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Reviews For

Soul of the Vampire

By Minda Samiels

Louise Klement Reviews

A Salute to Women of Mystery

Soul of The Vampire by Minda Samiels
Publisher: Clocktower Books Publishing
ISBN: 0-7433-0095-5
Format: Download, POD

New author, Minda Samiels wrote a riveting tale of romance and suspense. In Soul of The Vampire, she's shown us what a vampire could be like in a positive light, instead of the blood-sucking creatures they are usually portrayed as. 

Michael de Charney, born in the late 1500's is cursed to live his life as a vampire. Though his soul is surely damned because of this curse, he tries to use it for good. Three hundred years later, Michael becomes The Avenger. Sought out by police, yet a hero to many, he rescues young women from the horrific crimes of rape and murder. The police and coroner, Elaina, search for The Avenger, afraid he will soon turn on the victims themselves. As Elaina investigates the crimes, Michael finds himself in a battle that could possibly free him from all damnation.

Ms. Samiels did a good job transitioning between Michael's past and present. Her skills are very promising, and she shows us by writing a wonderful tale. There were some parts that I felt needed to be expanded on, especially when they affected the main characters in such a big way.

Reviewed 21 Sep 2000 by Louise Klement
Sample a few chapters www.geocities.com/mitchmom3/soulofthevampire.html

Louise Klement
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Soul of a Vampire

by Minda Samiels, Clocktower Fiction

To look at Michael De Charney, one would think him to be handsome in an exotic way, no older than thirty-five. With his impeccable suits and manner, plus a bank account to rival that of Bill Gates, one would hardly be inclined to see Michael for what he really is -- a four-century-old vampire with a knack for doing good.

In Minda Samiels', Soul of a Vampire, we read the story of Michael's soul, of a rough life in turn of the century France (seventeenth, that is), and his current life as "The Avenger," a nameless vigilante who stalks local parks attacking would-be muggers and rapists, leaving broken bones, punctured necks and baffled policemen in his wake.

Detective Rick Matthews is determined to bring The Avenger to justice; despite the fact Michael is (please forgive me for this) taking a bite out of crime, the police would rather tone down vigilantism before something dire happens. Rick's ex-wife Elaina Campbell, a forensic specialist working on the same case, is eager to solve the mystery of The Avenger, though soon gets more than she bargained for when she meets a tall, handsome stranger while walking alone in the park at night.

Soul of a Vampire is not a traditional mystery, but rather a tale of suspense. The story is twofold: presenting vampire Michael's adventures in the present day interspersed with flashback chapters of his life before immortality and the events leading up to the fateful night Michael's life (or rather, afterlife) changed forever. The result is a well-rounded story of one man's ability to hang on to his ideals and quite possibly his soul during a lengthy, earthly purgatory, although I must admit I preferred the scenes of seventeenth-century life more than I did the modern story. Perhaps it is the history buff in me that was more fascinated with the buildup to Michael's transformation than the end result.

A more romantic reader, as well as fans of vampire/gothic fiction, will enjoy this read.

http://www.chickpages.com/bookworms/catholicchick/mysteryreviews4.html

 

A Mystery Fanatic Ezine

Tracey Eastgate Reviews

SOUL OF THE VAMPIRE
by Minda Samiels
Publisher: Clocktower Fiction
ISBN: 0-7433-0095-5
Format: Download, POD

First time author Minda Samiels brings us the story of Michael De Charney, a vampire, a soul in torment, despite his now souless existence. His Brother Claude will destroy their entire family in his greed, and will chase Michael'sthrough the ages, seeking vengeance for the loveless existence he irrationally blames on his brother. Minda Samiels weaves love and romance into a tale of intrigue and evil in SOUL OF THE VAMPIRE. Michael's De Charney's memories of the past, his family and lost love, soon have the reader empathizing and rooting for the vampire, as he battles evil in an attempt to redeem his own lost
soul.

Michael walks the city at night; his prey, those who would prey on the innocent. He slacks his unholy hunger by drinking the blood of these criminals. Breaking their arms to hide the marks of his teeth he leaves them alive, but seeking redemption in fear of the haunting, evil pictures he instills in their minds. 

Then he meets Elaina, a forensic pathologist working with her ex-husband, Detective Rick Mathews to find the vigilante they have named the Avenger. She struggles with the clues in the strange case that lead her to suspect the new love in her life, Michael De Charney. 

SOUL OF A VAMPIRE is a gripping tale, though I found myself wanting a little more detail regarding some of the issues Michael & Elaina must deal with, I truly enjoyed reading this book. Minda Samiels does an excellent job in her first book of providing the reader with a few hours of escape into the world of her imagination.

Reviewed by Charlene Austin
© September 2000
All rights reserved.
www.gloreb.com/mystery.htm
Soul of the Vampire
by Minda Samiels
Publisher: Clocktower Fiction
http://www.clocktowerfiction.com
Genre: Horror
ISBN(s): POD: 0-7433-0095-5
PDF: 0-7433-0194-3
ReB: 0-7433-0252-4
Release Date: POD - October 2000,
PDF & ReB December 2000
Cost: Pending

*** Very Good

Michael de Charney was the son of a Baron in the Champagne region of France, but even that couldn't help him solve this problem. The problem is it is now late 1998 and he was born in the late 1500's, four hundred years ago. Michael had the misfortune of becoming a vampire against his will, a plan initiated by his own brother. Michael's life had been anything but easy since he was a child. He was the third son of the Baron which practically guaranteed he would receive no inheritance and very little for a dowry, so as a result he was sent to school to become a priest, a profession he did not want. As time moved on however, he was able to escape to England from France and his controlling and manipulative brother. In England, he began to build a life for himself and his mother; happiness seemed to be finally within his grasp, only to be destroyed by his brother once again.

Elaina Campbell is a forensic specialist with the County Coroner's office and has been asked by the Chief of Police to help them solve the Avenger case. The Avenger began working two years ago and had already cost Elaina her marriage, now she was supposed to work with her ex-husband and help him solve the case. She had noticed fang bites on the wound site of a couple of the victims, however nobody was going to believe her opinion as to what was going on. But when she met Michael, her world began to suddenly change and change for the better. Michael was everything she could possibly want in a man and to make things even better, it seemed as if the feeling was mutual. But was it?

SOUL OF THE VAMPIRE is a nice blend of new and old on a subject that has been around forever. Author Minda Samiels has blended a wonderful mixture of horror and folklore, romance and pain, turning it into a book that one would enjoy reading. The story isn't as heavy as some horror books can be which makes this a delightful read.

Review by:

Tracy Eastgate
Tracy's Book Reviews
http://www.geocities.com/t_eastgates_reviews/
Copyright =A9 2000 by Tracy Eastgate

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A Grain of Salt Reviews (www.webnow.com/DThoCha)

Review Of:
Soul Of A Vampire
By Minda Samiels

Michael de Charney, Vampire with a heart, soul and a conscious to do good...
In "Soul of the Vampire". Minda Samiels takes you from present, back through Michael de Charney's memories of his past. Of his tragic first
love Sofia, his brother Claude's greedy evil vengeance on he and his family, his fall from God's grace into his brothers world of darkness and 
revenge. Then, back to the present where Michael finds love and peace once again for his tortured soul.

Very Engrossing, Heroic, and Romantic... A page turner... Minda Samiels keeps you wanting more from this, her first book.

Reviewed by Kym LD, member of A-Mystery-Fanatic@topica.com
Stay@HomeCafe.com coming in November!

 

SOUL OF A VAMPIRE
by Minda Samiels

Banking on the Anne Rice theory that vampires can be both good and evil, first time author Minda Samiels, has penned a story for the gothically attuned and the romantic at heart. SOUL OF A VAMPIRE is a modern day love story with a family tragedy eons old, creeping into the present.

Elaina is a reputable forensic specialist called in to aid police on a puzzling late night attacker. But her focus and attention are challenged, as she juggles her instincts against a bitter ex-husband heading the investigation. This emotional balancing act comes tumbling down, when she inadvertently discovers the prime suspect and falls hopelessly head over heels. Not wanting to believe that the dashing Michael could possibly be The Avenger, a criminal stalking vampire that takes the law in to his own hands, Elaina puts her own life in peril as her mysterious Romeo's past catches up with them both; bloodthirsty and looking for revenge.

SOAV is a historical novel that unravels into the present. From the foothills in France to the back alleys of England, you'll accompany the walking dead on journeys of desperation and quests for power. Samiels is a natural born storyteller who shows admiration for the genre and devotion to her characters. Tapping in to the popular vein of forensic science, she revives the dreadful legends of the past, with the modern day phenomenon of crime and passion. 

Reviewed by Danielle Thorne
©2000