Author Spotlight: Marta Acosta
About a year ago I reviewed Happy Hour At Casa Dracula by Marta Acosta for PBR. It was smart, unique, well written and utterly engaging. It had an eye-catching cover and a snappy title. At a time when I had read my fill of sassy paranormal tales, this managed to entertain me and break through my “not another paranormal” dread. So, when Acosta’s second title, Midnight Brunch, came out I jumped at the chance to read it. And was not disappointed…
Midnight Brunch picks up where Happy Hour At Casa Dracula left off. Aspiring writer Milagro De Los Santos is recuperating at boyfriend Dr. Oswald Grant’s estate. Recuperating from what? Well, a vampirism infection, of course. Not that Milagro is allowed to think about vampires. No, Oswald and his family insist that they have a rare condition. A “genetic autosomal recessive disorder.” Not vampirism. Uh-huh.
Oswald’s family is royalty of sorts. Milagro is the outsider. That becomes even more apparent when she isn’t invited to a midnight naming ceremony for Oswald’s baby niece. Milagro being Milagro, she does not accept that answer. She goes snooping and gets herself into trouble. And more trouble. And more trouble. She wrangles with Oswald, Oswald’s chilly parents, romantic pursuer Ian, a family elder who puts the “ick” in icky and his sidekick Silas who have a special little project. One that requires a sacrifice by Milagro. A big sacrifice.
I enjoyed Happy Hour at Casa Dracula. Frankly, Midnight Brunch is even better. Acosta’s second title does not have the clever title and sexy cover like the first one, but the writing here is even better. It’s witty and sophisticated. Acosta’s voice is so engaging and her heroine so utterly real, that the book is hard to put down. Like the first in this series, Midnight Brunch is unique in that it does not plow the same vampire novel ground you’ve read over and over during the last few years. This is not a dark and dreary, loads-of-sex vampire tale, but it does tackle interesting social questions without spoon-feeding them. The book contains a romance, comedy, mystery and action. In other words, a little something for everyone.
But you don’t have to take my word for it.
***GIVEAWAY***GIVEAWAY***GIVEAWAY***
I have two extra copies of this book. I am going to give them away. The rules are the same as they were for the last giveaway. You leave a comment here saying why you want to read the book. On Monday, I’ll choose two folks at random to win the book. As the winner you get a free book, with the shipping paid for you, and all you have to do is agree to post a commentary/your thoughts/a review of the book. See how easy that is?
To entice you further, you can visit Marta Acosta here. She has a very insightful blog. In fact, she asked me to come on to her blog on Monday for a Q&A. And, before you start thinking it, there’s no quid pro quo there. The “buy this book” spot from me here is unrelated to the Q&A except that when I told Marta I was going to post a review, she asked if I wanted to do a Q&A on her blog. She did so without knowing my thoughts on her book…trusting woman that she is.
Regardless of the giveaway, you should pick up these books. You can buy Happy Hour At Casa Dracula here and Midnight Brunch here.
June 22nd, 2007 at 11:34 am
I would love the opportunity to read this book as I thoroughly enjoy paranormal romances. I have discovered many new authors and their works through various blogs and websites and have had the pleasure of adding new, interesting authors to my list of books I enjoy reading. I would like the chance to read Marta Costa’s story and be able to add another exciting author to my ‘to buy’ list. Thank you for this opportunity.
June 22nd, 2007 at 12:34 pm
“It was smart, unique, well written and utterly engaging.” But of course I want to read it, if HKD says this about it! And the second is even better?!
June 22nd, 2007 at 12:40 pm
Hope the winners will enjoy copies of my book!
Also, please check out my Q&A with HelenKay on Monday on my blog, http://www.martaacosta.com. I got to ask her how she went from representing people whose marriages burned up to writing romances about true love!
June 22nd, 2007 at 5:49 pm
Sounds like a fabulous book. I would love a copy. I am always looking for new authors to read and this sounds like a must read. Thanks for the chance to win!
June 22nd, 2007 at 5:56 pm
Reading this new author would give me great enjoyment. I consider it wonderful to be able to have this chance, Thanks so much.
June 22nd, 2007 at 6:51 pm
I love paranormals, and I’ve heard Marta’s book is very clever, so I’ve had it on my “wish list” for quite a while and would love to read it.
June 22nd, 2007 at 11:50 pm
Well I’m pretty much a vampire fanatic so anything remotely vampish gets my attention and this one looks good.
June 23rd, 2007 at 2:33 am
Hi, dont count me in for this one.
Cant wait to read Your Mouth - Happy Weekend all.
June 23rd, 2007 at 5:03 am
cant wait to read this one
thanks
June 23rd, 2007 at 7:47 am
I am always looking for new books to read and I’d like to try a paranormal book.
June 23rd, 2007 at 8:55 am
It’s simple I just love to read. I love reading different authors books. I really enjoy trying new authors because everyone has a different way of writing and thats how you get to know the author. I like to switch around from historical, contemporary, and paranormal, it doesn’t matter it keep me from getting bored. So bring on the books!!!
June 23rd, 2007 at 9:03 am
I just wanted to agree that I totally enjoyed Midnight Brunch! I thoroughly enjoyed the first book, Happy Hour, which made me eager to read more - and I agree with your assessment: the second book has an ever better, more comfortable and interesting feel to it than the first!
(I’m not writing to get a copy of the book, though. I got my own as soon as I could.)
Recommended!
June 23rd, 2007 at 9:25 pm
I wanted to chime in and say I enjoyed Happy Hour too.I’ve got Midnight Brunch on my TBR( I won it a couple weeks ago,Thank you Marta *g*) I hope others enjoy this series,Marta writes a fun read.
June 24th, 2007 at 6:09 pm
Hello! Well I am interested in reading paranormal books and haven’t really had the chance to ever try one yet. If you say it’s good, I trust you and would love to read it.
June 24th, 2007 at 9:42 pm
Hi there,
I would love to read a new author’s work. I had the pleasure of reading Kim Harrison’s first works and was an instantly converted fan. Hopefully, this will happen with Ms. Acosta’s works as well. Thank you for the opportunity.