Dark Heirloom

Dark Heirloom

An Ema Marx Novel Book One

A Novel by J.D. Brown

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Release: March 2012

Editor: Carrie RO

Line editor: Valerie Haley

Cover Designer: Delilah K. Stephans

Words: 91409

Pages: 256

ISBN: 978-1-77127-007-6

Price: $5.95

Available in print at:  Amazon     Barnes & Noble

Back Cover:

“You’re a vampire” is so not what Ema Marx wants to hear when she wakes from a two-day coma in a cryptic yet exquisite castle in northern Finland. Unfortunately, it explains a lot. Like why she’s able to see in the dark and walk through solid objects. What she doesn’t understand is why the other vampires expect her to have all the answers. It’s their fault she turned into one of them…right?

Jalmari’s hatred for his old-man intensifies when he’s ordered to bring that troublesome girl to their castle. He has a clan to run; there’s no time for babysitting newborn vampires no matter how they were converted to their culture. But when a two-thousand-year-old premonition threatens to take the crown and his life, Jalmari sees no other choice than to take out the catalyst, Ema Marx. Fortunately for Ema, she could also be the clan’s only savior.

The race to figure out her vampiric origins is on. And maybe she’ll get the hang of the blood-drinking gig along the way…

Excerpt:

A scream tore from my throat. The rapid slap of my sneakers against asphalt echoed through the alley. Wind ripped my hair and coat back as if trying to halt my escape.  A chain link fence rose in the distance as I neared the end of the alley. Shit. I could have sworn this one opened to Clark Street.

Thud.

I froze. My heart pounded in my ears. Tears fell as I closed my eyes. Please, please, God…

His heinous laugh drowned out my ragged breath. Caught at a dead end, I had no choice but to turn and face him. He stood in the shadows, the darkness of his attire blended in with the night. Only the glow of his emerald-colored eyes gave him away.

Think, I shouted to myself. What does he want? My purse? My money? With a shaky hand, I pulled my wallet from my bag and flung it at him. He shifted his weight, dodging the wallet in one simple move. I stared like an idiot as it landed in the gutter behind him. Why is he chasing me if he doesn’t want my money? What else could he want?

He grinned, bearing a set of abnormally sharp, fluorescent-white teeth. Who the hell is this freak? He stepped toward me. My fists clenched as I stepped back. He took another step forward. My back pressed against the cold metal of the fence. Tears blurred my vision and fell as ice melted through the back of my coat. Chills rolled down my spine, sending a quiver to my lip. I swallowed the lump of panic building in my throat. “Leave me alone!”

He kept advancing, his eyes locked on my face, his gait slow with one foot in front of the other, like a cat. I shoved a trembling hand in my purse in search of my pepper spray. He snatched my wrist and yanked me to my knees. The contents of my purse spilled and scattered.

“What makes you think I want anything from you?” he sneered.

My chest heaved as I pushed myself up. From the corner of my eye, I glanced at the mouth of the alley, now behind me.

He scoffed. “You think you can run? Go ahead, mouse. Run.”

I did.

I was almost to the street when a thick shadow dropped from the sky. Two rock-solid fists shoved my chest. I fell backward. My head hit the pavement. Stars danced in the periphery of my vision as I struggled to sit up, but my limbs moved in slow motion.

Two hands, each finger adorned by a silver ring, gripped my shoulders and lifted me. My back hit something solid and cold—a brick wall. My feet dangled above the ground. He held me at eye level; his sour breath churned my stomach as his face inched closer to mine.

“I know what you’re thinking.” His voice was deep, smooth, as he rolled his R’s. “You’ve done nothing wrong. Nevertheless, once you kill one rat, you have to kill them all. Even a little mouse like yourself.”

My blood drained at the utterance of the word kill. I squirmed in his grasp. “Please, don’t hurt me.”

He clenched my jaw with one hand as his fingernails dug into my skin. I cried not from the pain, but from fear.

“Would you like to know a secret?” His hot breath caused bile to rise in my throat. “Only you disgusting rats can see our eyes glow. I’m sure you knew that already. I’m sure your mother told you the stories. I’ll bet you didn’t listen to her. I bet you thought they were just fairy tales and bad dreams, hmm?”

I had no idea what he was talking about. I concentrated on finding a way out of his grip, hoping his guard would slip while he continued his monologue.

“You know, when you find one rat, there are a dozen more in the nest.” He tightened his grasp. “Where’s your rathole, eh little mouse?”

“Let me go!” Pain manifested in every inch of my face. My jaw throbbed and my head spun. A stiff ache cut through my spine. Fear and cold shook my core. Exhaustion weighed down my struggling limbs. I just wanted it to end.

He studied my face for a moment, a frown tugged at his lips. “Very well.”

He released my jaw then reached back under his jacket. The sound of sharp metal being unsheathed pierced the night as he drew out a long silver dagger. My eyes widened at the emblems engraved on every inch of the blade and handle. I recognized them as Norse in origin. I also recognized the precise way in which he held the dagger level with my left rib cage. He’s going to stab me in the heart.

Review: "This is an awesome book, simply awesome...J. D Brown does a wonderful job weaving of history, science and mythology together...I found the characters to be fully fleshed out, the plots were very solid. Overall it is a stunning vampire book." - 5 stars The Ebook Reviewers...READ FULL REVIEW

About the Author:

J.D. Brown graduated from the International Academy of Design and Technology with a Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts. She currently lives in Wisconsin with her two Pomeranians. Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, her writing is influenced by the multicultural urban society of her youth which she continues to visit each summer. J.D. loves paranormal characters; from vampires and werewolves, demons and angels, to witches and ghosts. Her writings are often a combination of suspense and romance. J.D. enjoys helping and promoting her fellow writers and leads an active life on the web. She also writes erotic romance for the MuseItHOT division under the pen name Danielle Ravencraft.

Customer Reviews:

J.D. Brown delivers suspense, drama, confusion and resolution in a voice so powerful you are literally out of breath by the time you reach...only it ISN'T the end!rnrnIt's a brilliantly crafted teaser, or perhaps it is better to call DARK HEIRLOOM an appetiser for the suspense, drama, confusion, and hopefully, conclusion promised by the upcoming sequel to this story.rnrnWill Ema succeed, or fall prey to the two diabolically powerful enemies seeking to end her strange new life before the prophesy can be fulfilled?rnrnAll I can say is...HOLY COW!rnrnMy bottom is sore from shifting and squirming while this tale played out before my avaricious eyes...I mean...I should have long been asleep since I had an appointment today, but who can sleep when your body is so caught up in the drama unfolding before your eyes your mind won't shut down until you know the ending...but this is NOT ending here...so now I have to sit on the edge of my badly wrinkled bed and wait till the sequel.rnrnAnd so I give J.D. Brown FIVE stars and say...OKAY GIRL, WHEN IS THE SEQUEL COMING OUT?

rnI thoroughly enjoyed this first installment of J. D. Brown’s fresh new urban fantasy series, featuring Ema Marx, a tough young woman literally dragged out of her present life, and into a new life as a vampire. Between trying to assimilate and control her new abilities, and trying to stay alive within hostile castle walls, on a Finnish Island, there is a lot to love about this story. rnrnJalmari is the vamp in charge, and because Ema is a threat to his reign, he simply wants her dead, but while Jalmari is trying to figure out the best way to end Ema Marx, his brother, Jesu, takes Ema under his wing and patiently teaches her and helps her discover the talents she possesses. The growing relationship between Ema and Jesu is sweet and definitely kept me turning the pages. There are some really humorous scenes where Ema is trying to control her bloodlust, which is just one of the few new side effects of suddenly finding herself a vampire.rnrnJ. D. Brown spins a refreshingly different kind of tale regarding our fanged friends, with rich, vibrant description, and interesting characters, history, and location. While the danger escalates for Ema, some clever twists and plot turns arise, so needless to say I will be patiently awaiting Book 2 in the Ema Marx series!rnrnKudos J. D. Brown!

Great read! This novel brings to life a new kind of vampire in the form of Ema Marx, a young woman who is never bitten, but finds herself transformed into a creature of the night who has a voracious thirst for blood. rn rnAfter being attacked near her home by a vampire called Jalmari, Ema is taken to a castle on an island near Helsinki. There she meets Jesu, who serves as her mentor, teaching her to explore her new-found powers and control her bloodlust. Jesu develops feelings for Ema, and she also develops feelings for him, but the two are conflicted and reluctant to give in to their emotions. Jesu once had a premonition involving Ema, and should his prediction come true, it would have grave repercussions on the vampire world. Jesu happens to be Jalmari’s brother, and Jalmari is one of the most powerful vampires in existence. Jalmari is also tormented by a voice inside his head, which counsels him to use Ema to advance a hidden agenda.rn rnThe plot is filled with twists and turns that kept me guessing. Each revelation about Ema’s past, and about the role she will play in Jesu’s premonition, is satisfying and made me want to read more. I liked Ema’s feisty nature, and sympathized with her plight.rn rnAlthough the ending of the novel provides many answers, it also left me with many questions. I look forward to reading the sequel. If you like vampires, give Dark Heirloom a try.rn

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