Monday, October 18, 2010

Can I honestly say “I liked Draculas” and mean it?

DRACULAS~A Novel of Terror--As if the powerhouse list of authors (Blake Crouch, Jack Kilborn, Jeff Strand, F. Paul Wilson) and the title weren't enough--the disclaimer at the beginning will certainly grab your attention:

"If you’re easily disturbed, have a weak stomach, or are prone to nightmares, stop reading right now. There are no sexy teen heartthrobs herein."

Well, I am all those things, and I happen to like sexy heartthrobs…though not particularly teen heartthrobs. So, I put on my best brave girl face, swallowed hard, and hit the page down button anyway. Wow! What a ride!!! This book delivered all that it had promised. Yet, even with that, can I truly say I liked it? I mean, it’s phenomenal but “like” indicates to me a story I’d want to put myself in. I DO NOT want to be in this story in the least! The writing is fantastic, of course, and the story flows – it is, in my opinion, a truly unique take on the legend. You’ll come away with a different view. The characters are well developed and I felt as if I was part of the action – right there as it was happening. All good and leading me to dish out a 5 star rating…but “like”???

The book was written as a full-length, 80,000-word novel by 4 extremely gifted authors, and they put it together seamlessly--so much that the reader can’t tell which author did what. The premise is that an ancient skull, believed to belong to Dracula, was found in Transylvania and purchased by a wealthy, dying businessman in (of all places) Durango, CO. The rich man gets the skull which his “all that” beautiful assistant is skeptical about until he mysteriously sinks the razor sharp teeth of the skull into his neck.

Then things start happening.

I can’t tell you more because, well, author/friend Andrew E. Kaufman would frown on me and accuse me of giving away spoilers! He’s pretty good at creepy characters and they might come after me if I’m not careful.

I can tell you, however, that I would highly recommend Draculas~a novel of terror written by Blake Crouch, Jack Kilborn, Jeff Strand, and F.Paul Wilson. It is available for pre-order at Amazon.com until Tuesday, October 19. I’d go ahead and click the pre-order button if I was you…but don’t blame me if you can’t sleep, you see movement in the shadows, or your stomach remains a bit queasy. Take that up with the authors on the Draculas website. And, while you’re there…you can learn a bit more about the book. There’s also an interesting bonus that comes along with this ebook. You can find out about that on the Draculas site too. Go ahead…be brave…and make sure you come back and let me know if you can honestly say you “like” it! I mean, REALLY!!! Isn’t "like" usually associated with a positive emotion? Something...happy? This…this was sheer gore and horror created by the best with the sole purpose of writing the most frightening book they possibly could. Mission accomplished.

10 comments:

  1. Oh, I love the disclaimer. How can you not want to read this book. If your stomach can take it, that is........
    Mwaaaahahahaha!

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  2. I know what you mean, Linda. I've read books that were well-written and engaging but not what I "like" reading at all. My hubby might like this one but I'll stick to romance, thank you very much. :o)

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  3. Perfect timing just in time for Halloween! Besides vampires are supposed to be scary! These new emo vampires are ruining the long tradition of violence and gore!! Great review Linda. This book sounds like what vampire books are SUPPOSED to be like!

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  4. I bet I'll like it! But, I'm weird that way. Put me in a haunted house and call it a VA-Kay! So, does this mean you're off the list for a ghost hunting research trip?

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  5. Actually Charlie, it is a fantastic book. So very well written. My hang-up was how do I say "I like it" when it was so horror-filled (as well it should have been being about Dracula(s)). Like to me signifies happy and positive. This was GOOD but not happy and positive. And a ghost hunting research trip? Ever see Scooby Doo (of course you have)...well, I'm Shaggy!

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  6. I'm a big vampire fan, not sure about this one but maybe on a warm, sunny afternoon in Alaska when I can be sure the sun won't set until September...

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  7. I MUST read this! Huge vampire fan ever since Stephen King's Salem Lot.You made this book sound sooo intriguing I can't wait. Did you do work on this book?

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  8. KK, I started this book while waiting for my daughter at a drama production afterparty...I decided to take advantage of some found idle time and stick around to read. It was nearing midnight and I was out in the country. It was dark and I was all alone in my vehicle. Several times I had to shut my laptop and listen...

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  9. Lori, I will agree. You must read it...said with a shudder. Sadly, I did not work on it except to help spread the word. The 4 authors involved are dynamos at this stuff. They do it all, including the brilliant marketing strategy that I feel so honored to have played even a tiny part in.

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  10. Interesting blog. I'm a new follower. -laura

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