Book Bling-Elizabeth Alsobrooks

Book Review of Sophronia and the Vampire by Jacqueline Farrell

1/14/2016

She may be fifty, English, and a professional crone, but Sophronia Sheridan is not one to turn down a chance to help others, even when it goes against her better judgment. When she is faced with young witches and vampires who have fallen under a head vampire's power, she allows herself to become beholden to him in order to help the youth gain their freedom. Along the way, she realizes there is much more to the story--rival factions in the local undead community are growing restless with the current climate. Caught in a struggle for power and territory, she has to determine who to trust and what is worth fighting for.

This story had lots of fun elements for me. I liked the whole witch/vampire conflict. I also liked that at the oh-so-old age of 50 the main character is a professional "crone". That and a lot of other "British" elements, colloquialisms and language choices were especially amusing to me as an American. What I especially liked, however, was the no-nonsense, sometimes snarky but always amusing, attitude of the witty & feisty main character, Sophronia Sheridan.

Sophronia may be a powerful, confident crone, but the over-her-head plot line was believeable and entertaining. I like a fast-paced, multi-layered plot and this one story had one. I may have enjoyed a bit more spark and spank in the gender battle. After all, what story isn't better with a bit of romantic tension? Bones. Castle. Even Hollywood has figured that one out. Apparently they prefer Elementary across the pond... Still, a highly recommended read for those who like things that go bump in the night by the light of the moon.

Book Bling gives this Four Stars!

I live in Wallasey, Merseyside with my husband and two sons. I am a teacher of French and English and before this have had jobs nursing, working for Customs and Excise and various nannying/au pair jobs abroad. I have two novels published under the name Jacqueline Farrell as well as three published under the name Jacqueline Webb, one co-authored with Amanda Grange, all available on Kindle. I am not the Jacqueline Farrell who publishes books on embroidery, although I have got one and it is very good!