THE VAMPIRE’S SONATA – REVIEWS
“What happens when a vampire decides to give up vampiring? Okay, well, maybe that isn’t the actual question, but read on to uncover heartache, heart-pounding danger, and a brush with mourning. We can mourn loss of life but also loss of chances taken or decisions led by our stubborn…dare I say, pride? In this second saga of The Tales of the Rialto Vampires we get a deeper glimpse into the lives of those humans guarding Nicholas’ secrets.” – Lopez – Amazon Review
“Great continuation of the series. Love the characters, The authors paint a great picture of the love for the areas where they are all taking place in. Looking forward to the next book!!” – James – Amazon Review
“Maestro: Let The Music Begin! Prepare to be encompassed by swirling, diaphenous beauty, electric emotions and the inexorable pulling of the rivers of the heart. The Allegro Assais are evocative, seductive and warm; the Andante Con Motos occur when you most need them, particularly when Giuliana is present. The Allegro ma non Troppos are threaded deeply into the fabric of the story, not just at the end. This is an exquisite weaving of sensations and feelings, pushing and pulling to satisfy a hunger you didn’t even know you had until you were invited to partake by the authors. Don’t wait –Jump in! The writing team of Floyd-Crozier has done it again!” – Artist In Residence – Amazon Review
“The Vampire’s Sonata by Joseph Floyd and Joy Crozier follows Nicolas Portinari and Francois Durand as they navigate a complex and potentially dangerous relationship. Having known Nicolas for almost his entire life, Francois is left baffled when Nicolas suddenly attempts to distance himself. Nicolas, sensing a shift in his affections toward Francois, realizes that their relationship could cause Francois to become a target of others of his kind. Amid vampiric chaos, can the two forge an even deeper bond, or will the risk be too great?
The Vampire’s Sonata by Joseph Floyd and Joy Crozier is an emotionally intense continuation of The Vampire’s Opera, a tale that pulses with longing, heartbreak, and the exquisite ache of a love that defies both mortality and reason. At the heart of this story is the bond between Francois, a human trying his best to live his own life, and Nicolas, a vampire long practiced in burying his desires beneath the weight of duty and fear. Their connection simmers beneath the surface until circumstance strips away all pretence, forcing them to face the truth of what they mean to one another. The writing is evocative and atmospheric, painting the pages with romantic and emotional depth. The Vampire’s Sonata isn’t just about a forbidden love, it’s about vulnerability and the courage it takes to stand in your truth when doing so could cost everything. It’s a haunting reminder that sometimes the most terrifying thing isn’t the supernatural, but instead it’s the risk of opening your heart. This novel was truly a delight, and I would love to read more of Floyd and Crozier’s work.” – Miche Arendse – Readers’ Favorite Review
“The Vampire’s Sonata by Joseph Floyd and Joy Crozier continues the rich, gothic romance of The Vampire’s Opera with a story that delves even deeper into forbidden love and emotional reckoning. We’re back in the haunted backdrop of Venice, where mortal Francois and vampire Nicolas are bound by a love neither fully understands nor dares to name. As Francois’s life hangs in the balance and external threats loom, the two must face the painful truth of their bond. The looming tragedy that strikes Nicolas and the forces pulling them apart becomes the crucible for a love tested by time, mortality, and the shadows of their past. Elegant, evocative, and emotionally stirring, this volume challenges the characters and readers to ask whether love can endure across the chasm between life and undeath.
Author team Joseph Floyd and Joy Crozier have a natural flow together that’s so seamless they feel like a singular voice, conjuring up a romance steeped in elegance, longing, and the poetry of pain. Naturally lyrical and smooth in the way the story shifts between romantic moments and action-packed supernatural scenes, this is a lush, emotionally charged tale that explores love’s defiance in the face of mortality. Francois and Nicolas leap off the pages with dynamic dialogue that immediately gives readers the measure of their respective characters. Their attitudes complement one another and help the reader contextualize how their very different worlds work together. This makes for a real standout in LGBTQ paranormal fiction as the characters are genuinely affected by their sexuality and personal discovery, but it also never feels like it overtakes who they are as men, dropping into an ideal balance between representation and naturally occurring queer characters. Overall, I’d certainly recommend The Vampire’s Sonata for fans of lyrical and immersive writing and story worlds where passion and peril walk hand in hand.” – K.C. Finn – Readers’ Favorite Review
“The Vampire’s Sonata by Joseph Floyd and Joy Crozier is the second installment in the Tales of the Rialto Vampires, a wonderfully crafted vampire story with LGBTQ themes. The story follows Nicolas Portinari, a centuries-old vampire and renowned composer, who struggles with his fading humanity and the growing threats from rival vampire covens and vengeful revenants. As Nicolas faces his impending death, he orchestrates a series of intricate plans to secure his legacy and protect those he loves, particularly the elusive Giuliana, a muse and muse-like figure from his past. Meanwhile, François Durand, a loyal human confidant and former pupil, finds himself increasingly enmeshed in Nicolas’s shadowy world, torn between his devotion and the dangerous truths about his employer’s true nature. When François’s life is in grave danger, he and Nicolas must make a choice that will alter their connection and lives forever.
I was fascinated by the world that Joseph Floyd and Joy Crozier brought to life, in which danger lurks around every corner. The Vampire’s Sonata deftly explores the struggle between light and darkness, and I loved the characters, especially how Nicolas is portrayed. His connection with François is brilliantly executed, and the relationship feels real. Nicolas resonated with me with his timeless elegance and creative genius, a tragic figure haunted by love and regret. His internal conflict manifests in moments of tenderness and feral hunger. I also liked François, who is a complex blend of loyalty, longing, and hidden desire. I loved how the setting shifts seamlessly from the opulent, historic Parisian offices to the mystical Egyptian deserts and the hauntingly beautiful Venetian landscapes. The Vampire’s Sonata is a searing tale exploring a vampire’s struggle to accept his eternal curse. I enjoyed the crispness in the writing, the dazzling imagery, and the sophisticated relationships.” – Romuald Dzemo- Readers’ Favorite Review
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THE VAMPIRE’S OPERA – REVIEWS
” Nicolas Portinari seemed to have it all as a vampire: fame, fortune, love, and eternal youth, but he has never lost his desire to live as a human. He and Giuliana, his soul mate, were linked by love, blood, and five hundred years together. However, the higher one rises, the more devastating the fall. Through the centuries, music became Nicolas’ salvation. Through music, he channeled his deepest desires, expressing them in a way that resonated with whoever heard it. In that brief moment when the applause rose, music granted him a rare sense of belonging. In this way, he was both blessed and cursed: an immortal who had not lost his humanity. Unfortunately, one unforeseen disaster puts everything at risk. Nicolas soon finds himself fighting against an unexpected enemy to save everything he holds dear. Read Tales of the Rialto Vampires: Vampire’s Opera by Joy Crozier and Joseph Floyd to find out more!
Vampire’s Opera by Joy Crozier and Joseph Floyd is an aptly titled novel that not only expresses Nicolas Portinari’s passion for music through his mesmerizing operas but also gives readers a rich tapestry of the paranormal, brought to life by compelling characters who leaped off the pages and lingered in the imagination. The unexpected twists in the storyline pulled me deeper into an evocative and layered world. Aside from the unique plotline, another thing that stood out to me was the romance between Nicolas and Giuliana. It was pulsating with a deep, aching sense of everlasting love that transcended time. The trials they faced made my heart ache with grief, and the emotional depth enriched the overall atmosphere and my experience of the story. To me, the love, heartbreak, dark elements, revenge, and everything in the story made it so immersive, passionate, haunting, and unforgettable.” – Jessica Barbosa – Readers’ Favorite Review
“Captivating from the start. The authors brought to life a thrilling story of life, love, torment and destiny while using Venice as a beautiful canvas. The artful use of adjectives transported me back to my favorite city to the point I could taste the wine and feel the characters’ pain! I would highly recommend. Looking forward to the sequel.” – Brenda Jones – Amazon Review
“The Vampire’s Opera was fast paced and beautifully written to transport you to some of the most picturesque places in the world, all while holding you in anticipation. If you love art, music and travel, if you have an appreciation for stories that explore deeper themes such as inferiority (social class, power and ability), mortality (legacy, impact and meaning) and love (to die for, to kill for while interweaving the previous themes), you will find yourself flipping page after page of this vampire novel that is so much more. I’m looking forword to many more from these authors that creates a fresh epistemology in this fantasy (high art/music and architecture) more than dark fantasy world.” – Cara – Amazon Review
“I have never read a vampire-themed novel before but decided to give this one a try. I was surprised at how engaged I got with it. It was primarily because the writing was so good. The authors’ use of adjectives brought life to the story and characters. It kept my interest and, when the action became more intense, I felt my heart race along with the story. Not many books do that for me!” – Chirper – Amazon Review
“What do you think you’d trade for all your fame and riches? If you are Nicolas Portinari, you’d trade it for your humanity. A chance to be mortal again. But he can’t go back. And now, he can no longer hide among humans as if he is one. The past has come calling and he can answer the call or go down in the flames.
There is so much anquish set against sumputious settings, you can feel the velvet against your fingers. I loved the opulent feel of the world and the surmounting tension of conflict kept me turning the pages. Although the book didn’t end on a cliff hanger, it certainly left room for more of this tale. And I hope there will be more!” – Lopez – Amazon Review
“Until now I hadn’t read books about Vampires (and other fantasy topics), as the subject hadn’t piqued my curiosity. HOWEVER, THIS is no ordinary book! There is of course the plot, that has to do with sympathetic vampires who live in the sensuously beautiful Venice, but more than that, there are multiple interwoven themes that touch on the complexities of identity, community, betrayal, guilt, power, ethics and-of course-love, to name a few. I LOVED THIS BOOK! I hope you try it and you love it also!” – Artist in Residence – Amazon review
“The authors create an engaging adventure wrapped in glorious description and tangible mood. The Vampire’s Opera blends the beauty of music, nature and relationships and wraps it in the darkness that follows when one is an immortal vampire. The story is well paced and I found myself not wanting to put the book down.” – S.Eriks – Amazon Review
“I Loved the story and all the action. I found the book hard to put down and I would highly recommend it for anyone who reads fiction.” – mary mcdowell – Amazon Review
“Excellent page turning book I found hard to put down.” – Amazon Customer – Amazon Review
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