One Bite Per Night (27 page)
Read One Bite Per Night Online
Authors: Brooklyn Ann
The phantasmagoria was the precursor to modern horror films. Created in the late eighteenth century, the projected images of ghosts were used to fool people during séances. Even after the ruse was revealed, many people found the images so convincing that a 1798 production by Ãtienne-Gaspard Robert at the Pavillon de l'Echiquier in Paris was halted by police due to accusations that the magician was trying to bring Louis XVI back from the grave. These productions remained popular in Europe and America until the invention of motion pictures. Naturally, with Angelica's taste for the macabre and Lydia's skill in painting, these vampires embraced this invention. However, Lydia's first love will always be traditional painting.
The son of an innkeeper, Sir Thomas Lawrence rose to incredible heights with his gift for painting. He was supporting his family with his portraits at the age of ten. By the time he was eighteen, his work gained the attention of Princess Charlotte, thus granting him esteemâand commissions from the most important people in the country. In 1820, he became president of The Royal Academy of Arts.
Despite his income from his work, Lawrence was frequently in debt due to overwhelming generosity toward his friends. He was also foolish in his love life, first being engaged to Sally Siddons, eldest daughter of the famous tragic actress, Sarah Siddons. Lawrence abruptly shifted his attentions to Sally's younger sister, Maria. He threatened suicide if their mother would not seek Mr. Siddons's approval of an engagement. Then, when Maria was stricken with consumption, he went back to Sally.
Before Maria died (or became a vampire) in 1798, she made Sally promise never to marry Lawrence. Sally kept her promise and followed her sister to the grave (or became a vampire) in 1803. Grief stricken, Mrs. Siddons and her family broke all contact with Lawrence until around 1829, when he was commissioned to draw a portrait of her niece, Fanny Kemble, who was reputed to resemble Maria Siddons. It was his last portrait. Lawrence died abruptly in 1830, reputedly from “ossification of the heart” and blood loss.
Perhaps the Siddons sisters had their revenge after all.
I owe my thanks to a lot of people, without whom this book wouldn't have happened.
To Kent Butler: Even though I barely knew you at the time, your awesome hair inspired my muse and gave me a template for my hero. Thanks for being cool about it when I confessed.
To my editors, Deb Werksman and Susie Benton, for pushing me to make the book the best it could be, and for the many fun brainstorming sessions on weaving Thomas Lawrence and the Siddons sisters into the story.
To my awesome publicist, Beth Sochacki, for her hard work in making my first book a success.
To my son, Micah, for drawing an incredible map of the Cornish coast and situating Vincent's castle.
To Shelley Martin, Bonnie Paulson, Michel King, Millie McClain, Rissa Watkins, Dot Dittman, and Tana Essary for their priceless aid in critiquing the book.
To Edward and Candice Francis for an incredible author photo shoot in the cemetery.
To Dean Chamberlain for giving me a phenomenal release party for the first book and already helping me plan the next.
To all my friends at Gus's Cigar Pub for all of your support and encouragement.
To all the people who saved my butt during times of crisis by providing aid and succor: Danae, Dot, Jade and Arlan, Dad and Kathy, Theresa, Grace, Asa, Aunt Wendy, Dean, Kent, Bill K., Bill F., and Bill S.
And finally, to all my friends and family. You know who you are.
Don't miss the next of Brooklyn Ann's Regency Scandals with Bite:
Bite at First Sight
Scarred, embittered vampire Rafael Villar catches aspiring physician Cassandra Burton alone in a graveyard at night, and you'll never guess what strange bargain they strikeâ¦
Coming soon from
Sourcebooks Casablanca
Bite Me, Your Grace
by Brooklyn Ann
London's Lord Vampire has problems
Dr. John Polidori's tale “The Vampyre” burst upon the Regency scene along with Mary Shelley's Frankenstein after that notorious weekend spent writing ghost stories with Lord Byron.
A vampire craze broke out instantly in the haut ton.
Now Ian Ashton, the Lord Vampire of London, has to attend tedious balls, linger in front of mirrors, and eat lots of garlic in an attempt to quell the gossip.
If that weren't annoying enough, his neighbor Angelica Winthrop has literary aspirations of her own and is sneaking into his house at night just to see what she can find.]
Hungry, tired, and fed up, Ian is in no mood to humor his beautiful intruderâ¦
What readers are saying:
“It was romantic and quirky and a lot of fun. The author writes with such heart. I can't wait for her next one!”
“I loved this book! Absolutely amazing!”
For more Brooklyn Ann, visit:
Forged by Desire
by Bec McMaster
Look for the fourth book in Bec McMaster's highly acclaimed London Steampunk series, coming in late 2014
The captain of the Nighthawk guard has a deadly mission: capture a steel-jawed monster who's been preying on women. Capt. Garrett Reed hates to put his partner Perry in jeopardy, but she's the best bait he has. Little does he realize, he's the one about to be caught in his own trapâ¦
Perry has been half in love with Garrett for years, but this is not exactly the best time to fall in loveâespecially when their investigation leads them directly into the clutches of the madman she thought she'd escapedâ¦
Praise for Bec McMaster:
“Bec McMaster brilliantly weaves a world that engulfs your senses and takes you on a fantastical journey.”â
Tome Tender
“[McMaster's] descriptive powers are flawless and her ability to draw the reader in is unparalleled.”â
Debbie's Book Bag
For more Bec McMaster, visit:
My Lady Quicksilver
by Bec McMaster
I will come for youâ¦
He will find her no matter what. As a blueblooded captain of the Nighthawk Guard, his senses are keener than most. Some think he's indestructible. But once he finds the elusive Mercury, what will he do with her?
It's his duty to turn her inâshe's a notorious spy and traitor. But after one stolen moment, he can't forget the feel of her in his arms, the taste of her, or the sharp sting of betrayal as she slipped off into the night. Little does Mercury know, no one hunts better than the Nighthawk. And his greatest revenge will be to leave her begging for his touchâ¦
“McMaster continues to demonstrate a flair for wildly imaginative, richly textured world building. Set in an alternate version of London ruled by vampiresâ¦the perfect choice for readers who like their historical romances sexy, action-packed, and just a tad different.”â
Booklist
“One of my top books of 2013â¦just amazing.”
â
Royal Reviews
For more Bec McMaster, visit:
Lessons After Dark
by Isabel Cooper
Author of
No Proper Lady,
a
Publishers Weekly
and
Library Journal
Best Book of the Year
A woman with an unspeakable past
Olivia Brightmore didn't know what to expect when she took a position to teach at Englefield School, an academy for “gifted” children. But it wasn't having to rescue a young girl who'd levitated to the ceiling. Or battling a dark mystery in the surrounding woods. And nothing could have prepared her for Dr. Gareth St. John.
A man of exceptional talent
He knew all about her history and scrutinized her every move because of it. But there was more than suspicion lurking in those luscious green eyes. Olivia could feel the heat in each haughty look. She could sense the desire in every touch, a spark that had nothing to do with the magic of his healing abilities. Even with all the strange occurrences at the school, the most unsettling of all is the attraction pulling her and Gareth together with a force that cannot be denied.
For more Isabel Cooper, visit:
No Proper Lady
by Isabel Cooper
It's
Terminator
meets
My Fair Lady
in this fascinating debut of black magic and brilliant ball gowns, martial arts, and mysticism.
England, 1888. No one has any idea that in a few hundred years, demons will destroy it all. Joan plans to take out the dark magician responsibleâbefore he summons the demons in the first place. But as a rough-around-the-edges assassin from the future, she'll have to learn how to fit into polite Victorian society first.
Simon Grenville has his own reasons for wanting to destroy Alex Reynell. The man used to be his best friendâuntil he almost killed Simon's sister. The beautiful half-naked stranger Simon meets in the woods may be the perfect instrument for his revenge. It will just take a little time to teach her the necessary etiquette and assemble a proper wardrobe. But as each day passes, Simon is less sure he wants Joan anywhere near Reynell. Because no spell in the world will save his future if she isn't in it.
“A genre-bending, fast-paced whirl with fantastic characters, a deftly drawn plot, and sizzling attraction.”âRT Book Reviews
Top Pick of the Month, 4.5 Stars
For more Isabel Cooper, visit:
Never Been Bit
by Lydia Dare
The glittering world of high society is the playground for the rich, titled, and reluctantly undeadâ¦
Alec MacQuarrie's after-life has become an endless search for pleasure in an effort to overcome his heartbreak and despair. Wandering through the seedy world of London's demimonde, he's changed into a dark and fearsome creature even he doesn't recognize until he stumbles into a magical lass he knew once upon a time and sees a glimpse of the life he could have had.
But the
ton
is no match for one incorrigible young ladyâ¦
After watching each of her coven sisters happily marry, Sorcha Ferguson is determined to capture a Lycan husband of her very own. When she encounters Alec, she decides to save her old friend from what he's become, all while searching for her own happily-ever-after.
Over his dead body is Alec going to allow this enchanting innocent to throw herself away on an unworthy werewolf, but that leaves him responsible for her, and he's the worst monster of them allâ¦
For more Lydia Dare, visit:
A lover of witty Regencies and dark paranormal romance, Brooklyn Ann combines the two in her vampire series. The former mechanic turned author lives with her family in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho. She can be found online at
www.brooklynann.blogspot.com
.
