Fire, Burn and Cauldron Bubble by HP Mallory

Title: Fire, Burn and Cauldron Bubble
Author: HP Mallory
Genre: Vampire Fantasy/Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Self (July 2, 2010)
Available: FREE at Amazon (as of today’s date)
Rating: 5 stars
Rater: Dihanna

From the publisher:

A self-deprecating witch with the unique ability to reanimate the dead.

A dangerously handsome warlock torn between being her boss and her would-be lover.
A six hundred year old English vampire with his own agenda; one that includes an appetite for witches.

The Underworld in a state of chaos.

Let the games begin.

Life isn’t bad for psychic Jolie Wilkins. True, she doesn’t have a love life to speak of, but she has a cute house in the suburbs of Los Angeles, a cat and a quirky best friend.
Enter Rand Balfour, a sinfully attractive warlock who insists she’s a witch and who just might turn her life upside down. Rand hires her to help him solve a mystery regarding the death of his client who also happens to be a ghost. Jolie not only uncovers the cause of the ghost’s demise but, in the process, she brings him back to life!

Word of Jolie’s incredible ability to bring back the dead spreads like wildfire, putting her at the top of the Underworld’s most wanted list. Consequently, she finds herself at the center of a custody battle between a villainous witch, a dangerous but oh-so-sexy vampire, and her warlock boss, Rand.

What I liked: Amazing. Awesome. Could not put it down. Most of all, I loved the relationship between Jolie and Rand!  I love the tension, the almosts, and what felt like genuine affection. There’s a triangle here though, including a vampire named Sinjin, but his interest is more primal, and I could never bring myself to root for him. I loved this book so much that I read the series.  It flowed very nicely and like how the story carried itself without wondering where or why.

What I didn’t like: I can’t think of a thing.

In sum: If you love paranormal romance, this is your next book.

Vampire for Hire Series by J.R. Rain

Title: Moon Dance (and all others in the series)
Series: Vampire for Hire
Author: J.R. Rain
Genre: Paranormal Mystery
Publisher: Self-published (August 10, 2009)
Available: Book one is free at Amazon; others are $3.99
Rating: 5 stars for books 1 and 2; 3.5 stars for the others
Rater: Lauri

From the author:

Mother, wife, private investigator...vampire. Six years ago federal agent Samantha Moon was the perfect wife and mother, your typical soccer mom with the minivan and suburban home. Then the unthinkable happens, an attack that changes her life forever. And forever is a very long time for a vampire. Now the world at large thinks Samantha has developed a rare skin disease, a disease which forces her to quit her day job and stay out of the light of the sun. Now working the night shift as a private investigator, Samantha is hired by Kingsley Fulcrum to investigate the murder attempt on his life, a horrific scene captured on TV and seen around the country. But as the case unfolds, Samantha discovers Kingsley isn't exactly what he appears to be; after all, there is a reason why he survived five shots to the head.

What I liked: I lost a family member this weekend, and I read to deal with grief. Just my deal. Anyway, so this last weekend I read all of the books in this author’s “Vampire for Hire” series. Book one hooked me in two pages. I love the main character, and her wry, intelligent sense of humor. I love that she is a dedicated mom, and that she is in her 30s. Best of all, the story in book one is better than just “well done.” The author obviously put an amazing amount of thought and blood and work into this story. It's cute and sweet and flows effortlessly. And then book two stole my heart. Several times I found myself tearing up during tender scenes, and wanting to hug one or more of the characters. The issues are horrific at times, but tastefully dealt with. I have nothing but the highest praise for these two books.

What I didn’t like: After book two, the stories become utterly formulaic. The writing skill is still there, lurking beneath the surface, but reading any of the books after one and two is like talking to someone who’s preoccupied: you just aren’t getting their full attention. The story is hollow, and stumbles here and there. Leaps are made that don’t quite make sense, or where the foundation is inadequate. A romance develops, and there the backstory is so thin I found myself annoyed. There are four main lines of tension, and they don’t really change, and that gets tiresome by about book four.

In sum: All in all, I liked the books, and I’d read them again. But even if you don’t want to put out all the money for all the books in this series, absolutely do read books one and two. Do!

Don't Bite the Messenger by Regan Summers

Title: Don't Bite the Messenger
Author: Regan Summers
Genre: Paranormal (Vampire) Romance [novella]
Publisher: Carina Press (January 16, 2011)
Available: $3.19 at Amazon
Rating: 5 stars
Rater: Lauri


Plot summary: Syd - "Mary" - works as a messenger. For vamps. In the Anchorage, Alaska darkness. And she takes her life into her hands every time she does. To avoid being bespelled, tracked, trapped, and claimed, Syd must change her appearance and mask her personal scent every day, and she, as smart messengers do, has to avoid traveling the same routes and becoming too comfortable with anything. One crazy night Syd meets Malcolm, a far too handsome dude who lends her a very serious helping hand - er - lip. Sparks fly, but Syd can't let lust complicate her life. Unfortunately, life has other ideas.

The good: I read this story in one sitting. From the first page, I found myself engrossed. Ms. Summers' descriptions are exceptionally well written without being overdone. The action is well balanced with the character development. None of the elements are neglected. I laughed when funny things happened, and ached for that second kiss.

What needs work: Far too many sentences start with pronouns, but it doesn't take a significant chunk away from the story. It annoyed me because I also write, I think, and non-writers may not notice it.

It isn't often that I come across a book this - well - good. It may sound trite, but this is most definitely a must-read if your interests lie in pararomance or modern vampire romance.

Discovery of Death by A.P. Fuchs

Title: Discovery of Death (Blood of My World, Novella One): A Paranormal Romance

Author: A.P. Fuchs
Genre: YA/Paranormal (Vampire) Romance
Publisher: Coscom Entertainment (April 22, 2011)
Available: Free at Amazon
Rating: 3 stars
Rater: Lauri 


Plot summary: Zach awakes one day and discovers he's an amnesiac vampire. Rose, his former sweetheart, not only has to contend with losing Zach, but she learns she's a vampire slayer. Can love conquer all? Can they beat the odds?


The good: The author is not a beginning writer. He knows not to start every sentence with "He"/"She," and he knows how to develop a plot. I really liked the sentimental sweetness.


What needs work: I couldn't get into the heads of the characters. They don't have strong individual voices, and I couldn't feel anything the author told me they felt.


All in all, a three-star book. It's a cute, Romeo and Juliet story that, if you like YA vamp stories, is worth adding to your kindle bookshelf.