‘Necking’ a vampire romance

  Gia Felice’s work as a book publicist for a New York publishing house that specializes in horror and sci-fi has her crossing paths with all sorts of folks — vampires, werewolves, witches and the occasional alien. Her current client, Belladonna Nightshade, is a New York Times best-selling author who writes about vampires and happens to be one, so is Bella’s dreamy manager — the sexy, smart and clever Johnny.
  Gia and Johnny have a flirty good time together, and as their relationship develops she has some serious decisions to make about her future. At the same time, Bella asks Gia for help tracking down the vicious vampire who changed her centuries ago. Soon after, Gia finds herself in grave danger.
  “Necking” by Chris Salvatore is “Bridget Jones” meets “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” Salvatore, who has worked as a book publicist, writes with the sarcastic wit found in “Bridget Jones” but fails to capture the cleverness of “Buffy.” The plot is predictable, and just when you think there is going to be a big fight, it’s resolved within two paragraphs. The book also is in dire need of an editor because it is riddled with typos.
  Most readers probably won’t be impressed with “Necking,” but there are those who will find it entertaining.
  This book was put on my desk by a friend who knows I have a small crush on James Marsters, aka Spike from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Angel.” Ah yes, I’m one of those “Buffy” fans. I have a picture of Spike on my desktop. Get where I’m going with the target audience for “Necking”? While I was reading the book, which boils down to a love story, I just plunked in James Marsters as Johnny ... done and done. (I’ll put up a picture of my James for those unfamiliar.)
  Salvatore doesn’t ignore the “Buffy” audience. She has a character named Billy who Gia says looks like Billy Idol because of his platinum blond punk hair. Hmmm ... Spike anyone?
  “Necking” is ridiculous. It’s a hunk of cheddar with a side of Gouda garnished with a little provolone, maybe some Parmesan shavings on top. It is sometimes eye-rollingly dumb. But it also has some laugh-out-loud funny parts.
  For imaginative fans of vampire cheese, “Necking” doesn’t suck — much.