Not your average vampire read…
In “A Bloody Good Cruise,” author, Diana Rubino, begins this novel by immediately introducing us to Mona Rossi, one of the book’s main characters. She’s aboard the cruise ship, Romanza, and is worriedly fretting to her best friend Tess about her current, sort of on-again, off-again, romantic interest, Fausto. Tess thinks that Mona is only concerned that Fausto will miss the Romanza’s departure. Little does she know that Mona’s concern encompasses much more than that.
Fausto is actually a centuries old vampire, and he is currently being stalked by some of the world’s most sinister vampire hunters. It doesn’t help that these hunters have the blessing, plus the financial backing, of the Roman Catholic Church. Tess knows nothing about any of this, but she certainly will soon. She is dating Fausto’s friend Quintus; also a vampire. Together, Fausto and Quintus beseeched Mona to break the news to Tess. They felt that it would be easier for Tess to hear this earth shattering news from a trusted and beloved friend.
Around the time that Mona is deciding on the best way to tell Tess, Faust arrives on deck; looking like a homeless man from some back alley. To protect himself from the ever watchful eyes of the hunters, he must always wear guises to protect his true identity. This is especially needed, now more than ever, since most of his family was recently murdered at the hands of these hunters. Mere moments after Fausto’s arrival, the luxury cruise liner departures, and what follows in “A Bloody Good Cruise” is a romantic adventure that encompasses the ship as well as various parts of Italy.
I’m not going to provide any more of the book’s specifics. (If it sounds interesting, may I suggest you grab your own copy). I will however state, that within “A Bloody Good Cruise,” Rubino has taken several genres: romance, adventure, fantasy and paranormal, and has skilfully combined them into an interesting story. Consequently, “A Bloody Good Cruise” turned out to be a very fun read. Rubino has also provided her readers with a different spin on vampires versus the current, “regular” vampire legend; which I appreciated.
In summary, “A Bloody Good Cruise” was a fun and fast paced tale. And, most likely a “must read” for fans of the romance adventure genre.