The Darkest Gift: A Novel By

by Len Handeland

Overview

Two worlds colliding, one man, the other a vampire—who form a strong bond and eventually, bound by a blood covenant known as the dark gift are destined to create a world of their own until their love is violently ripped apart by jealousy and rage. Love eventually triumphs over despair and misery, only in a different place and time, but are they destined to be together? Laurent Richelieu is a 250-year-old vampire whose lover and vampire maker Fabien Levesque—is destroyed in front of him in a jealous fit of rage by his vampire maker Stefan, exacting revenge for Fabien's rejection of him. Laurent narrowly escapes—leaving Paris to set forth to settle the New World and seek shelter and refuge in the newly established city of New Orleans anonymously with his trusted servant Barthelme sworn to Laurent's secret. Cloaked in darkness—Laurent struggles with modern times and, in deep despair, haunts the French Quarter's jazz bars—listening to beautiful music and seeking out dark tables in the back to hide his blood-soaked tears to mourn the loss of his long-lost love Fabien.
Deep isolation and loneliness consume another: Jack Devereaux, a man's man, and a self-loathing gay man. Recently having come out as gay from a ten-year failed marriage to a woman. Jack feels estranged from connecting with his gay community—his Catholic faith forbids it. He feels as if he's unable to exist as either straight or gay. His reluctance in accepting his true sexuality—leads him from one disastrous sexual encounter to another. Swearing off his same-sex attraction leads Jack back into a straight jazz bar where, unknowingly—he meets a refined and elegant gentleman that entices, attracts, and, oddly, disturbs Jack. Are they destined to be together?—does Laurent honestly care for Jack? Or is there a much more sinister plot involved? Can the help of a self-described, Voodoo High Priestess named "Queen Raphaella" alter Jack's predestined future or is his fate already sealed?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781668517420
Publisher:	Barnes & Noble Press
Publication date:	07/31/2021
Edition description:	This is the revised edition.
Pages:	252
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.69(d)

About the Author

Len is a dynamic, award-winning writer. His novels span several genres, from vampire to paranormal and crime drama novels to his only nonfiction book based on his former career in the hair industry. Len has enjoyed writing as far back as middle school. To further enhance and better his writing, Len has taken many creative writing classes and, in 2017, attended The San Francisco International Writer’s Conference, which inspired him to write his first book, “The Darkest Gift,” based on his love of vampires. He credits the late Anne Rice as the author who inspired him the most to write his dark vampire story. His first book earned him 5-star reviews from readers and professional book reviewers. His first novel became a finalist in the American book fest contest in the fall of 2021.
In the spring of 2022, Len’s novel “The Darkest Gift” was awarded first place in the Bookfest awards in the category of Fiction/Horror. In addition, Len’s book and author interview were featured in the fall literature issue of “DeMode” magazine, with Len’s book named one of the ten must-read books of 2021. With the completion of Len’s second novel “Requiem for Miriam,” and his third based on his 27 years in the hair industry, “Tales from the Chair,” which recently was awarded first place in the “Firebird book awards” he’s in the process of writing his fourth book (“Transplanted Evil”) to release in late April of 2023.