Limecello’s review of I Want You to Want Me by Kathy Love
Paranormal romance released by Brava on 26 Aug 08

I discovered Kathy Love a little after Wanting Something More was published, and I immediately read the Stepp sister trilogy, and then her Fangs books, and now, this new set of books with the 80s song titles. This is the second book in the 80s songs series. Kathy Love is a go to author for me when I want great writing, and something light-hearted.

I knew when I read Any Way You Want It that the next book would be about Erika and Vittorio’s story, and I’m glad that it is. Erika is an artist who recently moved to New Orleans because she loves the city, and one of best friends just got married and lives there. Erika’s also there for a life change. She’s decided to try her hand at living off her art. Erika is a character everyone wants to be friends with. She’s kind, smart, creative, witty, and nice. She also sees the best in everyone.

Vittorio, for his part, is a great hero. While he does fall into some of the paranormal romance hero clichés, over all he’s very likable. Vittorio is serious and for good reason – he’s got skeletons in his closet. There’s also the minor detail of Vittorio being a lampir, though Erika thinks he’s human. That’s also the least of his problems. Vittorio is back in New Orleans to talk to his brother, Ren, and also for an investigation. All the women he’s been close to in the past 26 years have died young, and shortly after meeting him.

The book has a strong focus on the character’s emotions, which I appreciate. It was nice to really get to know Erika and Vittorio. One of my favorite aspects of romance novels, is the development of the relationship between the hero and heroine. Erika and Vittorio’s romance moves relatively slowly, but that simply serves to make it believable. Both characters flub a little – Vittorio is a jerk, Erika is a bit clingy. However, those points are relatively trivial, and on the whole Erika and Vittorio are gratifyingly pragmatic.

One issue I had with the book was the lack of communication between the characters. The “secrets secrets” of course led to the major conflict in the novel, but I wish some of it would have been different. Also, this is something of a spoiler, but the reverse Oedipus complex really creeped me out. I have to give props to Ms. Love for being so versatile. One scene will be extremely disturbing, almost scary, and then she’ll mix it up with great comic relief within the next paragraph.

I really enjoy Ms. Love’s books. She has a lighthearted voice, which makes reading her books very entertaining. However, the emotions, situations, and characters themselves prevent her writing from being saccharine. I highly recommend reading her books, especially if you like a lively story. I’m definitely looking forward to her next book.

Grade: A-

Destiny May Not Be Set In Stone, But At Least He’s As Hard As A Rock

Erika Todd moved to New Orleans because she needed a change—and, well, yes, because that’s what the fortune teller said she would do. Not that she’d admit that to many people. But so many of the psychic’s predictions—about her work, even finding that stray black cat—have already come true. Now all the lonely sculptor needs is to meet and fall in love with the prophesied dark-eyed prince…

Reclusive musician Vittorio Ridgewood has a new neighbor he’s been trying to avoid. Sure, she’s gorgeous, but she’s coming on strong, and the last thing the 200-year-old vampire needs is to get involved with another mortal. Especially since several of his former human paramours have lately been turning up dead…

Sensing the relentless beauty needs someone to watch over her, Vittorio agrees to sit for a sculpture, and their attraction to one another quickly ignites. But is passion even this hot worth dying for?