Rick R. Reed WRITER

In the Blood Reviews

This is material that I would normally never read, being no fan of the horror genre, but Reed's work came highly recommended to me by several reliable sources, and I reluctantly decided to give this book a try. To my complete surprise, I found myself mesmerized by this dark and eerily romantic tale. This is a masterfully written novel, filled with beautifully defined images and frightening details.

Maria, Terrance, and Edward are a vampire family living among the denizens of crowed present day Chicago. Like the undead have done throughout fictional history, they feast on society's outcasts, the addicts, hustlers, and hookers that roam the streets at night. But these three are also passionate art lovers, with unbridled respect for true creative talent, talent that only mortals possess.

Maria is a great Italian beauty, several hundred years old. She is in essence the undead mother of the two men. Terrance is a gorgeous blonde vision with a body like Michelangelo's David. He enjoys the terror he evokes more than the blood and flesh he devours. And Edward is the newest member of the trio. He's gay and became a vampire in 1954 due to his unrequited love for Terrance. Edward was a budding abstract expressionist before crossing over, and still has the remnants of his conscience, something the other two no longer seem to have.

Into the story comes Elise, a two-bit streetwalker, who Terrance, while planning on making a meal of her, discovers to be an incredible artist. He is overwhelmed by her dark charcoal drawings of murder scenes and fatal car accidents, and realizes she is too precious to sacrifice to his nightly hunger, and decides instead to introduce her to the others.

This is not a book for the squeamish. Many of the scenes presented are grotesquely terrifying and deeply disturbing, but the story is told in a tight, succinct manner, and once started, is impossible to stop. I'm still no fan of horror novels, and I probably never will be, but I'm most definitely a new fan of Rick Reed's, and I'll read anything else he cares to offer regardless of the subject matter.

Jak Klinikowski, Our Bookshelf

***

I first met Rick Reed online and after getting to know him somewhat superficially, I have become a real Rick Reed fan. The man is an incredible writer, turning out good book after good book after good book. It amazes me just how consistent he is and I am so happy to be one of his reviewers. There is something about his fiction that transports you to places you may not otherwise go or perhaps not dare to go. He does this in his new book, "In the Blood" and as you can probably guess by the title, we are going to visit the world of the undead. The suspense is so high that I found myself sitting on the edge of my chair, literally afraid to read on yet even more afraid to stop. Needless to say, sleep did not come to me easily after reading "In the Blood" and I find myself looking over my shoulder to see if I am alone when I sit at my computer.

Having been raised in New Orleans and having deliciously followed the "Vampire Chronicles" of Anne Rice, I should have been over this vampire business long ago but I guess that the appeal of vampires is universal as they are mysterious, sensual beings (for lack of a better word) and sometimes they seem all too real.

Elise is the main character of Reed's newest book. She suffers from a tortured mind and paints her visions during daylight hours. At night, she is a prostitute and sells her body to whoever offers the most money. Her life seems set until one day three exotically beautiful vampires enter her life--Terence, Maria and Edward. Terence wants her life spirit--her blood; Maria wants Elise as a lover and an eternal partner and Edward, the newest vampire of the three, wants to stop her from making the mistake he made when he allowed the authors to feed on him. He had been young expressionist painting abstract paintings in Greenwich Village in the 50's when he gave up his artistry for life eternal. He still has enough humanity in him to realize and to understand what kind of mistake he made. This makes this vampire novel different from others as we have an undead chiding someone not to make the mistake he made and showing that the world of the vampire is not that wonderful or glorious. This is quite a departure from usual vampire fare.

Reed's writing is lucid and the words pulsate and portray the emotions of the trio of vampires and the disturbed Elise. When Edward tells Elise that he "gave up that s much for immortal life--whatever that's worth--but for a chance for love (he had been smitten with Terence), I felt so completely wrapped up in the novel that I almost had to stop myself from screaming. "Elise, you damned fool, listen to him".
This is the book to read if you need to return to the real world. It makes you realize just how lucky we are with what we have and that to wish for more is foolish whimsy. Using the metaphor of immortality for a better life really works and Reed has managed to merge the supernatural and the real world in a way you will not easily forget. Here is a tour of the world of vampires that will not only scare you but will make you realize just how lucky you are in your present existence. It's a great read that you do not want to miss.

Amos Lassen, Eureka Pride Reviews

***

Elise, once a good Jewish girl from Ohio, is now an artist by day and a hooker by night. She has to prostitute herself to make ends meet. Creating her art is her passion, however, because it reveals so much of the darkness in her soul, she is not able to share this much of herself with the world, so she is not marketing her work. Elise's lifestyle connects her with the scum of the earth. She frequently finds herself in danger. She despairs over this; however, she is unwilling to dig herself out.

When she encounters sexy, enigmatic Terrence, she is intrigued. She does not know that he is a vampire. He introduces her to Maria and Edward. Maria falls in love with her. Terence feels jealous. Edward's story is told alongside Elise's. He was also an artist before Terence turned him in 1954. Edward lost so much of himself when he was turned, he regrets that it happened. He does not want Elise to make the same mistake. When Elise finds out what they are, she is intrigued and scared. The vampire trio commits brutal attacks on their victims.

As Elise is sucked into their world, she finds a great deal of inspiration for her dark art. Maria tries to talk her into joining them with their immortality. Terence and Edward do not want this. Edward warns her about what it will be like to spend eternity having sacrificed her talent. Elise life becomes endangered when she regrets them. She has to find a way out.

"In the Blood," is a gripping, brutal vampire tale. The author, Rick R. Reed does an incredible job of painting the story with his words. You feel like you are watching everything instead of reading the words. The vampires are dark and brutal. In spite of their innate sensuality, they do not have very many redeeming qualities. Edward is truly a tortured artist. He was literally suckered into being a vampire by his feelings for Terrence. He has to spend eternity regretting his decision. As you read the story, you hope that Elise will hang on to her humanity and try to find a way out. You don't want her to go back to her old life; you want her to grow from what she has learned and move on. This is an excellent story for vampire fans. Be prepared to squirm in your seat at the brutality of these creatures.

Paige Lovitt, Reader Views

***

In The Blood is an intriguing exploration into the supposed "real world" of vampire life. Along the way, many misconceptions and preconceived notions are dismissed - and a clever swipe at the lore of Anne Rice novels is even slyly taken.

Elise Groneman, artist by day and hooker by night, bemoans the tepid routine of her everyday life. Surrounded by the residue of urban dilapidation, she longs for something more, something real, something lasting - anything that can take her away from the dregs of her muted existence. A chance pick-up one night of what appears to be a random John finally makes all that possible - but in ways she can't even imagine.

She soon finds herself slowly becoming more acquainted with the likes of Terence, Edward, and Maria, ultimately discovering the truth of their existence as vampires. Rather than kill her, as is their wont to do, the trio - at Maria's behest - attempts to ingratiate Elise into joining their inner circle, roaming with them throughout all eternity. Maria's reasons? Purely selfish: she has fallen deeply in love with Elise and refuses to dispatch her beautiful soul to the nether regions.

This decision, of course, infuriates Terence; in his opinion, she knows too much about their true nature, and her indecision regarding joining their circle makes her a threat to their long-term security. He insists upon destroying her for once and for all and stops at nothing to make it happen, putting him at odds with his two compatriots.

Blinded by his rage, though, Terence doesn't realize that there are more important things in life than the maintenance of proper order, and the end result of his actions leaves him wishing he had learned that lesson quite a bit sooner.

Rick Reed's endearing tale is a unique, fresh retelling of the power of true love. One would not think that such a task would be possible through the machinations of cold-blooded vampires, but Reed does an admirable job of tugging at the heartstrings nonetheless. His testament to the insuperability of the spirit is inspiring, regardless of the medium he employs.

In The Blood may not be action-packed or intricately layered - but it doesn't need to be. It is a straight-ahead tale of the eternal dance between forces of nature at their worst and best, one that readers of all types will surely appreciate.

Apex Reviews

***

Elise Groneman, artist by day, streetwalker or better known as whore by night. Giving herself to numerous amounts of men just to pay the rent, Elise had no idea how drastically her life was about to change the night she met Terence. Who once was an artist painting the dark, deathly images to rid herself of the nightmares of filthy men looming above her; she finds herself in a nightmare all her own.

Terence, Maria, and Edward three of the very few vampires left in population, not only drain their victims of blood, but devour the meaty flesh as cannibals seeking all the sustenance their cold unfeeling bodies could hold. Kidnapping whores and even dining on the homeless or society's outcasts, left plenty of blood for the taking; but all three thought it was much more intimate to share a meal.

Terence wants Elise for her blood, and can not stand the fact that Maria has won Elise's heart. He knew Maria wanted to offer Elise the dark gift and betray him, he had to stop it no matter what. Edward knew what lie ahead if Elise did accept Maria's offer, he did not want her to make the same mistake he did some sixty years ago. So Edward makes a special visit in attempts to get Elise to flee and hide. As she is preparing to leave she hears the rumble of a Harley and knew she was going to be in trouble.

In The Blood is a romantic vampire love story with bits and pieces of erotica and menage a trois.

Mr. Reed put a new spin on his vampires that I found it very intriguing. They could smoke marijuana and not get high, but it sharpened their senses; and they usually had no interest in making more of their own kind to over take the human population.

Mr. Reed is a skilled artist of words, he makes the story vividly come to life. Clearly being able to picture the events and characters, made this novel a pleasure to read.Mr. Reed's writing style is fantastic, and fast paced; the story ends before you know it leaving you wanting more. A little bit of horror, romance and erotica with a dark little twist make up, In The Blood. If you enjoy vampires, then I would highly recommend this novel. 5 Hearts

Crystal Adkins, Book Reviews By Crystal

***

By day, Elise draws and paints, spilling out the horrific visions of her tortured mind. By night, she walks the streets, selling her body to the highest bidder.

A

nd then they come into her life: a trio of impossibly beautiful vampires: Terence, Maria, and Edward. When they encounter Elise, they set an explosive triangle in motion. Terence wants to drain her blood. Maria just wants Elise ... as lover and partner through eternity. And Edward, the most recently-converted, wants to prevent her from making the same mistake he made as a young abstract expressionist artist in 1950s Greenwich Village: sacrificing his artistic vision for immortal life. He is the only one of them still human enough to realize what an unholy trade this is.

Although the story starts off slowly, giving the reader time to get to know the characters, it builds in tension and pace until one sits awake, turning page after page to see what will happen.

Mr. Reed has his own interpretation of the vampire myth; an interesting slant. One thing I liked (being fond of stories about dangerous creatures) is that he doesn't flinch from the dark eroticism of the central vampiric myth: the drinking of blood. Rather the opposite.

This is not for the fainthearted.

The story tells of Elise's encounters with the trio in the present time and in flashbacks to the time, the 1950's, when Edward was turned. The conflict between Maria, who loves Elise, and Terence, a truly dangerous, feral creature, leads to a stunning ending that left me deeply satisfied.

I recommend this book to lovers of dark vampiric tales, Harley Davidson motorcycles, leather clothes, art and marijuana.

L. Adlem, Rainbow Reviews