V is for Vampire
Hello!
Vampires are among the most fascinating creatures in fantasy, meshing a blend of horror, mystery, and dark romance. Vampires are undead creatures, that is creatures who were once human and alive but died and returned to prey on the living. From their origins in ancient folklore to their reinvention in modern literature and film, these immortal beings of the night with an appetite for blood continue to intrigue and terrify audiences around the world.
The idea of the vampire dates back centuries, with early versions appearing in folklore from various cultures. Many ancient civilizations, including the Mesopotamians, Greeks, and Slavs, had legends of undead creatures that fed on the living. These early vampires were often monstrous corpses rather than the alluring figures we associate with them today.
The modern image of the vampire—pale, aristocratic, and seductive—emerged in 18th- and 19th-century European literature. Works like The Vampyre by John Polidori and Dracula by Bram Stoker helped shape the vampire into a cunning and charismatic predator, tied to gothic horror.
Today, vampires come in many forms. Some remain fearsome, bloodthirsty creatures lurking in the shadows, while others are tragic antiheroes struggling with their immortality. Books like Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice and Twilight by Stephenie Meyer have explored vampires as complex beings torn between their monstrous nature and human emotions.
Vampires are often powerful beings with fangs and supernatural abilities such as enhanced strength, speed, and hypnotic charm. Sunlight destroy or weakens them and some stories show that they can turn into bats. Vampires are rich in symbolic meaning. They can represent:
Death and immortality – A reminder of humanity’s fear of death and the price of eternal life.Desire and temptation – Many vampire stories explore themes of forbidden love and power.Parasitism and corruption – Vampires feed on others, making them symbols of greed, addiction, or exploitation.Isolation and tragedy – Their immortality often condemns them to loneliness, watching as time moves on without them.Few creatures in fantasy are as versatile as vampires. Whether they are terrifying monsters, seductive villains, or brooding antiheroes, they continue to capture our imagination.
For more information about Vampires, check out the following: https://www.history.com/topics/folklore/vampire-history
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The fae sow chaos among the alternates. An elite team of resurrected individuals hunts them down.
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Grab all four books, the complete series, in one box set! An amazing urban fantasy adventure awaits.
Of Poison and Passion: An Enemies to Lovers Romantasy Novella
Former assassin turned small-town baker, Leah was living a peaceful life with her best friend, Tameer, when she got an offer she couldn’t refuse. She’d never killed a king before, but the money was enough to set them up for life, and the king was a violent monster. Really, by killing him, she’d be doing the world a favor. One last job. What could go wrong?
Ash, captain of the King’s Guard, has plenty of secrets and his own reasons for wanting the king dead, but he sure as hells isn’t going to let some half-fae assassin steal his revenge. If anyone is going to kill the king, it will be him. But first, he has to stop the murderess from fulfilling her contract and ruining his only chance at redemption.
Of Poison and Passion is a New Adult Romantasy. There are some flashback scenes of sexual abuse, violence against children, mild blood and gore, and hints at spousal abuse. If any of these things might upset or trigger you, please don’t read this book. Not all books are for all readers. I don’t want anyone to be hurt by my words.
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Time Travel, Genetic Warfare, and Humanity’s Fate
Zoe Calloway is about to unravel the secrets of time travel and her father’s mysterious disappearance
In the year 2075, New York City becomes the battleground for humanity’s future as a team of scientists, led by the brilliant geneticist Dr. Zoe Calloway, embarks on a covert mission to investigate an unauthorized time jump. Little do they know, they face a far greater challenge than anticipated.
Following the revolutionary research of Zoe’s late father into time travel and genetic engineering, the team discovers a path that could alter the destiny of the human race and secure its survival. However, lurking in the shadows is Chrono Kinetics, a ruthless organization determined to ensure their catastrophic failure. As the TGRI team delves deeper into the mystery, they uncover the existence of “Project Perseus,” a clandestine operation with far-reaching consequences. They encounter genetically engineered children with extraordinary abilities, including the power to manipulate time itself.
The team must race against time to prevent a catastrophic future, all while unraveling the secrets of Zoe’s father and the true nature of their enemy. Will Zoe and her team be able to stop them before it’s too late? Will they uncover the secrets of time travel and prevent a dystopian future from becoming a reality? Find out in this thrilling sci-fi adventure that blends time travel, genetic engineering, and a battle against a powerful enemy. The Time Navigator Series will keep you turning the pages as the team fights to protect the timeline and ensure a better future for humanity.
And Free through KU…
Some self-promo!
When sixteen-year-old Shael helps a mortally wounded messenger, he entrusts her with delivering to the queen three magical statuettes stolen from the Hyllethans, her country’s feared enemies. But Shael accidentally cuts her fingers while handling the statuettes and magic links her to them—any breakage or pressure on the clay is felt on her flesh. Shael’s fate is now inexorably tied to the Hyllethans, the statuettes, and the political turmoil in the land.
A lonely girl with a terrifying ability. The penniless soldier who loves her. And a lord with the power to destroy them both.
For seventeen years, Maia, a promising acolyte of the Goddess of Light, has hidden her ability to conjure flames over her skin. But when she performs in the temple’s Summer Solstice ceremony, the Emperor’s envoy, Lord Quei, tells her he knows her secret. Quei threatens to enslave Vane, the young man Maia loves, and execute her unless Maia recovers coins that were stolen from him. He claims these will protect his memory, as well as reveal the true nature of Maia’s fire and restore her lost memories.
To save herself and Vane, Maia resorts to deceit and thievery in her search for both the coins and the truth about her fire. But if what Quei says is true, the coins will shatter all she’s been told about herself and the Goddess she reveres, and even worse, will destroy Vane’s trust and love.
Fire Dance is a gripping blend of fantasy, sci-fi, romance and adventure that will resonate with fans of Sarah J. Maas’s Crescent City series.
When protecting family means losing the one you love.
Maia and Ryse, the love of her several lives, are desperate to return to their home world. Only Ryse’s presence there can stop a war erupting between their two rival countries. But Maia’s heart is torn: their craft is too small to take them as well as all her family and leaving with Ryse means abandoning family members in a land ravaged by war and rebellion.
When on their journey to reach their craft they stop to help a galley under enemy attack, they attract the attention of Dardarin, the Lysenthean army’s general, who suspects Maia and Ryse are not who they claim to be but are in fact enemy spies. With Dardarin following their every move to entrap them in their lies and with the plight of the downtrodden Lisentheans entangling Maia in the rebellion’s web, Maia races against the clock to find a way to protect all those she cares about on both worlds—even if doing so could mean she’d lose Ryse.
Fire Storm is a compelling blend of fantasy, sci-fi, romance and political intrigue, perfect for fans of gripping adventures like Sarah J. Maas’s Crescent City series.
Colours of Fantasy (FREE DOWNLOAD)
Not enough time to read, but love fantasy?
Colours of Fantasy is an anthology of short stories that range from magical realism to sci-fi fantasy. They are short enough to be easily read while commuting or during a lunch break. Read about paintings that are truer than true-to-life, or the heart-wrenching decision Poseidon’s human son-in-law has to take, or perhaps you’ll prefer a glimpse of life after an apocalypse, or a story about a space pirate with an uncomfortable past.
And if you like longer reads, Colours of Fantasy gives you a taste of Book One of two series: The Hyllethan Gifts Trilogy and Fire Dance Chronicles.
Till next time! Wishing you a great two weeks with a good book!
Caroline
