A Review Of Dracula In Love By Karen Essex
But now, from Mina’s own pen, we discover a tale more sensual, more devious, and more enthralling than the Victorians could have ever imagined. From the shadowy banks of the river Thames to the wild and windswept Yorkshire coast, Dracula’s eternal muse—the most famous woman in vampire lore—vividly recounts the joys and terrors of a passionate affair that has linked her and the Count through the centuries, and her rebellion against her own frightening preternatural powers.
He did not speak but I heard his voice in my head and recognized it as the voice from my dream.
The power is yours, Mina. I come to you when you call to me, when I feel your need or desire.
Every moment that has ever existed in time is still here, Mina--every thought, every memory, and every experience. You and I have gone by many names. It does not matter what we call each other. What matters is that you remember. Do you remember, Mina?
We are physically and psychically attuned, you and I. Everything that exists in this material world also exists on the other side of the veil. On the etheric plane, you and I are eternally united. You have read the philosopher Plato? You must do so sometime. What he said of the twin souls is not far from accurate. We are twin souls, so to speak. You know this, but it frightens you.
MY THOUGHTS ON DRACULA IN LOVE
I am a romantic at heart. A fool for love. An all encompassing, heart pounding, breathless love. The kind one seems to find in Victorian Gothic novels where the men are not all cads and the women...well, let's get back to that shall we!
Dracula In Love reunites us with those star crossed lovers...NO, not Jonathan Harker and Mina Murray. Have you ever heard of Dracula? The vampire! Yes, he exists didn't you know!
He takes many forms albeit human or animal; whatever your imagination can conjure.
However, the real man, exists within these pages. He calls himself Count Vladimir Drakulya but that is all you get to know now. You must read the book to find out more.
For the tale Karen Essex weaves is more than Bram Stoker ever could have dreamed!
I grew up on Dracula you could say. I was weaned on Hammer Films, a child of the seventies!
For most of my childhood Christopher Lee was a vampire! While most children were being read fairy tales, I was being read Peter Rabbit and Ellery Queen watching Hound of the Baskervilles and wondering where The Moors were!
I read Bram Stoker's Dracula during my early adolescence and it scared me silly! I love that novel and have since 'devoured' a strict diet of Anne Rice. You will not find any Twilight love here! No teenage angst for me just good old fashioned Gothic suspense with some Victorian uptight, fragile women waxing on about love will do me fine!
Karen Essex has let Mina tell her story before and after meeting her husband Jonathan Harker. She doesn't quite understand who this man's voice is that calls to her in her dreams, visits her eliciting such desire! Once she discovers who this count is the real story begins!
Karen Essex's writing style is descriptive and compelling. The story is luscious and inviting. However, although the usual suspects and familiar faces are here...Mina's friend Lucy and Dr. Von Helsinger, I found myself losing some interest toward the last half of the novel.
Putting the romance aside, Karen Essex drives the base of the novel with an undercurrent of feminism that is unusually refreshing at first but too many weakened females being sent to asylums sent me over the edge! I found that part of the story predictable and it was too many chapters. Just when I was about to lose interest completely Mina and the story of who the Count truly was took off and the author enraptured me again!
Also, some readers might be put off by the erotic writing. Yes, it is graphic but I think beautifully written and only enhances the love story! Just let your imagination run wild and enjoy this escape...I did!
The novel is available at all bookstores and downloadable as well!
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