The Real Vampire Series by Gerry Bartlett
Gerry Bartlett Writes the Real Vampire Series with Gloriana St. Clair
Just when you think it's easy being a vampire... gorgeous, never aging, an endless supply of money, the ability to lure men and then snack on them as your devoted slaves...
Gloriana St. Clair is a vampire with curves. More curves than she really wants. She's also a small business owner living on a tight budget. Though she does seem able to attract men easily she doesn't drink blood (usually). She prefers synthetic blood.
Turned vampire while she was a widow working for William Shakespeare (washing dishes mainly), Gloriana was a size 14 when she became stuck in time - at least when it comes to her physical body.
Gloriana longs for real food, chocolate, chips, all of that good smelling stuff. But she really wishes she could just lose a few inches and fit into more of the vintage clothes she sells in her vintage clothing store in Austin, Texas.
Her curves are very much appreciated by her long time lover and vampire sire, Jerry Campbell. A Scottish warrior, stubborn, proud and wtih a few battle scars from his life before being a vampire. Jerry protects Gloriana, though she rebels against it, wanting to be her own, modern woman. For years Jerry hired Valdez as Gloriana's body guard. Valdez is a shape shifter, living in dog form during the years Gloriana worked as a show girl, got over a gambling addiction and then revamped her life in Austin by starting her own small business. In later books, as the series progresses, Valdez becomes his own man... literally. Suddenly Gloriana is faced with a Valdez who isn't just a guard dog and best buddy.
The image for 'Defend the Blueberries' comes from a fan page. (Link below). The Defend the Blueberries campaign started when Gloriana was dating rockstar Israel Caine and some of the media were a little rude about her size - she's no size 6! Gloriana was tempted to jump into bed wtih Ray (Israel Caine) she has been fangirling about him for years Glory has a little shrine in her apartment as well as CDs and posters for Israel Caine. But she stays just friends. Until finding out she was never actually human at all, but started out as a Siren. Jerry leaves for his castle in Scotland, the family home where is parents still live (as vampires).
The Siren part of the plot seems a bit thrown in but Gloriana has always had a fear of the water which she never understood. She also took far longer than other vampires to get used to shifting her shape - which is the best method vampires have to defend themselves. Now Gloriana is discovering who she was, as a siren, and new powers she is able to learn to use.
Gloriana is not all about the men. She has strong women friends along the way. Some closer than others. Florence, is her best friend, someone she can always count on. Even though Florence is a perfect size six and Gloriana does get a little envious at times. Other friends are shapeshifters, vampires, and sort of friends include sirens and a demon who seems determined to hang around even though she really isn't all that much of a friend in any way.
Resources for Fans of the Gerry Bartlett Real Vampires Series
Gerry Bartlett Homepage The homepage of Gerry Bartlett, author of the Real Vampires series, featuring Glory St. Clair.
Real Vampires - Glory St.Clair Fan Site Fan site for Gerry Bartlett's Real Vampires book series.