Margaret L. Carter read Dracula when she was twelve, and it changed her life. She started writing fiction because she wondered about the "monster's" side of the story. Her first vampire story, written at the age of thirteen on her aunt's old manual typewriter, explored the viewpoint of a newly turned vampire.

Margaret earned her Ph.D. in English with a dissertation that featured a chapter on Dracula. While moving frequently as a Navy wife and occasionally teaching college English, she had books and articles published on the supernatural in literature, including a vampire bibliography and, most recently, Different Blood: The Vampire as Alien. Every year she prepares a vampire fiction bibliography update. Her earliest professional fiction sales appeared in Marion Zimmer Bradley's Darkover anthologies. Her first novel, Shadow of the Beast, a werewolf tale, was followed by Eppie Award-winning vampire novel Dark Changeling and other horror and paranormal romance books. A vampire romance, Embracing Darkness, was published by Silhouette Intimate Moments in 2005.

In addition to writing, Margaret works part time as a legislative proofreader for the Maryland General Assembly. She enjoys reading, playing Dungeons and Dragons, attending science fiction conventions, and listening to folk music (some conventions even combine SF with music). She and her husband, a retired Navy Captain, live in Maryland near the setting of several of her novels. They have collaborated on fantasy novels, Wild Sorceress and Besieged Adept, and have four sons, several grandchildren, two cats, and a St. Bernard.

Explore love among the monsters at Carter's Crypt! Vampires, werewolves, dragons, and more. http://www.margaretlcarter.com