Nov 30, 2010

Jennifer Rainey - Guest Blogger

A big, gigantic PVN welcome to new author Jennifer Rainey. Her fist novel, These Hellish Happenings, has just been published.

Here is a brief blurb:  

"In 1707, hapless vampire Jack Bentley made a pact with the Devil in order to escape a vampire hunt. Dealing with Satan seemed better than your standard angry mob at the time. But three centuries later, Satan is ready to collect His dues, whether the vampire likes it or not. He's taking Jack down to Hell, and He's even got a job picked out for him down below: an eternal position at the Registration Office of the Damned. Jack attempts to adjust to life on the Administrative Level of Hell where fire and brimstone have been replaced by board meetings and the occasional broken copier. But the whiny complaints of the recently-deceased are the least of his problems. Try adding to the equation a dead ex-lover, a dangerous attraction to his high-ranking demon companion, Alexander Ridner, and the sticky and distorted anti-vampire politics of a Hell that is surprisingly like our own world."


Jennifer is not only a terrific writer she also has a great sense of humor, as you'll see in her essay. [see contest details at the end of the post]

Take it away, Jen!


Count Dracula is My Garbage Man: A Look at the 'Everyday' Vampire

I was practically born surrounded by the bloodsucking undead. While I'd love to say that Dracula changed my diapers and Nosferatu played peek-a-boo with me, that is unfortunately not the case (though I did have a date with a certain fanged, number-obsessed puppet on television every morning). My mother has been interested in vampire literature, folklore and film for my entire life and longer, and so the vampire was just as much a part of my life growing up as perhaps softball games and school dances were for other kids.

No, the fanged ones never frightened me. In fact, I can remember a six-year-old version of myself (complete with bowl-cut and The Lion King bookbag) being terribly frustrated when my classmates did not know who Lestat de Lioncourt was. Surely, I reasoned, their mothers all loved him, too!

Patricia suggested that in this piece I speak about how vampires influenced me in writing my first novel, These Hellish Happenings. The easy answer might be that I wrote about them because I was always surrounded by them, making them an easy topic to grab. But there--fortunately--is more to it than all that.

I have always fancied the vampire to some degree. Werewolves were far too hairy and temperamental, and most zombies just didn't have the necessary cognitive capacity. But when I compared my interest in vampires to the interest in the undead of my peers, it appeared I was, well... doing it wrong.

Many high school girls go through a vampire phase. My teenage associates certainly did, and I was intrigued, as well. I mean, who doesn't love a romantic, powerful figure who lures folks into a sexual stupor, drinks their blood and offers them immortality, right? Who doesn't love the sexy vamp with piercing eyes and a dramatic, dangerous past?

Ahem. I didn't. And still don't. I couldn't care less about a vampire's sex appeal. With irritating vamps like Meyer's good-looking, sparkly boy wonder dominating pop culture, I guess I'm in the minority right now.

Rather, what interested me was the vampire's problem and how it might realistically affect typical, everyday life. Human life. I wanted bloodsuckers that were just like normal people, dealing with personal struggles brought about by vampirism, looking to function in human society. I didn't want my vampires lovelorn or ideal. I wasn't looking for sensuous vampire queens or bombastic brat princes, British, bleach-blond bad-asses or lavender-eye lidded dreamboats.

After all, if vampires really existed, what are the chances they'd all be tall, dark and handsome, anyway? I was happier with an average guy who works as a gas station manager figuring out the ropes of vampire life or with an awkward librarian who is ashamed that she has to raid the blood bank once a week.

This was what inspired much of  These Hellish Happenings. The novel focuses on the hapless and somewhat pathetic vampire Jack Bentley who, due to some shady dealings with Satan, is carted off to work at Hell's Registration Office for all eternity (in an environment that's more Office Space than Dante, no less). Throughout much of the book, there are other characters who discriminate against Jack, mocking him and treating him differently because he's a vampire.

While the novel is predominantly a comedy, it comments on the seriousness of discrimination and human rights in reality through others' treatment of Jack. A big inspiration for me was the concept of a vampire trying to overcome the kind of discrimination that a human might face in the workplace, in everyday life. My aim was to make his challenges ones to which the reader could relate, that felt relevant to our society.

Certainly the stigma and negative effects of vampirism on the vampire have entered into the culture for years now; one need look no further than Anne Rice's tormented Louis to see this. However, many television shows, movies and books today are paying more and more attention to the problems of vampires having to function in everyday life. No longer must they function purely as outcasts on the fringe of society struggling with their condition, but now they must function within society itself, surrounded by humans with which they must interact (whether the humans are aware of the existence of vampires or not). The BBC program Being Human, for example, examines this closely as it follows a vampire, ghost and werewolf who try to live normal lives within human society. Their problems, though they stem from their species or condition, are very human, so that they are no longer awe-inspiring, larger-than-life supernatural beings, but very relatable and realistic characters.

I can honestly say that I hope this trend continues. Now, I'm not saying that we defang vampires and domesticate all of them. The vicious killing machine of 30 Days of Night and the beautiful and philosophical vamp of Anne Rice novels certainly have their merits. But I rather like the "everyday vampire," as he might be called. The idea that the homely bus driver that greets me every evening might be forced to hide a blood addiction for fear of losing his job is intriguing, appealing--and not in terms of sex appeal.

But for the record, Nosferatu is the sexiest vampire. Gotta love those rat teeth.


Contest: There will be a drawing to win a free signed copy of These Hellish Happenings! If you are interested, just send a message with your name to jennifer.rainey@rocketmail.com with 'These Hellish Happenings Contest' in the subject line. Contest ends December 18th.
 

NOTE: Jennifer comes by her writing talent honestly. He mom Sandy Rainey posts insightful reviews for PVN when she can take time from teaching duties.

Nov 26, 2010

New Vampire Releases for November 2010

You'll find some great titles for the month of November. Be sure to add some to that special list for Santa.  Also  check out SciFiGuy who gives outstanding coverage for Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, and SF books. Here is a link to his Nov. 1st UF and Paranormal list.  Enjoy!



Afterlight: The Dark Ink Chronicles
by Elie Jasper
Signet; Original edition (November 2, 2010)

From the publisher:  Savannah's most unconventional tattoo artist, Riley Poe, lives on the  edge. Now she's put over the edge when her younger brother is taken by a  sinister cult led by vampires. Her only ally is the hot-tempered  vampire Eli Dupre, attracted to Riley's beauty and rare blood type. To  save her brother from certain un-death, Riley faces dangers she's never  dreamed of, ruthless bloodthirsty enemies, and an evil of endless hunger  that wants to
devour it all...




Bitten in Two (Jaz Parks, Book 7)
by Jennifer Rardin
Orbit; Original edition (November 8, 2010)

From the publisher: Jaz Parks here. I. Am. Pissed. Just as Vayl and I arrive in Morocco to  secure an ancient artifact, he wakes up calling me by another woman's  name. And it's not even a good one. But since any form of argument  transforms him into an unholy terror, I'm forced to play along until the  gang and I can figure out what kind of power has so vastly altered his  perceptions.

So it's time for me to do what any well-trained  assassin in my position might do. I attack. What follows is a  hair-raising, breath-taking bullet train ride to the finish as the crew  battles on multiple fronts. I now know what I have to do - I must return  to hell one last time.






Blood Heat (Blood Lines, Book 4)
by Maria Lima
Pocket/Juno, Nov. 2010

From the publisher: Texas is heating up. . . .The summer heat wave that’s hit Rio  Seco, Texas, has even the vampires complaining, but now that Keira—the  Kelly Heir—is home from Vancouver, the weather isn’t the only thing too  hot to handle. Keira should be setting up her court and planning the big  reception at which she and her consort, vampire ruler Adam Walker, will  receive the magical leaders from the local area, but pomp and  circumstance just aren’t Keira’s thing, especially not with trouble  smoldering in her domain. A werewolf couple has mysteriously gone  missing from a local pack, and when Keira is asked by their leader to  investigate, she finds that some dissatisfied neighbors may have been  taking, well, strong action against the wer community—action that could  be repeated and could involve Keira and those she loves. With the  reception looming and danger fast blazing out of control, the pressure  is on Keira to keep Texas safe for supernaturals. Sometimes, it’s just  not that great to be Heir. . . .      






Confessions of a Vampire's Girlfriend
Katie MacAlister
NAL Trade (November 2, 2010)

From the author: One book containing both young adult books Got Fangs? and Circus of the Darned, plus new glossary and author’s note.

GOT FANGS?
Originally published January 2005

All sixteen-year-old Francesca Ghetti wants to do is have a normal  life where she’s one of the crowd, blending in so no one will know just  how much of a freak she is. Dragged to Europe by her mother to join  GothFaire, a travelling band of psychics, magicians, and assorted other  oddities, Fran has to cope with not only the normal angst of always  being a fish out of water, but also with her own fate as a  psychometrist.

Enter one Moravian Dark One (referred to by most people as vampires)  named Benedikt who claims Fran is the key to redeeming his soul, a  mysterious horse who seems to have an involved past, an immortal friend  who remembers what Mozart was like, and a demonologist who thinks he’s  Elvis, and you can understand why Fran despairs of ever fitting in.


CIRCUS OF THE DARNED
Originally published January 2006

I’ve given up all hope of having a normal life. As if things weren’t  freaky enough traveling around Europe with a group of witches, mediums,  and magicians who make up my home-away-from-home (aka the GothFaire),  now I also have to cope with a mysterious man who wants to steal my  horse, and a time-travel counselor who insists I’m Cleopatra  reincarnated.

I just want to go on a date with Benedikt, but when your boyfriend’s a  vampire, nothing is easy. Not only is Ben keeping secrets from me, but  somehow, I raised an entire battlefield of warring Viking ghosts–all of  whom refuse to be sent back.
And I thought all I had to worry about was what to wear on my date…








The Cowboy and the Vampire: A Darkly Romantic Mystery
by Clark Hays and Kathleen McFall
MIDNIGHT INK (October 8, 2010)


From the publisher: Reporter Lizzie Vaughan doesn’t  realize it, but she has 2,000 years of royal Vampiric blood coursing  through her veins. Neither she nor Tucker, her cowboy lover, has any  idea that Julius, the leader of the undead, has a diabolical plan to  reign over darkness for all eternity—with Lizzie at his side.


Lizzie  battles for her life—and her soul—as she and Tucker find themselves  caught up in a vampire war, pursued by hordes of Julius’ maniacal,  bloodthirsty followers.


Who will be left standing when the sun rises?









Devil at Midnight (Novel of the Upyr)
by Emma Holly

Berkley; Original edition (November 2, 2010)

From the publisher: For years, mercenary captain Christian Durand has done everything he can  to protect his men. When a beautiful ghost appears to offer comfort, he  assumes the strain has finally pushed him over the edge. All he knows  for certain is that this woman tugs at both his heart and desires. But  now that a vampire queen has set her immortal sights on Christian, he  must choose between his darker urges and a powerful love that spans  centuries.      







Devoured by Darkness Guardians of Eternity #7
by Alexandra Ivy
Zebra; Original edition (November 30, 2010)

From the publisher: Tane is a Charon, sworn to hunt and kill rogue vampires. His new  assignment seems like a waste of his talents - until he catches up with  the jinn he's been sent to capture. Half human, half demon, Laylah has a  vulnerable streak that strikes right through to Tane's cold heart. He  should be furious when she uses her powers to bind them together,  preventing him from dragging her before the Commission. Instead he  welcomes any reason to stay close enough to touch, to taste, to  seduce...Laylah doesn't know why she was chosen to protect a child who  may be the catalyst in a war between good and evil. But the mysteries of  her past pale compared to the dangers approaching. Tane is  devastatingly strong, breathtakingly sensual. And Laylah will have to  trust in every ounce of that strength, because her enemies are drawing  near, eager to destroy them both...     






Dracula: (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition)
by Bram Stoker and Ruben Toledo
Penguin Classics; Deluxe edition (November 30, 2010)

From the publisher:  The acclaimed Couture Classics with cover designs by Ruben Toledo have  become collector's items in the worlds of literature, fashion, design,  and popular culture.  Now, Toledo's signature style graces the covers of  three new Deluxe Editions of gothic literature greats-Jane Eyre, Dracula, and The Picture of Dorian Gray-capturing the haunting beauty, sensual horror, and decadence of these iconic tales.











Encyclopedia of the Vampire: The Living Dead in Myth, Legend, and Popular Culture by S. T. Joshi and John Edgar Browning (Hardcover - Nov 30, 2010)
Greenwood (November 30, 2010)

From the publisher: Encyclopedia of the Vampire: The Living Dead in Myth, Legend, and Popular Culture  is a comprehensive encyclopedia relating to all phases of vampirism—in  literature, film, and television; in folklore; and in world culture.  Although previous encyclopedias have attempted to chart this terrain, no  prior work contains the depth of information, the breadth of scope, and  the up-to-date coverage of this volume.

With contributions  from many leading critics of horror and supernatural literature and  media, the encyclopedia offers entries on leading authors of vampire  literature (Bram Stoker, Anne Rice, Stephenie Meyer), on important  individual literary works (Dracula and Interview with the Vampire), on celebrated vampire films (the many different adaptations of Dracula, the Twilight series, Love at First Bite), and on television shows (Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel).  It also covers other significant topics pertaining to vampires, such as  vampires in world folklore, humorous vampire films, and vampire  lifestyle.







Ghost Town (Morganville Vampires, Book 9)
by Rachel Caine
NAL Hardcover; First Edition edition (October 26, 2010)

From the publisher:  While developing a new system to maintain Morganville's defenses,  student Claire Danvers discovers a way to amplify vampire mental powers.  Through this, she's able to re-establish the field around this  vampire-infested Texas college town that protects it from outsiders.

But the new upgrades have an unexpected consequence: people inside the  town begin to slowly forget who they are-even the vampires. Soon, the  town's little memory problem has turned into a full-on epidemic. Now  Claire needs to figure out a way to pull the plug on her experiment-  before she forgets how to save Morganville...     






The Greyfriar: Vampire Empire Book 1
by Clay and Susan Griffith
Pyr (November 18, 2010)

From the publisher: In the year 1870, a horrible plague of vampires swept over the northern  regions of the world. Millions of humans were killed outright. Millions  more died of disease and famine due to the havoc that followed. Within  two years, once great cities were shrouded by the grey empire of the  vampire clans. Human refugees fled south to the tropics because vampires  could not tolerate the constant heat there. They brought technology and  a feverish drive to reestablish their shattered societies of steam and  iron amid the mosques of Alexandria, the torrid quietude of Panama, or  the green temples of Malaya.

It is now 2020 and a bloody reckoning is coming.

Princess  Adele is heir to the Empire of Equatoria, a remnant of the old tropical  British Empire. She is quick with her wit as well as with a sword or  gun. She is eager for an adventure before she settles into a life of  duty and political marriage to man she does not know. But her quest  turns black when she becomes the target of a merciless vampire clan. Her  only protector is The Greyfriar, a mysterious hero who fights the  vampires from deep within their territory. Their dangerous relationship  plays out against an approaching war to the death between humankind and  the vampire clans.

The Greyfriar: Vampire Empire is the first book in a trilogy of high adventure and alternate history. Combining rousing pulp action with steampunk style, The Greyfriar brings epic political themes to life within a story of heartbreaking romance, sacrifice, and heroism.     






Hunger Aroused
by Dee Carney
Carina Press November 2010

From the publisher: Jasmine is sick in bed when a sexy stranger breaks in and reveals  she’s suffering an irreversible case of vampirism. And because her  turning wasn’t approved by the Council, he must kill her once the  transition is complete. In the meantime, the executioner offers to ease  her torment with chocolate, hot peppers or sexual release. Fortunately  for them both, Jasmine’s kitchen is bare...

Corin’s honor demands  he do his duty, but he cannot execute the lovely woman while any part of  her humanity remains. He must also find—and kill—her sire. Jasmine  denies ever having contact with a vampire, causing Corin to question the  justice of his orders. Sensing his hesitation, the Council dispatches  another executioner, forcing the pair to make a run for it.

Every  hour they spend together—every sensual encounter they share—finds them  growing closer. Now Corin will have to choose: kill the woman he loves,  or go against everything he believes to set her free.






Hungry For You: An Argeneau Novel
by Lynsay Sands
Avon, Nov. 30, 2010

From the publisher: This vampire has been alone for far too long . . .


As one  of the most ancient in the Argeneau clan, Cale Valens has given up on  finding a life mate. His friends and family, however, have not. In fact,  they believe they've finally found his perfect match. Getting them  together, however, requires one little white lie . . .

Alexandra Willan is in a panic. Her restaurant is due to open in two  weeks, but her chef just walked out. Then a highly recommended  replacement arrives, an impossibly handsome culinary genius who sends  electric tingles racing through her body . . .

Except he can't  cook. In fact, Cale hasn't eaten real food in two thousand years. Yet  he's determined to prove to Alex his prowess in the kitchen . . . and  elsewhere. Because never has he hungered so for any mortal woman. And  not just for a taste of her, but for the whole delicious feast!








In the Company of Vampires: A Dark Ones Novel
by Katie MacAlister
Avon; Original edition (November 30, 2010)

From the publisher: This vampire has been alone for far too long . . .


As one  of the most ancient in the Argeneau clan, Cale Valens has given up on  finding a life mate. His friends and family, however, have not. In fact,  they believe they've finally found his perfect match. Getting them  together, however, requires one little white lie . . .

Alexandra Willan is in a panic. Her restaurant is due to open in two  weeks, but her chef just walked out. Then a highly recommended  replacement arrives, an impossibly handsome culinary genius who sends  electric tingles racing through her body . . .
Except he can't  cook. In fact, Cale hasn't eaten real food in two thousand years. Yet  he's determined to prove to Alex his prowess in the kitchen . . . and  elsewhere. Because never has he hungered so for any mortal woman. And  not just for a taste of her, but for the whole delicious feast!








Reckoning
by J. C. Wilder
Samhain Publishing (November 2, 2010)

From the publisher:
A world where good and evil dwell…



Seeking  justice for her murdered twin sister, Maeve finds herself trapped in a  world of magic and deception. She’s discovered the key that will  guarantee her success—a magical spell to control a vampire. Now she  needs to locate a witch of pure intent to teach the spell to her.




Quinn  Montgomery wants nothing to do with his birth mother, Mortianna, the  most powerful witch in the world. When he discovers Maeve is his  mother’s prisoner, he rescues the prickly immortal from imminent death.  Determined to set things right, he returns her to the Scottish Highlands  only to find that Maeve isn’t the only victim of Mortianna’s treachery.




Together,  Maeve and Quinn reluctantly join forces to battle the forces of  darkness as they fight their growing attraction for each other. Will  Quinn teach Maeve the spell she desperately needs, or will she fall  under his spell instead?




Warning: This book  contains a kick-ass heroine, a Wizard hero to die for, copious amounts  of throw-the-hero-down-and-jump-him sex, more corpses than you can shake  a stick at, sleeping vampires, cranky witches and wee beasties  guaranteed to give you nightmares.







Side Jobs: Stories From the Dresden Files
by Jim Butcher
Roc Hardcover (October 26, 2010)

From the publisher:  Here, together for the first time, are the shorter works of #1 New York Times  bestselling author Jim Butcher-a compendium of cases that Harry and his  cadre of allies managed to close in record time. The tales range from  the deadly serious to the absurdly hilarious. Also included is a new,  never-before-published novella that takes place after the cliff-hanger  ending of the new April 2010 hardcover, Changes. This is a  must-have collection for every devoted Harry Dresden fan as well as a  perfect introduction for readers ready to meet Chicago's only  professional wizard.     






Silver Zombie 
by Carole Nelson Douglas
Pocket; Original edition (November 30, 2010)

From the publisher: Zombies and Witches and Vamps . . . Oh, My!

What happens in  Vegas stays in Vegas—at least that’s Delilah Street’s hope. With Sin  City’s vampire and werewolf mobs wanting to cash in her chips once and  for all, she’s retreating with her partner Ric Montoya and  half-wolfhound Quicksilver to her Kansas birthplace. Unfortunately, when  it comes to finding trouble, there’s no place like home.

It  doesn’t take long before Delilah realizes she’s not in Vegas anymore.  Zombie cowboys and spectral cattle drives are kicking up dust, the local  weather girls are total witches who forecast perfect storms, and some  Hollywood fanatic is recasting zombies as the greatest stars of the  silver screen. And speaking of silver, Delilah’s special affinity for  the all-purpose monster-repellent leads her posse straight down a silver  brick road—and into a notso- fun house of mirrors—putting her  face-to-face with her dicey past and a mystery woman named Lilith, who’s  a real dead ringer for Delilah. The key word being dead.








These Hellish Happenings
by Jennifer Rainey
CreateSpace (November 6, 2010)

From the publisher: In 1707, hapless vampire Jack Bentley made a pact with the Devil in  order to escape a vampire hunt. Dealing with Satan seemed better than  your standard angry mob at the time. But three centuries later, Satan is  ready to collect His dues, whether the vampire likes it or not. He's  taking Jack down to Hell, and He's even got a job picked out for him  down below: an eternal position at the Registration Office of the  Damned.    Jack attempts to adjust to life on the Administrative Level  of Hell where fire and brimstone have been replaced by board meetings  and the occasional broken copier. But the whiny complaints of the  recently-deceased are the least of his problems. Try adding to the  equation a dead ex-lover, a dangerous attraction to his high-ranking  demon companion, Alexander Ridner, and the sticky and distorted  anti-vampire politics of a Hell that is surprisingly like our own world.     





The Vampire Hunters (Book One of the Vampire Hunters Trilogy)
by Scott M. Baker
Pill Hill Press (November 1, 2010)


From the publisher:
Modern day vampire hunters wage a brutal battle against the undead in  the nation's capital. As former Boston cops, Drake Matthews and Alison  Monroe thought they had experienced it all... until they found  themselves tracking down a serial killer who turned out to be one of the  undead. Stopping him cost them their careers and almost their lives.

Thanks to an influential and anonymous benefactor, Drake and Alison find  a new job ridding the streets of Washington D.C. of the vampiric threat  terrorizing the nation's capital. Only this time, Drake and Alison are  not facing a single vampire but an entire nest led by Ion Zielenska, one  of history's most evil and twisted masters. As the vampires  indiscriminately prey on humans, seeing them as nothing more than food  to satiate their hunger, they create a wave of violence that threatens  to engulf the city. Orchestrating the carnage is Antoinette Varela, the  mistress of the nest, whose vendetta against the hunters is personal.



Vampires Not Invited: A Night Tracker Novel
by Cheyenne McCray
St. Martin's Paperbacks; First Edition edition (November 30, 2010)

From the publisher:
Vampire attacks are on the rise in the city that never sleeps. So why  is half-human, half-Drow private eye Nyx tracking down Sprites? Sure,  these “young bloods” are causing mischief all over town—like painting  the Statue of Liberty’s toenails neon pink. But it’s not until Nyx finds  herself at the Pit, Manhattan's hottest nightclub for paranorms, that  she understands what she’s really up against…

Seems Master Vampire Volod has a plan—and the Sprites are in on it. By targeting the  weaknesses of every paranorm in the city, from Elves to Shifters to  Zombies, Volod and his fang gang aim to rule the night once and for all.  Over Nyx’s dead body. She loves a good challenge—and she will  seduce danger at every turn to throw Volod off course. It’s time for Nyx  to enter the beating heart of this dark conspiracy…before driving a  stake through it.

Nov 18, 2010

Twelve by Jasper Kent - Vampire Book Review

Twelve
by Jasper Kent
Pyr (September 7, 2010)

The year is 1812 and Napoleon Bonaparte has marched eastward and entered the boundaries of Russia. The Tsar's army, no match for the French, continues to pull back leaving scorched earth in their wake. Despite the setbacks none believe Bonaparte will ever capture Moscow but his troops move forward relentlessly and eventually take the city.

A small group of Russian intelligence officers band together with the goal of working behind French lines causing enough havoc to at least slow down the enemy. One of them, Dmitri, has called in reinforcements - 12 steely-eyed mercenaries from Wallachia. He is certain they will help turn around the fortunes of Russia. Dmitri assures his friends that these cold, menacing dozen can be trusted. The narrator Aleksei Ivanovich Danilov, has deep reservations. He and his comrades dub the menacing 12 the Oprichniki - a name given to the special army of16th century Tsar Ivan the Terrible - created specifically to destroy anyone Ivan considered a threat.

Alexei's reservations prove correct. The creatures turn out to be the dreaded voordalak, - thought to be mythical - they are instead merciless members of the real world. They are vampires, and not the romantic sort. They suck the blood and eat the meat of their prey. Their constant hunger and lack of conscience make them efficient killing machines.

This gripping saga is as much historical drama as horror story. Kent convincingly portrays the difficult life of the soldiers and the terror faced by civilians in occupied territory. Starvation for each was a constant companion. In Twelve there are mysterious deaths and disappearances  which are shrugged off as some sort of plague. No one except Alexei, and eventually his comrades, suspect the true horror behind the loss of life. I would not categorize Twelve as a thriller because the pace is slower than novels like Blood Oath or The Passage.  Still it will keep readers captured by terrific story-telling, well wrought characters, and gripping, supernatural horror.

Note: This novel is not for the squeamish. There are several scenes of torture and murder that leave little to the imagination.

The sequel: Thirteen Years Later, set in Russia of 1825 is due out from Pyr, Feb. 2011

[This book was sent to me by the publisher. My thanks]