Book Review: Unholy Embrace – Author Neil Benson

Posted on 11/19/2010 by Trish Martin  Leave a Comment or Post Review

UNHOLY EMBRACE

Author Neil Benson
Published by Night to Dawn
Publication Date: 2010
Format: Black /White – 204 pages
Price: $13.50
Unholy Embrace by Neil Benson is the story of a romantic and dangerous love affair between a beautiful, ages-old vampire and a mortal man. This story is enchanting and sexy with an edge of excitement. Not only do we read about vampires but of werewolves and demons. The New York night life and seedy underbelly do well to create a dangerous atmosphere. I enjoyed reading about the main character’s blossoming relationship but also the horrific demons and monsters that lurk about in the night. Nessa Harcanu is the sexy vampire born in 1597 in a small town near Budapest.

Though Nessa is voluptuous and sultry, she posses a power beyond mortal imagination. She becomes involved with a mortal man named Frank Thornton who is an attractive architect that is skeptical about the existence of vampires and demons. Also joining the story are members of the Meyer family of which Nessa becomes close with early on in her life as a vampire; they come to serve her and assist her with her needs throughout the ages. We also come across a weaker vampire named Narice whom, after her master is killed by Nessa, begins following Nessa waiting to exact her revenge. There are a few other characters we run across in the story who serve as a backdrop in the evolvement of the two main characters. The interaction with these other characters gives us insight to the character’s lives and personalities.

Nessa’s tale of how she became a vampire and her life up until present day is one of intrigue and even sadness. Frank listens to Nessa’s story and becomes even more enchanted with her and begins to understand her a little better. Their relationship is really one of master and subservient, Nessa the master and Frank the subservient. Even with the uneven balance of power the relationship between the two becomes stronger and the need to protect one another grows. The appearance of a demon creates more drama and trouble for the two and they realize in order to save humanity they must defeat this demon in any way possible.


I would classify this story as less horror and more romantic suspense but it is still a wonderful and exciting tale. As I delved deeper into the book I found it hard to put down. It is definitely an easy read and isn’t cluttered with unnecessary plot and lag time. There were times of some light eroticism mixed in with story to give it an edge above the teeny-bopper vampire love stories. Also we examine great power within Nessa making her almost super-heroine like in her conquests. Frank’s mind is torn between his deep love of Nessa and his wish for normalcy in his life. My only complaint as far as this novel was concerned was that I felt that the ending was a tad rushed; I felt that maybe the writer was a little unsure of how to resolve the conflict without creating more trouble for the characters.

Neil Benson has a rare talent for creating a story where you can identify and truly care about what happens to the characters. Giving life to character’s like Nessa and Frank enables the reader to walk in the footsteps of the characters, getting more in-depth in the story and almost being able to see the world through their eyes. I would also have to give Neil Benson props on creating a dueling perspective between the characters; by doing this we can see the story from the perspective of both Nessa and Frank. I would highly recommend this book to all vampire lovers out there and especially those who enjoy romantic flights of fancy.
Available at Amazon

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Attacked by a psychic vampire. . A mostly fictional story by Neil Benson .

Attacked by a psychic vampire. . A mostly fictional story.

I sat on my favorite stool in my neighborhood pub drinking a pint of my favorite brew when a black-haired, swarthy man of middle height approached me. I looked at him while he stared at me. I turned away, hoping he would disappear into the men's room. Unfortunately, I could feel his eyes boring into my back, and knew he wouldn't go away.

I shrugged my shoulders and looked him in the face. "Is there something you want?"

He continued staring at me without showing any indication he had heard what I had said.

"Okay, stare away," I said, and glared at him. After a while, the intensity of his gaze became disconcerting.

"You are the person that wrote the article stating that psychic vampirism is nonsense?" he asked in a strange foreign accent.

"I wrote a post on my blog to that effect," I replied.

"Same thing," he said. "You think psychic vampirism is a joke?"

" I don't know if it's a joke, but it's certainly not real." His intense gaze continued to bother me.  more.........

The rest of the story is contained in my anthology, Dark Journeys available on Amazon Kindle. 

The Night Librarian, a short story by Neil Benson in Satin Beauty

The Night Librarian by Neil Benson

My short story, The Night Librarian, was included in Satin Beauty  Anthology, published by Static Movement. The Night Librarian is a story about a librarian who helps the students at a local college during the day, and helps herself to the local students at night. The librarian is a succubus who uses The virility of the male students to a replenish her energy on a daily basis. She is a "good succubus" because the students are alive, but tired the following morning. Ancient myths portray Lilith as the mother of all succubi. She's also been accused of being the mother of all vampires.Clearly, the woman has a bad reputation. 

In today's horror/paranormal genre authors have rehabilitated many evil creatures. Anne Rice made vampires "almost human" and  Stephanie Meyers made them banal.  Richelle Mead presented  readers with a Georgina Kincaid, the succubus who might live next door in a series of novels. I have read two of them and found them interesting, not heavyweight material, but a pleasant way to pass the time.On Lost Girl, the lovely Anna Silk stars as "Bo" a succubus private detective/problem solver.  She's a kick ass creature with compassion for those in trouble. A sometime lover is a werewolf, which makes for avery odd couple.Humanizing a succubus is one thing, forgetting she's a demon is another.

My short story, The Night Librarian, was included in Satin Beauty Anthology, published by Static Movement. The Night Librarian is a story about a librarian who helps the students at a local college during the day, and helps herself to the local students at night. The librarian is a succubus who uses the virility of the male students to a replenish her energy on a daily basis. She is a "good succubus" because the students are alive, but tired the following morning. Ancient myths portray Lilith as the mother of all succubi. She's also been accused of being the mother of all vampires.Clearly, the woman has a bad reputation. 

In today's horror/paranormal genre, authors have rehabilitated many evil creatures. Anne Rice made vampires "almost human" and  Stephanie Meyers made them banal.  Richelle Mead presented  readers with a Georgina Kincaid, the succubus who might live next door in a series of novels. I have read two of them and found them interesting, not heavyweight material, but a pleasant way to pass the time. On Lost Girl, lovely Anna Silk stars as "Bo" a succubus private detective/problem solver.  She's a kick ass creature with compassion for those in trouble. Her sometime lover is a werewolf, which makes for a very odd couple. Humanizing a succubus is one thing, forgetting she's a demon is another.

The Changeling - a Dark Poem about Werewolves by Neil Benson

The Changeling

The full moon rises.

I hear your call.

The change begins.

My hair stand up,

and my breath quickens.

Tendons stretch,

and muscles grow.

Bones expand,

and fleshy yields.

My jaw protrudes,

and fangs appear.

great claws form,

and grip the ground.

A tall, horrid creature arises,

and greets the night with a howl.

Finally, I am whole.

To you I run, swift and sure.

Through grassy fields,

into a dark forest,

up a great mountain,

ever higher I go.

Past the tree line,

and into thin air.

 

............the rest of the poem can be found in Dark Journeys.

In Dark Journeys, short stories and dark poems describe perilous paths taken by mortals, vampires, and other creatures of the night.  Dark poems tell of the painful and sometimes fatal relationships between mortals and vampires.If this sounds interesting, and I hope it does, please follow the link and buy the anthology for only $.99.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AERRMIM

 

A review of Dark Journeyson Amazon.com

Below is a review of  Dark Journeys taken off Amazon.com.

"Dark Journeys by Neil Benson is an anthology of dark poetry and short stories. The poems are romantic and chilling. The poems read slower than the short stories as you absorb the subtle nuances and emotions.

The short stories should be read when you're prepared to stay awake listening for the creak of a door and lithe, resolute feet that don't belong...feet hundreds of years old. Will the vampire choose you? Look over your shoulder...tonight.

Here are a few great turns of phrase from the anthology:

"A tall, horrid creature arises, and greets the night with a howl."

"At more than three hundred pounds, he knew he shouldn't eat sugary treats, but his resistance to the temptation was lower than his intelligence."

"His eyes darted about like two small marbles bouncing on an interstate highway."

"They looked like cylindrical silver jewels rather than instruments of death."

If you want to know where these tantalizing tidbits originate, you'll just have to buy Dark Journeys by Neil Benson. Fantasy isn't just for children.

I gave it four stars--I would have liked the stories to drag out the suspense with more details. Vampire lovers will find Dark Journeys to be a fun and spine tingling read."

  In Dark Journeys, short stories and dark poems describe perilous paths taken by mortals, vampires, and other creatures of the night. Some survive, others don't. Why not join them on their journey through the gates of hell, so to speak.  

 

Night Time Lover - A dark poem about a succubus by Neil Benson

Nighttime Lover 

by  Neil Benson

A demoness who sucks the vital essence of men

You come to me at night,
loving me as no one has before.
Your kisses are a nectar,
that make my senses reel.
Your caresses light a fire,
that wraps me in white heat.

In your arms I find,
passions I cannot describe.
The ecstasy I feel,
burns me to my core.
Time and time again,
you take all of me.
In the morning light,

I find no trace of you.
Every day I wonder,
if you'll come once more.

                                                                             When the night arrives,

                                                                                 I feel you next to me.

                                                                               The thinner I become

                                                                     the stronger your embrace.

                                                                          My body begins to fade

                                                                         as yours feels more real.

                                                                                  Is my love enough?

                                                                          Or do you need my soul?

I fear the end is near.

                                                                                                                                            

In Dark Journeys, short stories and dark poems describe perilous paths taken by mortals, vampires, and other creatures of the night. . Dark poems tell of the painful and sometimes fatal relationships between mortals and vampires. If this sounds interesting, and I hope it does, please follow the link and buy the anthology for only $.99.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AERRMIM

Eternal Lovers - poem of vampire lovers by Neil Benson

Eternal Lovers -

From the moment I awake,
my thoughts are of you.
You took my life,
and made me immortal.

Our lives are entwined,
never to part.
Together in bed,
always so close.

When my eyes meet yours,
my love pours forth.
At the touch of your hand,
our loving begins.

Your tender kiss,
a nectar of sweet love.
The caress of my body,
sets me aflame.

Our passion grows greater,
at the press of our breasts.
You touch me deeply,
and I'm open to you.

Your fangs flick lightly,
on my sensitive core.
Only a moment,
and sweet ecstasy is mine.

Now my turn to pleasure you,
and our love is complete.

  In Dark Journeys, short stories and dark poems describe perilous paths taken by mortals, vampires, and other creatures of the night. Some survive, others do not. Why not join them on their journey through the gates of hell, so to speak.

My Vampire 's Aura - a dark poem by Neil Benson

My Vampire's Aura

My free will is gone;
your aura commands me.

You draw me each night,
to ecstasy and pain.

you show me your beauty,
but I know it's not real.
Your lovely face
masks a soul so dark.

After the pleasure,
you draw my life's blood.
You keep me alive,
till you need me no more.

The weaker I become,
the greater your pleasure.
The time is not long,
when you take my life from me.

Your promises are hollow;
I am one of many.
Bodies strewn through time;
discarded like waste.

Tonight will be special.
I have a treat for you.
The bright, silver dagger,
I found in your dresser.

When you take me in your arms,
I will end your undead existence.
My life is spent,
but others will be spared.