Would you go to a haunted hotel for your honeymoon? I guess a few people would answer yes if they were asked this question, but sensible lawyer Dylan and ambitious chamber of commerce employee Jake would not be part of that group. However, having received a weekend stay at a quaint hotel on the Oregon coast as a wedding present, they decide to make good use of the time despite the rumors about ghosts and even though they’re not ready to call it a honeymoon.

Dylan knows the hotel is supposedly haunted, but he doesn’t believe in ghosts. So what is it he sees in the artfully decorated courtyard when he peeks out of their room? Only when he has another “sighting” does he begin to think there may be more to the rumors than he thought. He has to share what he saw with Jake, and discovers that his new husband, a man he has loved with for eight years prior to their wedding, does believe in ghosts! Quite the revelation. But what really fascinates Dylan is the uncharacteristic behavior Jake suddenly exhibits in bed… much to both men’s delight.

If you like ghost stories that are more cutely spooky than horribly ghostly, if two men encountering some inexplicable noncorporeal events sound interesting, and if you’re looking for a fun read about supernatural phenomena, then you will probably like this short story.


NOTE: The anthology this short story was published in has been provided by Torquere Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. ( )

Haunted Honeymoon by Marta Acosta
Paranormal Romance - Oct. 5th, 2010
4 ½ stars

Haunted Honeymoon is the 4th book in the highly popular Milagro vampire series. This book can easily be read by itself. Fun and outrageous this story will make you laugh out loud. In Haunted Honeymoon, we are treated to the fabulous loves and losses of the saucy and sassy heroine, Milagro.

In this story Milagro questions her relationship with the powerful Vampire Council member Ian Ducharme. Ian aggressively pursued her and although she had been engaged to another vampire named Oswald, she was unable to resist Ian's allure and broke their engagement. But Ian has a darker side and Milagro wonders what her life would have been like it if she had stayed and married her steady and handsome ex-fiancée instead. Oswald epitomizes everything Milagro could imagine wanting in a husband and she begins to feel regret that she threw it all away. Especially as Ian's amoral and ruthless character seems to surface more and more. Milagro is also troubled because Ian has never confessed his love for her. Is he capable of love and does she want to stay as merely 'the mistress?' When Milagro finds Ian with another woman and asks her to join them Milagro decides enough is enough. She leaves and spends time with another vampire named Wilcox who is fun and irreverent. He makes her feel alive; like the person she used to be before she got caught up with Ian. Milagro realizes her time with Will is merely a fling but before she can decide what she wants to do with her life things go horribly wrong. Milagro is tortured by a madman, finds Will murdered at her place and is then accused of his murder! She decides to hide out at Oswald's farm (if he will let her) but the stress and a knock on her head results in amnesia. Now Milagro has lost the past 2 years of her life. She no longer remembers Oswald and their attraction stirs up again. Is this a second chance at love or will Ian come back and complicate her life yet again? Milagro must learn what her heart really desires.

Fast-paced, cheeky, and fun! Milagro is impetuous and full of life. In this story Milagro finally finds the love of her life and makes me question if this is the author’s final book on her adventures. Milagro's life is never dull even when she is trying to be boring and responsible, something wild and crazy still happens. I think what sets this book apart from the previous books in the series is its more serious. While Milagro has amnesia they hire a psychiatrist to help her regain her memories and Milagro must make sense of her past and future to decide what she really wants in life. Milagro herself still has the same charm and doesn’t take herself too seriously and it interesting to see how the past has affected her flighty personality and what has influenced her decisions in life.

This book was saucy and irreverent but also surprisingly thoughtful and heartfelt as Milagro must face her past and mature to move forward. She is placed in enviable circumstances and must choose which path is right for her. Haunted Honeymoon is a fitting and satisfying end (?!) to the escapades of the incorrigible Milagro.

Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club ( )

Haunted Honeymoon ends the Casa Dracula series perfectly. Milagro is finally right where she belongs. Everything about this book is spot on. And fans will rejoice when both Oswald and Ian's true inner selves are revealed.

Silly wacky Milagro has adventures galore, often finding herself somewhere instead of making things happen. This becomes obvious once she really finds that she has no control. In the end, she takes charge of her life and is finally, completely happy.

There are lots of unforeseen twists along the way, including a fun-filled jaunt to London. As mentioned in the synopsis, Milagro deals with a bout of amnesia. Instead of being annoying as most instances of this particular plot twist are, the amnesia is a pivotal, revealing, laugh out loud escapade that makes the book all that more perfect. By far, the very best book in the series. ( )

Milagro's life has had some crazy ups and downs ever since meeting Oswald Grant and Ian Ducharme. Some might say she's a magnet for trouble.

The last time that trouble was calling her name, Milagro was about to marry Oswald. Everything bad that could of happened, did happen. Poor Milagro! She ends up losing Oswald, who she still loves. Even though she is with Ian now, she just wishes for a do over - to do things differently. Be careful what you wish for Milagro cause you just might get it...

Where do I even start! I could go on at length - but that would involve so many spoilers, and I don't want to do that. First off I just straight up loved this story. A Casa Dracula story never disappoints there is always something excited or shocking going on. Haunted Honeymoon is an action packed romp, full of hilarious moments. I had a hard time putting it down, was very eager to see how things would play out. A must read!

This is the last book in the Casa Dracula series. I love all these characters, its so fun visiting their world. They definitely will be missed. Milagro is a fabulous character. She's smart and laugh out loud funny. There are times you'd like to shake her, cause she doesn't always do the sane thing -- but in the end it's hard not falling in love with her. The ending was a bit surprising, but I think it's the perfect HEA for Milagro. ( )