Pages: 59 -131

From the Cover: Feel the euphoria of fear in the shadow of a reluctant Queen of the Undead.

Betsy just can't get over the fact that she's a vampire. I mean the whole blood thing -- ewww! She's been pronounced the Queen -- Queen Betsy of the Vampires. Even if it does mean the perpetual hot Eric Sinclair is her consort and likes buying expensive shoes....

Sophie has lived in Embarrass, Minnesota on her houseboat for many years. She's known for her moonlight wandering and being the best damn vet in the county. And she doesn't even mind making late night house calls, that's always when you need a vet.

Liam Thompson has been watching Dr. Sophie since he was a boy. Everyone knew Dr. Sophie was a vampire, but no one said anything, not because they were afraid of her, but because they were afraid she'd leave. Liam looks for ill animals, he can always find a pregnant barn cat or two when he needs one, just so he can talk to Dr. Sophie.

When Dr. Sophie stops in to look in on his cats, she catches an odd news story. It would seem there as been as rash of young women committing suicide after their boyfriend calls it quits. It's odd because none of the girls appeared suicidal.

Sophie tells Liam that she must leave immediately. Liam asks if this has anything to do with vampire business. She's shock, how does Liam know her true identity? She asks, and he tells her everyone in town knows, but they don't want to scare her off. Sophie explains that it's vampire business, she has to go see the Queen in Minneapolis...and she's afraid of the Queen (Nostro had been a very cruel King, until Betsy did him in).

After enjoying a night together at the local Radisson, they locate the Queen, she and her consort along with various hanger-ons live in her best friend Jessica's mansion (a hanger-on). Liam and Sophie pop in to let them know they're in town (proper vampire procedure) and that there is something fishy going on. Upon hearing their news, Queen Betsy ready for stake.

Upon locating the dastardly villain and delivering the message "Dude. We. Don't. Want. You. To. Kill. Anyone. Else. Because. It's. Wrong." (p.123) He attacks Liam and then is promptly staked...through the heart...turning to dust...Now the happy couples can get back to what they were doing before...having a wild time.

As many of you know MJ Davidson is one of my favorite authors and the Queen Betsy Series is at the top of re-read stack. Whenever I need an instant pick me up, read MJ. She takes the supernatural and turns it on it's ear. And the beautiful shoes Betsy owns are beyond belief. So, if you need to laugh about life, love, or vampires, read Mary Janice Davidson and visit Mary Janice Davidson's Website for more information about all her great books. I've laughed til I've cried.

Single White Vampire by Lynsay Sands

Publisher: Dorchester Pub. Co. Inc.
Original Issue: August 2003
Re-issue: November 2008
Pages: 369

From the Cover: Kate C. Leever is a hardworking editor at a publishing house in New York that specialized in romances. Her most successful author is Lucern Argeneau, whose books are classified as paranormal romance. What Kate doesn't know is that Lucern is actually a 612 year-old vampire who considers himself a family biographer. The handsome, reclusive Lucern gets the shock of his life when Kate shows up on his doorstep to demand that he attend the annual Romantic Times convention to interact with his growing legions of fans......

Lucern Agreneau is a cranky 600 year old vampire who write biographies of his family's life experiences, it's not his fault that his publishing company keeps releasing them as 'romantic brushes from historical adventures' now is it?

Kate C. Leever is the hottest new publisher in New York, and wants, no needs to get Lucern out there, to meet his public, and answer their many questions....in fact, her job depends on it.

When Kate shows up on Lucern's doorstep, claiming to just want to get acquainted with her best selling author, Lucern is thrown. He has been avoiding her for weeks, months now. And she has the audacity to show up, uninvited on his doorstep? What can she be thinking? His mother advises if he checked in mail once in a while....Lucern has no choice but to let Kate into his life.

Kate has no idea what she has gotten into, a family that has an aversion to the sun, empty cupboards, and an emptier frig. How do these people live? Why hasn't the cranky, but gorgeous Lucern written his own love story? And WHY is there a coffin in the basement? As Kate become immersed in Lucern's life and family, she is amazed at their caring nature. Surely someone who cares for his family as much as Lucern can come to love his fans. With his mother's prodding Lucern agrees to one event, the annual Romantic Times convention. But, how will he survive and keep his secret, and how will he keep his hands off of Kate?

Single White Vampire was an all round fun read. It has romance for the romantics out there. It's a paranormal vampire novel for all the urban fantasy readers. It's a new take on vampirism that involves the use of blood banks (may I make a withdrawal, please) and when all else fails, robbing blood banks. And it is hot and steamy in all the right places! Lynday Sands is the author of many books including historical, contemporary, and paranormal romance. Her website can be found at http://www.lynsaysands.net/ . I picked up the book originally because I couldn't resist the cover art and it turned out to be a really good time. Single White Vampire is the third book in the Argeneau Series which she combines with the Rogue Series, eleven books to date. If you want a good time and a good read, pick up a Single White Vampire, I did.

Marked by P.C Cast + Kristin Cast

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Pages: 306


From the cover: Enter the dark, magical world of the House of Night, a world very much like our own, except here vampyres have always existed. Sixteen-year-old Zoey Redbird as just been Marked as a fledgling vampyre and joins the House of Night, a school where she will train to become an adult vampyre. That is, if she makes it through the Change--and not all of those who are Marked do....

Zoey Montgomery is your average sixteen year old girl with a best friend, Kayla, that never shuts up. Her almost ex-boyfriend is a royal pain in the butt, with his drinking and smoking....most definitely not what she is looking for, and to top it off she's getting some weird kind of flu. When, crap, there's a dead guy or undead guy, however you want to look at it, standing next to her locker. Suddenly, she is Marked by the cresent moon tattoo of the vampyre on her forehead. She is to become a vampyre, one of the undead, if she survives the Change that is about to occur in her body.

So, she has to leave her world behind, but it's not much of a loss--not since her mother married the step-creep, and quit being her mom. Zoey's Grandma Redbird has been Zoey's guiding light. The secrets of the Cherokee have been pasted to Zoey, and she believes in their magic. If anyone can help her, Grandma Redbird can. As Zoey enters her new high school, The House of Night, she is granted a new life with a new name, Zoey Redbird. She has finally found a place where she might fit in, with new friend, Stevie Rae and her friends, and maybe even a new boyfriend, Erik Night.

Zoey is not the average fledgling, and her changes happen before they should, like the bloodlust that she is unprepared for, the way her mark suddenly fills in, and the tattoo that begins to spread across her body as an adult vampyre might have. Neferet, her mentor and High Priestess of the Goddess Nyx--Goddess of the Night, slowly realizes that great power may rest in her new charge. But there are others not eager for Zoey's acceptance, wanting her to be an outcast, on the outside looking in. Will Zoey survive the massive changes her body needs to be vampyre? And, maybe it's just her, but there seems to be something not right at the school, what is her gut trying to tell her?

Marked by P.C. Cast + Kristin Cast is the first book in the House of Night Series published in 2007. It is excellent YA urban fantasy. I would highly recommend this book for teens and adults alike. The Casts create a new world where there have always been vampyres, and the People of the Faith, the religious sect that Zoey's step-father belongs to, fear what they cannot understand. Open your mind and enter a new world, the world of House of Night where anything is possible. You can check out all of P.C. Cast + Kirstin Cast's great novels @ http://www.houseofnightseries.com/.

Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz

Publisher: Hyperion Books
Pages: 320


From the Cover: Schuyler Van Alen has never fit in at Duchesne, her prestigious New York City private school. She prefers baggy, vintage clothes to the Prada and pearls worn by her classmate. But when she turns fifteen, Schuyler's life changes dramatically. The death of a popular schoolmate haunts her in unexpected ways. And the strangest of all, Jack Force, the most popular boy in school, is showing a sudden interest in her.....

When Schuyler shows her grandmother, Cordelia, the blue marks running up and down her arms, she is freaked out by Cordelia's relaxed manner. She tells Schuyler that it's time to see Dr. Pat. Who's Dr. Pat? Schuyler's mother has been in a coma almost since Schuyler's birth. She has no one, other than Cordelia, except for Oliver, her tried and true friend since second grade who always has had time for her. He, like Schuyler, is an outcast at their prestigious school. Mimi and Jack Force have been the bane of her existence, but now Jack Force has noticed her, even knows her name. What is happening in her life? Oliver is hurt by Jack's interest, she can't afford to lose his friendship.

Now, suddenly, the Committee has asked her to join their exclusive social club. When she attends the first Committee meeting, they try to tell her that she is turning into a vampire, and will eventually desire the Red Bloods as a food source. Vampires don't die, but are reborn generation after generation, by implanting DNA. But, suddenly, a vampire is killed, Aggie was only 16 years old and will never live again. Cordelia warns Schuyler of the Silver Bloods, their ancient enemy, which she believes has returned. But there are secrets, some that Schuyler's is keeping and some that she doesn't know, with Cordelia's death; who will help and protect Schuyler now? Who are the Silver Bloods and what does it have to do with the Mayflower crossing? Who is killing the Blue Bloods?

Blue Bloods was an excellent read and a great young adult urban fantasy novel published in 2006 We've all suffered Schuyler's doubts and fears. It was an easy read and interesting take on the Mayflower crossing and why. Currently the follow-up book, Masquerade is available. If you want to try a new take on vampirism, try Blue Bloods, you won't regret your decision. Visit Ms. De La Cruz's site @ http://melissa-delacruz.com/ for more information about the books and to see the trailer.