Picture this, 1992, Jersey City, NJ I headed out to see a movie entitled Dracula, starring, Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Keanu Reeves and Anthony Hopkins. I loved it and saw it 2 times before finally buying it on VHS.
The story of Mina and her betrothed Jonathan, the costumes, the score, the castle, Dracula! What was not to love? The movie won 3 Oscars and with another 8 wins & 12 nominations was a fantastic movie. If you have not seen it, see it!
Now, here I am almost 18 years later reading Dracula, My Love which is based on Bram Stroker's Dracula.
Book Description
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!
What I Can Tell You: This was a fantastic read. Was it because I loved the movie so much? Ummm...hard to say. Usually it is the other way around; you love the book and hate the movie because the movie comes out after the book, usually! It was fun to read because it stayed very close to the movie. The storyline was the same, the secondary characters mostly the same, however we learn so much more about Mina.
While Mina is deeply in love with her "Jonathan", she just can't get Dracula out of her mind. Like the movie, I am also left unsure as to whether Dracula is a good guy or a bad guy. Syrie James has done an incredible job with Mina's turmoil, decisions and thoughts; the information we could not get from the movie.
The book is passionate and powerful! Perfect read for those who love historical fiction, romance, contemporary vampire fiction, or adventure.
Read an excerpt HERE.
Check out the Syrie James website and find out what else she is up to.
Syrie is going to be interviewed on Blog Talk Radio on August 16th at 7:00p.m. Check it out if you have a chance, she is an author with loads of promise.
To Buy:
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy from Harper Collins for my honest review.
My next book to borrow!! Looks like its right up my alley.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Angels! This sounds like the book for me too! Fantastic review!
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