Blood and Sunlight: A Maryland Vampire Story

Blood and Sunlight: A Maryland Vampire Story (Penumbra Publishing) is a 2010 novel, the debut release from author Jamie Wasserman. Wasserman has published work in the Rhysling Anthology, been nominated for a Pushcart by Lite: Baltimore's Literary Arts Newspaper, and has been recognized by the Year's Best Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror edited by Ellen Datlow.
Synopsis
The novel concerns Melanie, a troubled 23-year-old college dropout, her boyfriend Bryan, a vampire wannabe, the would-be slayer Lucas, and an assortment of damaged and misunderstood characters. After a night of sex and too much drugs, Melanie, Bryan and his friend are attacked. Melanie manages to get away and is rescued by Lucas, the son of the town sheriff and resident vampire hunter. Eventually, she meets Keenan, a 200-year vampire with a troubled past of his own.
The book is set in Ellicott City, Maryland
Blood and Sunlight currently appears on the initial ballot for the 2011 Bram Stoker Award given out by the Horror Writer's Association in the category of First Novel.
A sequel, Angel Moon, was published in July 2013. Scenes in the novel are popular stops for several Ellicott City based walking tours.
Characters
Keenan- an Irish-born, 200 year old vampire who first arrived in Ellicott City as a worker on the B&O Railroad.
Melanie- a 23 year old waitress who constantly longs for some kind of escape from her dead-end existence. That escape usually involves drugs, alcohol, sex, and romantic, fairy-tale fantasies. She is both a victim and an abuser.
Bryan- Melanie's boyfriend. Devoted, courageous and possibly a little crazy. Along with his best friend, Carl, he and Bryan fantasize about becoming vampires.
Carl- Bryan's best friend and permanent tag-along. A former Army veteran with a bit of a violent streak.
Sasha- Melanie's co-worker. A trampy blonde who nearly falls victim to a newly turned Melanie.
Lucas- the son of the local police chief, pyromaniac and self-proclaimed vampire hunter.
Trevor- Lucas's father and the sheriff. He is a hard, uncompromising man and a disciplinarian though he's not above bending the rules for his son. He is fiercely protective of his children, even if he doesn't always understand them.
Kirsten- Trevor's young daughter who ultimately plays a very important role at the end of the book.
Footnotes
1.^ Valencia Wood, "Author's First Novel Uncovers Secrets, Haunts and Vampires in Quaint Ellicott City," Patch Ellicott City, September 7, 2010. http://ellicottcity.patch.com/articles/authors-first-novel-uncovers-secrets-haunts-and-vampires-in-quaint-ellicott-city
2.^ Sara Toth, "Undead in Ellicott City," Howard Magazine (Baltimore Sun), November, 2011. http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2011-10-04/explore/bs-exho-undead-in-ellicott-city-20111004_1_vampire-myth-vampire-tale-historic-mill-town

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