I imagine that some of my readers do not know of my connection to, and interest in, all things vampire.
One side of my family originally came to USA from Romania, home of Transilvania and, as many people believe, vampires. I have visited Romania about two dozen times, and been in Transilvania (or Ardeal in Romanian) about four or five times. I met my Romanian-born husband through his sister with whom I had struck up a friendship. One day I was visiting my friend, who also had another guest visiting her: an older gentleman also from Romania. We were chatting in the living room, when I happened to glance at the mirror across the room — and realized that altho’ my friend, her husband, and I were all plainly visible in the mirror, the Romanian gentleman was not to be seen! Yes, he was right there with the rest of us, but he showed no reflection in the mirror. (And everyone knows, I presume, that vampires do not have reflections.)
I also took some photographs, and altho’ this gentleman was included in several of the photos, his likeness never appeared in the photos themselves. Just. Blank. Air. (And everyone knows, I presume, that vampires cannot be photographed.)
Having heard all the legends about vampires in Romania and their cousin the Golem in Prague, I suspected that they actually existed. Now I was completely convinced. And you’ll never convince me otherwise.
Today I welcome my good friend, author Emerian Rich, who is likewise fascinated by vampires, and by ghoulies and ghosties and things that go bump in the night, to tell you about her newest book, Dusk’s Warriors. You have been warned …
My love of vampires started in college when I was first introduced to Anne Rice’s vampire chronicles. Before then, I had a deep fascination with gothic love stories, but I never knew the vampire could be so romantic. Widows living in haunted lighthouses, romanced by handsome ghosts? Yes. Young archeologists seduced by Egyptian mummies? Sure. But the vampire had never looked in on my gothic romances I loved so dearly.
Until they did. Finding Rice’s prose both descriptive and intoxicating, I felt finally at home with a few monster ideas I had kicking around my head.
First, could you fall in love with a monster that killed people you knew and or loved?
Second, could you love someone who killed indiscriminately?
Third, could you learn to love yourself despite your need to feed on human blood to live?
My vampires are monsters, but they are also beings with human faults, insecurities, and vulnerabilities. They mourn, they rejoice, and they love with a desperation.
Love is a strong theme in my vampire tales. First love, true love, obsessive love, the love of a mother to a son, and friend to a friend.
In this newest volume, Julien is obsessed with a woman who has left him for a world and duties he only vaguely understands. Without her, he feels as if part of himself has been ripped away. Just think of the last time your heart was broken, and then imagine you have all of eternity to live with that intense pain.
Reidar, on the other hand, is in love with a woman he sees every day. She is always there, reminding him of her beauty, her scent, her laughter. He walks the line of keeping quiet but near her, or telling her of his unwavering love and chancing her sending him away. His heart aches with the thought of losing her.
Markham is a tortured soul. Every woman he’s ever loved has been ripped from his grasp in a horrible way. In Dusk’s Warriors, he’s all but given up when he sees a woman who is the spitting image of a love he lost in 20s to the vampire wars. Could it truly be her? Or is this new version a gift sent from heaven to fill the void he’s felt for decades? Will the guilt of his old love’s death hamper him from finding love once more?
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Dusk’s Warriors by Emerian Rich
Heaven has opened up and welcomed the vampires of Night’s Knights into a new reality. As they struggle to find their place in their new world, trouble brews on Earth.
Demon servant, Ridge, is causing havoc by gathering up all the souls on Earth that have been touched by immortality. When he injures one of the Night’s Knights crew, he launches a war between the vampires of Heaven, the Big Bad in Hell, and a mortal street gang of vigilante misfits.
Will Julien, Markham, and Reidar be able to defeat the evil that’s returned, or will they once again need Jespa’s help?
Praise for Dusk’s Warriors:
“All hail, the queen of Night’s Knights has returned! Emerian Rich’s unique take on vampires delights my black little heart.” ~Dan Shaurette, Lilith’s Love
“A world of horror with realistic characters in a fast paced thriller you won’t be able to put down.” ~David Watson, The All Night Library
Praise for Night’s Knights:
“Fresh, original, and thoroughly entertaining.” ~Mark Eller, Traitor
“Emerian brought the Vampire Novel back from the dead.” ~C. E. Dorsett, Shine Like Thunder
Emerian Rich is an artist, horror host, and author of the vampire series, Night’s Knights. She is the hostess of the internationally acclaimed podcast, HorrorAddicts.net. Under the name Emmy Z. Madrigal, she writes the musical romance series, Sweet Dreams, and she’s the Editorial Director for the Bay Area magazine, SEARCH. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and son.
Your comments, as always, are most welcome!
And … if you haven’t already got your copy of Desperate Hearts, you can order a kindle copy here. Now also available on kindleUnlimited.
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Every Savage Can Dance 