Confession

Herter's vampire romances center on a man. But vampire/playwright David de Morrissey isn't your average chap: sensitive, intelligent and extremely moral, he studied writing with Shakespeare and longs to dance like Fred Astaire. David loves Veronica Ames, a mortal, but has refused to see her for a decade while she decides whether or not to become a vampire. When Veronica is told by a psychic that there is a ``cure'' for her lover, she sends her cousin Harriet Dvorak to him with the news. Harriet, whose marriage is floundering, is attracted to this dark and mysterious man, and David warms to her, because he is lonely. Deprived of Veronica's company, David even sees a little of Darienne Victoire, his vivacious vampiress/companion. Darienne, too, is besotted with a mortal, Matthew McDowall, whom she thinks would make a splendid vampire--regardless of what he wants. Leavened with occasional flashes of humor, Herter's tale delivers romantic entanglements and even stock elements (e.g., worldly-wise hero, innocent heroine) in an engaging way. However, readers unfamiliar with the earlier Obsession and Possession may find this work flat and incomplete. (Sept.)