Last Vampire Standing by Nancy Haddock
PRAISE FOR
LA VIDA VAMPIRE
“After reading Nancy Haddock’s debut, I want to live La Vida Vampire. A quirky and fun read.”—Erin McCarthy
“Nancy Haddock had me hooked from page one with La Vida Vampire. The wonderfully charming heroine, sexy-as-sin hero, and fabulously engaging mystery kept me turning pages into the wee hours of the morning!”—Julie Kenner
“A sultry setting, a clever mystery, and strong, sparkling characters . . . Nancy Haddock delivers everything it takes to make a fan out of me!”—Jane Graves
“La Vida Vampire is fun, fun, fun! Nancy Haddock’s fresh and sassy new voice enlivens a well-known genre, and her heroine is
one of the most entertaining in years. Readers will enjoy the snappy dialogue, the irreverent tone, the fabulous setting, and the fascinating world. Wonderful!”—Kathleen Givens
“Vampires, shape-shifters, and wizards . . . oh my! La Vida Vampire has it all. A clever mystery, an engaging, undead heroine, and a make-your-fangs-drool vampire hunter.”
—Lynn Michaels,
author of Nightwing
“Get a new lease on afterlife with La Vida Vampire, a fresh and original paranormal mystery, steamed up with a touch of romance. Nancy Haddock’s debut is devilishly delightful!”
—Catherine Spangler,
national bestselling author of Touched by Fire “I loved La Vida Vampire! Nancy Haddock has written a delightful blend of mystery and humor with a touch of romance. She’s done for vampires what Evanovich has done for bounty hunters: made them irresistible, entertaining, and unforgettable. Haddock has moved to the top of my must-read list.”
—Lorraine Heath
“I loved it. Distinctive, amusing characters and a brilliant mystery make this one exciting ride. Vampires, ghosts, and shape-shifters all wrapped up in one fun, sexy story. I can’t wait for more! This is one vampire chick I’d love to hang out with.”
—Candace Havens
“[A] terrific tale . . . You’ll want to be there for the sequel!”
— Romantic Times
“Bright, charming, imaginative, romantic, sexy, and suspense ful.”—Joyce McLaughlin
“One bite of this sassy story and you will be hooked!”
— Romance Junkies
“Funny, witty, and absolutely intriguing. I’m looking forward to reading more from this new author. A great debut!”
— Fresh Fiction
“This funny, clever novel is sure to hook readers and leave them wanting more.”— Romance Reviews Today 001
This one is for the Haddock,
Thompson, and Fossett clans.
You not only welcomed me into the family, you always asked me
how the writing was going.
Thank you for believing!
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
A kiddie television program of old invited the little studio guests to greet family and friends at the end of the show. I laughed when the children said, “I want to say hi to everyone I know.” Now I get it.
In addition to thanking everyone I know, I specifically extend these credits, kudos, and hugs. For answering my questions: John Galletta, Jr., Esq.; Sgt. Chuck Mulligan, St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office; Investigator/ PIO
Jimmie Flynt, Daytona Beach Police Department; Lt. Lawrence Morgan and Steve Williams, Daytona Beach Fire Department; Mark Wolcott, Volusia County Fire Department; and Tom Donovan, Agricultural Extension Agent, and Tom Tibbitts, Zoning, both of St. Johns County. Any errors are mine.
For the caffeine and laughter, love and support: the partners of Starbucks 8484, my incredible neighbors, my dear chapter-mates, and my treasured friends.
For the feedback, from flattering to insightful: readers!
For being a joy to know and work with: Leis Pederson, my editor; Roberta Brown, my agent; and the entire Berkley Publishing
Group family.
Finally, a dancin’-on-the-beach thanks to Lynne, Julie, Jan, Sherry, and Tommy—good friends, great critique buddies, and bright lights in my life!
ONE
002
The villagers marched on Maggie O’Halloran’s house, but not at dawn while bearing torches to set us ablaze. Good thing. August in Florida is plenty hot enough.
Nope, this time they came at happy hour, neighbors and friends bearing potato salad, coleslaw, and grits. Yes, grits. We do live in the South, and this was a housewarming party. A come-one, come-all, fuzzy-feel-good housewarming. Well, for everyone except Hugh and Selma Lister next door. Oh, they’d been invited, but didn’t have the courtesy to send their regrets. Not surprising. The only thing they regretted was that we’d moved in, which they made clear at every opportunity. Right now I heard them talking outside, just over the fragrant jasmine hedge separating our properties.
“Goddamn new people,” Hugh growled. “It’s almost nine o’clock. How long is this son of a bitchin’ party gonna last?”
“Bless his holy name,” Selma said, her tone long-suffering.