Sue Dent's Never Ceese is unstoppable

Fellow Southern author Sue Dent's first book Never Ceese is a story about a werewolf named Cecelia and a vampire named Richard. So far, so good. These are your typical, classical horror characters who live for the night and are prone to feast on the flesh of others. People you can rely on. And she doesn't deviate from the myth and lore that surround them. Much.

The story begins as the vampire Richard encounters an unwanted guest in his English manor. A nosy neighbor is suspicious that Richard is the cause behind the mysterious disappearance of his goats and nearly catches him in the act, if it weren't for the visiting werewolves in the area. Enter Ceese, the young werewolf maiden who's arrived via invitation by Richard's aging companion, Penelope.

The two immediately do not get along and would, but for their adoration of Penelope, have torn each other to shreds. But, there is more at work here than the mere gathering of mythical immortals. Penelope is dying and she has one last request for her dearest friends: love one another.

This is the overall theme throughout Dent's interesting tale of "two who were wronged", who eventually--painfully--learn to work together to solve another mystery and defeat another monster unknown to them all, an evil geneticist who seeks the answer to immortal life through researching--and hunting--mythical creatures like vampires and werewolves. He will stop at nothing to succeed.

Dent's characters do differ from the stock one's we're all accustomed to in a very important way. They are not mindless, brutal killers. Bloodthirsty, yes, but they are constantly resisting the urge to kill, and, thus, curse another human. Feeding on rodents, goats, virtually any warm-blooded animal helps to satiate the never ending thirst for blood, but how long will they be able to resist that most delicious morsel man? There is a chance that their curses can actually be lifted if they can find the strength within to resist their selfish natures and act selflessly toward another. Will they succeed? That same basic choice lies before us all every day...

Sue Dent hails from Mississippi and her Southern knack for good story tellin' shines through brightly. The story is geared more for a teen audience, but I found it a fun read. The pace was exciting as the relationship between these two creatures began to develop from sheer hatred to tolerance to true devotion and finally...love? Well, you'll have to judge for yourself, as there is more to Ceese and Richard than you may think. The action is almost cinematic and the dialog very engaging. I felt I knew the characters as the story progressed and I believe teens everywhere will identify with them as well. I found myself racing ahead in my mind as I tried to piece the mystery of their strange connection together as well as eager to see how they would work their way out of a hopeless situation.

But the best aspect of Never Ceese is the message of hope. If two cursed humans can find a solution that removes their torment, then perhaps that same hope is available to us? Perhaps there is a way out of the self-indulgent, self-centered existence we all find ourselves cursed by. Never Ceese will certainly entertain you as well as challenge you and I believe it will make a welcomed addition to any reader's bookshelf.

Check out Sue Dent's website:
http://www.neverceese.com/