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Blood and Mind is Melanie Bonnefoux's first book. All the raw materials of a great book are present -- it just needs some more refinement.

Our heroine, Holly-Anne Feather is not your average co-ed. She posses incredible PSI abilities and is an empath. Because of these powers, she is noticed by the local vampire community. Lucien, the vampire 'Holder' or master, takes a very keen interest in her. Of course, Holly is torn. Lucien is technically a dead man -- reanimated flesh. These facts are not very appealing. Instead, Holly finds herself lusting after Lucien. Into this mix comes Ryan, a fellow student who is also interested in Holly.

Then the bodies start to appear. Edwards University students are being murdered in a very gruesome, ritualistic manner. Holly finds herself at the epicenter of the murder investigation and her love-life only gets more complicated.

Blood and Mind is a fun book to read. Holly-Anne is a wonderful, strong characterization. She has sass and fire with a tinge of sarcastic, acerbic wit. Holly is the girlfriend we all want to know. The ending of the book held some twists that were unexpected and very daring. My main criticism of the book was the very poor copy editing. The numerous spelling and grammar errors made it difficult to read the book.

Blood and Mind can be compared to Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series. While there are similarities, Melanie Bonnefoux incorporated many unique aspects to her story that sets it apart. Bonnefoux's vampires are described as an alien species with unknown beginnings.

Alisa discovered science fiction at the tender age of eight. She devoured The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis and never looked back. She lives in Chicago with her husband, cat, and 5000 books. For more information please visit her website at alisaandmike.com.