Red Death (Jonathan Barrett, Gentleman Vampire Series #1) » (~)

P. N. Elrod is the author of The Vampire Files series. She lives in Fort Worth, Texas.

This compelling series combines action and historical drama in fascinating tales of an American Tory who stumbles into the dark world of the vampire. Completely revised and expanded, each of these new editions includes more than 40 pages of new material.

In this introduction to the series, young Jonathan Barrett arrives in London in 1773 to pursue his college education. His fate among the undead is sealed by the unnaturally beautiful Nora Jones, who seduces him and consumes his blood. Unbeknownst to Jonathan, he is no longer the same man, something he soon discovers upon his return to America to join the armed forces and defend his country. Rather than an appetite for traditional fare, he has developed a strange craving for human blood.

Publishers Weekly

This entertaining first installment in a new series by the author of The Vampire Files offers deft touches of wit, beauty and suspense. Amidst the tumult of pre-Revolutionary War America, 17-year-old country gentleman Jonathan Barrett happily prepares to attend Harvard. However, Jonathan's mother, a loyalist whose devotion to the Crown is exceeded only by her quick temper, decides that Cambridge University would afford her son a more proper education. Jonathan resolves to avail himself of the opportunity to study law and carnal pleasure, too. Upon arrival in England, he makes the acquaintance of Nora Jones, a seductive beauty who seems to hold an uncommon sway over her numerous suitors. Soon, Jonathan becomes Nora's favorite, and before long, he is made aware of the bloody source of her power through their frequent trysts, which often resemble a vampiric communion. Later, Jonathan is called home to the troubled colonies, where he is felled by a fatal musket shot, only to rise as one of the undead. Learning to cope with his new existence, he becomes enmeshed in the rebellion while still pining for Nora. (Nov.)