Ghost Books

Author Steve Niles used to live in the D.C. area and then moved to L.A. Like author, like character. Cal McDonald experiences a wake up call after battling a crazed killer and the possibility of a new case drives him to relocate to Los Angeles. His ghoul friend Mo'Lock is not around so Cal sets off on his own to visit the home of another monster hunter.

The City of Angels also seems to be the city of monsters as Cal has to deal with all sorts of unusual activity while waiting for his West-Coast counterpart. But if werewolves and vampires aren't enough, Cal finds out that a predicted and feared Day of Monsters might actually be about to happen. Most of the world does not know about the strange things that also inhabit our world but they are about to get a dose of reality if Cal can not figure out what is going on and put a stop to it right away.

This is a short book made shorter by having a number of adventures. It is a little more disjointed than the first novel but it reads better. The action and pacing are fast. While Cal complains about not getting a chance to take a breath the reader may feel the same way as the action races along. Fast, furious, and a lot of fun. Check it out.

Loaded with clever plot twists, witty dialogue and awesome monster on monster battles this is sure to please

This is the best in the Cal McDonald series. It had some great action sequences, some truly funny and well-worded dialogue, an interesting plot and great characters including our old friends Cal and his partner Mo' Lock as well as Sam Burnett a fellow monster hunter and old friend of Cal's, who spends most of the story as an understandably PO'd animated severed head who spends most of his time screaming obscenities, and a new love interest of Cal's a women who runs a Magazine called Speculator (mentioned once or twice in Savage Membrane) from her apartment. For villains we have a big boss Vampire named Dave, a werewolf duo and a satanic teenager.

Like Savage Membrane this is a great quick read. The short chapters hold your interest and make it easy to read the whole thing in one sitting.

Overall this book has allot of clever twists and turns allot of over the top and interesting characters allot of cool action sequences allot of smart witty dialogue and last but not least allot of crazy monsters. Sure to please fans of cal McDonald, fans of monsters and fans of noir.

Steve Niles wrote a hard core novel that I just couldn't put down for anything. Guns, Drugs and Monsters is full of creativity, energy, wit and charm in every chapter. I found myself savoring every page of this book, often turning away to laugh and collect myself after being stunned by the incredible energy of the prose. This book was filled with nothing but "hardcore super stuff."

Not once I could of put the book down, it got my attention and held it in. (Guns, Drugs and monsters, A Cal McDonald mystery.) Cal McDonald has made a career helping and hunting the dark creatures that haunt the world and has made as many friends as he has enemies. to some he is friend and protector. but to most- those who prey on innocent humans lives- Cal is a sworn enemy.

I recommend you read this book because once you have a taste of Steve Niles style, you never want to get it out of your system.

Though Niles does not write great literature, he does write a great satire. This book is filled with hilarious characters, weird monsters, and some great plot twists. Cal McDonald is a lovable anti-hero who is not afraid of getting himself arrested, maimed, or even transformed into various unholy beings. The book is fun and a great read, especially is you have read Dashal Hammet or Raymond Chandler. If You enjoy this book, I also recommend "Savage Membrane" (the first Cal McDonald book), "Dial M for Monster" (a collection of Cal McDonald short stories), "Criminal Macabre" (Cal McDonald's first graphic novel, illustrated by Ben Templesmith), and "Love Me Tenderloin" (The new Cal McDonald comic currently on issue #1). I hope you all enjoy this wonderful adventure in the supernatural underworld of Los Angeles.

Guns, Drugs, and Monsters isn't going to place among this century's "great" novels--it just doesn't aim for a mainstream audience. What the book does have, however, is more creativity, wit, and charm in one chapter than most books have in their entirety. Steve Niles has one of the most high-energy and witty writing styles I've ever encountered. I found myself savoring every page of this book, often turning away to laugh and collect myself after being stunned by the incredible energy of the prose. The creative turns of phrase, and the sheer quantity of fun ideas make this book something special. It's as if Steve Niles just decided to compile a book full of nothing but the "good stuff."

This may sound like hyperbole, and not everyone may have my reaction to it, but just trust that Guns, Drugs, and Monsters reads like nothing else you've encountered. I had already picked up the trade paperback of 30 Days of Night, also by Steve Niles, but have yet to read it. Now that I've read Guns, Drugs, and Monsters, not only am I positive that 30 Days of Night will live up to its hype, but I fully intend to check out as many Niles creations as I can find.

I am now a full-fledged Steve Niles fan, and sincerely hope that this second entry into the adventures of Cal McDonald will not be the last (at least I still have the first book to enjoy, Savage Membrane).

This item is wonderful!!!!! I think everyone should get a chance to redad it! Even rented on the library.Really!

The book The Haunted Hotel by Ron Roy is part of the A-Z Mysteries series. I have enjoyed many books written by Ron Roy. In The Haunted Hotel there is this ghost that terrorizes the hotel and three kids try to figure out who the ghost is. The main characters are Josh, Dink and Ruth Rose .The book is set in a hotel. It shows how hard it is to be a detective.
My favorite part was when they found out who the ghost was. The book is very exciting and fun to read. I recommend this book for people who like mysteries. That's what I think of the book.
By Hilda

The time that I read this book I felt so thrilled for the ghost that tortures the Shangrala hotel.This book is the one reason that I bought the entire series. Ron Roy is a person that loves mystery books. I am glad he made those books because if he didn't then I wouldn't be thrilled by any other book.

This book was great. I liked it because it was a good mystery for younger kids! My favorite part was when they found out who the ghost ...was! I think it was a good book and I hope other kids enjoy reading it like I did!!!!!!!

It was the first book I ever read in the A to Z mysteries. I like it because it was short and there were map in the front page. It about three kid, Dink, Josh and Ruth Rose who solve the mystery of the ghost in the hotel. Read it, you will like it.

I like Simon Marsden's work , if anyone likes gothic they will like this type of calendar.

The Haunted Realm 2007 Calendar highlights the mysterious and other-worldly photography of Simon Marsden. His black-and-white photos capture scenes that are mysterious, somber and thought-provoking. Gothic architecture, gravestones, bare trees and gnarled branches, ominous skies, and foliage made un-earthlike by the use of infrared photography are the major elements that comprise his striking images. Additionally, each month provides a short explanation of what makes the photographed site "haunted". The calendar grid, itself, offers a clean layout and is easy to read, making the calendar as practical as it is beautiful. Highly recommended.

I first came across this book in my high school library, about 1990. I fell in love with it.... Anyway, this is a beautiful book that features lots of Simon Marsden's infrared photos of castles, manor houses, spooky natural places, etc., from all over the British Isles and Ireland. A page or two decribing the ghostly phenomena associated with each locale is included as well. I spent nearly three weeks in Scotland seeking out some of the places in this book (and the book that followed, "Phantoms of the Isles"), but sadly, they didn't seem half as creepy in real life as they did in the book. I highly recommend anything by Simon Marsden...Happy hauntings!

this is one of the most beautifully photographed books on the the subjects of haunted places.The British locales shown in black and white,as well as the stories documenting the haunted places make this a great book for your collection as well as a coffeetable book.This is 120+ pages of delight be it in portrayal of haunted England or the beauty of the English countryside and stately manors.

i first picked this book up when i was 10 years old. I'm 16 now and i still can't put it down. This is, without a doubt, the most chilling collection of stories i have ever come across. The contents of this book are psycologically affecting as well imagination provoking. I truly cannot say enough great things about this book. If you havn't read it-PLEASE do yourself a favor, and get ahold of The Haunted Realm.

William White,Elizabeth's Ex-boyfriend,a whacko who's obsessed with her escapes from Harrington Institution[a mental Hospital] He gets revenge against Elizabeth's friends Winston becomes Boppo,A clown cheerleader+ Mascot who comes out of a Sedan,a 4 door sedan singing Make Them Laugh. Denise Is With him. Make Them Laugh is from one of my favorite musicals,Singing In The Rain. He locks Jessica up in Marsden Garage,but someone gets her out. Todd saves everybody from William White. William White Dies,or so they think.

This is one of the best books I have read! It was very scary, actually. I have a good imagination and I could picture everyone together being terrified, and each one of the main characters jumping out of the van, trying to save themselves. And I could picture William White's car blowing......Maybe you should read it for yourself. But it was not only scary and very suspenseful, it also had some romantic and funny moments in it too. If you love SVU, you'll LOVE this book! :)

I read this book many times. Always enjoying it. I mean it has the elements every good book should with my favorite twins in the world. I love this one and it is a classic Sweet Valley!

The genius of this book must be commended. William White is back with an obsession for revenge for Elizabeth Wakefield. He has previously attempted to kill her (book #6 of the SVU series), stalked her mercilessly with creepy Shakespearean sonnets, morbid doll displays, and crank calls for months. Now he's back with revenge on his mind--and he'll go just far enough to get to her--including going after her in the most brutal and sadistic way.

Though it was over all pleasing to read the continuation of the William White saga, I must say that there were a few things in this story that were a little too silly. The Braino act was kind of unnecessary. I think that the author could have come up with a better storyline instead of this silliness. William White should have revealed himself to Elizabeth in a different way. The braino mask deal was kind of cliche and overrated. So was the potentally predictable car accident which "supposedly" kills William. The story could have been a little better.

Overall, a great suspensefull thriller. Just when you think that William White can't get any worse--he does. The attempt on Celine's life was completely out of left field. Not once did it occur in any part of the series (books 1-11) that William would want to get rid of his abling accomplice. Amazing where his insanity finally drove him to. A Five star book all around.

wow this book has it all! i mean, it's scary, suspenceful, but it still has it's funny bits. it's a must-read. ok, the plots. william white is stalking liz. sending her treatening notes, leaving her things (such as a barbie doll that looks like her with it's head twisted). and he's framed todd so it looks like he's the one doing it!! william decides to kill all of liz's friends (tom, danny, nina, maia, denise, isabella, winston, everyone minus jessica), they're "too interfering". so in the book, he's hatching a plot to get everyone at the next school football game where he can get liz, and kill everyone else... a sideplot is winston trying to become the new "braino" a school tradition of a clown who performs at the school games. this adds humor to the story, as winston always does!! a definete MUST-read!!

Totally rad. The killer was someone who never even crossed my mind. Great plot, great suspense, great characters, all in all a great read.

This book, Help Wanted, is by one of the best authors I've ever read. Richie Tankersley Cusick is one of the most amazing authors I've ever read a book by. This book is very surprising. It is written well and it is sure to give you a scare. The ending was very surprising to me and was very dramatic. If you like scary books and you like Richie Tankersley Cusick this is a book for you. Five stars!

Here is the description on the back of the book:

"GET RICH QUICK!
The bold print seemed aimed at her directly: "Detail-oriented student for cataloguing personal library." But when Robin Bailey answers the ad, she is surprised that she has already been recommended for the job by Parker Swanson, the gorgeous new guy in school. Parker's grandfather will pay her to organize the collection of antique books that belonged to Parker's stepmother, a Medium who died by her own hand. Suddenly Robin is plunged into Parker's dark and twisted family saga, trying to protect his stepsister Claudia who is haunted by visions of her evil mother and driven to desperation. Parker says that Claudia is crazy. But Robin has heard and seen the ghost! Now her part-time job is a full-time nightmare!"

After reading seven other books by Cusick, I am so used to her style of writing that this book just didn't seem like it totally hit the spot for me, but I think I can blame that partly on getting older. Don't get me wrong, I am positive that if I had read this before I had read all her others, I would have liked it a lot more. Also the ending was pretty surprising, and there was a nice twist. However (WARNING, hint of ending!),
I was mad that in the end the main character didn't even make up her mind about which guy she liked, and there was not enough romance!

If you are under the age of 16, or haven't read any other of this author's books, I would recommend this book, but some fans of Cusick's might be a bit disappointed because she has written better ones.

This book was great from start to finish. I loved the way romance was mixed with horror, and it made for a great ending! I would definitely recommend this book to any adolescent who likes to be a little scared.

I was in the library looking for an autobiography and I made a short trip to the "young adult mystery section" and I happened to come across this book. So I checked it out. This book was really good. It was well written and well described that it was so easy to get a picture in your mind. It had a really nice ending to it. I couldn't believe who the killer was at the end.

Mr. Costello's debut work is beautifully illustrated and the story is witty. Although it is written for small children, my nine year old son enjoys reading it to my 4 year old daughter. The book is also being used in his fourth grade poetry class. I highly recommend it!

I'm a firm believer that good poetry teaches children a great deal. Not only about the subject at hand, but about the lyric nature of our language and good bit about spelling and sentence construction as well.

Thus we all welcome David Costello's brilliant book, "Here They Come!" Not only is the poetry good, but the topic is fun and treated with great humor. Text follows so you can judge yourself. {my Amazon 'Look Inside' feature would load any pages and I can't tell if it's a problem on my side or theirs.}

Here comes our chance for a Halloween fright,
For this is the place every Halloween night
Where the scariest creatures are known to appear,
And that's why the party is here every year:
Where the path in the woods takes a bend and a turn,
Round a circle of stones where a fire can burn
And light up the scene by the old hollow tree.
It's an excellent place for a party to be.

Five Stars. Not in the least scary. Good artwork that appeals to children. The poetry is first rate. The plot involves two little `creatures' whose mother has told them that they are in for a good party and an ultimate scare. A scare that is not from what your children might expect.

My 2 year old received this beautiful book last Halloween and even now in April he regularly requests that we read it before bedtime. How can I refuse? Mr. Costello's lyrical gift is matched only by his brilliant illustrations. We look forward to more high quality children's books from this talented author.

Incredible art work. Beautiful and fun! Great story for every halloween... a new tradition. Wicked sense of humor.

"She says that a scare lets you know you're alive." Great introduction to all the creatures that go boom in the night and exist on Halloween with exquisite creative illustrations and cute rhymes. "Gremlins come waddling followed by trolls, an ogre comes strolling with cinnamon rolls." Funny unexpected twist in the last few pages of the story will make you laugh. Possibly the greatest Halloween book I've ever had the joy of reading. David Costello's first children's book is a smash!

Just finished reading Hollister House, by Joani Lacy, and I am so sorry that it's over! It was easy to become attached to these characters and I am anxious to know more about them. The way the conflict in the story was resolved was very unique -- not your typical ghost story! I became so enveloped in the book that when I lifted my head from it's pages I was suprised to find myself back in my own house and in my own life! Read This Book! You will love it as much as I did!

Just finished Hollister House! If I compare Ms. Lacy's character development to Stephen King and her Southern Gothic storytelling style to Anne Rice it's a GOOD thing and very high praise from me indeed. King's ability to get me instantly invested in his characters has always been what draws me into his writing every time and Joani Lacy has the same talent. I was instantly in love with Eve and as each new character was introduced, I was pulled further and further in . As for the ghost story itself? Genius!! Her descriptive abilities put me right there in the house, tree and gardens, I could almost smell it! Anne Rice's Mayfair Witches trilogy cast that same spell over me, I even had to make a private pilgrimage to the New Orleans home that she based her writings on. Ms. Lacy's Hollister House really came to life for me! I'm going tell everyone I know to read her book and several people are getting copies as gifts this Christmas. I simply cannot wait to read more from this author, Joani Lacy rocks!!

This book is by far now on my list of top books to own. The story is amazing and the reader will easily get lost in the story line. The characters and the scenery are both very well described. It has been years since I have read a book where the details of the scenery were so well written that I could feel like I was there. It is a summer must read, a wonderful book to read by the pool!

I don't like horror stories, I don't like Southern epics, this book is both and I loved every page of it! A recovering alcoholic, druggy musician trying to raise her teenage daughter for the first time at 40 years old is a page turner in itself. Now add a haunted house, a very sick child, and everlasting friendship to the mix and you have Hollister House. My heart beat faster and faster with every page I turned to find out what was going to happen to the children of Mandalay St. who realize too quickly how fast they have to grow up in order to save their best little buddy. With impeccable detail and a magical touch, Ms. Lacy takes you deeper and deeper into the Banyan tree until you, too feel the magic of its power.

A great Southern Gothic novel presents a set of challenges for any author. Spinning the usual multi-generational saga is work enough. Joni Lacy has completely gotten the form in her new novel HOLLISTER HOUSE. Spanning the history of relationships and families from 1799 to the present, Ms Lacy gives us remarkably real present-day teens, lively grandparents, older boomer adults, and ghosts enough to frighten William Faulkner, in a well-paced story filled with the sounds and smells of the south.

Ms Lacy is also a musician, singer, and songwriter and her musicality informs much of HOLLISTER HOUSE. She uses musical motifs from Gospel to Cajun to King Records almost as her characters use totems and talismans in the novel itself.

The pace of the book is pitch perfect, The author has a wonderful sense of when the reader needs relief from a frightened family facing ghostly apparitions to smile at the simple things that make family and community. Ms Lacy also has a great ear for southern conversation. Her dialogue plays well.

One of the author's best strengths is her ability to create young characters that are good but not perfect. The tween and teen cast in HOLLISTER HOUSE are presented as real neighborhood kids. Some are southern by birth and some by transplant, but their loyalty to each other is unquestioned.

There's plenty for you traditional ghost story fans, too! Voodoo, visions, cursed paintings, crepuscular emanations, and a haunted Banyan tree provide a full serving of chills.

On a technical note, Ms Lacy could be better served by her publisher iUniverse. Missed quotation marks and italics shouldn't happen, though they did print a page of music, and I'll be noodling on "Loa's Melody" for a long time.

HOLLISTER HOUSE is a grand story, told with warmth and just enough things that jump out and say, "Boo!"

Horrible Harry in Room 2B is one of the most hilarious books I've ever read. It is addicting and doesn't stop making you laugh. It is a book for all ages from 7 to 10. One of the parts that I thought was very good was when Harry makes stub people out of broken pencils. When he makes 24 of them he going to invade the class room
The book is very different and they aren't very long so you can read a lot of them like I did. My favorite one so far was Horrible Harry and the Christmas Surprise. I think you should read it during Christmas
I think if you have a good sense of humor you should try one of these books out Your probably end up reading them all like me.

This book is so funny I'm going to cry!! This book is the best book you could ever get! You will love it! In the hilarious story, there are five funny people. There names are Harry, Mary, Song Lee, Cindy and Doug. Harry does such mischievous things! I would recommend this book to younger kids who love funny books! You will have to buy this book or I will buy it for myself!!
by, Adrian

I think this book is cool. This is the best book I ever read. It is the best book I have ever read because Harry is very realistic. And Harry likes cookies and so do I. And Harry is horrible but he is still very cool. ~Gaby~

I'm wrting about Horrible Harry in Room 2B. Horrible Harry is very horrible because he plays tricks on girls and he even made Sidney say "I like girls" or he was going to tickle him. My favorite chapter was Horrible Harry and the Stub People and Halloween. In his costume he slithers. Can you guess what he is? I really liked Horrible Harry in Room 2B. I thought that Horrible Harry was too horrible. I would tell a lot of people to read Horrible Harry in Room 2B. I liked the book a lot! Would you want to read Horrible Harry in Room 2B?

Horriable Harry in Room 2B is my favorite book. Not only is it a book that i have grown up with, it is also an interesting and enjoyable book to just sit down and read. From the funny stiches he gets himself involved into, and the "double revenge" that he puts upon Sidney, this book has always made me giggle. If you arn't sure if an older kid would like it, let me tell you this, im 16 and Horriable Harry in Room 2B is DEFINTALY my FAVORITE book!

Being an avid reader of R.L. Stine's young adult novels, I can safely say that I Saw You That Night! is my absolute favorite.

Lee is the new guy in Roxie's beachtown, fitting all the connotations: tall, dark, handsome, and with a mysterious past. Roxie and her friend Ursula instantly fall for him. Ursula, being blonde and ultra-competitive, makes a bet with Roxie: whoever dates Lee and gets ahold of his Sharks baseball cap first will win fifty bucks. Roxie is desperate to finally win a bet against her friend; she sneaks into Lee's house at night and attempts to steal his baseball cap. Not only does Roxie fail to find the cap, but she also hears a girl and a boy fighting (both verbally and physically) in the house.

A few days later, a girl is found dead in a plastic trash bag near the beach. Roxie knows she was the girl at Lee's house, and Lee is the killer...

Meanwhile, Lee successfully befriends Roxie, and Roxie feels herself succumbing to his charms... and his innocence...? Or is he the guilty murderer?

Complications ensue. (Don't they always?) :)

I love how R.L. Stine often sets his stories at the beach. It's always fun in the sun when it comes to the beach, right? What could possibly go wrong among the suntan, sunglasses, flattering bathing suit, and a cute lifeguard/surfer dude? But in these cases, R.L. Stine manages to mastermind horrors in the most unsuspecting locations.

For all you scare lovers you have to read this book. It's a real thriller. Lee is always poping up all over the place and Roxie is getting a little scared, and that night she will never forget what she herd.

Because I have read loads of R.L. Stine books I kinda know how to figure out the killer in his books. When I read this book (which I finished in two hours) I almost instantly knew who the killer was (the killer is always the one who is NOT the obvious one at all and the one you get to read the most little of) so I was like, ok it is this person now let's read on if I am right. But hey near the end I saw I was right but then suddenly this big twist came along and I was wrong! the killer was someone else. The killer surprised me. I thought this book was really well written and keeps you pageturning. It is a lot better then call waiting. read it.

WOW! This book is very cool. Just when you think you know who is doing the crimes, a crucial piece of evidence could be found and your thought is completly different. The way R.L. Sine writes his books is superb. If you are interested in reading this book, take it from me, READ IT!!!!! If you enjoy this book, read Hit and Run also.

Man! that was a good book! I Saw You that Nigh: what a great title! The Author of the book is R.L. Stine and he know, how to write great suspense. He keeps you waiting and waiting to find out what happened, but you never know what he is talking about because he know how to write suspense.
One of the beliefs that I had is that the girl`s boyfriend was the killer. The reason for that was because another boy she liked told her that her boyfriend was the killer and I believed it as well.
The second belief I had was that she might of died because the guy on the boat kept backing into her with the boat until he could not see her head above the water.
A third belief of mine was that her boyfriend was dead because the boy on the boat stabbed him in the throat because he was trying to help his girlfriend out. I think that it was a good part of the book, also.
My final belief was that the book was over because the girl had said looks like I won, Then as I read, the girl had got a phone call and it said I saw you that night.

Some of the things that surprised me in this book is that the innocent one is always the one that is the killer. The guy in the story is always popping up everywhere. No one even knew it was him. I was thinking it, but I could not really find out until I knew all the facts about the person and where he came from.
R.L Stine seems to be the only book I read now-a- days. That`s actually amazing! I spend all my extra time reading and being myself. R.L. Stine made me realize that reading is fun and it teaches you things as you go.
Another thing that was unbelievable is the way he sets he stories up. He goes past present then back to past. It`s like having day dreams. He made sure no one knew what he was talking about until the very end and that`s what all writers should do, but they don�t always do that.
One thing that surprised me was the way his descriptive words were used in this book. He described each scene. I could imagine myself there. He is a very good writer and I wish I was as good as he is.

... My true opinion is that this is a good piece because the author is a good suspense writer. He keeps you guessing on what is going to happen until you believe that you are right and until you are down with story. If he had a choice I bet he would keep you going until he wanted to end the story. I think everyone should read at least one of his books. Either thought they might not like these kind of books, I think they are great, and I hope the author keeps writing stories like this one. I am a person that loves to read. I have read almost all of his books. I hope to be able to get some of his books to. Everyone thinks I am crazy about those books but if you really like to read them what is the harm of reading them. Well I hope you all will read this book it really is a good book. I also hope all of you read other stories of R.L. Stine but if you don�t you are missing out on great books!

I love this series Immortal Image is the forth in Jayes image vampire series - Her hero Revlin Scott is an English and being from England myself I loved her use of some of our slang terms, well written.. Who's next I wonder.
If you have yet to read Jayes series here is the list so far
Double Image - AfterImage - Shadow Image and this one Immortal Image. Excellent and they are keepers.

I love this series Immortal Image is the forth in Jayes image vampire series - Her hero Revlin Scott is an English and being from England myself I loved her use of some are slang terms well written.. Who's next I wonder.
If you have yet to read Jayes series here is the list so far
Double Image - AfterImage - Shadow Image and this one Immortal Image. Excellent and they are keepers.

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

A dangerous and illegal organization of vampires, `la société rouge,' is taking hold in Baton Rouge, defying the governing authority of vampires in the States. The leader, Vangeline, is extremely powerful, permitting her followers to run around creating aberrations - half human/half vampire creatures - controlled exclusively by their creator.

Revelin (Rev) Scott, l'enforcier, resistant to the feminine wiles, is chosen to go undercover and infiltrate Vangeline's lair to eliminate her. The last two sent never returned, assumed to have been sent to their True Deaths. Rev swears not to fail, reiterating his oft-used motto "No one goes Scott-free."

Rev's partner, is human, Denice (Deni) Geron, whose brother was an aberration until he disappeared. Deni is reluctant, hating vampires because of her brother's fate, and is convinced she will die during this mission. At first she is repulsed by Rev, her feelings changing as she gets to know him. Heaven forbid could she actually be falling for the enemy? As Rev is lured into la société, and doomed to failure, his only hope is the enticing Deni, and their unlikely allies.

Immortal Image was a fascinating entrée into the world of Ms. Roycraft. The characters are compelling and seductive, grabbing hold from page one, captivating readers through to the end. The plot thickens throughout, keeping one waiting breathlessly for whatever is next. Plot twists are thrown in, enhancing the story and adding to the suspense.

Ms. Roycraft knows just when to ease up and when to tighten her hold. She uses the right detail in painting the landscape of her world, giving a clear picture, so reader can visualize what is happening. This book leaves one eager for more, wanting to rush out and find more from this vampire world. Immortal Image won't disappoint.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, January 2003. All rights reserved.

The Directorate is the organization that decides the rules and regulations for vampire behavior. If a vampire disobeys them he can be sanctioned with the ultimate punishment of the True Death. Revelin Scott is the chief enforcer of the Directorate and his latest assignment sends him to Baton Rouge. A group of rogue vampires are flaunting the rules by creating aberrations, humans forced to take vampire blood and become slaves to the vampire they drink from.

Revelin must destroy all the vampires and he is forced to accept the help of the mortal woman Deni Geron whose brother was killed by the rogues. When they arrive at their destination, Revelin, with the help of Deni, is able to infiltrate the group, but he finds he is unable to kill the head of the group. Again, he must depend on Deni to help him but if she fails, they will both die.

Revelin Scott was chosen for this job for his supposed immunity to the charms of mortal women yet it is Deni's love for him that will be his salvation. Their co-dependence in the work arena spills over into their personal lives forming a bond that is necessary for the story line to work. IMMORTAL IMAGE is a delightfully refreshing vampire romance that will satisfy any one interested in the nosferatu.

Harriet Klausner

"Madam, no one goes Scott-free!"

Truer words were never spoken. IMMORTAL IMAGE in the fourth book in Jaye Roycraft's new and wonderfully engaging "Image" series. Set in the dark underworld of the Directorate--a ruling body of powerful vampires who monitor all supernatural activity in the world and delve out justice when needed or required to keep the denizens of the night in line--this is the story of Revelin Scott, the new l' enforcier for the Undead, a coveted position he inherited from Alek Dragovich (last seen in AFTERIMAGE) who retired his position to Scott after becoming enamored with a human and staging his own death in order to achieve true peace in his life.

Revelin Scott isn't your typical vampire. No opera capes and fluently accented voice is his to wield. Revelin doesn't drip with seductive power or attack people without reason. Revelin likes shag hairdos and outfits that would make mortal eyes bleed. Revelin likes in-your-face, one-on-one action in every situation. Rev is the James Bond of the Undead, a soldier and secret agent enamored more with his job than with any female. Yet it is his oh-so-unconventional nature which makes Rev so endearing. Revelin is bitter, laid-back, a tough-hearted warrior who likes nothing better than doing things his way and getting them done with "no fuss, no muss" (tm). Revelin is also (theoretically) immune to feminine charms. So when Nikolena, Directress of the Directorate, saddles him with an assignment to disassemble a new and dangerous societe which is threatening the uneasy balance between humans and vampires, he takes such a responsibility to heart in his typical Type-B-personality stride. He knows what he has to do and he knows how to get it done. But when said assignment comes complete with a human female tagalong, Denise Geron, who's brother has been a recent victim of the societe, a very bad feeling takes hold of Rev, and the new enforcier begins to regret this new assignment of Nikilena's. After all, the last thing Rev wants is to be saddled with a skirt--and a human one at that.

But Deni herself has no love for vampires. It is vampires who were responsible for her brother's death. It is vampires she wants held accountable. And now she must work with one, as infuriating and reckless as Rev can sometimes be. Together they assume new identities and infiltrate the club scene of sultry and dangerous New Orleans where the societe is rumored to be collecting sufficient power to bring the Directorate to its knees--Rev as a new revolutionary and Deni as his human slave. But the "image" they are projecting in order to bring them into the presence of the societe leader, an aberration and Voodoo high priestess by the name of Vangeline, begins to slowly overwhelm them both. Very soon, they are not entirely certain if their put-on visage of cross-seduction is only a play for the eyes of the enemies or the real thing. Suddenly Revelin Scott discovers, much to his personal disdain, that he isn't quite the icy-hearted, soulless monster he thinks, perhaps wishes, he is. And Deni, despite her desire for revenge, is powerless against the societe and Vangeline; she needs Revelin's help. Rev needs her--in more ways than one.

Rev and Deni's dawning understanding of the parts they play and the masks they wear--by their will and by the will of others--slowly begins to bridge the gap between light and dark, truth and lies, and the human and the vampiric. But can a human ever learn to trust and understand a creature of the dark? And more to the point, can a man ever truly understand a woman?

Jaye Roycraft has emerged as a more than worthy successor to the vampiric works of Linda Lael Miller, Christine Feehan and Shannon Drake. She has crafted a smart and sexy thriller that combines many genres in one: romance, horror, espionage and adventure. Her characters are engaging and her historical facts well-researched and intricately woven into the fabric of her storytelling. Her vampire society is complex and peopled with creatures of many layers and a seemingly infinite amount of "images". One of IMMORTAL IMAGE's most prominent strengths lies in its ability to satisfy readers of many different persuasions. Whether it be vampiric romance, old-fashioned woman-in-danger, or cutting-edge thriller, there is something for everyone offered here. Cutting edge vampiric romance has never been so dangerous. And one thing is for certain: once you've delved into IMMORTAL IMAGE, you won't be able to come away entirely "Scott-free."

Karen Koehler,
Author of Slayer, Slayer: Black Miracles, and Scarabus