OREM — Nearly 150 vampire fans experienced an eclipse at the local Barnes & Noble bookstore Saturday.

It was neither lunar nor solar, but a first chapter reading of the new book by Stephenie Meyer.

"Eclipse" is the third in a series that follows best-sellers "Twilight" and "New Moon."

These books feature Edward Cullen and his family of vampires and his human love Bella in a compelling story that plays humanity versus immortality.

Hundreds of fans around the country held "Eclipse Proms" May 5 to celebrate the forthcoming August release.

In Orem the fan base included housewives, preteens and even a handful of men.

Alysa Stewart, an elementary education major at Brigham Young University and the organizer of the Orem event, said she saw the invitation on the Internet to have a satellite prom. She decided since no one else seemed to take the lead, she would get the prom going.

"We're getting dressed to the nines and dancing," she said.

The variety of genders and ages at the event shows Meyer's ability to capture an audience. Heather Nordgren, of Tooele, said. "I'm so excited for it ("Eclipse") to come out. I enjoy the depth of her (Meyer's) characters. I love Alice." Nordgren is into a variety of vampire styles and was sporting fangs for the evening.

Four roommates from Utah Valley State College all found they liked the "Twilight" series when they moved in with each other. They now have their own book club.

"The literary quality of her (Meyer's) books is what attracts me. I've read the books three times," said Celesta Wilde, a student from Santa Rose, Calif.

Her roommate, Sinda Brown, said, "Being able to relate to Bella is why I enjoy them. I've heard so many girls say thank you for Bella — Bella relates to all."

Erica Edwards, a seventh-grade student at Oak Canyon Junior High, Orem, said she has read each book six or seven times. "The are compelling stories and very interesting," she said. "My grandma reads them and she's 74."

Melodee Curtis, a Riverton mother and her reading buddies, Shanna Lambert and Barbara Palmer, were at the event representing a group of women who started reading the books earlier this year.

"My husband says he thinks this is a cult," Lambert said, "but he's just teasing." The women also read books like "Wuthering Heights," "Jane Eyre" and other Victorian love stories. They see a similarity in Meyer's writing.

"I love the fact the theme of these books is that we have a choice. Edward (Cullen) says there's always a choice," Lambert said.

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