Cold in California by Deborah Riley-Magnus - Book Review

Title: Cold in California (Twice-Baked Vampire Series)
Author: Deborah Riley-Magnus

Publisher: ireadiwrite Publishing

Publication Date: 9th June 2011

Format: E-Book - PDF

Pages: 126

Genre: Paranormal

Source: Review Copy from Author




Twice-baked vampire, Gabriel Strickland, learns he has a chance at redemption when he's whisked from his final demise into a purgatory secretly tucked in West Hollywood. Sixty creatures, including other dead vampires, pixies, a legendary Navaho stick man and bothersome leprechauns, struggle together to earn brownie points and wait out possible centuries of this purgatory. Gabriel receives dubious advice from the troll who runs the place, but there are always bugs in the pudding and he faces them all. Enter, the beautiful Dori Gallagher, who not only knocks Gabriel off his feet, but also an evil warlock who has designs on her. When menacing forces gather against Gabriel and everything he's come to respect, it's a fiery clash of the supernatural in one heroic effort to save his new reality. (Goodreads Synopsis)



I received this book as a review copy from the author and, to be honest, for the first few pages I didn't think it was my sort of book. But then I suddenly found myself sucked in and loving every minute of the story.
I think my initial difficulty was because the book is rather different in its approach and its rules for the supernatural world than anything I've read before. Once I was used to things, I was able to enjoy it.
I loved Gabriel's character and I thought he came across really well as the flawed hero. Dori was also great, even though I kept thinking of fish whenever I read her name.
One of the things I loved best about this book was the blend of action, love story and humour. The author has managed to create a story which feels real and exciting but which can also laugh at itself from time to time.
The story is left nicely at the end - most things tied up, but still a few loose ends - to make way for the next book in the series and I for one will be keen to read on!

I would recommend this for paranormal fans who are looking for a fun twist on the usual mythology.