This book gets good, then it drops off, then it picks back up. Like a rollercoaster ride, just when you think it's boring, it decides to pick up the pace and bring in some action. I figured there would be a lot more Demon Hunting in the book compared to what was there, but it still was interesting enough that it didn't take me a week to read it. As a man would say, "I wish it had more action/explosions/guns in it."

Worth reading if you like paranormal stories. The plot was predictable and the character development was a little on the flat side. It was a cute idea with some likable characters that I felt fell a little short of what it could have been. If Kenner writes a second book with these characters I would read it with the hope that she fleshes out the characters more and puts a little more demon fighting in the story.

The premise of this story is really clever, and the writing is very good. As is the characterization - everyone has a distinct and believable personality and quirks. I really grew attached to some of the characters.

But if you are a stay at home Mom looking for a book to take you away from your day to day duties and tasks, this is not the one. It felt like more focus was spent on Kate's numerous trips to the grocery store than her hunt for the demon. There was more drama over putting her toddler in daycare than there was action and adventure.

Out of the two action scenes the book included, both of them were less than a page long and were over nearly as soon as they started. Each time they ended in an anticlimactic manner that left me wondering how such a creative and gifted writer could fail to come up with something more challenging and engaging.

My expectations for this book were not met. I felt that it moved too slow, and focused too much on exposition and details on her being a stay at home mom rather than the more interesting and engaging portion of her story - the demon hunting.

I will say that the ending, while a tad predictable, was done very well by keeping you guessing just enough.

There is nothing better than a romantic comedy that incorporates the paranormal, and Julie Kenner has penned a jackpot winner with CARPE DEMON. At times laugh-out-loud funny, once I started reading this book I couldn't put it down until I finished the last page-and then I wished it wasn't the end.

Kate Connor, on the surface, appears to be a pretty normal suburban mom. Mother to fourteen-year-old Alison and two-year-old Timmy, wife of Stuart, an assistant county attorney, and all-around chauffeur, nanny, housekeeper, and family pep squad rolled into one. It wasn't always that way, though. Kate was once a Level Four Demon Hunter, although no one knows it. It's the secret of secrets, and for the most part, Kate's pretty happy keeping it that way. Until one day, while shopping with the kids at the local Wal-Mart in San Diablo , California , she spots a demon.

Immediately, all sorts of questions are raised. Why would a demon willingly come to San Diablo? And, in fact, was it a demon at all? And does it have anything at all to do with her?

Sadly, Kate realizes way too soon that she's going to be forced out of demon-hunting retirement. Incorporeal demon Goramesh has come to California with one goal in mind, and it's up to Kate to figure out what he wants, find it before he does, rescue it, and send Goramesh back where he belongs.

Sounds easy, right? Not really, especially when you can't tell anyone what you're doing, including your husband, best friend, or children. Balancing home life has always been tricky enough, but now that there are murderous demons following her around, dodging her every step, life has become even more complicated.

I've heard that some readers have compared this story to a sort of Buffy the Vampire Slayer read, but I didn't get that feeling at all. What I read was a hilarious story of a stay-at-home-mom whose past comes back to bite her on the butt, with the risks being even higher than ever. For anyone who has ever been bored with their life, or has secrets from the past that they just wish would stay there, this book is for you.

Not to mention that it's just an all-around enjoyable story from a very talented author. Pick up a copy of CARPE DEMON today-you won't be disappointed.

"Shows you what would happen if Buffy got married and kept her past a secret. It's a hoot."--Charlaine Harris (from front cover)

At first I thought the book would be predictable for it really is about a "Buffy" turned soccer mom. But it picks up and, although all the clues are given, I was pretty shocked at the ending. Guess I got all wrapped up in the story. Anyway, I hope there is a sequel!

The title pretty much sums it up - but a retired demon hunter is forced out of retirement and must fight demons, while keeping up her suburban lifestyle, and keeping it all a secret from her family. It was a quick read, funny in spots, but a bit predictable. I liked it enough that I will read the next one, but it wasn't a keeper.

Now I know why this book has been on everyone WL and RL. It's a great book. I couldn't put it down. I found myself rooting for Kate just to see how she was going to handle the next thing that came along.

What if Buffy the Vampire Slayer grew up and had to fit demon slaying into her busy schedule of being a wife and mom. Funny premise and a great beginning to a new series. And of course there is an older grandfather figure that just makes you laugh. Gives Stephanie Plums grandmother a run for her money.

This book was simply okay to me.

I liked this book. The style reminded me a little bit of MaryJanice Davidson's, but without all the shallowness of Betsy from the Undead series. I think Mothers will relate to it even more than I did since I've never been either a mom or a "soccer mom" myself. The story itself was fun, not too heavy, with a good mystery to boot. It was hard to put down and the surprise ending snuck up on me.

Though this is the first book I've read by Julie Kenner, another BookCrosser had sent me some others from her Protector (Aphrodite) series, so now I'm looking forward to reading those while waiting for the 2nd book in the Demon series, California Demon: The Secret Life of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom, due to be published June 2006.

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A good first book.

I had a lot of trouble getting into this book. I just finished the Twilight series which I loved and as a 30-something stay at home mom of 3 kids I thought that Carpe Demon would be just the book for me. I was wrong. I found it to be boring. I just could not get into it. I tried several times to keep reading but nothing in it was drawing me in.

A quick read that was irresistable, we ordered lunch and dinner out that day...the heroine is so approachable and so refreshingly realistic as both a mom and a bada$$. Loved it! The idea of a past life that intrudes on the present, a past life as a demon hunter of all things is brought out in this tale of life, love, and dealing with diapers and demons.

This book was interesting and written in a light manner. While it was easy to put down, I was eager to pick it up again also. There was comedic relief, action, and attention to detail--particularly through a mother's eyes. When I thought I had figured out the story ending it took a turn I didn't see coming and it made the bookk! I look forward to the next book in the series.

Loved it, great read.

great book-hope it becomes a series.

Very cute story.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer as a stay at home mom. I thought this was a fun, fast paced book.

really enjoyed this book. SuperMom/demon killer... Lots of humor.

If you like Charlaine Harris and Confessions of a Shopaholic, this is your book.

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