First up for Carl's challenge is Blood and Chocolate, by Annette Curtis Klause.

Started reading this Friday night when I went to bed, read for a bit, slept, and finished on Saturday. Quick read, easy to get through, interesting. BUT...I'm surprised this book is specifically for ages 13 and up, what with all the rough sex hinted at (and not very obliquely). Hmmm...

It reminded me very much of Charlaine Harris's Southern Vampire mysteries; the werewolves in those books are similar...rough, biker types, etc.

Still and all, I liked it and am interested, after reading the excerpt included in this book, another of Ms. Klause's books, The Silver Kiss, which is about vampires.

do you think Anne Rice corners the market on vampire books, even including Bram Stoker's Dracula? I remember falling in love with the style of Stoker's book long ago when I first read it, and only Rice has come that close to wooing me with her blood-thirsty words...

Going on what sells in my little bookshop, I'd have to agree with the Anne Rice comment.

I remember reading Stoker's Dracula years ago and being enthralled. I'll have to check out your Southern Vampires- yummy!

I wasn't as surprised about the sex after reading Freaks, which to me has much more frank sexual talk. Maybe I just feel that way because it is told from a male's point of view. As I did in the review, I highly recommend that book. I am frequently surprised at the kind of stuff I see marketed to young teens. I shouldn't be, I suppose, but I am.

*sigh* You're about to sell me on this book. Maybe it will make it onto next year's list.

sex sells even for teenagers. I don't advocate though!