THE VAMPIRE FAMILY
Paranormal Romance /horror
SALE $4.46 US
.pdf 
THE VAMPIRE FAMILY by Kristin Battestella
Sadistic? Check. Domination? Check. Happiness? Not for all.
Antonio Welshire accepts the mysterious Mestiphles' offer for vampiric power, but fails to consider that not all in his family desires evil. Daughter Victoria revels in the debauchery, but eldest daughter Samantha loathes the darkness. Enemies are in no short supply when the family turns to darkness. Charismatic rebel Gaston turns up to rival for Antonio's power; the vampire lover Jean can destroy them once and for all, and henchwoman Lilith seeks to supplant Antonio as Mestiphles' favorite.
Who will be declared the victor? And in the end, though they've survived coven wars and persecutions since the 12th century, can this vampire family survive each other or will they self destruct before the 21st century?
Excerpt
The sun rose and Elizabeth woke in the pile of sheepskins by the fire. Antonio slept soundly in his own huddle. She caught a dreaming smile on his face; then it was gone. Ann was piled nearby, but she turned in a restless sleep. Elizabeth stretched and rubbed her eyes. She remembered the horrifying events belonging to last night and winced at a twinge in her leg.
She slid from the makeshift bed and took a few sheepskins with her to the door. Her stride was awkward. Her limp would be there forever because of her injuries. She reached for the latch.
Could I? Should I?
She slid the bolt carefully, but it squeaked a little. Her gaze fell to the floor of sheepskins. Antonio stirred, but did not wake. She grasped the handle and slowly opened the door.
Mother Eira stood frozen in the snow, a contorted and morbid statue. Her arms were in the air, fists clenched in their banging position. Frozen blood lined her arms and the collar of her sheepskin. The eyes were open, blue irises glazed over with a white frost. Forever was her mouth to be open, too. Her tongue captured midway between the chapped lips, and saliva dangled like icicles from what yellow teeth she had.
Elizabeth opened her mouth to scream, but a strong hand cupped her mouth shut. Antonio whispered in her ear, "Ann is still sleeping."
He removed his hand, and Elizabeth looked into his cold blue eyes. She had not thought of him much before Father Welshire's fall, but now she did fear him. His own will was his motivation, even when he cared for her. Antonio forced a disquieting smile, but Elizabeth was captivated by the opal-colored eyes.
They are so mysterious. Deceptive. Frightening!
Antonio shut the door on his mother and returned to the fire.
Review
The Vampire Family
Kristin Battestella takes us through the years from the 12th Century beginning of the vampire, Antonio, in The Vampire Family to the 21st Century lives, loves, and struggles, of his family of vampires. The Vampire Family has it all, from murder and mayhem to love and loyalty. Not only does this family of vampires have to live through the fighting among themselves, but they must endure the struggle of facing a demon among them. Moving from the 12th Century to today has its own kind of horror, but these vampires have a plan, with their demon maker, Mestiphles, guiding them through fight after fight,even with each other.
The Vampire Family is one book I have thoroughly enjoyed reading. Kristin Battestella did a wonderful job of pulling the reader into the characters and their personalities. The Vampire Family is full of characters that you can feel justified in completely disliking, though there are some you have to sympathize with. Kristin Battestella does a wonderful job of giving you the feeling of being right there with the characters. I had a little trouble with the jumping from time periods, back and forth, but all in all The Vampire Family is a wonderful read. If you love vampire stories this is one you do not want to miss.
Kristin Battestella is a wonderful storyteller!
Reviewed by: C.J.
Fallen Angel Reviews
Review
The Vampire Family
Kristen Battestella
Reviewed by Red Roses for Authors.
Antonio Welshire begins by murdering his father when he is
sixteen, after years of being made to do a harsh penance all his young life.
This story of Vampires begins in the British Isles in the 12century A.D. - but
when Antonio kills his cousin from a desire to gain control and power it takes
on a new sense of menace. Gaston is dead and yet the quarrel will reverberate
down the centuries. Antonio is gven the dark gift so that he can gain the power
he needs to subdue his enemies and a long saga of revenge begins.
Swapping back and forth over the centuries, this tale of Vampire blood lust
gradually unfolds its mysteries. Victoria is Antonio's favourite child and it is
she that receives the dark gift from him first. Victoria passes it to her
brother and the struggle between son and father comes to a climax as the cycle
of love/hate goes on. Antonio wants to rule a world filled with Vampires but
others think differently, not least his daughter Samantha. Will the family be
given redemption at the last or will the cycle begin again?
This is an involved story that reveals itself slowly, sometimes in flashbacks.
It is intriguing, well written, and the ending is good, though I would have
liked to feel more real emotion at times.
I give this book 4.5 red roses.
Morna