18 & Over Book Blogger Follow #15: What to Pack?

18 & Over Book Blogger Follow is a weekly feature that runs over the weekend, hosted by Crystal from one of my favourite blog sites, Reading Between the Wines.

Question of the Week:  When going on vacay, do you pack your print books, e-reader or both? 

Once again, I’m a bit late with this one – blame my computer exploding last week! Anyhoodle, it’s the middle of winter here so I envy anyone going away on holiday, but if it was me I would definitely just be packing my Kindle. I have 119 unread books on it as of right now, so I’d have plenty to choose from and could keep it in my handbag all day without fear of bending any corners.

What would you pack? Leave a comment below or link up HERE to follow the meme.

Related articles

• 18 & Over Book Blogger Follow #14: Cast Your Current Read! (mrsaubergine.wordpress.com)
• 18 & Over Book Blogger Follow #13: (Cat)Fight Club! (mrsaubergine.wordpress.com)
• 18 & Over Book Blogger Follow #12 (mrsaubergine.wordpress.com)

Virgin Daiquiri, by Moira Rogers

Format: ebook, 37 pages

Published: December 12, 2008

Publisher: Changeling Press

Back cover blurb:

Caitlin Carlson, the only non-witch in the powerful Dumitrescu line, needs to lose her virginity, and fast. A family legend about a pure soul with prophetic visions has put her first in line for a good, old-fashioned sacrifice, and visiting Last Call seems like the perfect way to head off her one-way trip to the altar. Buy a drink, go upstairs, have sex. Simple. Virgin Daiquiri: Looking for a first lover. Being a demon isn’t as easy as it used to be, especially with the dwindling number of corruptible souls in the 21st century. Luckily for Leofric, he’s never been particularly concerned with corrupting enough innocents to earn a promotion off of the mortal plane. But when a virgin wanders into Last Call and stirs up competition among the younger demons, Leo finds himself tempted to rethink his stance on mixing a demon’s business with a woman’s pleasure.

 

My review:

Oh, yes! This is why I started reading this series. I may even like this one more than the first book… it’s just perfect. Hawt, tender, sassy and with sufficient backstory that I feel I know these two, even in the short time we’re given with them. Leo might have to join my (rather long) fictional boyfriend list

My rating: 5/5

How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire, by Kerrelyn Sparks

Format: Kindle Edition, 384 pages

Published: March 3, 2009 (first published July 26th 2005)

Publisher: HarperCollins e-books

Back cover blurb:

So what if he’s a bit older and usually regards a human female as dinner, not a dinner date? Yes, Roman Draganesti is a vampire, but a vampire who lost one of his fangs sinking his teeth into something he shouldn’t have. Now he has one night to find a dentist before his natural healing abilities close the wound, leaving him a lop–sided eater for all eternity.

Things aren’t going well for Shanna Whelan either…After witnessing a gruesome murder by the Russian mafia, she’s next on their hit list. And her career as a dentist appears to be on a downward spiral because she’s afraid of blood. When Roman rescues her from an assassination attempt, she wonders if she’s found the one man who can keep her alive. Though the attraction between them is immediate and hot, can Shanna conquer her fear of blood to fix Roman’s fang? And if she does, what will prevent Roman from using his fangs on her…

 

My review:

Not exactly laugh-out-loud funny, but very amusing nonetheless, especially in the first half of the book. It reminded me a lot of other vampire series – I read too many of them, I know – and at times I felt like I had read parts of this before in either Twilight or Cat and Bones or somewhere.

Regardless, I loved Roman and all his vampire mates – especially the Highlanders and Gregori – and will be reading the other books in the series just to find out more about them. Shanna was annoying for the most part, but I usually hate the heroines so that’s nothing new. I also think the cover lets the book down a bit.

My rating: 4/5

Tequila Sunrise, by Moira Rogers

Format: ebook, 37 pages

Published: October 17, 2008

Publisher: Changeling Press

Back cover blurb:

Werewolf Evelyn Smith loves her boyfriend, Kieran. Some people find it odd that an alpha female would choose a weaker mate, but Evelyn is willing to ignore her occasional cravings for submission when the reward is a fulfilling life with a man who loves her. Kieran Rhys doesn’t mind the mocking jibes of his pack, but knowing the woman he loves has needs he can’t meet drives him crazy. After months of coaxing, he’s finally convinced Evelyn to accompany him to Last Call. If he can’t give his lover what she needs, he’ll find someone to help him. Tequila Sunrise: Looking for domination. Unrequited love has been hard on Zack Elliott. Even if the object of his desire returned his feelings, she’s a fragile human whose body couldn’t withstand the force of his needs. Evelyn and Kieran seem like the perfect solution, especially when he realizes the one thing they need is the one thing he’s been holding back for far too long–absolute domination.

 

My review:

Hmm, better than the previous book but not as good as the first in the series. This at least had a bit more backstory so we understood the motivations of the characters, but some parts squicked me out a bit and I had to keep reminding myself that they were wolves more than humans.

I felt sorry for Zack and see there is a side story featuring him. It would be nice for him to have a happy ending.

 

My rating: 3/5

One Grave at a Time, by Jeaniene Frost

Format: Kindle Edition

Published: August 30, 2011

Publisher: Harper Collins, Inc.

Back cover blurb:

Having narrowly averted an (under)world war, Cat Crawfield wants nothing more than a little downtime with her vampire husband, Bones. Unfortunately, her gift from New Orleans’ voodoo queen just keeps on giving–leading to a personal favor that sends them into battle once again, this time against a villainous spirit.

Centuries ago, Heinrich Kramer was a witch hunter. Now, every All Hallows Eve, he takes physical form to torture innocent women before burning them alive. This year, however, a determined Cat and Bones must risk all to send him back to the other side of eternity–forever. But how do you kill a killer who’s already long dead?

My review:

Not a bad installment, marginally better than the last one but still missing something I can’t quite put my finger on. The business with Don sat oddly with me and the introduction of douchebag Madigan indicates fairly clearly where the plot is likely to head after this.

Still, I love Bones, Spade and Ian, and despite my misgivings, they’ll keep me reading.

My rating: 4/5

Hurricane, by Moira Rogers

Format: ebook, 36 pages

Published: September 19, 2008

Publisher: Changeling Press

Back cover blurb:

Artist and witch Fiona Logan hasn’t had an orgasm since a bitter ex cursed her five years ago. Whenever she gets aroused, bad things happen. Now, she’s come to Last Call in hopes of gaining an audience with–and help from–its owner, a powerful wizard named Benito D’Cruze. If anyone can break the curse, it’s him. And if he won’t come downstairs to meet with her, she’ll bump and grind until his bar caves in from the backlash. Hurricane: Contents under magical pressure. Experience required. Ben doesn’t get involved with patrons… not even the hot, sexually frustrated ones. But when a lush looking blonde threatens to wreck his bar with her curse and her need, he decides it’s time to take matters–and her–into his own hands. After all, even if he can’t break the curse, he can certainly ease her frustration. And what powerful wizard doesn’t love a challenge?

My review:

This one didn’t grip me as much as the first book. Maybe it was the magic, or maybe it was that the characters didn’t have ANY backstory prior to hooking up so I didn’t feel a connection to them. I still like the premise of a supernatural bar where you can get anything you need, so I’ll keep reading the series. Next up is a threesome – oh my!

My rating: 3/5

The Perfect Play, by Jaci Burton

Format: Trade Paperback, 324 pages

Published: February 1, 2011

Publisher: Berkley Heat

Back cover blurb:

Football pro Mick Riley is an all-star, both on the field and in the bedroom. But a sexy, determinedly single mom just might be the one to throw him off his game…For years Mick has been taking full advantage of the life available to a pro athlete: fame, fortune, and a different girl in every city. But when he meets and beds confident, beautiful event planner Tara Lincoln, he wants much more than the typical one-night stand. Too bad Tara’s not interested in getting to know football’s most notorious playboy any better.As the single mother of a teenage son, the last thing Tara needs is the jet-set lifestyle of Mick Riley; even though their steamy and passionate one-night stand was unforgettable. Tara’s life is complicated enough without being thrust into the spotlight as Mick’s latest girl du jour. Tara played the game of love once and lost big, and she doesn’t intend to put herself out there again, especially with a heartbreaker like Mick.

But when Mick sets his mind to win, nothing will stop him. And he has the perfect play in mind.

My review:

The cover is probably the best thing about this book, and I’ve added half a star on for him alone. The story was ordinary, the heroine incredibly annoying, and it really could have done with a better editing job. Several times the same phrase was used in quick succession, and near the end a character changed her name within the space of a page.

It is very hot, though, and the secondary characters were good. But you can’t base a book on smut alone. I doubt I will be reading the rest of this series anytime soon. Maybe one day, when the price comes down (I paid $18 for this and it really wasn’t worth it).

My rating: 3.5/5