MacAlister, Katie: Light My Fire

ISBN: 0451219821

From the Publisher

Aisling Grey is juggling being a demon lord, a Guardian, and a wyvern's mate, even though she's keeping her distance from said wyvern, Drake, these days. But her presence is still required at a meeting of the green dragons. Since several attempts have been made on her life, Drake is sure to get protective of her. Which might not be a bad thing when war breaks out and all hell breaks loose - literally.

Another Aisling Grey novel from Katie MacAlister. It was good, and I really enjoyed it, and I can't wait for the next one to come out. Overall, we saw some interesting character development, some resolution between Drake and Aisling (finally), and some interesting twists of fate regarding the Otherworld. Oh - and we FINALLY find out lots more about Rene (who annoyingly kept turning up everywhere Aisling went).

I have to say that this is a pretty solid read. I definite beach book/brain candy, but still enjoyable and full of feeling.

Recommended for any woman who likes a little fire in their romance!

Cach, Lisa: A Babe in Ghostland

ISBN: 0743470907

From the Publisher:

Megan Barrows has retired from a brief career as a ghostbusting psychic and now uses her sixth sense to fill her Seattle antiques store with objects with happy pasts. After once nearly having the soul sucked out of her by a malevolent spirit, she prefers a quiet life.

Case Lambert is a real estate prospector who restores old houses, then sells them for profit. He has just bought a dilapidated mansion so amazing that he wants to keep it for himself, but the house appears to be haunted. Seriously haunted. A few inquiries lead him to Megan Barrows.

Megan at first refuses to help, but Case is a master of persuasion. Moving into the mansion, they discover that one of the ghosts has a thing for Case -- and there may be even more amorous spirits inside this veritable paranormal vortex. But it soon becomes clear that no one -- dead or alive -- can stop Megan and Case from ending up in each other's arms. . .

I finished this one a few days ago, but didn't get around to reviewing it... so it's not quite as fresh in my mind.

The things that I loved about it were as follows: I felt that it had a creep factor without being frightening, the characters were interesting and multi-dimensional, and the author had a good voice for the book.

The things I didn't like about it: I felt like some of the technical information was a bit much (as though the author wanted to show off that she did some research), I didn't like Eric (one of the characters, but that's to be expected), and there wasn't a great hook in the beginning.

I'm glad I picked this book up. It was an amusing way to pass a couple of hours, and I would recommend it to those who like ghost stories (and romances, as it is after all, a romance novel!). I'm not sure that I would recommend buying it, but it's definitely read-able, and a great book to borrow from a friend or the library.

Blair, Annette: The Scot, the Witch and the Wardrobe

ISBN: 0425213463

From the Publisher:

Sexy new romance from the national bestselling author of "My Favorite Witch." To restore his clan to glory, Rory MacKenzie must reclaim a beautifully carved unicorn. His search leads him to Victoria Cartwright, whose untapped magical power reveals a long-hidden treasure in her.

This book picks up where My Favourite Witch leaves off, but instead of following Kira and Jason, it switches over to Kira's friend, Vickie. Her Nana has passed on, and has left her several things - including major debts. More importantly, she left her a spelled wardrobe, containing a beautiful and rare unicorn off an antique carosel that once belonged to one of her ancestors. Along comes Rory MacKenzie (straight from Scotland), who needs the unicorn to pay the debt his family owes to the town where he lives. What he didn't count on was falling for this beautiful, shy witch. They have many adventures, including shared dreams, a trip to Newport and a romp inside the wardrobe (because who can think of a better place ::rolls eyes:: ).

I found the characters endearing, funny, and multi-faceted. Blair has an easy way about her writing - she creates wonderful, lovable characters that are hard to resist. Her plots are always perfectly paced - the two don't have that "romance novel" conflict, where it takes until the last chapter for them to get together.

I am seriously in love with Annette's books, and I plan on picking up a lot more of them. She's such a delightful author that I would recommend these books to any woman who appreciates a good romance novel.

Rowe, Stephanie: Must Love Dragons

ISBN: 0446617679

From the Publisher:

Featuring characters from "Date Me, Baby, One More Time," this new, fun, and witty paranormal romance is set in a world where Satan is the world's greatest lover and dragons can find love through online dating. Original.

Theresa Nichols (the dragon from DMBOMT) is back and badder than ever. Well, maybe hungrier. Her lusty online lover has now thrown down an ultimatum - meet him or he drops off the face of the earth forever. Theresa can't let this happen, he's the only thing keeping her sane while her best friend Justine and new husband Derek are off on their honeymoon. She also knows that she can't meet him in her current form - dragon! So she decides to make a deal with Satan to fix her form. Meanwhile, Zeke (the cyber-boy), is trying to crush his dragon-slaying tendancies, and needs to meet Theresa so he can report back to his boss. Meanwhile - more hits on Theresa just keep on rolling in. For some reason, several people seem to want her dead.

This is another terrific book by Stephanie Rowe, who has been rapidly rising in my eyes as a more than competant author. I really enjoy her characters, her settings and her plots. She has a great imagination, and a wonderful voice in her books.

I would recommend this book to all those who love a little bit of hilarity in their romance. While I may not have ended up laughing out loud with this one (like I did with DMBOMT), it was still just as good. Definitely an adult book!

Rowen, Michelle: Bitten & Smitten

ISBN: 0446617008

From the Publisher:

In Rowen's death-defyingly funny debut--a cross between "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Sex in the City"--Sarah Dearly goes on a blind date . . . with a vampire. Original.

Eh. This book was mediocre at best. It had some amusing and funny parts, some pretty good action sequences (fight scenes, that is), and some decent characters, but it didn't leave me with a "wow that was great" feeling.

The basic premise is this: Sarah goes on a blind date that her friend Amy sets her up with. Her date ends up being a vampire and sires her without her permission, then manages to get killed by vampire hunters, leaving her to defend herself. She does so, with the assistance of an old vamp named Thierry (how ever you say that!). He adopts her, and tries to help her adjust to her new life. She has lots of bumps and hiccups during the next week, but manages to get through it, culminating in one large fight scene at the end of the book.

I thought that there were a lot of things that the author could have made more amusing. Sarah's cousin's wedding could have been funnier (and longer), she could have written more about the vamp club that Thierry ran, and possibly, less about her silly clothing. I understand that lots of women who read these books enjoy that, but... pick one. I mean, she went on about designer shoes, and designer dresses, and other things. I guess I prefer my protagonists to have one thing that they love - be it makeup, shoes, jeans, etc. rather then them running the whole gambit. The only person that I can think of who spends more time in her books talking about clothes is Laurell K. Hamilton, and that comparison is in no way a compliment.

I guess I just wasn't all that impressed. If I find her other books at the library I may or may not take them out. I'm also not sure that I would really recommend this book to anyone - just not that interesting.

Blair, Annette: My Favorite Witch

ISBN: 0425207234

From the Publisher:

The Kitchen Witch is selling like hot-cakes. Now author Annette Blair serves up a charming tale of a beautiful witch--cursed by her ex-boyfriend--who is appointed to work with a former hockey star, the one man who can melt the ice around her heart.

I picked this book up on a whim from the library. I had chosen a couple of chick-lit type books, and this one's cover had really captured my interest. It was cutely drawn, with a kitten and had glitter on it. What's not to love? So, I picked up My Favorite Witch and The Scot, the Witch and the Wardrobe (I've yet to read it).

It was an incredibly light, very amusing romance novel. Blair does an excellent job of capturing your interest with complex characters, and holds your interest with character growth and fun romantic interludes throughout. You don't have to wait until the end of the book to get to the good stuff!

Basically, Jason the hockey player suffers an injury that knocks him out of the NHL for 6 months. During that time, his grandmother ropes him into running the Special Events for her foundation, including helping at St. Andrews, which is an orphanage for young boys. The grandmother also hires Jason a coordinator, so he's not running the show alone. Imagine his surprise when he meets the red-headed witch with a penchant for getting things done, and a vendetta against her two-timing ex. They end up living in one of his grandmother's mansions, and have to share a kitchen. They end up in many sweet and hilarious situations.

I really liked the whole book, as her characters were full of depth and realism (well, except for the witch part), and the plot/pace of the book was perfect. I would definitely recommend this book, and Annette Blair as an author in general. Not for those looking for any serious reading, though!

Bardsley, Michele: I'm the Vampire, That's Why

ISBN: 0451219376

From the Publisher:

There's a new breed of soccer mom in town-with fangs. Does drinking blood make me a bad mother? That's the question single mom Jessica Matthews faces when she wakes from a savage attack sucking on the thigh of Patrick O'Halloran, a super-hot Irish vampire who'd generously offered his femoral artery to save her from death... only to make her one of the undead. Jessica can't rest until the beast that did this to her is caught. Meanwhile, she's having trouble committing to Patrick (in the vampire handbook, physical intimacy costs you several hundred years of being bound together) and keeping her kids in line.

This was a pretty fantastic read, and very quick. There's good humour, good fight sequences and good "action" all around.

I really enjoy paranormal romance, so this was just up my alley. If you're a fan of MaryJanice Davidson, Charlaine Harris, or any of the other "chick lit" vampire authors, I think you'll definitely love Michele Bardsley. While the next book doesn't continue on with Jessica and Patrick, I think it will still be pretty fantastic. Check your bookstore in July for Don't Talk Back To Your Vampire.

Harris, Charlaine: Definitely Dead

ISBN: 0441014917

From the Publisher:

Sixth in the Anthony Award-winning Southern Vampire series. Spiked with a frothy fusion of romance, mystery, and fantasy, this bestselling series sends the supernaturally gifted cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse to New Orleans, where she has to deal with the legacy of one of her own family and a host of potentially dangerous characters.

Best character in this book? Definitely Quinn. Possibly, my most favourite character in this series! You know how we meet him in the last book? Yeah, totally glad he was brought back for this one! Egads - he sounds absolutely fantastic.

Anyway, if you've been reading and enjoying the Sookie Stackhouse series so far, this book will not disappoint you, and will deliver all the things you love from Ms. Harris - strong plot, strong characters and character development, excellent sense of suspense and timing. This book has it all.

I found that I often wanted to yell "oh just sleep with him already" part ways through the book, but you'll see how that ended. I can't wait for the next book. Looks like I'll have to put it on hold at the library - it's too good to wait until it comes out in mass market paperback!

This is a great book for everyone of their majority who loves paranormal romance with humour and a plot!