Hi Everyone!

It’s great to be at this party.

When you signed on, you probably registered for the contest. A signed copy of The Vampire with a Blanket of Stars will go to one lucky winner in that contest.

However, I will have an additional contest here for one Kindle copy of this book. All you have to do is tell me why you want it in the comment box. The contest is US only and ends when this party ends. The winner will be listed here the day after the party ends!

The book begins just before World War II rolls into Romania with its horror and devastation. Prince Răzvan (who had been a prince when he was human) meets a young woman of Roma (Gypsy) heritage and his heart is entranced. They are in a dark forest in the Carpathian Mountains.

A quick lesson in Romanian: Dragă mea means my darling. Te iubesc means I love you.

*

Răzvan believed in dreams. The instant his eyes closed he was back in the forest by their tree. Saraina was there too, gazing up at him.

Startled, she moved back. “I thought I heard my father calling me.”

“That has already happened. Don’t you remember? You left carrying the sticks. I went to my place by the fire to sleep and saw you go into your wagon.”

“I remember that, but what is this?”

“A dream. I came to the tree to think of you, hoping perhaps you would think of me too.”

“This isn’t magic? A spell of some kind?” Her fingers twisted nervously in her hair.

“No, Dragă mea, Saraina. I am here because I chose it. You came here of your own free will. I would never think of using any power against you.”

“Will you remember this dream when you wake?” she asked.

“I will.” He nodded.

“Will I?”

“I hope so, because I was hoping that we may have the kiss that was interrupted before.”

“Why?”

Such a pure question made him smile.

“Because my heart beats like a running horse’s ever since I met you.”

“You just want to conquer me. All men want is to conquer women.”

“I do not want that.”

“What do you want then?” A blush bloomed on her cheeks.

“A wife in whose eyes I see home, in whose heart I can rest mine.”

“You can find that with any woman.”

“No, I cannot.”

Her eyebrows rose. “So you have not known a woman?”

Răzvan laughed but stopped when he saw her backing away. “Please, I didn’t mean to laugh about such a matter. Truthfully, I have known a few in the way you mean. I was hopeful but they did not turn out to be true in heart.”

Saraina stopped her slow retreat. “Each was untrue?”

“Yes, and I was broken-hearted. So there hasn’t been anyone now for a long time.”

“How many times was your heart-broken?”

“Twice.”

She laughed and took a step forward. “Twice? That’s very few.” Then a solemn expression straightened her smile. “Some men pay women to … I cannot say it.”

“I’ve never done that. I’ve never wanted that. I have been searching for my home.”

“You have no house?” Now she was teasing him.

“I have a fine house, but my bed is empty.”

“You do not sleep there?”

“It seems that recently I am always traveling, so no. I would travel less, if someone was waiting there for me.”

The merriment in her eyes brought the smallest smile to her lips. He found it odd and amazing, that he could sense her feelings.

“I travel all the time. Why not just take your wife with you?”

“As long as it was not dangerous, I would.”

Saraina took a step closer. He closed the distance. She leaned up to him and he leaned down. A small space between them remained.

“Răzvan, I don’t know how to kiss,” she whispered.

He pressed his lips tenderly against hers. When he felt her doing the same, he embraced her fully against him. Feeling her arms reach around him was heaven. Răzvan was home, and he knew it. This was his Dragă.”

They didn’t move out of that kiss for the longest time. That is the magic of dreams. Snow fluttered around them but she never felt the cold. The night was fading and Răzvan noticed that sunrise would dissipate the dream soon and felt sad. He had to keep her. He’d do anything to keep her.

Moving even slightly away from her hurt him. “Saraina, remember me and this dream.”

“I will try. I don’t always remember dreams.” She looked sad, a tear slipped down her cheek. “Răzvan, are all kisses like that?”

“No. Only ours. Te iubesc, Dragă mea Saraina.” He pulled her close to kiss again.

The sky grew pale, and Saraina faded with the stars.

*

Do you need to know what happens next? The Vampire with a Blanket of Stars is available at:

Amazon and Print: https://www.amazon.com/Vampire-Blanket-Stars-Arnhem-Knights/dp/1796926760

Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-vampire-with-a-blanket-of-stars-susan-hanniford-crowley/1137236178

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-vampire-with-a-blanket-of-stars

Apple: https://books.apple.com/nz/book/the-vampire-with-a-blanket-of-stars/id1520310534

Walmart Ebooks: https://www.walmart.com/ip/The-Vampire-with-a-Blanket-of-Stars-eBook-9780463795477/809048775

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1011407

Good luck with the contests!

– Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley
https://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com