Category Archives: Humor

The Undead Next Door (Love at Stake, #4) by Kerrelyn Sparks

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Three signs that something is very different with your new man:

1. He sleeps all day . . . which would be annoying except he’s so attentive at night.

2. He’s attacked by sword-wielding assailants, yet insists he can handle it on his own.

3. He never seems to age.

Heather Westfield has always lived a quiet life, but that all changes when she helps a very handsome, very mysterious stranger. There’s something not quite right about Jean-Luc, but still, she’s never been with a man so charming, so attractive . . . so wonderful. Now if only a murderous villain wasn’t after them, they might get their happily-ever-after. (from Goodreads)

This is one of  my favorite books in this series.  There is something about Heather and her “yeah, right” personality that I love.  The idea of a French fashion designer vampire appeals to me too.

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Filed under Contemporary, Humor, Paranormal, Romance

Be Still My Vampire Heart (Love at Stake, #3) by Kerrelyn Sparks

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If it was still beating. Angus MacKay has been undead for almost five hundred years and it’s not often something, or someone, surprises him. Until Emma Wallace. The sight of this luscious agent from the CIA’s elite Stake-Out team was enough to stop Angus in his tracks. But then he discovers that she’s a vampire slayer, intent on killing the “monsters” who killed her parents. And it’s Angus’s job to stop her.

The only good vampire is a dead vampire. It’s been Emma’s motto since she committed her life to the destruction of these things. Now Angus MacKay wants to convince her differently.

Sure, he’s a sexy Highland warrior who seems to have stepped off the cover of a romance novel, complete with brogue, kilt, and sword, but he’s also one of them. And it’s her job to kill him.

The war is on, but will it end in the destruction of one or both of them . . . or in total surrender to a passion for the ages? (from Goodreads)

I am not sure which is less believable . . . women who have no idea that vampires are real and then promptly fall in love with one or those who are vampire slayers who “promptly fall in love with one.”  It’s a good thing these books are so much fun because they certainly ask for a suspension of disbelief.  Now what does it say about me that I am bothered more about the relationship development than the existence of vampires?

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Filed under Contemporary, Humor, Paranormal, Romance

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger

LibraryIn this funny, uncannily wise portrait of the dynamics of a sixth-grade class and of the greatness that sometimes comes in unlikely packages, Dwight, a loser, talks to his classmates via an origami finger puppet of Yoda. If that weren’t strange enough, the puppet is uncannily wise and prescient. Origami Yoda predicts the date of a pop quiz, guesses who stole the classroom Shakespeare bust, and saves a classmate from popularity-crushing embarrassment with some well-timed advice. Dwight’s classmate Tommy wonders how Yoda can be so smart when Dwight himself is so clueless. With contributions from his puzzled classmates, he assembles the case file that forms this novel. (from Goodreads)

I should have been more tempted to read this one because, after all, it has Yoda in it.  Unfortunately, I was afraid it was going to be more of the Captain Underpants type humor which I cannot stand.  I was most happily surprised.

This is one of those books that the kids are going to love because of the humor, but in which adults see an entire different level of growth.  I think it is more like the Wimpy Kids books or Dork Diaries than Captain Underpants.

I have had the book less than two weeks and it has already been checked out three times not counting me.  The kids who have read it have all wanted to tell me about it and one of them even made me my own Origami Yoda.  Thank you Ryne S.

I imagine it will not last a period on the shelf tomorrow morning once I get it back on display.  Who knows, this might be one I need to buy multiple copies of to keep the kids happy.

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Filed under Contemporary, Humor, Young Adult

A Very Vampy Christmas (Love at Stake, #2.5) by Kerrelyn Sparks

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This is actually just one of the stories in the Sugarplums and Scandal anthology.  Maggie is one of Roman’s original harem and Don Orlando is the vampire’s favorite heart throb on the Digital Vampire Network.

This story has some really dumb twists, but for some reason that made it even better.  I wish the author had written this story as a full length novel rather than an entry in an anthology because there was room for a lot more plot development.

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Filed under Contemporary, Humor, Paranormal, Romance

Vamps and the City (Love at Stake, #2) by Kerrelyn Sparks

 

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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? (from Goodreads)

I love this series.  It is light and fun and has no socially redeeming value.  However, this book, and yes I know it is only book two, is not one of my favorites.

Darcy is a whiner.  She may not whine out loud, but she never lets herself be happy.  Dying didn’t change the other vampires personalities so drastically, so why did it hers?  Bpy that sounds weird no matter how you look at it.

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Filed under Contemporary, Humor, Paranormal, Romance

How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire (Love at Stake, #1) by Kerrelyn Sparks

 

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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… (from Goodreads)

There are nine and a half books in this series and I have read all but the most recent before.  Some of them I have read  multiple times.  I love this series.  It is light, funny and has a good romance.  Each book flows well into the next and I get to meet old friends again.

There will be another new book in March 2011, so I expect I will be re-reading them all again in about six months.

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Filed under Contemporary, Humor, Paranormal, Romance

Last Dragon Standing (Dragon Kin, #4) by G. A. Aiken

I know what they see when they look at me. The charming, soft-spoken dragoness bred from the most powerful of royal bloodlines. A disguise stronger than any battle shield that allows me to keep all suitors at tail’s length. A technique that’s worked until him. Until Ragnar the Cunning, handsome barbarian warlord and warrior mage from the desolate Northlands. Unlike those who’ve come before him, he does not simply submit to my astounding charm and devastating smile. Instead, he dismisses me as vapid, useless and, to my great annoyance, rather stupid!

Yet I’ll allow no male to dismiss me. Soon he’ll learn my worth, my many skills, and the strength of my will. For this one challenges me enough to make me want to ruthlessly taunt him, tease him and, finally, when the trap is set, bring him to his knees. (from Goodreads)

This is a great author who also writes under the name Shelly Laurenston.  Her books are funny, exciting and hot.  This series is about a world with dragons who can take human form.  There is a real difference in the mindset of humans who take animal form an creatures who can take a human form.  Katie MacAlister shows this as well in her Aisling Grey series.

The only problem I had with this book is I could not remember the back story very well from the previous titles.  I would normally have gone back and re-read the series, but did not take the time.  That was definitely a mistake.  When her next book is released, I will definitely do so.

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Filed under Erotica, Humor, Paranormal, Romance

Blameless (Parasol Protectorate, #3) by Gail Carriger

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Quitting her husband’s house and moving back in with her horrible family, Lady Maccon becomes the scandal of the London season.

Queen Victoria dismisses her from the Shadow Council, and the only person who can explain anything, Lord Akeldama, unexpectedly leaves town. To top it all off, Alexia is attacked by homicidal mechanical ladybugs, indicating, as only ladybugs can, the fact that all of London’s vampires are now very much interested in seeing Alexia quite thoroughly dead.

While Lord Maccon elects to get progressively more inebriated and Professor Lyall desperately tries to hold the Woolsey werewolf pack together, Alexia flees England for Italy in search of the mysterious Templars. Only they know enough about the preternatural to explain her increasingly inconvenient condition, but they may be worse than the vampires — and they’re armed with pesto. (from Goodreads)

I just finished this book after waiting since FEBRUARY for it to be published.  The last book, Changeless, had a real cliff-hanger ending.  Even though this one did not have much interaction between the main characters, I think it was even better than the last.  There were some wonderful lines in it that I had to read out loud to people.  The author has a wonderful and funny way of turning a phrase.

Blameless, thank goodness, did not have a cliff-hanger ending, but there is a sequel scheduled for July 2011 titled Heartless.  It’s not on Amazon yet, so I will have to wait to preorder it.  It’s definitely on my list though.

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Filed under Humor, Paranormal, Romance, Steampunk

The Perils of Effrijim (Aisling Gray) by Katie MacAlister in Death’s Excellent Vacation anthology

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I love the Aisling Gray series, if for no reason than the character Jim (Effrijim).  Jim is a minor demon in the “magnificent” form of a Newfoundland dog.  In this story, Jim is supposed to stay with his girlfriend Celeste while Aisling and Drake are on vacation.  Unfortunately, things don’t work out as planned.

I bought this book for the Sookie Stackhouse story (see previous post).  I had no idea an Aisling Gray story was included.  I am not crazy about anthologies because normally I only read one story from the entire book.  It is wonderful to find others by authors that I follow.  Sometimes when I start reading a new (to me) author, I will discover I already have some of their works in previously purchased anthologies.  Always a nice surprise.

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Filed under Humor, Paranormal, Romance

Sizzling Sixteen (Stephanie Plum, #16) by Janet Evanovich

Trenton, New Jersey, bounty hunter Stephanie Plum has inherited a “lucky” bottle from her Uncle Pip. Problem is, Uncle Pip didn’t specify if the bottle brought good luck or bad luck. . . . (from Goodreads)

These books have definitely hit their stride again.  They are always good, but I was not as pleased with books thirteen and fourteen.  However, with Finger Lickin’ Fifteen and Sizzling Sixteen, I feel like the Stephanie Plum I fell in love with is back.

Stephanie is in the “off” portion of her on-again-off-again relationship with Joe.  And as often happens, she ends up staying with Ranger for one reason or another.  Is the “lucky” bottle going to make sure she gets lucky?

Come on Stephanie, this is Ranger!!  How can you resist?

This book actually  made me think a time or two that the series was coming to an end.  There was all kinds of foreshadowing going on.  Fortunately, I was wrong.  There are clues for further plot developments though.

The only problem I have with these books is that it is so long between titles.  She has added another series starring Diesel, so I am afraid the wait may be even longer.  I wish there was a new book at least twice a year and I don’t count the “between-the-numbers” ones.

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Filed under Humor, Mystery, Romance