Happy Hour at Casa Dracula

I hate to admit it, but this was one of the most enjoyable reads I have had this summer. With all of the melodramatic, long-winded novels (i.e. The Memory Keeper's Daughter -- YUCK!!) on the shelves these days, I found Happy Hour a breath of well-deserved fresh air! Comedy, mild suspense, a love triangle, vampires (kind of?), a sexy Latina ... this book was just too much fun. I've read it twice already, just to make sure I didn't miss anything the first time. Our heroine Milagro is sassy and feisty, sterotypical of a hot-blooded latina, but as the story progresses we learn that she is also kind, sensitive, and passionate, eventhough she has terrible taste in clothes (think: second-hand leopard print mini dress with turquoise strappy sandals and red lips). She first starts out in the City by the Bay, then after being bitten by a mysterious, sexy (and engaged!) man and chased by her conservative and elitist ex-flame, Milagro is held "hostage" in the vampires' great pad out in wine country for her protection. Her new family of vampires is at first secretive and shady, but, of course, they become multi-dimensional and quite noble (and fun!). The way Acosta describes her vampires as having a "genetic medical condition" makes me believe in their existence . . . almost. But I do want to hang out with them. If you're looking for something entertaining, funny, and a quick-read, this is the book for you.

I'm a fan of the funnier vampire books and I liked the title so I picked up this book. Happy Hour is in first-person and I really loved Milagro's funny, individual way of talking. She's smart but goofy, and she's serious about writing but gets thrown off course easily by "fabulous men". When one of those fabulous men turns out to be a modern vampire, she's really in trouble. She finds out that there is a crazy group that wants to capture all the vampires and she finds out there are vampires who are still interested in drinking human blood. All the action and romantic twists just kept me turning the pages because I had to find out what happened next. The book is very funny and also touching. Things sizzle between Milagro and the men who pursue her. Milagro finds more than just a relationship with a fabulous man. She finds a family at last. Can't wait to see what happens in the next one.

A chance encounter with a mystery-man at a cocktail party leads a quirky Latina into the world of "vampires." And that's where the fun begins. I enjoy vampire/werewolf books and this book is now a permanent part of my collection. This book provides an unusual take on the vampire legend. The main character is fun and quirky but she also shows intellect and depth. The writer seamlessly incorporates the Latin culture into the story, giving the book both depth and interest. The supporting charactors were a little weak but the main character more than made up for it. This book is fun and lighthearted but not empty-headed. If you like vampire stories and a good laugh, this story is for you.

I really enjoyed this book. I bought it, thinking "beach read" but honestly, it was so much more. Marta Acosta is a skilled writer who really knows how to tell a story. I loved her characters, especially Milagro. If she were real, I'd love to go out drinking with her. At times, I was laughing out loud as I read this book, and also marveling at Acosta's writing style. This goes on the keeper shelf and I look forward to more books by Marta Acosta.

I LOVE this book! I'm latina and is so hard to find great novels like this about non-stereotypical girl, smart, with great sense of humor and the drive to form a family. This book had me laughing and I could not put it down until I read it all...with some sadness as I knew there wasn't a series. I already missed Milagro. Marta is a wonderful writer and down to earth and when I wrote her a note saying how much I enjoy her book she PERSONALLY took the time to answer me back and told me she is writing a sequel that I really can't wait to get my hands on. Go Marta, you rock!!!