Anna is a very good lead character for this series. She's for one - a female, but that's not really what catches me. She's strong, independent and one tough cookie! And to be a bounty hunter you have to be. But since the first book, when she became a vampire by accident and left for dead, she is that much deadlier. Which is really cool.

Jeanne C. Stein really has a strong series here with the storyline of Anna and how she's trying to cope with having mortal family and friends that have no idea of what she has become. Trying pulling that off, when you're trying to fight the thirst but people keep pissing you off! Now that would a feat by itself! Anna and her family get a strange visit from her deceased brother's ex from high school saying that her daughter is in a lot of trouble and the teen could be their granddaughter - and niece in the case of Anna. She wants Anna to locate her before something terrible happens.

Now people who do bad things, also have the problem in the future of that bad deed coming back to bite them in the ass and that's exactly what happens in this book. I firmly stand by when I say, "What goes around, comes around." And some of the people in this book - that is exactly what happened to them.

I'm not going to spoil the book for anyone - and we all know that it just wouldn't be right to that. So I'm going to try to step out of the box for a moment and discuss all of the stuff that I loved about this book.

Plot- Well, every book has one, but it seems that everything just ties together so neatly with this book that I can't wait to see what happens in the next one. There was just so much going on in this book and it all came together at the end and made a lot of sense.

Characters - Wonderful, colorfully drawn characters that they seem to jump right off the page and live next door to you!

POV - It seems that the books are from Anna's POV - I love first person!

But that about covers my review of this book. It brings, love, action and the thrill of the chase all rolled up neatly- lover of vamps? Love a good, strong lead character? Then this is the series for you! ( )

The premise: book two has Anna struggling with what it means to be a vampire while still living a human life, and if that's not bad enough, she learns that her long-dead brother may have had a daughter, and this daughter is now missing and in serious trouble. Anna will do whatever it takes to find the girl, and her search teaches her there's more to the world of the supernatural than she ever imagined...

My Rating

Worth the Cash: Blood Drive is a solid, fast read and enjoyable, if a little predictable in its plot. If you're tired of the vampire stereotype, this series isn't for you, because it plays them up, especially the vampires = great sex element, although in this book it's done much, much better. It didn't squick me out like The Becoming did, nor did it piss off my inner feminist like the last one did, so I'll be happy to give book three a shot.

The full review, which does include spoilers for both this book and the previous one, The Becoming, may be found in my LJ. As always, comment and discussion are most welcome.

REVIEW: Jeanne C. Stein's BLOOD DRIVE

Happy Reading! ( )

I thought this was a good book . I AM going to read the rest in the series! ( )

Another amazing book by Jeanne Stein. I was very impressed by the first book, and I found this one to be just as good. I am anxious to read the next in the series. Anna Strong is an addictive character, making this books a must read. The author includes just enough comedy to make the book funny in light of the seriousness of the storyline situations. I believe we will see many other good books from the author. ( )

I first read book one of this series on a plane while heading forth to study overseas for the summer. I think that must be why I vaguely remember enjoying book one, although not any of the specifics about why. I picked up book two mainly to read it before a friend of mine got to it (petty, I know, but all in good fun), and I was instantly reminded about how much I enjoy the Anna Strong series. Anna is a great main character, who is strong and stubborn and flawed, and the story is strongly grounded in a believable environment and peopled with interesting characters. Add into the mix vampires and shapeshifters (two of my favorite plot elements), and I'm a happy reader. I flew through this book, promptly picked up book three, and am anticipating the publication of book four later this year. I highly recommend this series to fans of Charlaine Harris and Janet Evanovich. It's almost as though Anna Strong, the vampire bounty hunter, is a merging of the Sookie Stackhouse and Stephanie Plum worlds. Very enjoyable! ( )

After a really strong and impressive start in the first Anna Strong book this was a huge let down for me.

I realize that the author is trying to lay down some ground wirk for future books but I found Anna's stubborness to talk with the police chief utterly annoying after awhile. The man has info on being a vampire and her role and he's full of information pertaining to the supernatural culture and she consisitently rebuffs his attempts to talk. She just comes off as pouty and immature.

Also, she keeps insisting that she will maintain her human contacts and continue to live that life as long as possible yet she has pushed away David (her partner) and Max (supposedly her boyfriend that she loves) and doesn't even entertain the idea of telling them what happend to her. She lies to them and continually stays away from them.

And the whole thing with Frey and Caroline and Trish - the plot that drove this book - was weak and not fully fleshed out.

Again, she is introduced to other supernatural beings and an entirely unbelievable comlex yet shows no sign of wanting to learn about it or others like her.

At this point, I am finding her TSTL (to stupid to live) - at this point. I really liked the first book and overlooked some of this behavior as she was trying to deal with becoming a vampire. SHe made absolutely no growth in this book.

I still gave it a 3 star because I liked the first book, I have hope for the next and I still enjoy this genre even when it's not done very well. ( )