Sex and the Single Vampire (Dark Ones, #2) by Katie MacAlister

Sex and the Single Vampire by Katie MacAlister

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


If Allie doesn't find a ghost soon, her short career as a "Summoner" with United Psychical Research Association will be a thing of the past, so naturally she is delighted to find what she thinks is the tortured spirit of a gorgeous, naked, wounded man. But the cranky spirit, who looks exactly like the dishy man who has been haunting Allie's dreams, doesn't need her help since he isn't a ghost, but rather Christian Dante, best-selling author of vampire romances and Moravian Dark One. Of course, Allie wants some answers from the arrogant and domineering Christian, but he is more interested in working out the exact nature of their relationship, since fate has chosen Allie as his "Beloved."(

~~~~~~



7/1/2006

I really enjoyed this book once I got into it. The beginning was a little rough. We seem to be introduced to the main character, Allie, in the middle of her character development. She finally comes together further into the book as we learn more about her history but it made for a little confusion early on. I kept feeling like I had missed reading a previous book that should have told us more about her. (The author also gives her an annoying habit of saying 'Poop' that is a huge turn off). But as the story unfolds it got much more interesting to the point that I could not put it down and sat up well into the night to finish it. I look forward to more books by this author.

ETA-- 3/08 and I now realize why as this is technically #2 in the series. LOL Have the rest on MT. TBR.


ETA-- 6/20/14 -- I decided to reread this as I recently read the first book in the series and to be honest I did not really remember reading this one years ago. I guess that I have a greater appreciation for this type of book because I probably would have rated it 4 stars this time around.



View all my reviews

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

~~~~~~

Read this so that I could go see the movie with my daughters. I had seen somewhere that this was the modern 'Love Story' and I think that is a very accurate description. Fantastic, if heart wrenching read. Can't wait to see the characters come to life in the movie.



View all my reviews

Al Capone Does My Shirts (Al Capone at Alcatraz, #1) by Gennifer Choldenko

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Today I moved to a twelve-acre rock covered with cement, topped with bird turd and surrounded by water. I'm not the only kid who lives here. There's my sister, Natalie, except she doesn't count. And there are twenty-three other kids who live on the island because their dads work as guards or cook's or doctors or electricians for the prison, like my dad does. Plus, there are a ton of murderers, rapists, hit men, con men, stickup men, embezzlers, connivers, burglars, kidnappers and maybe even an innocent man or two, though I doubt it. The convicts we have are the kind other prisons don't want. I never knew prisons could be picky, but I guess they can. You get to Alcatraz by being the worst of the worst. Unless you're me. I came here because my mother said I had to.

~~~


I started this book with my 5th grade reading group. Unfortunately we were unable to finish it before the end of the school year, but I enjoyed it so much that I brought home a copy to finish over the summer.

This was a wonderful book that gives us not only a history lesson (none of my kids in the group had heard of Al Capone before and few had heard of Alcatraz so we were able to do a wonderful history lesson prior to starting this book) but some fantastic insight into autism and how it affects families.

While this book uses Al Capone as a draw it is really about how Moose deals with the frustration of having a sister who is different than other kids. Since this book is set in the 1930's and autism had not yet become a common diagnosis we are able to explore life with Natalie without the label of autism.

I would suggest this read for higher level 5th grade and above.



View all my reviews

Birthday Party Murder (A Lucy Stone Mystery, #9) by Leslie Meier

Birthday Party Murder by Leslie Meier

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



The whole town of Tinker’s Cove is looking forward to the celebration marking former librarian Julia Ward Howe Tilley’s ninetieth birthday. Lucy Stone, Miss Tilley’s closest friend, dreamed up the party idea—at about the same time she decided she’s not getting old without a fight.

That sounds like a plan—until Lucy realizes her daughter’s fourteenth birthday bash, a coed sleepover, may turn her hair white overnight. What was she thinking when she agreed to let Sara have the party? On her mind, instead, was the shocking death of Sherman Cobb, the town’s oldest attorney, an apparent suicide. His law partner, however, thinks Sherman was murdered.

Poking about in Sherman’s papers, Lucy turns up an intriguing tie between the dead man and Miss Tilley. Meanwhile Miss Tilley’s own past has come back to haunt her in the form of a mysterious niece named Shirley and a biker great nephew named Snake. Soon no one can get to see the elderly librarian because the brash, bossy Shirley says she’s “failing.” Now, as a killer’s ruthless plan rushes toward a conclusion, Lucy needs answers fast—or else she and Miss Tilley won’t live long enough to make a wish and blow out the candles on this year’s birthday cake…

~~~~~~~

Another enjoyable visit to Tinker's Cove. I always enjoy the adventures that Lucy gets herself involved in. It was nice to learn a bit more about Ms. Tilley as well this time around.



View all my reviews