Take me away from a world without color, A world where life is dull and grey. I want to swim through the ocean’s waves, Where rainbows can frolic and play.
The sun’s rays shimmer off the water, Leaving trails of gold, yellow, and red. Beacons of light for me to follow To a new land where to lay my head. I fly through the rolling waves, Touching down on a spot of land. I am lifted by arms of fountains And laid to rest on the pink sand.
Turtles scurry away from my hand. Birds fly around as they have fun. The waves recede in their farewell dance, Leaving me alone in the sun.
Who lives on this small island? It’s time for me to explore The hut of branches in the tree. I must see if there is more.
The steps are pretty steep. I climb and step inside. The room is small and dark. Who knows what it may hide?
I hear footsteps from the room beyond. They’re coming closer to where I hide. It’s too late to run for the door. I must face whoever is inside.
A man saunters into the room, Candles and two places set. He throws me a big grin As if I am his prized pet.
We both wait in silence. He slowly moves toward me. “I hope you like my surprise.” I feel as cold as can be. I don’t like surprises. Especially from him. He keeps me at arms-length, Not letting me in.
I lower my eyes From the fire in his eyes. They’re consuming me alive. I am burning from his lies.
He makes an abrupt movement And strides across the room. He kisses me with great passion Under the blood red moon.
We turned the corner, but Bella was nowhere in sight. Quaint stores lined the busy sidewalk beneath the red glow of the setting sun. The boats docked at the pier swayed in place above the choppy waves. A salty breeze brushed through my hair. The mellow sounds of early evening lulled my senses until a high-pitched shriek broke the spell. “Why didn’t you follow me?” Bella marched toward us.
“We lost you.” Scarlett spun to her.
“How could you lose me? I didn’t even cross the street.” Bella’s face reddened. “Unless you were trying to lose me.”
“We reached—” Scarlett glanced at the street sign. “Harbor Drive, and we didn’t see you.”
“Fine.” Bella pointed to the pink sign, Le Ice Cream Parlor, hanging between two 3D hot-pink ice cream cones, on a pink-and-white shingled building. “We’re here.”
We stepped into the pink. A long counter spanned the left wall, fronted with hot-pink stools. Light-pink booths lined the right and back walls. White wrought-iron tables and chairs filled the space in the middle. “Cute,” I said. The sweet aroma of ice cream, chocolate fudge, and cotton candy wafted to my nose. My mouth watered. I smelled peanut butter, strawberries, and I don’t know what else. “An ice cream heaven.”
Bella took a seat at the counter. “Hi, Eric. Can I have a banana split?”
“Sure thing, Bella,” a gangly teenager replied, scooping ice cream into a banana-shaped glass dish, a toothy grin on his pimpled face.
“What can I get the young ladies?” I turned, expecting an older man. Instead, a man in his early thirties flashed his pearly whites at us. “Hi. I’m Jonathan Hale, the owner of this ice cream heaven.”
“You heard me.” My face heated as I faced the shaggy blonde, blue-eyed, surfer-looking guy.
“Yes, I did. And thank you for the compliment.” His gaze landed on Scarlett and stayed there. I felt relief; he fit Scarlett’s unique taste.
“What do you recommend?” Scarlett asked, her voice sounding breathy.
“I suggest the tornado.” Jonathan winked. “It has my best flavors topped with chocolate fudge, whipped cream, and a cherry.”
“We’ll share one.” Scarlett glanced at me, and I nodded.
As Jonathan retrieved a tall dish from behind the counter and began layering the decadent ice cream flavors, he asked, “Are you new to Blue Harbor?” His intense gaze met Scarlett’s through the glass dome above the ice cream.
“We arrived today.” Scarlett’s voice drifted as she glanced away.
He chuckled. “Then I’m happy to welcome you to Blue Harbor.”
Scarlett gave him a tremulous smile. “Thank you.”
“Take a seat at a booth, and I’ll bring my special concoction to you.”
Scarlett took my hand and dragged me across the room to a booth.
“Wow,” I whispered. “You must be in love. I’ve never seen you act timid.”
She turned to me with a scowl, her mouth wide open, ready to defend herself, before her attention shifted to the front door.
The door flung open, hitting the wall beside it with a loud bang. A hush fell across the room.
Startled faces turned to the doorway.
A tall, thin man in his early thirties hurried inside, clutching his throat, his gaze darting around the room. “They’re back,” he whispered before collapsing to the floor, blood spurting from his neck and pooling around his body.
Who can swim like a fish and fly like a bird? Who makes my heart thump in my chest? He is walking toward me, His body as beautiful as can be. Do I want him for me? How can I let this be?
The very statement gives you a chill that races up your spine-The Dead at Heart captures you and launches the reader into the next adventure in the Dead Game ‘thrilogy!’ The new installment focuses on the relationship of Shana and William and the turmoil they face as they they work through their challenges.
Susanne Leist keeps the final book just as clever with her amazing talent for creating a world beyond our own. The tale remains true to the Goth style vampire setting adding twists in the story line to keep you turning the page. Love the setting of the book from the stoic mansions of Florida to the battles between vampires and werewolves. Leist’s series is a thrilling read, and highly recommend.
The Dead at Heart by Susanne Leist is the third installment of this cleverly crafted supernatural series. Fans of the author are acquainted with her parallel universes in which mortals and nocturnal creatures live side by side in a fragile existence. In this episode, the vampire stronghold of Oasis finds itself under attack by mysterious forces. Sheriff Sam sets out in pursuit of the werewolf team that kidnapped the lady of the estate. He asks Shana for assistance as her beloved William is suspected of complicity. She accompanies him on a hair-raising chase from the swamps of Florida to the historic city of Quebec. Shana’s loyalty to William is compromised yet she has no choice to continue the pursuit with Linda’s safety at risk.
The plot thickens as the Watchers, represented by Samantha and the Archangels, intercede with the intent of ending a potential conspiracy among a contingency of rogue vampires. Shana realizes that William may be condemned by the Watchers, yet dares not hamper the search as Linda’s fiance Gregg has joined forces with Sheriff Sam. They soon learn that an autoimmune virus has infected the outlaws and caused their insurgency. Proclaimed as the Dead by their fellow vampires, Shana fears the worst. Can she help rescue Linda from the damned and save William in the process?
This is a Gothic suspense/thriller that remains true to the vampire mythology while exploring fresh storylines and plot twists guaranteed to keep readers enthralled throughout. For vampire genre enthusiasts and romantic horror fans alike, The Dead at Heart by Susanne Leist is one you won’t want to miss.
