Reviewer: Janet Davies
Title: Not Quite Dead
Author: Sela Carsen
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
ISBN: 1-59998-184-X (Novella)
Release Date: August 2006
Genre/Sub-genre: Paranormal Romance/Vampires and more
Year/Setting: Present Day – Robichaud, Louisiana
Overall Rating: 4.5
Sexual Content Rating: Sensual
Language (Profanity) Rating: None
Violent Content Rating: Minimal
Sela's Website: www.selacarsen.com
When Sabine Harper stands in the local cemetery one night, watching her 19 year old wannabe witch cousin and her friends trying to summon the dead, she is amused and concerned that she could be related to someone so dumb. When Lily actually does summon the dead, amusement turns to shock and fear as they are confronted by a vampire and a zombie. It's enough to make any girl run. Especially when the walking dead are staring at you with an eerie look of recognition.
Despite Sabine escaping to the safety of her home, fate has other plans for her. In fact fate or the actual Fates of myth and legend have sent Willem Breaux back to seek vengeance on the people who ended his life so prematurely. And it just so happens that Sabine not only lives in his old house but she bares an uncanny resemblance to Rose, the woman Willem once loved. Willem died in 1882, along with Rose and Richard St Ivarie, Vampire, and the man who Willem believes betrayed him.
Sabine, once over all initial shock, is sympathetic, intrigued and strangely attracted to the not quite dead Willem. He is eerily flesh and blood and her hormones are racing. But is it weird to be attracted to someone who is technically dead? But then does she care what others think? Should she go with her heart or head?
Not Quite Dead is an amusing and quirky read. I liked the character of Sabine. She acts exactly like any smart, modern woman would do when confronted by pleasant enough, thinking, feeling people who are actually dead. She is cool, calm and cooking muffins. I’d like to think I could be that cool, but for the cooking thing.Willem, the not quite dead person of the title, is someone you can easily feel compassion for. Here he is seeking vengeance, knowing his time is limited, yet he is falling in love with someone who can never be his. That edge of desperation keeps the plot ticking along. I also liked that the motivations of Richard, the Vampire, are not immediately obvious to the reader.
As a book, it’s all happening in Not Quite Dead. There are dead people who are brought back to seek vengeance, have questions answered, whilst chasing vampires and finding romance on the side. How dead is dead? Is there the possibility of a reprieve? I momentarily questioned the whole sanity of a romance between Sabine and Willem. But then I thought, when has love ever made sense? It just happens and you have to go with it. And, I had to admit I wanted the strangely matched pair to be together. And like all good love stories nothing is easy. Anyway, what is weird anymore? When you read the book, you’ll understand what I mean.
If you want a book that makes you smile, believe in the possibilities of love or think why not – then you will enjoy reading this book.
Janet
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