by Christina on October 17, 2009
in 1st Person POV, 2009 1st in Series Challenge, 4 Stars, Countdown Challenge, Demons, Fantasy, Jennifer Rardin, Other Supernatural Beings, The Year of Readers 2009, Vampires
Once Bitten, Twice Shy
Title: Once Bitten, Twice Shy
Author: Jennifer Rardin
Copyright: 2007 (Orbit); 335 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-316-04354-0
Series: Jaz Parks #1
Sensuality: N/A
Who: Jasmine “Jaz” Parks
Where: Miami
Summary: Jaz Parks works for the CIA. Her boss Vayl is a vampire — one of the good guys — and an assassin. Their latest assignment was supposed to be a text-book op: eliminate a plastic surgeon with ties to terrorists. But the man in question is involved with more than just terrorism and someone is specifically targeting Vayl.
Comments: It’s been three months since I’ve read this book and it’s another one of those cases where I was so involved in the story that I didn’t bother with note-taking during the reading, nor did I jot down any after-read notes before moving on to the next book. Some skimming reminded me of what I really loved about the book.
I really liked the main character. Jaz is hardly perfect and she isn’t blessed with superstrength or other super-skills. She has the ability to sense vampires, but she got that skill at a very high price. She tough and funny, yet she’s also vulnerable. Jaz has issues that she has to work through and I’m glad the author didn’t try to resolve all of them in the first book — though it is important to also see that Jaz is working through them, so hopefully we see that over the course of the series. Jaz is also a very caring person. She loves her family (most of them, anyway) and she worries about putting friends in danger.
Vampires as romantic leads is not my favorite theme in general; however, because I loved the TV show ANGEL, if the vampire in question reminds me of him, then I’m more inclined to the like him as well. That’s the case with Vayl. Like Jaz, he’s not perfect and he seems almost human is his vulnerability. I like that he is not overwhelmingly powerful and that he actually does need Jaz’s help.
I also liked the secondary cast of characters who Jaz and Vayl turned to for help. I liked the world-building and the writer’s voice. I plan to read the rest of the series. Hopefully, I’ll take notes.
Started: 14 July 2009
Finished: 18 July 2009
Rating:
Liked A Lot
What Others Have Said:
Bitten By Books
BSC Review
Love Vampires
Books and Other Thoughts
Birdbrain(ed) Book Blog
Blog Critics
Disclaimer: I purchased this book.
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This is a re-post, due to data loss. (Oct 09)
21 Oct – Mishel – “This a series I have yet to start but have been meaning to for quite some time. Jaz definitely sounds like my kind of heroine =)”
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by misscz on December 7, 2008
in 4 Stars, Anthology, Christmas, Countdown Challenge, Demons, Lori Devoti, Merline Lovelace, Paranormal Romance, Silhouette Nocturne, Vampires
Holiday With A Vampire II
Author(s): Merline Lovelace; Lori Devoti
Copyright: 2008 (Harlequin); pgs. 273
Series: Silhouette Nocturne #54 – Christmas Anthology
Sensuality: Warm
This anthology features a story by one of my favorite Nocturne authors, Lori Devoti. In a departure from her other Nocturnes, this one is about a vampire, not shape-shifters. Though this is a Christmas anthology, the holiday has very little presence. If you’re looking for a book that’s doesn’t have all the trimmings (carols, gifts, decorating, etc.), then this book is a good choice.
“A Christmas Kiss” by Merline Lovelace
From the Back: Vampire Delilah Wentworth’s hunt for a dentist on Christmas Eve lands her in the arms of Sergeant Brett Cooper, a mortal who gave up on the Christmas spirit, and on love, years ago. Incapable of returning home by herself, Delilah needs Brett’s protection for the night — a night that leaves her aching for a forbidden mortal romance, and leaves Brett questioning whether he has truly given up on love after all.
I really liked Delilah. Born in 1888 to a career military officer, her only goals in life were to marry a dashing lieutenant and have lots of babies. She isn’t a sultry, bad girl vamp; she’s almost ordinary. Delilah only feeds on the willing and only takes what she needs — not a killer nor in the habit of creating more vampires. She’s also compassionate, going — with Brett –to the aid of a young, single mother with a case of food poisoning.
I wish the story had been longer. I thought Brett’s acceptance of Delilah was too quick. I also would have liked to have seen more of Delilah’s sire, Sebastian.
“The Vampire That Stole Christmas” by Lori Devoti
From the Back: On a mission for revenge against his adoptive family, vampire Drystan Hurst needs daemon Aimee Polk to help him put his plan into action. But Drystan doesn’t expect to fall in love with Aimee — especially when it means choosing between her affection and the ultimate family payback he has always dreamed of.
This is a story about two individuals — a vampire and a daemon — who must learn to accept themselves for who and what they are. Drystan has a lot of anger and resentment towards the Myhres. He’s bent on getting revenge and he sees his foster brother’s fiancée, Aimee, as the way to publicly humiliate them. Aimee, a daemon of light, has recently failed to save the life of her most recent charge. She’s decided that it’s best for her not to be one any longer, and will try to do good through Ben, who is politically ambitious. She senses the darkness in Drystan, and her first instinct is to absorb it, but she knows that won’t help him if he doesn’t take the first step.
This story was my favorite and I liked that both characters were supernatural. It made their acceptance of each other smoother. I also liked the twist on vampire mythology.
Started: 20 November 2008
Finished: 27 November 2008
Rating:
Liked A Lot
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Personal Demons
Author: Stacia Kane
Copyright: 2008 (Juno); pgs. 303
Series: Megan Chase #1
Sensuality: Warm
Who: Dr. Megan Chase and Greyson Dante
Dr. Megan Chase is a psychologist and a psychic, which comes in handy when treating her patients. She reluctantly agreed to be the host of “Personal Demons,” a call-in radio show, not wanting to subject the “male Nurse Ratchet of local counselors” on the truly afflicted. The show promises to help “slay your demons”. If hosting the show wasn’t bad enough (mostly crank callers and heavy breathers), the station wants her to do an interview — a feature article really — with a reporter from a tabloid-type newspaper. It will involve a photo shoot and the reporter, Brian Stone, following her around for the “week in the life” part of his article. Megan is definitely not thrilled by this prospect. She has patients to take care of and a few things in her own past she wants to stay in the past.
A handsome stranger, looking for all the world like a lawyer, tells her that he represents someone who is very interested in the show — more precisely, her — and would like to discuss a business arrangement. Too tired and in no mood to talk, Megan manages to shoo Greyson Dante off with a promise not to accept any other offers until they get a chance to speak again. What she doesn’t know is that demons are real; that the term, “personal demons” wasn’t just a euphemism for psychological problems. Everyone has a little demon on their shoulder (except, oddly enough, Megan). It’s one thing to keep the demons at bay with therapy and counseling; it’s something else entirely to offer to “slay” them. Apparently, the demon world is taking the term literally and they believe Megan is out to get them.
Weird, freaky things begin to happen and Megan’s life is in danger. Greyson seems sincere in his offer to help her. Megan is sure he has an agenda, but she smart enough to know that she can’t protect herself against the demons. She accepts his offer while trying to ignore the attraction. Greyson flirts with her, making it clear that he’s interested. He assigns a trio of guard demons to keep an eye on her. At first, Megan’s uncomfortable with the arrangement but after awhile, she forms a bond with them.
I really liked this book. I liked the concept of the personal demons and the world building in general. I liked the characters. Megan isn’t a kick-butt heroine, but she’s strong in her own way and she has a true desire to help people. Malleus, Maleficarum, and Spud — the trio — add a touch of humor.
Looking forward to the second book.
Started: 12 September 2008
Finished: 13 September 2008
Rating:
Liked A Lot
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