Sex, Lies and Vampires (The Dark Ones, Book 3)

Customer Reviews:

Originally Posted on Romance Junkies in 2005.......2007-05-13

If you like mysterious vampires known as the Dark Ones, castles filled with treasure unlike any you can ever imagine, a heroine more content to translate obscure languages than work charms, and a supporting cast of imps, betrayers, and immortals, then SEX, LIES, AND VAMPIRES is definitely the book for you.

Nell Harris is the type of woman who delights in the old-namely, in ancient artifacts. A junior professor of medieval history in Seattle, she's been lured to the Czech Republic by Melissande Banacek to view the Holy Grail of her profession-the Graven Plate, a breastplate from a suit of armor made in the late 1300's at the castle of Churburg. A legend among medievalists, no one has ever laid eyes upon the interlocking plates that detail the history of a knight-errant. For Nell, this is the opportunity of a lifetime. Unfortunately, upon her arrival at the home of Ms. Banacek, she gets a little more than she bargained for.

Nell is not one to believe in paranormal beings or things that go bump in the night. So, when she spots a common Central European Imp in Melissande's living room, she's a little unnerved. When Melissande goes on to inform Nell that she's a Dark One, a Moravian vampire, Nell decides that the lady must be insane. Next, this strange lady goes on to tell her that Nell herself is a Charmer. A demon lord by the name of Asmodeus has taken Melissande's brother and nephew hostage, and a fellow vampire by the name of Adrian, whose also known as The Betrayer, is responsible for it all. Bound to Asmodeus by a curse, Melissande's brother and nephew cannot escape. Hence the need for Nell, who as a Charmer has the power and ability to charm the curse.

All would be easy if not for the fact that Nell has forgotten that ten years ago she actually believed in charms, curses, and her abilities. After a charm gone wrong killed her best friend, Nell buried herself in the past-and tangible evidence. Now she's been tricked into helping a boy who can only survive with her help-and in return, she'll have sole possession of the Graven Plate.

Greed and the desire for tenure may be the motivating factors at the start of her journey, but joining forces with Adrian, who isn't what she first thought him to be, is what keeps her going. There's more at stake than the release of a vampire and his son, and it's up to Nell and Adrian to combine their powers to rescue a society on the verge of collapse.

SEX, LIES, AND VAMPIRES is full of fun characters, quirky dialogue, and the redeeming power of love. This isn't the first book I've read by Ms. MacAlister featuring the Dark Ones, and it most certainly won't be my last. I love Ms. MacAlister's world of vampires and supernatural beings, and once you pick up one of her books, I'm sure you'll feel the same.

Great fun .......2007-04-15

Impossible to put the book down. Instantly appealing and engaging story, revealing yet tasteful and seductive. Creative and catchy ^-^ Absolutly love it !!!

Tired story, but cool Mummies!.......2006-09-06

Katie Macalister has a ton of fans, so I'm thinking that maybe this book just wasn't for me. I'm a fan of the Anita Blake series, Mary Janice Davidson and Michelle Rowan so I though, hey let's give Sex Lies and Vampires a try.

I finished the whole book, but I couldn't get into it. There were some really great parts-- Mummies etc. Macalister can be terribly funny. The problem lies in the repitition and the dialouge. The characters seem empty and the story tended to repeat itself a lot. They spent a LOT of time traveling from one place to the next. Every couple chapters there was a "on the train" scene. AUGH!

Anyway, a gagillion fans can't be wrong-- Macalister is doing something right, and there is no denying she's a gifted writer... the story just wasn't for me.

fun, wacky, naughty but a little bit underdone.......2006-07-05

As always Katie Macalister never fails to make me laugh. I hope she'll never lose her sense of humor which I always love about her writing style. I had a good laugh reading this book! The problem I have about this book is she did not describe more about Nell Harris. I know she has left sided hemiplegia, a charmer in denial, boobsy and tall, but then what? I do like Adrian though, alot! Nell and Adrian are suited for each other forever! There nothing more romantic than saving the one you love from eternal damnation!But I really hate his son Damian, what an ungrateful brat! Im looking forward to read about Sebastian. I wonder what his story is, hope Nell and Adrian will make an appearance in Just One Sip. Wish Katie will describe more in detail about her main characters and more about the world of the Dark Ones.

I Can't Help Loving the Dark Ones!.......2006-04-03

Katie Mac is one of my favorite authors & I can't help loving this book!

Nell is employed by Mellisande, Christian Dante's cousin ( he's our main reaccurring character in the 3 books of the series), to act as a Charmer & save Mellisande's nephew. Not told this when she was flown to the Czhech Republic, Nell refuses. She hasn't reversed a curse since a fatal college accident that left her with a stroke 10 years ago.

When Nell is persuaded to look around Christian's castle she runs into Adrian, a.k.a. THE BETRAYER. She's the only one in nearly 5 centuries who doesn't fear him though & Adrian quickly realizes she is the Beloved who can save his soul. He didn't believe she existed. Now Nell helps him to save Mellisandes nephew, (shocker>>>!! Adrian's son!!!) & destroy the baddy in a most abrupt fashion, so that they can share eternity together. Throw in a few mummies cheerfully folling Nell like puppies, cameo's by one of you favorite ghosts from a previouse book, & a few well loved reaccurring characters ( & one that goes bad!) & you get a great novel that will be hard to put down!

The One Tree (The Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, Book 2)

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Possibly Best Book in the Series
Donaldson slipped just a BIT...
The story continues
Donaldson Stands Alone
ONE OF THE BEST OF THE SERIES

The One Tree (The Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, Book 2)
Stephen R. Donaldson
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0345348699
Release Date: 1987-10-12

Book Description

Thomas Covenant and Linden Avery begin their search for the One Tree that is to be the salvation of the Land. Only he could find the answer and forge a new Staff of Law--but fate decreed that the journey was to be long, the quest arduous, and quite possibly a failure....

Customer Reviews:

Possibly Best Book in the Series.......2007-07-21

Even whiny Linden could not slow this book down. Although not much gets accomplished to further the story line, the book does flow with non-stop action. The questers are besieged with one peril after another. Typical of other books of the series the good guys manage to scrape by, but only after death and loss, and they end up worse off than they began. The entire series is somewhat depressing as every small triumph is offset by a larger failure. At least Covenant is struck by a form of paralysis early in the story and so we don't have to hear him moan. Unfortunately, Linden is still around to fret, cry, whine, and hesitate in Covenants stead. Even with all of this there is plenty of action and surprises to keep the reader turning pages.

My two biggest complaints with this book are complaints I've had with other books in the series. My first complaint is Donaldson's use of incomprehensible words. I initially kept a dictionary close by to look up some of the very unusual words that Donaldson fills the story with. However, after a while I realized that many times he uses the words out of context, or in ways that do not make sense even when you know the words meaning. Donaldson is definitely lexiphanic in his writing (using ostentatiously recondite words). Ha! Two can play at this game........try to find that one in your dictionary Donaldson.

My second complaint concerns the Ravers in the story. In this book, once again we have an immortal creature that can travel the world instantaneously at will. A creature that can take any form, possess almost any creature (giants and the Haruchai are a little harder than others). A creature that cannot be killed or harmed (they just move into a new form). Donaldson has created these 3 Ravers with unlimited power, but never uses them in any way that makes sense. I've seen this same problem in other fantasy series where the author unwittingly creates a creature, form of magic, or power that if actually ever properly used would prematurely end the series. The end result is that the Raver's power and attacks are limited in the story in ways that confuse and never make sense.

Even with my complaints, I'd have to say that this book has been one of the best of the series so far.

Donaldson slipped just a BIT..........2006-07-29

This book, though still an exciting and deep tale, is slow and not as eventful as the previous books. Also, it was in the POV of Linden Avery who is not a "love to hate" person like Covenant. She is rather...whiny.

The One Tree is about Covenant, Linden, a group of Haruchai, and a group of Giants who take a voyage across unknown sections of the world to find the One Tree and craft a new Staff of Law. However, Lord Foul sends his Ravers in order ensure the mission's failure and the world's destruction. From the faery home of Elemesnedene to the Sandhold of Braithairealm to the Island of the One Tree, the company meets dangers and enemies that want nothing more than power. The ambiguous Elohim, Kasreyn of the Gyre, and the mysterious ur-vile Vain all contribute to the frustrations and griefs of Covenant and Linden.

Although possibly the weakest book of the series, it is still a knockout and a must-read. Fantasy addicts will not be disappointed.

The story continues.......2005-05-24

In The Wounded Land Covenant confronted the Clave, strange governing body of The Land that has replaced the council of Lords, and learned the truth about Lord Foul's role in the desecration of The Land. Covenant decides the best course of action is to leave The Land to search for the Isle of the One Tree. Centuries before, Berek Halfhand had forged the Staff of Law from a branch of the One Tree. Covenant feels the only hope of redemption for The Land is to forge a new staff and restore the laws of nature that were broken when the original staff was destroyed. Accompanied by Linden Avery and a ship full of giants they depart The Land. Since no one knows where the One Tree is located, the giants suggest that the company seek the help of the Elohim. The Elohim are a fairy people that appear to be earthpower incarnate. But the Elohim have their own plans for Covenant and the white gold.

A great deal of this book explores the character of Linden Avery. She has terrible secrets in her past that she must explore and confront to overcome her feelings of helplessness. Her confrontation with the leader of the Clave in The Wounded Land left her doubting herself and feeling that she is inherently evil. She must work through her feelings and find a way to help Covenant on his quest to redeem The Land. The giants are all terrific characters, which add to the enjoyment of this book. There is a great deal of action in this book, which flows exceptionally well and never drags.

Donaldson Stands Alone.......2005-04-28

And the epic continues. SRD is one of my all-time favorite fantasy writers. It's been awhile since I picked up the First and Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. But these books are so rich in symbolism and meaning. Some people are turned off by the main protagonist dreery and often pessimistic viewpoints. And these books are quite anti-typical and anti-archtypical fantasy, in similar likeness of Martin and Erikson. But Donaldson speaks with a rich prose that ignites off the pages in a similar fashion -yet completely different than that to- of Lovecraft. The Land is a wealth of wonder and awe wreathed in mysticism, myth, and held in otherworldly Laws.Now Donaldson is not for everyone, optimism is not always a focus but seeking solutions, accountability, love, and drama are deeply examined. Never expelled. And some readers are turned off and despise the leper Thomas Covenant because of his actions whom mysteriously arrives at a alternate reality aptly called simply The Land, whether real, imagined, hallucinated, or dreamt is a question that may or may not be answered. His science fiction The Gap series should not be dismissed by serious readers but is even more brutal than TCoTC in regards to portraying the baser nature of human beings in a most graphic sense. It's about the human condition. Except for a couple of events, TCoCT is more filtered in fantasy entrappings but no less diminishing on it's impact on readers. Truly emotionally moving in a high order. Great sci-fi reading, but might be a bit too harsh for new readers introducing themselves to this remarkable writer. These are the books that I read with the same amount of zeal, color, and drama as watching the Original Trilogy of Star Wars as a youngster only deeper. A complex Star Wars series in fantasy trappings. Be warned, this series is not for everyone as I said before. IMO, kicks the tail off Tolkien in-spite the latter's great literary merit and love how it takes many of the master's long established and overused archtypes and sacred literary laws and dumps them on their head, such as one Thomas Covenant that is relunctant, griping, cowardly even, indecisive, discompassionate, selfish, and capable of even heinous crime. And for those that thought they'd been dragged through a wilderness of morass self-pity, remember... Star Wars. IMO, one of the greatest fantasy series ever written and would love to debate or discuss it with anyone. It is a realm where one's choice are held balanced in scales, bearing gravity on one's own or other's futures. Even possibly whole civilizations. A stunning and thoroughly thought provoking and stimulating masterpiece.Love it or hate it, SRD's works have left their mark.There are so many awesome moments in both trilogies. TCoTC is quite biblical in that sense but not expounding age old religious stories and principals and spiritualities of course.These books discombobulates the mind, with the wide range of fluent implications and messages. Allusions are confounding and staggering.Probably my favorite moment, of countless, countless favorite moments is Blood of the Earth piece in The Illearth War:TCoTC Book 2.And..."Covenant! Beloved! Strike a blow for me!" rings in my ears forever.

ONE OF THE BEST OF THE SERIES.......2005-01-19

THE ONE TREE is in many ways Donaldson's most richly complex book from a psychological standpoint, up to this point in the series. THE WOUNDED LAND dealt primarily with the visceral shock Covenant experiences upon returning to said land and the physical reactions of Linden Avery. We met some new characters and marveled at the changes in the land. And that was enough.

In THE ONE TREE, the relationship between Covenant & Avery grows ever more complex at every turn. They push & pull at each other, struggling with urgent need and vastly divergent understandings of where their quest should take them. We also get to revisit the wonderful giants, briefly reintroduced at the end of THE WOUNDED LAND. In the previous trilogy, we had come to know and love Saltheart Foamfollower, probably the single greatest character ever created for a "quest" fantasy story. While the giants in THE ONE TREE are wonderfully rich and alive, they don't quite reach Foamfollower's status in our hearts. BUT, we get to understand their race more clearly and experience their unbelievable strength and character.

I don't want to rehash the plot...it's been done well enough previously. Some reviewers have complained that the book is too episodic, or that some of the events that take place are just there to fill out the book to proper length. To my mind, the hardships the characters endure serve to illustrate their strength of character and the parts of their psyches that are conflicted or downright torn. I love that. Also, some mention that Covenant isn't the focus of the book as much as Linden Avery...that's okay with me. Covenant, in many ways, is less interesting than most of the other characters. He has my sympathy and support, but he's not the REASON I love these books.

Donaldson makes some remarkable leaps of imagination, and the Bloodguard are very richly portrayed. As readers of past Covenant books know, Donaldson is often very ambiguous about good vs. evil. Yes, Lord Foul is the bad guy, no question about that. But it's the bad impulses in otherwise "heroic" characters that make the books so complex. If you like that element of these books, then you'll love THE ONE TREE. It's full of conflict within the "good" guys.

Many middle books in trilogies have the problem of dangling a little at both ends. They're picking up from a thread of the first book and leaving one behind for the final book. THE ONE TREE has some of that, but the intensity of the final scenes and the resolution of some of the characters is richly satisfying, so rather than feeling let down at the end, you just want to immediately grab the next book. And thank goodness you can...unlike Donaldson's current Covenant books, which are planned to have three year gaps in between.

So, if you've like the Covenant books up until now, you'll love THE ONE TREE. It's more action-packed than THE WOUNDED LAND and more rewarding. If you haven't enjoyed the books (but for some strange reason have read up to this point), your mind won't be changed. And obviously, if you haven't read them but would like to, you MUST go back to the beginning. Do not hope to start reading at this point and just "pick it up as you go along." You'll completely miss 95% of what's going on.

Roswell High Series 1 Through 10: The Outsider; The Wild One; The Seeker; The Watcher; The Intruder; The Stowaway; The Vanished; The Rebel; The Dark One; The Salvation

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Roswell High Series 1 Through 10: The Outsider; The Wild One; The Seeker; The Watcher; The Intruder; The Stowaway; The Vanished; The Rebel; The Dark One; The Salvation
Melinda Metz
Manufacturer: Pocket Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

ASIN: B000BY3U6G

Product Description

Books one through ten of the popular Roswell High series written by Melinda Metz.

The Dark Mirror: Book One of the Bridei Chronicles

Average customer rating:

A Pleasant Surprise
Another great novel by Marillier
Magical
Wow . . . just . . . wow
Mediocre Marillier

The Dark Mirror: Book One of the Bridei Chronicles
Juliet Marillier
Manufacturer: Tor Fantasy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0765348756

Book Description

THE DARK MIRROR is the first book in Juliet Marillier's Bridei Chronicles.

Bridei is a young nobleman fostered at the home of Broichan, one of the most powerful druids in the land. His earliest memories are not of hearth and kin but of this dark stranger who while not unkind is mysterious in his ways. The tasks that he sets Bridei appear to have one goal-to make him a vessel for some distant purpose. What that purpose is Bridei cannot fathom but he trusts the man and is content to learn all he can about the ways of the world.

But something happens that will change Bridei's world forever...and possibly wreck all of Broichan's plans. For Bridei finds a child on their doorstep on a bitter MidWinter Eve, a child seemingly abandoned by the fairie folk. It is uncommonly bad luck to have truck with the Fair Folk and all counsel the babe's death. But Bridei sees an old and precious magic at work here and heedless of the danger fights to save the child. Broichan relents but is wary.

The two grow up together and as Bridei comes to manhood he sees the shy girl Tuala blossom into a beautiful woman. Broichan sees the same process and feels only danger...for Tuala could be a key part in Bridei's future...or could spell his doom.

Customer Reviews:

A Pleasant Surprise.......2007-07-15

I picked up the abridged CD version of Dark Mirror in a factory store for a couple bucks. I wasn't expecting much. The story started kinda slow (especially for an "abridged" version) but it grew on me. Marillier's prose is completely enjoyable.

It is definitely NOT a historical novel but can be enjoyed as an "alternate reality" story. I recommend this novel for romantics, young women, lesbians, druids, people who read manga, people who play World of Warcraft, vampires, sci-fi & fantasy buffs, and cheap guys like me who buy our books at random in factory stores.

Another great novel by Marillier.......2007-06-06

After reading Sevenwaters trilogy I decided Juliet Marillier was an author worth investing time and money in. I was not disappointed in the least. The Dark Mirror's hero Bridei falls in the category of young, brilliant and defiant. This book has much - intrigue, magic, love, plot surprises, and a wonderfully rich background for the story to take place. I recommend this for anyone who enjoyed the Sevenwaters trilogy by Juliet Marillier and the Liveship trilogy by Robin Hobb

Magical.......2007-05-10

I really enjoyed this series. Magic is very prominent in this series. It really makes you realize how less we have to overcome compare to other people. A great book.

Wow . . . just . . . wow.......2007-02-19

I am not sure where to start with this amazing book, the first in the Bridei Chronicles. I myself have studied the Picts a bit and Juliet Marillier seems to hit the nail right on the head with her depictions of their lives and times. Many of the people and situations in this book are absolutely real - based upon historical documentation. The remainder is based upon her best guesswork and imagination and she does a bang-up job.

Somewhat akin to the story of Arthur and Merlin, Bridei is raised by a foreboding Druid in the forest. Unknown to Bridei, he is meant to be the future king of Fortrui, which comprised much of modern-day Scotland. Her descriptions of Druidic teachings, their overall lifestyle, the courts and the rituals of their religion ring true in all their splendor and (in some cases) horror.

Of course there is a twist - there is always a twist. A child of the Good Folk - the faeries - is left on their doorstep at Midwinter when Bridei is young. He takes her in, much to everyone's dismay. They all know it is dangerous to have anything to do with the Good Folk, who are at their best capricious. However, Bridei firmly believes that the child, whom he names Tuala, was left for him by the Shining One (Goddess and moon) and vows to care for her. Eventually he wins over everyone except his foster father, the druid. She is accepted into the household and loved almost universally - until the year Bridei goes off to his first war and she matures. . .

There is not much else I can say without ruining a great deal of the story for you. However, I heartily endorse this book, being a fan of historically based fiction, especially that doing with ancient cultures and their clashes (and eventual destruction) by "tolerant, loving" Christians. But . . . such musings are for another day. For this one, if you do not have this book yet, run - don't walk - to your nearest bookseller and find a copy. You won't regret it.

Mediocre Marillier.......2007-01-22

Juliet Marillier never strays far from the elements that made her Sevenwaters Trilogy a success: introspective heroes, dynamic heroines, and human wilfullness colliding with otherworldly manipulations. Marillier's books work becase of her skill at creating a sense of the mythic and timeless. Here, however, she has created something which, while head and shoulders above a lot of other fantasy works, lacks a kind of spark.
Part of this can be attribted to the characters. In her previous novels, Marillier created characters who sometimes skated perilously close to being too perfect but still managed to feel real and occasionally quirky. In the Sevenwaters stories, we had Sorcha the brave and beautiful who was also capable of being sulky and scared. Red who was grim and dry-humored, Liadan who was down-to earth and loyal, and Fainne who commited some unforgivable acts during her tenure as heroine. And in her Wolfskin stories, we had the complex friendship between Eyvind and Somerled.
Here, however, we're left with Bridei and Tuala. There is a lot of potential in these characters. Bridei is destined to be a great king but is snatched from his home as a boy for a life of isolation and study. Tuala is a child of the Good Folk and faces prejudice and distrust as well as her own fears concerning her heritage.
Unfortunately, Marillier does not develop them. Bridei is a nice guy but there's not much incentive to root for him. When he finally emerges from his isolated existence as the druid's student, does he show the slightest bit of social awkwardness? No. Does he show any slowness in his learning, any faults he needs to conquer in his bid to be king? No. And Marillier skips over a significant part of his life, aging him from child to man in the blink of a few pages. Tuala is a somewhat more interesting character but also seems to have been written on auto-pilot as her own conflict over her unusual heritage is never given the full treatment it needs, making the climax not quite as powerful as it could be.
The secondary characters are a mixed bag. The druid Broichan is blinded by his desire to mold Bridei into the perfect king but Marillier renders him so unlikable that his more human qualities, like his love for Bridei and his doubts over the brutal ritual he must perform come off like hastily-written postscripts. The wise woman Fola is a much better character and is a breath of fresh air whenever she appears, perhaps by virtue of having a sense of humor. The girl Ferada is also the same and her arch intelligence as well as her nastiness steal a few scenes. I also enjoyed Faolan, the mercenary and I'm not surprised Marillier put him in the sequel. The enemies, however, get little page time and fall completely flat.
My main gripe, as I mentioned before, is that the book suffers from a case of reliable rather than creative writing. Marillier glosses over important events, creates conflicts that are easily resolved, and describes the natural setting one too many times (but my tolerance for that was never high anyway).
There's still plenty to recommend about this book. Marillier is never better than when she sets up the conflicts between the Real World and the Other World. Her tales-within-tales, especially the story of Amna, are chilling. She's not afraid to gloss over some of the undeniable brutality of the Druids and she doesn't romanticize either the fairies or the Christians at their expense. It's also a credit to her that the romance between Bridei and Tuala didn't feel incestuous. Okay, it felt a little incestuous but it didn't detract from my reading. And once she sets up her characters, the suspense shoots up like a geyser.
Do I recommend this book? Yes, since it's still Juliet Marillier and she can get away with things I wouldn't tolerate with other authors. But I might suggest a first-time reader of hers to start with the Sevenwaters Trilogy.

Even Vampires Get the Blues (The Dark Ones, Book 4)

Average customer rating:

One of her bests
O.K.
Great book to read!
Another fun read by MacAlister
Good but expected more from this writer.

Even Vampires Get the Blues (The Dark Ones, Book 4)
Katie MacAlister
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 045121823X

Book Description

Paen Scott is a Dark One: a vampire without a soul. And his mother is about to lose hers, too, if Paen can't repay a debt to a demon by finding a relic known as the Jilin God-in five days. When he hires half-elf private investigator Samantha Cosse to help him, he sets her elf senses tingling. Which makes it pretty much impossible to keep their relationship on a professional level. Especially since Sam is convinced that she is Paen's Beloved-the woman who can give him back his soul, whether he wants it or not...

Customer Reviews:

One of her bests.......2007-06-09

Katie MacAllister has been described as laugh out loud funny. I thought that was ridiculous because no book has ever made me laugh aloud. I started with her dragon series and found myself laughing and could not wait until I could find another series of hers. I find these "Dark One" books, just as delightful as the dragon series. I have read each of her books in a 24 hour period because I cannot put them down.

O.K........2007-05-22

Is it just me or does this series seem to be running out of steam? The story is good as long as you read through it fast and don't let yourself look too closely at mistakes. If you slow down at all you'll find yourself looking for a red pen to write questions in the margins.

Great book to read!.......2007-05-15

I really enjoyed reading this book, of course I love all of them. I am always reading everything and waiting for the next book to come out. I very much like the way Katie Macalister writes both her "Dark Ones" series and also, "Aisling Grey" series. They are so much fun to read, you finish them before you know it.

Another fun read by MacAlister.......2007-04-08

I think Katie MacAlister's Vampire books are great fun, but her Aisling Grey seriesYou Slay Me (Aisling Grey, Guardian, Book 1)is my favorite.

Good but expected more from this writer........2007-03-25

I have read alot of Katie MacAlisters books including her young adults books she wrights under the name Kaite Maxwell and i must say this was a bit of a disappointment. The book draged on it seemed and defently had a much darker side then im use to with katies books.When I finshed it my exact words were "Thats it? Thats then end? What happened to all the action? What happened to the good sex scenes? What happened to Sam's agincy?" Basckly I thought the book had a big build up to some good action or some lovie dovie scenes but it felt like it just stoped. If you like books that are more about mistery and problim solving then anything els this is defently the book to buy but if you want more action, love, adventure, fun, and still make you laugh then i suggest Sex and the Single Vampire, or A Girls Guide To Vampires both by Kaite MacAlister.

Average customer rating:

Amazing amount of info and inspiration & [good] price!
Great details

One Small Square: Woods
Donald M. Silver , and Patricia Wynne
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0070579334

Book Description

The woods are full of puzzles to be solved, clues to be found. Inspired by this book's hints and fun-filled experiments and activities, and using only simple equipment, young readers unlock the closely guarded secrets of the woodsfrom the strange meetings of lazy butterflies, to the miraculous "walking" of a twig, to the riddle of why the leaves turn color and fall. One small square at a time, these "detectives" plunge deeper and deeper into ancient mysterieswithout ever getting lost. Beautifully illustrated, Woods offers a picture field guide, a glossary-index, and a resource list.

Customer Reviews:

Amazing amount of info and inspiration & [good] price!.......2002-10-27

What a gem! I was surprised when I discovered this book. The gist of the book is for the child (or adult) to mark off a square space in the woods and begin exploring and learning. This book is a real integration of activities, suggested observations, and fact. The learner is to explore, dig, look, observe and investigate every inch of this square area. While suggesting the learner look for this or that, the author provides factual information about various findings. The book goes into a lot of detail and there are many things that the author thinks may be found. I bet that the learner won't find everything that is mentioned but that is OK, at least the reader can experience it in reading about it in the book if it is missed "in real life".

The book starts off in autumn, assuming the learner begins in the fall and in an area of deciduous trees. A small sampling of what is addressed in this book is why trees lose their leaves, how trees store energy and make energy, examples of camouflage with animals, migration of birds and butterflies, insects, spiders and their webs, lizards and mammals big and small. As the book progresses winter then spring then summer is discussed.

The illustrations are drawn and in color (just like the cover), these are not photographs. There are loads of details in the drawings. At the back is an illustrated guide to creatures grouped by their classification (leaves, mammals, fungi) and an index.

The learner is encouraged to do creative projects such as leaf and trunk rubbings. Also keeping a nature journal or notebook to record the findings is recommended.

I am surprised that so much information and creative ideas packed into this small and very inexpensive book. This is one in a series of "one small square" books and I plan to buy more to use in our homeschooling adventure. Now this is science!

Great details.......2000-03-30

This book provides a small instant field trip to those students who might not have access to woods. It gives incredible details of what goes on in one small square of woods. For those who have access to wooded areas for exploration...safety tips are included as well as supplies needed for collecting data while exploring. I teach second grade and use all of the Small Square books in my teaching.

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The Dark One (The Wild Wulfs of London)
Ronda Thompson
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0312935730
Release Date: 2005-11-01

Book Description

Rosalind Rutherford knows full well the scandal she courts when she attempts to seduce the notorious Armond Wulf—in fact, she’s counting on it as a means to escape her sadistic stepbrother’s control. Unfortunately, Lord Wulf’s better instincts prevail...although not before he gives Rosalind a tantalizing taste of what she’s missing. And when the opportunity arises to rescue Armond from a grim fate while changing her own, Rosalind knows she must seize it...

Armond can no more ignore the Rutherford woman than his ancestor could resist the temptress who cursed the Wulf men with a terrifying transformation that occurs at the appearance of the full moon—and is set in motion by love. Now, to save her reputation and his freedom, Armond must marry Rosalind. But he vows that while they may share the pleasures of the marriage bed, she will never have his heart...

Yet as strange and mysterious events bring them closer in body and soul, Armond finds it increasingly difficult to keep his feelings for his new wife locked away. Especially when the reality of unquenchable desire—and certain danger—burn stronger than ever by the light of a full moon...

Average customer rating:

Maybe the most violent book in the series
a must read
Wowed me again!
AMAZING AND EXCITING AND DEFINITELY A CLIFF HANGER!
Finally! Micheal realizes what Maria means to him!

The Dark One (Roswell High No. 9)
Melinda Metz
Manufacturer: Simon Spotlight Entertainment
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0671035630

Book Description

True love never dies.

Isabel has run away from home, and Max knows her life is in danger. He has to find her and save her, but time is ticking away.

Alex is back on Earth, and he's a changed man. He looks better, feels better, and is ready to live life to the fullest -- without Isabel Evans. Little does he know he's the only person that can help the ailing Isabel. Will Alex be able to put aside his pride and save the life of his former love?

Download Description

True love never dies. Isabel has run away from home, and Max knows her life is in danger. He has to find her and save her, but time is ticking away. Alex is back on Earth, and he's a changed man. He looks better, feels better, and is ready to live life to the fullest -- without Isabel Evans. Little does he know he's the only person that can help the ailing Isabel. Will Alex be able to put aside his pride and save the life of his former love?

Customer Reviews:

Maybe the most violent book in the series.......2006-04-08

Starts off right where #8 left us with Kyle confronting the gang and Michael's brother trevor appearing to join up with the evil alien Dupris.
They get Maria's brother Kevin back and spend much of the rest of the book dealing both with Dupris and the fact that Isabel has now also developed the dangerous akino conditin.
Max wants her to join the collective consciousness while Michael and Isable herself do not. Supposedly Dupris is the leader of the rebel faction wanting to destroy the consciousness with the Stones of Midnight. Trevor claims that the condition is survivable without merging, it does turn out that he is telling the truth although it takes the use of a Stone to do it.
Dupris is killed in a battle near the end of the book, Trevor couldn't stand the way his "leader" was such a cold blooded killer.
As I understand it the Stones are necessary to survive akino, and to destroy the collective consciousness, and the gang now has two of the three stones their world had.
Now they've got to save Max- he's now so caught up in the consciousness that he can no longer get out.

a must read.......2001-05-10

oh this a great one. max is being drawn deeper and deeper inot the consciosness. while this is going on, isabel starts feeling sick like her bones are crumbling. after a few days of this she realizes that she is going through her akino. after seeing what joining the conscious has done to max, she swears that she will die first rather than join. she enlists michael's aid and he swears that he will stand by her to the bitter end if need be. he is a little weary himself considering that he will probably be next and he thinks(it is either become like a zombie like max or die) what a dilenema. how this one ends is well written and well thought out. i only hope that a talented writer like ms. metz would do the roswell groupies out here a favor and write some more novels.(how are you with buffy novel) just joking of course.

Wowed me again!.......2000-08-10

At this point, if you have bought and read every Roswell High book so far, I hardly have to say what I thought! I Love them all! Melinda Metz is the coolect writer! The characters are awsome, as is the plot, setting, i love it all. She gets 5 stars everytime!

AMAZING AND EXCITING AND DEFINITELY A CLIFF HANGER!.......2000-07-10

This book was really good just like the rest of the series. The ending took a major turn that I never expected! This book was awesome! I loved it and what happened. I will warn you someone does die in this book. It is sad how it happens. The group does get even with Dupris. He deserves it after everything he did though. I can't wait for the next one. I read this book within 2 hours. I never put it down once. I couldn't stop reading it because it was so good. If you read the books I also recommend the tv show on the WB. That is great because you get to see 2 different situations and story lines so its double the fun. READ THE BOOKS AND WATCH THE SHOW THAT ARE MAGNIFICANT!

Finally! Micheal realizes what Maria means to him!.......2000-07-08

Book #9 has to have been one of my favs from this series since #3 the Seeker! As a die-hard Micheal and Maria fan, it was nice to see Micheal wanting to be w/Maria in #9, and then what Isabel says to him about Maria! Oh yeah!

Average customer rating:

ummm....no
Good read..
Jaid Black knows a thing or two about erotica... and it shows
An author that can combine sex and plot = eroplotica
The Best So Far!

One Dark Night
Jaid Black
Manufacturer: Berkley Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0425212378

Book Description

When Dr. Nikki Adenike's rendezvous with an Internet playmate turns into a life-and-death fling with the serial killer called "Lucifer," she manages to escape--into the arms of the detective investigating the case. But the danger is far from over--and a newfound passion is just beginning.

Customer Reviews:

ummm....no.......2007-06-17

Let me start by saying this was my first , and last Jaid Black book.

I had no idea that this author must write predominantly about submissive and domination erotica. The side of the book said Romantic Suspense. Berkley should be ashamed for trying to pass off graphic erotica as Romantic Suspense. While I'm no prude and have read many sensual but still entertaining and mature erotic romances-this stuff is just soft core porn being shilled as romance. There is nothing romantic about this book.

That being said the book was just plain horrible. Three fourths amateur "suspense" with one fourth implausible and twisted sub/dom stuff thrown in. At the point where the "hero" calls the "heroine" "my little girl" and calls himself "daddy" during the bedroom scenes, sickened, I just chunked this bad boy in the trash where it belongs. So glad I only paid a quarter for this at a garage sale.

no stars.

Good read.........2007-05-02

So this was very different than what I usually read from MS Black. Its nothing like the Trek series, but it was still very exciting more suspense..touch of drama mixed with dash of romance and VERY mild D/s. It was nice:}

Jaid Black knows a thing or two about erotica... and it shows.......2007-05-01

Successful Cleveland surgeon Dr. Nikki Adenike has a secret. She wants to be dominated. Desperately. Nikki dreams of having a man dominate her and being free to be submissive. She can't let her secret fantasies get out to anyone she knows because she thinks the information could potentially ruin her career. So instead, she goes looking for a Master on a Dominant/submission web site. She finds what she's looking for, but little does she know that the man in question is the serial killer known as Lucifer. A sadistic murderer who tortures his victims and has been on the run from the law for nearly a decade.

Detective Thomas Cavanah has been hunting Lucifer for the past nine years and is determined to find out his identity. When he meets the sweet Dr. Adenike and finds out about her secret predilections, he's both turned on and intrigued. When Nikki becomes one of two victims to escape Lucifer's clutches and the killer sets his sights on her, Thomas vows to protect the good doctor. Somewhere along the line, though, he begins to fall for her and might turn out to be the Master Nikki's been looking for.

One Dark Night was, in a word, HOT! Jaid Black knows a thing or two about erotica, and this book was no exception. One Dark Night was a perfect mix of romance, erotica, and suspense. I was intrigued by the mystery enough to keep wondering who would turn out to be Lucifer while at the same time being enthralled by the passionate connection between Thomas and Nikki. Though I'm familiar with Black's short stories, this was the first full-length novel of hers I had a chance to pick up. Now I can't wait to go out and read more. I look forward to seeing what else Jaid Black has up her sleeve.

An author that can combine sex and plot = eroplotica.......2007-01-24

"Lucifer" has already claimed the lives of several women in Cleveland, and has escalated his violence. The police suspect that he chooses his victims from on-line personals. Thomas Cavanaugh is the detective on the case, and as he surfs the chat rooms, he comes across an unlikely victim.

Dr. Nicole Adenike is a surgeon by day and at night roams chat rooms seeking out a dominant male to satisfy her submissive fantasies. She gets more than she bargained for when she decides to meet a paramour in real life, and is attacked, resulting in Cavanaugh moving in to protect her, since she got away, she is more of a challenge to Lucifer. But who'll protect her from Cavanaugh, who seems to be in tune with her deepest erotic desires?

Jaid Black deftly combines eroticism with suspense and a touch of the supernatural to create a fast-paced sensual suspense. This ain't your mother's pulpy Harlequin romance novel - the sex is plentiful and heavy on the domination. But unlike some writers who try to combine explicit sex with a plot, this one actually works, with plenty of plot twists and red herrings tossed in to give the story added momentum.

The Best So Far!.......2006-04-19

Finally! A Jaid Black book with a meaningful plot! I was actually engrossed in the mystery of this little who-done-it and not just in the sex scenes. Reading many of Jaid's other stories is a cross between the story line of a cheap porno and the sickeningly sweet endings of a childhood fairy tale. But not this book! Amazing! I hope she keeps it up!

If You're Afraid of the Dark Add One More Star to the Night

Average customer rating:

A terrific sequel
Hope on every page

If You're Afraid of the Dark Add One More Star to the Night
Cooper Edens
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: B000IMV88S

Book Description

"If you're at the end of your rope...
untie the knot in your heart."
Such are the delightfully unconventional solutions offered in this long-awaited follow-up to the perennial If You re Afraid of the Dark, Remember the Night Rainbow, which has sold over a million copies. Cooper Edens's brand-new illustrations, in his bright and inimitable style, are paired with an equally new collection of phrases full of sparkling wisdom to soothe the fear and doubt lurking inside all of us. For those moments when the world - or at least the afternoon - looks a little bleak, this inspiring work offers whimsy, hope, and joy for every age.

Customer Reviews:

A terrific sequel.......2005-02-21

I absolutely loved and still treasure "If You're Afraid of the Dark, Remember the Night Rainbow," so when I saw this one I had to add it to the collection. Its terrific too - really like a continuation of the first book which is neat - it has the same type of drawings and phrases that on the surface seem so simple but in fact are such wonderful truths/messages. I gave this to my cousin along with the first book as she goes on her journey to college....."if one day you must leave home...draw stars on the bottom of your shoes to light your way back." Just such a wonderful book. Hard to describe the depth in the simplicity.

Hope on every page.......2003-12-06

I grew up with a copy of "If You're Afraid of the Dark, Remember the Night Rainbow" on my bookshelf, and love it. I came to appreciate it in different ways as I got older, and have given it as gifts on many occasions. This morning, I failed a major exam, and was in my local bookstore doing Christmas shopping as a grief-management attempt. There, I picked up this book, and read through it. It made me cry, but it was exactly what I needed. In the last three hours, I have read this book over and over again.

"If your world has come undone... fasten it securely to the horizon."
"If you're at the end of your rope... untie the knot in your heart."
"If you become lost... make wherever you are look like home."

I would recommend this book to anyone who is struggling with major life changes as an inspirational book, as well as to parents who wish to give their children a book which they can appreciate now, grow into later, and cherish forever.

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