The President's Vampire - Book Review

The President's Vampire
by Christopher Farnsworth
Putnam, April 28, 2011

The President's Vampire is the second adventure of Nathaniel Cade, a truly dangerous guy. He is utterly ruthless, single minded, and will not stop until the job is finished. He's like the Terminator but with a touch of humanity and a bit of conscience. Sometimes I picture him as a kinder, gentler American Psycho.

Cade is a vampire, a secret weapon in the arsenal of the president of the United States in the war against monsters from the Other Side. From these monsters come the ever present danger to the eminent destruction of humanity. The time is the twenty-first century. The current peril comes from reptilians - savage beasts cooked up in the laboratory of a super secret agency. The bite of one creature turns a human into a mindless, killing nightmare. Fortunately Cade's inhuman strength and cunning can destroy these monsters but when he faces an entire army he may need help from friends like his human handler/pal Zach and Cade's vampire girlfriend Tania.

There are plenty of chills and thrills as Cade and his friends attempt to outwit and outmaneuver the calculating mind behind this currant diabolical plan. The plot is so intricate that sometimes it's hard to tell who the good guys are - except for Zach and Cade of course, Tania has her own agenda. Readers who enjoy adventure with a compelling cast of characters will enjoy this clever, witty sequel to Blood Oath.

[A version of this review appeared in Library Journal which sent me the book for review. Thank you!!]

Read Sandy Rainey's review of Blood Oath

The Radleys - Vampire Book Review

The Radleys
by Matt Haig
Free Press, December 2010

Dark humor pervades this entertaining vampire family soap opera. While Helen was engaged to Peter Radley, his rougish brother Will  secretly whisks her off for one sex filled, "vampire conversion" night in Paris. Helen discovers she is pregnant and tells Peter the baby is his. This happened 17 years ago. That is when the Radleys (Helen and Peter) decided to live like normal people and follow the guidelines set down by the Abstainer's Handbook, a book written for those who no longer wish to live the traditional vampire life. Complications arise as their two children Rowan - biological son of Will, and daughter Clara begin to acquire vampire characteristics. Clara is the first to change when one night a thuggish classmate attacks her. The fangs erupt on their own and Clara does what any vampire lass would naturally do - she drains him dry. This is when Helen finally agrees with Peter that it is time to explain their heritage to the children.

At first the Radleys seem to be a terribly dysfunctional family, but soon enough each of them shows a depth not apparent in the beginning. They learn to pull together when outside forces attempt to destroy them. Ultimately this is a story about family and love.

[A version of this review appeared in the October, 2010 issue of Library Journal]

Blood Song - A Vampire Book Review

Blood Song
by Cat Adams
Tor, June 2010.

From the popular urban fantasy duo C T Adams and Cathy Clamp comes the start of a new series under the pseudonym of Cat Adams.

In Blood Song heroine Celia Graves works as a bodyguard protecting the rich and famous from the press, overzealous fans and the occasional monster, like a vampire. Celia's most recent assignment is to protect the prince of Rusland. Unfortunately what should have been a routine job goes horribly wrong. Outside a nightclub the prince and his retinue suffer a vicious vampire ambush. The prince disappears and Celia wakes up days later only to discover she is no longer human. She has been bitten by a master vampire who mysteriously did not kill her nor completely turn her.

Celia has become that rare hybrid known as an abomination. Her problems are only beginning. Celia is a brilliant character with plenty of hurt and sorrow in her life but also with a strong spirit. Her tenacity saves the day more than once. One more thing in her favor - she is not gorgeous. In fact there are times when her partial transformation makes her look hideous; yet, she attracts guys. There's a reason for that, but you'll have to read the book to find out what it is. Blood Song is a treat for urban fantasy fans who like smart, feisty heroines and complex, fast paced stories.

[A version of this review appeared in Library Journal]
Reviewed by Patricia Altner

Doomsday Can Wait - Book Review

Doomsday Can Wait
by Lori Handeland
St. Martin's Paperbacks (April 28, 2009)

From the publisher: It took the near annihilation of humanity for Liz Phoenix to understand the true meaning of her premonitions. Liz is one of the sacred few on earth who has the psychic powers to fight the malevolent forces that have tried to wipe out the human race since the beginning of time. She battled these beings once, thwarting Doomsday but losing most of her soldiers in the massacre. Now she must replenish her troops quickly—because the supernatural war isn’t over yet.

As the new leader of the federation, Liz is marked for death by a Navajo witch with a link to her past. To survive, she must rely on her few remaining allies—her mentor, a shaman with too many secrets, as well as ex-lover, Jimmy Sanducci. Bringing Jimmy into the mix is a dangerous move, for Liz’s darkest desires are razor-sharp—and her longing for Jimmy is at a fever pitch. But can Liz afford to give into the cravings that burn inside her, with the next shot at Doomsday just around the corner? This time, if evil wins, chaos will reign—and the world as we know it will be lost forever…


PVN: Handeland's Doomsday series is one of the best of the burgeoning paranormal fantasies based on biblical allusions to fallen angels, children of the fallen and human women, plus a clash of darkness and light.

Liz Phoenix is the resilient, sometimes frightened leader of Light. She says "I found myself the leader of a band of seers and demon killers at the dawn of the Apocalypse. Turns out a lot of that biblical prophecy crap is true".

Jimmy, whom she has loved for so many years, may be lost to the darkness that seeks to claim his vampiric strength, but if he can be saved he will be one of Liz's best assets in the coming  apocalyptic battle.

Throughout this book and the last, Liz has gained  immense power. She is fortunate in that her paranormal abilities increase through hot sex, usually provided by Sawyer the enigmatic, Navajo skinwalker and witch.

Doomsday Can Wait continues the nail-biting adventure, along with sizzling sex found in Any Given Doomsday. Book 3 in the series Apocalypse Happens  came out in November. I haven't had a chance to buy it yet, but I have a B&N gift card I'm itching to use.

Read a Review of Book 1 Any Given Doomsday

Anyone else read this series? What do you think?

[Dear FTC. I bought this book myself]

Fall of Light - Review

Fall of Light by Nina Kiriki Hoffman. Ace Hardcover (May 5, 2009)

[reviewed by Amy Weidenaar]

Wonderfully written, thoroughly engrossing, an absolute delight!

Opal LaZelle is a special effects make-up artist who has worked her way up through the business and has now found herself hired by none other than Corvus Weather – a horror movie/monster star. Having proven her skills to him in the first movie they worked together on, Opal begins to feel a little more comfortable using her own special touch of magic to help him bring his newest character to life.

Gradually though, Corvus becomes aware of the uniqueness of her magic touch even as she becomes aware that hers is not the only magic at work in Corvus. As she searches to find out more of the powers at work, she also learns more about herself, her family, and the strength of her powers. She has the power to change Corvus’ appearance into the ‘Dark God’ for the new movie “Forest of the Night” but when it is revealed that Corvus has been possessed by a local god, will her powers be strong enough to drive it from the man she loves? And does she want to?

Nina Hoffman paints such brilliant pictures, that you can almost physically place yourself in her settings. Gorgeous visualization. The story was fast paced. The characters interacted in such a way that you felt them grow into a tightly knit family of sorts. Light but gripping, this was a wonderful book. Whether you are looking for a book you can read while commuting on the train, or cozy up to on a rainy night, this book works for whatever mood you find yourself in. I highly recommend it.

This review was written for Patricia's Vampire Notes by Amy Weidenaar

Lemonade Award

Ruthie's Book Reviews has given this blog the Lemonade award - for showing great attitude and gratitude. Thanks so much, Ruth. You certainly deserved your award! Now I get to nominate 10 more sites. That's the best part.



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