The Host: Shadows

by M.K. Mancos

Sometimes the things that go bump in the night are there to protect the innocent. Four hundred years ago, Tristain St. Blaise worked as an apprentice for alchemist Benito Achilles. An experiment went terribly wrong, fusing an entity to Tristain's soul, turning him from an enlightened man of reason to one of dark passions. Now, to find some measure of redemption, he wears the mantle of a hired killer, protecting innocents and ridding the world of men like Achilles. Angelia Lightheart has worked hard to purge her life of unhealthy relationships. One night in a dark Manhattan alley, she is saved from a would-be rapist by a man who seems able to look through her very soul into the weary heart she hides from the world. As Angelia and Tristain fall in love, his work as a contract killer brings him face to face with the one responsible for his immortal stateendangering not only their love, but Angelia's life.

274 pages, Paperback

First published January 22, 2008

About the author

MK Mancos began her storytelling about the same time she acquired language skills. When faced with nightmares as a child, the pediatrician instructed her mother to read her stories before bed. But being the precocious child she was, she wanted nothing but unadulterated tales by the Brothers Grimm. The battle raged between MK and her mother over suitable bedtime material, until MK was forced to begin telling herself tales before going to sleep. Thus began the lifelong love of books, stories, and lives not her own.

After living for years in the Midwest and Deep South, MK now resides in New Jersey with her wonderful husband, Dave, and her temperamental cat, Kittygirl.

Kathleen Scott lives for today and not tomorrow or yesterday. A mercurial individual, she has the high flying life of the jet set, and is hard to track down on most days.

Reviews

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

MK Mancos captures the pain of becoming immortal with the characters of Julian and Tristian. A father and son who are separated when Julian is very young and do not learn of each other's existence until by accident the meet. Both have been turned immortal by another immortal who wants their love but only gets their hate for what he did.

Tristian meets Angelia in an alley where he saves her from being raped. He falls for her immediately but she is afraid because of past experiences. They go through a lot as they get to know each other and enjoy the company of each other. Then the same evil man decides he is going to make her immortal, he drugs and kidnaps her. Tristian learns about what he plans to do and tries to save her.

[Vettech · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title of this book was a bit confusing to me. But now that I've read the book it's very appropriate. I love love love any books about Vampires. This is sure a new and different kind of vampire book. Referring to what is calling for these humans to want blood is called the "Entity"! I found this story very intriguing to say the least. The main female character Angelina is a strong resilient woman with a tough exterior and I liked her a lot. The main male "Vampire" Tristain was a hot sexy addition I enjoyed immensely!! The story was fast paced for the most part and had me reading late into the night to see what happened next. I sure hope there is are more books after this one. There's not a cliff hanger per se, but the door is left open for more!