"Exciting New Vampire Series"
A not-quite Dead Poet's Society in Jolly Olde England? One
of the really interesting aspects
of this book was that Ms. Laurey cast a real historical
figure in the role of the vampire hero. Christopher
Marlowe, a contemporary of William Shakespeare, was a well-
known poet and playwright. His
death in Deptford at the age of twenty-nine was shrouded in
mystery. Among his close contemporaries in life and "after-
life" is Thomas Kyd, another Elizabethan playwright, who
will soon have his own story. The author blended fact and
fiction, passion and humor to fashion a wholly believable
tale. No doubt you've heard there are werewolves in London. Well
apparently England hosts their share of vampires, and
witches as well. Indeed one of each provide the main male
antagonists for the story. There are a number of
interesting side characters associated with them as well. The heroine is an American. Dixie LePage is most definitely
mortal. In inheritance left to her by her great aunt
brings her to England to view the property in order to
sell. She'd hoped for a nice quiet vacation before
returning home to her native South Carolina. It was not to
be. Two men are very interested in the contents of her
library. Dixie's solicitor Sebastian Caughleigh has
nefarious reasons. He?s determined to send Dixie packing
before she discovers her late aunts' secrets. Unbeknownst
to Dixie, Sebastian is also the head of the local coven of
Wiccans. Wiccans practice the ancient religion of nature worship.
Many of the worshippers practice herbal healing, but this
coven has been corrupt for sometime beginning with Dixie's
elderly great aunts, who made a lucrative living both
healing the towns people, then blackmailing them with their
secrets. Sebastian wants the information for his own use.
He will stop at nothing to get it, not even murder. He is
unhappy with Dixie's arrival and plans to send her packing
ASAP. The other man is Christopher Marlowe, or Kit, who is
interested in her obtaining her books for his own reasons.
He is a bit more pleased by Dixie's arrival, but as he is a
vampire, he must be invited into the home in order to enter
it. He had not expected to be so taken with the young
American woman. A relationship between them
is just not possible. His colony has rules regarding
mortal/vampire relations. At any rate Dixie would probably
be appalled if she knew his true nature. He has reason to
dislike Sebastian, and it is not long before he?s become
Dixie's self-appointed protector. Unfortunately his is
not able to protect himself. Sebastian holds no appeal for Dixie; she's not even sure
she trusts him. Kit is a different story entirely. The more
time she spends with him the more she cares for him.
Sebastian is not to be thwarted however. He knows what Kit
is, and plans to destroy him, thus gaining Kit's power for
himself. If he can use Kit's disappearance to implicate
him in a murder, so much the better. He is very nearly
successful. The roles reverse, as Dixie becomes Kit's
savior. Now that Dixie knows the truth about Kit, can the
two find a way to thwart Sebastian and get him to own up to
his crimes? Can two people from different times, places,
and general makeup find a way to be together for all time? I do so love a strong heroine, and Dixie LePage is
certainly that. Kit is a wonderful hero, and I enjoyed the
fact that even a being with supernatural strength, and
rapid healing ability could still be vulnerable. Ms. Laurey
introduced some new "vampire rules" as well. There are
quite a few opportunities for humor as this modern day
woman deals with the very proper historical vampires. All
in all an enjoyable read. Leslie Tramposch - Copyright © 2000
for PNR
Reviews
Reviewed by Leslie Tramposch
Posted October 14, 2001
|
