Dracula, My Love: The Secret Journals of Mina Harker

A THRILLING, PAGE-TURNING TALE OF ADVENTURE AND FORBIDDEN PASSION... Syrie James approaches Bram Stoker's classic Dracula with a breathtaking new perspective--as, for the first time, Mina Harker records the shocking story of her scandalous seduction and sexual rebirth. Who is this magnetic, fascinating man? And how could one woman fall so completely under his spell? Mina Harker is torn between two men. Struggling to hang on to the deep, pure love she's found within her marriage to her husband, Jonathan, she is inexorably drawn into a secret, passionate affair with a charismatic but dangerous lover. This haunted and haunting creature has awakened feelings and desires within her that she has never before known, which remake her as a woman. Although everyone she knows fears him and is pledged to destroy him, Mina sees a side to him that the others cannot: a tender, romantic side; a man who's taken full advantage of his gift of immortality to expand his mind and talents; a man who is deeply in love, and who may not be evil after all. Soon, they are connected in a way she never thought humanly possible. Yet to surrender is surely madness, for to be with him could end her life. It may cost Mina all she holds dear, but to make her choice she must learn everything she can about the remarkable origins and unique, sensuous powers of this man, this exquisite monster, this ... Dracula!

From Publishers Weekly

James (The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen) tepidly reboots the Dracula story, reimagining the classic from the point of view of Mina Harker, a minor victim. Here, Mina is torn between two men--dependable Jonathan Harker and darkly enigmatic Nicolae Dracula. While the men of the story enact the plot from the original, Mina secretly meets her lover, Dracula, and conspires to have the best of both worlds--keep Jonathan as a husband for the term of her mortal life and keep Dracula as a lover for eternity. The mood and material may put readers in mind of Coppola's Dracula movie, though James does the narrative a disservice by waiting until too late to force Mina to make a choice--the buildup isn't exactly riveting, and the hurried decision comes across as contrived. A few unexpected twists along the way offer pleasant surprises (Van Helsing, for instance, recast as a comically inept buffoon), but otherwise, this will have a hard time standing out on the increasingly packed vampire romance shelf. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Library Journal

“With its poetic, 19th-century prose style, this tale about a fierce, forbidden romance will appeal to even the most jaded romance fan.”

singletitles.com

“This very romantic side to Dracula is powerfully sensuous and masterfully told... Should sit side by side with Bram Stoker’s Dracula on your keeper shelf.”

Austenesque Reviews

“5 stars. Poignant, passionate, and powerful... Critically acclaimed and bestselling author, Syrie James, once again transports her readers back in time and enchants them ...Truly outstanding!”

Bestfantasystories.com

“We enter Mina’s psyche...and likewise develop an understanding of Dracula’s motivations. This insight explains why a human woman and a ‘monster’ would literally ache to be with one another. I was exhilarated, enthralled, and completely mesmerized. Vampire book lovers will absolutely love this book.”

Dolce Dolce

“Syrie James paints a vivid picture of woman in the grip of dark passion. If you think you know the legend, her thoroughly modern Mina will surprise and delight you. It’s a dark and sizzling romance for hot summer days and nights.”

LitFest

“Dracula, My Love had me hooked immediately. Filled with suspense and romance, it had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. It was incredibly well written and I couldn’t put it down. Syrie James paints an amazing picture of Dracula that left me both infatuated and appalled.”

Chicago Tribune

“Only Mina Harker, who once fell under the seductive spell of literature’s most famous vampire, knows Dracula’s true story. James gives readers an intriguing alternate theory as to the events that occurred in Stoker’s classic horror tale while at the same time delivering a spooky yet thoroughly romantic love story.”

Feathered Quill

“This remarkable story twists and turns with every page ... The story unfolds with fast-paced action, well-written dialogue, and historical events mixed in with a truly remarkable love story that keeps the reader glued to every page. Another hit (for Syrie James)... right out of the park.”

The Season For Romance

“Must read... I love the way this book was written... Both love stories (Mina and Jonathan/Mina and Dracula) have such depth... I became so caught up in the story that I wasn’t sure who I wanted Mina to end up with... A really emotional love story. Rating: 9 (Excellent)”

Stephanie's Written Word

“An excitingly dark tale with a romantic twist...a page turner from start to finish. The author has given Dracula something that is missing in earlier novels – a heart and soul...Like a vampire draining his latest victim, I sucked down every juicy detail of Dracula, My Love.”

Bitten By Books

“What really happened between Mina and Dracula? Syrie James provides her own provocative interpretation in the exciting Dracula, My Love... She keeps the suspense level high, so that even readers familiar with the original story will be furiously turning pages to see what happens next. Excellent novel.”

From the Back Cover

Acclaimed author Syrie James approaches Bram Stoker's classic Dracula with a breathtaking new perspective—as, for the first time, Mina Harker records the shocking story of her scandalous seduction and sexual rebirth.Who is this magnetic, fascinating man? And how could one woman fall so completely under his spell?Mina Harker is torn between two men. Struggling to hang on to the deep, pure love she's found within her marriage to her husband, Jonathan, she is inexorably drawn into a secret, passionate affair with a charismatic but dangerous lover. This haunted and haunting creature has awakened feelings and desires within her that she has never before known, which remake her as a woman.Although everyone she knows fears him and is pledged to destroy him, Mina sees a side to him that the others cannot: a tender, romantic side; a man who's taken full advantage of his gift of immortality to expand his mind and talents; a man who is deeply in love, and who may not be evil after all. Yet to surrender is surely madness, for to be with him could end her life. It may cost Mina all she holds dear, but to make her choice she must learn everything she can about the remarkable origins and sensuous powers of this man, this exquisite monster, this . . . Dracula!

About the Author

Syrie James is the author of the best-selling novel The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen, which was named a Best First Novel of 2008 by Library Journal, and The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte, a 2009 Great Group Read by the Women's National Book Association. Syrie is also a screenwriter and a member of the Writers Guild of America. Syrie received a B.A. in English and Communications from the University of California, where she was awarded a departmental citation for outstanding accomplishment in English. Syrie lives with her husband and their two sons in Los Angeles.

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