Tom Hanna's Lifestream

Succubus Blues is Richelle Mead's debut novel and the first in her Georgina Kincaid series. The novels center around a neurotic, conflicted, possibly even moral succubus living in Seattle, Georgina Kincaid. From the cover to the storyline to Miss Kincaid's job, at a bookstore, Mead writes a story in the tradition of the best rock and roll songs - the best rock songs are about being a rock star; this book is about being a book freak. (I think it should be obvious that I mean that in the nicest possible way, being a book freak myself. The politically correct term is bibliophile, but I hate political correctness almost as much as I hate pretentious words. Ironic.) Anyway... Georgina works as an assistant manager in a bookstore and has a long running obsession with writer Seth Mortensen. When circumstances conspire to bring Seth not only to Seattle but to her bookstore, then back to the coffeeshop in her bookstore every day to do his writing, Georgina spares no time falling in love, even if she doesn't realize it. Of course, it almost goes without saying that Seth stands no chance against her supernatural charms. But I'll say it anyway. Seth stands no chance against her supernatural charms. Of course, with looks like those the hot redhead has plenty of other suitors waiting in the wings...and maybe even a few who have wings. (Oh, that brings me back to the whole rock song formula thing. Take a look at the picture of Richelle Mead on her blog, Even Redheads Get the Blues, by the way. Then take a look at Georgina on the cover (illustration by Chad Michael Ward):

Now, if you're expecting lots of sex, I'd suggest an Anne Rice novel instead. There is one very graphic scene, in Chapter 24 of this 26 Chapter novel and everything else is mostly innuendo.
The only problem I had at all was that the big «Aha!» moment came to early. There was a dead giveaway about 2/3 of the way through the book, which left the last third as wrap-up (including the sex scene). Though there were some red herrings and a couple of surprises past the point, the main «whodunit» mystery was gone. On the other hand, it was a coherent, well crafted story where it wasn't necessary to explain away inconsistencies, which is why it clicked so early. The one seeming inconsistency was well explained and did provide a minor «Aha!» and a bit of delicious, even if not served cold, vengeance for the reader to share. I'm looking forward to the next in the series, due out in December, Succubus On Top and am even ordering her Young Adult offering published in August, Vampire Academy. I'll be reading more by this new author. a Richelle Mead: Succubus Blues