Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris

Product Details
Pub. Date: March 2002
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 304pp
Series: Sookie Stackhouse/Southern Vampire Series, #2
ISBN-13: 9780441009237
ISBN: 0441009239


Synopsis

This is the second book in Charlaine Harris' popular Southern Vampire Mysteries series. Telepathic vampire maven (and cocktail waitress) Sookie Stackhouse has been tasked with locating an abducted vampire and suppressing an upstart anti-undead religious cult.

My thoughts

I had my post all written and then it was lost when I went to publish it so here goes try number two. Once again I read and viewed in the opposite order of my usual. Usually I prefer to read a book before watching the book or television series based on it, but for both books one and two in this series I watched TrueBlood and then read. It isn't such a big deal since the series is based on the books but doesn't follow them completely. I actually enjoy looking for the similarities and differences between the two and then deciding how I prefer the story. I was glad to see that Tara, Sookie's best friend, does exist in the series even though she doesn't make an appearance until almost the end of book two. Some of the characters that die in the show are still alive and ones that are still alive have died, so I am not sure how that will affect the third season of the show. Since I don't have HBO I haven't seen the first episode of season three yet. I usually wait for the DVDs to come out and watch it all in a row.

I wondered about the Eric, the vampire from Fangtasia, because he showed up under an assumed name at a party in Dallas. Eric Northman said his name was Lief and I wondered if he was supposed to be Lief Ericson since he is also a Viking. Perhaps in each book she throws in a real person who is a vampire now. In book one it was Elvis. That may not be the case, I've only read books one and two and that is just a guess about Eric.

This was an enjoyable read, it was quick and easy and even if you've already watched the series I would recommend it because it isn't all the same.

Cinderella Deal by Jennifer Crusie

Product Description
New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Crusie brings humor and storytelling magic to this modern-day romance of a match made anywhere but in heaven—but destined for a fairy-tale ending.


Daisy Flattery is a free spirit with a soft spot for strays and a weakness for a good story. Why else would she agree to the outrageous charade offered by her buttoned-down workaholic neighbor, Linc Blaise? The history professor needs to have a fiancée in order to capture his dream job, and Daisy is game to play the role. But something funny happens on their way to the altar that changes everything. Now, with the midnight hour approaching, will Daisy lose her prince, or will opposites not only attract but live happily ever after?

Product Details

Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Bantam; Reprint edition (January 26, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0553593366
ISBN-13: 978-0553593365

My thoughts

It has been a while since I've read a Jennifer Crusie novel. This one was a very enjoyable read, such a nice escape for awhile. The thing I really liked about this book was Daisy's belief that we area all the author of our own story. If we can tell it we can make it true, sometimes you are writing your own story and other times it is a friends, but every day you are creating your reality. I'm not sure that is what Crusie was hoping her readers would get from it when she wrote it, but in between the fun and the painting and the relationships that was what I took away from the story.

About the Author
Jennifer Crusie is the bestselling and award-winning author of more than fifteen contemporary novels. Her work has been published in twenty countries.

Tate by Linda Lael Miller

Synopsis from Amazon.com:

There are barely enough hours for divorced dad Tate McKettrick to run the Silver Spur ranch, do the suit-and-tie thing for his business and run herd on his beloved six-year-old twin daughters. But time stands still at the sight of Libby Remington. When they were high school sweethearts, the wealthy McKettrick couldn't convince Libby he loved her. But now they're both back in Blue River, Texas. And cattle rustlers, a manipulative ex-wife and a killer stallion can't keep him from trying again.
Libby has her hands full taking care of her mother—and running the Perk Up Coffee Shop. Caffeine, she needs. Tate McKettrick, with his blazing blue eyes and black hair? No. Oh, heck—yes. But can they really hope for a second chance?

My thoughts:

It has been so busy around here that I feel like I've barely had any time to read lately. I am experimenting with our laptop right now, but I keep getting kicked off. Hopefully I will be able to save this for when I am logged on again, but who knows.

I ordered this book from paperbackswap awhile ago but when I didn't get to it right away I decided to wait until it was closer to the release of the other two books in the trilogy so that I could read them all together. Less likely to forget details that way. I really like Miller's McKettrick family. Although these McKettrick's are related to the others it doesn't make any difference if you've read the other books or not. I think I have forgotten more details from the books than I remember, and I had no problem getting to know Tate and his brothers because they pretty much stand alone.

I enjoyed getting to know Libby and Tate and see her try to learn to trust him again after he had broken her heart years ago and I also liked the way Miller explored how to change one mistake might take away some of the good things that came from going down that path in life. That is a good lesson for all of us, even when things aren't perfect they may lead to something you might have missed had you not gone through the rough patch. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series and it is in the mail to me from Paperbackswap right now. I just love that site. If you are a big reader and you haven't checked it out yet I highly recommend it!