Review: Beam Me Up, Tiana!!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 2, 2014
“Addicted In Cold Blood – Tale of the Blood Diamond” is the sequel to Tiana Laveen’s “Addicted in Cold Blood”.  This follow-up reveals Tiana Laveen's willingness "To Boldly Go where No WOMAN Has Gone Before".  Her twist on this book is unique and frankly speaking took me by surprise.The book delves into a conceivable reality that depicts extra-terrestrials sentient beings with unique abilities living amongst humans and blending into society whilst being impacted by the daily ills of social unrest.  What I found most interesting was the way Laveen introduces real-life events from history to the present to narrate the story in a way that had me visualizing the events unfolding (i.e. references to Area 51, Government Cover-ups of proof of Alien Visitation, the current drug epidemic in the inner city Baltimore area and the possible conspiracy connection between the issues etc). The reference of the Washington D.C./Baltimore area helped pique my interest because I happen to reside in the DC Metropolitan area and can easily imagine the mysterious events that occur in this book and the prequel.Not to be outdone, the emotional "human side" of the story is revealed by how Laveen addresses current issues that are on-going in today's time and blends the events into her story line.  She delves into same-sex relationships debate, as well as the issue of race, the war on drugs and “Scandal-like” government cover-ups - topics that are very much alive and well in the DMV (DC, MD, VA) and around the world.As a "Trekkie", I have a weakness for a good sci-fi book narrated with a sexy twist.Laveen introduces the reader to the alien character, Xzion, who is your 21st Century Super Soldier complete with classified, super-secret “save the world or else” mission.  Her depiction of him and how he relates to the human race, resulting in the transformation of his alien ideology, mirrors the shifts in societal thinking that is occurring in the present day.  This theme that Laveen subtly, yet thoroughly injects into the story basically had me looking up into the night sky and saying "hmmm, what if???"!  What makes a good sci-fi book is if you can actually imagine it and it makes you go, “Hmmm”.Yes, the book had me imagining what a movie version of this would be like.That's how into this novel I got. To me, this was like a 21st Century Star Trek with an urban twist to it, mixed with a bit of “V” (old school alien invasion movie), complete with technological gadgets, alien intelligence and yes, alien passion.  That Laveen is able to create an extra-terrestrial character so conceivable, which experiences a life-changing event with a human woman resulting in a collaboration of both for the greater good of the human and alien races, is impressive.  She “Mind melds” emotions, action, sci-fi intelligence, suspense and yes… Steamy “Inter-Galactic” Sex.I would really have loved to see a deeper more comprehensive back ground of Laveen’s take on the depiction of the precious stone called “The Blood Diamond” and its origins in this book, for her simple yet captivating alternate concept of “A Blood Diamond” (i.e. symbol of ransom paid for bloodshed in war using diamonds versus blood willingly preserved and immortalized within a diamond as a symbol of hope, peace and love)."Addicted in Cold Blood – Tale of the Blood Diamond" reveals another of Laveen's talents as an excellent story-teller and author.  Can you say, "Beam Me Up"?