With Halloween just around the corner, a local author has a new vampire book out for lovers of the paranormal. 

Local author Anne Schlea, the pen name of Music Authority Owner Melissa Loggins, recently released her first book, “Retribution,” a full-length vampire novel following protagonist Antonia Page as she is ripped from vampire retirement. 

“This book has a strong female protagonist when many books in this genre are male-centric,” Schlea said. “Antonia is strong, she has flaws, and she is on a journey of self-discovery; something I feel many of my readers will be able to connect with.”

The book began as a collection of short stories before growing to a full novel over several years. 

Other than the author, the book has another local connection, as Antonia attempts to cure herself of the vampire virus by studying at a small Georgia college. 

Antonia discovers its harder than she imagined leaving her family’s clan “after a couple of centuries of doing a mediocre job.” Her brother, Richard, wants to take the crown, and a jilted lover wants to prove himself by saving Antonia, who would rather prove herself than be saved. 

Schlea is a lover of paranormal fiction, history and mythology and lives in Forsyth County. 

The book can be ordered online Amazon.com/Retribution-Anne-Schlea-ebook/dp/B074TG9V2M.