"My name is Charlotte Ann Erickson, I'm a
vampire, and this is the story of my life. It's a story that began before the
first English settlers ever set foot in America, while James the First was the
King of England. It is a journey that has taken me across nearly four hundred
years thus far and there's an eternity yet to go. During that time I have
loved, been loved, and experienced happiness and heartbreak more than once. My
life has bridged the centuries and included escapades and exploits second to
none..."
The fourth book in the "Master of
Whitehall" series and I couldn't wait to read it. The first three were so
well written, with wonderful characters and beautiful scenery. A timely tale
with history woven in to show us how these immortals came to be in our time.
This story was also of the same quality as the others and did not disappoint. Charlotte
Ann has decided it's time to tell the story of how she came to be an immortal and
the real history of immortals over time.
Her story begins in London in 1625. The daughter
of a captain whose boat leaves one day never to return. Charlotte Ann shows us
her life from where it began to where she was reborn immortal. We get to hear
her tales of her life over the last 400 years or so. You will meet the people
she has loved and lost and befriended, and the ones who will stay forever. You
will see how she met James, "The Master of Whitehall." and how their lives weaved in and out of time.
Being around ships and sailors, listening to
their tales of travels far away gave her a desire to see the world. Still
despondent over her father's probable death she sets out on her own to see the
unknown world around her. A chance meeting with a man named Ferdinand changes
her life forever. Together they see the world, amass their fortunes and drink
all the blood they can sink their teeth into. They change with the world in
order to fit in and continue to grow their wealth. The bodies do stack up. I
like how they choose their victims. Sounds crazy right? Well if they're going
to rid the world of pedophiles, robbers and murderers I see no issue with that.
Something I found fascinating was the way that
Charlotte Ann adapted as the times changed. From the way of dress to the way of
living, from inn keeper to bottling her own wine. The way that she originally
made money robbing the robbers who robbed graves to the investments later on,
and residing in New York City of all places. She watched war after war and
moved from place to place to avoid it. Extremely interesting historical facts
throughout her story.
This is one of those books I refer to as a
"comfort book." You know when you finish the very first one in a
series and how much you know you're going to enjoy the others? Each book after
is just a good fit. You know when you open the cover you're going to be swept
away to another place and time where you'll believe vampires really walk this
earth. This author is pretty convincing on this aspect. I'm pretty sure he
knows something and he may very well be the real "Master of
Whitehall."
"when I began this wonderful journey I
never imagined myself as a coven maker...just a young girl in love with a very
special man. He gave me a life I never thought possible and taught me to be
strong and independent. Now I have a family, a coven if you prefer, and one
that gives me great joy to know that all of them share my strength and
independence..." ....Charlotte Ann
While this is the fourth book in this series
its thankfully not the last! Mr. Veal is currently at work on the 5th book in
the "Master of Whitehall" series. This is also a standalone but I
really recommend reading the others in the series as it ties everything
together and fills in the little spaces.
Thank you to Rick H. Veal for the A.R.C.
A pleasure as always sir.
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