Black

Josephine #1

by Catherine Winters

Thirty-year-old redhead Josephine Berendt has everything under control. She’s finally over her ex, Max Spencer; her third novel is about to hit the shelves; and she’s living happily alone in a quiet Denver suburb. So what if her life is missing a little action? She gets all she needs by writing about vampires – and at least her furniture won’t run away to Paris just to prove how much it doesn't love her. 600-year-old businessman Grant Black thinks he’s just doing a favor for an old friend by keeping an eye on Josephine and her dangerously accurate storytelling. Keeping out of her life is no trouble at all – until Max shows up on her doorstep with a case of fangs and Grant is forced to meet Josephine in the fearless, foul-mouthed flesh. Soon Josephine finds herself at the center of an undead incident of international proportions. Now every day is a test of how long she can balance her need for independence with her growing affection for a killer, and stay alive – or, at least, not dead. Featuring some of the most famous and ruthless vampires from history and literature, BLACK interweaves traditional vampire canons with an entirely new race of vampires with its own laws and mores. Told in Josephine’s thoroughly modern voice, the book is a witty, allusive tour of the vampire world’s upper echelons and hubs of power.

248 pages, Paperback

First published June 23, 2012

About the author

Catherine Winters has honed her signature snark in print and in real life since she was ten. Her love of pop culture, bad television, and worse music coupled with the collection of a lifetime’s worth of useless trivia make her novels modern and witty.

In addition to writing, Ms. Winters is the Social Media Director for the Gatsby Theatre Company in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and is employed as the principal mezzo-soprano for the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver.

She lives in Denver with with her husband, daughter, and one demanding cat.

Reviews

[Wrenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love strong heroines, and Josephine Berendt is probably my new favorite. She's smart, she's sassy, she's foul-mouthed, and she can go toe-to-toe with any thousand year old vampire you throw her way. Meanwhile, Grant Black is one seriously sexy vampire. The sexual tension between them is twice as enticing since neither of them is willing to give an inch.

This is definitely my favorite vampire novel in a long, long time. It's well-thought-out with rich characters, clever prose, and believable dialogue. Only problem? Waiting for the sequel.

[Molly Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not care for this title. My biggest complaint is that our protagonist is self-destructive and immature and seems content to remain that way. The unhealthy relationship she engages in and the fact that I just do not like her, nor the supporting characters just adds to my dislike of the overall novel. However, the rape that occurs half way through truly angered me. It is not handled well and I am very disappointed by the author's use of it and the fact that it is just brushed aside. It was handled so poorly and I hate seeing rape used as a "element" in the road of a "romance". Rape is a traumatic event, being forced against your will is a traumatic event and should not just be a "scene". The main character after being "grumpy" about it, brushes it off as if it never happened. I cannot condone it. See the full review by myself and my review partner at That's What I'm Talking About book blog: http://twimom227.com/2014/07/review-b...

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Black. The story moved right along, not leaving you wading through pages of boring walking/talking/doing nothing scenes. Although I did not have an affinity for the heroine, I enjoyed most of the characters. I especially liked Simmons. I kind of wonder if he is as bland as he's made out to be, or if there's a story lurking behind that stoic facade.

[Wende · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had trouble with this book. it started out good but went downhill. I almost did not finish it in the middle. wait was quite bad. By the ending it was good. The author is a good writer I just did not like her characters.