Debbie Viguie'

Dear Readers,

Before I started this review on Kiss of Death by Debbie Viguie’, I reread my post on book one of the series.  I didn’t really want to just repeat what I said about that book.  I think one of the interesting things about this series is this book is really a different story.   The main characters and story line are there, but this time Debbie takes us to where the story begins.  Prague in 1198.

I have to admit that I was much more interested in the history storyline than the contemporary one.  I think that is because the contemporary one is setting up for book #3 – Kiss of Revenge that releases next year and no that won’t be soon enough. On the other hand the historical story line gives the background of why things are happening and the characters involved.   

Once again we find Susan, Wendy and David fighting alongside the vampires Raphael, Gabriel and Paul.  When they find out that Richelieu is stealing all the relics that are rumored to have any of Christ’s blood on it they know they have to stop him before he reaches his goal to rule the world. 

I found myself reading this book with the same emotions that Carissa was struggling with.  She owed her life to a monster.  Without his help she would have been dead, but how could she trust or help him when she knew what he was and what he did.  How can I really like these characters?  They are not “normal,” and yet I found myself liking them.  It is a strange place to find myself. 

I am really enjoying this series, but I do so like Debbie’s writing.  I have read a couple of her other books that we don’t carry here at the store and her style is one that makes me want to continue reading. 

Happy Reading

P.S. This book is available in the store or by request at bakerbookstore.com

P.S.S.  I recieved an ARC copy from the company for my honest review.

Debbie Viguie'

Dear Readers,

I have not read the Twilight books.  Not interested either.  I have read a couple of Ann Rice's books and enjoyed them, but they are pretty dark and creepy.  Eric Wilson's Jerusalem's Undead series was action packed and a fun read.  But over all Vampire books are not my thing.  Too creepy and why fall in love with the "ultimate" bad boy.  He is dead for Pete's sake.

Kiss of Night by Debbie Viguie' may have changed my mind, at least a little bit.  The description of the book includes the tagline, "What would happen if a vampire truly accepted God?"  That question alone made me want to read this book.

Susan travels to Prague with the thought of only burying her beloved Grandmother.  There is something about this city that seems comfortable, but Susan doesn't know why, she has never visited there before. 

When Susan's cousin's life is endangered by a guy she goes on a date with, Susan has a strange encounter with a man who tells her that she has to save her now. 

Raphael has been seeking a relic that was stolen from him during the Crusades.  He thinks he knows where it is and he is determined to get it back, but he will need Susan's help.  How do you tell someone that you are a 'good' Vampire?  How do you get her to trust you?

So if you were to place yourself in the character's shoes during this book, you would find yourself falling for a man that says he is one of the undead.  You would also find yourself in a battle for the world and the souls of all who live.  You must right away change how you do everything because there are creatures out there that a few short days ago you didn't believe in and they are now trying to kill you. I am not sure I would be able to do that.

That leads back to the question mentioned before.  Without giving anything away, can a Vampire become a "good" Vampire and what does that mean?  I know that in some other vampire books you do have good and evil vampires, but this approaches it from a bit of a different point of view.  What does or doesn't happen when someone who is considered evil becomes a believer.  Then also add the thought, can they be forgiven?  All interesting discussion questions, but ones I better stay away from a little as I don't actually want to give anything away. 

This is book #1 of what I am led to believe is going to be a three book series.  I am looking forward to book 2 and I know my daughter is ready to read the next one also. 

Happy Reading

P.S.  I still don't understand the attraction of falling in love with a vampire

Debbie Viguie'

Dear Readers,

The Lord is my Shepherd is the first book by Debbie Viguie' that I had heard of. So I went on to see what I could learn. I found she has written several books for teens and this looked like, at least to me, her first book for adults.

First let me say, this is a pretty good book. She does have a bit to work on with character interaction. Cindy "jumps" too often and Jeremiah seems a bit too jaded for a rabbi of only 2 years. But those are things she can work on and iron out. The book itself held my attention and I found myself interested all the way to the end.

Cindy literally trips over a dead body as she enters church on the Monday before Easter. (What a bad way to start a Monday.) Little does she know the events her discovery will set off. The Passion week killer has struck before and now he is in town making a statement. Cindy and Jeremiah, her own "Good Samaritan" are following the clues and digging up ideas, even though detective Mark warns them to stop. When it seems like Cindy is the one that the killer is performing for, she starts to dig even farther to understand what he really wants.

In a very twisted way, the killer is making Passion week more real to everyone. He is preforming for someone or some reason that no one can quite understand. There is one person who knows, but he isn't talking.

Like I said this isn't a complicated mystery. I think it is one that would be easy to read in between the intense mysteries I normally read. :-) I do have a couple other complaints about it, but if I write about them it would give the entire book away, so if you want to know email me and I will tell you. Otherwise this is worth a read on a snowy weekend.

Happy Reading