A Review of Friday Night Bites by Chloe Neill

Five Fangs for Friday Night Bites by Chloe Neill

Chloe Neill rocks the written word.

Friday Night Bites is the fang-tastic second book in the Chicagoland Vampires Novels and it is as good if not better than the first, Some Girls Bite.

This book is full of action, intrigue, what the hell is going on mystery, and most importantly interaction between Merit and uber yummy Morgan and between Merit and the often cold yet oh so beautiful Ethan.

Who to root for? Who to choose? What a tough decision. While Morgan would possibly be my first choice, he isn't Merit's and possibly for good reason. She wants to want him but can't quite seem to get there. And maybe that's a good thing because even though I kinda root for the darkly sexy Morgan, he's connected to Celina who seems to have it in for Merit. Who knows if Morgan's intentions are truly pure. With vampires you never know.

And Ethan, well he makes it difficult to root for him, but hey we all know cold and icy is usually a cover up for all warm and mushy cream puff underneath, as in we have a guy...vampire, who is afraid of getting too close and getting hurt so he keeps everything and everyone..including the one he so desires...i.e. Merit, at arm's length so he doesn't get hurt. Still, it is so hard to root for him.

Anyway in Friday Night Bites we get to see where Merit comes from and why she was glad to get away from it as Ethan convinces her to go home for political vampire maneuverings so Ethan can get close to Merit's father's connections...and find out why her old flame, Nick, seems to have it in for the vampires.

(Still no clue as to what Merit's real first name is. I was sure something would creep out being with her family. Did I miss it somewhere, or is it still the big secret whatever Merit's first name really is?)

Anyway, this story gets more complicated as it goes with plot on top of subplot on top of deep world layering. Love it. Complicated. Lot's of questions pop up that make you want more of these books...now.

Like why is the mayor infatuated with Merit? How could Merit have missed some interesting things about her childhood boyfriend and his family? Does her father know about these interesting things about his best friend and his friend's family? What's up with the weird and secretive messages Merit keeps receiving? Why is Merit so different from the other vampires and exactly how different is she? And at the end what's up with the weird familiarity the shapeshifter king has with Merit? Almost family? Hmmm...

Questions, questions and more questions without answers...in this book. Got to love uber cliffhangers. I just wish I had the next book now.

Chloe Neill sure can pen a wicked awesome urban fantasy. The Chicagoland Vampires series is now at the top of my must read, must have list.

Friday Night Bites Release Celebration with Chloe Neill

To celebrate the release of Friday Night Bites, the second book in the Chicagoland Vampires series, author Chloe Neill is back at Fang-tastic Books and we are so thrilled she's here! Today she discusses creating an office fit for a vampire.

Thanks for joining us again, Chloe!

AN OFFICE FIT FOR A VAMPIRE

Every vampire writer and vampire reader deserves a fabulous place to do a little writing, or reading. I've had fun putting together my first office, and I thought I'd share some tips and tricks to make your reading/writing space a little more fang-friendly. :)

1. GIVE YOURSELF SPACE

Check out your house, room or apartment. Is there a space you could take over and make your own reading/writing niche? A closet you could convert? An awkward corner that you can turn into an rainy-day reading nook?

If you're looking for inspiration, check out design blogs or craft sites (or my own visual inspiration site, the sadly out of date Write What You See to where other creative types work their magic.

2. OFFICE BASICS

Once you've figured out how much space you have, think about what you need to fill it. Comfy chair? Desk for your laptop? Side Table? If you're looking for something fabulous to sit on, you can't beat Pottery Barn or Crate + Barrel for fabulous housewares.

But putting together a great reading/writing space doesn't require big spending. You can check out stores like TJ Maxx or Marshall's for discounts.

You can also go green, and recycle a piece that needs love. Check out your local thrift store, flea market or weekend garage sale for pieces that you can fix up.

When you're ready to make the redesigning plunge, checked out Design*Sponge for great Before & After ideas. Specifically, if you've got a grungy chair that you think is completely hopeless, check out this gorgeous transformation.

3. UP THE SPOOK FACTOR

October is a fabulous time to buy fun spooky- and Halloween-themed supplies, especially since Halloween decor has become increasingly glittered and sequined over the last few years. You can start with a vase of black roses from Target's glam-horror line or Z Gallerie which loves the black glitter.

You can goth-glam up your office, or start a collection of bats and fanged toys to fill out your office/reading nook.

4. PERSONALIZE YOUR SUPPLIES

Now that you have a fun place to work, find some fun things to work with.

PENCILS: Order a set of personalized pencils with your name, web site, or motto to create a your own Pencil Posy

NOTE PADS: You can order personalized Post-Its or personalized 3 x 5 cards to take notes or sketch out ideas.

LABELS: Use labels or favor boxes to create an organizational system for your office supplies or buy personalized bookplates to organize your library.

I hope you find these ideas inspiring, so that you can create your own special reading or writing space.

OK before I go here's a contest for you.

Up for grabs is a Cadogan House Gift Pack, a signed copy of Friday Night Bites and an enamel bangle bracelet that says "I Kissed a Vampire and I liked it!"

Just leave a comment on this post, be sure to include your email address. US shipping only.

So, thanks for dropping by Fang-Tastic Books today, and thanks to Fang-Tastic Books for hosting me!

That's all for me today.

Chloe