Upcoming Interview - Jeri Smith-Ready

On September 10th Jeri Smith-Ready author of Wicked Game (Pocket, 2008) will be here for a live interview. She is offering a copy of her book to one lucky winner!

See my review.

Contest - True Blood, Tonight, Sept 7 at 9pm on HBO

For those of you who have a chance to watch True Blood tonight (Sept 7) on HBO, I would like to hear your opinion.

Let me know what you think. Positive or negative comments welcome. Say why you feel the way you do. Please be civil. No profanity or ranting. Each commenter will have a chance to win a copy of Definitely Dead (Southern Vampire Series, Book 6) by Charlaine Harris, Ace 2007. Her books form the basis of the True Blood series.

Contest ends September 9 at midnight!

September Book Contest

This month's contest offers a copy of Acheron (Dark-Hunter, Book 12) by Sherrilyn Kenyon, St. Martin's, 2008.

All e-mail subscribers to this blog are eligible to win. If you have not yet signed up it's very easy to do. In the right column look for Subscribe to Patricia's Vampire Notes. Click and you're on your way.

Vampire Book Review - The Bride of Casa Dracula

The Bride of Casa Dracula by Marta Acosta. (Pocket, September 16, 2008)

Milagro De Los Santos became involved with the vampire community when, in Book 1 (Happy Hour at Casa Dracula), she and Oswald Grant accidently exchanged blood. Afterwards she had acquired certain vampire characteristics - rapid healing, increased strength, rapid movement. In Midnight Brunch the virile, charming Ian Ducharmee gave her an infusion of his own blood in order to save her life after a brutal attack. Now Milagro's strength and speed have increased to such an extent that she tries to hide it from the other vampires. Still her differences from them are noticeable enough that the Council reminds her that although she has gained some of their abilities she is still different. She does not share the same DNA nor the same vulnerabilities.

Milagro and Oswald are planning for their upcoming wedding. Being a successful plastic surgeon Oswald has a hefty income which he expects Milagro to spend, spend, and spend at the fanciest stores around. Ready to help her with the details is Nancy, Milagro's rich, air-head acting, fashionista, best bud. In fact Nancy insists she is the best qualified for the job and eventually browbeats Milagro into giving it to her. Nancy was evident in Midnight Brunch, (Book 2) but in the current story we get to know her more intimately. She has an offbeat look at the world, similar to Mil's, except her words have a distinctly upper-crust tone. Her commentary is biting, funny, and right on target.

Because Oswald wants everything to go well with the Vampire Council, Milagro reluctantly agrees to their demands - no physical relations with her fiancee until the wedding and participation in a secret wedding ritual. For the latter their must be a special coordiator. Milagro is shocked when that turns out to be the sexy, Eurotrahy Cornelia Ducharme. Not only is she a magnet for every man within sight, she is also the sister of Ian, a hunk whose lust and perhaps love for Milagro knows no bounds. Oswald hates him.

So much more goes on in Milagro's wacko world peopled with weirdly wonderful characters including wild man biker Pepper, Joseph Arnold owner of the local nursery as well as a gorgeous bod; and the nutty professor Don Pedro who claims he has shared mind altering experiences with shamans around the world. This book is another hilarious addition to the Casa Dracula series!

Read chapter one.

Internet Sites of Paranormal Interest

Jaz Parks Series by Jennifer Rardin

I've read several series in the paranormal fiction genre and the Jaz Parks series is one I have enjoyed since book 1 Once Bitten Twice Shy (Orbit, 2007). Book 5 One More Bite will be published in January, 2009

Currently available is Bitten to Death (Jaz Parks #4) Orbit, August, 2008
"Jaz Parks and her vampire boss, Vayl, have already fought demons, vampires, and reavers. Now, juggling work and family takes on a new dimension as she tackles her latest challenge: nail the Raptor before he can reduce her to Jaz-bits, survive a head-on crash with Vayl’s violent past, and lever her twin’s military career back on track before a dishonorable discharge ruins his life. To top it off, she must also contend with her father’s issues. Is he losing his mind? Or is someone really trying to kill him - from beyond the grave?"

Read an excerpt.

Read a review of Another One Bites the Dust - Book 2





The World Mystery Center

"In our world today exist many mysteries... some of which remain unsolved and others which can not be explained by modern day scientific theories. It is the goal of our center to utilize all known methods of research, both scientific and paranormal, to try and uncover the reasons and their importance which may lie behind some of these mysteries."

Areas of interest to the Center include Crystal Skulls; Crop Circles; UFO's; Bible Code, etc. To the right is a crop circle design





Check out The League of Reluctant Adults one of the more entertaining and informative paranormal blogs. A recent interview with writer Michelle Rowan, hmm or is it Maddox, provides provocative questions and answers. Apparently when she wrote Lady and the Vamp (Forever, 2008) it was under Rowan, but changed to Maddox for the sf romance Countdown (Love Spell, 2008).







Bite Me magazine looks quite tantalizing. Although published in the UK, Borders is supposed to carry it in the US. I haven't had a chance to check that out yet but I hope that's correct.

"If you like vampires, the supernatural and things that go bump in the night, Bite Me is the magazine for you. We've got interviews with real-life vampire hunters, features on famous film classics of the past, Hammer ScreamQueens, plus all the latest horror movies, books and video releases. Our team of roving investigators search out the world's spookiest corners and we report on special events like the World Dracula Congress. We'll even tell you if your neighbor is a werewolf!"