About the Author

Cynthia Leitich Smith is the acclaimed and best-selling author of three books in the Feral series, as well as the Tantalize quartet and two graphic novels based on the Tantalize series, both illustrated by Ming Doyle. She lives in Austin, Texas.

Reviews

"Full of unexpected, delicious delights that kept me guessing and turning
the pages, TANTALIZE creates a froth of excitement, danger, suspense, and wit. This original book tantalizes the senses indeed, as it explores the border between attraction and disgust, and makes us question our perceptions. Who are you — predator or prey?" — Annette Curtis Klause, author of BLOOD AND CHOCOLATE, THE SILVER KISS, and FREAKS: ALIVE ON THE INSIDE! — Annette Curtis Klause

"Looking for something to read that will make your TV jealous? TANTALIZE has it all — hot vampires and wolf-boys, a super-cool heroine in cowboy boots, nail-biting suspense, romance, chills ’n’ thrills, and Austin, Texas. What more could you want?" — Libba Bray, author of A GREAT AND TERRIBLE BEAUTY and REBEL ANGELS — Libba Bray

Following her parents' death, Quincie Morris was left in her Uncle Davidson's care, and the fate of the family's Italian restaurant was left in hers. Now 17, Quincie, who narrates, and her uncle have renamed the place Sanguini's. They've remodeled it with a "vampire theme," which they believe will sell in their Texas college town since "vampires are a fringe population, and Austin is a tolerant place." A month before the grand re-opening, however, the longtime chef is mauled to death in the kitchen, and the murder suspect is a werewolf. Quincie finds this problematic, since her lifelong best friend and love interest, Kieren, is a "hybrid werewolf" who traces his lupine heritage to the wolves that roamed Ireland with St. Patrick. A new chef shows up who may be talented but is also spooky, with red contact lenses, pale hair and a menu featuring sweetbreads, blood sausage and baby squirrels in honey cream sauce. Best known for her Native American stories, Smith uses advertisements, newspaper clippings and menu pages to liven the pace, and creates palpable tension in the novel's second half. Quincie's story hews closer to the campy Buffy the Vampire Slayer episodes (e.g., " `You ate the police?!' I exclaimed") than to the elegant romanticism of Stephenie Meyer's books, but horror fans will be hooked by Kieren's quiet, hirsute hunkiness, and Texans by the premise that nearly everybody in their capitol is a shapeshifter. Ages 14-up. (Mar.) Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

"Full of unexpected, delicious delights that kept me guessing and turning
the pages, TANTALIZE creates a froth of excitement, danger, suspense, and wit. This original book tantalizes the senses indeed, as it explores the border between attraction and disgust, and makes us question our perceptions. Who are you - predator or prey?" - Annette Curtis Klause, author of BLOOD AND CHOCOLATE, THE SILVER KISS, and FREAKS: ALIVE ON THE INSIDE! - Annette Curtis Klause

"Looking for something to read that will make your TV jealous? TANTALIZE has it all - hot vampires and wolf-boys, a super-cool heroine in cowboy boots, nail-biting suspense, romance, chills 'n' thrills, and Austin, Texas. What more could you want?" - Libba Bray, author of A GREAT AND TERRIBLE BEAUTY and REBEL ANGELS - Libba Bray