Competition & The Vampire Lover's Diary

I am in the middle of editing Sleeping Love at the moment and can't write another chapter of The Hanged Man or The Ghost Writer until I have finished. I hope it won't be too long! In the meantime I will be posting chapters of The Vampire Lover's Diary, my fun modern Urban romantic spin off to my Victorian Vampire novels, The Swords Series.

I have one print copy of Knight of Swords, the first in The Swords Series to giveaway in a competition. Whoever reads the first post of The Vampire Lover's Diary and gives me a detailed comment of what they liked best about it wins a copy. You can comment on my blog or fb wall.

Good luck.

Happy Reading!



The Vampire Lover's Diary

Sunday, 19th December

I finally met him tonight. My daughter and I moved in here over a week ago but I have only ever seen my mysterious neighbour getting into his car at night. He lives straight opposite my house in a cul de sac of ten large exclusive properties with a private gated entrance. I was making a quick dash to my car to get my i-touch that I left in there and he came out and caught me. And by caught me, I mean with no make-up on, hair in need of a wash and style and grey joggers. Curses!

He came out of his front door between the pillars dressed to the nines in a black tuxedo. I leaned in the car and kept my head down as though I was rummaging about and couldn't find what I was looking for. I hoped to hell he didn't notice me but I couldn't help lamenting the chance to get a look at the tempting eye candy. I never heard his car start and I couldn't stall any longer. I wondered if he had gone back in the house and I could make a cool sharp exit. I quickly looked up to check if the coast was clear.

He gave me one hell of a fright when I found him standing right next to my bent figure leaning into the car, bum pushed out towards his face. To humiliate myself further I jumped and banged my head off the roof of the car. He was so apologetic, so eager to make sure I was all right. I just wanted to die.

It was pure magic when he spoke. He has one of those voices that roll over you like a gentle caress making you just want to hang on to every word. I rubbed my head attempting to laugh off my injury, all the time wanting to scream with embarrassment more than from the pain it caused me. This is not how I normally look I wanted to say, I can do better. Instead I asked him to excuse the mess I was but I was a writer and I liked to be comfortable when I worked. I was suddenly more afraid that he would take me for a ditsy divorcee living off her ex- husband's money and living it up instead of forging a new independent life. Well, it matters to me what people think. There was the inevitable discussion about my writing and the first dark fantasy novel that had just been published.

I forced a smile wishing he would let me escape and at the same time just wanting him to talk more so I could listen to his voice.

'Sorry, I haven't introduced myself,' he said after our short conversation. 'I am Roman Price.'

Roman for hell sake! A name straight out of a Harlequin romance with the looks to match! Tall dark, brooding and extremely well groomed. He looks around my age, late thirties, early forties. Perfect. He has dark brown eyes and short hair to match and there is some very sexy designer stubble around his mouth and jaw. Very nice but more than likely out of my league. Such is life. Anyway I am digressing . . .

I gushed as I told him my name and shook his hand when he offered it. He seemed to hold my hand for longer than necessary or maybe that was my imagination or wishful thinking! He owns a nightclub in London. Sounds like a swish place. It's called The Midnight Lounge. He enquired whether I was settling into my new home well and was there anything he could do to help make it any easier?

Oh yes, you could put an end to a year of frustration, I thought as I smiled and told him no thank you everything was fine but thanks for the offer. His gorgeous lips curled seductively into a smile and he stared straight into my eyes just as though he'd heard my thoughts. I know he couldn't possibly have but his dark eyes told me a different story. I swear I blushed. Hell, if he'd heard . . . Mental note just in case he is telepathic or something, don't think naughty thoughts around Roman Price. Well, you never know, do you?

Roman has a son called Connor. He's around eleven. The same age as my daughter. I asked about his wife. I thought it rude not to enquire if he had one! Besides I had to check before I got my hopes up anymore than I already had done. So much for my resolve not to get involved with men ever again after my divorce. I'm not really serious about finding another man but I needed to know if he was attached for future reference, just in case. I had never seen a woman at the house.

No he isn't married, anymore that is, he told me. His wife left himself and Connor two years ago. He changed the subject very quickly. Whoopsie! Hit a nerve. Shame but score! As if a man like him would look at me! I could dream. He began talking about the other neighbours. All the time he was talking I couldn't take my eyes from his. They were so hypnotic, drawing me in until I felt lost inside them. It was unnerving but exciting at the same time.

The other neighbours sound friendly enough but I have to say I rarely see them. They often have parties and are having one on Christmas eve at Roman's house. He wants me to come and bring my daughter. I think I blushed again when I thanked him for his invitation. Then he started to leave. I was about to make a quick exit when he suddenly stopped and turned back to speak to me again.

'Oh by the way, if you need anything or you get frightened by something at night, give me a call. Living at the end of the street next to the woods like we do can be a little frightening at night when you are on your own,' he smiled.

'I'll be fine,' I told him surprised by his concern. I can look after myself. 'But thanks for the offer.'

As I spoke he took his wallet out of his inside pocket and removed a card. He handed it to me.

'Here is my number. If I can be of help do not hesitate to call at any time,' he told me firmly not appearing to take no for an answer.

I nodded. He flashed me a warm infectious smile. I said goodnight and walked back towards the house noticing that he stood by his car watching until I was safely inside. What a gentleman! I sneaked a peak out of the window and wistfully watched him get into his sleek black Mercedes and drive off.

I had a hard time working that night. I began fretting about what I should wear for the party and spent most of the night going through my wardrobe for a special outfit before deciding I had nothing to wear. I will go on an emergency shopping trip tomorrow.

It was past midnight when I locked up and decided to go to bed with a hot mug of tea. Yes I know you shouldn't drink caffeine at night but there is something soothing and comforting about sipping tea as you read and prepare to spend a lonely night in bed. Anyway, I was just going up the stairs when I glanced out of the window on the small landing before continuing up the other steps and saw a man standing in the back garden.

He was a tall dark silhouette and I could not make out any features. Startled I looked closer and the moment I did he disappeared. I was trembling all over trying to decide whether I had imagined it, perhaps seen a shape made by one of the trees blowing in the breeze or whether I really had seen someone. I consoled myself that it was probably my imagination but I could not put myself at ease.


Monday, 20th December

I have to confess that I did not get much sleep last night and when I did I slept with the light on. I woke up early at 6am when it was still dark. Thankfully, my daughter is now on holiday and there was no rush to make the school run so I pulled on my dressing gown and went off to make some breakfast. It is always my custom to have a quick look outside to see what the weather is doing in the morning. The met office had predicted snow. But so far so good.

When I looked a car was driving up the street. It was Roman Price. Wow, he really did stay out all night. He got out of his car still looking devastatingly handsome with his shirt collar undone and his bow tie hanging unmade around it. He walked around the other side of the car to open the door for his passenger. He handed out a gorgeous tall blonde woman, all long legs and skinny. You know, the Paris Hilton type. I could hear her simpering and giggling as he kissed her hand and tugged her behind him towards the door.

He must have sensed someone watching him as he put the key in the lock because he quickly turned around and looked straight up at me. I nearly died on the spot, especially when I saw him give me a knowing smile. I shut the curtains quick and stood paralysed for a moment, horrified at my discovery. I caught a sideways glimpse of myself in my mirrored wardrobe doors and stared with dismay at my hair all over the place and my childish Hello Kitty pj's and dressing gown. What must I have looked like? How bloody depressing. Twice he'd caught me at my worst and the second time snooping!

How could I have possibly thought even for one second that a man like that might find me attractive? Especially when he could get skinny tall blondes by the bucket load. I don't want to go to the party anymore. I will make an excuse and spend another Christmas alone. At least I won't make a fool of myself.

Thursday 23rd December

I found myself going stir crazy today. My daughter Darcy is away staying with her father and his new wife until Christmas Eve tomorrow and I have been cooped up for days in the house on my own. The heavy snowfall hadn't exactly made me want to go out either.

I saw that man in the garden again last night. I know I am not imagining it now. I should never have looked out. It reminded me of that movie, Salem's Lot. You know when the boy opens his curtains at night after hearing a scratching sound at the window and finds his dead friend turned vampire floating at the window scratching his nails down it! Ugh. I couldn't open the curtains for two months after watching that movie as a teenager. Still not happy doing it. Huh and me a dark fantasy/horror writer. What gives???

I couldn't see his face for the shadows but I just had that feeling that he was looking up at me. Then he seemed to vanish. I heard a scratching at the back door and what sounded like the whining of a dog. I froze as the scratching got louder and louder. My heart began to thud. Somebody or something was definitely trying to get in.

My small spaniel, Puzzle went bananas barking and took off down the stairs to investigate and defend me from the would be intruder. It spurred me into action. I searched for something heavy and found my bronze lovers statute a friend had bought me for my birthday years ago. What a thing to hit someone over the head with. Still, it was heavy as hell and would do the trick should I need to go that far to protect myself.

The scratching turned into unmistakable clawing as I descended the stairs with weapon in hand. Heart thumping until I thought it might escape from my chest and run down the road I opened the locked door to the kitchen that Puzzle stood barking outside and ran through it. That's when I remembered Roman's card with his telephone number on. No, I decided I would prove that I could look after myself. My pride was still wounded from the other morning and there was no way I was calling him.

I ran into the laundry room off the kitchen with the dog and stood in front of the frosted glass door paralysed. I could see a large dark shape of animal. I know this sounds ridiculous but it looked like a wolf from where I was standing. I put my weapon of choice down on the floor and moved to the door and it's lock ready to confront it, all the time shouting for it to go away I was armed with a deadly weapon.

The door began to rattle and shake just like my body. I suddenly decided that opening the door might not be such a good idea and I began to step back scooping the dog up into my arms. I was paralysed waiting for whatever it was to come through the door. I would have rang the police but my mobile was upstairs and I couldn't move with fright. I felt doomed!
The door suddenly partially opened making me jump. I took another two steps back feeling tears in my eyes. I glanced down at the statute and picked it up. The door banged again and I gave a cry as I saw the black eye of a large wolf stare at me through the door. Just then I saw the tall shape of a man against the frosted glass. He lunged for the animal who whined. Frosty air blew through the door still holding on to its hinges and locks for dear life and the two figures disappeared.

Shocked I ran forward letting the dog go and pushed the open part of the door closed. I found some boxes I still hadn't emptied from my move and pushed them up against the door to keep it closed. I raced back upstairs putting on every light and climbed into bed with Puzzle and my weapon. I sat listening to every creak the house made with fear for hours. I debated whether or not to ring the police but what could they do and besides I doubted whether or not they would believe me. It was a nightmare. As though one of my gruesome books was coming to life!

Eventually I must have fallen asleep after consoling myself that it was just a dog trying to get in. A bloody large dog but nonetheless just a persistent stray. There was no way it was a wolf. It was dark I got it wrong.

I just wanted to get out in the fresh air and find some company especially after I examined the door and saw the huge claw marks down the back of it. I got my friend Susan's husband to come around and fix it for now. He was amazed and asked if I wanted to come and stay the night with him and Susan to recover from my fright but I declined his kind offer. Anyway, I took the dog for a walk.

I was coming out of the house all booted up and covered in layers, stylishly though I may add when I see Roman come out of the house with Connor and a man who looked exactly like him. They were carrying shopping in from the car. I didn't know he was one of identical twins! Double the fun!! Huh, double the trouble!

He looked over to me and caught my eye despite my very best efforts to pretend that I had not seen him. He smiled widely and I returned it with a awkward nervous one of my own. I put my head down and tried to carry on but he began speaking to me and I was forced to stop and acknowledge him as he crossed the road with his brother and Connor. You may wonder how I could tell them apart. I couldn't really I was just going on who spoke to me as being Roman. He introduced me to his twin Julian and to Connor. We chatted about the good and bad points of having a twin and then he startled me by changing the conversation to about last night.

'How are you? I haven't seen you for a few days and I wondered if you were all right last night. All of your lights were on when I came in from the club at 3am,' he enquired in that melting dark chocolate voice of his. 'I couldn't help feeling concerned. There have been some burglaries in the area recently and a couple of women have been abducted from the streets in the Peachum village and one from her home at night. Please call me if you feel unsafe.'

Julian seconded his words, 'We look out for each other here, especially the ladies who live alone.'

My eyes widened with surprise. There was more than concern in both of their voices, there was fear for me. I had never heard about the abductions or the burglaries and I now wondered if I would ever sleep again. Still my stubbornness to prove I did not need a man to exist safely on the planet forced me to smile and say that everything was fine. I had just felt a little unwell. Something I had eaten.

Roman's beautiful dark eyes stared at me hard and I am sure I saw disbelief in them. Feeling guilty I made an excuse about wanting to walk the dog before it got dark and left with the promise that I would indeed come to the party on Christmas Eve.