31 Days of Halloween

Gearing up for 31 Days of Halloween!

If anyone is interested in participating - either link shout-outs, guest blogging, short stories, anything, email me at bookswithabite (at) gmail (dot) com.

Skin Trade - A Review

As many of you have read in my last post, I broke down and checked out Skin Trade from the library (I gave my self some props slack since I didn’t actually spend money on it; except the library fees I owed.).

Any of you who have even remotely heard of the Laurell K Hamilton book debacle have probably heard about how the last 10 or so Anita Blake books have been smut – filled with Mary Sue-ism, bad porn, orgies, and bestiality. After reading the last book, Blood Noir I was a little bit surprised that there were only about 3 sex scenes in the book – was this an improvement? Would the next Anita Blake books get better? I wanted to hope so… at least I would feel less guilty about reading them.

So that brings us to Skin Trade Book 17 of the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Books. Anita Blake must run to Vegas to try and kill the ancient vamp serial killer that got away from her a while back. He even personally requests her and sends her a lovely gift. While in Vegas she meets up with some old Obsidian Butteryfly friends, which includes Edward.

Will Anita Blake kill Vittorino before he kills her?

Will she have control of the stupid annoying Ardeur?

What will happen with her connections to the Lions?

Will she pick up some more bedmates?

And so goes the anticipation and curiosity (FYI - that was sarcasm in the last few sentences). Like I mentioned before; it’s like an Obsidian Butterfly reunion. All the OB marshals are there, its hot; there is an ancient power against them, etc. etc.

I’m not saying it was the best book I have ever read, but I was a bit impressed that LKH toned it down! Yes, you read it, it is a bit toned-down! Yes. Anita is “amazing” and “perfect” and “all-powerful” and all that, but she meets psychics who rival her ability too – never female, but it’s a start.

Yes, there is lion drama. Yes, Marmee Noir makes an appearance, Yes, there is sex. BUT – there is no in-detail orgies or bestiality, no real details of Nathaniel, Asher, Richard, or Micah, and only brief conversations with Jean Claude (how dare he be mad with her) and one small conversation with Jason. So this book is almost a vacation from the recent usual Anita Blake crap.

It will be interesting to see where the next book goes because it seems like certain things were wrapped up a little too nicely in the end. Skin Trade definitely could have been a lot worse.

And so my unfortunate infatuation with the Anita Blake world continues.

True Blood Season 2: Delayed but Here

Yes I am a slacker – but I don’t have HBO (let alone cable) so I have to mooch off the few (2 people) that I know have HBO… which isn’t easy. So this weekend I vegged out at my dad’s house and caught up, watching episodes 7-12.

So here’s what happened (and what didn’t happen in the book) – spoilers.

Fellowship of the Sun try to kill Sookie and Eric… and Godric and Bill, and then Jason (partially book plot oriented – Sookie escapes with the help of a were who has infiltrated the system, causing more drama. PS. Godric is not a hero in the book, he is an ancient child molestor or something)

Texas vampires come to kick-ass – Godric stops anything from happening and everyone goes home… Texas vampires have a party (never happened in the book)

Jason’s FoS rival acts as a suicide bomber and stops the vamp party (partially book oriented – was a fire fight, not a bomb)

Eric tricks Sookie to sucking silver out of him (in the book it was a bullet)

Mary Ann gets people into more trouble (Mary Ann character is nothing like the book)

Sam gets framed for murder (not in the book, nor is the following)

Mary Ann possessed the whole town

Hoyt and new vampire girl get into a fight (this plot isn’t in the book at all either)

Sookie gets captured

We meet Sophie-Ann – Queen of Louisiana, apparently an avid Yahtzee fan.

Bill and Sam find a way to kill Sophie Ann

Poor Sam

Miss new vampire is getting herself into trouble

Bill and Sookie go on a date

Bill proposes

Bill gets kidnapped.


Being an big Charlain Harris/Sookie Book fan I was PISSED about the ending – thought is was absolutely stupid. Bill should not be proposing… they break up in the book! Book 3 in the series does have Bill being kidnapped though. It should be interesting how season 3 goes!

I Broke Down.... and I Checked it Out at the Library

Several months removed from being "new" I finally broke down and last night I checked out LKH's latest - Skin Trade . At least I didn't buy it! I have a problem... but admitting it is the first step, right?

On good news, I am on page 98 and no sex so far! No orgies or bestiality! It's mostly an Obsidian Butteryfly reunion (which by the way, was one of the first vampire books I ever read). They are hunting the serial killer vampire in Vegas that got away in I think, Cerulean Sins (I don't quite remember). So we shall see how the book progresses!

A little disappointed she didn't mention saying good bye to Nathaniel or Micah before she left to Vegas, but I guess you can't please everyone.

And summer 2010 Anita Blake will have her own TV show.... which I will probably watch.

And because it's Friday, September 18th

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROTHER!

I love you even if you are a zombie lover :)

Mr. Darcy, Vampyre - Review

Ah... Mr. Darcy, forever immortalized by the sexy Colin Firth (and I would argue that Mr. Darcy made him sexy). So here we are, Amanda Grange has combined the sexy Mr. Darcy AND vampyres (which can obviously be sexy too) so naturally, I was instantly curious to see what Mr. Darcy, Vampyre was all about. I was a little cautious though. I am a big fan of Pride and Prejudice and I figured this could either be really good, or really bad.



The book begins on Elizabeth's wedding day; her and her sister are to have a double wedding with their grooms Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy. Shortly after saying their vows Lizzy is feeling odd about Mr. Darcy - he is acting strangely, he resists touching her, and keeps secrets to himself. To top it all off they end up changing their wedding tour plans to gallivant around Europe meeting disapproving members of Darcy's "family." Elizabeth sees the adoring and loving looks Darcy has for her.... but she isn't sure it is enough for them to remained married.

I have to admit, when I first started reading the book I was frustrated that Darcy seemed off-putting and stubborn. I wanted the charming Darcy! But as the book progressed I couldn't put it down - which is bad when you are reading during your lunch break. Grange adds some interesting and unique elements both to the vampyre story and to the adventures of Darcy and Elizabeth. I thought some of the adventures they experienced were a nice touch. And I enjoyed the ending. Some of the things I thought wrapped up a bit to quick or didn't go into enough detail, but overall I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to a vampire fan... and if you have ever imagined Darcy as a creature of the dark.... or if you like to. The beginning of Mr. Darcy, Vampyre was frustrating to get through because of his behavior, but after you tell yourself it will be alright, it starts to be pretty good and I fell in love with Darcy all over again.

Trying hard to not laugh out loud... Twilight-izin Book Covers

Must see and vote for the best!


Hilarious "Twilight" Book Covers

Explaining the Vampire Loving Women in Men's Health

So this month in Men's Health in the "Ask Men's Health" section, Dough from Baton Rouge LA asks the question:

Twilight, True Blood, Dracula -- what is it with women and vampires?

So Carolyn Kylstra, the "Ask the Girl Next Door" girl says this:

It's not all vampires, so slicking your hair back and donning a cape isn't a Halloween hookup ticket. It's the deeply tortured vampires - the ones oozing sexual energy because they've repressed their blood-lust instincts. (Like the "vegetarian" Edward Cullen.) They're reflective, passionate, and eternally faithful. Plus, they're played by guys like David Boreanaz and Stephen Moyer. Yum

Being a member of the Naked David Boreanaz Club I say amen to the yum part! Not quite sure I agree with her though... partly because of the Cullen comment (who the F*** thinks repeating high school is a good idea?) and partly because I don't think the whole obsession fascination stems from the instinct repressions.

Here's my theory (and it's not solidified yet - it's mainly thought vomit): first of all, sexy males are sexy males - a hunky tall, dark and handsome, human looking male is already starting off on a good foot. Then you add on the whole bad boy complex that so many women faint over - Mr. Bad isn't Bad, he is trust trouble, and YOU can help him in his darkest moments (blah blah blah). And here I agree with Kylstra - they are portrayed as passionate, reflective, faithful, hunks of love. They have put a wall up - and nothing has penetrated it - until you. Yes, you, a common female have shown the way of love to this dark, powerful, usually rich and intelligent creature, and he is eternally grateful, and will show you how grateful he is (and will continually give you thanks with passion and pleasure). Add a little blood and biting and eternal life and you add a bit of carnal pleasure, mystery and eliminate the fear of death. In real life these scenarios would never work - that's what makes them fantasy.

How can you not enjoy a hot vampire?

Kiss of Midnight Review

I stood in my living room Monday night surveying my apartment and doing a mental checklist: moped floors - check, picked up living room - check, cleaned bathroom -check, made jewelry - check, and the list goes on. My husband has been out having fun doing homework and projects, so after spending several hours playing any game I could find on Facebook (except vampire wars oddly enough) I had nothing to do (I don't have TV Channels).... so I picked up a book! About time!

So here I am, feeling pretty productive, but ultimately bored and in need of some adventure (and maybe some passion?) I found this little gem a friend had lent me - Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian (book 1 of 8 so far in the Midnight Breed Series - Any books under the name "breed" have to be awesome don't you think?). And I knew full well what I was getting myself into.

KoM is like any other vampire romance, and not to spoil it too much, but here is your standard outline for these things:

Meet human female - female has some issues and no guardians (can't have any attachments)

Meet hunky vampire male - Mentioned female probably doesn't know he is a vampire yet - only that she feels a strange draw to him and can't get him out of her mind.

Male vampire has issues - he is brooding and lonely and swears he will never fall in love

DANGER!

Female has some secret power or ability, or knack for something that makes her unique

Male Vampire finds female sexy but needs to protect her

SEX!

Arguments need to occur - you know, because they are "getting to know each other"

DANGER!

Male vampire falls madly in love with her - for they were destined to be together

They live happily ever after

These events may happen in different orders - but the vampire needs to have a sexy weird name, in this case, Lucan - yes ladies - Lucan. I'm up for naming my first born son after him - what say you? And to highlight the "destiny factor" I even took the time to highlight a golden quote:

And in the back of his mind, an ancient conscience whispered that whoever she was, she already belonged to him

That was page 26 by the way - before their official meeting.

Nonetheless.... I couldn't put the book down. I knew it was ridiculous, I knew it was lame... but heck, I'm pretty lame myself and I am female after all. I thought Lucan was pretty hot and steamy, sometimes an ass (but hey, he's a "bad boy" Right?). I kind of skimmed over all the battle jargon and fighting events and secret squirrel stuff, but I was entertained, my mind easily used it as fantasy material, and I may even read the next 7 8 9 10 (11? 12? ... probably not).

To be honest, its pretty similar to the Dark Ones Series. Each book features a different human chick and a different "vampire" but all of them are interlocked and all the females were destined to be mates for the fanged hunks.

So there you have it - Kiss of Midnight is not that unique (old vampires covered in pretty "markings" is kind of cool though) but it held my attention and was a guilty read.

I Can't Be A Productive Reader

And by that I mean that I can't read books and be productive! My productive streak of house cleaning, jewelry making, and organizing lasted 2.5 days... and then it stopped when I picked up a book that held my attention. And say goodbye to doing anything else; just me and my book now.

Since The Husband is back in full swing of things I think I just may make a comeback. Who needs a clean house when you have books that need to be read? Exactly! All in moderation I suppose...

Mr. Darcy, Vampyre

As a big fan of Pride and Prejudice (who doesn't love Mr. Darcy? and Austen's wit?) I am curious to read Amanda Grange's Mr. Darcy, Vampire - as well as to pick up her other Darcy book - Darcy's Diary. There is even a blog devoted to the book, which you can find here.

About the book (taken from Grange's website):

Amanda Grange has crafted a clever homage to the Gothic novels that Jane Austen so enjoyed... This is an Austen-inspired scary story for Janeites, by a Janeite, done with affection and delivered with a very subtle British wink, and completely suitable for a 21st-century audience. AustenBlog.com, the #1 Austen Fan Site!


THE HISTORY BEHIND MR. DARCY, VAMPYRE In the summer of 1816, Lord Byron and his personal physician, Dr. John William Polidori, were traveling in Switzerland and soon discovered Percy Bysshe Shelley and his lover, Mary Godwin (soon-to-be Mrs. Shelley) were staying nearby. The group became fast friends, each sharing a passion for the written word. One night, Lord Byron proposed they each author their own scary short stories to see who could conceive the most terrifying tale. Byron wrote “Fragment of a Novel,” and quickly abandoned his attempt. Shelley wrote “Fragment of a Ghost Story”—which wasn’t published until much later. Mary Godwin wrote what would eventually evolve into her masterpiece, Frankenstein. Dr. Polidori wrote The Vampyre, one of the first vampiric tales in English literature. For years it was attributed to Lord Byron, but soon enough, as the character of Count Dracula gained popularity and momentum, Dr. Polidori was given his due credit.
In Mr. Darcy, Vampyre, Darcy’s mysterious uncle, Count Polidori, serves as homage to the story’s place in history. And at the time that Darcy and Elizabeth take their wedding tour through Europe, Dr. Polidori and Mary Shelley would have been in Switzerland creating the beginnings of their terrifying tales!


“For two such enduring stories to come out of one evening is truly remarkable,” says Amanda Grange, on her blog, MrDarcyVampyre.blogspot.com.

Additionally, Jane Austen was a fan of darker literature, and she wrote her own “Gothic” tale, Northanger Abbey (published 1803). Grange has dedicated Mr. Darcy, Vampyre to the heroine of Northanger Abbey, Catherine Morland—a heroine who always followed her imagination, which ultimately lead her to love.

The idea of Mr. Darcy as a vampyre came to Grange years ago. As a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Amanda explains to USA Today: “The dynamics between Buffy and Angel reminded me of the dynamics of Lizzy (Bennet) and Darcy.”

Through careful research of not only Jane Austen’s beloved Pride & Prejudice, but also the history of vampires in English history, Grange has created a smart and fitting sequel—one that allows readers to reimagine Pride & Prejudice with completely new meaning.

Here's the book Trailer:

The Creep Show

Loving this band right now... so here is some "vampire-esque" songs from the band: