Book Review - Dead Until Dark (Southern Vampire Mysteries, No. 1) by Charlaine Harris

Book Description
Sookie Stackhouse is a cocktail waitress in small-town Louisiana. She's quiet, keeps to herself, and doesn't get out much. Not because she's not pretty. She is. It's just that, well, Sookie has this sort of "disability." She can read minds. And that doesn't make her too dateable. And then along comes Bill. He's tall, dark, handsome -- and Sookie can't hear a word he's thinking. He's exactly the type of guy she's been waiting for all her life.

But Bill has a disability of his own: he's a vampire with a bad reputation. He hangs with a seriously creepy crowd, all suspected of — big surprise — murder. And when one of Sookie's coworkers is killed, she fears she's next....

***

January 13

I first read this in 2006 and never got to another Sookie book. Since I want to see True Blood whenever it comes out on DVD, and I don't quite remember too much of the book to get to the rest of the series, I decided to re-read it.

I really don't have anything additional to say to my first review, other than I'm not as picky about the romance this time around. So here's my original review from June 24, 2006:

I've been in a paranormal mood lately so figured I'd pick this one up and see what's different here. While there's nothing original in the vampire front, the story was nonetheless told in a new and fresh way. Although the start seemed slow, I quickly immersed myself into the pace of the book and thought it was quite fitting to it being a southern book. I enjoyed reading about the courtship between a vampire and human, although a slightly different human. It was kind of sweet and though I thought they professed their love to each other too soon, it was still quite lovely in a strange way. The mystery was nice in that I didn't necessarily know who the culprit was. I did have a niggling of who it was a few times but wasn't quite sure. The book also had some interesting characters and I am curious to what direction(s) the author decides to go next.

4.5 stars

Book Review - Even Vampires Get the Blues (The Dark Ones, Book Four) by Katie MacAlister

Book Description

Paen Scott is a Dark One: a vampire without a soul. And his mother is about to lose hers too if Paen can’t repay a debt to a demon by finding a relic known as the Jilin God in five days.

Half-elf Samantha Cosse may have gotten kicked out of the Order of Diviners, but she’s still good at finding things, which is why she just opened her own private investigation agency.

Paen is one of Sam’s first clients and the only one to set her elf senses tingling, which makes it pretty much impossible to keep their relationship on a professional level. Sam is convinced that she is Paen’s Beloved -- the woman who can give him back his soul...whether he wants it or not.

***

November 7

A good stand alone book in the Dark Ones series, but I felt as if something was missing. The relationship was nice and I liked the two main characters, Sam and Paen. I loved the idea of a Scottish Dark One, and even though some of Paen's dialogue was stilted, I still thought he was a good character. However, Sam's cousin, Clare, was trying and she didn't add any comedic value, she was just a self-absorbed nuisance. The ending was a little dumb, but not the worst I've read. I liked how Katie MacAlister expanded the Dark Ones universe, but wished there had been at least one character from previous entries so it felt as if it were part of the series. Overall, it was a nice way to spend some time, but not much is memorable and not a keeper for me.

4/5 stars

Book Review - Sex, Lies And Vampires (The Dark Ones, Book Three) by Katie MacAlister

Book Description

CHARM SCHOOL 101

Instructors: Nell Harris, Charmer
Adrian Tomas, Dark One

Class Desc.: Are you responsible for lifting a centuries-old curse from the sexiest vampire you've ever seen? Does a demon lord want to destroy you? Have you somehow inadvertently bound several mummies to your soul? If you answered yes ... well, you're in big trouble. Let us show you how the power of love can salvage even the worst of situations ... not to mention the most tormented of men.

Duration: A lifetime

***

November 7

Definitely my favorite of the series thus far. Nell was a practical, yet stubborn and light-hearted match for the tortured (and nummy LoL) Adrian. Sex, Lies, and Vampires is a slightly more serious entry into The Dark Ones series. Seems to me that Katie MacAlister's writing has gotten better through the years (as one would hope) and I hope to see more Dark Ones in the future! She's the only one that could have thought up Mummy followers. LoL :P I love the zaniness and cheesiness, along with more serious moments within the romance. The only gripe I have is that I have no clue what Nell looks like. Besides her left side being either weak or slackened, the only other clue is that she's tall(ish). I do like to have a picture in my head as I read. Oh well, I'll live. :)

5/5 stars

Book Review - Dark Defender (Paladins of Darkness, Book 2) by Alexis Morgan

Book Description

Alexis Morgan continues her dazzling paranormal series about larger-than-life warriors and the women they love....

As a Paladin warrior, Blake Trahern fights and dies again and again to keep mankind safe from the Others. Sensing his humanity slipping away with each battle, he retreats from the world...until the one person who still has a claim on his soul needs his help. It's been twelve years since Blake vanished from Brenna Nichols's life, years that have turned her from a love-struck teen into a headstrong, sensual woman. He'll fearlessly give his life to protect her -- yet he dare not risk his heart.

Brenna is stunned by Blake's reappearance, and by a shocking discovery about her father. Everything she has ever believed is thrown into question -- everything except the desire that Blake still ignites. But as they search together for a traitor among the Paladins, danger looms: the next battle could tip Blake into madness, destroying his life, his soul...and the only woman he has ever loved.

***

June 21

I enjoyed this book even more than the last in the Paladin series. Everything was fleshed out more and there weren't as many spots that needed some editing.

I loved Blake, he was wonderful, and I liked Brenna too, after she got over her having to argue over every little thing in the beginning of the book. I get that people grieve differently and it took her a time for the death of her father to hit her, but I do not like romances where the heroine argues against everything the hero asks (or sometimes demands) she do, especially when it's for her own good - you know like living. I actually felt their love for each other in the book, where Dark Protector was lacking, and I liked how there was more background on the Paladins, so the book was wholly enjoyable.

The end was nicely done without being too sappy, and I ended up reading the excerpt at the back for the next book, which I cannot wait to read! I hadn't looked up the books at all and didn't know Barak was getting his own book (and then Cullen, yay!). It's going to be hard for me to wait, but I don't have the money to get either of those books (poor me :P) right now. I guess I'll just have to impatiently wait with other paranormal romances.

4.5 stars

Book Review - Dark Protector (Paladins of Darkness, Book 1) by Alexis Morgan

Book Description

Devlin Bane: Born a Paladin, he is a member of an ancient band of warriors locked in a centuries-old war against evil.

His destiny: To die over and over again to protect mankind from the Others, only to be revived each time by his mortal Handler.

But his fierce strength and courage cannot save him from gradually becoming one of the monsters he was born to destroy.

Dr. Laurel Young, who has spent years training to become a Handler, must remain detached from her patients. But each time she revives the darkly compelling Devlin Bane, he claims a little more of her soul and incites in her desires that grow wilder and wilder -- even as he inches closer to losing his humanity. As the war against the Others grows more desperate, Laurel and Devlin can't help but give in to the fierce hunger that's sizzled between them for so long. Now they'll face the ultimate battle together -- to save a dark, passionate love that goes against every rule as they join forces to fight an enemy who is closer than they ever imagined....

***

June 18

Dark Protector introduces an interesting new concept in the paranormal romance field. If there are other books that deal with something like a paladin and this sort of plot, I don't know about them and haven't ever come across anything similar.

Laurel and Devlin were nice characters but that was about it; there wasn't much depth to them or back story. I would have liked to know more about Devlin and how he came to be a paladin exactly (at least I don't think it was mentioned). I mean he was about three times Laurel's age, so he had to have lived some outside the paladin world. You don't just start fighting in diapers. What is the whole history of the paladins and how do they come back? Also, I'd love to know more about the Others, which I suspect is to come, but they sound so intriguing! Why do they cause chaos to the human world? Why are they on the other side? What are they like? Were they really humans long ago but were sent/punished/whatever to be on the other side?(My hypothesis) I hope Ms. Morgan answers these questions in the future!

I still can't help but feel that there was something missing (besides my before mentioned questions :P) - I'm not sure what it was, maybe because the whole book was an introduction to the paladins and the rest of the series, but I don't know. Or it could be the relationship itself, which wasn't quite believable - nice but not something I'll remember. Still, I will read more in the series, especially Trahern's and Cullen's books, and hope they progress nicely in the future.

*note
Excuse me if I've missed things mentioned in the actual book but I had started it a couple months ago, couldn't concentrate on reading at all, and just picked it back up yesterday.

4/5 stars

Book Review - Rising Darkness (Dark Enchantments, Book 2) by Cynthia Cooke

Book Description
CAN TRUE LOVE TRIUMPH OVER EVIL?

Demon hunter, vampire and member of the Cadre, Damien Hancock has come to Wolvesrain to help Emma McGovern defend herself against a powerful demon. For if Emma finds love - and consummates that love - the demon Asmos will fulfill a generations-old curse and claim her soul. Damien knows just how powerful the ancient demon is, but he never anticipated the all-consuming effect courageous Emma would have on him.

Having led a sheltered life within the walls of her ancestral estate, Emma senses that Damien, like her, carries too much pain and loneliness in his heart. But as their attraction proves impossible to resist, Emma fears it is the curse that is drawing them together. Can the love she has found in Damien's strong arms now help her fight the rising darkness?

***

April 24

I'm having trouble forming sentences from my thoughts so I'm just going to list them instead. :)

Emma and Damien were likable enough characters, even if their 'woe is me' routines got a bit annoying, luckily that got progressively better as the book went on. My main problem was that their romance took a bit of a backseat to the curse and vampires and I didn't quite buy it at the end.
The concept of the Cadre was interesting and I'd like to read the other Dark Enchantment books for an expansion on the organization.
Some scenes were rather graphic and took me a bit by surprise because I don't usually find those things in a Silhouette book, but they weren't such a big deal.
The writing was very good, even if some spots were a tad boring, and I'll be sure to look for more Cynthia Cooke books in the future.
Overall it's not the best paranormal romance I've read, but it kept my interest and entertained me all the same.

3.5 stars

Book Review - Sex and the Single Vampire (Dark Ones, Book Two) by Katie MacAlister

Book Description
Allegra's Dictionary of the Paranormal

Dark One n. [Origin Czech, also known as vampires.] A Moravian Dark One is doomed to spend his lifetime cruising the singles' scene in search of the one woman who can redeem his soul. You think dating is hard? Try it when you're nine hundred years old and you've used every pick-up line in the book. Forming a lasting relationship is even more difficult when the woman who makes your heart sing sees dead people and likes to play with demons.

Summoner n. [Origin English.] Someone who summons ghosts, poltergeists, and demon lords. Summoners tend to hang around cities like London that are filled with portals to Hell, haunted inns, and other locations dishy vampires might be found lurking. Most Summoners are female, which makes for difficulties when it comes to explaining to the man who haunts your dreams and fills your soul with love why your pet ghosts can be found hovering around even in the most romantic of circumstances.

***

April 4

I enjoyed Sex and the Single Vampire much more than A Girl's Guide to Vampires. Allie was a refreshing change from Katie MacAlister's usual heroines - she was smart, not hyperactive, and an interesting person. And of course Christian was just as intriguing as he was in the previous book of the series; he made the perfect hero ('nuff said). The plot was very well-done, as was the pace. Unfortunately, Roxy was still an annoying, hyperactive puppy, but at least she wasn't in this book as much. The only reason I'm not giving this a five, is that I'm not quite sure if it's a keeper or not. Still, I think I'll hold on to it for a little longer.

4.5/5 stars

Book Review - Night's Edge Anthology

Book Description
Three new stories in one delicious volume of horror and romance

Her Best Enemy by USA TODAY bestselling author Maggie Shayne

Kiley Brigham refuses to believe there's a ghost in her house, but when an unseen hand leaves a bloody message on her bathroom mirror, she's forced to turn to local psychic Jack McCain. As the two work to uncover a long-buried secret, Kiley finds that she's haunted not by spirits, but by thoughts of Jack. . .

Someone Else's Shadow by Nebula Award-nominated author Barbara Hambly

Maddie Laveau worries about her young roommate, Tessa, when she stays late to practice ballet in the old Glendower Building. . .and when Tessa goes missing, Maddie enlists mysterious tenant Phil Anderson to help. But is Phil the white knight she needs, or the predator she fears?

Dancers in the Dark by Anthony Award-winning author Charlaine Harris

Layla Rue Le May is no ordinary dancer-her partner, Sean McClendon, is a three-hundred-year-old redheaded vampire. So when Layla Rue acquires a stalker, she's forced to face the music. . .and wonder if this will finally be her last dance.

***

April 1

I just finished Maggie Shayne's short story, Her Best Enemy, and enjoyed it a lot. Yes, the plot is rushed and I didn't believe they could love each other that soon at the end, but it was a really fun story! I would have liked it better if Ms. Shayne had left them just starting out in their promising relationship and not dropping the L-bomb at the end - it felt too forced and cheesy. But as I said before, it was very fun, and an easy and fast read too! :)
4/5 stars

Someone Else's Shadow was another very good story. I really liked Maddie, and while the love angle was again very fast, but at the end I appreciated that the author addresses how fast they fell in love. As with the first story, the ghost angle was creepy and made the whole atmosphere of the story come alive. The chemistry between Maddie and Phil was palpable and it did make me feel like they could in fact fall in love that fast. A great short story!
4.5/5 stars

Dancers in the Dark was yet another good tale in this anthology. Rue was a likable protagonist who had a horrible past, and while Sean could have been brought to life (ha!) more, he was still a good hero for her. The plot was well-done and I never got annoyed at Rue for feeling sorry for herself or anything, which can happen in stories similar to this. All-in-all it was a fascinating tale.
4/5 stars

Book Review - A Girl's Guide to Vampires (Dark Ones, Book One) by Katie MacAlister

Book Description
Joy Randall's Top 5 Tips for Vampire Hunters

1. Location, location, location. Remember, if you wouldn't be there, neither would a bloodsucker. They won't be found dead (ha!) in places like discos, ten-minute lube shops, or Switzerland. Check the Czech Republic.

2. Trust your eyes. You know the handsome, annoyingly arrogant, self-assured man in the shadows with long hair and a cleft in his chin? He's your vampire.

3. No matter how tempting it might be, DO NOT "ACCIDENTALLY" ACQUIRE A PAPER CUT AND SUGGEST YOUR VAMPIRE KISS YOUR FINGER TO MAKE IT BETTER. What you offer as a snack, he might take for a four-course meal.

4. From here on out, play it cool. Don't offer to accompany your prince of the night on the talk show circuit and WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T OFFER HIM YOUR HEART.

5. And most of all, remember - being a vampire is nothing to laugh about.

***

March 14

A Girl's Guide to Vampires was a nice and pleasant surprise. While I do get tired of Katie MacAlister's same heroine in every book I read, I could tolerate Joy more that most others. But lord can they be moronic, and not in a good way. I do wish she could expand her female leads to be different in both of their physical and mental aspects, and not be the same old monotonous ones over and over again. Always my gripe.

Now on to the rest of the book...
The storyline was interesting, there was some hilarious moments, and overall I enjoyed it better than most of the contemporary romances Ms. MacAlister has written. I am very intrigued by Christian and can't wait to read his book in this series. Roxy, on the other hand, reminded me of a little, annoying, rabid yappy dog. Yes, she could provide entertainment, but if I knew someone like that, I'd go insane, or else commit homicide. Otherwise the book was fine entertainment but not a keeper for me. Probably the main reason I read the whole book was because of the intriguing Christian and wondering about his fate.

3.75/5 stars

Book Review - Kiss Me Forever (Walk in Moonlight) by Rosemary Laurey

Book Description
HE'S HOT. HE'S SEXY. HE'S ROMANTIC. HE'S IMMORTAL.

If there is one thing Dixie LePage does not need in her life, it's complications. And the man sitting across the table from her in a crowded English pub, the one offering to buy the library of her inherited estate in a small English village, is a major complication. For starters, there's the broad shoulders. The slightly amused smirk. That smoldering look that makes it impossible to concentrate. And that infuriating, old-fashioned, and well, okay, incredibly appealing sense of chivalry. No doubt about it, the guy is hot and sexy.

Of course, there is one wee little problem: He claims to be a vampire named Christopher Marlowe, as in THE Christophe Marlowe, famous playwright, contemporary of Will Shakespeare. Right. Amend that to hot, sexy, and totally insane. Please see "no more complications." So why can't Dixie seem to resist the warmth of Christopher's charm, the protective feel of his strong hands, or the tempting pull of his full mouth when the sun goes down . . . ?

***

March 7
(This review is only for the first romance)

Kiss Me Forever
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Being as I am fascinated by the mystery of Christopher Marlowe and love vampires, it was the perfect book for me. Kit was to die for and is now one of my fave vamps of all time. Dixie was a smart heroine, which was nice, without being a Mary Sue. The humor was right up my alley and I just loved almost everything about it.

I only have a few minor quibbles - some editing, a bit of the plot seemed to change around the 290 page mark (but it kinda makes sense), and the remark that Ohio doesn't have that much sun. Seeing how the author lives in Ohio, I don't get how she could write that. We have some killer sunlight, especially in the summer, and it makes no sense to me whatsoever. No biggie, but it boggled my mind anyway, and gave me a bit of a chuckle. LoL

Still, overall it was a great, intelligent paranormal romance that while keeping 'typical' vampire characteristics, still made them fresh and innovative. A wonderful read with terrific characters! I cannot wait to get to Tom and Justin's stories.

4.5/5 stars

Book Review - Vamps and the City (Love at Stake, Book Two) by Kerrelyn Sparks

Book Description
Who says a vamp can't have it all?

Darcy Newhart thought it was a stroke of genius – the first–ever reality TV show where mortals vie with vampires for the title of The Sexiest Man on Earth. As the show's director, Darcy's career would be on track again. And she can finally have a life apart from the vampire harem. Okay, so she's still technically dead, but two out of three's not bad. Now she just has to make sure that a mortal doesn't win. If only she wasn't so distracted by a super–sexy and live contestant named Austin...

But Darcy doesn't know the worst of it. Austin Erickson is actually a vampire slayer! And he's got his eye on the show's leggy blond director. Only problem is, he's never wanted any woman – living or dead – as badly. But if he wins her heart, will he lose his soul? And if it means an eternity of hot, passionate loving with Darcy, does that really matter anyway?

***

February 26

I enjoyed Vamps & the City more than the first book in the series, How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire. Only a few things bothered me in this book; one being that Austin was being a judgmental jerk about vamps, (2) how easily Darcy forgave him, and (3) the whole vamps don't have a shadow thing. I know that last one has been used in other medias, but I have never gotten it - that or no reflections. Especially because I'm sure if you hold a corpse up to a mirror, you'd see their reflection. How can something solid not have a shadow anyway? In the book they are technically alive at night so they could have a shadow and reflection. Illogical, but I guess so are vampires (or are they? LoL), but I'm just nitpicking. :P

I did think that the whole flow to this book was so much better than in the first. So overall, I thought it was a fast, fun, and interesting read.

4/5 stars

***

And here's my review for the first in the series, How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire.

Book Description
So what if he's a bit older and usually regards a human female as dinner, not a dinner date? Yes, Roman Draganesti is a vampire, but a vampire who lost one of his fangs sinking his teeth into something he shouldn't have. Now he has one night to find a dentist before his natural healing abilities close the wound, leaving him a lop–sided eater for all eternity.

Things aren't going well for Shanna Whelan either...After witnessing a gruesome murder by the Russian mafia, she's next on their hit list. And her career as a dentist appears to be on a downward spiral because she's afraid of blood. When Roman rescues her from an assassination attempt, she wonders if she's found the one man who can keep her alive. Though the attraction between them is immediate and hot, can Shanna conquer her fear of blood to fix Roman's fang? And if she does, what will prevent Roman from using his fangs on her...

***

December 23, 2007

A fast and fun vampire romance read. While it's not very original, it has its own charm, all the characters are likable enough, if slightly undeveloped (but the Highlanders are great!), and the plot moves along nicely, although the Stake-Out groups addition to the story was weird and unnecessary to the plot. I do feel that the title and cover misrepresent the book, but luckily, it looks as though the next three covers are better. One small quibble: since Shanna had brown hair (dyed or not), it would be impossible for her to go platinum blonde w/o first stripping the color out. Like I said, not a biggie, but faulty nonetheless. There were some interesting aspects: mainly the science part, but unfortunately there wasn't anything overly special about the book. Oh, and two scenes in particular were very funny; they were the blood shuffling one and when Shanna wakes up. Those two were about the only times I laughed out loud, but there were a few other amusing things too. Overall, the book was light, easy to read, and a nice diversion. I look forward to Be Still My Vampire Heart with Angus - I do love me some Highlanders! ;P

3.5/5 stars