I love history and fantasy, and both of them combined can make an explosive combination. Imagine working fantastical elements into real historical events and creating a new story. In Lucan’s book I let my main character, Lucan, be an active participant in the murder plot on the Ancient Roman emperor Commodus, who in real life was strangled by his slave, after his lover Marcia failed to poison him.
Before you start judging Marcia, Commodus had a list of people he wanted executed, and Marcia was at the top of that list … So, you can imagine, that it was either kill or be killed. My main character, Lucan, becomes involved because he wants to avenge a past crime Commodus had done to his family. Since Commodus in real life was unstable, cruel, and vindictive, he was an excellent candidate for one of the (human) bad guys 😉 The rest of Lucan’s fiends are immortal.
Lucan is also the one who turns Aurélie – who is today’s topic – into a vampire,
The story Aurélie Survival takes place in the French Revolution; and – as I often do – I incorporated many true historical events and people into Aurélie’s story. She participates in the storming of the Bastille and the women’s march to Versailles. She is present at the infamous trial of Marie Antoinette, and she witnesses the horrors of the bloody September Massacres.
Those events lead her to risk her own life, and that’s when Lucan rescues her from near death and turns her into a vampire, starting a new chapter for her, the existence of the undead.
Aurélie’s story is not only about vampires and history, but also about self-discovery. She finds herself all alone in this violent world of immortals, erratically discovering her new skills, strengths, but also dangers.
For more details on Aurélie´s journey, you can watch this video here 🙂
Here is a synopsis of Aurélie Survival, as it is featured on my author page on Amazon.
This historic novel begins with Aurélie telling her memories of the French Revolution, her participation in the storming of the Bastille, witnessing the September Massacres and her father’s arrest, and the trial of Marie Antoinette.
When Aurélie leaves the murdering mob in the September Massacres, she meets Lucan, a Roman vampire, who saves her from certain death and introduces her to the world of vampires. Seduced by vampirism, she embarks on the road of immortality, her journey filled with unsuspected turns, a mortal man that stirs her passion, surprising allies, and Giada, a Renaissance vampire who shares a dark history with Lucan and who is set on destroying Aurélie.
The stunning story Aurélie – Survival is a provocative historical drama that ponders if a vampire can find true love. Or has Aurélie bitten off more than she can chew?
Amazon Reviews
Reader’s reviews have been amazing, and I am happy to share them with you 🙂
“Love paranormal romance AND historical fiction? Don’t miss Aurélie – Survival.”
“If you like vampires, read this! If you don’t like vampires, still read this!”
“I firmly believe that this piece would be very much at home beside my Anne Rice books”
“Just couldn’t put it down!”
“Can’t wait for the sequel!”
“This book for me was a cross between Interview with a Vampire and Bram Stoker’s Dracula”
Those reviews made my day every time, the newest one even made my week. 🙂 Reviews are also a tremendous help, so if you finish reading a book, please leave a review, it is like a pat on the back for the author and it helps increase visibility.
And if you would like to give Aurélie a try, you can get a copy here 🙂 It is available as e-book and paperback.
Thank you for reading! I don’t always write about my books, but I wanted to share Aurélie with you today. Although I have been writing all my life, Aurélie – Survival was the first book I published. 🙂
If you have any comments or questions, please let me know.
Hi Christine and thanks for this informative review,
Do you think this could be appropriate for my 12 year old daughter? She’s interested in this genre but I’m just not sure which books are suitable for her age group. She finds a lot of the ones directed towards her age group quite babyish.
thanks very much 🙂
Hi Marketa,
Yes, I think it is appropriate for your daughter’s age, this story or the writing style is definitely not babyish 😉 . Actually, one Amazon reviewer mentioned that, after reading my book, she gave it to her 12-year-old granddaughter. I will copy the snippet of the review here 🙂
“Once I finished the book, I gave it to my 12 year old grand daughter to read. She loves “scary movies” and books, but I am always fearful of what is printed or shown. This book contained no obscenities, profanity, and content not recommended for minors. On the contrary, it is written so well without the use of these type of “fillers”, which is a refreshing change and the history lesson will be valuable to her.”
I love when a writer crosses actual history into fictional works. I too am a fan of history.
This story sounds very interesting. I enjoy stories about vampires and how they are immortal. If I ever become immortal, then I plan to become an antique dealer… ?
Did you self publish your book or did you do it through Amazon? Are your books print on demand?
Hi Greg,
An antique dealer, great job for an immortal 😉 lol
I self published my books on Amazon (and soon they will be on Smashwords too), and the paperbacks are print on demand. There are paperback and e-book versions 🙂
Thank you for your comment!
Hi, Christine,
I’m just like you. I love history and literature. Your book sounds really interesting. I don’t know why, but it reminded me of Interview with the Vampire, although they’re different stories.
Writing fiction is not easy, especially when you incorporate historical events into it. I admire those writers like you who can achieve that. Not too long ago, I helped a friend of mine revise a short story he wrote influenced by events during the Medieval Ages and the Crusades.
Back to Aurelie, I can picture her suffering and self-discovery journey. Sometimes, we’ve gone through a lot, and those circumstances shape our personalities. Others may judge us without knowing our backgrounds.
It must have been hard to live during those times. Kings were known to be cruel and ruthless. We tend to romanticize those times, but they’re far from what some writers and filmmakers have made us believe.
I can see why your readers love your book. I’ll be checking it out. Congratulations and keep it up!
Thank you, Enrique!
Very true, those times are often romanticized but they were tough times, and people had a lot less rights.
Thank you for your comment!
Hi Christine. I admire you so much for writing stories and novels, wow! It seems to me it’s extremely difficult to include history as well in a novel, but it also makes it all the more interesting.
I love historical books! I am not so sure about fantasy, but I have to admit the only fantasy I have ever read (I think) was your short story about the boy who turned into a monster. And I loved that one. So I have to put on my to-do list to give fantasy a try. 🙂
Hi Hannie,
Then I am glad that my story about the boy who turned into a gargoyle convinced you to try out fantasy 🙂
Thank you for your comment!
This is a fantastic post! I love history books. It’s great that this book is also suitable for children.
Thank you, Lychia!