Book #5 - Dead and Dateless by Kimberly Raye

ISBN: 034549217X

Format: Mass Market Paperback, 330pp

Pub. Date: January 30, 20067

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Dates Read: 01/29/07-02/04/2007 (7 days)

Series: #2 in "A Novel of Vampire Love" series

Bought at Barnes & Noble the day BEFORE it was supposed to come out for $6.99 (minus my 10% discount of course)

From the Publisher

SHE'D LIKE HER BLOOD BOTTLED, PLEASE!

The sassiest vampire in all of Manhattan, Lil Marchette, is the owner of Dead End Dating - a matchmaking service for hip, intelligent singles like herself. After only three months, business is booming, and she can finally pay her bills (and, more important, feed a hungry cosmetics addiction). But when one of her clients turns up dead (as in never coming back), Lil is name as the prime suspect.

Murder?

Sure, she's a vampre, but she can't even work up her nerve when it comes to blood-sucking. Hacking somebody to pieces is so out of the question.

To make matters worse, Lil must also contend with a pack of werewolves who ask - no, demand - that she find each one a tall, dark, and handsome mate before the next full moon. Plus, the to-die-for-if-I-wasn't-already-dead Ty Bonner, a lusciously sexy lover but totally unsuitable eternity mate, is never far from her midnight fantasies. But Lil has no time for such thoughts. She must prove her innocence and focus on pairing off the dead and the furry - and maybe stake a claim to her own tasty true love.

My Opinion of the Book

So... there has been too much of a gap since I read the first one to know which I liked better, but this was a fun read and I'm looking forward to the next one, which *sigh* doesn't come out until October of this year. I'm just glad this book finally involved some vamp sex (not to mention the werewolf orgy!!!) as it was needed in the first book IMO! ;)

Book #4 - Sleeping with the Fishes by MaryJanice Davidson

ISBN: 0515142220
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 272pp
Pub. Date: November 28, 2006
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Dates Read: 01/14/07-01/16/07 and 01/25/07-01/27/07 (5 days)
Series: I believe it will be a series, but not sure of title yet since it's the first one
Borrowed a copy from CTGMOM and then was also sent a copy from Noumena12... LOL!!!

From the Publisher

Fred is a mermaid. But stop right there. Whatever image you're thinking of right now, forget it. Fred is not blonde. She's not busom. And she's definitely not perky. In fact, Fred can be downright cranky. And it doesn't help matters that her hair is ocean-colored.

Being a mermaid does help Fred when she works at the New England Aquarium. But, needless to say, it's there that she gets involved in something fishy. Weird levels of toxins have been found in the local water. A gorgeous marine biologist wants her help investigating. So does her mer-person ruler, the High Prince of the Black Sea. You'd think it would be easy for a mermaid to get to the bottom of things. Think again...

What I thought of the book

I had heard a lot of people disappointed in this book, but I loved it! I guess I'm less picky than some and can take a bit more "fluff" in my reading. This definitely was a fun & fluffy read and I can't wait for the next book in the series... unfortunately, there is no clue to when the next book will come out. I loved all the characters in the book, but I have to agree with CTGMOM that Fred's friend, Jonas, definitely made the book! He was frickin' hysterical!!!

Book #3 - You Suck by Christopher Moore

ISBN: 0060590297
Format: Hardback, 328pp
Pub. Date: January 16, 2007
Genre: Fiction/Paranormal
Dates Read: 01/17/07-01/25/07 (9 days)
Series: Jody & Tommy series, #2
Bought book via pre-order at Amazon for $14.93

From the Publisher

"YOU BITCH, YOU KILLED ME. YOU SUCK!"

Being dead sucks. Make that being undead sucks. Literally. Just ask Thomas C. Flood. Waking up after a fantastic night unlike anything he's ever experienced, he discovers that his girlfriend, Jody - the woman of his dreams - is a vampire. And surprise! Now he's one, too.

For some couples, the whole biting-and-blood thing would have been a deal reaker. But Tommy and Jody are in love, and they vow to work through their issues. Like how much Jody should teach Tommy about his new superpowers (and how much he needs to learn on his own). Plus there's Tommy's cute new minion, sixteen-year-old goth girl Abby Normal. (Well, someone has to run errands during daylight hours!)

Making the relationship work, however, is the least of Jody and Tommy's problems. Word has it that the vampire who nibbled on Jody wasn't supposed to be recruiting any new members into the club. Even worse, Tommy's erstwhile turkey-bowling pals are out to get him, at the urging of a blue-dyed Las Vegas call girl named (duh) Blue.

And that really sucks.

What I thought of the book

Okay, this has to have been my favorite Moore book thus far. BSF had replaced Lust Lizard as my favorite, but this one was by far even funnier!!! I found myself laughing out loud on almost every page at something and occasionally skipping over laughing and going straight into a snort. Abby, the goth girl, was hilarious and I loved the way she talked and wrote in her journal... she cracked me up. I wonder where Moore gets some of the ideas he comes up with, but as long as he'll share them with us in books, I'm content with that alone. Based on the end of the book, I highly think there will be another in this "series" to come out... I just hope that I don't have to wait years for it as I'm ready for more of it now!

Book #2 - Roses Are Red by James Patterson

ISBN: 0446605484
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 378pp
Pub. Date: January 2002
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Dates Read: 01/01/07-01/09/07 (9 days)
Series: Alex Cross Series, #6
Bought book at New Albany library sale (assuming either $0.50 or $0.25 depending on if it was mystery sale day or not)

From the Publisher

In this heart-pounding but touchingly romantic new thriller, Detective Alex Cross pursues the most complex and brilliant killer he's ever confronted— mysterious criminal who calls himself the Mastermind.

In a series of crimes that has stunned Washington, D.C., bank robbers have been laying out precise demands when they enter the building—and then killing the bank employees and their families if those instructions are not followed to the letter.

Detective Alex Cross takes on the case, certain that this is no ordinary bank robber at work—the pathological need for control and perfection is too great. Cross is in the midst of a personal crisis at home, but the case becomes all-consuming as he learns that the Mastermind is plotting one huge, last, perfect crime.

With twists and reversals that only the mind of James Patterson could create, Roses Are Red is by far the most explosive, surprising, and fast-paced novel of James Patterson's extraordinary career.

What I thought of the book

I received "Mary, Mary" by James Patterson as a gift in the book relayer's Boxing Day exchange this past Christmas and it made me realize how much I've been wanting to get back to this series as I had read the first 5 books back in 2004. I'm really glad I picked this book up because I still love this series! I was a bit frustrated with the ending as I had planned on trying to read a couple of bookrings that I have waiting for me, but with the way this book ended I HAVE to read "Violets Are Blue" next. Hopefully it won't leave me hanging so badly that I can't then go on to a bookring or two that I need to be reading. :P So... a special thanks goes to alsgal for getting me back hooked onto this series! I've been reading nothing but paranormal stuff for so long that this was a refreshing change (although I LOVE my paranormals!). Of course, I have heard that "Violets Are Blue" contains a vampire so that should be quite interesting. I'm curious to see what Patterson does with that! :)

Book #1 - Eternal Hunger by Cameron Dean

ISBN: 0345492552
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 336pp
Pub. Date: December 26, 2006
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Dates Read: 12/27/06-01/01/07 (6 days)
Series: Candace Steele Vampire Hunter Series, #3
Bought book at Barnes & Noble ($6.99, but had exchanged another book in for this 1 and 1 other, so... basically I got the book free!!!)

From the Publisher

A vampire killer with a Las Vegas beat, Candace Steele has risked everything to vanquish the forces of darkness -- and to resist her own passionate desire for Ash, a dark and seductive vampire. But suddenly the stakes are raised. Candace has been attacked by a member of the Board, an ancient, powerful, and secret vampire sect with a vendetta against Ash. Now the only way she can save her life is to give herself to Ash -- body and soul -- and become a vampire.
Lusting for blood and starving for Ash’s embrace, Candace is pulled deeper and deeper into his world. She no longer trusts his promise that she will not have to remain a vampire forever. And as the hunger threatens to overwhelm her, it may be too late for her to leave the darkness behind.

What I thought of the book

I was so excited about reading this book after the first 2 in the series that I drove to 4 stores on the 26th looking for the book... unforunately no one had it out yet. The next day I called Barnes & Noble in the morning and had them hold me a copy so that I could pick it up on my lunch break. I started reading it that night and due to the holidays I didn't manage to get really into it and finish it until January 1st. I read over half the book that day. I think another reason it took me a while to get into it was because I was afraid to reach the end as I knew it was the end of the series. Once I got halfway through the book, I couldn't put it down though. I'm still not sure if I'm happy with the way it ended. It definitely wasn't a bad ending, but it wasn't really what I wanted to happen. Of course, the 3rd book started off the way I had planned on it ending. This was one of my favorite series that I read in 2006 and I'm glad I was able to start 2007 off with such a great book! I highly recommend this series to all paranormal fans, unless of course they don't like a lot of hot sex scenes! YUMMY!!!

2007 Reads

Okay, I've never been good at keeping blogs and I always say I'm going to change, but... this time I hope I mean it! I'm going to try keeping track of the following regarding the books I read this year:

- Title/Author (duh!)
- Book Description
- Genre
- Number of Pages
- Time-frame I read the book in
- where I got the book from & how much it cost (if I remember)
- Opinion of the book (although I can't promise I'll go into detail as I'm not a reviewer kinda person)

My 2006 Reads - 85 Total

• 85. The Christmas Shoes by Donna VanLiere (audio)
• 84. 100 Strokes of the Brush Before Bed by Melissa P.
• 83. Candace Steele Vampire Killer #1: Passionate Thirst by Cameron Dean
• 82. Christmas Cards from the Edge by Jennifer Ashely, Lisa Cach, and Naomi Neale
• 81. Bloodsucking Fiends by Christopher Moore
• 80. A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore
• 79. Fables #3: Storybook Love by Bill Willingham
• 78. Shop 'til Yule Drop by Alesia Holliday, Naomi Neale, and Stephanie Rowe
• 77. Fables #2: Animal Farm by Bill Willingham
• 76. Psychic Junkie by Sarah Lassez
• 75. Fables #1: Legends in Exile by Bill Willingham
• 74. Grave Surprise by Charlaine Harris
• 73. Wasteland by Francesca Lia Block
• 72. Dead End Dating by Kimberly Raye
• 71. Forbidden Pleasures by Bertrice Small
• 70. I'm the Vampire, That's Why by Michele Bardsley
• 69. Grave Sight by Charlaine Harris
• 68. Ten Tales to Make Your Head Explode by Craig Rondinone
• 67. Vampire Kisses 3: Vampireville by Ellen Schrieber
• 66. Kissing the Witch by Emma Donoghue
• 65. Vampire Kisses 2: Kissing Coffins by Ellen Schrieber
• 64. Pretty Evil by Lex Davis
• 63. Dresden Files #1: Storm Front by Jim Butcher (audio)
• 62. Bitten & Smitten by Michelle Rowen
• 61. Stop Pretending: What Happened When My Big Sister Went Crazy by Sonya Sones
• 60. Dead and Loving It by MaryJanice Davidson
• 59. Sweep #1: Book of Shadows by Cate Tiernan
• 58. What My Mother Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones
• 57. Then He Ate My Boy Entrancers by Louise Rennison
• 56. Vampire Kisses by Ellen Schreiber
• 55. Angel With Attitude by Michelle Rowen
• 54. Blue Blood by Susan McBride
• 53. Away Laughing On a Fast Camel by Louise Rennison
• 52. Messiah by Boris Starling
• 51. Dancing In My Nuddy-Pants by Louise Rennison
• 50. Manhunt by Janet Evanovich (audio)
• 49. The Lifeguard by James Patterson (audio)
• 48. Snakes and Earrings by Hitomi Kanehara
• 47. Cirque Du Freak #3: Tunnels of Blood
• 46. Natural Law by Joey W. Hill
• 45. Psychic Academy #1 by Katsu Aki
• 44. Cirque Du Freak #2: The Vampire's Assistant
• 43. Cirque Du Freak #1: A Living Nightmare by Darren Shan
• 42. Nursery Crimes by Ayelet Waldman
• 41. Girl Got Game #1 by Shizuru Seino
• 40. Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris
• 39. Just For You to Know by Cheryl Harness
• 38. Undead and Unpopular by MaryJanice Davidson
• 37. Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris
• 36. The Nymphos of Rocky Flats by Mario Acevedo
• 35. Hex and the Single Girl by Valerie Frankel
• 34. Even Vampires Get the Blues by Katie MacAlister
• 33. Ruby by Francesca Lia Block & Carmen Staton
• 32. Alice 19th Vol. 7 by Yuu Watase
• 31. Joy School by Elizabeth Berg
• 30. Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk
• 29. Candy & Me by Hilary Liften
• 28. Pure Drivel by Steve Martin
• 27. Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris
• 26. No Dress Rehearsal by Marian Keyes
• 25. Bite by C.J. Tosh
• 24. What to do About Annie? by Millie Criswell
• 23. Undead & Unreturnable by MaryJanice Davidson
• 22. Crash by Nan McCarthy
• 21. Connect by Nan McCarthy
• 20. Chat by Nan McCarthy
• 19. The Storm and Other Erotica by Regine Deforges
• 18. Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris
• 17. Club Dead by Charlaine Harris
• 16. Derik's Bane by MaryJanice Davidson
• 15. Leaping Beauty by Gregory Maguire
• 14. Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris
• 13. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
• 12. Knocked Out By My Nunga-Nungas by Louise Rennison
• 11. On the Bright Side, I'm Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God by Louise Rennison
• 10. Manhunting by Jennifer Crusie
• 9. Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison
• 8. Exegesis by Astro Teller
• 7. The Seduction of Water by Carol Goodman
• 6. Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator by Roald Dahl
• 5. Casket For Sale (Only Used Once) by Jeff Strand
• 4. The Trouble With Mary by Millie Criswell
• 3. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
• 2. Mandibles by Jeff Strand
• 1. Undead & Unappreciated by MaryJanice Davidson