Happy Hour at Casa Dracula (Casa Dracula Series, Book 1) [Paperback]

Marta Acosta (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 4, 2006

Latina Ivy League grad Milagro de Los Santos can't find her place in the world or a man to go with it. Then one night, at a book party for her pretentious ex-boyfriend, she meets an oddly attractive man. After she is bitten while kissing him, she falls ill and is squirreled away to his family's estate to recover. Vampires don't exist in this day and age -- or do they? As Milagro falls for a fabulously inappropriate man, she finds herself caught between a family who has accepted her as one of their own and a shady organization that refuses to let the undead live and love in peace.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Hip, smart Milagro de Los Santos is minding her own business at a book party for Sebastian, the ex-boyfriend she's not quite over, when Oswald, a mysterious, handsome stranger approaches her. The chemistry between them is potent, but after they accidentally exchange blood during a powerful kiss, Milagro finds herself feeling strange. Suddenly Sebastian becomes interested in her again, though when he tries to abduct her it's clear he's more interested in her encounter with Oswald than in rekindling their romance. She's rescued by Oswald's cousin, Gabriel, who spirits her off to the family home, where Oswald, his prickly grandmother, Edna, and his other cousin, Sam, take her in for her protection. Although they are vampires, they insist on referring to their state as a "condition," and now they're worried Milagro might also be infected. Sebastian is part of a sinister group determined to investigate the vampires, and Milagro is realizing that her passion for the seductive Oswald is conquering her feelings for Sebastian. A fun, snappy read for romantic fantasy fans. Kristine Huntley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"A fun, snappy read for romantic fantasy fans." -- Booklist

"Hilarious...fresh and sassy...a keeper." -- Romantic Times (4 1/2 stars)

"Page-turning excitement...wickedly snarky." -- El Paso Times

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Gallery Books; Original edition (July 4, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416520384
• ISBN-13: 978-1416520382
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (77 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,097,011 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Author of: Happy Hour at Casa Dracula, Midnight Brunch at Casa Dracula, and The Bride of Casa Dracula. Haunted Honeymoon at Casa Dracula will be released on October 5, 2010.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vampire Romance with Laughs and Sizzle, August 10, 2006

By 

Gigi R. "gigibooklover" (san Jose) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Happy Hour at Casa Dracula (Casa Dracula Series, Book 1) (Paperback)

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.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Too much good stuff, September 28, 2006

By 

Patty Patron (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Happy Hour at Casa Dracula (Casa Dracula Series, Book 1) (Paperback)

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.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vampire novel with a Latin twist - Fun, interesting and well-written., August 5, 2006

By 

K. Hopper "kathque" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Happy Hour at Casa Dracula (Casa Dracula Series, Book 1) (Paperback)

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.