"Fresh out of college, Alana has just landed her first job--restaurant manager at La Cueva del Vampiro, a new nightclub that everyone's talking about in the city of San Juan in her native Puerto Rica. But what's a Philosophy major back home from Boston University doing playing dress-up in a nightclub for horror aficionados? Well, Alana has always had a penchant for the paranormal ever since she was a child.

"But now that opening night beckons, Alana feels wretchedly nervous. For some time now, she has been plagued by disturbing dreams, dreams so sensual and intimate that she's been unable to share them even with Valeria, her life-long best friend, her 'twin soul'. The two attractive young women have been close since childhood, but as soon as Alana meets the enigmatic Sadash, a rift comes between them.

"As Alana falls under the spell of Sadash, she begins to understand the terrible bond that already exists between them. Yet it is not something that she can, or even wish to, deny. Amid tumultuous changes, Alana becomes convinced that her mother's tragic early death was not an accident. But who, then, was responsible? Sadash hints at the truth and urges her to discover the killer, with horrific consequences.

"The characterization in Embraced By The Shadows is excellent, with the characters of Alana and Valeria both well-developed and the interaction between them utterly believable. Sadash is as suave and dashing as his name suggests. His character is infused with an unwavering intensity and a level-headedness that make him come to...ahem...life. (Immortals do not die, but you have to die to become immortal--such is the contradiction that is Sadash.)

"The night-scenes in San Juan, with the busy streets, the night-clubs and restaurants patronized by the young, rich and beautiful, are vividly described. I particularly enjoyed the passages that word-paint the balmy Puerto Rican nights. Here's one that's particularly enchanting:

"The air was cool and heavy with the perfume of moist soil and green leaves, and the shrill melody of insects and coquies was overwhelming. A waterfall hummed in the distance, its sound echoing across the mountain. In the distance she saw the peaked slate top of the Spanish tower, a huge mystical silhouette projecting out of the dense back foliage.

"Alana looked up at the sky. Black velvet, a clear shimmering carpet laced with diamonds. There it was in all its splendor—Sirius...

"In sum, Embraced By The Shadows is a fresh addition to the dark fantasy genre, mixing modern-day Puerto Rican life with a dose of vampire lore. Author Mayra Calvani has created very true-to-life characters interacting fantastically in a sultry island setting. Embraced By The Shadows will appeal to fans of dark fantasy, and vampire aficionados in particular. A blood-chilling, spell-binding read." -- Habitual Reader.

"The story will carry the reader in an iron tight grip until the very last page." -- Scribes World Reviews.

"You'll find yourself wanting to know what happens next as one unexpected event leads into the next. A tale that will delight any reader of horror. I look for the next book from this author who kept me reading. I won't be walking out in the dark alone any time soon. Highly recommend for anyone who likes a good, spooky read." -- Anne K. Edwards, author of "Death on Delivery."

"The suspense of not knowing but yet wanting to unravel the secret will keep you, the reader, turning page after pleasantly puzzling page of this dark romantic fantasy, Embraced by the Shadows." -- Sime~Gen, 5-starred review.

"[Embraced by the Shadows] is a superbly written, deftly balanced story of love and death and twisted loyalties that will keep you enthralled from beginning to end. More importantly, it will make you think and perhaps take a closer look at the shadowed corners of your own psyche." -- The Blue Iris Journal

"Mysterious, intriguing and somewhat unsettling at times, this novel is a must for all vampire reading fans. A rich, twisting plot and a surprising ending awaits you." --The Midwest Book Review

"[Embraced by the Shadows] is a wonderful tale of a woman torn between a love she can not resist and a life she does not understand. Alana is a character to fall in love with... Mayra Calvani did an exemplary job in weaving this story of passion, love and betrayal. Once the reviewer started the prologue she was hooked and could not put this book down. This is a must read for fans of paranormal!" -- Love Romances

"A dark brooding novel, Calvani takes us on a journey into the darkest corners of our hopes and desires, especially the desire of all humans to somehow survive and how far would we go if we were given the chance to live forever...This is a must read for all fans of vampire romance novels." -- Murder & Mayhem Book Club

"...For any of you female readers that have always had the fantasy of your masculine vampire following you all through your life and not revealing himself until he thinks you are ready, this book is for you. This was an excellent read." -- ParaNormal