The Darkest Gift: A Novel By

Two worlds colliding, one man, the other a vampire—who form a strong bond and eventually, bound by a blood covenant known as the dark gift are destined to create a world of their own until their love is violently ripped apart by jealousy and rage. Love eventually triumphs over despair and misery, only in a different place and time, but are they destined to be together? Laurent Richelieu is a 250-year-old vampire whose lover and vampire maker Fabien Levesque—is destroyed in front of him in a jealous fit of rage by his vampire maker Stefan, exacting revenge for Fabien's rejection of him. Laurent narrowly escapes—leaving Paris to set forth to settle the New World and seek shelter and refuge in the newly established city of New Orleans anonymously with his trusted servant Barthelme sworn to Laurent's secret. Cloaked in darkness—Laurent struggles with modern times and, in deep despair, haunts the French Quarter's jazz bars—listening to beautiful music and seeking out dark tables in the back to hide his blood-soaked tears to mourn the loss of his long-lost love Fabien. Deep isolation and loneliness consume another: Jack Devereaux, a man's man, and a self-loathing gay man. Recently having come out as gay from a ten-year failed marriage to a woman. Jack feels estranged from connecting with his gay community—his Catholic faith forbids it. He feels as if he's unable to exist as either straight or gay. His reluctance in accepting his true sexuality—leads him from one disastrous sexual encounter to another. Swearing off his same-sex attraction leads Jack back into a straight jazz bar where, unknowingly—he meets a refined and elegant gentleman that entices, attracts, and, oddly, disturbs Jack. Are they destined to be together?—does Laurent honestly care for Jack? Or is there a much more sinister plot involved? Can the help of a self-described, Voodoo High Priestess named "Queen Raphaella" alter Jack's predestined future or is his fate already sealed?