Marta Acosta's Haunted Honeymoon at Casa Dracula

Haunted Honeymoon at Casa Dracula by Marta Acosta

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A fabulous end to a terrific series! Ms. Acosta has written a very satisfying conclusion to her popular Casa Dracula series. At the end of book 3 (The Bride of Casa Dracula), Milagro ends her engagement to Oswald and finally explores a relationship with the Dark Lord, Ian. Unfortunately for Milagro, her attraction to Ian has always scared her a little, so she never seems to be able to fully commit to him. Ian, being all Dark Lordish, does nothing to ease Milagro's fears. Mostly because she never tells him about them, so, even though he's the Dark Lord, he's not a mind reader. To be perfectly fair to Milagro, Ian doesn't go out of his way to reassure her and confirm her place in his life, either. So when Ian starts flirting with the neighbours, Milagro sees red. Or rather, green. She breaks it off with Ian and takes off for the UK, where she indulges in a flirtation of her own. Her hunky flirtation follows her back to the US, where he promptly becomes a murder victim. Milagro freaks out, goes all sixes and sevens, bangs herself on the noggin, and wakes up with amnesia. Her last memory is from right before she meets Oswald for the first time. Yes, that's right, all the way back to the beginning of book 1 (Happy Hour at Casa Dracula).

I really enjoyed reading this story. Ms. Acosta brilliantly uses Milagro's amnesia to resolve issues in Milagro's life. In the end we are left with a much wiser and happier Milagro, one who can at last commit freely and fully in a romantic relationship. Brava, Marta! You've done yourself proud. And while I know that Haunted Honeymoon at Casa Dracula marks the end of the Casa Dracula series, I hope that we will run into Milagro in the future, perhaps in a short story?

Marta Acosta's The Bride of Casa Dracula

The Bride of Casa Dracula by Marta Acosta

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book 3 of Milagro De Los Santos' adventures pulls you in from page one and doesn't let you go until you turn the last page. I was so absorbed by the book that I read it in one sitting.

At the end of Midnight Brunch, Oswald proposes to Milagro. Cheers are heard across the land. Except for inside the Council. Or from his Mother. Oh, and Ian isn't very happy about it, either. But, our Milagro knows what she wants and is determined to get it. So she dutifully heads off (alone—Oswald has to work, of course!) to the east coast to meet with the Council and get their approval. She arrives at the hotel to find her reservation has been cancelled and her college friend Toodles is down with the flu. Then, in a shocking turn of events (she said knowingly), Ian just happens to be in the city as well. He comes to her rescue (again) by providing a place to stay and taking her out for supper. Fortunately, Ian's new girlfriend Ilena is there, so Milagro is not about to jump all over him (even though she really wants to). When she returns to Casa Dracula, it's with the news that the Council is still deliberating and they want her and Oswald to practice celibacy until the wedding, which is not for 3 more months! Oh, and they want her to swear loyalty and fealty to the Vampire Nation and renounce the USA. O.o

You've got to wonder how Milagro gets herself into these fixes. Needless to say, she is very unhappy about the whole celibacy thing. And there's no way she's going to give up her American citizenship. And really, this kind of stress is the last thing she needs, what with her writing career going nowhere fast and poor Daisy, her beloved dog, dying. But she soldiers on, because that is what our Milagro does, and even though fate seems to keep shoving her back two steps for every three she takes forward, she is bound and determined to make this wedding come to pass. Or is it fate? Some of these supposedly coincidental coincidences seem awfully convenient. And the more they happen, the more it appears that poor Milagro has gone 'round the bend.

I thoroughly enjoyed this instalment of the Adventures of the Miracle of the Saints at Casa Dracula. Marta Acosta has proven yet again that she knows what she is doing—and that's write an engaging, funny, appealing, and memorable romantic comedy. This series is a definite keeper.

Marta Acosta's Midnight Brunch

Midnight Brunch by Marta Acosta

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Milagro de los Santos is feeling left out because boyfriend Oswald is keeping secrets. True, they are family secrets, and Oswald's family of not-vampires have accepted Milagro into their home (and hearts), but she's feeling insecure and thinks that if only Oswald would include her, she would be much more sure of their love. In the mean time, Oswald is trying to juggle a demanding career, a demanding family, and a demanding girlfriend. He's understandably frustrated and lashes out at the one he loves the most—Milagro.

Milagro meets more of Oswald's family at a dinner party celebrating the birth of Oswald's cousin Sam's daughter. Sam is married to Winnie, Oswald's ex-fiance, whom we met in Happy Hour at Casa Dracula. After sneaking a peek at the secret family ritual she was not invited to attend, Milagro runs off to the city feeling more insecure than ever. While there, she meets up with one of the previous night's dinner party guests, who seems quite willing to tell Milagro anything and everything she wants to know about the secretive clan. Little does she know that he has much more than talk on his agenda...

Book 2 of Marta Acosta's Casa Dracula series doesn't disappoint. Milagro worms her way deeper into our hearts by proving to be vulnerable, sweet, funny, and loyal. Marta's characterizations are totally believable and we find it easy to like, or despise them, as the case may be. The storyline at the desert spa is fabulous and you can just see Milagro getting herself into this kind of fix—and getting herself out of it again. In the end, we are left with a more self-assured Milagro—one we will certainly keep rooting for as her adventures continue.

Marta Acosta's Happy Hour at Casa Dracula

Happy Hour at Casa Dracula by Marta Acosta

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Milagro impulsively kisses a handsome stranger. During the embrace his lip gets cut and she accidentally ingests some of his blood. Oswald, our handsome stranger, is NOT a vampire, but he does have a rare genetic disorder that makes him crave blood and causes a photo sensitivity, which sounds suspiciously like vampirism.

What follows is a hilarious comedy of errors and a look into a fascinating world where not-vampires exist and are being hunted by corporate baddies. Marta Acosta has written a splendid tale in the best tradition of romantic comedies, and I can't wait to dive into the next Milagro tale: Midnight Brunch.

If you'd like to learn more about Marta, check out her blog: Vampire Wire.