Call of the Vampire by Gayla Twist

Author: Gayla Twist
Title: Call of the Vampire (#1)
Series: Vanderlind Castle
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Release Date: March 18, 2013
ISBN: 1482669285
Authors website: gaylatwist.blogspot.com

Kindle was very adamant about selecting this read for me. I even added it to my TBR list. The book cover just didn't do it for me and the synopsis wasn't too appealing for me either. But the good reviews outweighed the negative ones, so I gave it a shot. 

Aurora is a young seventeen year old girl who is easily persuaded by her heedless best friend, Blossom.  One day, Blossom wheedles Aurora to crash a party at the exclusive and captivating Vanderlind Castle and this is where the girls meet both the cad and Aurora's confused love interest. 

From the beginning I thought the characters names were all off and it really irked me. Aurora, although a very beautiful name, just seemed like it should belong to an older woman. Say, a deceased aunt? Jessie, a boy of noble blood, is such common name; more like a nickname. And Blossom? I know the ditzy friend should have a low-key name. But blossom means something to grow in a healthy manner and Blossom (the bff) definitely is not a healthy choice for Aurora. The names are all wrong. I believe that names are a large part of a story. They carry a weighted meaning for each character and I don't think this amateur author thought this through. I think she picked names that were pretty and not in connection for a story that should be dark and mysterious. 

Other reviews stated this was a fresh new storyline and the characters were so likable. I disagree. Completely. It read like the Twilight series. A whiny teenager not being able to function because her crush doesn't show up to her bedroom. The Bishops are the oldest vampire family who keep their secret sacred - read: Voltori. And there really isn't any connection that caught between Aurora and Jessie. I never felt those sparks between them. Nothing ever happened between them to create a bond other than Aurora's likeness to her dead Aunt Colette, rather, Lettie (another terrible nick/name). And she thought it was alright when Jessie kept calling her by his past loves name after a kiss or embrace. Uhh, no. Aurora was such a pushover. 

Then there's the element of this book being so preachy (again!, Twilight-esque). When I started reading things like you should never do this, my mom told me not to do that, my mom knows what she's talking about, my mom put me in self-defence classes, my mom... *turns off Kindle*  I started thinking this was a book targeted for junior high kids, not high school to college. I believe the author could have gone around the mini sermons and maybe elaborated more on the story at hand. 

This novella was sparse in story-line information, connections between characters, character building, and nonsensical ramblings about Jessie's gray eyes, porcelain skin and statuesque body (another Twilight reference), and Aurora's very short and deficient dreams.

I really want to read the second book in the series. Yes, you read that statement correctly. Mainly just to see if Ms. Twist can redeem herself and her story. 

But the book cover isn't even cohesive to the story. The girl pictured on the cover is the complete opposite of what Twist described within the book. And the castle from book one to book two isn't even the same! The author should have put a little more effort in making this series presentable and more enjoyable. 

I'm really not anti-author! I think bringing an idea to life and taking the time to write is amazing! I wish I had the time and chance to do that with my own personal stories. My review is not an attack on the author personally. Instead, I think it's the execution of the whole package. I'm sure the author will develop her composition skills and find her true voice. 

Rated 1/5 owls

Vanderlind Castle Series:

The Nightlife: New York by Travis Luedke

Author: Travis Luedke

Title: The Nightlife: New York

Series: The Nightlife Series, Book 1

Publisher: Travis Luedke

Release Date: August 18, 2012

ASIN: B0090P1MIU

Author's Site: twluedke.com

NOTE: This book contains graphic language, erotica, and violent situations. Recommended for readers 18+

Several years have passed since I've read a story by a male author in my beloved vampire genre. I believe Polidori, Tieck, Goethe, and Le Fanu were the last male authors who penned vampire fiction which I appreciate. I usually sway in another direction from male authors who write romance stories because sometimes they're just too crass and simply don't get it. But then I happened to come across fellow Texan, Travis Luedke who had positive ratings by both women and men, had a pretty amazing book series cover (that's right, I judge books by their covers!!) and he mentioned that his first story in a series was online for free. I figured I 'd see what I missing out on. He didn't disappoint... until the end. But let me explain: It's me, not him... you'll see.

Luedke was able to write for both the ladies and men in his first book which isn't easy for many authors to accomplish. We're introduced to Michelle who is classically French, blonde, beyond beautiful, and a seductress who knows exactly how to get what she needs when she wants it. Score one for the guys.

Then there's Aaron who is adorkable, kind, strong, sexy but doesn't know it and someone who get's to be molded into that perfect man. Score one for the girlies.

I know vampires are supposed to be vengeful, corrupt, and evil, but I liked that Miss Vampire Michelle was torn internally as how to live with her new companion. Her past is terrible and one she tries not to impose on Aaron. She feeds to survive. She teaches Aaron lessons on survival, not corruption. Oddly enough, the humans they cross paths with are vile and unscrupulous. Touché, Mr. Luedke.

The foundation laid for Michelle and Aaron's upcoming adventure with unruly detectives is spot on. I kinda sorta already knew what to expect and which way the outcome of their confrontations was going to sway. But the story and time leading up to their brawl is well-paced and I found myself cheering for those bloody vampires.

Another aspect of the story I enjoyed was that the story kept going. Yup, you read that right. The author actually kept writing after all the hoopla and we get a little more closure in book one. However, it's the ending which caught me completely off guard and made me, um, uneasy? Some pretty graphic stuff happens. I'm a pansy when it comes to reading and "seeing" those words in my head become an imaginative reality. No me gusta. That happened a couple of times throughout the book, but the ending sealed the deal for me to not continue the series. Like I said, it's me, not him.

The writing, the story, the plot, the characters... everything was cohesive and fell into place. I read the synopses for his follow up stories and I'm pretty content that ending my relationships with Michelle and Aaron right here is the appropriate thing for me. I'm not much of a stickler for bondage, sexual enslavement... that sort of thing. But if you are, then by all means read and continue!

Rated 4/5 owls

Calling all Morganville residents!

Thanks to the brave Rachel Caine who wrote our story about those we've lost to vampires, she's now trying to film a visual account about Morganville but she needs our help! Whether you're currently a resident of Morganville or decided to make a break for it, let's get our story heard! Let's back Rachel and help fund this project. WE ONLY HAVE THREE DAYS LEFT!! You can donate as little as one dollar - it really adds up. But if you're feeling generous, unlike the reprehensible Oliver, you can donate much more.

Simply click on Rachel's Kickstarter page to go through the levels and prizes. The latest I heard was that you can swipe Myrnin's bunny slippers. Not sure why Claire never snagged them? So let's support The Glass House gang because who doesn't want to see our favorite friends and foes come to life in weekly webisodes?

____________________

Rachel Caine is one of my favorite authors who introduced me to Morganville, Texas and her awesome  fifteen-part vampire series. She's also the screenplay writer for the TV Web Series if all is successfully granted.

Blake Calhoun, a Texas filmmaker, will be directing this project bringing the citizens of Morganville to life. He's experienced in web series productions so the townspeople are in good hands.


UPDATE: (7.11.13)
The Mornganville Web TV Series has surpassed their goal and production will begin in the coming months! I'm so excited as are the rest of the Morganville community. Hooray!