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Joe Vampire
Joe has really turned his life around. With help and support from his girlfriend Evelyn, he has conquered his addictions, left foster care, finished high school and is ready for college.
As much as Joe longs for normality, his life is never going to be that way. Evelyn is a vampire and wants him to become one too. That’s a bit too much commitment for Joe. He can’t even manage monogamy, and indiscriminately beds both men and women behind Evelyn’s back.
Things begin to unravel for Joe when he tries to help a friend cure himself of his many ailments with a vampire’s blood. Things go badly and Joe blames himself and turns back to his old addictions for succor. But can Joe cope with the strongest addiction of all?
Sequel to Evelyn's Journal, part of the Darkness & Light Series
As much as Joe longs for normality, his life is never going to be that way. Evelyn is a vampire and wants him to become one too. That’s a bit too much commitment for Joe. He can’t even manage monogamy, and indiscriminately beds both men and women behind Evelyn’s back.
Things begin to unravel for Joe when he tries to help a friend cure himself of his many ailments with a vampire’s blood. Things go badly and Joe blames himself and turns back to his old addictions for succor. But can Joe cope with the strongest addiction of all?
Sequel to Evelyn's Journal, part of the Darkness & Light Series
338 pages, Paperback
Published September 23, 2017
197 people want to read
About the author
M.J. Gardner
8 books12 followersMJ Gardner is a web developer by day, who lays in bed at night and wonders, what if....? Her stories have been published in Mad Scientist Journal, Luna Station Quarterly, Plan B and Saturday Night Reader. She self-published her first novel, Evelyn's Journal in 2015. The sequel, Joe Vampire, is due out in 2017. She also publishes a movie review blog called Movies Off the Beaten Path.
Gardner has an undergrad degree in English and Classics (Greek & Roman studies) and wrote her Master's thesis on The Vampire in English Literature. She taught English literature and technical writing at the post secondary level.
Gardner currently lives in Windsor, Ontario, Canada with her partner of 17 years and her cat Zoom. She is also the virtual curator of The Suicide Museum.
Gardner has an undergrad degree in English and Classics (Greek & Roman studies) and wrote her Master's thesis on The Vampire in English Literature. She taught English literature and technical writing at the post secondary level.
Gardner currently lives in Windsor, Ontario, Canada with her partner of 17 years and her cat Zoom. She is also the virtual curator of The Suicide Museum.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 13, 2017
“Joe Vampire,” MJ Gardner’s sequel to “Evelyn’s Journal,” offers a well-paced, straight-forward look into the pros and cons of being undead. As the relationship between Joe and Evelyn deepens, it simultaneously grows more complicated. And while Joe seems to be on the road to recovery, it also feels precarious somehow, like nervously watching an inexperienced tightrope walker.
In the meantime, it’s interesting to see Evelyn becoming “more” vampiric in nature, like in the way she seduces and steals blood from Joe’s roommate and friend Carter without giving it a second thought. We’re also introduced to older, more dangerous vampires and finally learn the answers to some ongoing mysteries.
Above all, though, Evelyn and Joe’s existence together is like a long-distance relationship, and one wonders if it will last. Her undead state becomes a point of contention, so he’s constantly seeking the warmth of live human flesh, flaunting his promiscuity with both sexes, a familiar pattern from his past.
As the discord between them becomes unbearable, Joe falls headfirst off the wagon, in more ways than one. And although the ending is gloomy and somewhat ambiguous, it also accurately depicts how someone like Joe, an ex-addict with a crappy past but a good heart, would be tormented by angst and indecision when thrown out of the frying pan and into the fire.
Hopefully, maybe…we’ll see what happens to Evelyn and Joe in another book….hint, hint!
In the meantime, it’s interesting to see Evelyn becoming “more” vampiric in nature, like in the way she seduces and steals blood from Joe’s roommate and friend Carter without giving it a second thought. We’re also introduced to older, more dangerous vampires and finally learn the answers to some ongoing mysteries.
Above all, though, Evelyn and Joe’s existence together is like a long-distance relationship, and one wonders if it will last. Her undead state becomes a point of contention, so he’s constantly seeking the warmth of live human flesh, flaunting his promiscuity with both sexes, a familiar pattern from his past.
As the discord between them becomes unbearable, Joe falls headfirst off the wagon, in more ways than one. And although the ending is gloomy and somewhat ambiguous, it also accurately depicts how someone like Joe, an ex-addict with a crappy past but a good heart, would be tormented by angst and indecision when thrown out of the frying pan and into the fire.
Hopefully, maybe…we’ll see what happens to Evelyn and Joe in another book….hint, hint!
September 13, 2017
After almost two years of waiting, I was eager to read the sequel to Evelyn’s Journal and it didn’t disappoint. In Joe Vampire, the story of Evelyn and Joe’s life and love continues. Sims is gone, but there are other demons to battle – among them Joe’s addiction to prescription medications and other vampires. The author has an uncanny ability to see into the mind of an addict as well as a talent for realistic dialogue and character development. The novel is full of ups and downs and surprises, especially the ending. Hope I don't have to wait two years for the next one.
October 26, 2017
First of all, I have to say that you don't have to be a fan of vampires to like this story. It is well fleshed out with interesting characters, smart dialogue and a quick moving plot that makes it a really good read whatever your interests. The main character, Joe, and his difficult past and imperfect character are the crux of the story. The ending is a stunner.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
February 4, 2018
Joe has managed to beat his drug addictions, leave foster care and finish high school with the help of vampire girlfriend Evelyn. He might crave a normal life, but Evelyn craves him becoming a vampire too and as Joe can't even manage monogamy (or sticking to the one sex) so that kind of commitment is not likely. Everything unravels when he tries to help a friend be cured of multiple ailments and it goes wrong. As Joe blames himself he goes back to his old addictions - can he cope and how will it all end up?
Lovely continuation of the tales of Evelyn and Joe in this story showing how we need to conquer our demons and keep working at it and not become complacent. I enjoyed the drama and intrigue in this even though I found it a little bit depressing too. Well told and enjoyable.
Lovely continuation of the tales of Evelyn and Joe in this story showing how we need to conquer our demons and keep working at it and not become complacent. I enjoyed the drama and intrigue in this even though I found it a little bit depressing too. Well told and enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews