REAL VAMPIRES LIVE LARGE

Author: Gerry Bartlett ISBN: 0425215342 7/2007 PARANORMAL Publisher: BERKLEY

You think it's easy to keep a boyfriend, run a business, and survive for centuries as one of the immortal undead? Just try it sometime, sweetheart... It was hard enough when a sexy Scottish vamp bit me while I was feeling a bit...bloated, leaving me eternally retaining, if you get my drift. But when a frustrated vampire hunter firebombs my vintage clothing boutique, I'm ready to pitch a fit. Then my long-time, some­time lover takes off in a rage to hunt the hunter and prove himself worthy of me or something manly like that. And now things are really getting out of hand. The Energy Vampires want me—and not in a good way. They're paranormal drug dealers, selling thrills to those who've lived for ages, been everywhere, and done everything ...and they want to suck me dry. But it'll take more than a few super-suckers to get the goods out of this girl. And if they want to make things personal, I'm going to make things downright painful...

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

What a hoot! This is Gerry Bartlett's second installment to this series, the first being REAL VAMPIRES HAVE CURVES. I have had the privilege to read the first book, so I was looking forward to this novel—I was not disappointed.

Bartlett writes about an independent woman vampire, Gloria St. Clair, who owns and operates a clothing boutique. She is modern in the aspect that she does not need a man/vampire to make her feel whole, loves shoes, and is not rich like her fellow vampire friends. She has an off and on again relationship with her creator, a hot Scottish Vampire named Jeremy, who would like nothing more than to wrap her in bubble wrap to keep her safe. Gloria's world is shaken when her boutique is bombed and she barely escapes with her life. Jeremy quickly comes to the her rescue and wants to help solve the mystery of who is behind the bombing and who wants Gloria dead.

REAL VAMPIRES LIVE LARGE has everything that a paranormal romance lover would enjoy. The sexual sparks between Jeremy and Gloria are legendary, fun, and realistic in a fantasy vampire sense. The sense of danger is intriguing, and the mystery that the novel is built around is fascinating. I especially enjoyed Gloria's character—she's sassy, fun, and makes vampire life sound glorious, no pun intended. I do not know if Gerry Bartlett plans another novel following this one, however, I will be one of the first people in line to buy it if she is.

Kym Oetting