Earlier this year, I got a friend request on myspace from author Cynthia Leitich Smith, advertising her new YA urban gothic fantasy Tantalize. I made a mental note to check out the book.

Then, while flipping through the pages of my sorority magazine, the Adelphean, I saw Cynthia’s name. “Hey,” I thought to myself, “That sounds familiar.”

Sure enough, the author featured in my magazine and the one who friended me were one and the same! I promptly set out to get my hands on a copy of the novel.

Tantalize is the story of Quincie Morris, a 17-year-old girl who was orphaned at 13. She’s got a shapeshifting half-werewolf best friend, Kieran, whom she’d like to be more than a friend.

Quincie is left in the care of her uncle, and together, they’re trying to save the family’s failing Italian restaurant by reopening with a Vampire theme. But weeks before the restaurant opens, the chef (a family friend and surrogate father to Quincie) is brutally murdered, and Kieren is among the suspects

It becomes Quincie’s job to hire and train the new chef, Brad, in time for the restaurant’s opening. Before she knows it, Quincie is wrapped up in a dark mystery that doesn’t stop twisting and turning until the book’s final pages.

I think readers will identify with Quincie, particularly the way she struggles with her feelings for Kieren and her attraction to the older, mysterious Brad. She’s a fun, likeable character, full of attitude, although she frequently made me want to scream during the second half of the book. (”Quincie, nooooo! Are you crazy??”)

Tantalize was a quick and enjoyable read that leaves the reader wanting more. Is there a sequel in the works, perhaps?

Cynthia Leitich Smith writes for children, middle-grade readers, and young adults. She is best known for her Native American-themed stories, such as Rain is Not My Indian Name.

Check out Cynsations (Cynthia’s general YA lit blog) and Spookycyn (Cynthia’s “fang-friendly” fantasy, horror, gothic fantasy and suspense blog).

Cynthia was kind enough to take part in my “Five Lists of Five” interview:

Five favorite vampires

Excluding ongoing series, including my own books (though I love many ongoing series):

• Chris from Thirsty by M. T. Anderson
• Ethan from Companions of the Night by Vivian Vande Velde
• Simon from The Silver Kiss by Annette Curtis Klause
• Kiefer Sutherland (David) from The Lost Boys (1987) (reminds me of Spike)
• Whedonverse Vamps: Drusilla, Spike Darla, Angel, and vamp Willow (call that one 5 x 5, as Faith would say)

Five favorite foods (in honor of the book’s restaurant theme!)

• sashimi (various)
• turkey burgers with Gouda, lettuce, mustard, and mushrooms on whole wheat
• Hunan shrimp and mixed vegetables on brown rice
• whole wheat tortellini with Italian turkey sausage and parmesan
• tortilla soup with chicken, guacamole, onion, tomato, and of course torillas

Five things you can’t live without

• cats
• my very cute husband
• air conditioning
• office supplies
• iced tea with Splenda

Five people who have influenced you/your work

• Annette Curtis Klause
• Abraham “Bram” Stoker
• Ovid
• Judy Blume (first person voice)
• Greg Leitich Smith (my first and most frequent reader)

Five songs that would be on Quincie’s iPod

• Lil’ Red Riding Hood (for Kieren)
• Strangers in the Night (remembering Vaggio)
• Red, Red Wine (vampy)
• You Took The Words Right Out of My Mouth (Kieran again)
• The Waiting Song (The Hudsons–an Austin-based band Quincie might hear at Waterloo Ice House)