5 Star Reader Review:
I have just finished reading Blood Moon Rising by Angela Lam Turpin. This book is a little gem. I couldn't put it down. When I started reading it I stayed up until 2 am and finished the book the next morning. Although I usually don't read books about vampires this whimsical little tale was more about mother and child relationships and the problems that develop when the child is born half vampire and half human.
When Valkyrie awoke, hours later, she noticed Anthony sitting at the foot of the bed watching the evening news.
A reporter announced, “Yesterday afternoon police found the prominent 29-year-old environmental activist, Melissa Parkerson, dead in her apartment. She had been reported missing by her employer since Monday. Police are investigating whether or not this is a homicide. There are no signs of forced entry, although items had been taken from the premises, mostly clothing. The cause of death is unknown at this time, but may have to do with two puncture wounds found on her body.” The camera shifted to the covered body as it was lifted onto the gurney. “Any leads should be reported to the police immediately.”
Valkyrie sat upright. She caught a brief image of Daisy’s neck, slender and white, punctured with her own teeth. Black spider-like stitches sealed the holes where blood had dried. Valkyrie felt the blood drain from her legs. She stumbled over to the television and turned it off. The room darkened instantly.
“Did you kill her?” Anthony asked.
Valkyrie sat down on the edge of the bed beside her son. She gazed at nothing in particular. Her voice warbled. “I’m sorry. It was a bad choice. Her blood was not very good. It was poisoned.”
Anthony withdrew from her. He stood up and opened the drapes. The boy who had reacted indifferently after the first kill he had witnessed in the camper had transformed into the boy who wanted to disown his mother because of her undeniable need for living blood. “Why can’t you eat something else?” he demanded. “Humans are my friends.”
Valkyrie squinted. “Close the drapes. It’s still light.” She retreated to the hall closet and closed the door. Her voice penetrated the thin walls. “I didn’t mean to kill her. I only wanted enough to sustain me,” Valkyrie explained. “I don’t understand it. The longer I am here, the weaker I become. The blood in these people is tainted. I can’t understand the wind anymore. I have useless dreams. Nothing makes sense.” Valkyrie leaned her head against the wall and thought, You’ve become stronger, more powerful than I ever dreamed you would be.
“I’m not like you,” Anthony said aloud. “I don’t kill. I don’t eat humans.”
Not yet.
“Never!”
Silence racked the distance between them. A door opened and clicked shut. Feet bounded down stairs.
Please don’t be mad at me.
Silence answered her.
I don’t understand why the closer you are to becoming me, the further we grow apart.