Dark Lullaby (Paperback)

by Staci Layne Wilson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"...A daring, colorful, and compelling horror story...vibrant, engaging and sharp as a vampire's fang." -- L. M. Parkinson, Author of Teeth

"...Draws the reader into her unique vampire world and never lets go!" -- Scarlett Dean, Author of Unfinished Business

"If you love rock-n-roll intrigue, gothic imagery, and vampires, Dark Lullaby is a must-read..." -- T. M. Gray, author of Feast of Faust

Product Description
…lust…blood…voodoo…music…murder

The year is 1971. Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and Jim Morrison are dead, all within a year of each other. Some of the greatest, most promising musicians snatched up by the dark specter of death. But, it was no accident of fate—they were taken.

Ashara Konrad, a rock music photojournalist, thinks she knows who the killer is: Her own twin sister, Zariaz. She's seen it happen before…days the music died. It began with Ashara's first love, her mentor, Ludwig Von Beethoven. Ashara was his "immortal beloved." His vampire lover.

Ashara fled from her sister in 1827, but a psychic connection between the two kept them together through the decades. Ashara knew of the curse—that 1,000 musicians had to be sacrificed for the one Zariaz could never have. Zariaz would drink in their talent, one and all, until she could play the song that would make the collective soul hers. In clusters over time, the curse was fed.

And in the Age of Aquarius, it is happening again.

Product Details

• Paperback: 170 pages
• Publisher: Amber Quill Press, LLC (October 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592798896
• ISBN-13: 978-1592798896
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,729,635 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating vampire tale, August 31, 2005

By	Kelley Hartsell "Kelley" (Irving, TX) - See all my reviews

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

Ashara Konrad has been around a long time. She was immortal, a vampire, converted two centuries previous, by her evil twin sister, Zariaz. Presently, Ash is a photographer, well known for her photos of popular musicians. Her latest job is with the up and coming band, Darkside. Little does she know fate's plans for her brought on by this job.

Liam Archer is the lead singer for Darkside. He is extremely talented, with looks most men would envy. He and Ash hit it off immediately, finding they are mutually attracted. A relationship takes off immediately, leading up to Ash traveling with the band on their tour of the US. The only thing in their way is her secret... for how can she tell him she is immortal, requiring blood to survive, and dying every morning as the sun comes up?

Just when things seem to be going so well, trouble appears. It turns out Zariaz, whom was thought to be destroyed a very long time ago by the Dark Council, is in fact very much alive and tracking Ash. She wants revenge, but she also needs Ash's help to complete the curse that will make Zar the strongest vampire in existence. Zar must drink from 1000 musicians to gain the abilities to write the song which will ensure her power forever. And it looks like Liam and Darkside have been marked for death. Can Liam and Ash's love overpower the evil insanity of Zar? Will she be defeated before her plans are fulfilled?

Ms. Wilson has quite an intriguing story here. One will find everything from voodoo curses and "zombies" to love and adventure... and don't forget the vampire cat! Who else would have thought of working music into a vampire legend? The story flows effortlessly, with a surprising plot twist at the end, and the reader will not be able to put it down. This reviewer had to force herself not to read it while supposedly working, so engrossed was she. The romance between Ash and Liam is fantastic, made more complex by the secrets she must keep, and the very real threat Zar poses. The vampire rules present in this story are slightly different from the traditional, made original by the author's imagination.

Ashara and Liam are very real people, with strengths and weaknesses like everyone. They are portrayed so vividly that one will be able to imagine meeting them on a dark street some night, or in a loud night club. Zar is wickedly malevolent, feared by her enemies, and her sister, while respected and possibly even loved by her henchmen. There are plenty of secondary characters as well, also beautifully depicted, right down to Lovecraft, Ash's Siamese cat.

If one wants to read a refreshingly original vampire romance, this is the book to read. There is plenty to keep one interested and dying for the resolution. Also of note, the story ends in such a way to keep this reviewer gasping in surprise, eager to read the next chapter in the story, which hopefully Ms. Wilson will provide. Be sure to run to the computer and order a copy today, it will not disappoint.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, January 2004. All rights reserved.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love, music and --voodoo?, January 14, 2004

By	Ingrid Taylor "Author, Book Reviewer" (Springfield, MO USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

One hot Los Angeles night Ashara Konrad was introduced to Liam Archer. Lead singer of Darkside, Liam is as exquisite as a god, stirring in Ashara feelings that she had thought were long dead. To her surprise she found herself falling in love again. Happily it seemed as though Liam returned her feelings. Could their newly born love survive the resurrection an ancient Voodoo curse authored by Ashara's own twin?

Dark Lullaby is yet another winner from cross-genre specialist Staci Layne Wilson. Her primary characters as well as her secondary ones are believable, their goals sympathetic. Additionally, Ms. Wilson's knowledge of 60s and 70s music is incredible. She weaves music history and myth through her story with enviable ease. Her work in 2003 has been fabulous. One can only hope to see more of this talented author in 2004.

-Brenda Thatcher, All About Murder

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "An enthralling dark tale about vampires...", October 20, 2003

By	TellTalePress (USA) - See all my reviews

Author Staci Layne Wilson has created a fantastical vampire tale in Dark Lullaby--an enthralling tale about vampires, voodoo, and the bonds of blood & love...

Haunted by her evil twin's menacing ways, vampire Ashara Konrad battles voodoo and an ancient curse to keep her soul from falling to the dark side. Complicating the matter is her heart's desire for Liam Archer, a musical genius turned rockstar. But Liam is more than just the latest pop icon, he's a soul as one with the night as is Ashara.

Traveling throughout the U.S. and Europe, fighting Zariaz and her evil doings, Ashara and Liam enter the realm of dark vampires, and tainted voodoo.

Miss Wilson has created true to life characters with real emotions and depth. Their own strengths are put to the test as they try the strengths and weaknesses of the bonds of blood and love. Dark Lullaby is a great read. I highly recommend this book to fans of vampire fiction, and dark romantic fantasy.
- TellTalePress Reviews