Published: Feb. 06, 2010
Words: 107480 (approximate)
Language: English

Description

Two Kingsburg police officers have been butchered in an attack as ferocious as it is mystifying. Now two detectives and their families are being drawn into a battle that threatens to destroy them and those around them. In a marriage of horror and Christian themes of good conquering evil and redemption, Dance on Fire is the fictional account of characters drawn into the fire by supernatural forces.

Tags

vampire, horror paranormal, christian fantasy, vampire novel, dance on fire, james garcia jr, vamplit publishing, ebookundead

Available ebook reading formats

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Videos

Dance on Fire Read by the Author James Garcia Jr.
James reads the opening chapter of his novel Dance of Fire.

Reviews

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Review by: Natalie Lozano on Feb. 21, 2012 :
At first I had a difficult time reading this. It is about the town I grew up in. Yes I know it is fiction but with my imagination and Garcia's great writing skill. I felt I was there seeing it all. This book was well written. It had an order of smaller events culminating in the big finish at the end. My only complaint is it had a little too much of the bible in it. I am more spiritual than religious. so those are my personal thoughts. The characters are loveable and believable. I love it that they were still angry and swore. Not like many of the church goers I know and I liked that about them. It showed that christian or not when it comes to matters of the heart we are only human after all. Excellent read! I am glad I own it so I can re read it later. I hope the sequel lives up to the first book.
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: W. J. Howard on Dec. 06, 2011 :
There are some elaborate reviews here, so I don't think I need to add my own. Instead, I'll just say that this is my favorite Vamplit Publishing novel. Read it! You will love the characters, especially the vampires, and the storyline is more than enjoyable.
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Adriana Noir on Sep. 13, 2011 :
This truly was a spectacular read, and I wouldn't at all be surprised to see this author emerge as one of horror's bright rising stars. The first thing that struck me about this book was the author’s prose. It’s beautiful, almost poetic, but not overly done. It has a wonderful flow and rich descriptions that will draw the reader in, immersing them in mood and setting. (In fact, I decided to read this book after listening to a reading of the first chapter. After hearing the first few lines, I was hooked.)
Things start off quickly, leaving no time for boredom. We watch a creature prowl the night, silently stalking his victims. Or is he?

The book centers around Nathaniel, a vampire who was turned centuries ago when his family was murdered, a young cop, Michael, and his wife, Barbra. They are an interesting cast—an eclectic mix of people that James Garcia Jr. took time to develop and breathe life into. You won’t find one-dimensional characters here. Not only did I enjoy reading about each one, but I cared what happened to them. The supporting cast is pretty interesting as well. I think many readers will get a kick out of the overly ambitious Mayor. *laughs*

Dance on Fire is a mysterious page-turner that moves along at a fast pace. It takes many twists and turns, giving the reader plenty of opportunities to guess who or what is really stalking the small town of Kingsburg, California, and even the town itself is laid out and built upon a solid foundation. This story is a well-balanced blend of horror and suspense, and though it’s referred to as a Christian crossover, the religious undertones were subtle enough that they won’t encroach or offend those with agnostic or different views.

My favorite thing about this book was how Nathaniel’s history was revealed bit by bit in a series of flashbacks and memories. My excitement grew every time a date in the 17th century cropped up because I knew I was in for a special treat. His was an enthralling tale, both heartbreaking and horrific. One can’t help but feel for him after learning of the trials he endured at his maker’s hands. James did a fantastic job casting the reader back in time, enveloping the senses, and painting vivid pictures.
Vincent is the opposing force in this book and a wicked force to be reckoned with. He sends cold shivers down the spine whenever he makes an appearance and his determined hunting of Nathaniel is as ruthless as it is riveting.

I don’t want to give too much away, but believe me when I say this is a great mystery packed with suspense and chills at every bend. Once I started reading, it was hard to put down. I’m definitely looking forward to purchasing the second book in this series. Dance on Fire is well worth the read and James Garcia Jr. is certainly an author I'll be keeping my eye on in the future.
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Lisa McCourt Hollar on Aug. 01, 2011 :
I just finished reading Dance On Fire through the vamplit summer reading program and I have to say I cannot wait for the next book from James Garcia Jr. This book may have taken him 20 years to write, but it was well worth the time he put into it.

Nathanial is a reluctant vampire. He was raised from a young age by Vincent, the cruel vampire that killed both his parents. Finally he escapes after years of captivity, but not before Vincent transforms Nathanial into a vampire himself. Vincent isn't one that lets go easily though and spends thousands of years searching for his 'progeny'. When he finds him in the small town of Kinsford he turns the town upside down in his attempt to bring Nathaniel to submission. It ends in the ultimate battle of good vs. evil, with some of the town coming to Nathaniel's aid and battling Vincent alongside Nathaniel.

I cannot reccomend this book enough. If you haven't read it, do so now. If I could give it more than 5 stars I would.
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Carole Gill on Dec. 24, 2010 :
I knew immediately this book was for me when I read this quote at the beginning:

“And any man from the house of Israel, or from the aliens who sojourn among them, who eats any blood; I will set My face against that person who eats blood, and will cut him off from among his people. For the life of the flesh is in the blood…”
-Leviticus 17:10-11

That for me set the tone of the book. This was something more than a ‘vampire story.’

What Author James Garcia has done is he’s taken two genres: horror and crime and blended them magnificently. The result? A fascinating story.

It reads like a cop thriller yet has the special excitement that one can only find in a horror novel. Fans of both genres will be glued!

The action takes place in a small Northern California town as two detectives at the outset are viciously murdered by a vampire.

The crime begins to be routinely investigated but then strange things are noted like the corpses were drained of blood.

From the novel:
“They had vampire bite marks on their necks?”
“Mancuso didn’t.”

Boing! The cops are onto something—this is no ordinary killer they’re after.

The police can’t understand what has befallen their town as first one murder and then another are discovered and always the corpses are bloodless.
It is hard to believe yet it keeps happening…

The novels tells the story of two vampires—one the monstrous Vincent and the other Nathanael, a vampire created by Vincent hundreds of years ago ‘to be his son.’

When Nathaniel comes upon a savagely murdered corpse, he sees his name has been written in blood. He instantly understands why this is!

I don’t want to give too much of the story away but I liked that the two vampires had a relationship as well as a past history which makes their depiction all the more interesting.

As for the cop aspect: Mr. Garcia writes with certainty and realism having had a father whose background was in law enforcement. His depiction of police procedure is excellent, but never dry; his characters are too well drawn for that.

He made me worry. I felt his characters’ angst particularly when infant twins were mentioned and no! You’ll have to read the story to find out what happens!

I guess what I liked best of all was the theme of good and evil, and the inclusion of God in this well-written story, too many times I feel this vital ingredient of good vs. evil is left out of many vampire novels.

So here you have it: small town America, with likeable inhabitants and interesting domestic situations and then the vampiric killings—it is that embodiment of evil amidst these good citizens of Kingsburg that made me think of Hitchcock’s masterpiece, 'Shadow of a Doubt.'

That film had a similar theme: one of evil rearing its murderous head in a small quiet town, a town unused to ‘big city’ crime.

There is also a parallel storyline that explains the vampire characters in a most vivid way.

Again the good vs. evil theme is so interestingly depicted as Nathaniel tries to thwart Vincent as much as he can.
Vincent has been after Nathaniel and is planning to punish him along with those he has befriended for ‘leaving him all those years ago.’

There is a startling surprise toward the end that I was not prepared for. I love when that happens in a book I am reading!

This is fast paced and tense. I liked the time element that the author uses because it tightens the pace even more.
And if it’s like that throughout, as I neared the climax I found the screws were really tightened as I found myself page-turning ever more quickly.

Lastly let me commend author James Garcia, because in his adept hands he has made this thoroughly engrossing novel an exceptional read. I loved it!
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Jennifer Wylie on Nov. 24, 2010 :
I loved how the author has you immediately pulled into the story. Though a good sized book at over 100,000 words, there is a wonderful pace to it which keeps you reading, drawing you into the story with every word. You’ll find yourself quickly immersed in the story, wondering what would happen next, feeling for the amazingly developed characters. The plot is superbly written, I loved how it also took the form of a mystery while you follow the detectives trying to solve the bizarre murders. You won’t be disappointed in the growing tension which builds up to a dramatic climax.
Don’t let the genre titles of horror or Christian put you off, if you love vampire stories, you’ll enjoy this book!
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Mathew Bridle on Sep. 12, 2010 :
From the very outset I enjoyed this book. I liked everything that I read, as a writer myself I would not have changed anything.
I particularly love the start, you do not need to be told that this guy is bad news. From there on it never lets up and keeps you wanting to read right up the ending. Well thought out and well crafted. I look forward to more.
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Angela Love on Aug. 26, 2010 :
I thoroughly enjoyed Dance On Fire and found it totally absorbing, a terrific distraction from my ordinary life. The plot was skillfully developed and strung together with such grace, I wasn't really sure what was going to happen in the end until the conclusion. Garcia teases the reader in a variety of directions, and, like any good mystery, although you search for clues, nothing is revealed until the end. I liked the treatment of the vampire as both light and dark, and this book dealt with both sides believably. Hope some of the characters return in the sequel.
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Trish Barbarick on July 26, 2010 :
(sorry, James, I accidentally deleted my original review!) Okay, I originally was drawn to this book simply based on its setting. What I found, however, was that this author brings such a depth to his characters and a unique perspective to the storyline, it makes it difficult to find a stopping point! I loved the way he weaves vastly different genres together so harmoniously that, rather than being ridiculous, leaves you thinking outside the box. I can't WAIT for the sequel!
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Glenn Murphy on July 14, 2010 :
Mr. Garcia has taken the oft overdrafted "Vampire" story to a new level. I was enthralled with the storyline and characters. Being somewhat familiar with Kingsburg, CA I found myself drawn even deeper into the action as I could picture myself at the exact locations. The bridge between vampirism and christianity was an intriguing twist in the book and I thoroughly enjoyed each and every page. I certainly look forward to the sequel and future works by James.
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Ed Ezaki on June 10, 2010 :
I love what James Garcia, Jr has done with Dance on Fire. I agree with the previous reviewers that the characters are drawn with depth and substance. Garcia has a gift for dialogue that “shows” more than “tells” the reader about the characters. I was also struck by the imaginative storyline which builds tension to the dramatic, bittersweet climax. Garcia mixes a horror thriller with deep suggestions about the nature of grace and providence and leaves you thinking about these concepts long after the book is finished. Although the violence and language make this a PG-13 read, the depth of the issues addressed make it interesting and insightful for who like to mine for theological significance in a novel. Definitely looking forward to the sequel.
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Michael Graham on May 22, 2010 :
Characters with substance that get inside your head and don't let go. A literary ride that was exciting and enjoyable. A must for lovers of the Vampire genre, anyone who has ever spent a day or more in Kingsburg, California, and those who just love a good book. I am certain that, after the next installment, the movie will not be far behind.
(reviewed long after purchase)

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