"Yet a different take on the vampire world!"

This very different Vampire Romance gave me yet another point of view into the realm of the vampire. The customs, the legends and the way of the vampire are somewhat the same as other vampire books yet uniquely different. I enjoyed comparing the sameness with the differences.

This is the story of Dalys Aldgate, aka Dallas Allgate. He's lived all over the place from Australia to the United States. He's now living in Natchez, Mississippi when he comes across Syntia Martell, an ex-cop turned photographer. Tia witnesses a hit and run that involves Dallas in some way so she goes to Dallas with information. Dallas is not interested but Tia is very intrigued with this loner. Even though Dallas invokes his vampire will and tells Tia to leave Natchez, he underestimates Tia?s strong mind.

Then Dallas and Tia are caught up in another vampire's revenge. Jermyn St. James has turned to the Other Side in an effort to get back at Dallas for destroying his father. It gets to the point where St. James is leaving bodies everywhere he goes so Alek Dragovich, the enforcer, even has to get involved. Will Dallas finally win in the end or will he be destroyed by the evil St. James?

The dynamic scenes and dramatic story line kept me turning pages in this intriguing novel. Tia was a strong character who knew what she wanted and even when she found out what Dallas was, she didn't turn and run. She stood by Dallas through thick and thin, even when Drago told Dallas that he would either have to kill Tia or bring her over. The level of trust she had for Dallas was truly inspiring. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from Jay Roycraft. She definitely bears watching! I predict her books will only get better and better.

Reviewed by Kathy Boswell
Posted January 10, 2002

Summary

Dalys Aldgate has been a survivor for 235 years. Life as an Australian convict had sharpened his survival skills, but the bush also bestowed him the ultimate gift of survival, a journey to the Other Side. His soul left behind, Dalys became a mirror for those still human, a polished surface upon which the living can project their fantasies, never seeing the "monster" on the mirror's other side. In present day Mississippi, "Dallas" lives a reclusive life as owner of a haunted inn while trying to forget his even more haunting past.

Ex-cop Tia Martell is now a freelance photographer trying to adjust to life "after The Job" and put the years of violence and death behind her. While on assignment to shoot antebellum mansions in Natchez, Mississippi, murder brings her face-to-face with Dallas Allgate, the coldest, yet most fascinating, man Tia has ever met. Before Tia can unravel the mystery of the man with the hypnotic eyes, a young vampire and his master, Jermyn St. James, seek out Dallas for revenge. St. James only wants Dallas' true death until he sees Tia. Now he wants her, too.