When I read the first book, The Becoming, I thought it was an OK book, but one that I might not ever read again. But I had bought the second and third so I figured that I would keep reading. WOW!! This series definitely got better. I read the whole book in half a day, I just could not put it down. I can see this series going for quite a while. I cannot wait to get reading the third one.

This book was disappointing to me after having loved the first book in the series. It was hard to read and seemed to have an awkward way of tying in with book 1. However, the characters are wonderful and I will stick with this series because Anna is alot like Kim Harrison's Rachel Morgan character, and like LKH's original Anita Blake (the one in Obsidian Butterfly and her earlier books). I also like Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse character, but prefer the butt-kicking style of Anna, Rachel Morgan, and the original Anita Blake.

I really want to like this series, but the published books seem so unfinished. Seems to me she needs a new editor. Once again, character development is lacking as are development of relationships between characters. She turns her characters into lovers without giving the reader much of a reason for them to be falling into bed with eachother.

There are also some MAJOR plotholes in this story. In fact, this story has one of the biggest plotholes I have EVER read in a published book. I don't want to give too much storyline away but the plothole I am speaking of involves one of the police suspects for murder. The author tries to make us believe that the police would suspect a 14 year old girl for the brutal rape and beating death of her mother??

Anna Strong's never forgotten her older brother, Steve, who died when she was in high school. And she never quite forgave his perky blonde cheerleader girlfriend who stole Steve's attention from his little sister--and then didn't have the decency to attend Steve's funeral when he died.

It comes as a big surprise to both Anna and her parents that the girlfriend, Carolyn, wants to talk to them. Carolyn tells Anna she needs help finding her missing 13 year old daughter, Trish, because Trish might be party to a classmate's murder. Then Carolyn really drops the bomb--Trish is Steve's daughter.

With her mother more than half believing, Anna must find Trish--before the murderers do. This takes Anna into the world of shapeshifters via one of Trish's teachers and the world of child pornography.

"Blood Drive" is the second book in the Anna Strong Vampire Series. It's very much a stand-alone novel. I know this because I inadvertently took Volume 3 on vacation instead of this book. Even reading out of order, "Blood Drive" held up very well.

The author writes strong, but reasonably real characters and gives them good lines. She's got a solid talent at depicting characters that makes them memorable and leaves either a favorable--or not--impression on the reader.

For 292 pages, Stein also manages to pack in a lot of action. She keeps things moving and manages to solve the main point of each novel, but leave some tantalizing threads hanging that make you want to read on to the next.

One caveat: if you don't like even the mention of child pornography, don't read this book. I believe Ms. Stein handled a difficult situation well, but to some, the subject matter could be disturbing.

Carolyn Delaney was the girlfriend of Steve Strong just before his death fourteen years ago. Carolyn has contacted Anna and her parents, claiming her daughter is missing and she needs their help because Trish is also Steve's daughter. It turns out that Trish is a new student at the school where Anna's mother is principal. Not only is Trish missing but her best friend Barbara Fanco is also missing. Soon the FBI is involved and Anna learns that there's a lot she doesn't know about her new world and the other creatures that inhabit it unknown to humans. But one thing she does know is just how vile and corrupt humans can be and she wants Trish safe no matter whose daughter she is -- but finding her and keeping her safe may cost Anna her family and maybe her new life.

It's been two months since the events in The Becoming. Anna Strong is learning to cope with her new dietary requirements by seeking donors chosen by Culebra. Chief Williams has been trying to reach her, but she refuses to make contact, preferring to keep her life as normal as possible. But as she searches for Trish Delaney, Anna finds that ignorance is not bliss at all, it can kill you and it can kill those you love.

I was dissatisfied with Anna behavior in The Becoming. She believed everything she was told by Avery -- even after she learned he lied. Then she cut herself off from the vampire world to go her own way. Now at last, Anna realizes that she can't go on -- that she must connect with others who have powers and learn about her new powers, how to control her hunger, and how the shadow world of other mythical but real beings works. While the mystery and its twisty trail of clues, deaths, and greed is satisfying, I think knowing that Anna has now faced her new status squarely and will be learning to live with her changed nature is encouraging for the continuation of the series.

I do have to warn readers that this is a dark book, not for the vampirism but for the crimes against children. It's a difficult book to read but these crimes do happen -- the details are minimal describing the horror of the realization that this is happening rather than giving graphic details of the actions the characters are viewing. Not off screen enough to approach cozy status but definitely, enough to take the edge off the nausea.

Blood Drive continues from where The Becoming (Book 1) left off. We join Anna Strong at Culebra's hideout as she is about to return to the normal world. She's determined to fit being a vampire in with her previous life. But things are about to get more complicated when Trish, a girl who may be her long-dead brother's child, goes missing.

I found myself really enjoying this one, much more than book 1 of the series. The dialogue is witty and the friction between Anna and some of the other characters makes for a story that you want to keep reading.

"Ah you're talking to me. Good. I thought you'd called me here to impress me with your digs. Or the speed at which you shuffle papers. And, I must say, both are impressive."

The thing I like about Anna is that she is flawed and makes mistakes. She still relies too much on her gut to get her out of situations - but that is who she is. It's interesting that she had this bad instinct thing going before she became a vampire - it's how she ended up as one in the first place. By the end of the book she realizes though her vampire instincts are good, in some situations she must over-ride them. This makes for one of the most powerful scenes in the story when she finally understands what being a vampire means. All the way through she's been told she has to make a choice, but it's only at that moment that she gets it.

I love the relationship between Anna and Frey. He won't let her get away with anything, unlike the other men in her life who she has a tendency to walk over. In a way this book is Anna coming to terms with what she'll have to let go of, if she's going to survive. She can't maintain her human relationships indefinitely, her family and friends are going to age and die. And it's through the search for Trish that she finally comes to understand this. I think as we move away from Anna the bounty hunter and come to know Anna the vampire that the strength in storytelling evident here, will shine through. It's almost as if the restraint of being human was holding the character back.

If I had any niggles it would be I'm not sure I understand the point of Max as a character, he seems pretty superfluous to the plot. On p35 Anna notes "I'd actually forgotten for a moment that he's in the room." which kind of sums up their relationship. The way she treats Max is appalling, though he doesn't seem to care, in fact his emotional investment in their relationship seems to increase in direct proportion to the amount hers decreases. I hope we find out soon why he hasn't been written out of the story yet.

The Watcher (Book 3) is released Dec. 200

"Blood Drive" has an inexorable tug to it because the main character is so strong. I don't read (much) paranormal fiction but I found Anna Strong to be completely compelling because she's so grounded in her two worlds, so in touch with her desires. She makes mistakes, but she keeps moving and stays focused. She's impossible not to like. The writing is strong and consistent and you feel her anger at the demons who prey on the innocent and feel a sense of relief when she confronts a surprising enemy. Anna Strong thinks things through, follows her instincts, and never lets go. She's in the hands of a writer with a master touch and never-wimpy, ever-tough style. The book is sort of like the great opening line: "The guy squirms against me like a worm on a hook." Enough said!

I read the first one, and I thoguht it was a great read, one fo those you read in a couple and days, and maybe you remember them after, or not, but it doesn't mean that the lecture wasn't exciting!!!

I ordered the other following two without a shadow of a doubt, and I just devoured the second one. I really liked this one more, because it shows a more mature content, and is not so Anna- centered. Don't get me wrong, the protagonist is still Anna, but it is not about her life and what to do with it, but it's more of a detective book, with hard contents as kiddie porn. Anna has to stop the people who's doing it, and she doesn't think about herself, but about those kids, and in special but one kid, Trish, to whom she becomes more or less attached.

It's a great book, and like the first one, a real page turner. No one of the both had got me disappointed, and I really recomend them!!!

This a continuation of The Becoming where Anna Strong and her world is fleshed out. She is a great deal like Anita Blake in Laurell K. Hamilton's series in that she is still conflicted in her life. If she faces the supernatural world realistically and squares it with trying to live a contuation of her mortal life I may purchase her third in the series. One Anita Blake is enough.

In this second book in the Anna Strong Chronicles Anna Strong, is a bounty hunter and recently turned vampire. Her deceased brother Steve's old girlfriend, Carolyn, shows up at Anna's parent's house and wants Anna to find her daughter, Trish. She claims Trish is Steve's daughter. In Anna's investigation, she encounters the world of child pornography. Will she find Trish and if she finds her will she be able to save her?

I love it when an author's second book is better than the first, and the series continues to get better and better. This seems to be the case with this new series. Anna is adjusting to being a vampire and learning all about her new talents. She also is learning how to control her blood lust. This was a very good book with great action, more character development with Anna, and a nice human touch with her parents and her accepting that one day she will lose all she loves because she is now a vampire. I will definitely buy the next in the series, The Watcher.

Wonderful writer, and a great book, but I was looking for more supernatural then was in the book. Its great that the bad guy could be a regular Joe, but I was looking for a big super fight. Still this is a great series, on target with Kim Harrison's Dead Witch Walking series.

Anna Strong is a bounty hunter. Both her personality and her abilities (somewhat special abilities) rather suit the job. Anna is assertive, inquisitive, and quick to uncover or smell out the smallest of details.

Two months before the action takes place, Anna's life had changed dramatically. She became a vampire. Most of her loved ones haven't yet realized that she has no reflection in mirrors and that is on a high protein diet. She's still trying to figure out the myths versus realities of her situation herself.

Now, yet another dramatic situation rears it's ugly head when Anna's deceased brother's ex shows up at the door. This woman claims that the niece that Anna never knew existed is in dire trouble. The young girl has not only run away but she may even be involved in the murder of one of her school mates. The truth of the situation is even worse, much worse.

Blood Drive is the sequel to The Becoming. Although I have not yet had the pleasure of reading the first book, I had absolutely no trouble understanding what was happen, differentiating between characters, or catching the various complexities and relationship nuances. However, reading this second book did make me curious about what had happened in the first book.

This is a very interesting book. Anna is still trying to adjust her life when she and her parents find out that Carylons missing daughter Trish is Anna's older brother Steve's daughter. Lots of good plot twists some a bit improbable and then relation between Anna and Frey seems promising. Shifters in this story but also empaths and psychics. Nicely drawn characters and a little humor. Anna is becoming more reconciled to the changes in her and to the changes in her life.

Unfortunately there were a number of annoying errors and inconsistencies. Among them were digital cameras (they don't do video or audio), tinted frames--nice but you really want tinted lenses, and "his gums peeled back..." lips yes but if his gums peeled back he has a really serious dental problem, Annoying enough to prevent it from getting 5 stars.

Still an outstanding read in an outstanding series.

I find the Anna Strong books are a welcome addition to the paranormal/ vampire genre that in recent years has become somewhat formulaic in its approach to things that go bump in the night. Blood Drive is the continuation of Anna's struggle to relinquish her mortality and ties to the mortal world. I felt her character underwent alot of growth in this book and look forward to seeing where she goes. There is some romance but it by no means overwhelms the story and this should not be off-putting to the male readers out there. The romance that is present is intergral to the plot and character development.

Jeanne C. Stein, so far, does a good job of presenting each book with a mystery that has a solid beginning, middle, and end. At the same time, she has a secondary plot of what is happening to Anna in her personal life and why others in the paranormal community refer to her as "The One". This secondary plot is addressed very little at this point because the book is written in first person POV and so far Anna has not been very accepting of her new life as a vampire and tends to block out anyone talking about her new status. I don't think Anna will be able to run from her destiny for long though so the next book should be full of surprises. There are obviously more secrets for the reader to discover and I enjoy not being handed all the pieces in one book, but rather being able to savor them, like Godiva chocolate.

I would recommend the reader start the series with The Becoming because even though Blood Drive could probably be read as a stand alone book there are several references to earlier events that will make more sense if you read the books in order. These books are well-written and held my attention, I read each in one sitting and am looking forward to the third in the series.

She is not just an ordinary bounty hunter; Anna Strong is a vampire bounty hunter, a secret she keeps hidden from almost everyone including her parents. The chief of police, an old and wise vampire professional, wants to mentor her so that she can use her powers the right way but Anna wants to go it alone. She feels it is enough to go to a small Mexican town magically protected by Culebuo, to finds willing human prey. She doesn't know what he is but it is very difficult for her to keep him out of her mind.

That night she has dinner at her parents' home when Carolyn Delaney, her dad brother's only girlfriend comes to the house and drops the bombshell that her daughter disappeared and she is afraid that Trish killed one of her school friends. She also tells Anna that Trish is Steve's child. When Anna finds Trish, she is with her friend Ryan and he shows her kiddie porn that Carolyn made Trish pose for. With the help of schoolteacher, a shapeshifter Daniel Frey, who wins her trust despite the rumors that he is involved in kiddie porn, they get Trish to a safe place but Anna tries to find out who is behind the kiddie porn ring and neutralize them. She works the case while avoiding the FBI, lying to her parents and protecting young innocents from evil that even Anna doesn't know about.

Jeanne C. Stein takes on the vampire mythos in her own unique manner that makes for an enthralling vampire thriller. Readers of Laurell K. Hamilton, Tanya Huff and Charlaine Harris will thoroughly enjoy this fast paced novel filled with several action scenes that come one after the other making it hard for the readers to catch a breather. In addition to a wonderful story, Ms. Stein infuses BLOOD DRIVE with a moral message about the kiddie porn industry that harms everyone even those without children.

Harriet Klausner

Jeanne Stein writes yet another killer Anna Strong novel! Blood Drive picks up from where The Becoming left off. You know after, "he" died. So Anna is still trying to get accustomed to her new vampire life and still live her mortal life. Which isn't easy. Feeding from weridos down in Mexico and trying to maintain her relationship with Max and friendship with David is hard. But then a woman, Carolyn, comes to Anna and her family one night saying that her daughter was in serious trouble, she was a runaway, using drugs, and hanging with the wrong people. She also happens to be the daughter of her Anna's dead brother. But something isn't right. Carolyn did date Anna's brother back before he died but Anna doesn't trust the woman. But her mother feels obligated to help because they're family and she convinces Anna to do the same. But like all families this "relative" has told their fair share of lies. It's up to Anna to discover the truth and find the out who the real bad guys are. Overall a great read! I love the Anna Strong Series! Looking forawrd to Watcher later this year!!