Things Are Not Always What They Seem

Cece Campbell is a research assistant to Dr. Anthony Kline when he is murdered in his own home and all all of his computers are wiped clean. Matters become worse for Cece when she returns to her family home to find it burned to the ground in a presumed arson. Two bodies are found inside. Cece knows that she must run before her would be killer discovers that neither of the bodies is hers.

Taking to the streets, Cece has only her own wits and the aid of two Hilton Head police officers to keep her one step ahead of an assassin. But how long can she stay ahead of a killer? And if the copies of the reasearch her employer was doing were the reason she was being targeted for a hit, who issued the order?

This mystery was a real page turner for me, mostly because Cece Campbell was a perfect heroine, strong, smart, and not looking for someone else to save her. Although at one point in the story it is necessary for others to save her, she would have never remained alive to be saved if not for her quick wits.

There is a slight romantic subplot to the story, but it remains just that. It is enough to keep readers who enjoy a bit of romance reading, but not enough to turn away readers who are but fond of that sort of thing. It is a perfect blend of mystery and romance. The lack of any sexual encounters also makes this a good book for readers of any age.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery.

Vampires and Werewolves and Ghosts and Yawns....

I usually enjoy vampire fiction, so I was intrigued when I discovered this collection of eight novellas by Amy Cross. I began reading these tales of Sophie Hart and her role in the prophecy of the last vampire, Patrick, with great enthusiasm. By the time that I reached the last novella, I was praying for Patrick to fulfill the prophecy and have done with it. Each story began with great promise, but just fell flat as it progressed. The characters never developed, and when they did, it was too little, too late. Another great disappointment for me was the fact that this vampire seemed to be more of a flesh eater than a blood drinker. I suppose that I should be happy that he didn't sparkle...

Please, don't make Patrick the Last Vampire angry! He will tear your head off, literally. That got tiresome really quickly. Everything about this book got tiresome rather quickly. It reads like a fan fiction written by a teenaged girl. At one point the author calls one of the chatacters by the wrong name. Perhaps with more experience Ms. Cross's writing will get better. I won't be reading to find out.