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Blood Calling #0.5
Blood Born
When a father discovers his newborn has been turned into a vampire, he’s forced to make a choice: Hide his child’s secret… or end his family line.
Blood Born is an 11000-word prequel to The Blood Calling Series.
Blood Born is an 11000-word prequel to The Blood Calling Series.
31 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 5, 2011
5 people are currently reading
149 people want to read
About the author
Joshua Grover-David Patterson
11 books56 followersJoshua Grover-David Patterson is a freelance writer, screenwriter and blogger. His articles on pop culture, film and the Internet have appeared in The Post-Crescent, Bull magazine, delight! magazine and Film Threat. Patterson’s films have won 13 awards and appeared in 29 film festivals all over the world, including in Japan, Australia, Hungary, Norway, the UK and throughout the United States. Patterson lives in Wisconsin with his wife and their daughter. You can follow him via Twitter at www.twitter.com/GroverDavid, Like him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JoshuaGroverDavid, or follow his book-blogging at groverdavid.blogspot.com.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 10, 2021
I found this book gripping from the first chapter. I hated to put it down. The story was well told and very descriptive. The characters were well developed. It was the writing that sold it because the story was a bit predictable.
If I had not met some young mothers today, I would have said the mother was not believable, unfortunately by today's standards I think she is. For "modern" parents they were not very technically savvy. They both had cell phones but never did any recording (and there was plenty to record) and instead of hitting the mute button, they cover the phone. They also were not very bright and were conned into witches and demons and voodoo by a small child. Neither seemed into adulting or parenting. I sure hope their amazing therapist figures that out.
The psychological aspect intrigued me. What had set these events in motion? Something must have happened to such a young child. The calm sensible therapist was a good addition because this book needed some grounding. I do hope she is smarter than the other characters or the sequel could be a bloodbath.
As the story unfolds the pieces come together, but the book is written in such a way that I was anticipating a twist on every page and it never came. I read a review that said there was a shocking twist at the end. I don't know where it was hidden because I sure couldn't find it. It was a very safe pat ending.
If I had not met some young mothers today, I would have said the mother was not believable, unfortunately by today's standards I think she is. For "modern" parents they were not very technically savvy. They both had cell phones but never did any recording (and there was plenty to record) and instead of hitting the mute button, they cover the phone. They also were not very bright and were conned into witches and demons and voodoo by a small child. Neither seemed into adulting or parenting. I sure hope their amazing therapist figures that out.
The psychological aspect intrigued me. What had set these events in motion? Something must have happened to such a young child. The calm sensible therapist was a good addition because this book needed some grounding. I do hope she is smarter than the other characters or the sequel could be a bloodbath.
As the story unfolds the pieces come together, but the book is written in such a way that I was anticipating a twist on every page and it never came. I read a review that said there was a shocking twist at the end. I don't know where it was hidden because I sure couldn't find it. It was a very safe pat ending.
November 29, 2012
This definitely turned out to be quite the little horrific vampire gem. It opens in such a great way,
"This is the night I finally kill my baby", and you can't help but be a bit sucked into what's going to happen next. This turns into a short tale of a how a man's life drastically changes on the night his wife gives birth to their child, and how in a quick whirlwind event changed his life and his child's life forever. As short as this story was I feel the author did a great job making you feel for the main character, and I really did feel terrible for him.
It's not an entirely new look on vampires but there are a few differences that make this fairly interesting. I see that there are several other books in this series so I'll probably end up downloading them as well.
I certainly recommend this to those who would like a short creepy little read, or if you need a vampire novel that isn't filled with fluff.
"This is the night I finally kill my baby", and you can't help but be a bit sucked into what's going to happen next. This turns into a short tale of a how a man's life drastically changes on the night his wife gives birth to their child, and how in a quick whirlwind event changed his life and his child's life forever. As short as this story was I feel the author did a great job making you feel for the main character, and I really did feel terrible for him.
It's not an entirely new look on vampires but there are a few differences that make this fairly interesting. I see that there are several other books in this series so I'll probably end up downloading them as well.
I certainly recommend this to those who would like a short creepy little read, or if you need a vampire novel that isn't filled with fluff.
May 25, 2014
Well written and fast paced short story about a mortal man caring for his Vampire baby.
A creepy good time!
A creepy good time!
January 31, 2012
Baby Teeth was a delightfully creepy read! Not exactly for the faint of heart because some pretty gross events take place in this vampy tale.
A Father nervously waits while his wife is in labor, that is, until he hears the screaming. He instantly knows something is wrong and runs to his wife’s aid. There is his wife lying with pools of blood all around her and his child thrown on the floor. The doctor that was standing over his wife then sinks his teeth into her neck. After a fight, the doctors falls dead, dripping in blood, on top of the baby.
These are the events that he tries to explain to the court. Knowing some evil creature killed his wife he is left with nothing and no one who will believe him. His family and friends shun him and think him a murderer, so he is forced to move on. Before leaving town he digs up his child’s grave in a fit of well…insanity. To his astonishment the baby latches on to his finger and starts sucking. He’s alive, only not really.
Baby Teeth explains the struggle one father endures over the course of his life and his non aging vampire childs. Forever a newborn, He must decide if he should (or can) end his child’s life or if he should hide and protect him...after all…isn’t that what a father does?
Told in first person point of view you will really get in the head of this troubled father. Even though this is a short story a few fun secrets are revealed to make it a gripping quick read. While a very morbid and creepy story I was entertained by this authors different take on your classic vampire story and look forward to reading his book: Blood Calling.
http://shadowkissedcassie.blogspot.co...
A Father nervously waits while his wife is in labor, that is, until he hears the screaming. He instantly knows something is wrong and runs to his wife’s aid. There is his wife lying with pools of blood all around her and his child thrown on the floor. The doctor that was standing over his wife then sinks his teeth into her neck. After a fight, the doctors falls dead, dripping in blood, on top of the baby.
These are the events that he tries to explain to the court. Knowing some evil creature killed his wife he is left with nothing and no one who will believe him. His family and friends shun him and think him a murderer, so he is forced to move on. Before leaving town he digs up his child’s grave in a fit of well…insanity. To his astonishment the baby latches on to his finger and starts sucking. He’s alive, only not really.
Baby Teeth explains the struggle one father endures over the course of his life and his non aging vampire childs. Forever a newborn, He must decide if he should (or can) end his child’s life or if he should hide and protect him...after all…isn’t that what a father does?
Told in first person point of view you will really get in the head of this troubled father. Even though this is a short story a few fun secrets are revealed to make it a gripping quick read. While a very morbid and creepy story I was entertained by this authors different take on your classic vampire story and look forward to reading his book: Blood Calling.
http://shadowkissedcassie.blogspot.co...
October 30, 2011
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Imagine going to the hospital with your wife, on what's supposed to be the happiest day of your life, the day your child is born. Now imagine hearing screams from down the hall and running to see what was going on. Imagine seeing your wife lying dead on the table, with something at her neck.
Here is a man who has lost everything. Only he finds out that his child was not killed, but turned into the very thing that has killed his wife. He makes the decision to hide his baby by day and feed him by night. The story is written as a memoir and goes through certain events that leads him to where he is now.
I really liked the way that this was written. It was an interesting story that I actually read in one setting because I was completely hooked. This is the third work of Patterson's that I've read and I've loved every one of them, this being no exception.
I also loved that Emma, from Blood Calling was in this story.
This is a great vampire story, one that will hook you and keep you until the end. I highly recommend it and give it a 4 out of 5!
Imagine going to the hospital with your wife, on what's supposed to be the happiest day of your life, the day your child is born. Now imagine hearing screams from down the hall and running to see what was going on. Imagine seeing your wife lying dead on the table, with something at her neck.
Here is a man who has lost everything. Only he finds out that his child was not killed, but turned into the very thing that has killed his wife. He makes the decision to hide his baby by day and feed him by night. The story is written as a memoir and goes through certain events that leads him to where he is now.
I really liked the way that this was written. It was an interesting story that I actually read in one setting because I was completely hooked. This is the third work of Patterson's that I've read and I've loved every one of them, this being no exception.
I also loved that Emma, from Blood Calling was in this story.
This is a great vampire story, one that will hook you and keep you until the end. I highly recommend it and give it a 4 out of 5!
June 5, 2011
You know the story you’re reading is going to be good with an opener like this: “This is the night I’ll finally kill my baby.” I read that line and was hooked; my curiosity peaked and I put down everything else and read this short story, and I’m so glad I did. Patterson has a way with words. This is the third work of his that I’ve read, and I’m absolutely in love with his writing style and imaginative storylines. He’s written about zombies in his novel Mercy, fairytale characters in his hilarious short story Fairy Godmother-In-Law, and now vampires in his psychological novelette Baby Teeth. What I really enjoy the most is that Patterson creates completely original pieces, and he’s not set in just one genre, like many authors out there. Instead, Patterson is able to write about many different topics and still create an air of awe in the reader, for which I am grateful!
To read my full review (7/11):
http://bookvacations.wordpress.com/20...
To read my full review (7/11):
http://bookvacations.wordpress.com/20...
October 26, 2011
I downloaded this title for free via Smashwords and reviewed in on my Novella Review website. Wow what a creepy concept for a story! A little evil, baby vampire.
The title gives the impression that this may be a prequel to a novel. I don’t believe it is. After reading the descriptions for Blood Calling and Mercy it seems Baby Teeth is a stand alone short story.
Patterson had me guessing and slightly freaked out from beginning to end. Bravo. I enjoyed his writing style and will definitely check out some of his other titles.
The ending = fabulous. It couldn’t have ended any other way.
My only complaint is the various story elements didn’t seem to fit or flow well. We read a long passage explaining the father’s life as a carpenter. While this section moved the story along time-wise, it didn’t add much to the vampire dilemma. Near the end, a female vampire in briefly introduced. This section also seemed odd and thrown in.
All in all I really enjoyed Patterson’s imagination so much that he makes me want to read more of his work.
The title gives the impression that this may be a prequel to a novel. I don’t believe it is. After reading the descriptions for Blood Calling and Mercy it seems Baby Teeth is a stand alone short story.
Patterson had me guessing and slightly freaked out from beginning to end. Bravo. I enjoyed his writing style and will definitely check out some of his other titles.
The ending = fabulous. It couldn’t have ended any other way.
My only complaint is the various story elements didn’t seem to fit or flow well. We read a long passage explaining the father’s life as a carpenter. While this section moved the story along time-wise, it didn’t add much to the vampire dilemma. Near the end, a female vampire in briefly introduced. This section also seemed odd and thrown in.
All in all I really enjoyed Patterson’s imagination so much that he makes me want to read more of his work.
August 11, 2016
I will have to agree with the creepy feel to the story as other reviewers have stated. I kinda liked it in weird odd way. I was more disturbed by the father rather than the baby - although the baby was creepy! This is a very short read and yet it seemed like read a full on book. It had condensed feelings and images that weigh much heavier than the actual amount of words/pages that it came from. I also thought the show of years gone by was surprisingly felt rather than read.
December 31, 2016
Very few short stories have ever brought me to tears. They are simply not long enough to develop either a storyline or a depth of character sufficient to provoke that level of emotion.
That said, this story of a father’s unconditional love for his child is truly an exception. The quality of writing and the characterization is amazing for a work just barely 50 pages in length.
And the last two lines will bring you to your knees.
That said, this story of a father’s unconditional love for his child is truly an exception. The quality of writing and the characterization is amazing for a work just barely 50 pages in length.
And the last two lines will bring you to your knees.
October 2, 2011
I love a good horror and this is a delightfully creepy and disturbing little tale. It's definitely one of my all-time favourite horror short stories. At approximately 13,000 words, it's a quick read. It's written in an earthy style and some may find it disturbing so you might want to sample it first.
September 13, 2013
I read this short story on my commute home and have tears rolling down my face. It was well written and (mostly!) enjoyable to read. I downloaded it free on itunes after reading Blood Calling, although I suppose it is not really connected to the other books.
August 19, 2011
Very interesting angle on the vampire mythology.
February 25, 2012
I downloaded this free on the kindle app for iPod touch and read it while at work. Was a nice mind break from reality for a bit. It kept me interested until the very end.
January 29, 2015
This was a really creepy and terrible subject matter, but the story itself was very well written.
December 27, 2012
A clever spin on the vampire phenomenon, written in a paranoid, first-person POV the likes of which you often see in gothic horror novels. (Note: the author is a blog buddy of mine.)
April 22, 2014
Creepy. That the word that descibes this book. Very creepy.
May 13, 2014
Creepy. No other description needed.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews