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

That Thursday, he paid his cell bill, then stopped at the grocery store for money orders and stamps. That was where he ran into Katelina's friend Sarah. Her curly brown hair was held back with a set of silver clips, and the sundress looked too summery for the season.


"Pat-rick Mull-ens." She pronounced his name like it was the clue at a crime scene. "How are you?"


He edged back into a snack display. "I'm cool. You?"


"Oh, I'm 'cool'. How are things with Katelina?"


Wow. She doesn't pull any punches. "Fine."


Sarah crossed her arms over her chest. "How long do you plan to use her as a fuck buddy before you move on?"


The blood drained from his face and he pressed backwards until the snack bags crinkled. "I, uh, it's not really like that."


"No, of course it isn't. Look, no offense, but you're the last thing she needs."


He clenched his teeth at her no-nonsense mother-like attitude. "Excuse me?"


Chapter 59