The Vampire Genesis Chronicles and the Legendary Dracula Myth
Embark on a journey through time, myths, and history with us as we immerse ourselves in Lara Bronson’s The Vampire Genesis Chronicles…
A Brief History
Nestled in the Carpathian Mountains in southern Romania, Țara Românească, or Wallachia, is an ancient region of the country with a prolific history dating back to the early 14th century.
Wallachia was known for its voivodes (rulers), such as Prince Vlad III Dracula, also known as Vlad the Impaler, who ruled in the 1400s during the late medieval period. Known for his ruthless but effective methods of maintaining order, he earned his gruesome nickname due to his preferred method of execution – impaling his enemies on long, sharp stakes. His reign was marked by complex power struggles, alliances, and conflicts. Though brutal, his rule was often seen as a necessary response to the tumultuous times in which he lived, and he was praised for his efforts to protect Wallachia from external threats, notably the Ottoman Empire.
The Dracula Connection: Vlad the Impaler, with his vicious methods and defense of Wallachia, became the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s iconic Count Dracula. Of note, while Vlad’s rule was centered in Wallachia, another nearby region of Romania, Transylvania, also plays a significant role in the Dracula lore. Bran Castle, specifically, is often associated with Dracula. The Prince’s transformation into the legendary vampire character added a layer of myth and mystique to Romanian history, and the legend has taken on a life of its own, becoming an enduring part of global pop culture.
It is in this context (and with an interesting twist) that The Vampire Genesis Chronicles series is set in…
The Vampire Genesis Chronicles
Bitten by Time
Lara Bronson
- Time travel romantasy
- Set in Late Middle Ages Wallachia
- Fated lovers
- Vlad the Impaler!
- Magic and mythology
- 255 pages
- Book 1 of series
What if Vlad the Impaler wasn’t the real Dracula?
What if it was someone else close to him?
What if he did it for love?
What do you do when you go through a bad breakup?
You travel to places you have always wanted to visit.
Alone.
In my case, I went to see the castle ruins once ruled by my hero—Vlad the Impaler. Yes, yes. The one everyone knows as Count Dracula.
To my historian’s heart’s delight, I discovered a pendant in the ruins. But to my dismay, it transported me to medieval times, at the beginning of Vlad the Impaler’s rule.
Now I have to find a way home while pretending to be mute and staying away from trouble.
Except, a ridiculously handsome knight discovered I wasn’t mute, and now my chances of returning home could be ruined forever.
Not only is he a scoundrel, a rascal, and a ruffian, but did I mention he was also ridiculously handsome?
Bitten by Magic
Lara Bronson
- Time travel romantasy
- Supernatural beings
- Quest trope
- Cliffhanger ending
- A race against time
- 210 pages
- Book 2 of series
After a major historical event, my chances of returning home have plummeted. If I don’t time travel soon, my body will lose its strength and disappear into nothing.
Now Gabriel and I need to find the right people to help me.
Except they’re not exactly people. For a small Wallachian Forest, there are too many supernatural beings to encounter.
Along our journey, we were surprised to form new friendships but also to discover new threats lurking at every corner, from an unusually violent Hungarian noblewoman (what is the deal with her?) to vampire-like strigoi.
Who would’ve thought Vlad the Impaler’s castle wasn’t the most dangerous place out there?
Even with the help of the benevolent creatures of the forest, we only have one chance during the moon eclipse to succeed at traveling back to my time. In the midst of it all of this, my body is becoming weaker and weaker.
Will Gabriel and I make it through the ritual and travel back in time?
Bitten by Love
Lara Bronson
- Time travel romantasy
- Set in modern-day Romania
- Vampires and strigoi
- Dracula myth retelling
- Prophecies and curses
- 257 pages
- Book 3 of series
I woke up to a fairytale life. All my dreams came true, though not exactly how I intended. Still, I let myself be swept up by the fantasy and all the great experiences it promised.
I finally met up with my parents and friend while slowly adjusting to my new lifestyle.
But not everything turned out as I imagined. The dangers we encountered back in Wallachia followed us into the present and could jeopardize our happiness.
Besides the adversity from our enemies, a new complication appeared in our family, and from what I gathered, something just didn’t add up. Would waiting help solve all our problems, or would I be forced to delve deeper and discover more about this new dilemma before it could destroy our peace forever?
Bitten by Hope
Lara Bronson
- Time travel romantasy
- High stakes, all-or-nothing
- Happily Ever After
- Twists and turns
- Tortured hero
- 247 pages
- Book 4 of series
I finally found out the truth about Gabriel and how everything happened. But it still didn’t make me feel better.
With additional knowledge, I realized my enemies were far stronger than ever imagined.
To preserve my family, I accepted a life under their rule for a while. But a life lived in fear wasn’t worth living. I had to fight blood, sweat, and tears for our happy ever after. And the only way to win was by defeating them at their own game.
However, in doing so, I risked losing everything, including the lives of everyone I loved.
Was I ready to play an all-or-nothing game when the stakes were so high?
Then again, did I have a choice?
Have you explored the enigmatic history of Romania
and the enduring Dracula myth?
Share your thoughts and discoveries below!
