Product Description

Elizabeth Martin was on a wild-goose chase halfway around the world to save him from madness. She didn't believe a word of his cryptic e-mail about vampires and drinking blood. Nor did she believe the drunkard who spoke of vampires ruling the small Czech village where he was last seen. Until she was put in contact with a mysterious Dhampir--the offspring of a vampire and a human. Reputed mercenaries who'll do anything--or betray anyone--for a price.

Elizabeth takes an instant disliking to Josef Darecky. He's too edgy, intense and moody...and he arouses desires that could compromise her mission. But he's also the only man who can save her brother, who is half-turned already. And, as she forms an unlikely bond with the half-blood mercenary, she senses that only by trusting him--and winning his trust--can the vampires be fully destroyed...

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #357754 in Books
• Published on: 2007-02-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 304 pages

Customer Reviews

Love for a Dhampir
Of all the books in the Silhouette Nocturne line, this one stands apart as a highly unusual and well-written story that diverges from the usual romantic vampire fare.

Scholar Elizabeth Martin comes to the mountains of the Czech Republic, looking for her twin David after she receives a cryptic and panicked email from him. With the help of a local innkeeper and his wife, and their mysterious permanent guest Josef Darecky, she sets out in search of him, finding that her brother has been captured by vampires, and it is only Josef, a Dhampir, the legendary scion of a vampire and a human woman, who can help her rescue her brother.

This story definately takes a departure from the typical modern vampires-as-romantic-misunderstood-heroes and brings the reader closer to the vampires of Eastern European legend and of Bram Stoker's take on it: fearsome, life-sucking, inhuman monsters. They remind me not a little of Max Schreck as Count Orlok in "Nosferatu", or -- for that matter -- the Nosferatu clan of White Wolf's World of Darkness Vampire RPGs. And in creating a Dhampir hero, Erica Orloff makes use of a too-often overlooked creature to contrast them: a being who alone, despite chronic physical pain, has the tenacity and skill to successfully track and slay vampires. There's a definate feeling of menace and foreboding running through this story, which is a welcome change of pace in paranormal romance. Maybe the love scene came a little too soon in the story for me, but that's a minor carp compared to how refreshingly original this story is for the Silhouette line.

Predictable and unimaginative
Same song, second verse. How many times can we read the same story with essentially the same characters and the same dialog? I mean. COME ONE PEOPLE! Give your readers SOME credit and get a little inventive!

It's like there's a Style Guide out there full of trite phrases, scenes, and plotlines that all new romance authors are using. Note to authors, IGNORE THE STYLE GUIDE!

Do not buy this novel unless you need it to throw at someone.

More like 4 1/2 stars...
Elizabeth Martin's twin brother, David, is missing in Prague. The only clue she has is a bizarre email sent by David referring to some unknown evil; she fears the insanity that took their father's life has now overcome her dear brother. Instead of madness, however, she uncovers that David has been kidnapped by vampires, that she until now have only given credence to in stories. Josef Darecky is her best chance at rescuing David but will this reticent Dhampir be willing to help?

BLOOD SON hearkens back to the classic Dracula style vampire stories. The overall atmosphere is reminiscent of those eerie and often chilling tales but with a modern twist to make it quite unique. Not many authors can succeed at this particular style without the story become campy but Ms. Orloff proves she can create just the right aura to make this story work in the modern day setting. Elizabeth's own doubts resonate with readers and make the unbelievable seem believable in this sexy but sometimes chilling tale.

BLOOD SON is a welcome addition to the vast realm of vampire lore available. Erica Orloff does a superb job at crafting realistic characters. The attraction between Elizabeth and Josef simply sizzles while the evil nature of the vampires oozes off the page. This contrast makes for a taut storyline with just the right touch of romance and tension. BLOOD SON is a definite keeper for any vampire lover's shelf!

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES