Blood Wine And Pale Roses

Available: October 15th, 2008
Genre: Vampire Erotica Novella
Cover by: Nicola Martinez
Publisher/Buy: The Wild Rose Press

Eden Colbourne has spent most of her life pursuing dreams that never quite came true. Running from yet another failed relationship, she seeks solace in the familiar surroundings of England's countryside, and her art. Drawn to the remnants of the abbey, she spends her days sketching the face of a man she believes is a ghost haunting both the abbey and her heart. The reality is even more disturbing...

When Sean Rourke finally reveals himself to her, Eden discovers the ghost is a creature of myth and dark dreams. Turned into a vampire by the man for whom his wife betrayed him, Sean is tormented and lonely, and more afraid of Eden's power to make him love than she is of his nocturnal curse. It isn't until the ancient vampire who made him returns to claim Eden that Sean is forced to decide once and for all if he can let go of the shade of his wife, and permit love to heal what remains of his humanity...

Read what the reviewers are saying...

"4 Hearts!...Dark this tale might be, but this reviewer enjoyed it. The characters were interesting and well drawn. Love and bitterness are shown as two sides of a coin. It made a compelling read as this reviewer wondered which side of the coin will succeed in coming out on top. The dialogue is skillfully woven into the story?s fabric, making it easy to picture the speaker. The settings are vivid, bringing the places alive for the reader. The story line is sure to please those who like dark tales. Despite the dark side, it is still a heartwarming tale of love eternal."?—Pam, Love Romances

"5 Cups!...Denyse M. Bridger has written a heartfelt story of love and emotional healing. Sean will tug at your heartstrings. His loneliness will creep into your heart the way the sun creeps up on a new day! This book is a definite keeper and I know I will be reading it and revisiting Sean and Eden over and over again. The characters are so true to life and fresh. Sean is a one hot vampire! The steamy love scenes will make you want a sexy vampire of your very own to bite you! I am anxiously looking forward to reading the many new books Denyse M. Bridger has published this year with Amber Quill Press."—Janean Sparks, Coffee Time Romance

"5 Angels!...Being a lover of paranormal romances, this story did not disappoint. Miss Bridger has woven a wonderful tale of love and suspense. The plot was well thought out and the story flowed beautifully. Her descriptions are very vivid and I felt like I was really in the story with Sean and Eden, experiencing their thoughts, feelings and actions. One part of the book in particular had me in tears due to the high emotions that were felt between the characters. She provided steamy sex scenes and I was able to really get a grasp on the love felt between both hero and heroine. She also did a very good job in creating the villain, Evander. I could feel the evil radiating off of this character and I loved to hate him. All in all, I don?t have any complaints about this book. It had all the necessary elements to keep me transfixed until the very last word. If this is the type of story I can expect from Miss Bridger then I look forward to reading much more from her in the future. Blood Wine and Pale Roses comes with my highest recommendation to anyone who is a lover of paranormal romance or is looking for a new genre/author to try. Bravo, Denyse!"—Jennifer M., Fallen Angel Reviews

Read a short excerpt...

Eden dropped the overnight case and settled to the task of making a fire. A short while later, she was seated in front of the flames. Her gaze wandered over the room, darting into shadows and concentrating until she'd pierced the gloom and was able to discern shapes and identify them. Still, the sense of waiting nagged at the back of her consciousness and left her shivering. The foreboding was growing, and she admitted to herself that she might have been foolhardy in coming to this place alone, at night.

The sketchbook drew her eye, and she decided the best form of distraction would be work. She opened the book and stared at the face that smiled back at her from the top page. She'd never seen him before, yet she had filled several books with this man's image. She had, in fact, created an entire history for him. All that remained was a name, and that little detail always stayed just out of reach. Nothing she would settle on felt "right," so he continued to be a stranger-a stranger to whom she felt closer than she did most of the people who did populate her life.

"Who are you?" she murmured as her fingers brushed across the textured page and absently caressed the curving mouth.

"Who do you wish me to be?"

Eden very nearly dropped the book she held. The voice was low and compelling, rich with resonant power. She felt it touch her heart and demand a surrender she instinctively knew had been made long ago. Strangely reluctant, she allowed her gaze to shift from the face on the page and look upward. Her grip lost its strength and the sketchbook slipped to the floor as she stared at him?