A Drop of Red (Vampire Babylon, Band 4) - Softcover

Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

Chris Marie Green, former school teacher turned full-time writer, gets out of the office by taking long trips to places such as Japan, Italy, and New Orleans. When she’s not causing international incidents, she enjoys practicing yoga, taking part in fangirl movie and TV program analysis, and writing romance novels under the name Crystal Green.

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Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication

ONE - WHEN YOU STRAY . . .

TWO - THE FEEDiNG

THREE - THE MYSTERiOUS WOMAN

FOUR - THE UNWELCOME

FIVE - THE WHiSPERiNG GROUND

SIX - LONDON BABYLON

SEVEN - THE MiSPLACED HEART

EIGHT - THE DUELING PSYCHiCS

NINE - THE HiGHGATE DiLEMMA

TEN - LONDON BABYLON

ELEVEN - THE TALL, THiN ONE

TWELVE - THE WickED STEPMOTHER

THIRTEEN - THE TAkEOVER

FOURTEEN - LONDON BABYLON

FIFTEEN - THE OUiJA INTERViEW

SIXTEEN - THE BLACK SPOT

SEVENTEEN - LONDON BABYLON

EIGHTEEN - THE SCHOOL FOR FiNE YOUNG GiRLS

NINETEEN - THE CALM BEFORE THE STORMiNG

TWENTY - . . . YOU SURELY PAY

TWENTY - ONE - THE EMERGENCE

TWENTY - TWO - LONDON BABYLON

TWENTY - THREE - THE RETURN

PRAISE FOR

MiDNiGHT REiGN

“With a dark, dramatic, and erotic tone, Green writes a complex story featuring well-defined characters and more than enough noir mystery to keep readers enthralled. Fans of Charlaine Harris and ⇒Jim Butcher may enjoy.”—Library Journal

“An exciting, high-tension horror thriller with enough unresolved trust and family issues to make it credible, a hint of romance for spice, and a bit of black humor to lighten up the often dark tone, this is a nicely conceived modern vampire tale that will keep readers guessing.” —Monsters and Critics

“An intriguing world that becomes more complex with every turn of the page . . . kick-butt action.”—Huntress Book Reviews

“Green has given her fans an inside look at the Underground culture and social class system, from the powerful Elite, bitten by the Master, to the lowly Guards, bitten by the Groupies . . . [a] fun urban-fantasy mystery.”—Alternative Worlds

“A fast-moving urban fantasy filled with murder, mystery, and a large dose of the supernatural. The vivid characterization and danger at every turn will keep readers engaged.”—Darque Reviews

“A dark, edgy, and complex series.”—Romantic Times

“A dark and thrilling paranormal tale . . . a gritty and suspenseful ride.”—Romance Reviews Today

PRAISE FOR
NiGHT RiSiNG

“A book to die for! Dark, mysterious, and edged with humor, this book rocks on every level!”

—Gena Showalter, author of The Darkest Pleasure

“If you like your fantasy with an edge, then you’ve struck gold. There is a ring of truth to the biting—no pun intended—allegory. This is a fantastic start to a new series.”—The Eternal Night

“Chris Marie Green does a wonderful job of bringing this gritty, dark novel to life . . . I can’t wait to see where [she] takes the rest of the books.”—The Best Reviews

“An exciting, action-packed vampire thriller. A fantastic tale that . . . provides book lovers with plenty of adventure and a touch of romance.” —Midwest Book Review

“Dawn makes a spunky vampire slayer.”—Publishers Weekly

“An interesting take on the vampire world . . . well written and exciting. I look forward to the next book.”

—The Romance Readers Connection

“A killer mystery . . . Bring on book two!”

—Kelley Armstrong, author of Made to Be Broken

Ace Books by Chris Marie Green

night rising
Midnight reign
BREAK OF DAWN
A DROP OF red

Anthologies

FIRST BLOOD
(with Susan Sizemore, Erin McCarthy, and Meljean Brook)

THE BERKLEY PUBLISHING GROUP
Published by the Penguin Group
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

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eISBN : 978-1-101-01950-4

1. Madison, Dawn (Fictitious character)—Fiction. 2. Women stunt performers—Fiction.
3. Vampires—Fiction. 4. Hollywood (Los Angeles, Calif.)—Fiction. I. Title.

To Sajen, Torrey, and Morgan.
I’ll love you forever.

While writing this next batch of books, I had lots of help, and I’d like to thank everyone who so kindly offered aid. First, there’s my “Kingswood crew”: Claire Ross from London Walks, who served as guide and driver; Alexander Ockwell, my student guide; Philippa Watts, who arranged my tour of Kingswood; Sally Cunliffe and David Hughes from the Kingswood English department and Darryl Harding from the drama department; and Angela Snelling, the welcoming receptionist. Thank you also to Dee Lim from Royal High School for her tour and her time. To each of you—I’m so lucky to have met you and learned from your store of knowledge. Also, thank you to “C. S.” for the use of what just might be his land around the fictional Queenshill.

I’d additionally like to extend my appreciation to the authors of the books that lent insight into this world, particularly Jack Zipes for editing The Trials & Tribulations of Little Red Riding Hood and Raymond T. McNally and Radu Florescu for In Search of Dracula. Thank you to Wally Lind and Paul from Thames Valley on the crimescenewriter web loop, as well as Ginjer Buchanan, Cameron Dufty, and the Ace staff, plus the Knight Agency. As always, I also owe a lot to Sheree Whitefeather and Judy...