Drop Dead Gorgeous [Anglais] [Poche]

Megan Sweeney is used to being treated like a guy's girl. She was good at sports in high school, her father was a coach, and she can pick a winning team during the playoffs better than most of the men in Skull Creek, Texas. So when Meg decides to shed her tomboy image, the townspeople are reluctant to acknowledge the transformation. A fact that wouldn't irk her so much if her good friend Dillon Cash hadn't managed to transform himself from geek to heartthrob over the course of two months. Seeking Dillon's help, Meg is determined to learn the secret to becoming sexy, alluring, and irresistible to the opposite sex so that she can appear in the "Hot Chicks" list of her local newspaper. And even when he seems reluctant to come to her aid, Meg just becomes more determined to learn his secrets.

Dillon Cash was just your everyday guy-next-door computer technician when he went and got himself transformed into a vampire. Along with the thirst for blood and sex (because they need both), he also gained an inordinate amount of charisma and a nearly impossible to resist rakish charm that has women falling at his feet. Not quite used to his gifts, Dillon tries to steer clear of his family and friends, including Meg, while working on a way to reverse the transformation. But Meg refuses to take no for an answer, and before he knows it Dillon finds himself giving her lessons on seduction, which trying not to fall for her at the same time.

Drop Dead Gorgeous is part of Kimberly Raye's Love at First Bite series, but I can say that even though I haven't read any of the others, I didn't have a hard time following this story. This was easy, light reading that was entertaining enough to keep me reading and light enough that I could put it down without having to rush right back. Which isn't to say that I didn't enjoy this book because I did. The thing I like about the Harlequin Blaze books is that they're like little book bites, just enough story for a quick fix without having to get yourself too engaged. Megan was a funny and likeable heroine. I liked how she tried to transform herself, but deep down inside you could tell she was always going to be that tomboy. And Dillon was sexy for a newly turned vampire, a character that often winds up acting bumbling and confused rather than the self-assured heroes I prefer. All in all, this was a good little book and I'll probably check out the others in the series.

"It was the best sex she'd had in months. The only sex. Which wouldn't be such a bad thing except that the elusive O came courtesy of a red vibrator called the Big Tamale rather than some hot, buff cowboy with a slow hand and an intoxicating smile."

So with an opening paragraph like that you kinda know you're in for a fun ride and for the most part DROP DEAD GORGEOUS doesn't disappoint. This is book 2 from Kimberly Raye's sexy and hilarious Love At First Bite trilogy. Set in Skull Creek Texas these quickie romances follow the small town antics and love connections of some rather eccentric but completely likable women as they get their groove on and find true love with gorgeous Texan cowboys who also just happen to be Vampires.

Dillon Cash used to be the biggest geek in Skull Creek until he inadvertently got between two warring vampires, losing his human life in the process. Now he's back and better than ever, in fact except for whole actually burning to a crisp in the sun thingy and a small aversion to garlic, his new life rocks. This former nerdy computer tech's been transformed into a hunka, hunka burning vampire love and every woman in town wants a piece of him.

Meg Sweeny or "Manhandler Meg" as she's been known since high school, can't believe the changes in her old friend Dillon. Now not only does she want his body but she wants his secret as well. You see Meg is a closeted geek and if Dillon can suddenly morph into a stud then theres a chance that with a little of his instruction she can become the much desired sex kitten she's always wanted to be too.

All Dillon wants to do is erase his geeky reputation and blaze a trail as the towns studliest guy, possibly even emerging #1 on the coveted Randiest Rooster list. But theres something about his old pal Meg he can't refuse, she see's past his new muscles and heartthrob status and damn if he hadn't always thought she was irresistible anyways. Our couple engage in a cat and mouse game of who's seducing who and of course lose their hearts in the process.

Although I didn't enjoy this as much as DEAD SEXY this was still a good read, my only real problem being that geek heroes just don't do it for me and regardless of his hot vampire makeover I never really felt much of anything for Dillon. Even the love scenes (which are plenty spicy) didn't work for me. But that's just me. However the truly great thing about this series (besides the fact that it's frigging hilarious) is the awesome cast of unconventional townsfolk and the crazy adventures they manage to get themselves into. Raye has written this in such an endearing, fun way that I find myself wanting to move to Skull Creek just so that I can spend Friday nights at Joe Bob's Bar and Grill and buy my groceries at the local Piggly Wiggly. Not to mention the fact that I might bag myself a cowboy Vamp and make it onto the Gazette's hot chicks list. Cheers!

In Skull Creek, Texas Margaret Sweeny dreams of converting from classic geek to sexy siren. However, she wonders how one changes an image that has been fostered for over two decades starting with being a tomboy.

That thought makes her think about her long time friend and fellow geek, albeit former geek, Dillon Cash. Six months ago he made her look cool, suave and sophisticated; now he is a hunk. She pleads with him to tell her his makeover secret, but he refuses to inform her that his metamorphosis started with a bite. Dillon has always wanted Meg, but was too shy to go after her; now he has vampiric skills that lure every female in town except the one who owns his heart (although that proves to him that vampires may need blood, but are all heart). She finally asks him to teach her how to be a boudoir seductress.

The newest Love at First Bite (see DEAD SEXY) vampiric romance is an amusing contemporary tale that will have the audience in stitches as Meg and Dillon initially try unsuccessfully to seduce one another. The two characters engage in a Texas two step as they both hide their love that existed even when both were crappy kissers. Sub-genre fans will enjoy Kimberly Raye's jocular tale of love before the first bite.

Harriet Klausner