Monday, February 15, 2010

Review: First Drop of Crimson by Jeaniene Frost



This book falls into my Vampire Reading Challenge.

Let me begin by saying I am a total Jeaniene Frost fangirl and she could write her grocery list and I would probably buy it. That being said, First Drop of Crimson did not disappoint.

I liked Denise in the Night Huntress series, and when Randy died I was so sad for her. Spade is Bones' best friend, and he's been all sexy and mysterious in the Night Huntress books - in FDOC he's super sexy!

Denise is living her life after the death of her husband, staying clear of the supernatural world, trying to forget. That plan is blown out of the water when she witnesses the murder of her cousin by a man who turns into a dog and a demon shows up at her house looking for one of her ancestors. The demon tells her she must find this ancestor, Nathaniel, and bring him back or the demon will kill all her relatives one by one. As an incentive, the demon marks Denise before leaving her. Denise calls her best friend Cat, who is a vampire, for her help. She can't reach Cat but remembers she has Spade's phone number and asks him to contact Cat for her. Spade tells her Cat is out with her husband Bones and offers to help instead.

Spade views humans as a food source only; we learn the reasons why later in the book. Denise is terrified of vampires as she holds them responsible for the death of her husband. She's not thrilled about asking Spade for help but knows she doesn't have any other choice. Spade agrees to help at first because she's Cat's best friend, but as the story progresses we watch his feelings start to change. Let's just say I'm a sucker for a vamp with sex appeal and a heart of gold.

We also get to see a lot of Ian, the vampire who sired Bones and Spade (well,sort of). He's been such a skeevy character, I loved every minute of him in this book! One of his funniest scenes was a few pages after Denise had accidentally interrupted Ian and a "donor" in flagrante delicto. I hope he eventually gets his own book, he would definitely be a great bad boy hero.

Now, I know several people have complained that Denise is a wimpy heroine, but I read her as she was mourning her dead husband, and PTSD is a very real (well, as real as it can be in a fictional world anyway) consequence of her experience at the time of his death. Was she a kick-ass heroine? No, but she didn't get on my nerves either.

I thought this book was great - it kept me intersted throughout and I had to stop myself from peeking ahead to see what was going to happen a several times. I'm giving it 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

17 comments:

  1. I might have to read this to give this author another chance. I wasn't thrilled with Halfway to the Grave.

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  2. Hi Patti
    Oh sounds good, I really must get to the book I got by her

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  3. Hey Patti:

    I went to the bookstore for therapy last week and after reading all the great reviews picked this one up.

    After reading your thoughts I'm glad I did! Great review.. I've heard so much about this author and I'm in the mood for a good vamp book.

    Thanks!

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  4. Okay, you had me at... "She could write her grocery list and I would buy it." That good huh... Well, I have been stalking this book through blog land and I do want it. Thanks for the great review! Hope you had a great weekend!

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  5. Colette - In HttG I was put off at first, especially during the first scene in the cave, but I grew to love the booka and the rest of the series.

    Blodeuedd - I do enjoy her style of storytelling!

    Lea - I hope you like it as much as I did!

    Cecile - Seriously, I love this world she's created for her characters. It keeps me interested.

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  6. Thanks for the review, Patti. I'm two books behind in Cat's series, so I may not pick this one up for awhile, but I'm sure glad to see you loved it!

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  7. I'm really wanting to read this one. But I need to read the last Cat/Bones book first. I'm so slacking. Great review, I'm looking forward to reading myself.

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  8. Ohh I finally got myself a copy of this! I can't wait to read it.


    You know, I know a lot of people complain about wimpy heroines but man, wouldn't all the books be boring if every heroine was kick ass! I like a 'wimpy' heroine now and then.

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  9. Christine - I enjoy the series and this book was no exception!

    Parajunkee - Part of the last Cat/Bones book took place in N.O. Hope you enjoy it!

    Sayuri - good point about the heroines. Denise was right for the story - it provided a good conflict to overcome.

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  10. Great review Patti! I really gotta read this author!!

    ;) VFG

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  11. I am reading 'First Drop' RIGHT NOW!

    I'm only half-way through, and if I didn't know about 'Eternal Kiss of Darkness' being released in July, I would think the next logical installment of the 'Night Huntress World' would be Ian's book. Because he makes such a great cameo - now I'm DYING for his book! And Mencheres has yet to make an appearance (like I said though, I'm only half-way finished).

    Great review of a great book!

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  12. VFG - thanks! I love her style of writing, you should give her a try!

    Danielle - glad you're enjoying it. I do love Ian, Mencheres is not one of my favorite characters so I'm kinda "eh" about his book. Maybe when she releases a snippet I'll change my mind.

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  13. Patti(es) I think you and I are the only peeps that liked this book, lol. I'm with you, Frost could write a post it note and I'd buy it. For me, it was Spade I didn't connect with...I think I would have preferred him to be more aloof and Darcy like, he read a bit flat to me.

    I liked Denise...but if Frost mentioned PTSD one more time I was going to start eye-rolling. I just didn't care for that angle.

    Oh how I love Ian shall we place bets on who his love interest is going to be...Justina?

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  14. I'm going to read this after I read through Night Huntress books. I've only read the first book. Glad to you like this one.

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  15. I'm on the - Denise is annoying side.

    I wanted to like this book..I did. I LOVE Jeaniene Frost. Spade and Denise had no chemistry.

    I loved Ian - he made it not a DNF for me.

    I am very curious about Mencheres book...looking forward to seeing his romantic side :)

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  16. KC - Glad to see someone else liked it! Spade had his moments, but then he had his MOMENTS *wink, nudge*, so all in all I did enjoy it!

    Donna - you've only read the first one? You've got a great trip ahead of you!!

    Mandi - sorry you didn't care for this one. I hate it when I'm looking forward to a book and it disappoints *coughCOVETcough*.

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  17. Great review hon!

    I have heard so many great things about this series I am about ready to sink my own fangs into these! I love that cover too whewwwwwww sexy vamp there.

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