Blood Red by Heather Graham (‘Vampires’ series Book #8)

Format: Mass Market Paperbound - Published: July 1, 2007 - 400 Pages - ISBN: 0778324869 - Published By: Mira

 

Blood Red

by Heather Graham

‘Vampires’ series Book #8

When a fortune-teller shows bridesmaid Lauren Crow an omen of her gruesome death, she and her friends laugh it off as cheesy theatrics – until women begin disappearing in the night.

Even as the streets become more dangerous, Lauren finds herself lusting after a man who is himself dangerous – and quite possibly crazy. Mark Davidson prowls the city by night armed with crosses and holy water, in search of vampires, whose existence, he insists, is rea.. He is as irresistibly drawn to Lauren as she is to him, and not only because she’s the image of his murdered fiancee. But Mark’s frightening obsession with finding his lover’s killer merely hides a bitter vendetta that cuts deeper than grief over a lost love.

As Lauren wrestles with desire and disbelief, sinister shadows lengthen over New Orleans, threatening her friends and foretelling a battle that may spell the end of the city’s uneasy truce between the living and the undead.

Review: I finished this book early this morning, Thursday, July 19th, 2007. I didn’t think this was part of a series, but now I’m sure it is. Some of the characters are recurring, especially from the novels that Graham wrote as Shannon Drake. 

Nevertheless, this was another awesome book! Terrific cast of characters! I could understand Lauren’s predicament. Going to a city you and your best friends adore, just to become scared out of yourmind and be told that vampires really do exist. Yeah, I think I’d have reacted the same way. “Reality” gave her a good smack upside the head, but she moved forward just the same. I think her friends could have used a little more help, mind you, but they weren’t the main characters, so they were fine.

Mark was a great character, strong, handsome, a quick mind. He was definitely a match for Lauren.

However, I do wish there had been more between the forces of good and evil. There should have been more between Lauren (good) and Stephan (super evil) than what there was. Sure, the battle at the end was a good one, but there should have been more of a fight between Lauren and Stephan, not just Mark and Stephan. And I think that’s the only reason why I can’t give the novel a full 5 stars this time around.

Rating:

Deep Midnight by Shannon Drake (‘Vampire’ series Book #3)

Format: Mass Market Paperbound - Published: January 2001 - 480 Pages - ISBN: 0821768379 - Published By: Kensington

 

Deep Midnight

by Shannon Drake (pseudonym of Heather Graham)

‘Vampire’ series Book #3

An opulent Carnivale ball in Venice takes a terrifying turn for book critic Jordan Riley. As festivity turns into frenzy, she is rescued by a powerful man disguised as a wolf. But was what she witnessed really just the evening’s entertainment – or something far more sinister?

Review: Finished Monday, October 23rd, 2006.

Not as great as the first two, but good! At first, I found the book to be confusing. Too many things were happening, bang, bang, bang, one right after the other, sometimes more than one thing at a time, and it was difficult to keep everything in order. I didn’t find the characters as profound as the first two books, which was a switch. Sure, you could understand Jordan’s confused panic, but it was like there was no substance … me, as the reader, didn’t really feel Jordan’s confusion or panic like I did the first two. 

It’s only until about 3/4′s of the way through the book that you finally understnad how this book ties in with the first two, and I believe it should have been sooner. I was really starting to worry that this book should have veen on its own instead of part of the series. The climax was good, as was the ending. The action and feelings of desperation you sometimes feel from the characters are what makes you turn the page.

It’s difficult to explain, but my feelings didn’t quite pick up on the book. Although it was good, it wasn’t 5-star great. It’s difficult to explain… I did like her descriptions of Venice (I’m Italian – so sue me, LOL!) I feel that she got it right-on in that aspect. I just somehow feel the book could have been better.

Rating: .25

When Darkness Falls by Shannon Drake (‘Vampire’ series Book #1)

Format: Mass Market Paperbound - Published: October 2000 - 432 Pages - ISBN: 0821766929

 

When Darkness Falls

by Shannon Drake (pseudonym of Heather Graham)

‘Vampire’ series Book #2

In a windswept Scottish cemetary, Jade MacGregor’s carefree vacation abroad is marred by a seemingly random tragedy. A year later, back home on a shadowy French Quarter street, she glimpses an oddly familiar face. Coincidence – or something more disturbing? Surrounded by her friends and engrossed in her work, Jade should feel secure. But somebody is dogging her every move. Somebody who knows what she saw on that long ago afternoon. Somebody who will try to rescue her from the evil that is waiting to destroy her.

Review: Finished Saturday, September 30th, 2006. Just as excellent as the first. A connection is felt between the characters, Jade and Lucian in particular, but with her sister, father, stepmother, and friends alike. The suspense and action were perfectly blended and kept me coming back for more. Drake’s descriptions put you in the middle of the story with no going back. Can’t wait to read Book #3, Deep Midnight.

Rating: