Book Review: How to Catch and Keep a Vampire by Diana Laurence

Discover the Secret of the Red Satin Ribbon . . .In How to Catch and Keep a Vampire: A Step-by-Step Guide to Loving the Bad and the Beautiful, author Diana Laurence explores the romantic fascination we mortals have for the undead. Why do perfectly normal people fall for such sinister beings? And more importantly, what should we do about it when we do? Diana Laurence knows. With loads of personal experience to draw upon, Laurence does everything from explaining the attraction to blood-drinkers, to sharing what red satin signifies to them. In this book, she has created a road map to show readers how a vampire relationship can be achieved and conducted in harmony with everyday existence.

This isn't normally the type of book that I review on this site, but when I was given the opportunity to read it, I couldn't say no. I wasn't disappointed! Thanks to Andy, for giving me an opportunity to read this.

I had a lot of fun reading this book! While I enjoy the occasional vampire story/TV show (i.e True Blood), I've always been curious about the vampire-obsessed. What makes the vampire so appealing, aside from the characters being played by attractive actors? This book answered that, and more. Plus, it had me laughing aloud (which probably frightened a lot of other people at my library).

In my opinion, the book would definitely be categorized humor. If you look closely, however, there are some genuine dating tips throughout the book. Each chapter had various different sections, like "FAQ's about the Undead", Case Studies, and plenty of other tips on how to catch yourself a vampire. For example, did you know that wearing a red satin ribbon (tied in a bow) on your wrist shows your interest in those who are undead?

Laurence also takes time to point out the difference between an evil vampire, and a "bad" vampire (think murderer vs the bad boy). She uses her personal experience with a vampire, named Dr. Stephen Grey, to emphasize why evil vampires shouldn't be sought out. In short, they want to drain you of your blood and/or convert you against your will.

Laurence is a seasoned author, including the vampire story Bloodchained. After reading this book, I might have to pick that one up as well.

How to Catch and Keep a Vampire: A Step-by-step Guide to Loving the Bad and the Beautiful
By Diana Laurence
Published by Sellers Publishing
160 Pages
Rating: B

I'll leave you with a vampire pick-up line featured in the book:
3. The romantic: "They say a diamond is forever-I can promise you an eternity"

In My Mailbox (September 12)

In my mailbox was created by Kristi of The Story Siren, who was inspired by Pop Culture Junkie. Here are the books I got this week...

The Cinderella Society by Kay Cassidy (won from Living Your Five)
(ARC/Published by Egmont USA/April 13, 2010)

When the Prom Queen becomes your fairy godmother… Sixteen year old outsider, Jess Parker, gets the chance of a lifetime: an invitation to join a secret society of popular girls dedicated to defeating the mean girls of the world. The Cinderella Society guides all new recruits through its top secret ultimate life makeover. It’s all part of preparing them to face down the Wickeds and win. Determined not to let the Cindys down, Jess dives in with a passion. Finally, a chance to belong and show the world what she’s made of. … be careful what you wish for.

(How cute is that cover!)

Goddess Boot Camp by Tera Lynn Childs (won from Living Your Five)

Phoebe, who recently discovered she’s a descendant of Nike (the goddess, not the shoe), is finding that supernatural powers come with a crazy learning curve. Her stepfather, headmaster of the Academy for descendants of the Greek gods, has enrolled her at Dynamotheos Development Camp—aka Goddess Boot Camp—with a bunch of ten-year-olds for the summer. Embarrassing as that is, hopefully it’ll help her gain control over her powers in time to pass the test of the gods, continue training hard enough to qualify for the Pythian Games, and enjoy her godly boyfriend, Griffin, all while avoiding the ultimate mistake of accidentally misusing powers.

It’s another fast-paced myth-inspired heroine’s quest that’s sure to bring out the goddess in anyone.

(I loved the first book)

Rampant by Diana Peterfreund

The sparkly, innocent creatures of lore are a myth. Real unicorns are venomous, man-eating monsters with huge fangs and razor-sharp horns. And they can only be killed by virgin descendants of Alexander the Great. Fortunately, unicorns have been extinct for a hundred and fifty years. Or not. Astrid Llewelyn has always scoffed at her eccentric mother's stories about killer unicorns. But when one of the monsters attacks her boyfriend in the woods — thereby ruining any chance of him taking her to prom — Astrid learns that unicorns are real and dangerous, and she has a family legacy to uphold. Her mother packs her off to Rome to train as a unicorn hunter at the ancient cloisters the hunters have used for centuries. However, at the cloisters, all is not what it seems. Outside, the unicorns wait to attack. And within, Astrid faces other, unexpected threats: from crumbling, bone-covered walls that vibrate with a terrible power to the hidden agendas of her fellow hunters to — perhaps most dangerously of all — her growing attraction to a handsome art student... and a relationship that could jeopardize everything.

How to Catch and Keep a Vampire by Diana Laurence
(Advanced Copy/Published by Sellers Publishing/October 23, 2009)

Discover the Secret of the Red Satin Ribbon . . .In How to Catch and Keep a Vampire: A Step-by-Step Guide to Loving the Bad and the Beautiful, author Diana Laurence explores the romantic fascination we mortals have for the undead. Why do perfectly normal people fall for such sinister beings? And more importantly, what should we do about it when we do? Diana Laurence knows. With loads of personal experience to draw upon, Laurence does everything from explaining the attraction to blood-drinkers, to sharing what red satin signifies to them. In this book, she has created a road map to show readers how a vampire relationship can be achieved and conducted in harmony with everyday existence.
(I thought this seemed like a funny read, especially with the current vampire craze)

My Forbidden Desire by Carolyn Jewel (won from Tales of Whimsy)
Alexandrine Marit is a witch in mortal danger. An evil mage craves the powerful, mysterious talisman that supplies her magic, and the only person who can keep her safe is a dark and dangerous fiend called Xia. With his fierce animosity toward witches, he's hardly the ideal bodyguard. Yet as days turn into nights, she can't deny the white-hot passion between them.

Xia hates witches. They enslave and mercilessly kill his kind. But he's been ordered to protect Alexandrine, who, to his surprise, has a spirit he admires and a body he longs to possess. With the mage and his henchmen closing in, Alexandrine and her protector must trust the passion that can unite them...or risk losing everything to the enemies who can destroy them both.

(Sounds a little scandalous!)

What did you get in your mailbox this week?