Vampire Games (Vampire For Hire #6)

Vampire Games by J.R. Rain
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sigh. This book really depressed me.

This book was not so very different from the others, except it really crushed my dreams of a Fang/Sam romance. I’m still holding out a little bit of hope, but I’m pretty sure there isn’t any to be had. A lot of things change in this book, so it’s an important installment. There is a lot of growth in both her acceptance of being a vampire and in how she deals with things. Almost all her relationships change in one way or another.

The case story in this book was pretty interesting, and hopefully introduced a character that will come back from time to time in future books. Or not. I’m still Team Fang. I am also decidedly anti-Kingsley, as I’ve mentioned before. I think he’s no good for Sam and she should really know that by now. Or before now. Maybe at book 2. Also, my hatred for Det. Hanner was increased to epic proportions. She really needs someone to take her down a notch, and I hope that Sam is the one to do it.

This book was sadly missing Max and a lot of Fang interaction (for obvious reasons, but still sad). I hope the next book lifts my spirits a little.


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Vampire Dawn (Vampire for Hire #5)

Vampire Dawn by J.R. Rain
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am actually working on reading "Samantha Moon Rising" - a compilation of books 5-7, with a short story (Teeth). I'm not really good at waiting until the end of any compilation to write a review, so I'll just review as I go along in each individual book.

This book picks up a few months (I guess) after the previous one. We get to see Sam evolve even more with her powers and (ugh) her relationship with Kingsley. I am really still firmly on Team Fang, especially after how we see him briefly in this installment. I really feel for the guy who is sadly stuck in the friend-zone for Sam. Wake up, Sam!

The big case story in this book revolved around the super secret blood trade. I guess it makes sense that she should follow through and learn where her blood comes from (and why her boyfriend was even buying blood to begin with! Team Fang!). After all this build up about this big baddie soap opera star, I felt like the ending kind of fizzled. I also really felt like I should have read this Christmas short story that is repeatedly referenced in this book.

So -- high parts of this book were the following: Fang, Max, the always quick and witty dialog from Sam. These things will always have me coming back to read the next book!

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Moon Child (Vampire For Hire #4)

Moon Child by J.R. Rain
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was another really fast read -- it took only a few hours to blow through. We were introduced with a few new characters that will likely resurface in the next few books at some point.

What's there to say about this installment that's different from the rest? I'm still firmly on Team Fang, still anti-Kingsley, and Sam is still as witty and sarcastic as ever This book continued on in the same heart-wrenching way, looking for a way to use the medallion. Sam's powers are still growing, and I really really look forward to a day when she chooses between the men in her life. I feel bad for Fang, even if he may or may not be crazy.

I know that Kingsley had a sort of redeeming moment at the end of this book, but I still feel like he should be in the doghouse (ha, pun intended!). Why Sam is so set on going back to loving someone who makes her miserable is beyond me, especially since she has someone who makes her feel better staring her in the face. Maybe next installment we will get some sort of resolution there.

Also, BONUS, this book did not end in a cliffhanger. I'm still going right to the next one, though, because these short little books are quite addicting!

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American Vampire (Vampire For Hire #3)

American Vampire by J.R. Rain
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I blew through this book really quickly. I have to say, these short chapters filled with witty banter have really helped me fly through this series. There were a lot of times when I found myself laughing out loud at the one liners thrown about. I'm really glad we met some more characters (that have their own set of books??) so there is even more chance for wit and sarcasm. Luckily everyone Sam meets talks and acts like her...

This book was an immediately continuation from the last one (which left us on a cliffhanger with Fang). I'll admit it, I was totally shocked by who Fang was. It wasn't a bad shock -- it was really a pretty good shock. I really hope that Sam ends up with Fang in the end of this series (or however far in it takes her to end up making some sort of relationship decision). There is a love... triangle? trapezoid? Lots of guys love her. There was a lot of drama that still kept her from really focusing on her increasingly complicated love life, though.

The story line involving her son was really hard to read at times. I can completely follow her reasoning and can sympathize with her tears. I wish we got resolution in this book, but, of course, we get a cliffhanger! Luckily (again) I have the next book lined up to start, but I feel bad for anyone who doesn't. Cliffhangers are not my favorite.



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Vampire Moon

Vampire Moon by J.R. Rain
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read the first book in this series 2 years ago and it took me until now to finally get back to this series. Taking that long a break doesn't appear to have hurt my understanding of the character or the story line at all, for which I am grateful.

Sam is still just as witty as I vaguely remembered her being. The wit and sarcasm in this book was almost on par with the Dresden Files books, where the dialog just flies by. I am a big fan of a witty and sarcastic main character, especially if they are some sort of tough supernatural.

One downside to taking such a long break between books is that I really wasn't sure what the plot of this book was. Sure, I saw the cases and followed them just fine, but the drama with her family didn't appear to be going anywhere major and her relationships with the men in her life also didn't appear to be the big story here either. If I had to peg down one big turning point aspect of this book, it would revolve around everything she and Fang talk about. Man, the chat room talk really takes me back to my internet roleplaying days! I *love* this story, and I hope that I (and Sam) love Fang, whoever he turns out to be. That's another point in this book's favor -- I have no idea how the cliffhanger at the end will turn out. Mystery abounds! Luckily I have the next book lined up to read immediately!

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The Dark Highlander

The Dark Highlander by Karen Marie Moning
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I know I say this after reading every book in this Highlander series, but, really, this one is my new favorite! These books just keep getting better and better! This one is definitely a 4 or 5 star book to me. After Tara (from book club) said she blew through this book, I knew I should at least start the thing. She was completely right – I couldn’t put the book down! This book is filled to the brim with smut and awesomeness! There is just the right amount of “polish” on this book that I almost feel like we were following KMM’s growth as an author by going through the Highlander books in order.

This book follows Dageus through his journey, which was introduced at the end of the previous book via Drustan and Gwen’s story. The title is right on the money – he’s a dark highlander and they really really show you how dark he is throughout the book (in a sexy way). No, there are not any “rapey” scenes really, but the sex scenes really do sizzle. Chloe is a great match for Dageus, and I really loved watching them play off one another. We also got to check in with Adam and the other fae and I’m eager to see where that longer storyline ends up.

I should also note that reading this one made me want to re-read the Fever series even more! Now that I know everyone’s backstory I think the scenes at Ryodan’s club might make more sense to me. I don’t think I necessarily suffered for not reading this series first, but it’s something that has been in the back of my head while reading these books.


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Don't Bite The Bridesmaid

Don't Bite the Bridesmaid by Tiffany Allee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

First things first – the title is cheesy, but it sets a good frame of reference for the book. This book was fun and silly and totally enjoyable! It was a quick read that had me smiling almost 100% of the time. There was your typical formulaic “misunderstanding” sequence, but totally worth it to give you a nice happily ever after.

Noah and Alice’s relationship was great to watch blossom in this book. Trapped in a cruise ship turned out to be a great setting for all the romance and silliness and smut that a girl could want. Rather than giving us a main character that is virginal or completely unaware of the supernatural community, we got Alice. She really reminded me of some of my friends who are tough where it counts. They force you to have fun and not take yourself too seriously.

I’m not sure if there are other books in this series that I missed or if we’ll meet characters that were mentioned in some other installment, but I’m ready to read more of these. This book was so light and carefree that it was a pleasure to read.


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