La Vida Vampire (Oldest City Vampire, Book 1)

Francesca Marinelli isn't like most vampires. She doesn't like black, won't drink in public, refuses to use her vampire powers, and...she's a virgin. She's been locked beneath an old house for centuries and now free. What's a girl to do? Well, she needs to work, and being a tour guide for late-night ghost tours of historic St. Augustine, Florida, seems up her alley. What Francesca doesn't anticipate, though, is that she'll become the target for sex-starved honeymooning French couple, for an angry anti-vampire bigot, for a man who insists on pretending to be Gomer Pile, and, when she discovers a dead body, the police. Having the police after her is bad enough. One particular cop, Deke Saber, has a reputation for murdering vampires and he won't let Francesca out of his sight. But when her car is vandalized while she's under Saber's watch, he has to admit she might not be guilty--and her suspicions might not be fake. Author Nancy Haddock creates a charming take on the vampire myth. Francesca twists the standard vampire romance genre. Instead of sexy male immortals bringing their blessings to hapless (or occasionally spunky females), Francesca doesn't especially like being a vampire, is interested in surfing, interior design, and hanging with friends. Deke Saber makes an effective foil as Francesca busts his prejudices and shows him that it's about people rather than about special talents or dietary requirements. I would have liked a bit more depth to the mystery--a few twists to make me question where the story was going but Haddock didn't write this as a serious mystery. If you're looking for a light take on the paranormal, and if you're not too stuck on your vampire prejudices, I definitely recommend that you check out LA VIDA VAMPIRE.

Being dead isn't all it's cracked up to be. Take it from Francesca Marinelli, trapped underground for over 200 years and rediscovered during the renovation of a Victorian mansion in historic St. Augustine. A tourist attraction herself, she's well suited for a job as an Old Ghost Town Tour guide. Francesca's due for a new lease on afterlife-and with enough sunblock, she can finally live it. Unfortunately, everything she learned about men is a little dated. And when people in her tour group turn up dead, naturally the police suspect her. After all, she is a vampire. Which is why a crazed vampire-hunting vigilante squad is out to get her as well. Between the dead bodies, the stalkers, and a seriously non-existent love life, she's starting to wish she was dead. Or at least buried, where she was safe. La Vida Vampire was different from any other vampire book I've read. Readers will be hooked from page one and will stay up in the dark finishing the book.Even though Cesca is a 200+ vampire, it's easy to relate to and her narrative makes you laugh and care for her.The mystery is the book was well-written and kept me guessing up until the end. It was a fast read that never lets your attention wander and the ending leaves you waiting for the sequel. It doesn't end in a cliffhanger and the crime is resolved at the end of the book but you still want to read about what Cesca is going to do next.The romance in this book was great and there was just one scene in the book that isn't for young readers but other than that readers will devour this book in one sitting. I liked how other supernatural creatures were added to the book. It added a je ne sais quoi to the story. This is a perfect beach read and I suggest that you pick up a copy at a bookstore near you. -Carol www.bookluver-carol.blogspot.com

Francesca Marinelli is having to get used to the afterlife. Having been turned into a vampire in the early 1800s and then trapped underground for 200 years, she is having to play catch-up with culture and history, mostly through watching films. Cesca is living with her friend Maggie and working on her education along with taking a new job as a Ghost Tour Guide in St Augustine, Florida. Francesca's first day as a tour guide hardly goes smoothly when one of her guests turns out to be a vampire killer. When another guest turns up dead with evidence of vampire bites Cesca is considered a suspect. When it becomes clear that her life is in danger one of the policemen, Deke Saber, has to act as bodyguard - will Cesca's awakening hormones and wildly-changing life be able to keep up with all the events going on. This was a really good fun book, lighthearted and quirky yet also interesting. The murder mystery was well written with a wide variety of suspects, magic and other vampires all playing their part. There was a side plot about a giant Cat and a wizard working to protect Cesca that felt rather incomplete but that was, I presume, setting the ground for a future novel. The story of Cesca was well resolved and there were amusing moments as Cesca surprises those around her by not conforming to vampire norms. This is the author's debut novel and she's clearly an author to watch. Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book, curledup.com. © Helen Hancox 2008

Francesca "Cesca" Marinelli is not your typical vampire. She is taking online classes, learning to surf, and just started a part-time job as a ghost tour guide. However, her first shift working as a tour guide doesn't go quite as planned; everyone seems more interested in Cesca's life as a vampire than in the ghosts! In fact, someone is a little too interested as someone from the tour winds up dead and of course Cesca is a suspect. Preternatural crimes special investigator Deke Saber is called in to assist on the case. Deke doesn't like vampires, but will he see that Cesca is different? And just who is behind all the mysterious happenings around Cesca? Nancy Haddock breathes new life into the vampire genre with LA VIDA VAMPIRE. Cesca is definitely a one of a kind vampire and her story is sheer fun, from her unique approach to being a vampire to her take on modern day living. After all, what other vampire book has the vampire surfing? LA VIDA VAMPIRE isn't just a fun book as it is also full of intrigue. The hints about the mystifying cat that keeps appearing will keep the readers guessing as to where the series is going as there are some unsolved plot threads, ones that will hopefully be resolved as the series progresses. The main storyline involving the murder and the mysterious but deadly vampire-hating Covenant is also fascinating as there were just so many possibilities! Nancy Haddock keeps the suspense level high as LA VIDA VAMPIRE is a book in which anything can and often does happen. LA VIDA VAMPIRE is a phenomenal entry into the genre. Nancy Haddock puts her own spin on things so that both Cesca and Deke keep the reader entertained. LA VIDA VAMPIRE is a hit! COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

La Vida Vampire by Nancy Haddock La Vida Vampire, is the first book in the Oldest City Vampire series, set in St Augustine, FL. Meet Francesca Marinelli a 227 year old (young) most unique vampire, who has spent over 200 years of her unlife, chained and locked in a coffin underground as punishment and then forgotten, until a renovation of the house over her, unearths her. Cesca now loves Wal-Mart, her sponsor into 21st century life,surfing (think Gidget) and Super K-Mart,(after all they are open 24 hours!!!) and she has a job as a ghost tour guide. Cesca loves her new job, right up until a woman from her very first tour winds up dead and Cesca is of course, suspected. The mystery was of medium difficulty to figure out who-done-it with, enough surprises thrown it to make you doubt yourself once in a while. The words "fresh, new, unique" have been used to describe many a vampire novel lately , but I swear, this time it's true. I haven't enjoyed a debut Vamp book in such a long time. This one had me giggling and loving every minute of it. More mystery than romance (although don't get me wrong, there IS romance, and you may be surprised with who!) Don't forget, everything Cesca has learned about men is around 200 years out of date *grin* there is, of course, the obligatory Vamp/Creature hater, Vigilantes, a retired Vamp hunter, Uber rotten Vampires, a bevy of Ghosts and assorted other weird goings on. I think I will take some time today and re-read it just because I loved itso much and can use the laughs.