Haddock writes with a talented hand, her style easy to follow and lose yourself in. The series lets off some of its steam in the third, and final, installment. The villain is a big-baddie and the ending showdown takes an entire book to prepare for...yet there's just not enough angst going on in Cesca's life to keep other areas as interesting. I missed the quirkiness and devout humor of the previous books. Here she's serious, a little moodier (guessing stress of this kind will do that to ya!), but it's too peachy keen between her and everyone else to keep things as fresh. There's still a few chuckling areas, but they sadly don't match the tone of the previous two. Still, it's a good ending to the series, everything is resolved well, there's a few new characters who provide ample charm, and the ending is deliciously happily ever after. ( )

Strong finish, interesting developments. Still don't know why she is different from other vampires. ( )

Reviewed by Stephanie
Review copy provided by Berkley
Though Always the Vampire is book three of the Oldest City Vampire series, it makes for a pretty entertaining stand-alone novel that both douses in the contemporary romance and urban fantasy genres.

Though it's technically "paranormal romance", I can't get myself to call it that because the actual paranormal elements are extremely minor, if at all, important. Cesca Marinelli is pushing 228, but she does not display any vampirely characteristics. Passersby recognize her on the streets as the town vampire, which is both unrealistically casual and hard to believe. Haddock creates an urban fantasy world that's so modern and chic, but just difficult to relate to.

As a whole, this novel is satisfying, though I must say it's very anticlimactic. The rising action is all of titillating, but the story peaks at a disappointment. Also, the moment I finished it, I couldn't help but wonder, How is this even a vampire story? It just isn't "magical" enough -- or engrossing enough, for that matter -- for me to really consider it paranormal.

The characters, however, particularly the two male protagonists, Saber (Cesca's hunky boyfriend) and Triton (Cesca's hunky ex), make me weak in the knees. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥. Just yum. Saber and Cesca's undying (literally...) romance will sweep you off your feet.

Not anything marvelous overall, but it's a fair read for me. The "sexiness" of Cesca's humor and so-called wit (or lack thereof) falls flat, but the plot is suspenseful, and the characters determined, which should count for something.

Quote: "'In [Triton's] younger days, he was a bit of a player. Now? I don't think so, but he is a guy. Men can be too exasperating to be worth the trouble.'
'Or wonderful enough to wait a lifetime for,' Lia said from behind us.'" ( )

Always the Vampire is the third book in this series by Nancy Haddock. The first two are La Vida Vampire and Last Vampire Standing. I haven't read the first two books yet so I dove into this novel head first without the benefit of the background information you get when reading a series. I though that Nancy Haddock did a good job of giving you the twitter version of what had happened in the previous novels. I was glad she did that since I'm a newbie to her series. Cesca is a vampire. Not only a vampire but a vampire princess. She lives in Florida and is a ghost tour guide. Oh yeah, and she also doesn't like the taste of smell of blood. I thought that this element was very unusual. How can you be a vampire and not like blood? However instead of blood, Cesca drinks a synthetic substance called Starbloods. Despite her revulsion to blood, Cesca has many other vamp like qualities but she still hasn't come into her full powers yet. Cesca struggles with everyday life as well as some supernatural obstacles. There a a sort of disease going around and effecting the local vampires called the Void. It's a mysterious substance they call the void. Cesca has to find a way to stop it and be a maid of honor at her best friends wedding. I though the story line was good. I mentioned before that I haven't read the first two novels, so I didn't have all the back story leading up to this one. I was able to follow the story line without getting lost or confused. Cesca is a spunky character. She's got fight and attitude and humor in her. She works together with her hottie boyfriend, Saber to try to solve the mystery of the Void. He's got a unique genetic makeup. He also works for the VPA (Vampire Protection Agency), has a serious attitude and is also infected with the Void. Cesca would do anything to save him, including working with Triton, her lost love who is also infected with the Void. I liked the characters in this novel. There are many unique and interesting characters that made me laugh. Cesca is a fantastic Maid of Honor that I think most women would love to have.
Overall I though this book was good. I'm going to go back and read the first two books though. I think it would make the story more enjoyable for me. However I think you could read this book without reading the previous books too. Like I said before Nancy Haddock gives you a short synopsis of what went down in the first two novels. This is a fun read and it left off with a bit of a cliff hanger. ( )