Scent and Shadow: an Aether Vitalis novel [Paperback]

Mercy Loomis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 21, 2011

No soulmates. No love triangles. No sparkles.

Madison, WI. 1999. When vampire Gabriel Chapel decides to take on a fledgling, he knows not just anyone will do. Newly-turned vampires kill at least one person a night for the first decade or so--a fate most humans could never adjust to.

For college student Amanda Bairns, nothing is more important than finally taking control of her life. But when Gabriel forces her to drink his blood, Amanda is pulled deeper and deeper into a supernatural underworld she never knew existed, where mages have their fingers in local government, shapeshifting faeries control infrastructure, and aether-rich ley lines attract a host of creatures welcome and unwelcome.

With the vampire's blood coaxing her to become a murderer, Amanda has four weeks to discover which means more: her freedom and humanity, or the power Gabriel offers. But neither Gabriel nor Amanda realize Amanda is a pawn in a much bigger contest--one which could have lethal consequences not only for the two of them, but for the entire city. Contains violence, explicit sex.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Gabriel was sexy and terrifying, and Amanda was so incredibly real that I couldn't help but love her...the overall story captivated me from the very beginning and wouldn't let me go." - Romanceaholic.com

"The world of the Aether Vitalis is a fully developed web of paranormal creatures, ranging from vamps and shifters to mages and fairies. It's a world both fascinating and terrifying at the same time. I can't wait to read more from Mercy Loomis!" - Jesi Lea Ryan, author of Four Thousand Miles

About the Author

Mercy Loomis grew up in a haunted house, and has had quite enough of ghosts for one lifetime, thank you. Though she now lives in a 150-year-old house, it is remarkably ghost-free. (That, or they're staying on the down-low. She doesn't care which.

She finished writing her first vampire novel when she was in middle school, and hasn't stopped writing about them since. She loves stories about the paranormal because monsters are scary, but less scary than real people. Or at least less depressing.

Mercy graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison one class short of an accidental certificate in Folklore. She credits her love of mythology to her mom reading Greek myths as bedtime stories, and her love of fantastical adventure stories to watching cheesy movies with her dad. Her love of history (and coffee!) is completely her husband's fault, but she doesn't know who's to blame for the fascination with physics.

She guesses that hanging out with Dad while he butchered deer also had an effect on her character, but exactly what effect, she leaves up to the reader.

Product Details

• Paperback: 278 pages
• Publisher: Rookery Creek Media (December 21, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0615583237
• ISBN-13: 978-0615583235
• Product Dimensions: 0.6 x 5.9 x 8.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,703,213 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mercy Loomis grew up in a haunted house, and has had quite enough of ghosts for one lifetime, thank you. Though she now lives in a 150-year-old house, it is remarkably ghost-free. (That, or they're staying on the down-low. She doesn't care which.) She loves stories about the paranormal because monsters are scary, but less scary than real people. Or at least less depressing. See what she's up to and find links to her other work at www.mercyloomis.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Vampire horror how it's meant to be!!! October 19, 2011

By Jesi Lea Ryan

Format:Kindle Edition

Just in time for Halloween, Mercy Loomis releases this little gem of a vampire novel. As most of you know, I have never met a vampire that I didn't like. That being said, Gabriel has to be one of my favorites so far. He is everything that a vampire should be--cold, sexy, dangerous, animalistic...not in the least bit human. I dig a good vampire romance as much as anyone, but this time of year, I'm looking for less romance and more horror. Scent and Shadow delivers. There are some hot, steamy scenes, but don't go into this book looking for a happy little ending, tied up with a neat little bow.

Amanda is also a very interesting character. She's not your typical college student. Amanda has some serious control issues. When Gabriel forces his way in and begins to take over her life, she finds herself in a battle for her humanity. The only problem is that the battle lines get blurred and it becomes hard for her to remember what it is she is fighting for.

The world of the Aether Vitalis is a fully developed web of paranormal creatures, ranging from vamps and shifters to mages and fairies. It's a world both fascinating and terrifying at the same time. I can't wait to read more from Mercy Loomis!

Overall, I give Scent and Shadow...

Plot - 5 bookmarks
Character development - 5 bookmarks
World building - 4 ˝ bookmarks (For more information on the Aether Vitalis world, check this blog post out. [...])
Dream cast (otherwise known as who I pictured while reading) - Aidan Turner (Gabriel), Kat Dennings (Amanda)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshingly different :) December 2, 2011

By Georgeanna

Format:Kindle Edition

I totally enjoyed this book! It's refreshingly different from any of the paranormal stuff I've been reading. I will positively be looking for more books by Mercy Loomis!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Feasted On: Scent and Shadow by Mercy Loomis November 10, 2011

By Jess @ From Me to You ... Book Reviews

Format:Kindle Edition

4 out of 5 stars! Dark, exotic, and intriguing are just some of the words I would use to describe this unique take on a paranormal novel. Before I read this book I took what this book was called an 'urban paranormal' as to mean 'paranormal romance,' why I don't really know, but I will say if you make that mistake too you still won't be disappointed! I say that because even though this book does NOT romanticize what a vampire is, it DOES talk about the connections Gabriel (the main vampire in the book) has with those he cares for and digs into what it means to be a vampire (based in the world the author has created).

I loved the characters and finding out their back-stories. However, the author bounced around a lot from different characters POVs during the first quarter of the book that it was somewhat hard to find (pinpoint) where the plot was heading. Thankfully though by the middle of the book the plot evens out a bit and you get swept away in the many new twist and turns never quite sure which way the story will lead you. Then the ending just wraps everything up very nicely!! I was very happy about Paul & Cecelia, and I'm curious as to how the new situation between Amanda & Gabriel will work out.

I recommend this for those who like reading the darker type of paranormal books. FYI -- sexual content (hot and steamy) is in this book.

Review By: From Me to You ... Book Reviews
(read more of this review and a few teasers on my blog)