I'm moving!

Hey everyone! I just wanted to let you know that BVC is moving!  I'm still on Blogger, but I've given the site a face lift and a new name.  Come check us out at:  DREN'S B-SPOT!!

I'll still be reviewing books in the paranormal genre, but I'm adding Mystery and Suspense to my line-up as well.  So many books -- so little time!

Come join me for the ride!!

Dren's B-Spot

Retribution...Anna Strong is back!

When I saw that Book 5 of the Anna Strong Series was on the shelves, I quickly added it to my must read stack. Having read the previous four novels, I was geared up and ready to follow Anna's latest adventures.

In this book, bounty hunter and newly turned vampire, Anna continues to struggle with living the life of a vampire while trying to maintain a hold on her humanity. When young vampires start turning up dead, Anna is forced to joined forces with her mentor-turned-enemy Warren Williams to dig up answers for fear that she may be next. Add to the mix that Belinda Burke is back on the scene and has placed a nasty spell on her friend Culebra and subsequently Daniel Frey and you’ve got a fast paced, story that doesn’t let you down.

I really enjoyed reading Jeanne C. Stein’s lasts installment in the series. She’s been able to build a supernatural world around her main character that’s perfectly woven into modern day San Diego. My only complaint about the storyline would be that there were more questions raised than answered. The biggest question being -- “What does being the ‘Chosen One’ really mean?”

I guess we’ll have to wait for Book 6 to get that answer. It’s definitely a book I’d recommend!

BVC Rating:  **** (4 Stars)
Avail on Kindle:  Yes


and the hunt continues......

I'm Back!!!

It's a new year! And I've made a new committment to be more active in my blog postings....so here's a recacp of the last couple of months:

National Novel Writing Month:  Didn't make it to 50k. The End....LOL I'll do better next year.

Reading:  Now while I haven't been posting I've DEFINTELY still been reading.  Haven't found many black vamps in my travels, but I've certainly caught up with a few of my favorite writers.   I'll get those reviews up this week.

I'll also be updating my "Reading, Read, Want to Read" lists as well so, keep an eye open for those updates.

I'll keep it short tonight  - but stay tuned for more updates.  2010 will be a great year!

Happy New Year and Blessings to all!!

National Novel Writing Month -- Boy am I scared!!!

In case you hadn't heard, Nov. 1 kicked off National Novel Writing Month -- a month where those who love to write commit to writing at least 50,000 words within 30 days. You may be thinking... 50,000 words? 30 Days? Why?

Honestly, I didn't really know why until I started writing -- on November 2nd! Yeah that means I didn't write a dayum thing on the first day. When you do the math -- to meet the 50k goal, I've got to write a MINIMUM of 1,666 words per day. HA! Peanuts I thought. Until I started writing... on THE SECOND DAY!! Ok, so why do I keep repeating that I started late? Because you don't know the challenge of writing 1,666 words until you try and do it. MAN... I squeezed every bit of creative juice I had last night into my laptop... and still only topped out at around 1400 words -- and I started A DAY LATE!!!! See my issue?

In the overall scheme of things -- the challenge is to make you write -- not edit -- just write!! Editing will come later. I was "hovering" in the background of the NANO universe. Reading various posts. Seeing those individuals who were just totally geeking about the start of NANO 2009. Until this morning... when I posted the first few lines of my book. I was scared -- worried about rejection -- or snide comments from fellow NANO's until I realized -- umm most of them are just like me! So I sent my post -- and I was liberated!! It was such an awesome feeling to share something that I've kept guarded within me for so long!!

But back to the numbers game -- I'm at a pace that has me down 1,932 words -- and I'm still in the first 6 pages (roughly). I plan on picking up the pace -- and writing like mad for the next 28 days. Don't worry - I'm still going to keep hunting for the best of the best Vampire books and posting reviews. I still NEED to READ!!

Go ahead and ask me.... "Dren - what's your story about?" ::::::::::drum roll please:::::::::::: Only the best kick-ass black vampire book ever written! Wish me luck!!!


If you want to join the fun or find out more about National Novel Writing Month... click here!


and the hunt continues.....

Unclean Spirits, Mmmmm not so much.

I'm tossing in an extra review today, because I just recently completed, Unclean Spirits, Book One of The Black Sun's Daughter.  This isn't a vampire book, just something I picked up because the cover looked interesing. 

It's a story about Jayné Heller, a young college drop-out who inherits a fortune after her uncle Eric is murdered. But along with money, properties all over the world and endless options, she inherits something extra -- his unfinished business with a cabal of wizards known as the Invisible College.

Led by the ruthless Randolph Coin, the Invisible College harnesses demon spirits for their own ends of power and domination.  With the help of a scientist, former Jesuit Priest, a self-styled Buddhist and a two hundred year old man cursed by Coin, Jayné tries to finish the work her uncle started.

The first few chapters of this book had me hooked, but then the plot and action slowed to a crawl and that left me frustrated.  Hanover's take on the supernatural is interesting, -- all supernatural beings are actually demons, posessing a human body.  So Vamps, Werewolves, and all things that go bump in the night are controlling the human host and are trying to reproduce.  Another downside, Each chapter created more questions than answers.  Why does she have a tatoo? Why does she have special skills that only manifest when she's attacked?  It's not so much that these questions are asked and not answered -- more that they are woven into the story without a start or end.  It's just a fact that's presented in the story and the reader is left to "figure it out".  But no information is given to "help" you figure it out. That's annoying.

Hanover has completed Book Two, Darker Angels.  I haven't added this to my reading list yet -- not sure if I will.

BVC Rating: ** (2 Stars)
Avail on Kindle:  Yes

and the hunt continues....

The Flip Side of Buffy the Vampire Slayer -- I give you Danali Richards, Vampire Huntress!

Minion by L. A. Banks is Book One of a thirteen book series written by L. A. Banks. I have to say, Minion was a tough read for me. Not because the content was "bad" but -- I'm a die-hard Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan and this book initially reeked of rip-off innuendo from that series. Buffy is a Vamp Slayer. Damali Richards is a Vampire Slayer. Buffy - One Slayer dies - another is "activated". Minion - Slayers are born - but Damali is a MILENIUM Slayer. (Yeah this dates the book a little but go with it). Buffy is trained by Watchers. Damali has a group of Guardians. So you can see the similarities are a bit irritating.

However Banks is able to take this similar "type" of storyline and urbanize it. Damali is a rising African American spoken-word performer and her Guardians are her band members. By day, they perform concerts all over country and by night they are a kick-ass, vamp slayer group hunting and killing vamps and demons in the traditional good against evil war. Minion takes it’s time setting up the background for the reader, explaining the history of the Neteru, (Vampire Slayer) weaving in tons of paranormal, astrologic, Judeo-Christian, pseudo-African and mystical mythology that can at times, leave your head spinning. But the relationships between Damali and her Guardians and love interests lends for a great backdrop.

So I guess you’re wondering why I’m talking about this book at this point right? Well for all the crammed details – and mind blurring “think deep” pockets of the book – Bank’s creates the perfect setting for her Vampire Huntress Legend series that makes you want to move on to Book 2, The Awakening. The urban-hip-hop style of writing can be hokey at times – but when you focus on the storyline, you can see the potential.  As you continue through the series, you'll definitely get hooked.

BVC Rating: **** (4 Stars)
Avail on Kindle?: Yes


and the hunt continues....

Fledgling - A Novel by Octavia E. Butler

Octavia Butler was a celebrated award winning writer of Science Fiction before I ever learned about this book. This was her first entry into the world of Vampires and I was hooked from the first paragraph.

Fledgling is the story about Shori Matthews, a seemingly young african american girl with amnesia who learns that she is in fact a 53-year old vampire, genetically modified to walk in the light of day. The only survivor of a vicious attack on her community, with no memory of her past life, Shori must struggle to rebuild her family and learn who would want - and still wants - to destroy her.

Butler weaves a stunning tale that has you captivated from beginning to end. Narrated by Shori herself, you are pulled into her world of loss -- for her memory, her family and identity as she struggles to learn, understand and rebuild them all. While many author's deal with the "transformation" into a vampire, this story creates a world where vampires are simply another species of human, who live to be 500 years old, with social structures, rules and values -- oh and yeah, they have to drink human blood.

It's unfortunate that Butler's first entry into the Vampire world would be her last. However, as with her trailblazing efforts in the world of Science Fiction, Fledgling takes the genre to a new level. I enjoyed every minute of it!


BVC Rating: * * * * * (5 Stars)
Avail. on Kindle: YES

The hunt continues......

Oh Where, O Where have the Black Vampires Gone....?

Hello and welcome to my blog! I'm an avid reader with a fierce love of Mystery novels and pretty much anything supernatural. Even before the introduction of the Twilight Series, I've always been facinated by the Vampire genre of fiction. Not the hard core Bram Stroker's Dracula books -- (I have to admit I've only seen the movie version). But the modernization of the Vampire story into present day. But I'm not limited to books -- television shows too! Do you remember Forever Knight? Moonlight and I have to mention the Buffy Series along with the Angel spinoff series.

But for all of the enjoyable entertainment factor, I've found myself wondering -- where are the Black Vampires? Shifting back to written fiction -- I'm on the search for Supernatural stories that feature black or at least multicultural lead characters. I'll post what I find for those who are interested as well as what I'm currently reading and my book lists.

While my reading list isn't limited to a Multi-cultural focus - I enjoying finding a good read. So sit back and join the ride. Visit often and feel free to comment. The Hunt for the Black Vampire begins now!