Under the Blood Red Moon

Angelica Shelton Belanov has always been quite happy with her secluded life in the country. After all, it afforded her the much needed distance from the "noise" of hearing other people's thoughts. However, circumstances have forced her to London, where she is having a hard time controlling the immense influx of stranger's thoughts. Thoughts which have served to hinder her search for a husband. But when she meets Prince Alexander Kourakin not only does Angelica discover that she is not alone in her "talent" of hearing other's thoughts, but her involvement with him plunges Angelica into a world that she never imagined could be real, much less so close to home... Prince Alexander Kourakin has dedicated his life to his clan, taking little joy in life since his sister's death many years ago. However, the resurgence of a rogue vampire that is going around London killing people while trying to stir up another war with Vampire Slayers has forced Alexander to once again join the current society. But, what Alexander never counted on was encountering a woman like Angelica, who stirs all of his passions that have lain dormant for over a century. Under the Blood Red Moontakes a different view of the vampire myth, while reflecting that societies, of any kind, will always have malcontents that strive to divide, while always having some symbol of hope of a better future. Angelica is a charming character with her steely demeanor and refusal to bow to society's expectations of a woman. Alexander, however, is the classic tortured hero who uses an icy demeanor to keep the world at bay. I immensely enjoyed Ms. Hepsen's unique writing style that was peppered with funny, insightful and sardonic quotes to poke fun at the characters themselves and the action around them. Over all, Under the Blood Red Moon is a wonderful debut into the romance genre for writer Mina Hepsen, which reveals her to be a writer to watch for in the coming future as she breaks out of the traditional mold and expectations of historical romance heroines. Get yourself Under the Blood Red Moon when you are looking for a romance that will engage you from start to finish! Sabella Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I had never read this type of book before and really didn't think it would be my kind of thing but I was completely wrong!! This book had none of the stereotypical ideas about Vampires - no fear of garlic and sunlight and drinking human blood is distinctly taboo. The book is set in the early 1870's in London and it is obvious that the author extensively researched the time period which is definitely to the book's credit. The plot is fast paced and there is a really good twist at the end (never saw that one coming!). On the whole this is a pacy, well written and interesting novel and one which I would defibitely recommend. I am looking forward to more of the same from this author.

I didn't think that I was going to like this book much, because it sounded a lot like the plot of HBO's, "True Blood," but OMFG, this book is HOT! Honestly, the cover captivated me, and once I read the first few pages, I couldn't put it down. When the book gets into it further, I really couldn't stop, and was kind of jealous of Princess Belanov! LOL. Alexander is hot. The book is hot, and I hope there is another book that continues the story.

In 1871 half Russian Princess Angelica Belanov detests going to parties, events, or anything with crowds because of her ability to hear what people think. The chatter is overwhelming her mind; her preference is to avoid society and hide at her Russian father's English estate reading a book. However, with the family fortune in jeopardy with the disappearance of three ships they own, she is in London with her brother Prince Mikhail seeking a wealthy spouse. However, the silent noise from others is driving her crazy. Also in London is the head of the Eastern Vampire Clans Prince Alexander, who is on the trail of a serial killing vampire Sergey; he and his clans and those of the Northern Clans worry about their species dwindling numbers and Sergey exposing them to humans. When Alexander meets Angelica, they telepathically communicate. He assumes she is a vampire like him, but soon realizes she is a mortal. As she learns he is vampire, they fall in love with Servey and an ally stalking them. Readers will fully enjoy this exciting paranormal Victorian romantic suspense thriller as Mina Hepsen makes vampires living in Europe seem genuine and even more so Angelica's ESP skills as the supporting details are wonderfully interwoven into a strong tale. The lead couple is a strong pairing and the support cast enhances the belief in the supernatural as natural. Sub-genre fans will welcome Ms. Hepsen with accolades and look forward for more exhilarating novels from her. Harriet Klausner

Set in Victorian England, the day to day life of Princess Angelica Shelton Balanov shows glimpses of how a proper lady would spend her time... and also how a intelligent woman can rebel without losing her grace and charm. Angelica's days take an interesting turn, however, when she discovers that there are others like her who can read minds. The difference between them? The mysterious man she meets is a vampire. Mina Hepson's UNDER THE BLOOD RED MOON is a new twist on a vampire story, throwing the stereotypical myths out the window. Prince Alexander, the visiting leader of the Eastern Clan, can walk under the sun and doesn't appear to need a coffin or native dirt. Visiting London to hunt down a rogue vampire who is breaking the laws by drinking human blood, Alexander's carefully controlled life is disrupted when he meets Angelica, and finds that she is the first human that he has met who is a mind-reader. Unlike other humans, he cannot easily erase his existence from her mind... so what will happen if she discovers that he is a vampire. This novel is a wonderful combination of romance and the paranormal, without going to the extreme with either. I finished the last page believing the the characters could actually exist, unseen because they are a "normal" part of our world, hiding their uniqueness behind closed doors and strict laws. I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who is burned out by the seemingly sameness of romance novels, and also to those who enjoy a bit of magic in their lives... Mina Hepson brings originality back to fans of both romance and the paranormal.