How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks

I love these kinds of books - vampire romances that don't take themselves too seriously. Lynsay Sands is my favorite author in that genre so far, but perhaps Kerrelyn Sparks (after I read the next one) may move into the #2 spot. I loved Undead and Unwed, Maryjanice Davidson's first Undead book but having made it through book three, Undead and Unappreciated, it's losing the appeal. Books 4-6 have been sitting on my shelf for months. There are others but I'm moving off-topic, so back to Millionaire. It made me laugh out-loud, earning glances from my husband (probably wondering if he should go get his butterfly net), and I finished it in one sitting, having to stay up until 1:30 am to finish it. Goofy vampires, a snaggle-toothed vampire (not really one of the goofy ones, though), and a dentist in the Witness Protection Program. I'm looking forward to the next one, Vamps in the City.

This post is going to the first of (I hope) daily posts. I keep a book journal, one that I actually write in, but it's only dates and titles. I'd like to make this more of a book diary in truth; making daily remarks about what I'm reading and if I like it, not just book reviews. It's going to be hard because I do have a life outside the view of my monitor but I'm going to do my best. 

Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh

I was so not properly prepared when I began reading this book. I had never read any of Nalini Singh's books before. And, I was a total snob when it came to the titles of her other series. I mean, Hostage to Pleasure and Slave to Sensation? Am I supposed to want to read books with those titles? YES! And I will, as soon as I can get my grubby little hands on them. Angels' Blood is so very freakishly good that I still can't believe it. Now I have to wait another year for the next one to come out. Not fair!

I'm not going to discuss what happens in this book because I don't think I will be able to start without blabbing everything. Suffice it to say, it has seriously put me in the mood to read every book in Meljean Brook's Angel series (as soon as I can figure out which one is #1 in the series - kinda confusing). I've already read Demon Night and after I started reading Demon Moon, I was so lost that I decided to stop and read them in order. Now, I must go forth and figure out what to read next. Please forgive me, Ms. Singh, for my earlier prejudices and for breaking the cardinal rule concerning books: don't judge a book by its cover. :)

New Grading System

I'm going to start adding grades to my "books read" lists. It's more for my benefit than anything else; I read so much and keep picking up new authors all the time that I need help remembering what I thought. It could be early-onset Alzheimer's, I guess, since I'm only in my early thirties. :) Anyway, if anyone reading this diary of sorts of mine wants to trust in my so-called ability to properly judge a book, be my guest. Just do so at your own peril. Here are some tentative descriptions of what the grades in my grading system are:

A: So awesome I'm walking around with a big goofy grin on my face 

B: Definitely good

C: OK, may or may not wish for the return of the hours I spent reading it (you get the gist)

D: Book was thrown across the room when finished (if finished), a.k.a. a wallbanger

F: Couldn't get through it at all - that's pretty rare but it does exist

I should add that these grades are not just based on the writer's ability to write the English language; I hate books that screw with your head at the end (i.e. Ian McEwan's Atonement, Anita Shreve's The Last Time They Met). Making me become emotionally invested in characters in a book and then yanking the rug out from under me is a good way to make me avoid any author's book in the future. So, while Atonement was well-written and creative, I would give it a D (I did throw it across the room when done). I'm not going to be objective and keep my emotions out of this - what would be the point in that? It's my book diary :)

Books read in February '09

The Grand Finale by Janet Evanovich

The Pagan Stone by Nora Roberts

Dark of Night by Suzanne Brockmann

Embrace the Night by Karen Chance (reread)

Claimed by Shadow by Karen Chance (reread)

Touch the Dark by Karen Chance (reread)

Fangs But No Fangs by Kathy Love

Nerd in Shining Armor by Vicki Lewis Thompson

All the Right Angles by Stef Ann Holm

Kill for Me by Karen Rose

Scream for Me by Karen Rose

Silent on the Moor by Deanna Raybourn

Fangs for the Memories by Kathy Love

What Angels Fear by C. S. Harris

One Night with a Spy by Celeste Bradley

Surrender to a Wicked Spy by Celeste Bradley

Prince of Twilight by Maggie Shayne

Blue Twilight by Maggie Shayne

Bliss by Lynsay Sands

Instant Attraction by Jill Shalvis

The Pretender by Celeste Bradley

The Devil's Love by Julia London

Twilight Hunger by Maggie Shayne

Dark Side of the Moon by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Dream Warrior by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Die For Me by Karen Rose

The Perfect Wife by Lynsay Sands

"The Story of Son" from Dead After Dark by J. R. Ward

 

(February total: 28, 2009 total: 65)

Dark of Night by Suzanne Brockmann

Oh, Suzanne. I do love your Navy SEALS. I also loved this book and it didn't even have Izzy in it. I still have giggle fits when I think about the Peckerfarts. Anyway, this one wraps up the Jimmy Nash saga and Decker finally gets a woman of his own. That was the best part because while I love these books, the Sophia-Dave-Decker triangle was getting tired. Everybody got their happily-ever-after (so to speak) and the best thing -  the next book is all about Sam and Alyssa! Also, for those who pay attention to this kind of thing, Mrs. Brockmann's streak of writing books that have the word "goatf**k" is still intact. Well, I haven't read A Troubleshooter's Christmas, but still. There is always one "goatf**k" in each book. Love it.