Joleene Naylor is the author of the glitter-less Amaranthine vampire universe, a world where vampires aren't for children. Comprised of a main series, a standalone prequel, and several short story collections, she has plans to continue expanding with a trilogy and standalone novels. 
In her spare time, Joleene is a freelance book cover designer and for-fun photographer. She maintains several blogs, full of odd ramblings, and occasionally updates her website at JoleeneNaylor.com. In what little time is left, she watches anime, plays PokemonGo, and works on her crooked Victorian house in Villisca, Iowa. Between her husband, family, and pets, she is never lonely, in fact, quite the opposite. Should she disappear, one might look for her on a beach in Tahiti, sipping a tropical drink and wearing a disguise. 

The prequel to the Amaranthine series tells the story of Patrick and Michael, how they got tangled into Claudius' web, and their valiant fight to escape.

When Patrick's missing brother returns, he brings a world of darkness. Turned into a vampire against his will, Michael is the coven's whipping boy. When Patrick tries to help, he's claimed as a slave who spends his weekends preparing victims, scooping ashes, and falling prey to the vampires' twisted desires.

There's only so much hell he can take. When vampires from a warring coven offer sanctuary in exchange for cooperation, Patrick agrees. What he thought would be a few months drags into a long smear of nightmares and, though he fights for hope and freedom, the cost of victory may be more than he bargained for.


Brothers of Darkness

It was late when they stumbled out of the bar and into her car. She wasn't as drunk as he was, so she drove the few blocks to her downtown apartment. They tripped up the stairs and she fumbled to get the key in the lock. The way she pursed her lips in concentration made Patrick want to taste them. He pushed her back against the wall and slipped his tongue in her hot mouth. She tasted like coconut and mango and he moaned into the kiss. She slipped her arms around him and pulled him close. He felt the soft press of her breasts against his chest and moaned again. He needed this. Needed to remember what a woman felt like.


When she got the door open they staggered through dark rooms to the bedroom. He reached for the light switch, but she caught his hand, and he left it. Just as well she couldn't see him; couldn't see the scars.


Chapter 51