Dark Thirst

Rating:
Summary: "Whispers During Still Moments" by Linda Addison
Review: Anyone who has spent any time discussing books with me knows my penchant for vampires... Needless to to say, my vampire collection would not be complete without a copy of Dark Thirst.

I really enjoyed reading "Whispers During Still Moments" by Linda Addison. She has a truly beautiful command of language, and tells the tale well. I found myself reading this one in her voice (one of the perks of knowing the author!) I like the new twist on this classic demon.

I'm looking forward to finding more Addisons on the bookshelves!

Although I purchased this book to read Linda's story, I was compelled to read the others simply because they are vampire tales. Let me tell you, this is one to add to your collection if you are drawn to the nightside as I am.

Rating:
Summary: Worth A Look...(Really 3.5 Stars....)
Review: Dark Thirst is a distinctive collection of six short stories that focuses on vampires and their victims of color in varying eras and circumstances. However, the central theme uniting the stories is the ugly consequences of their existence - a hunger for blood that is never sated, the clandestine lifestyle necessary for survival, and the bouts of loneliness that eternal life brings as they lurk incessantly throughout the night. The stories are authored by some of today's popular writers and a few newcomers - each with a different slant on the age old villain:

* The Ultimate Diet (Monica Jackson) - an overweight woman envies a svelte, beautiful woman who appears to eat all she wants and never gains a pound. After discovering the secret of success, she loses weight and much more,

* Vamp Noir (Angela C. Allen) - one of my favorite stories in the book is about a black, female vampire who is an enforcer for the mob but has her own hidden agenda,

* Human Heat: The Confessions of an Addicted Vampire (The Urban Griot/Omar Tyree) - another one of my favorites in which an old-school, New Orleans Creole "Casanova" scorns a lover's advice and develops an addiction to a highly dangerous and callow blood source with disastrous results,

* Whispers During Still Moments (Linda Addison) - a half-human vampire hunter struggles to battle a First and save himself and his love,

* The Touch (Donna Hill) - a sensual tale in which a sophisticated vampire is running out of time in which to find her human soul mate,

* The Family Business (Kevin S. Brockenbrough) - and the best was saved for last (in my opinion), this is a page-turning story of monsters in the `hood - were werewolves and vampires collide and a battered mother's love prevails.

There's something here for everyone spanning from hip-hop to old school and romance to touches of erotica with splashes of horror and gore thrown in - because it is after all a collection of vampire tales. Overall, this book is surprisingly entertaining - vampire fans should find mild if not total enjoyment from what is presented.

Reviewed by Phyllis
APOOO BookClub
Nubian Circle Book Club


Rating:
Summary: Thirsty For More
Review: DARK THIRST is a very eclectic mix of the increasingly popular genre of vampire lore. Noted authors, Donna Hill, Monica Jackson and Omar Tyree, have stepped out of their respective genres to pen the odd mix of science fiction which include threads of romance, comedy and urban fiction.

The most memorable of the six short stories is Monica Jackson's 'The Ultimate Diet'. The storyline is hilarious from beginning to end. I volleyed between laughing out loud and pure shock. The main character Keeshia wants to lose weight and become as sultry as her mysterious neighbor, without the hard work of diet and exercise. When she finds out her neighbor's secret, she will stop at nothing to achieve the image she so covets.

Donna Hill's 'The Touch' is a dangerously sensuous tale of a vampire looking for her one true love. Selena has learned that sexual release can keep her bloodlust at bay, but not for long. She must find the one man who can put her fire out and keep it out. I enjoyed the romantic twist to the typically bloodthirsty vampire story.

Kevin S. Brokenbrough takes it to the streets in 'The Family Business'. A street punk abuses his wife and son and is dealt with in the most heinous fashion for the pain he has caused them. Shelly has a family secret that allows her to fight back when she can no longer take the abuse. At times this story was so out of the ordinary, even for science fiction, I would question what is going on here, but I could not stop reading. I had to know what happened next

Three memorable stories out of six is not bad, but it averages out to be just that, average. The three remaining short stories did not give me the same emotional response to reading them as the one's mentioned above; they were decent, but not memorable. All together it was a great effort, but not great enough to be ranked amongst the best in the genre.

Reviewed by Aiesha Flowers
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

Rating:
Summary: These Vamps are HOT!
Review: Horror, Fantasy and Science fictions fans of all colors should add this book to their personal collections. I was blown away by the vivid writing and the stories were so different that each one was like entering a different world. My favorite was the Mafia story by Angela Allen where the female vampire works as an enforcer for the Mob. I liked the mix of mystery and the supernatural. It's refreshing to see a strong female character that doesn't have to be a sidekick to a male lead. The story Whispers During Still Moments by Linda Addison was also superb, although I wished it had been a little longer. And The Family Business by Kevin Brokenbrough was really cool in that it had a socially conscious message embedded in the story that at first glance readers might overlook until they realize the story is really a metaphor for the larger issue of domestic violence and social justice. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes speculative fiction and wants to read some really good vampire stories that go beyond the traditional take on this popular genre.

Rating:
Summary: Mystical
Review: I didn't expect these stories in this novel. Omar's work hasn't been up to par since his novel Flyy Girl. Perhaps these authors need to take note from sci-fi author Brandon Massey. Sometimes its best to stay with what you know than to venture out into something different. Typecasting isn't always a bad thing.

For your reading pleasure in family/church drama that is a page turner full of excitement, read the novels THE PREACHER'S SON by Carl Webber and the dynamic novel, LUST OF THE FLESH by Beverly ROylat. Two great new reads that you'll be glad you read.

Rating:
Summary: A Nice Dark Collection
Review: I enjoyed the stories in this collection.The writers each gave a nice ride into the dark side.
reviewed by
Dawnny