162nd out of 371 books
—
641 voters
Happy Hour at Casa Dracula (Casa Dracula #1)
by
Marta Acosta (Goodreads Author)
Latina Ivy League grad Milagro de Los Santos can't find her place in the world or a man to go with it. Then one night, at a book party for her pretentious ex-boyfriend, she meets an oddly attractive man. After she is bitten while kissing him, she falls ill and is squirreled away to his family's estate to recover. Vampires don't exist in this day and age -- or do they? As M...more
Paperback, 320 pages
Published
July 4th 2006
by Gallery Books
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Books with Hispanic/Latino characters (Young Adult/Teen, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Contemporary, Romance)
24th out of 104 books
—
260 voters
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2,680)
Oct 19, 2009
Blodeuedd Finland
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
paranormal-romance
This was a fun book, it was like paranormal chic-lit in a way. Just because the funny way it was written and it didn't take everything so serious and tried to explain that it's so real.A reason why I ended up choosing this cover for my review cos it more says fun than the other one that says paranormal.
I do expect a smile on my face when the main character is a graduate from F.U. Lol, yes. It might not have been laughing out loud. But it was a sweet book that made you smile and a giggle here and...more
I do expect a smile on my face when the main character is a graduate from F.U. Lol, yes. It might not have been laughing out loud. But it was a sweet book that made you smile and a giggle here and...more
Man... let me tell you! this book had me laughing the whole way thru! But be aware, because this is very cynic/sarcastic kind of humor..so it might not be everyone`s cup of tea.
The story itself is quite creative. it has the vampire theme in it, but it cleverly throws the cliches out the window!
Surprisingly enough this book manages to deliver an underlined msg throughout its hilarious plot. This a story of misfits.. from the paranormal stand pt, to a reality of differences in cultures. Milagro fe...more
The story itself is quite creative. it has the vampire theme in it, but it cleverly throws the cliches out the window!
Surprisingly enough this book manages to deliver an underlined msg throughout its hilarious plot. This a story of misfits.. from the paranormal stand pt, to a reality of differences in cultures. Milagro fe...more
I am sooo glad i read this one!
.
CASA DRACULA IS AN ABSOLUTELY UNIQUE, UNPREDICTEABLE and HILA-SUPER-RIOUS read!
Casa Dracula is not your ussual vampire story. Hell, i dont even think it's a vampire story. It is the most realistic version of vampires there is!
They do NOT have fangs

It takes just small exchange of blood to become one or as they say 'acquire the disease'.
And yes, its more like a disease. Our heroine got infected, and she began having these symptoms;...more
Casa Dracula is not your ussual vampire story. Hell, i dont even think it's a vampire story. It is the most realistic version of vampires there is!
They do NOT have fangs
Thats right! No fangs folks!

It takes just small exchange of blood to become one or as they say 'acquire the disease'.
And yes, its more like a disease. Our heroine got infected, and she began having these symptoms;...more
A thoroughly enjoyable chick-lit vampire story with a sharp, witty and voluptuous Latina for a heroine. A quick but juicy kiss with a handsome stranger ends suddenly as they trip and tumble to the floor, splitting their lips and inadvertently exchanging a few drops of blood. The handsome man turns out to be a respectable vampire and the heroine finds herself undergoing alarming physical changes.
She's whisked away to a vampire family hideout, partly to provide a supportive environment for her tr...more
She's whisked away to a vampire family hideout, partly to provide a supportive environment for her tr...more
This was a fast and funny read. Published in 2006, it's the first in a series, and I can't believe it's taken me this long to read my first Marta Acosta book. Written in a chatty, witty, first-person narrative, Happy Hour at Casa Dracula is a refreshingly different take on vampires. In this book the main vampire characters consider themselves to be afflicted with a rare genetic disorder, and while they do not consider themselves to be vampires, they do enjoy drinking carefully harvested animal b...more
The first 50 pages of HAPPY HOUR AT CASA DRACULA were fantastic, wonderful, off-the-charts. Full of witty little literary references, really funny, featuring a smart Latina heroine - Miraglo de los Santos - who leads a charmingly ramshackle life while she tries to find some direction for herself now that college is over. I read the first few chapters and thought, "Wow! I am so sorry I didn't pick this book up the second it was released!"
And then...well, and then. A series of twists and turns de...more
And then...well, and then. A series of twists and turns de...more
Feb 11, 2011
Jess Haines
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Fans of light/funny urban fantasy such as Mary Janice Davidson
Recommended to Jess by:
Marta Acosta
Shelves:
paranormal-romance
Oh, Marta, where have you been all my life?!
This book was fabulous. Absolutely fabulous. I have been following Marta Acosta’s blog for quite a while, but for some reason kept putting off buying her books. Let me be the first to say, “Bad Jess! BAD! No cookies for you!”
Well, I have seen the error of my ways. HAPPY HOUR AT CASA DRACULA was light, funny, and fabulous. Marta has given a fresh take on the vampire trope (but don’t call them vampires, they hate that) which had me at turns giggling and...more
This book was fabulous. Absolutely fabulous. I have been following Marta Acosta’s blog for quite a while, but for some reason kept putting off buying her books. Let me be the first to say, “Bad Jess! BAD! No cookies for you!”
Well, I have seen the error of my ways. HAPPY HOUR AT CASA DRACULA was light, funny, and fabulous. Marta has given a fresh take on the vampire trope (but don’t call them vampires, they hate that) which had me at turns giggling and...more
‘Happy Hour at Casa Dracula’ is the first book in Marta Acosta’s ‘Casa Dracula’ series... and it is fabulous!
Milagro is a writer down on her luck. Nothing has really gone Milagro ‘Mil’s’ way since becoming a graduate literati from F.U. university. And to highlight Mil’s string of failed jobs and failed boyfriends is her ex, Sebastian Beckett-Witherspoon. The man she loved and who abandoned her is launching his first novel and Mil has to endure his dazzling success and well-aged looks with head h...more
Milagro is a writer down on her luck. Nothing has really gone Milagro ‘Mil’s’ way since becoming a graduate literati from F.U. university. And to highlight Mil’s string of failed jobs and failed boyfriends is her ex, Sebastian Beckett-Witherspoon. The man she loved and who abandoned her is launching his first novel and Mil has to endure his dazzling success and well-aged looks with head h...more
In a Sentence
Happy Hour at Casa Dracula is a fun and witty mix of comedy and romance.
I came across a copy of Happy Hour at Casa Dracula when I won a contest at the author's blog, Vampire Wire (which you should DEFINITELY check out if you haven't already). Marta Acosta kindly offered to send me a copy of her first book for review along with the contest prize.
The description of Happy Hour at Casa Dracula sounded interesting, but I have to admit: I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did. I gues...more
Happy Hour at Casa Dracula is a fun and witty mix of comedy and romance.
I came across a copy of Happy Hour at Casa Dracula when I won a contest at the author's blog, Vampire Wire (which you should DEFINITELY check out if you haven't already). Marta Acosta kindly offered to send me a copy of her first book for review along with the contest prize.
The description of Happy Hour at Casa Dracula sounded interesting, but I have to admit: I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did. I gues...more
The book is written by a San Francisco local, Marta Acosta, who also contributes to the San Francisco Chronicle and The Contra Costa Times. She's also Latina, which coincidentally is her main character!
You already know the story: A girl is invited to a book party when she meets her ex, Sebastian. She is led to a hotel room by one Oswald who accidentally infects her with a virus. A virus that leads the victim to desire blood, have very allergic reactions to the sun, and long-lived. Although "long...more
You already know the story: A girl is invited to a book party when she meets her ex, Sebastian. She is led to a hotel room by one Oswald who accidentally infects her with a virus. A virus that leads the victim to desire blood, have very allergic reactions to the sun, and long-lived. Although "long...more
Feb 24, 2010
Jennifer Rayment
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Lovers of fun chick lit paranormal literature
Recommended to Jennifer by:
Vampire Wire
Shelves:
want-to-buy
Wonderfully charming and decidedly original take on the Vampire genre. I don't want to spoil anything so I won't go into details, but I really thought the explanation for vapirism and how they live was very unique.
Outrageously Snappy, witty dialogue. Here are just some of my favorites:
"The road to hell is paved with fabulous men"
"When she bothered to look at me, an expression of dismay almost came over her immaculately made-up face. "Almost", because medical procedures rendered her incapable of...more
Outrageously Snappy, witty dialogue. Here are just some of my favorites:
"The road to hell is paved with fabulous men"
"When she bothered to look at me, an expression of dismay almost came over her immaculately made-up face. "Almost", because medical procedures rendered her incapable of...more
This was an absolute delight. A very easy read, light-weight, but definitely not frivolous. There were layers of depth, to the story and to the characters, all wrapped up in an appealing, funny narrative. I fell in love with the book from page one and spent most of it in fits of laughter, unable to stop reading until the end.
I've read a few chick-lit style reads before and they all seemed to be very light on plot. Funny, enjoyable, but not something you'd ever take too seriously. I found myself,...more
I've read a few chick-lit style reads before and they all seemed to be very light on plot. Funny, enjoyable, but not something you'd ever take too seriously. I found myself,...more
Not your usual vampire tale. This one is witty and funny, with a heroine you can't help but love.
I enjoyed this author's style, and the story had a different slant from the usual dark gothic vampire books. A nice little break from serious reading. I look forward to reading the next installment of hip, sexy, and oh so vulnerable Milagro's adventures with the 'family'.
I enjoyed this author's style, and the story had a different slant from the usual dark gothic vampire books. A nice little break from serious reading. I look forward to reading the next installment of hip, sexy, and oh so vulnerable Milagro's adventures with the 'family'.
This is the first in a series, and while i'm giving a 3 stars liked it, i would not read any more from the series, because it was pretty ridiculous. I read it fairly fast because i was having IT issues at work and needed to hang on the line but not do anything for the better part of two days...so i read. i found out one of my bosses read this same book and thought it was cute but nothing special. the main character became a vampire by accident when she was in her 60s, already widowed and her dau...more
Never made it very far in this one, not interesting, just not for me. I did love one of the main characters jobs. She read books for people, as in their monthly book club. She would read it and then tell people what to say when they met. Where can I find a job like that and people that are so self absorbed to pay me for it????
I got annoyed at this book. I considered myself an intelligent woman until I picked up this book. Do not read this book without quick and easy access to a dictionary and Google. I had to consult Google & a dictionary at least a hundred times while reading this book. I felt like an uneducated country buffoon who did not even make it past Jr. High. The author even takes time to mention a drink that Google does not even know about. I believe the words used in the book were supposed to make our...more
Okay, the first chapter or two was a lot of yapping, but once you got past that part...all the excitement finally begins. Definitely a funny book, with just enough spice to keep it hot. Milagro and her love triangle...or is quad-angle?...keeps us entertain and lusting for more, while she tries to adapt to her new way of life. This is more a romance/drama type book...you can tell from the cover that it's not a serious, hardcore, action book.
Acosta gives us a different take of vampirism in her boo...more
Acosta gives us a different take of vampirism in her boo...more
The narrator is a voluptuous and spunky Latina whose sense of humor is fun and flirty without being foul. And despite her being so different from me, I really enjoyed being inside her head -- a rarity among first-person narratives.
I *love* this kind of humor. I laughed out loud frequently, and I caught myself smiling at least once per page. The whole series is worth reading. Completed at just 4 books, I appreciate that the author didn't fall into the trap of other successful series -- either bei...more
I *love* this kind of humor. I laughed out loud frequently, and I caught myself smiling at least once per page. The whole series is worth reading. Completed at just 4 books, I appreciate that the author didn't fall into the trap of other successful series -- either bei...more
WARNING: VAGUE SPOILERS.
Here's the thing: I read the third book in this series first, not knowing it was part of a series. It was good enough that I immediately got the first and second books in the series. But while this book -- the first -- was just as witty as the third, a lot of the allure disappeared in knowing that everything that's leading towards a happy ending here becomes totally ruined by the end of the third book. And because I really like all these characters, I found that this book...more
Here's the thing: I read the third book in this series first, not knowing it was part of a series. It was good enough that I immediately got the first and second books in the series. But while this book -- the first -- was just as witty as the third, a lot of the allure disappeared in knowing that everything that's leading towards a happy ending here becomes totally ruined by the end of the third book. And because I really like all these characters, I found that this book...more
Originally posted at http://thespinecracker.blogspot.com/
I don't use the word "snark" or it's colorful cousin "snarky" often, but I'm breaking that fast right now. Milagro is the definition of "snark". Open up your Webster and you'll find a curvy latino woman staring back at you by its description. Snark is not about being a smart alick, it's about always being on, about always having an answer. And that can only come from someone with a multi-faceted background and education...hense why I am no...more
I don't use the word "snark" or it's colorful cousin "snarky" often, but I'm breaking that fast right now. Milagro is the definition of "snark". Open up your Webster and you'll find a curvy latino woman staring back at you by its description. Snark is not about being a smart alick, it's about always being on, about always having an answer. And that can only come from someone with a multi-faceted background and education...hense why I am no...more
Milagro impulsively kisses a handsome stranger. During the embrace his lip gets cut and she accidentally ingests some of his blood. Oswald, our handsome stranger, is NOT a vampire, but he does have a rare genetic disorder that makes him crave blood and causes a photo sensitivity, which sounds suspiciously like vampirism.
What follows is a hilarious comedy of errors and a look into a fascinating world where not-vampires exist and are being hunted by corporate baddies. Marta Acosta has written a sp...more
What follows is a hilarious comedy of errors and a look into a fascinating world where not-vampires exist and are being hunted by corporate baddies. Marta Acosta has written a sp...more
To be honest: I was disappointed by this book.
Maybe my expectations were too high as lots of people told me it was both funny and fun, but I found it entertaining at best. The romance storyline didn't work for me: I really couldn't understand the attraction between Milagro and Oswald at all. The rest of the story was entertaining enough to finish the book, but didn't have me cheering Milagro on to see her succeed. I felt myself shaking my head over her actions in annoyance instead. The best par...more
Maybe my expectations were too high as lots of people told me it was both funny and fun, but I found it entertaining at best. The romance storyline didn't work for me: I really couldn't understand the attraction between Milagro and Oswald at all. The rest of the story was entertaining enough to finish the book, but didn't have me cheering Milagro on to see her succeed. I felt myself shaking my head over her actions in annoyance instead. The best par...more
Thoroughly enjoyable. In this witty novel, Acosta creates a wonderful heroine in Milagro de los Santos. Mil, as she is known to friends, wants what every girl wants: to be taken seriously as a writer, live in rat-free apartment, and maybe find a fabulous guy she can get serious with. That guy is definitely not her ex, Sebastian, the hot writer du jour (del dia?) who is sitting on top of a pile of dark secrets. Along comes Oswald, who may be a vampire, and whose secrets may or may not be of the d...more
It is hilarious. I like the way it mixes really strong social criticism with silly humor. The fact that the main character is always on the verge, questioning what is "proper", palying with her sexuality and making us wonder how much is female body, how much is ethnicity and how much is her attitude in the way others perceive her. OK, I'm not making much sense, I need to think more about it, but there is something really interesting going on. Of course, as usual, the mother figure is very negati...more
I had read this book when it first came out but recently won a signed copy and re-read it. I am so glad I did, I thoughly enjoyed the book. Milagro de los Santos is a well rounded character who I could easily see myself being friends with. The book made me laugh out loud several times gaining me some pretty funny looks from my family! You can just feel the chemistry between Milagro and Oswald and are thirsty for more! I know I am and I can't wait to read book 2 which is Midnight Brunch at Casa D...more
The first half of this story reads like great chick-lit. The main character, Milagro, has a wonderful sarcastic wit. It's been done before but it's still pretty entertaining. By the half-way mark the story has become a bit clichéd and predictable but it's easy to forgive that because you like Milagro so much. I should add that I wasn't crazy about her love interest, Oswald. He just seemed to let things happen to him. I suppose I prefer a more take charge kind of vampire. Nonetheless, it was a fu...more
Feb 25, 2012
Joelle
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
2012-shelf,
adult,
ghosts,
paranormal,
paranormal-romance,
romance,
sensual,
series,
sexy,
serie,
supernatural,
suspense,
spy-thriller,
vampire,
vampires,
vampires-paranormal
Happy Hour at Casa Dracula (Casa Dracula #1)
by Marta Acosta
5 out of 5 stars
http://angelswithattitudebookreviews-...
Latina Ivy League grad Milagro de Los Santos can't find her place in the world or a man to go with it. Then one night, at a book party for her pretentious ex-boyfriend, she meets an oddly attractive man. After she is bitten while kissing him, she falls ill and is squirreled away to his family's estate to recover. Vampires don't exist in this day and age -- or do they? As Milagro f...more
by Marta Acosta
5 out of 5 stars
http://angelswithattitudebookreviews-...
Latina Ivy League grad Milagro de Los Santos can't find her place in the world or a man to go with it. Then one night, at a book party for her pretentious ex-boyfriend, she meets an oddly attractive man. After she is bitten while kissing him, she falls ill and is squirreled away to his family's estate to recover. Vampires don't exist in this day and age -- or do they? As Milagro f...more
(originally reviewed on starmetal oak book blog)
For Valentine's Day I thought it would be appropriate to read and review a romance book, and after seeing the good reviews Happy Hour at Casa Dracula has gotten from places like Dreams and Speculation and Dirty Sexy Books, I thought it would be a perfect pick.
There are many things I appreciate about this novel. Normally I don't like these flirty, light romantic reads because the contents usually don't appeal to me (characters, plots). However, I r...more
For Valentine's Day I thought it would be appropriate to read and review a romance book, and after seeing the good reviews Happy Hour at Casa Dracula has gotten from places like Dreams and Speculation and Dirty Sexy Books, I thought it would be a perfect pick.
There are many things I appreciate about this novel. Normally I don't like these flirty, light romantic reads because the contents usually don't appeal to me (characters, plots). However, I r...more
I am so grateful to Blouedd for recommending this one in her year end post. This fell under the best damn vampire books category, and I had seen this series around before, but I had a gift card burning my wallet, took a chance and fell for Amazons 3 for 1 promotion on this book and am so glad I took a chance on it.
This is unlike any vampire book I've read lately.Happy Hour At Casa Dracula is hard to describe. I would say it's paranormal romance with a dash of chic lit. It was fun, lighthearted,...more
This is unlike any vampire book I've read lately.Happy Hour At Casa Dracula is hard to describe. I would say it's paranormal romance with a dash of chic lit. It was fun, lighthearted,...more
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Marta Acosta lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. She was a feral reader, roaming the stacks of the public library.
She received a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from Stanford University and has written for the San Francisco Chronicle, the Contra Costa Times, and Spaces Magazine.
Marta lives with her husband, spawn, and their crazy dogs. An avid gardener, she likes independent fil...more
More about Marta Acosta...
She received a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from Stanford University and has written for the San Francisco Chronicle, the Contra Costa Times, and Spaces Magazine.
Marta lives with her husband, spawn, and their crazy dogs. An avid gardener, she likes independent fil...more
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“Slim and neatly groomed, he looked like a really sexy mathematician unaware that he was a prime number. I wanted to unbutton his shirt, muss his hair, and exclaim, "Good heavens, Professor Dracula, you're stunning!”
—
9 people liked it
“He was muttering now and I could barely make out his words. "I'm going to die without ever feeling a woman's tits."
"Go ahead," I said. It was about time I used the power of my chichis for good and not for evil.”
—
8 people liked it
More quotes…
"Go ahead," I said. It was about time I used the power of my chichis for good and not for evil.”

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