86. Dead and Loving It

Dead and Loving It by MaryJanice Davidson

Start: 12.22.08
Finish: 12.30.08

Four short stories . . .

Santa Claws: Scottish werewolf Alex is in Boston to meet the new future pack leader when he meets Giselle, a human dressed as Santa Claus. Racy

Monster Love: Undead vampire Richard kidnaps werewolf Janet after he thinks she stood him up. Racy

There's No Such Thing As a Werewolf: Drake is a blind werewolf doctor who is given the shock of his life when he realizes he can see Crescent, who is more than she seems. Racy

A Fiend in Need: Psychic werewolf Antonia visits the Queen of the Vampires, Betsy, to help her out, and finds herself falling in love with George the Fiend. Cute, but eh.

From Dead to Worse (Audiobook Download)

From Dead to Worse (Southern Vampire #8) by Charlaine Harris

Start: 12.26.08
Finish: 12.28.08

I finished this up over the weekend while C played GoW2 & I knit.

I'm sad to be caught up with this series. I just adore Sookie.

While I enjoyed this book, it wasn't my all-time favorite. This book seemed to be setting up the next few books - which drives me crazy . . . I'd like to have a series book be able to sort of stand on it's own . . . these cliff hangers are driving me up the wall!!

Sookie just kept getting in one sticky situation after another & her life is just in turmoil right now. Quinn followed in Bill's footsteps & screwed up big-time. The whole "supe" world is in on shaky ground - to put it mildly. The only good thing in the book is that Eric finally remembers :)

May is such a long way off . . .

All Together Dead (Audiobook Download)

All Together Dead (Southern Vampire #7) by Charlaine Harris

Start: 12.23.08
Finish: 12.26.08

I'm a little sad that I'm just about caught up on this series. Just one more book to go . . .

What a mess Sookie has found herself in. While I still like Quinn, Eric is just amazing with Sookie.

Definitely Dead (Audiobook Download)

Definitely Dead (Southern Vampire #6) by Charlaine Harris

Start: 12.18.08
Finish: 12.23.08

Sookie definitely finds herself in a messy situation. I really like Quinn, but Eric is still my favorite.

85. Zen and the Art of Vampires

Zen and the Art of Vampires (Dark Ones Book 7) by Katie MacAlister

Start: 12.21.08
Finish: 12.22.08

I liked this book a lot, but the cliff hanger at the end is what prevented a 5-star rating. I was so frustrated at the end of this book . . . I can hardly wait for the next book to come out. . . which isn't until this summer.

Dead As A Doornail (Audiobook Download)

Dead As A Doornail (Southern Vampire #5) by Charlaine Harris

Start: 12.16.08
Finish: 12.18.08

This book had quite a few twists and turns in it.

Sookie's love life seems to be up in the air right now. Plus, they added a new man in the mix. Quinn seems to be a nice addition to her choices.

I'm still firmly in the Eric camp though.

Vampirates: Tide of Terror (Audiobook Download)

Vampirates: Tide of Terror by Justin Somper

Start: 12.07.08
Finish: 12.16.08

Great 2nd book. Connor seems to have figured out his destiny & Grace seems to be where she wants to be. It should be interesting to see where things go with the next book.

84. Bite - Anthology

Bite Anthology

Start: ?
Finish: 12/16/08

Again, I skipped Hamilton's story.

I requested the book for Davidson, and got a surprise with a (very) short Sookie story. The other two stories were a quick fun read too. I especially enjoyed Angela Knight's story.

83. Cravings - Anthology

Cravings Anthology

Start: ?
Finish: 12/15/08

I skipped Hamilton's story, as I want to read the series from the beginning.

I requested this for Davidson (I love Queen Betsy), but I enjoyed the rest of the stories as well. I especially liked Rebecca York's story.

82. The Dark-Hunter Companion

The Dark-Hunter Companion by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Start: 12/04/08
Finish: 12/08/08

This was a great reference book into the Dark Hunter World.

Demons of the Ocean (Audiobook Download)

Demons of the Ocean by Justin Somper

Start: 12.02.08
Finish: 12.07.08

1st Vampirates book

I really enjoyed this 1st book of the series. Connor & Grace are very interesting.

81. One Silent Night

One Silent Night (Dream-Hunter #13) by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Start: 12.01.08
Finish: 12.03.08

Stryker's Story

I loved this book Stryker & Zephyra were great. I liked seeing a softer side to Stryker. And Nick . . . wow, what a twist on him.

Dark Possession (*Audio CD)

Dark Possession by Christine Feehan

Manolito & Mary Anne's story.

I read this book back in January, but decided to listen to it on audiobook. I'm really enjoying it this time around, although it took a little while to get used to the male/female narrators.

Start: 11.22.08
Finish: 12.02.08

80. Dead to the World

Dead to the World (Southern Vampire #4) by Charlaine Harris

Start: 11.25.08
Finish: 11.30.08

I really liked this book. I've slowly been converted over to the Eric camp, and this was just an awesome twist in the Sookie saga. I can hardly wait to see what happens next. . .

Onto the next audiobook!

79. Left To Die

Left To Die by Lisa Jackson

Start: 11.11.08
Finish: 11.24.08

Another great cliffhanger from Lisa Jackson. Great characters. I love Jillian & Zane.

I can hardly wait to find out what happens to Regan in Chosen to Die.

Undead and Unworthy (Audiobook Download)

Undead and Unworthy (Queen Betsy Book #7) by MaryJanice Davidson

Start: 11.19.08
Finish: 11.24.08

Well, that's it for Betsy until June, when Undead and Unwelcome comes out.

Undead and Uneasy (Audiobook Download)

Undead and Uneasy (Queen Betsy Book #6) by MaryJanice Davidson

Start: 11.17.08
Finish: 11.19.08

While this wasn't my favorite in the series, Betsy definitely had to deal with a lot of drama all on her own this time around. Great ending to the story though.

Undead and Unpopular (Audiobook Download)

Undead and Unpopular (Queen Betsy Book #5) by MaryJanice Davidson

Start: 11.11.08
Finish: 11.17.08

Somewhere between book #4 & book #5 stuff I wasn't aware of happened. So, I've requested three anthology books that contain Queen Betsy stories. I think that will clue me in to werewolf Antonia and how Fiend George became Garth. Totally clueless on that one.

Other than that, it was a typical Queen Betsy story. Murder & Mayhem, etc. Things are starting to get a little darker for Betsy though. A reluctant groom-to-be & a very sick best friend . . . Book #6 is gonna be interesting.

Undead and Unreturnable (Audiobook Download)

Undead and Unreturnable (Queen Betsy Book #4) by MaryJanice Davidson

Start: 11.07.08
Finish: 11.11.08

Another great book. This series just keeps getting better & better.

78. Dream Chaser

Dream Chaser (Dream-Hunter #3) by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Start: 11.09.08
Finish: 11.11.08

Wow, this was a great book. I've not been a huge fan of the Dream-Hunters, but this one was set in New Orleans. I really enjoyed this one. Xypher was awesome & Simone was great. . . and familiar characters actually showed up in this book.

77. Upon The Midnight Clear

Upon The Midnight Clear (Dream-Hunter #2) by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Start: 11.04.08
Finish: 11.09.08

Leta and Aidan

This was just an OK book for me. I really prefer her Dark-Hunters over the Dream-Hunters. The interesting twist on this was that Leta was actually the Dream-Hunter.

Undead and Unappreciated (Audiobook Download)

Undead and Unappreciated (Queen Betsy Book #3) by MaryJanice Davidson

Start: 11.04.08
Finish: 11.06.08

This one flew by. Betsy really knows how to step into some crazy situations. Add Devil's Daughter 1/2 sister to the mix and it really gets interesting.

76. Club Dead

Club Dead (Southern Vampire Mysteries #3) by Charlaine Harris

Start: 10.29.08
Finish: 11.04.08

Poor Sookie, she really went through the wringer in this book. I can hardly wait to get the next book from the library.

Dead and Unemployed (Audiobook Download)

Dead and Unemployed (Undead Series Book #2) by MaryJanice Davidsons

Start: 10.26.08
Finish: 11.03.08

This series just keeps getting better & better.

75. The Dream Hunter

The Dream Hunter (Dream-Hunter #1) by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Start: 10.23.08
Finish: 10.29.08

Arik & Geary

It was a little difficult to switch gears from Dark Hunters to Dream Hunters . . . but once I got over not having Ash in the book it got pretty good. I really liked Arik & Geary together & it was great having Kat in this book. I also loved the first glimpse of Tory.

Dead and Unwed (Audiobook Download)

Dead and Unwed (Undead Series Book #1) by MaryJanice Davidsons

Start: 10.19.08
Finish: 10.26.08

First time for this author. NetLibrary had most of this series, so I thought I'd give it a try. . .

LOVED THIS! Betsy is a hoot and a half.

74. The Darkest Kiss

The Darkest Kiss (Lords of the Underworld - Book #2) by Gena Showalter

Start: 10.17.08
Finish: 10.22.08

Lucien & Anya

This was your typical 2nd in a trilogy book. I enjoyed it, but I think I liked the first book better. This book really sets up the final book with Reyes & Danika . . . I've been looking forward to this story since the 1st book.

Lover Unbound (Audiobook Download)

Lover Unbound (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book #5) by J.R. Ward

Narrated by James Frangione

Start: 10.04.08
Finish: 10.19.08

Of course I'd start a series with Book #5. Go figure.

So far I really like the story, but with this narrator . . . sometimes it's hard to distinguish the dialog between different characters (as they all sound the same - especially the "brothers").

Wow, this one took a while to listen to. Loved it though. Vishous & Jane were a great couple. I've already bought the first book & the library has the rest of the series. I can hardly wait to read them.

73. The Darkest Night

The Darkest Night (Lords of the Underworld - Book #1) by Gena Showalter

Start: 10.08.08
Finish: 10.16.08

This is a new author for me (I think). I saw book #2 & #3 at Publix, and decided to see if the library carried them. They do (however, book #3 is in limbo . . . it showed up @ the Mt. Dora library for me . . . and now it's stuck in the system somewhere).

Book #2 is waiting for me to pick up at the library today, so I best get started on this one.

I really liked this book. Maddox & Ashlyn are a great couple & I can hardly wait to see what happens to Lucien & Reyes.

72. The Shadows of Christmas Past

The Shadows of Christmas Past - 2 Novellas

CHRISTINE FEEHAN - "Rocky Mountain Miracle" I really liked this story. It's the first non-series story I've read by her.

SUSAN SIZEMORE - "A Touch of Harry" She's another favorite of mine. I really enjoyed this story too, even though it was quite a bit shorter.

Start: 10.01.08
Finish: 10.07.08

Living Dead in Dallas (Audiobook Download)

Living Dead In Dallas (Southern Vampire Mysteries #2) by Charlaine Harris

Start: 09.28.08
Finish: 10.04.08

This was even better than the 1st book. Sookie can sure get in over her head. I can hardly wait to see what trouble she gets into in Club Dead.

71. Naughty or Nice - Anthology

Naughty or Nice Anthology

Santa, Baby by Paricia Ryan surprises a cynical P.I., who meets the kind of woman he never wanted-until she takes him on a journey of rapturous pleasure....
This was actually a sweet story.

Love Bytes by Sherrilyn Kenyon heats up an office where two co-workers decide to spend the holidays together only to find themselves surrendering completely to forbidden passion....
I just love stories by this lady. This was just your basic romance short story . . . no Dark Hunter characters in this one.

Naughty Under the Mistletoe by Carly Phillips explores a "mistletoe moment" when a no-nonsense lawyer intent on seducing her boss meets his twin instead-and gives him a scintillating kiss that leaves him begging formore....
This was pretty much the typical office romance . . . only the boss technically wasn't her boss . . . but his twin. It was okay for a short story.

A Christmas Charade by Kathryn Smith teases a pair of Regency lovers who once shared a night of white-hot passion with the temptation to forgo propriety for something scandalous and irresistible....
I might actually try tracking down more of her work. I like Regency stories, and this was actually pretty good for such a short story. This was my 2nd favorite story in the book.

Dead Until Dark (Audiobook Download)

Dead Until Dark (Southern Vampire Mysteries #1) by Charlaine Harris
Narrated by Johanna Parker

Start: 09.21.08
Finish: 09.28/08

I started watching True Blood on HBO & decided to listen to this book & queue up the next one. I read this book last year & was a little hazy on some of the details.

. . . Wow, I'm glad I decided to listen to this again before starting the next book. I'd forgotten quite a bit about this book.

Now I understand why the show is so risque. There's a lot of *ahem* "action" in this book.

70. Dark Light

Dark Light by Jayne Castle

Start: 09.24.08
Finish: 09.25.08

John Fontana & Sierra McIntyre

Dust Bunnies (Elvis), Guild Boss and a Mega-Rez Intutitive Tabloid reporter.

While I enjoyed this book, I wasn't as in love with it as the rest in this series. Not as much action or drama as the previous books. I just loved Elvis though.

69. Dark Curse

Dark Curse by Christine Feehan

Start: 09.21.08
Finish: 09.24.08

Lara & Nicolas

Loved the book . . . HATED the ending.

I've noticed with the last few books, she's been leaving cliff-hangers at the end of the book. Let's just say she's left a whopper of a cliff-hanger on this book.

I was totally mystified when I turned the page to see APPENDIX 1. What the heck . . . I can't believe she left the story hanging this way.

The storyline is definitely a nailbitter right now, but I hate to be hanging like this. UGH!! Dark Slayer comes out sometime in 2009 ... Watch it be September. . .

Montana Sky (*Audio CD)

Montana Sky by Nora Roberts

Start: 09.11.08
Finish: 09.21.08

Tess, Lily & Willa - three half-sisters.

I just love stories that revolve around ranching. It was nice to read a story set in modern day ranching vs. early ranching.

68. Just For Kicks

Just For Kicks by Susan Andersen

Start: 09.17.08
Finish: 09.19.08

Sequel to Skintight

While I enjoyed Carly & Wolf's story . . . it just wasn't quite as good as Skintight.

67. Viking Unchained

Viking Unchained by Sandra Hill

Start: 09.16.08
Finish: 09.17.08

Finn & Lydia

This was a quick, fun read. I'll probably track down the others in this loosely related series as time permits.

66. Acheron

Acheron (Dark-Hunter #12) by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Start: 09.11.08
Finish: 09.15.08

Whew, this was a HUGE book & I loved it!

. . . but I'm a little sad that Acheron's not so mysterious anymore. I love that we got a glimpse of a softer side to him though. Tory's perfect for him.

Without giving any of the book away . . . one of my favorite parts in the book was Julian giving Tory a quick battle lesson on the bad guys vs. the good guys . . . totally cracked me up. I just love the humor in these books.

Vanish (*Audio CD)

Vanish by Tess Gerritsen

Start: 09/09/08
Finish: 09/11/08

This features Jane Rizzoli . . . which sounds so familiar to me. I think I might have read The Sinner, but I'm not 100% sure.

This was just okay for me. There was mystery & intrigute . . . but it felt a little rushed to me. I doubled checked, and this wasn't an abridged version . . . just an abrupt ending.

65. Dark Side Of The Moon

Dark Side of the Moon (Dark Hunter #10) by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Start: 09.09.08
Finish: 09.10.08

Ravyn & Susan

This book really laid the ground work for a bunch of different storylines . . . I really love how envolved several of the characters have become.

I love this series.

64. Unleash The Night

Unleash The Night (Dark Hunter #9) by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Start: 09.08.08
Finish: 09.09.08

Wren & Maggie

Carolina Moon (*Audio CD)

Carolina Moon by Nora Roberts

Start: 8.29.08
Finish: 9.9.08

This was a really good story. The suspense kept me on my toes, even though I figured out the "who dunnit" pretty early on.

Another great book by Nora!

63. Nature of the Beast - Anthology

Nature of the Beast Anthology

Start: 09.06.08
Finish: 09.07.08

Dark Hero by Hannah Howell
Bride of the Beast by Adrienne Basso
Kiss of the Beast by Eve Silver

All three stories were very well written. As usual, Howell is the reason I checked this book out . . . but I'll be keeping an eye out for the other two authors.

I much preferred the longer stories with only 3 authors vs. the usual 4. All three stories were much better for that.

62. Sins of the Night

Sins of the Night (Dark-Hunter #8) by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Start: 09.04.08
Finish: 09.05.08

Danger & Alexion . . .

I really liked the twist on this story. Another great Dark-Hunter book!

61. Seize The Night

Seize the Night (Dark-Hunter Book #7) by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Start/Finish: 09.03.08

Valerius & Tabitha

Boy, these books just keep getting better & better. Valerius was introduced in Talon's story as Kryian's enemy. It's really interesting to watch these relationships unfold. Oh yeah, I just love Tabitha.

This was a great story! This one actually had some pretty funny moments in it. I just love seeing uptight & proper men start loosening up. What a hoot.

60. My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon

My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon - Anthology

Start: 09.01.80
Finish: 09. 02.08

Kelley Armstrong - "Stalked" : This was actually a pretty good story, considering I haven't read the books that precede this story. It was interesting enough to add to my list of books to read (eventually).

Jim Butcher - "Heorot" : Another great Harry Dresden short story . . . must get to his full novels soon . . .

Rachel Caine - "Roman holiday, or SPQ-arrrrrr" : This was surprise. This is a follow-up to one of my favorites (Dead Man's Chest) in My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding. This was also another of my favorites in this book.

P.N. Elrod - "Her Mother's Daughter" : This one was just okay for me. Vampire Dectective looking for missing bridegroom . . .

Caitlin Kittredge - "Newlydeads" : I'm still not quite sure whether I liked this one or not. This story revolves around characters that have been previously introduced in other books . . . I might've enjoyed it more if I were already invested in the characters . . . This one I wasn't blown away by.

Marjorie M. Liu - "Where the Heart Lives" : This one was just okay for me too.

Katie MacAlister - "Cat got your tongue?" : This story is the main reason I requested this book . . . and totally worth it. I just love Raphael & Joy. Great short story in her Dark Ones series.

Lilith Saintcrow - "Half of Being Married" : This was kind of interesting . . . again, characters from a series I haven't read. Just OK for me.

Ronda Thompson - "A Wulf in Groom's Clothing" : This one started out really good . . .but I hated the ending.

59. Night Play

Night Play (Dark-Hunter #6) by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Start: 8.31.08
Finish: 9.01.08

This story actually revolves around Vane, a Were-Hunter Wolf. He was introduced in Talon's story.

I just adore Bride. She's a female heroine I can actually relate to. It's not often the lead female is a size 18. It was refreshing to read.

Another 5-star book.

58. Stroke of Midnight

Stroke of Midnight - Anthology

Start: 8.27.08
Finish: 8. 31.08

Winter Born by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Two enemy Were-Panthers discover that fate has destined they become lovers. Pandora must learn to trust Dante's foreign nature. But as she slowly succumbs to the truest passion she has ever known, dark forces have already set out to reclaim her...
***** - I checked this book out because of this author. I just finished reading Kiss of the Night, and Dante was in that book. It was neat to read a story about one of the Were-Animals.

Born of the Night by Amanda Ashley

When Lady Shanara Montiori is taken hostage, she learns that the rumors about her captor are true. Lord Reyes is afflicted with the dark curse of the werewolf. Still, Shanara can't fight the attraction they both feel. Will their love break the curse-or feed its powerful hold?

**** - This was a pretty good short story . . . Predictable, but a fun.

Make It Last Forever by L. A. Banks
An innocent mistake forces the beautiful Tara onto a mission to save herself from the dark fate that awaits her. Salvation comes in the form of a seductive biker with a heart of gold. But will surrendering to their ripe attraction unleash a danger even she cannot control?

** This one was a struggle for me to read.

Red Moon Rising by Lori Handeland
Novelist Maya Alexander's peace is shattered when she is stalked by a Navaho skinwalker who has taken on the guise of a wolf. Her only hope is the mysterious Clay Philips. In his arms, she seeks protection-but as the red moon rises, no one is safe from the danger that lurks nearby...

***** I really enjoyed this story. This was my 2nd favorite in this book.

The Rana Look (*Audio CD)

The Rana Look *** by Sandra Brown

Start: 8.27.08
Finish: 8.29.08

This was an okay romance. It was pretty predictable, but then again . . . most romance novels are. Girl resists guy . . . girl's resistance starts to melt . . . girl & guy hook up . . . guy freaks out over some monkey wrench in the relationship . . . guy realizes he can't live without girl . . .

There's the basic outline for most romance novels . . . although some have a twist and reverese the girl/guy roles.