Chapter 6
JULIET
At least I’m confident in my brownies. I have no idea how to host a book club, no idea if people will show up, no idea if anyone even read the book…
but I do know my brownies—the secret is almond butter—are ooey-gooey and killer.
I could have hit up Dorvak and Laney at the bakery and had something made, but I wanted to do things myself, at least this time.
If the club takes off the way I want it to, then sure, I’ll rely on the pros.
But tonight, I’m bringing in homemade brownies and a pitcher of lemonade I mixed myself.
Tonight we’re discussing Bite and Switch, the latest in a future-set series about a vampire police detective, by Bettanie Brisk.
The main character, Jalena, solves murders using her unique blood senses, and has an ongoing friends-with-benefits thing with a human.
It’s clear her sire wants her back, though, so I foresee a love triangle in Jalena’s future.
I begged Maggie to come tonight, and Ellie promised she’d attend. Jin said they’d try to stop by, but I’m not counting on it. Hopefully there will at least be three of us.
When I unlock the door, I’m thrilled to find ten people waiting.
As promised, Maggie and Ellie are there, alongside Vienne and Gillian.
Agnes is standing in the back, wearing her customary frown and a trucker cap, and next to her is Micah, another Moonbeam Books regular.
There are also four people I don’t recognize: two men and a woman who seem human and one who is definitely a monster, though a beautiful one that looks like a cross between a human woman and a white stoat.
“Welcome, everyone!” I greet, ushering them inside.
I’ve set up a table with the snacks next to the store’s seating area, and I invite everyone to grab a brownie and pick a chair.
As people are getting settled, I notice movement out of the corner of my eye.
It turns out to be Spenser, who has apparently come downstairs to observe.
Or maybe participate? Doubtful. I can’t really picture him reading these books.
Though they lean more mystery than romance, the blend is definitely there, and that just doesn’t seem in line with his taste.
Then again, I’m not sure what his taste really is, beyond The Ugly Duckling. I know he loves books, but I’ve never seen him reading, because we’re always on shift when we’re together. In fact, the only time I saw him with a book that wasn’t work related, he was eating it.
Well, now I have a new mission: find out what he likes to read in his free time.
I take my seat and get things going. “Hey, gang. For those who don’t know me, I’m Juliet.
I picked tonight’s book, so I hope you all liked it.
To get started, I was thinking we could all go around and introduce ourselves, and then state whether we enjoyed the book and why or why not.
” I turn to my cousin. “Maggie, would you get us started?”
“Sure. I’m Maggie Crawford, and I loved this book. But I knew I would. I’ve read the whole series, and I think the books are a perfect mix of fun and compelling without being too fluffy or intense. V?”
Vienne nods, her black waves shining under the fairy lights.
“I thought it was fine. I liked the sex scenes”—the succubus grins, showing a hint of fang—“but felt the mystery was a little flat and predictable. And I don’t know how realistic the protagonist is.
Anyone who knows Mari knows vampires don’t act like that. ”
“Maybe not,” Gillian interjects, “but there is something fascinating about a character who wants justice for a murder victim while fighting the urge to commit murder herself, when her survival could depend on it. Besides, vampires are as varied as any race. You can’t really compare a fictional character to Mari and expect them to be the same.
I’m Gillian, by the way,” she says to the group, giving a little wave.
“Although I think I already know most of you.”
“Let’s finish our introductions and then come back to this, okay?” I suggest. I’m stoked that we have at least one talking point to discuss.
Ellie and Agnes go next, followed by the stoat-like woman who introduces herself as Solange. Once everyone has given a quick opinion of the book, we dive into a detailed discussion, laughing and arguing like friends who’ve known each other forever.
“I think the book was well researched,” Ellie points out. “There was a lot of technical information regarding crime, and it felt believable to me.”
“I agree,” says one of the human men, Joe. “My uncle is a sheriff, and from what I know, that’s pretty much how they do things.” He takes a bite of his third brownie.
Agnes speaks up. “I agree with what Vienne said earlier, about the mystery being a little predictable. It was obvious to me halfway through who the bad guy was. But what I couldn’t figure out was how the protagonist would catch him.
I’ve always said that’s the difference between mystery and suspense; in a mystery, you don’t know whodunnit, and in a suspense, you do, but you don’t know how things will work out.
So maybe this isn’t a mystery at all.” She folds her arms over her chest, as if challenging anyone to disagree.
“Either way, though, I mostly liked it.”
“I thought it was a little too gory,” says Heather, a human woman I met for the first time tonight. “If I wanted that much blood, I’d have opted for a horror book.”
Vienne shoots her a pained look. “The main character is a vampire and you weren’t expecting blood?”
“Of course I was. Just…not that much.”
“Not to worry,” I assure her. “Next month, we’re reading another mystery, but it’s cozy instead of paranormal. Far less blood. And the book after that is non-fiction, unless we vote to change it.”
“Don’t forget,” Solange says, tapping a long nail…claw?...on her armrest, “not all of us are human, with human sensibilities. Some of us appreciate a little blood and gore.”
“That’s an interesting point,” Micah acknowledges. “Choosing books that appeal to all ages, genders, and species must be challenging.” He looks to me for confirmation.
“Well, I intend to choose a variety of genres as we go, so if one book isn’t your cup of tea, maybe the next one will be. I encourage you all to keep attending, and if anyone has a recommendation, please let me know,” I say.
They murmur among themselves, no doubt considering what to recommend, and I catch Spenser’s eye. He’s still leaning unobtrusively in the corner, watching everything. He smiles and gives me a thumbs up, a tiny bit of encouragement that sends a rush of happiness through me.
Once everyone has said their piece and we wrap things up, Spenser approaches and hands everyone a coupon for 15% off their next purchase, as a thank you for attending.
And then he hugs me in congratulations, whispers good job in my ear, and ohmygod, I can’t catch my breath.