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Dear Constant Reader,

When I was growing up, I was a huge fan of Stephen King’s books (I still a his books is that once in a while he would include a letter to his readers in the introduction These letters were addressed “Dear Constant Reader” because as he published more and more novels, it beca the them as fast as he could write them, and so he wanted to thank them for that, and to celebrate it as well In his letters he would give us a little insight into horote his books, what inspired theht about them once finished

I loved these letters I think I secretly enjoyed his letters a little more than the books themselves As someone who had read all of his books, I was fascinated by this gli round history, an inspiration, a governing idea, es themselves

If you are holding this book in your hands, I hope it’s safe for me to assume that you are my Constant Reader, and that you are curious to find out a little more about the world of the Blue Bloods beyond what has been available in the novels so far And for that, I aratified It’s always been a dream of mine to write a book like this, a companion book to the series I absolutely adore co novels, you will also find The Dark Tower: A Concordance, Volu’s Magnum Opus

I’d like to share a little bit about the Blue Bloods se-ries—how I first i The story behind the story, so to speak As King says, “Soe is o ahead to the real meal” So if you don’t want to hear about the backstory, you don’t have to read this But if you do, here it is

When my editor asked if I ever wanted to try my hand at a horror/fantasy book, I responded with a resounding YES! YES! YES! As soon as I got off the phone with her, inning I wanted to write a big epic fantasy, like ’s Dark Tower series, Isaac Asiy, JRR Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles But I also wanted to set the story in the ’s wonderful Harry Potter books, which re books could be I especially wanted to set it in New York City, my home, which I had just left and eles in late 2003

It just happened that at the ti around on the Internet and had found a Web site that listed every passenger on the Mayflower, along with their notable descendants The list was the “lightning bulb” froht, what if all these wealthy, important, and influential Americans (the list includes the likes of the Bushes and the Roosevelts, but also—which I thought was —American icons like Oprah and Marilyn Monroe)—what if all these great people had come to be that way because they were (da da dum) UNDEAD? (BWAHA-HA-HA-HA)

My other idea was that I very in story for my vampires I had yet to come across a vampire novel that had one I wanted a believable explanation for their existence I had always loved the story of Paradise Lost and found Lucifer’s fall incredibly roic And so: the Mayflower, the New York elite, and vaels who fell with Lucifer— to take shape

I ie cast of characters Soirls, three different ht hold the key to the Blue Bloods’ salvation; Mimi, whose superficial façade erous secret Other pieces, like how the Lost Colony of Roanoke figured into the tale, ca, and now, five years later, I am more immersed in the story than ever It is alive in a dominates talk atboard), I spendover plot points, and I can’t sleep if I can’t solve a character’s dilemma

In these pages you’ll find the y of the Blue Bloods explained, so vampires, and a sneak peek at what’s to come I should warn you, The Repository Files, which include character profiles, ritten by rather crotchety historians ork for the huht find their estient Also, while the Repository , careful readers will observe that in certain instances their knowledge is somewhat limited

Thank you for welco the Blue Bloods into your library I have very ht them to your shelves