#28 -- The Nymphos of Rocky Flats

From the Publisher
The first and only vampire book to be declassified
by the federal government . . .

Felix Gomez went to Iraq a soldier. He came back a vampire.

Now he finds himself pulled into a web of intrigue when an old friend prompts him to investigate an outbreak of nymphomania at the secret government facilities in Rocky Flats. He’ll find out the cause of all these horny women or die trying! But first he must contend with shadowy government agents, Eastern European vampire hunters, and women who just want his body . . .

Skewering sexual myths, conspiracy fables, and government bureaucracy, The Nymphos of Rocky Flats reveals the bizarre world of the undead with a humorous slant and a fresh twist.

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Totally enjoyed this book. I loved the characters, loved the storyline and there was enough action to make me want to keep reading and not put the book down. Loved the twists on the vampire tale and loved the way that more than just vamps are introduced. I hope the author writes more tales about Felix in the future.

#27 -- Dead and Loving It by MaryJanice Davidson

From the Publisher
USA Today bestselling author MaryJanice Davidson has enchanted readers everywhere with her delicious blend of wicked humor, sizzling sex, and totally unique vision of vampires and werewolves. In this collection of four novellas she brings her beloved Wyndham werewolves (featured in her acclaimed novel Derek’s Bane) together with the vampires ruled by Betsy Taylor (from her bestselling Undead series).

Filled with equal parts of spicy heat and laugh-out-loud moments, this collection will drive Davidson’s legion of fans wild with blood-pounding delight.

~

I started this book with the last story—A Fiend in Need because it ties in to the Undead series and I wanted to read it before I read Undead & Unpopular. It actually ended up being my least favorite story.

All 4 of the stories involve werewolves who are loosely tied into the Wyndham pack that we meet in Derik’s Bane. What I enjoyed is that each of the stories is about a pack member who is different and finds love in some very different mates—One a human, one a vampire, one a fairy, and one a fiend. The stories loosely tie into one another with the exception of the last one so that it almost seems like you are reading one long story instead of 4 shorts. I enjoyed the book and am glad that I finally picked it up and read it.

#26 -- Undead and Unpopular by MaryJanice Davidson

From the Publisher
This New York Times bestselling author’s Undead series is more popular than ever!

With her birthday coming up, Betsy isn’t in the best frame of mind to face the powerful European vampires who have finally come to pay their respects. Playing politics is not her strong suit, especially when she finds out her best friend Jessica may have a life-threatening illness. Sure Betsy can save her life by taking it-isn’t that what friends are for?-but the choice isn’t in her hands.

With her fiancé Eric dodging all the wedding plans, Betsy’s plate is full-and not with birthday cake. But who has time to pout? Not even a reluctant vampire queen, who is taking it one high-heeled step at a time in MaryJanice Davidson’s creative, sophisticated, sexy, and wonderfully witty series.

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While I enjoy the Undead series and I read it when I am in the mood for a little mindless fun reading, I have to say that I found this book a bit rambling. There really was no storyline or plot, no real beginning or end, just a middle. If at all possible Betsy was even more shallow in this book than normal and things happened that seemed to have absolutely no bearing on this or any other storyline. I mean it was okay for a quick afternoon read, but I am really hoping for more in her next installment of this series.

#25 -- The End of Eternity by Isaac Asimov

From the back of the book:

In the fantastic world of THE END OF ETERNITY this terrifying forecast was entirely possible. The Eternals, the ruling class of the Future, had the power of life and death not only over every human being but over the very centuries into which they were born. Past, Present, and Future could be created or destroyed at will.

You had to be special to become an Eternal. Andrew Harlan was special. Until he committed the one unforgivable sin-falling in love.

Eternals weren't supposed to have feelings. But Andrew Harlan could not deny the sensations that were struggling within him. Andrew knew he could not keep this secret forever. And so he began to plan his escape...a plan that changed his own past...and threatened Eternity itself.


~~~

This was a good read. I have always been interested in Time Travel, alternate realities, etc. This book explores those avenues. Imagine a society where Eternals have the ability to make changes in reality to make the world a better place. Is that a good thing?

#24 of 2007 -- From Black Rooms by Stephen Woodworth

#4 in the Violet Series
From the Publisher
Natalie Lindstrom has finally left the underworld behind for a new career in the art world. But there’s one world she can’t escape: the Other world of the dead. As a former Violet, an elite crime-fighter with the power to channel murder victims, Natalie is now using her paranormal gift to summon the spirits of legendary painters. But she’s about to discover how far some people will go to keep their hold on her–and others like her…. Evan Markham, her ex-lover-turned-Violet-Killer, has escaped from prison. And he’s been made an offer he can’t refuse: Natalie. But first he must help contact a deceased geneticist whose most intriguing experiment was brutally interrupted: an attempt to manufacture Violets.

To protect her young daughter and herself, Natalie must search for the scientist’s only living test subject–a handsome but tortured artist to whom she is dangerously attracted.

For he is caught in the grip of two opposing forces, one that wants his survival, another that wants him–and anyone connected with him–destroyed….

~

I enjoyed this book after being disappointed in #3 in the series. This book takes us back to what was so enjoyable about the first two books in the series, Natalie’s struggles as a Violet. The action kept me wanting to read, especially at the end. Speaking of the ending, this book leaves off with some interesting possibilities for the next book, which I hope that we do not have to wait too long for. If you have enjoyed previous Violet books then this one is a must read!!

Book #23 of 2007 -- Hunting Diana by Doreen Orsini

A blurb about the book from Doreen Orsini
How does Frank Nostrum manage to lure the strongest vamps in Mina's Cove into his pen? How does he keep them there until they meet their death beneath dawn's fiery rays? When one of their own kind, one secretly driven by jealousy, declares that his daughter is the lure, the elders of Mina's Cove pass sentence: the hunter's daughter must pay for his crimes with a single kiss, a drop of blood, a hunger denied. Torn between duty and honor, Lucian, the vampire sent to carry out the sentence, sates Diana's hunger while he searches for proof of her innocence. Diana finds herself thrust into the arms and world of a creature she never believed existed. Can she trust him with her knowledge about his brother's death? Mina's Cove has been a haven to the peaceful vampires for nearly a century. Since the angels took pity on Mina and Dracula, blood still holds a strong attraction for these creatures of the night, but only when combined with passion. If Lucian fails to save Diana, the wrath of the angels will doom the vampires of Mina's Cove and all humans within their grasp.

Book #22 of 2007 -- The Art of Undressing by Stephanie Lehmann

From the Publisher
Ginger's mother, Coco, used to be an exotic dancer, though now she makes her living selling sex toys and teaching classes like "The Fine Art of Striptease." A straitlaced, self-respecting twenty-five-year-old, aspiring pastry chef Ginger has no desire to follow in her mother's high-heeled footsteps. She's too busy trying to convince her sadistic French cooking school instructor of her talents in the kitchen.When Ginger gets sweet on a fellow student, she finds herself ill-equipped in the art of seduction. And when she discovers she has a reputation for being "just one of the guys," suddenly, she's looking for some motherly advice on how to catch the man she loves.
Author Biography: Stephanie Lehmann is the author of Thoughts While Having Sex and Are You in the Mood? A playwright and contributor to Salon.com, she lives with her husband and two children.

ETA 4/20--
I am so happy that this was on someone’s wishlist which prompted me to read it instead of letting it languish on my TBR pile any longer. It was a funny, good read. Ultimately a romance but with a lot of insight into the psyche of Ginger, who is determined not to grow up to be her mom, Coco, a stripper. While at the same time letting us see what a strong woman Coco is, despite of, or possibly because of, her career choice. This was a great change of pace from the paranormals that I have been reading lately.

My reading goals and habits

I have set a goal for myself on http://www.43things.com/ to read 100 books in 2007. If you would like to view my previous progress you can visit http://www.43things.com/things/view/612894 .


I will start with my current read on this blog and go on from there.

This is my very first attempt at a blog, so who knows, I might get brave and expand a bit, eventually. ;-)

You can get an idea of my reading habits at http://www.bookcrossing.com/mybookshelf/wss4// if you get adventuresome and have some time to kill.