VAMPIRES AMONG US In New Novel A Once Ridiculed Respiratory Therapist Finds A New Life. . .As A Vampire

Abington, PA (PRWEB) January 28, 2004 --Legend has it that Vlad the Impaler, known as Count Dracula, was forever damned as the first vampire when he revoked his allegiance with God and accepted the blood of Satan. Since then, vampires have roamed the collective imagination of the world lurking in the dark corners of the mind, skulking in shadows, ready to sink their teeth into the warm flesh of unsuspecting necks. Author Barbara Custer has breathed new life into the undead night stalkers in her terrifying tale, TWILIGHT HEALER (now available through 1stBooks Library).

TWILIGHT HEALER centers on Leslie Taite, a respiratory therapist with a learning disability who is haunted by the death of her mother. After being chastised for a deadly mistake, Leslie leavesthe hospital where she works only to be involved in a terrible car accident the next day. A painful recuperation follows, in which Leslie must deal not only with angry coworkers, but also with her father's failing health and news of a series of disturbing murders near the hospital.

The only person in Leslie's life that seems to be supportive is her friend Alex. Her friend, however, hides a dark secret -- he is a century-old vampire. After an altercation with her family, Leslie flees to nearby woods. In the darkness of the trees Leslie finds herself face to face with a woman who could be her twin. This woman, Drusilla, explains the truth. Adria is the vampire world, an alternate dimension to the real world. Each human has an identical counterpart in the other world. Looking to escape the fire and wrath of Hades, ruler of Adria, vampires have spilled into the real world feeding off humans. The evil god of Adria, however, is plotting the destruction of all vampires.

Deceit and horror soon follow as Leslie is tortured and left for dead. To save her, Alex does the only thing he can do -- make Leslie a vampire, as well. Overwhelmed by her new freedom, Leslie takes matters into her own hands. She is forced to confront Hades to save her and Alex, but will Hades listen?

Author Barbara Custer works full time as a respiratory therapist. Saying that her work provides more than enough grist for horror and science fiction stories, TWILIGHT HEALER was born. Many of Custer's short stories have appeared in small press and literary magazines, including THE VAMPIRE'S CRYPT; THE ULTIMATE UNKNOWN; and FADING SHADOWS, INC. under numerous titles. She currently lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, Michael.

For more information, visit her website www.bloodredshadows.com. For information on ordering books for review, visit www.1stbooks.com and click the "Media" image at the top of the page.

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