The Bleeding Dusk ~Colleen Gleason
–published 2008
–346 pages, Signet Eclipse Books
–Romantic Times Top Pick
–????? stars

Reviewing the work of someone you consider a friend can be a dicey experience, even more so when you have enjoyed the previous novels that you have reviewed. What do you do if this one isn’t as good as the first two? What if, God forbid, you don’t like it at all? How do you maintain your integrity without being brutally honest. What does truly constructive criticism look like?

Who cares? I don’t have to answer any of those annoying questions. I just finished The Bleeding Dusk and my heart is pounding so strongly that if there really were vampires out there I would be announcing loud and clear that it is feeding time! My heart is in my throat and I am so tense I feel like I need to take a warm bath to relax…maybe get out a glass of red wine and put on some lite rock. Heavens above, the last 100 or so pages of this novel felt like riding on a roller coaster with a never-ending plummet! Whew, what a rush.

Thanks to my recent hard-nosed reporting I am able to say with no fear of being misconstrued that Colleen Gleason’s craft has kicked up another notch with The Bleeding Dusk. Speaking from a man’s perspective, this book lives up to the heart-racing promises of the cover image and then some. I am not kidding. It is nearly midnight and I am plum tuckered out.

The Bleeding Dusk continues the adventures of Victoria Gardella, vampire slayer, not long after the events that ended Rises the Night. In this book Colleen Gleason is ever skilled in giving recaps of the previous story without making it feel like one is reading a book review. Events from the previous two novels are woven intricately throughout this story with a deft hand, included only when they are an integral part of the story being told now. I was very impressed.

As in Rises the Night, the events of The Bleeding Dusk take place in Rome and this time involve a crumbling mansion, a mysterious door, and the inclusion of an interesting cast of characters, many of whom are familiar because of the previous tales. Multiple mysteries abound in this story which is so much more than just a tale of a group of people fighting ultimate evil. I found the plot of this story to be so engaging. Each time I was sure I knew where Colleen was going with a storyline (sometimes in ways that I just knew I wasn’t going to be happy with) she would turn the story a completely different direction and sweep me off my feet.

Included with the action and adventure is a surprising amount of sadness and sacrifice. I found myself being very conflicted about the characters, even Victoria at times, and I chalk that up to the fact that these characters are becoming more real with each successive novel. My feelings on what should happen to various characters when this series ends are more jumbled than ever. To hint at anything more would spoil the experience for you.

I found the historical and architectural aspects of this book particularly interesting. I was excited to hear that Colleen based the Door of Alchemy on a real object. It made the whole experience seem that much more authentic. And her descriptions of the hidden lair of the Venators, with its hall of trophies, brought so many interesting, detailed images to my mind. Those objects and their history, though just hinted at, give the story such a sense of time and ignite my curiosity to the point that I long to hear their story.

In all sincerity I found this to be an exciting and engaging read. As she has proven to do over the course of now three novels, Colleen Gleason balances the historical and romantic elements very well with the action and adventure aspects of the story. With The Bleeding Dusk Colleen Gleason seems to lean even farther away from what I consider stereotypical in the romance genre and much more toward the style of books that are often shelved in the fantasy section of bookstores. As I have said before, this is in no way a comment meant to disparage the romance genre. What I am trying to communicate is that if the idea of reading a book shelved in the romance section of the bookstore turns you off, don’t let that prejudice keep you away from this series. The romance is there, but Colleen weaves those threads into the story so well that you don’t feel like you are reading a bodice-ripper. Make no mistake, there are a few spicy scenes in the book that one would expect from this genre, but Colleen writes those titillating scenes with such skill that they strike the necessary cord without being silly, obvious, or overdone. Those scenes are sensual, not sensational, if that makes any sense.

I received the ARC for this book many months ago. My wife snatched it up and read it right away. I waited. Mostly because I was reading other things but partially because it means more to me to review the book now, when you it is important for you to go out and buy it, rather than doing so months ahead of time. In addition, I wanted my impressions to be fresh. I am in the middle of a science fiction renaissance in my own life and have a bunch of science fiction titles that I am aching to get to. It speaks volumes about just how gripping this book is that once I started reading it I had no trouble laying science fiction aside. I was swept along in the tale. I have such a big satisfied smile on my face right now and I am so happy for Colleen. She should be really proud of this book. I am really proud for her.

As an aside, I am proud to be acknowledged in this book along with some of my fellow bloggers. Needless to say I am so thrilled to have something like that happen to me. I am even more thrilled that this kind gesture on Colleen’s part in no way swayed my opinion of this book. It is really good, people. Now get out there and read it!

As I mentioned the other day, first week book sales are a big deal. A really big deal! The Bleeding Dusk ‘officially’ goes on sale today. The books purchased between today and February 11th are the ones that make a statement to Colleen Gleason’s current and future publishers. We need to support her this week, not later on. So, get out there and buy your book(s). And don’t forget to get in on the contest. You could win yourself a copy of an autographed book of your choice as well as an autographed copy of the next book in the series, due out in August. I’ll be picking up my copy, rest assured.

The Bleeding Dusk is a fantastic continuation of the Gardella Vampire Chronicles and I have to admit that I will not be exercising patience if I happen to get my hands on an ARC of When Twilight Burns. Colleen Gleason certainly leaves you hungry for more at the end of The Bleeding Dusk and I am glad I don’t have to wait an entire year to have my suspense be quenched. Wow! Well done Colleen! 4.5/5 stars