Fiction Book Review - High Five (Stephanie Plum, No. 5)

High Five (Stephanie Plum, No. 5)

By Janet Evanovich

Editorial ReviewsAmazon.com Review"Uncle Fred was someone I saw at weddings and funerals and once in a while at Giovichinni's Meat Market, ordering a quarter pound of olive loaf. Eddie Such, the butcher, would have the olive loaf on the scale and Uncle Fred would say, 'You've got the olive loaf on a piece of waxed paper. How much does that piece of waxed paper weigh? You're not gonna charge me for that waxed paper, are you? I want some money off for the waxed paper.'"The speaker is Stephanie Plum, the glamorous if slightly ditzy bounty hunter from Trenton, New Jersey, and one of the most original creations in recent mystery fiction.
In this fifth entry in Janet Evanovich's increasingly popular series, Stephanie's problems are many and varied. She's not making enough money picking up FTAs (Failures to Appear) for her cousin Vinnie, of Vincent Plum Bail Bonds; her red-hot love affair with Detective Joe Morelli has cooled off; and her giant extended family is no help at all. For instance, Uncle Fred the cheapskate has disappeared, leaving behind some suspicious photographs of body parts in garbage bags and links to some really dangerous people.

When Stephanie turns to her friend and mentor, Ranger, for financial advice, he gets her involved in a gang of toughs doing instant evictions for landlords. (She complains to Ranger about the job and its dangers, prompting one of the hired thug to say, "Man, you don't like to get shot. You don't like to get arrested. You don't know how to have fun at all.")
Most of Stephanie's charm, of course, comes from her attitude--a combination of the brazen bravado that turns a failed lingerie model into a bounty hunter in the first place and the normal fears of a person in over her head.

Other Plums in paperback, by the numbers: One for the Money, Two for the Dough, Three to Get Deadly, and Four to Score. --Dick Adler --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
http://www.amazon.com/High-Five-Stephanie-Plum-No/dp/0312971346/ref=sid_dp_dp#

Now ... My take on the book:

Stephanie is back to blowing up cars and nothing but attitude, you got to love her! She has broken up with her policeman boy friend Joe Morelli. She is broke, she has no work to do. She does get an unpaid investigative job to find her annoying cheapskate Uncle Fred. Stephanie ends up with a house guest that is a dwarf. She does get some paying work moonlighting for none other than Ranger (OMG … why can’t it be me!!)!!! Even gets a couple company cars that either get blown up or stolen.

There is attraction now not only between Stephanie and Joe but Stephanie and Ranger. Uh oh … what will Ms. Plum do … hard choice … bad boy gone good or scary bad boy still scary but scary sexy!! The ending leaves you hanging as we don't know who it was she invited over and put on her hot dress for. At this point I am still on Team Morelli but I am beginning to wonder about him ...

But seriously, folks...forget about what Grandma Mazur did at the all-male strip club (she put the dollar bill WHERE?). This book marks a change in this hilarious series that bodes well for the future. Every book in this side-splitting series has been a treasure. But this outing goes for less laughs and more plot, and the result is stunning! Not that I didn't find myself howling with laughter, once again in public, not that Evanovich's incredible bon mots don't grab you when you're not looking, but this time, there is actually a mystery with several subplots, and some real suspense.

In this adventure, Stephanie's bounty-hunting activities are somewhat sidelined by her search for her missing Uncle Fred, a nasty miser whose possible widow, Aunt Mabel, is planning a Caribbean Cruise within 2 weeks of his disappearance. Nevertheless, the Code of the Burg is strict, and when one's relative is missing, one must do the right thing and bring him/her home. At her family's urging, Stephanie reluctantly accepts the task.

But this is Stephanie Plum we are talking about here. And lest we think that things will run smoothly, there is the small matter of the angry dwarf. Then we have the exploding Porsche (NEVER let Stephanie drive anything other than her indestructible 1950s-model Buick!!!), more exciting viewings at Stiva's Funeral Home, the stolen Beemer (that belonged to RANGER!), the psychotic homicidal rapist Ramirez, fresh out of prison and Eager to Stalk (we met this dude in Book 1, and he is not a nice person), and at least one serious stun gun mishap (I'm not telling, but watch out the next time you eat potroast at the Plum residence). I won't even talk about the spoiled son of the Arab Sheik, or what he wants Stephanie to do for $5.

This series just gets better and better! Laugh out loud funny, and full of high power action. Truly a winner.

Fiction Book Review - Four to Score (Stephanie Plum, No. 4)

Four to Score (Stephanie Plum, No. 4)

By Janet Evanovich

Editorial ReviewsAmazon.com ReviewStephanie Plum, the trash-talking New Jersey bail bondswoman of this popular series, is tracking Maxine Nowicki, who's wanted for skipping out on a car-theft charge lodged by her ex-boyfriend. Now the ex-boyfriend's very interested in getting back the love letters he supposedly wrote to Maxine. But what he's really looking for is the secret on which Evanovich hangs her screwball cast of colorful minor characters, including Sally Sweet, a cross-dressing drag queen; Lula, the 250-pound ex-hooker who works for Steph's boss; Cousin Vinnie, the bail bondsman; Grandma Mazur, who packs a Glock and is always looking for a little action; and Joyce, a wannabe bounty hunter who's been cramping Steph's style since she played pass the salami with Steph's ex-husband. The action doesn't get much farther from Trenton than the Jersey Shore, but when Steph's apartment and car are blown up by the others on Maxine's trail and she moves in with Joe Morelli, the handsome, arrogant cop she's been hung up on since high school, it gets hotter than the craps table in Atlantic City. Plum's fans won't be disappointed in this fourth outing in the series, and they're likely to be even more interested in the snappy patter and sexy shenanigans than in the mystery that holds it all together. --Jane Adams --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
http://www.amazon.com/Four-Score-Stephanie-Plum-No/dp/0312966970/ref=sip_rech_dp_6

Now my take on the book:

This fourth book in the series is one of nonstop laughter and wierd looks from my family. Stephanie Plum, ill fated bounty hunter, is after Maxine Nowicki who is free on a stolen automobile charge. Her boyfriend, Eddie Kuntz, also offers Stephanie money in hopes that she can retrieve something extremely valuable to him...love letters, he claims. Hmmmm ...

The chase is on in this page-turning craze, and all of the extra added details that makes this adventure that much more funny! The cast of characters is helpful to Stephanie once again. Stephanie's family, especially Grandma Mazur, add pizzazz, depth, and a heck of a lot of humor to this great plot.

Joe Morelli is also back and yes him and Stephanie finally get together ... mmmm yummy (Still on Team Morelli!) Lula, the rubenesque "ho" turned file clerk / assistant bounty hunter is hysterical as usual! Her quick wit and street humor keep you rolling. Ranger is also on deck to help when needed and torment Stephanie as much as possible!! He is a hunky hunk of man, isn't he?!?!

This fourth book also introduces Sally Sweet, a crazy haired cryptographer who works as a cross dressing musician. When Grandma Mazur asks Sally what a drag queen does with his manhood I laughed for like three minutes.

Stephanie's mortal enemy, Joyce Barnhardt (AKA red haired Devil), also has a larger roll in this book, as the newest bounty hunter at the Vincent Plum bail bonds agency. Oh, let the good times roll and the cat fights begin ... does anyone else smell sulfur?

This book is truly hysterical, pages keep turning with the fast paced humor and wit. This is the best book yet in the series and I thought three was good. This series is highly recommended!

Fiction Book Review - Three to Get Deadly (Stephanie Plum, No. 3)

Fiction Book Review - Three to Get Deadly (Stephanie Plum, No. 3)

By Janet Evanovich

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com ReviewAs readers of Janet Evanovich's two previous books about funny, feisty, family-tied bounty hunter Stephanie Plum already know, she operates in "the burg"--a "comfy residential chunk of Trenton, New Jersey, where houses and minds are proud to be narrow and hearts are generously wide open." On this turf, Plum fights for justice and fashion points--this time in pursuit of a beloved neighborhood candystore owner who seems to be moonlighting as an anti-drug vigilante. Evanovich now lives in New Hampshire, but authentic affection for Trenton energizes her prose. Plums in paperback include One for the Money and Two for the Dough. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition. From Publishers WeeklyTrenton, N.J., bounty hunter and former lingerie buyer Stephanie Plum (last seen in Two for the Dough) becomes persona non grata when she tracks down a neighborhood saint who has failed to show up for his court appearance. No one wants to help Stephanie, who works for her bail-bondsman cousin, Vinnie. While questioning admirers of the man nicknamed Uncle Mo, Stephanie is attacked and knocked out as she cases his candy store. She comes to next to the dead body of her attacker, who turns out to be a well-known drug dealer. Suddenly, she can't avoid stumbling across the bodies of dead drug dealers: one in a dumpster, one in a closet and four in the candy store basement. Stephanie suspects that mild-mannered Mo has become a vigilante and is cleaning up the streets in a one-man killing spree. But when she's repeatedly threatened by men wearing ski masks, she wonders if Mo has company and just might be in over his head. Despite her new clownish orange hair job, Stephanie muddles through another case full of snappy one-liners as well as corpses. By turns buttressed and hobbled by her charmingly clueless family and various cohorts (including streetwise co-worker Lulu, detective and heartthrob Morelli and professional bounty hunter Ranger), the redoubtable Stephanie is a character crying out for a screen debut. Mystery Guild selection; Literary Guild alternate; major ad/promo; author tour. Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

http://www.amazon.com/Three-Get-Deadly-Stephanie-Plum/dp/0312966091/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1252120836&sr=8-8

My Take on this book:

Stephanie Plum, the lingerie buyer turned bounty hunter, after blackmailing her cousin Vinnie. As usual, Stephanie Plum's trials and tribulations had me laughing out loud! Janet Evanovich has done it again. Three to Get Deadly, begins as Stephanie Plum, ex-lingerie buyer turned bounty hunter is given the go to pick up Mo Bedemier. Uncle Mo, as he's known in "the burg", Stephanie's working class, Trenton neighborhood, owns an ice-cream parlor/candy store, has missed his court appearance and seems to have left town.

Uncle Mo is nowhere to be found. The case soon winds up with attacks by strange anti-drug vigilantes, murdered men and porno films. The body count of the local drug dealers around his store continues to rise! Stephanie gets no help from the locals, only threats to leave uncle Mo alone. Lula, the prostitute turned file clerk, has a much greater voice in this novel, and she truly adds laughter to the story with one trip out on her bounty hunting training. Police officer Joe Morelli is back and Stephanie is even concerned he has a girlfriend since he no longer seems interested. Ranger is also back, with help and exercise! This novel you really get closer with all the characters. The family dinner time just wouldn't be the same if one of Stephanie's friends wasn't invited to join them.

The writing is witty, irreverent and down to earth, with dialogue that will have you laughing out loud. Though the mystery itself is a bit of a stretch, it doesn't matter, because spending time in Trenton, with Stephanie and company, is such a joy. Start with One for the Money and read all the books in this series. They will put a smile on your face. The book flows at a blistering pace and it is hard not to enjoy this book! I highly recommend this series!

Have you read these books? What did you think about this book? If you haven't read them ... read them they are GREAT!

Book Review - Dark Challenge (The Carpathians (Dark) Series, Book 5)

Dark Challenge (The Carpathians (Dark) Series, Book 5)
By Christine Feehan

Editorial Reviews
Product DescriptionA New York Times Bestselling Author
Julian Savage was golden. Powerful. But tormented. For the brooding hunter walked alone, always alone, far from his Carpathian kind, alien to even his twin. Like his name, his existence was savage. Until he met the woman he was sworn to protect . . . When Julian heard Desari sing, rainbows swamped his starving senses. Emotions bombarded his hardened heart. Was Desari more than his perfect mate? Julian had met his match in this woman, but would she drive him to madness . . . or save his soul? --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Challenge-Carpathians-Book/dp/0505524090/ref=cm_lmf_tit_5_rsrsrs0

My take on the book:

The fifth in the ongoing original saga of the Carpathians, Dark Challenge introduces us to four new characters as well as the twin, Julian, of the 'hero' Aidan in Dark Gold. It also introduces Desari (Dara) a Carpathian Female who is equal in power to Julian, which makes for an interesting situation as none of the Carpathian males (except those in Desari's 'family unit') are used to dealing with Carpathian women who are the equal of their power. It also brings a unique twist into the mix as the two carpathian females introduced to us, each have a unique power that the Carpathian males were unaware that Carpathian women of power have. More over we find that Desari & her brother Darius are the long lost siblings of Gregory.

This book, I felt, had a deeper depth to it than the last four. It really showed how hard it was for Carpathian males to live together, and showed a deep interaction between the "family unit" of Desari (including a sweet sister relationship between Desari and Syndil, the other female Carpathian). All of the characters were delightfully interesting, and the situation between Julian and the other male Carpathians, especially between Darius and Julian, was quite amusing and real.

Spoiler here, but it also hints big time that we will be seeing more about the legendary warrior twins, Gabriel and Lucian. I cannot wait to read their story. The story Christine gave in the book set up quite a stage for their stories, and so far Christine has proven that her sequels can stand on their own two feet and do not fall in the trap of most sequels of wearing out the same plot over and over.

All in all this was just a good book that was steamy, romantic and impossible to put down!

Book Review - Dark Magic (The Carpathians (Dark) Series, Book 4)

Dark Magic (The Carpathians (Dark) Series, Book 4)
By Christine Feehan

Editorial Reviews
Product DescriptionThey were masters of the darkness, searching through eternity for a mistress of the light...WOULD SHE FIND MAGIC Young Savannah Dubrinsky was a mistress of illusion, a world-famous magician capable of mesmerizing millions. But there was one--Gregori, the Dark One--who held her in terrifying thrall. Whose cold silver eyes and heated sensuality sent shivers of danger, of desire, down her slender spine. With a dark magic all his own, Gregori--the implacable hunter, the legendary healer, the most powerful of Carpathian males--whispered in Savannah's mind that he was her destiny. That she had been born to save his immortal soul. And now, here in New Orleans, the hour had finally come to claim her. To make her completely his. In a ritual as old as time . . . and as inescapable as eternity.

http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Magic-Carpathians-Book/dp/0505523892/ref=cm_lmf_tit_4_rsrsrs0

My take on the book:

DARK MAGIC is the fourth book in the Carpathian series written by Christine Feehan. For nearly a thousand years Gregori, the relentless hunter of the undead and the most powerful healer of the Carpathians has struggled with the darkness teetering on the brink of madness; the beast within him strong. He can wait no longer and claim his lifemate Savannah Dubrinsky, daughter of the Prince of the Carpathians. Savannah is a world famous magician and more than anything she desires her own independence and does not want to be a lifemate to anyone. She is especially weary of one as powerful and menacing as Gregori.

Years before, he came to claim her as his lifemate. Right away she notices how very different Gregori is from the other young men. Afraid, she runs from him; she runs from his dark sensuality and the intensity of her feelings for him. He knows that if he should turn vampire, he would tear the world apart. Gregori can no longer trust himself and seizes Savannah. But it is too late. Having her presence near him sends him toppling over the edge. The struggle between man and beast is AWESOME and totally believable in one who has struggled with insurmountable darkness for endless centuries. Savannah merges her mind with his and "feels" the suffering he has endured for her. For the first time, she understands Gregori's plight.

DARK MAGIC is brimming with dark emotions, incredible sensuality and violence. All of us who have read the very first book in the series knows that Gregori is a hard man. He has suffered more than any other Carpathian for he is called upon to dispense justice and all of that killing has taken its toll. His own people fear him and the immense power he possesses. Knowing this, he willingly isolates himself even though he is aching for acceptance. He believes his soul is forever lost and in a desperate bid for salvation, he tampers with nature. He agonizes over Savannah one day discovering how he had manipulated their chemistry many years before. Agonizes that there very well might be her "true" lifemate waiting for her. Agonizes that her heart will never be his!

This like the other three books was well worth the read & was impossible to put down!

Book Review - Dark Gold (The Carpathians (Dark) Series, Book 3)

Dark Gold (The Carpathians (Dark) Series, Book 3)
by Christine Feehan

Editorial Reviews
Product DescriptionThey were masters of the darkness, searching through eternity for a mistress of the light . . .
Alexandria Houton will sacrifice anything--even her life --to protect her orphaned little brother. But when both encounter an unspeakable evil in the swirling San Francisco mists, Alex can only cry to heaven for their deliverance . . . And out of the darkness swoops Aidan Savage, a golden being more powerful, more mysterious, than any other creature of the night. The ageless Carpathian male snatches them from a hideous fate. But is Aidan Alex's salvation . . . or her sin? If she surrenders to Aidan's savage, unearthly seduction, and gives him the color, the light, the family he craves, will Alex truly save her brother? Or sacrifice more than her life? --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Gold-Carpathians-Book/dp/0843958448/ref=cm_lmf_tit_3_rsrsrs0

My take on the book:

In the previous books we got the setting and sense of the Carpathians and their world, we also got a story totally different for the characters. The same is true of Dark Gold, which was lighter and more playful.

The main character Aidan is an ancient and barely holing on to his soul. Alexandra is a young woman caring for her little brother & struggling to do so. Just when she thinks she can turn it around with a new job that makes use of her artistic talents he is attacked by vampires and tries to protect her young brother. Both her and her brother end up in the hands of a Vampire and just when things are at their worst Aidan, appears and saves them. Alex must decide, and her decision could condemn them to death, or give them life, and love for all eternity.

What I loved most about the heroes is how protective and strong they are, emotionally and physically. They're all very sexy with to die for heroes who have larger-than-life abilities (which make them the ultimate alpha guys!) and intelligent heroines, but the characters have their own individual personalities, too. The books are fantasy based but the emotions are everything we want in reality. It was wonderful, too, how the author made each book unique. This is by far one of the most entertaining, original series of books I've found in a long, long time. This is a wonderful, sensuous book that you will not be able to put down. Once you've read it, you will probably be as addicted as I am! I highly recommend them all.

Book Review - Dark Desire (The Carpathians (Dark) Series, Book 2)

Dark Desire (The Carpathians (Dark) Series, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback) by Christine Feehan

Editorial Reviews
Product DescriptionA New York Times Bestselling Author
The stranger silently summoned her from across the continents, across the seas. He whispered of eternal torment, of endless hunger . . . of dark, dangerous desires. And somehow American surgeon Shea O'Halloran could feel his anguish. Drawn to the far Carpathian mountains, Shea found a ravaged, raging man, and recognized the beloved stranger who'd already become part of her. But was she to be his healer . . . or his prey? --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Desire-Carpathians-Book/dp/0843956534/ref=cm_lmf_tit_2_rsrsrs0

My Take on the Book:

In this second Carpathian (Dark) series we find Jacques Dubrinsky, a brooding and once powerful Carpathian, was betrayed to vampire hunters who tortured and imprisoned him in chains where he has remained for seven years. His memory gone,
Jacques Dubrinsky is fighting to survive the insufferable anguish as his traumatized mind manages to create a connection with a stranger. This stranger is a woman who might be able to save him or who may be the cause of his agony. His voice haunt her dreams and finally she feels compelled to find his place of imprisonment and try to save his life. Her compassion, courage and ability to love will return Jacques to sanity and restore his memory if anything or anyone is able. Shea has a rare blood disease and needs constant blood transfusions to remain alive.

American surgeon Shea O'Halloran feels compelled to travel thousands of miles to the Carpathian mountains where she uncovers a being like none she has ever known. In her frantic pursuit to save Jacques, Shea must face the truth about what he is and about herself. They must deal with Jacques' past and also Shea's - which is much more unusual than she knows. Also, the evil men, and vampire, who originally tried to take Jacques' life are hot on their trail, as are his Carpathian family. They believed he was dead and now want to help both Jacque and Shea.

Christine Feehan has given us another can't put it down page turner with Dark Desire. I was pulled deep into the emotional impact of Jacques' devastating psychosis from page one. The relationship between Jacques and Shea reminded me of the Beauty and the Beast story; he desperately needs her but at the same time is dangerous to her while She is drawn to him in spite of the fact that she knows it may lead to her destruction.

Not for the faint of heart, is an extremely exciting and imaginative novel. The romance is sensual and scorching hot, but violent at times - remember, Jacques is not quite sane at first - also the descriptions of his torture are graphic.

Highly recommended. I can't wait to read the next Carpathian novel.

Book Review - Two for the Dough (Stephanie Plum, No. 2)

Two for the Dough (Stephanie Plum, No. 2) By: Janet Evanovich

Editorial Reviews:
From Publishers WeeklyReturn of sassy New Jersey bounty hunter Stephanie Plum in Evanovich's followup to One for the Money. Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

From Library Journal:
Evanovich's first novel, One for the Money (Macmillan, 1994), introduced Stephanie Plum, a gutsy heroine who wormed her way into a job with her bond-agent cousin Vinnie. With the aid of vice cop Joe and her Grandma Mazur, Stephanie pursues a bail jumper and knows that a vice cop wants them both. A winning adventure.Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
http://www.amazon.com/Two-Dough-Stephanie-Plum-No/dp/0312948964/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251389202&sr=1-1

My Take on the Book:

Stephanie is back and on the case … her new FTA was supposed to be easy … is anything ever easy for Ms. Plum? Her new FTA is Kenny Mancuso and he shot his friend and then skipped out on his bond. Of course, first Steph has to find Kenny. Whle searching for Kenny his friend is murdered. Then while trying to track down leads on Kenny, she joins Grandma Mazur at Stiva’s funeral home. Funeral dicector Constantine Stiva is currently in the hospital so his son Spiro is in charge. We then find out that Spiro is another of Kenny's childhood friends. Spiro surprises Stephanie when he reveals a case of his own and offers her money to help him out. He has 24 caskets that are missing and he wants Stephanie to hunt them down. Stephanie begins to wonder … Is there a connection? With Ranger to advise and Joe Morelli to shadow, will Stephanie solve this mystery and get her man before someone gets her?

Stephanie Plum is an appealing heroine. She acts tough, but in reality she's anything but … she is the girl next door and could easily be your best friend, if you grew up in the Burg. The plot is complicated enough to be engaging and the action is pretty much non-stop! Joe Morelli is still there to complicate Stephanie’s life and she has just resigned herself to that fact. Morelli has decided that he wants Stephanie and Stephanie isn’t sure she doesn’t want him … to her own chagrin! I have to tell you at this point I am on TEAM MORELLI … I mean he is sexy and All Italian … he also has a long and checkered past with Ms. Plum. In true Stephanie fashion she gets a car she actually likes only to have it stolen! Next thing you know Stephanie is behind the wheel of a blue 53 Buick and hating every minute of it! Ranger is still hard at work trying to mentor Stephanie and what does he get for it a platonic night in her company and his Beemer stolen. “Babe …”

If all of the previously mentioned situations aren’t enough … there is always Grandma Mazur to shake things up! She is a riot as she welcomed addition to this cast of characters and she adds a real “explosive” flare to book.

It's easy to see why these books are so popular - an appealing main character and fun stories. If you're looking for purely escapist fiction, this is the series for you.

Book Review - A Girl’s Guide to Vampires

A Girl’s Guide to Vampires By: Katie MacAlister

All Joy Randall wants is a little old-fashioned romance, but when she participates in a "Goddess evoking" ceremony with her friend, Roxy, Joy finds out her future true love is a man with the potential to put her immortal soul in danger. At first the ever-practical Joy is ready to dismiss her vision as a product of too much gin and too many vampire romances, but while traveling through the Czech Republic with Roxy, Joy begins to have some second thoughts about her mystery lover because she is suddenly plagued by visions of a lethally handsome stranger. Then, when she and Roxy attend a local GothFaire, Joy meets Raphael Griffin St. John, head of security, and she becomes even more bewildered because the dark and dangerous Raphael seems too close to her dreams for comfort. Readers will gladly give in to the wickedly sharp bite of MacAlister's wit in this temptingly toothsome romance. With its superb characterization and writing that manages to be both sexy and humorous, this contemporary paranormal love story is an absolute delight. John CharlesCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product 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. 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. 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.
http://www.amazon.com/Girls-Guide-Vampires-Katie-Macalister/dp/0505525305/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251387746&sr=1-2

My Take on the Book:

This was a book I picked up on a whim because I had nothing else to read and needed a book. I thought this book was funny and a breath of fresh air with references that to me reminded me of the Carpathians of Christine Feehan’s books. So after I read this book I went back and read the acknowledgements and wasn’t surprised to find Ms. MacAlister thanks Christine Feehan. So … it's not really surprising that C.J. Dante’s vampires bear a striking resemblance to Feehan's Carpathians, including the soulmate to save the vampire from a bleak existence aspect of the story. If you like Feehan's books, you'll enjoy Roxy's obsession with the Rules of the Dark Ones.

There were plenty of laughs, some intrigued and a good amount of sex and romance with an air of mystery. All I can say is that if you're a fan of vampire romance books you'll like this one. The basic premise is that our heroine, Joy, is accompanying her friend Roxy on a trip to the Czech Republic to try to visit a reclusive author of romantic vampire fiction C.J. Dante and to explore whether or not vampires do exist. Roxy the adamant believer drags Joy the consummate disbeliever to a small town in the Czech Republic. Naturally, Joy is the one the vampire takes an interest in.

This book was just so funny in sections that I laughed out loud. The heroine wasn't a petite little thing (a wonderful change of pace); the hero was mysterious and sexy; the setting was a nice change of pace - a GothFest in the Czech Republic; and the secondary characters were fleshed out enough to make them interesting and relevant. All and all, it was just a fun book and I enjoyed it. Now on to the next Book in the series … sex and the Single Vampire … review to follow soon!

Book Review - Dead Until Dark (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 1)

Dead Until Dark (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 1)
The Sookie Stackhouse series By: Charlaine Harris

Sookie Stackhouse lives in a world like ours - except for one difference, 4 years ago Vampires "came out of the coffin" and are now a legal part of USA society. This followed the creation of synthetic blood which the vampires used to make themselves seem less threatening to the humans. This open exposure of the Vampires reminds me of in the Anita Blake books (by author Laurell K. Hamilton, review coming soon) novels.

Sookie lives in a small town in Northern Louisiana and is not your usual barmaid she has been blessed or cursed with the ability to read minds and works very hard to shut everyone out! However this ability makes dating a virtual impossibility until Bill the vampire comes to town. She soon discovers he's her (almost) perfect man because he is the quiet in the storm of her mentally loud life. Next thing you know people start dying which in this small town seldom ever happens. Needless to say, shenanigans ensue and a strange but captivating story unfolds.
The author has written a very readable book here which worked quite well as the beginning of a very successful series that then spawned a mediocre TV series. Her characters are as believable as expected in paranormal fiction and really quite likeable. I found it fast paced and easy to get into and read … I read it in two days only stopping to eat, sleep and work which any reader will tell you is the sign of a very good book!

For those people who like fiction that covers, vampires, PSI, alternative realities or mystery fiction, this book pretty well covers all those areas.

Paranormal Book Review - Dark Prince (The Carpathians (Dark) Series, Book 1)

Dark Prince (The Carpathians (Dark) Series, Book 1)
by Christine Feehan

Product Description: A New York Times Bestselling Author: Christine Feehan

Prince of the Night. He came to her in the night, a predator - strength and power chiseled his features. The seduction was deep and elemental; he affected her soul. She craved the dangerous force of his body - and he had only touched her with his mind. Lady of the Light. She came to him at dawn, his bleakest hour. As the beast raged inside him, threatening to consume him, he vented his centuries-old despair and she answered, a ray of light, piercing his darkness.
http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Prince-Carpathians Book/dp/0843955287/ref=cm_lmf_tit_1_rsrsrs0

My Take on the Book:

In this book we are introduced to a new take on the Vampire. In Christine Feehan’s world a Vampire is what happens when a Carpathian male doesn’t find his lifemate and chooses not to end his existence. Ok I guess it is time for some background info for those of you that haven’t read these books.

A Carpathian is a male or female child born that is immortal and made of this earth. They have the ability to shape shift, they can create most anything that comes from a nothing as long as it is of natural materials, they can control the weather and natural forces, they live off of blood though they don’t kill and each Carpathian has only one true mate, their soul mate … the other half to make them whole. After about 200 years the male Carpathians that have not found their lifemate lose their emotions and the ability to see colors and the darkness rapidly grows until the find their lifemate, choose to end their life or kill during a hunt then turning Vampire. Carpathians hunt and kill Vampires as they pose a threat to humanity and Carpathians alike. Life mates are hard to come by as few females Carpathians are born and even fewer survive the first year of life.

In this first book in a long and fascinating series find Mikhail Dubrinsky, the Prince of the Carpathian people in his homeland the Carpathian Mountains in such pain. Mikhail longs to end his empty existence but can not as he is the leader of his people and as such has to find a way to keep his people from extinction. One night when he is feeling extremely lonely his telepathic cries are heard by Raven Whitney, a telepathic hunter of serial killers. She has come to the Carpathian Mountains for a vacation where she answers Mikhail’s cries. It is nearly at that moment that Mikhail realizes that he has found his lifemate but he must now find her and convince her of the same thing. Mikhail does find and charm Raven though he finds her more difficult than expected. A relationship builds and she finds that she now feels whole all while fending off a group of vampire killers who are attacking Carpathians.

There is love, sex, romance and action in this book. What I think I liked best was how well this book was written. As I read through the parts of the book that were most steamy I was impressed about how it was sexy but not smutty. I loved the dialog between all of the characters and I thought that the characters were well developed and easy to imagine. I likes the twist that strong psychic human women could become lifemates to the Carpathian men who need them so.

These books are romantic and fun to read so dive in and read some!

Paranormal Fiction Book Review - Piers Anthony

This is another old school classic that I read in my early twenties. I was fascinated by the thought that these characters we hear so much about in all kinds of places could be you or I. I thought that these books were well written and clever. I loved how one could even accidentally become death just by being in the wrong place at the wrong time ... and like it or not you are stuck until someone kills you. I also liked how this novel and character linked into the other books and there was interaction between the books and characters throughout the series.

"You clearly identify with the main character Zane, a photographer about to commit suicide, instead kills the incarnation of Death (a.k.a., Thanatos) and then assumes the office of psychopomp Death. Zane is without a job or money and then he is cheated out of a chance from Romance he decides to end it all. As Zane readies himself to end his life, he sees the apparition of Death (Thanatos) moving in on him. Frightened, he aims at Death and shoots inadvertently shooting Thanatos right between his eyes. He is then visited by an incarnation of Fate; a woman who introduces herself and who insists that Zane must now assume the position of the man he has killed, since whoever kills Death must become the new Death. In the course of learning the job, he discovers that his coming into the office of Death was not accidental, but was manipulated by a powerful magician. The magician, who has done a great deal of research, feels that Zane is the best candidate for the Incarnation of Death to fall in love with Luna and thus want to protect her. The only way for the magician Kaftan to meet with Death without Satan's knowledge is to die with his soul in balance. The magician chooses to sacrifice his own life in order to introduce Zane to Luna and explain to Zane the circumstances which brought him into the office of Death."

"One minor issue with the continuity of the series is that, throughout the rest of the novels, the official title for the Incarnation of Death is Thanatos and everyone recognizes this, both Incarnations, dead souls, supernatural beings, and mortals. However, in this first novel of the series, the title is simply Death, though Gaea (Nature) does call him Thanatos as her own pet name for him." I guess I could see hw this could cause a minor issue though I had no problem with this. I knew by the end of this book that Death was Thanatos and even found myself reading Death & thinking Thanatos and the other way around.

Well feel free to jump in and tell me what you thought about this book ...

(As it has been years since I read this book ... I sought out basic info from the web ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_a_Pale_Horse)

Paranormal Fiction Book Review - Anne Rice

Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice

From Library Journal:

Rice turned the vampire genre on its ear with this first novel (LJ 5/1/76), which evolved into one of the most popular series in recent history. Though the quality of the books has declined, this nonetheless is a marvelous, innovative, and literate tale of the longing for love and the search for redemption. This 20th-anniversary edition offers a trade-size paperback for a good price.Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Now my take:

This book was a riveting read! I read it in 12 hours only stopping to eat & take bathroom breaks. I just couldn't put it down ... I was 20 years old. I grew up reading Stephen King & R.L. Stine but then with two kids only a little more than 2 years apart I went years without reading an adult book. I took the recommendation of a friend at work went to the library ... where I took out Interview with the Vampire. I connected with Daniel right away as a huge vampire fan ... then there was Louis. I cried when I read the beginning of his story and several times through out the book. Next, I was introduced to Lestat and it was love at first read! He was the ultimate bad boy & what girl doesn't love a bad boy! As we go along we meet many others that will impact us through out the series and leave a mark on any vampire fan.

As I read this book I became enamored by Anne Rice's vampires, they were intellegent and varied not just in age but in experience. They still have the sexual appeal without the sex in the book. This is a book I feel alright about letting m 14 year old daughter read because the story is told without being tawdry. Louis is the heart of the story; he is so raw and emotional while Lestat is more cruel and farther removed from his humanity, or so it would seem. When reading this book you have to know that this is Louis' take on the years he spent with Lestat and as he was in a distraught state at the begining it could be construed as not being impartial. To see a better picture of Lestat and Louis you have to keep reading the series.

If you have been under a rock for the past 30 years and you haven't read the book ... I recommend it STRONGLY! Even if you have only seen the movie ... READ the book! The movie was close but the book WAS BETTER!!!

Look for the next review in the next day or so & as always feel free to leave a comment!

Fiction/Romance Book Recommendation - Janet Evanovich

I just read all of the Janet Evanovich Stephanie Plum series. They were GREAT! I read all 15 of the numbered series and the 4 Between-the-Numbers books in 3 and a half weeks. In this review I will single out the 1st book in the series One for the Money.

I LOVED the character Stephanie Plum. She is just your average girl, she is pretty and well built, she is of at least average intelligence but she is lost. She thinks there is nothing she is good and mostly because she is inept at a lot of what she does.

Stephanie loses her job as a lingerie buyer for a small department store in Newark, New Jersey. This Jersey girl from the “Burg” in Trenton then gets her car repossessed and looks to a family member for a job. She “cons” her cousin Vinnie into employing her as a Bond Enforcement Agent or a Bounty Hunter … she hunts down people who don’t show up for their court dates after Vinnie bonds them out.

The cast of characters starts small with her family and Joe Morelli, Ranger and Lula. Joe is a cop which she has a long and tempestuous relationship with; he is all Italian, gorgeous and worth $10,000 to Stephanie. Stephanie has to find Joe Morelli after he is arrested for murder … problem is she doesn’t think he did it and can’t seem to capture him. Shenanigans ensue!

Ranger is a HOT Latino that is good at everything he does. He is a Bounty Hunter as well and Stephanie often compares him to Batman.

Her mom and dad are your typical mom and dad, dad ignores everything but TV and food and mom is out to feed everyone and protect the family’s good standing in the community. Then there is Grandma Mazur, she is a “pip”. I really don’t know exactly what that means but it is used by Grandma Mazur throughout the series. Stephanie’s Grandma is in her 70’s but acts like she is a teenager and is a constant source of entertainment for the reader & irritation for her mother.

Lula is a “Ho” that Stephanie meets and sort of befriends while looking for her first FTA … look out for Lula in the next 18 books!

There are other lesser characters that make little or no impact on the series as a whole but they all lend to the current story and define the character of Stephanie Plum.

This book was good from start to finish and I went out the day I finished the book and checked out the next several in the series from my library. I laughed a lot when reading this book as there were one-liners brilliantly sprinkled throughout the story. The story is not unbelievable … perhaps a little far fetched but not completely impossible. I love that the main character Stephanie is just your average Jersey girl and in some ways is just incompetent. She may be the worst Bounty Hunter ever … though some would say it is all part of her process. What she has going for her is a crazy family, large set of contacts, and a ready supply of short skirts, mascara, hairspray & stubbornness. There is enough sizzle to make it a fun read for your romance lover but not so much smut that you feel dirty after reading it. There are explosions, fires, shooting and action to keep the guys happy as well!

My recommendation is to READ THIS BOOK!