Review: FOLLOW THE BLOOD- The story unfolds
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 29, 2011
In the spring of this year, the Paranormal Romance Guild received a submission request from Stuart Land for two of his books, Original Blood and Shadow House (previously reviewed here by Penelope Adams) Thankfully I received one of his pieces for review. All I can say is, "Stuart Land, where have you been all my life?"Synopsis of Original Blood by Stuart LandOriginal Blood follows the transformation of two women born two hundred years apart as they become vampires, one to build a powerful vampire family, and her great-granddaughter who, though human, must lead the dynasty into the twenty-first century against its creator and those who fear her unique blood will destroy the vampire nation.Since childhood, college coed, Zondra could recognize vampires. Jeremiah, her great-grandmother Gailene's former lover, saves her from a vampire attack, but though never bitten, she begins gaining vampire abilities. Her world flips into the `Twilight Zone' when her birth family finds her: a skewed Cinderella story filled with money, ancient houses, hot motorcycles, and the undead.The matriarch's journey begins in rural 18th Century England where she's turned into a vampire and follows her tragic path as she creates a powerful vampire empire. The mysterious connection between the women across two centuries and the dangerous attraction Zondra has for Jeremiah are unraveled through her "visions" into her grandmother's past. But other vampires fear her unique blood could destroy the entire vampire nation.And now, after 150 years, the vampire who turned her grandmother knows she exists and is coming for her.My View:Now that I let Mr. Land give you the background, I can share with you moments of this breathtaking story and tell you about how this book made me feel.Original Blood opens quite furiously as a young girl, Zondra, is being chased across a frozen pond by a vampire, the ice breaks and she is drowning. Your thoughts are taken quickly into the story: the how, what, and why. This is the basis of our story. At the hospital she meets Jeremiah, who is not what he seems. Through visions and dreams, we the reader, travel with her as she goes back in time almost 200 years to learn her past and her future. Mr. Land has written a vampire story that envelopes your senses, using time, history, and a love story that defies the ages. His bold take on vampires is so original that one has to read this book, like drinking aged wine, taking small sips a little at a time, to discern its bouquet.What I first enjoyed--considering myself a modern woman--was seeing a woman from the 1700's become `something,' as this is unheard of in that era. Seeing Gailene struggle from rags to riches by sheer willpower was stunning. We saw the movement of vampires journeying to the west along with the warmbloods because they politically want to mold this new country, The Americas, with their businesses and banking establishments. We get to mingle with George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln. I found as a lover of history, that I thoroughly enjoyed seeing these great men and their lives, which Mr. Land so adeptly describes. I felt as if I was there myself within the ballrooms emblazoned with crystal chandeliers and beautiful music playing.I also loved the now, as Zondra is a young coed and sculptress, who has been very alone as a girl, with few friends. She doesn't take herself too seriously, and has now been thrust into a new elegant Manor complete with butler. The family that surrounds her is waiting for the clash of her visions to come together, so she may truly know all the secrets they hold. Her visions are inspired at no specific time. They come closer and closer, so the reader struggles along with Zondra to uncover who she is and where she belongs; ever knowing that one piece of the puzzle is her undeniable love for Jeremiah, and his for her.Mr. Land's story is captivating. His writing is forceful, drawing the reader in to be a participant. I felt like I lived every scene, experiencing every event, feeling breathless at the sensual and remarkable love that spans lifetimes... A stellar book, one you should add to your to be read pile. A birdie told me, there might be a sequel. One can only hope!Review by Gloria LakritzSenior Reviewer and review Chair for the Paranormal Romance Guild