Heaven, Hell and Earth…let the pieces fall where they may.
There are demons in the world. Monsters. Creatures that would steal your soul. You might hide under your covers at night and pretend all’s right with the world, but you know. Even if you don’t want to admit it.
Las Vegas bar owner Trixia Iktomi deals in information. And in a city where unholy creatures roam the neon night, information can mean life or death. Not that she has anything personal against demons. They can be sexy as hell, and they’re great for getting the latest gossip. But they also steal human souls and thrive on chaos. So occasionally Trixia and her friends have to teach them some manners.
When Trixia learns of an artifact known as the Light of Life, she knows she’s hit the jackpot. Both sides — angel and demon — would give anything for it. But first she has to find it. And as Heaven and Hell are ready for an Apocalyptic throwdown, Trixia must decide where her true loyalties lie — and what she’s ready to fight for.
Because in her world, if you line up on the wrong side, you pay with more than your life.
Oh come now, don’t look at me that way. It’s a Chris McGrath cover; you know by now I’m on a mission to post every one that I find.
And what are you authors doing to me? You’ve got these great sounding series that I haven’t been able to start yet and now you’re starting new series that sound delish, too? I spy a Charlain Harris cover quote.
This first in a new series releases September 1, 2009. Hop on over to Thurman’s digs for more info.
Andrea Wilder
Fearless
Love Spell
ISBN-10: 0505527219
ISBN-13: 978-0505527219
Paranormal, historical romance
July 31, 2007
I originally reviewed this book back on July, 20, 2007 (and it’s no longer available new). The author contacted me with a ARC/review offer and the book sounded just unique enough to catch my eye. A blend of faery and historical atmosphere, the book opens in County Meath, Ireland in 1467. I remember this book as being a great, quick and light romantic read that provided a new and unique voice that made for great weekend reading. I’m actually surprised that the author has not produced more work after this book, as I’d hoped to read more such romances from her in the future.
King Edward has come to Ireland to dominate and Kieran MacAuley and his kinsmen will not stand for it. Though they love their families, keeping their beloved Ireland safe must be foremost at the moment. On a bloody battlefield, the strong chieftain’s life hangs in the balance. Praying only that his men’s souls find their way to heaven, he’s certain he cannot turn death away this time. When a brave lass haunts the fallen men, he knows all he needs is a kiss from her to die in peace.
Brynna Ryan mourns the loss of the brave men of Ireland. When she encounters the legendary Kieran, she calls upon her fey roots to save his life. As he is already favored by the faery Queen of Meath, it’s a task well seen too. Brynna nurses the handsome fighter back to health and in the solitude of the forest, they discover there’s more to life than the next battle, be it for Ireland or on a more personal level. But when Kieran asks more of Brynna than she is willing to give, he’ll have to overcome the tricky veil that is fey magic if he truly wants to be with her. Brynna will do all in her power to keep him safe, and if it means keeping them apart due to her past, so be it. Love has a way of unfolding the veil though and soon even the world of faery will learn that it cannot hold love back.
Fearless is a stellar addition to the romance shelves and as Ms. Wilder’s debut, quite impressive. The story draws one in from the very first paragraph with action and sets the tone before the second page with romance and fey intrigue. The characters are well written and we see a wonderful progression of the hero and heroine throughout the story. Kieran is a strong man, without being overpowering and he finds his perfect mate in the kind and just Brynna. There are plenty of emotional wringers, and therefore plenty of opportunities to cry for and cheer the two on. From the moment it starts, the pace is wonderful and never slows down or meanders. The addition of the fey elements add a measure of uncertainty, and left me to wonder at times if all would indeed be well for the main characters by book’s end. A great way to spend a lazy weekend–or one long, breathless night. Congrats to author Wilder for her wonderful first contribution to the world of romance!
Rating: Five Amazon stars
For some perspective on why I’m a little hot on this one at the moment, see here and here.
What is it about the DNF discussion or review that fires people up so much? The obvious answer would likely be that the person initiating the discussion didn’t read the entire book.
I’m trying to find an appropriately wowzer of an answer, but all that comes to mind is – so what? Is or isn’t every part of a book up for discussion? Failing to read part of one doesn’t mean that the dreck you read in the first place, causing you to give up, never happened. Dude, you read whatever it was that made you think, “Enough.” I think that automatically, in some cases, precedes and prompts a possible discussion.
Isn’t it entirely possible that a book will not connect with every reader that comes across it, that said reader will perhaps have a blog where they talk about books, or a site that they post reviews, and that reader will want to talk about why the book did not work for them?
Oh yes, with seconds. Pile that plate high, because there are just too may books to like every single one that enters our path. I’ve talked about DNFs here, and here, too. Thankfully there was no angry mob and flaming torches, but then again there’s always a bucket of water handy, too. That bucket happens to be professionalism, and it’s a trait that is admirable on both sides.
On another plate, opinions are a dime a dozen as well. But they form discussions sometimes and I happen to be a reader/reviewer that likes to talk about why a book doesn’t work for me sometimes, and that includes a DNF book. It’s a cathartic experience. It invites opposing views in so that perhaps some kind of understanding can be reached whereby a realization occurs about that DNF. Sure, it’s not always going to coax the reader into giving the book another chance, but it’s not solely about that. Again, it’s about releasing some of the frustration that comes along sometimes when we read an unpalatable book. Readers often want to connect with other readers and discover if they’re alone in their impressions or not.
The great thing? Somewhere, out there in the huge pot of a world, someone else will like that same book. Confetti people. Throw it. One or two or three or even four opinions about not liking a book isn’t going to cause an avalanche.
Where it does start to niggle under a huge, resting and until then, very calm mountain of snow, is when the DNF arena turns into a projectile spit storm of outrage. Hello, who isn’t going to notice that? It’s one thing to want to defend work that has been an author’s life for months, even years, but to air it out in a dirty fashion? Why? Why all that energy for one person’s opinion? Why damage those years of work? Lately I’ve seen eye-popping reactions to reviews that, while they may be of the negative slant, are very well stated, calmly and with good reasons to support their personal views. When I see an over-the-top reaction to a review, I usually strike that author off the list. I don’t want the clearly potential drama that might sling my way should I read the same book one day. No drama llamas.
The DNF seems to be a whole other ball park, though. Why is that? If someone doesn’t finish a book, yet has a strong enough reaction to what they did read, and they dare voice their opinions, should they have just clamped their pie hole closed? I don’t believe so. I’ve only ever stamped a book as DNF for good reasons. Sure, they’re my personal good reasons, but it doesn’t mean the book won’t appeal to others. A DNF doesn’t auto imply anything on the reader’s behalf. I take it for what they said it was in their review and well, that’s that.
I support the DNF discussion and review format. As long as your stating reasons that you felt were justifiable, have at it, readers. Put the guns away, DNF hatahs. It’s not an invitation to the reviewing format of the O.K. Corral.
I can’t stop looking for new books. You all get to reap the benefits of my obsession. Hooray, yall!
Releases October 27, 2009. There’s no description for this one yet, the second in the Shadowed Path series. However, it piqued my interest enough to add the first book, A Woman Worth Ten Coppers, the the to-be-bought list. To read more about the series, check out the author’s site, where you’ll get a brief description.
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Releases July 30, 2009. An anthology of stories by some well-known names in the fantasy and science fiction writing business.
A strange man comes to an even stranger encampment… A bouncer becomes the linchpin of an unexpected urban movement… A courier on the run has to decide who to trust in a dangerous city… A slacker in a zero-footprint town get a most unusual new job…and a weapons investigator uses his skills to discover a metropolis hidden right in front of his eyes.
Welcome to the future of cities. Welcome to METAtropolis.
More than an anthology, METAtropolis is the brainchild of five of science fiction’s hottest writers Elizabeth Bear, Tobias Buckell, Jay Lake, Karl Schroeder and project editor John Scalzi who combined their talents to build a new urban future, and then wrote their own stories in this collectively-constructed world. The results are individual glimpses of a shared vision, and a reading experience unlike any you’ve had before.
You’re at the city limits now. See what’s waiting on the other side.
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Another anthology filled with goodies from some great authors. Releases August 1, 2009. This is a reissue edition.
Dancers in the Dark by New York Times bestselling author Charlaine Harris
Dancer Layla Rue Le May’s childhood prepared her to handle just about anything, including her aloof partner, Sean McClendon, a three-hundred-year-old redheaded vampire. Even so, when she somehow acquires a stalker, Layla Rue is surprised to find that Sean is the only one she can trust….
Her Best Enemy by USA TODAY bestselling author Maggie Shayne
Kiley Brigham refuses to believe there’s a ghost in her house, but when an unseen hand leaves a bloody message on her bathroom mirror, she’s forced to turn to local psychic Jack McCain. As the two work to uncover a long-buried secret, Kiley finds that she’s haunted not by spirits, but by thoughts of Jack….
Someone Else’s Shadow by Locus Award–winning author Barbara Hambly
Maddie Laveau worries about her young roommate, Tessa, when she stays late to practice ballet in the old Glendower Building…and when Tessa goes missing, Maddie enlists mysterious tenant Phil Anderson to help. But is Phil the white knight she needs, or the predator she fears?
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Releases December 7, 2009.
This exciting collection contains 25 short tales of adventure and love. Join the dashing characters as they slip through the ages, finding themselves transported back to settings including medieval Scotland, sixteenth-century England, and the nineteenth-century American West—or sometimes forward to the present day and even the future.
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Releases December 1, 2009. This is the second book in the Dark Forgotten series after Ravenous. Stay tuned to the author’s site for further information.
I’m actually loving the cover and am practically dancing on my tippy toes for it!
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Releases August 25, 2009. Whoever thought this anthology up must be a enius. Just look at that lineup of authors.
Not all hunters are bound by human laws . . .
Revisiting the paranormal realms they’ve made famous in their wildly popular fiction, New York Times bestselling authors Kim Harrison, Jeaniene Frost, Vicki Pettersson, and Jocelynn Drake—plus New York Times bestselling YA author Melissa Marr with her first adult supernatural thriller—unleash their full arsenal of dark talents, plunging us into the shadows where the supernatural stalk the unsuspecting . . . and every soul is a target.
Get ready for the ride of your life—because the wildest magic has just been unleashed . . . and evil is about to have its day.
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Releases November 3, 2009. For more on the author, click here.
A haunted forest. A cursed castle. A girl running from her past and a man who’s more than he seems to be. A tale of love, betrayal and redemption…
Whistling Tor is a place of secrets, a mysterious wooded hill housing the crumbling fortress of a chieftain whose name is spoken throughout the district in tones of revulsion and bitterness. A curse lies over Anluan’s family and his people; the woods hold a perilous force whose every whisper threatens doom.
And yet the derelict fortress is a safe haven for Caitrin, the troubled young scribe who is fleeing her own demons. Despite Anluan’s tempers and the mysterious secrets housed in the dark corridors, this long-feared place provides the refuge she so desperately needs.
As time passes, Caitrin learns there is more to the broken young man and his unusual household than she realised. It may be only through her love and determination that the curse can be lifted and Anluan and his people set free . . .
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Releases October 15, 2009.Young Adult.
As a Chinese adoptee in St. Louis, teenage Daiyu often feels out of place. When an elderly Asian jewelry seller at a street fair shows her a black jade ring—and tells her that “black jade” translates to “Daiyu”—she buys it as a talisman of her heritage. But it’s more than that; it’s magic. It takes Daiyu through a gateway into a version of St. Louis much like 19th century China. Almost immediately she is recruited as a spy, which means hours of training in manners and niceties and sleight of hand. It also means stealing time to be with handsome Kalen, who is in on the plan. There’s only one problem. Once her task is done, she must go back to St. Louis and leave him behind forever. . . .
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Releases October 6, 2009. This is an anthogy completely written by Shinn, with four stories set in worlds she’s already created, I’m assuming in other full length novels. Stay tuned to the author’s site for further information.
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The first two in a new three-part series, The Blood Lily Chronicles, Tainted hits shelves on October 27, 2009 and Torn releases on November 24, 2009. The third book is probably set to release in December 0f 2009 since this is supposed to be a back-to-back released trilogy.
This is slated as urban fantasy, and there’s no blurbs yet, so stay tuned to Kenner’s website for further information.
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Releases October 27, 2009. From the author’s blog:
Age of Miracles… or End of Days?
Millions watched on television as the mundane tragedy of a hostage crisis in the town of Indigo Springs turned into something worse… much worse. But what really happened in Oregon this summer? All most of us know is that “magic,” once the province of fairy tales and big-budget motion pictures, is now an undeniable reality. Giant wasps attacked police lines at the site of the hostage crisis as a woman escaped on a flying carpet. Later, earthquakes shattered the town’s buildings. When the trees began to grow to impossible heights throughout the town, dozens went missing; of the thousands of survivors who fled from their homes in time, none has been able to return. The town of Indigo Springs remains enclosed and inaccessible within its mystical forest.
Is the woman known as Sahara Knax really a goddess, as her followers claim, or is she merely an opportunistic cult leader, a master manipulator capitalizing on a catastrophe, but one not of her making? Knax has taken credit for triggering the so-called “ecological Apocalypse,” allegedly to warn a careless human race to mend our Earth-polluting ways. Can she really lead us to a cleaner, brighter future, or is something more ominous at work in the Western United States?
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Releases October 27, 2009. Needless to say, I like the cover on the right the best, but it appears that the one on the left will be for U.S. and U.K. release. The one on the right is supposedly out already in Australia via Hachette Livre according to the author’s site.
A little about the series, as told in an interview by Fantasy Book Critic:
The plot’s a little complex for quick synopsis here, but basically, on the grandest scale, it’s about civilization, and the conflicts between varying kinds. On the smaller scale, it’s about Sasha, a girl who was once a princess of the warlike land of Lenayin, but who left her family as a child to train with Kessligh, former Lenay commander of armies, and a member of the Nasi-Keth, a human movement based upon the teachings of the mysterious serrin of far away Saalshen. Sasha ends up with many conflicting loyalties, and has to pick her way through various wars, struggles and terrible choices.
I don’t mind any tropes, fantasy or otherwise, so I don’t want to sound like I’m avoiding it because I think I’m too good for it or something. Tropes can be terrific if done well. But in fantasy, they’re not really my thing for what I write, so I’ve created a world with no magic and very few fantastical occurrences — prophecies, grand destinies and the like. I’ve always thought realism contained far greater potential for drama, wonder and pathos than magical fantasy anyhow.
Kimberly Raye
Dead Sexy
Harlequin Blaze
ISBN-10: 0373793626
ISBN-13: 978-0373793624
Paranormal romance
November 1, 2007
She was looking for long-term. She wasn’t expecting eternity! Just when Nikki Braxton has given up on finding a normal guy, she meets cowboy Jake McCann. Tall, dark and delicious, he could be the ideal man if he wasn’t a vampire. Well, at least that explains his…uh…hunger for her.
Meanwhile, that down-and-dirty sex they’re having is giving him the energy he needs to destroy his nemesis and break the vampire curse. Good thing, because being with Nikki makes him long for a normal life that much more.
But then Nikki is abducted. If Jake saves her, he may lose his only shot at becoming human again. Talk about damned if you do…
Spoilers.
Year of the Category reading challenge.
The Good: This book has an awesome premise: Hello – cowboy + vampire = hawt vampire cowboy. Yes, we just went there. As my cat, Bubba, is my witness, I did in fact give a whoop and a hollah for the idea behind this book and promptly added it to the hell yes, I wish to purchase this shit cart. In fact, the idea behind the book alone made me grin like a damn idiot; it’s practically a no brainer. Because, fellow readers, I dearly love me some hawt cowboys. This one seemed like a good compromise with all my paranormal reading of the last several months.
The Bad: The premise was the only thing going for this book. read more…
For anyone not familiar with the Sookie Sunday posts I did for the first season, do beware. I post spoilers and try to get as much detail about an episode down as I can.
Sookie and Bill at Fangtasia in True Blood, episode 15, Scratches
We return to True Blood this time with the repercussions of Sookie having driven Jessica to her former home, where she almost killed her father. Sookie tells Bill that his driving is scaring her and she apologizes again for her part in the whole ordeal. Jessica lets loose on Bill, telling him that she hates him, breaking down in sobs in the backseat. Bill explains to Sookie that Jessica is not a doll to dress up and play with, that she is a loaded gun. Bill stops the car eventually and Sookie says she’d rather walk home than remain in the car with him. She proceeds to do just that, a disgusted Bill looking on. Jessica huffs from the backseat and tells Bill that Sookie wants him to go after her, to kiss her and tell her that he loves her. Bill quietly insists that Sookie will come back as Jessica looks at him in disbelief.
As Sookie walks along the dark road, she hears something that makes her nervous, and she calls out to Bill, saying that he can’t scare her. When she hears another noise, she pauses and looks behind her, where a silhouette of some kind of creature faces her from several feet away. Sookie runs and is pursued by this creature, which eventually catches up and claws Sookie across the back, taking her down to the ground. In the car, Bill hears her screams and comes running, holding Sookie to him. She says that she can’t move and he tries to feed her his blood, but her body rejects it and she begins to vomit and foam at the mouth. Jessica arrives in time to see and says something along the lines of gross. Bill orders her to get the car and they arrive later at Fangtasia. Jessica wants to come inside, but Bill orders her home, using the As your Maker I command you line. Jessica peals off looking at the end of her rope with Bill.
At Merlotte’s, Daphne timidly enters Sam’s office, where she has to tell him that she’s $64.08 short on her total for the night. Sam has a fit, saying that she’ll have to pay for it. Daphne looks ready to cry, but digs out all her tips from her apron, saying she’ll have to owe him the rest. Tara comes in after Daphne leaves, chastising Sam for never giving Daphne any positive reinforcement. Soon the convo turns to Maryann, with Sam advising that Tara stay away from her.
At Fangtasia, A small, dwarfish woman named Doctor Ludwig is working on Sookie, who is laying face down on a cot or couch or low table. The doctor says that Sookie has been poisoned, similar to what a kimodo dragon does to its victims. Sookie is dying and doesn’t have much time. She makes Bill and Eric leave the room as she must remove Sookie’s clothes to treat her wounds properly.
In Eric’s office, Eric asks Pam and Chow to investigate the area where Sookie was attacked for any signs of the creature. Pam says that Chow can go, but she’s wearing her favorite pumps. Apparently Eric says something else, because Pam ends up going as originally ordered. Eric and Bill converse for a few more seconds until Sookie is heard screaming in the main bar area. Bill rushes to her, and the doctor is pouring some kind of liquid on Sookie’s scratches, which seem to foam up and fester. The doctor orders Bill to hold Sookie down when he demands to know what is being done to her. Eventually whatever the doctor did works, and she tells Bill that Sookie’s body will now accept his blood. As the doctor leaves, she tells Eric she will take her payment by the end of the week. She then tells him to fuck off after he says something to her. Eric explains to Bill that the doctor has no love for vampires, yet still works with them. Bill bites his wrist and feeds Sookie his blood, looking strangely and sickeningly like her master as he croons to her while she takes it in. I’m finding sometimes that these visuals with him and Sookie are just not working for me, especially if blood is involved.
Pam and Chow return, looking extremely dirty and rumpled. We get a good shot of Pam’s pumps, clearly dirty beyond repair. They were able to make out human tracks, yet with a distinctly animal smell. They weren’t able to identify the creature. Eric tells Pam as they turn to leave the room that those were a great pair of pumps. Pam looks drolly unamused. Bill thanks Eric for his hospitality and Eric assures Bill that there is a way they can repay him.
At Maryann’s house, Carl is making some kind of reddish soup that meets with her approval, except to add more juniper. Tara walks in and sees that Maryann is planning a party. Tons of food as usual lines the counters and table. Carl brings Tara a cup of coffee and she comments on not being able to get used to people doing things for her. Tara eventually asks Maryann why Sam hates her. Maryann acts surprised to hear this, saying that Sam seems kind but jealous and ultimately “unevolved”. Maryann then provides Tara with yet another joint, with a filter this time
(a trick, says Maryann, that she learned) and Tara accepts since she doesn’t have to be at work till 4:00 anyway.
At Merlotte’s, Terry Bellefleur drives up to Sam’s place, seeing that Sam is planning to take a trip as he’s packing up his truck. Sam asks Terry to watch the bar, saying Terry’s all he’s got. Terry tries to say no, saying he’s not much of a people person,alluding to his barely being able to handle the cooking. But Terry gives in and agrees, only to accuse Sam of running away. Sam denies this, but Terry barrels on, saying he hopes never to get caught in a fox hole with Sam. Terry gets in his truck after this and drives off.
At the Fellowship of the Sun leadership retreat, a woman shares her experience about being the living, breathing snack machine for her vampire boyfriend. She looks just pitiful, with strange looking marks on her exposed areas of skin and way too thin and pale. Sarah coaxes Jason to share his story next, the theme obviously being the terrible things vampires do to humans. Jason tells them they won’t like what he has to say as it’s pretty much the opposite of how the rest in the group feel. Sarah assures him that he’s safe there. Jason shares a brief explanation of his dilemma with Eddie the vampire, calling him a person at one point, which Sarah denies. She asks would a person do what was done to the woman who was first talking. Jason, in a rare fit of intelligence, replies that his best friend murdered his gran and his girlfriend, and did that sound like something a person would do. Sarah looks mildly embarrassed, then surprised when Jason stands up. He says that he felt that he knew what God was planning for him, what with him being at the retreat, but that now he wasn’t so sure. As he stalks out, Sarah calls to him and follows.
Outside on the porch, she tells Jason about marching with her sister for vampire equal rights, and Jason is surprised. She tells him that soon after her sister became hooked on V and she disappeared. Soon after, she and Jason kneel, holding hands as she prays for his sister and all those still lost in the darkness, a very confused, but moved, Jason gazing at her.
Sookie wakes up at Fangtasia wearing a red Fangtasia t-shirt and nothing else that I could see. She walks over to the bar, trying to see her back in the mirror. Ginger walks in and offers Sookie a sandwich, chocolate syrup and peanut butter. Sookie hears her thoughts and realizes that Lafayette is locked in the basement. She confronts Ginger, who thinks she hopes that she doesn’t have to use the gun beneath the cash register. Sookie grabs the gun and forces Ginger to take her to the basement. Unfortunately Ginger doesn’t have the key to his chains. Lafayette is kind of out of it, not really seeming glad to see Sookie, while Sookie is of course horrified at how he’s been treated.
The party is on early at Maryann’s, where Eggs is playing Tara a song on his guitar in the house. Tara relaizes she’s forty-five minutes late for work at this point, but when Eggs offers her a ride she points out how much he’s had to drink, saying one DUI between them is enough. She isn’t in any hurry to leave, saying it’s just a job. I belive at this point the two kiss or are about to when we switch scenes.
Bill embraces Sookie back at Fangtasia and Sookie tells him about Lafayette, telling him he’d better not have known about it and kept it form her. Eric comes into the room and Bill asks him if it’s true. Sookie comes at Eric then, berating him for how Lafayette’s been treated. She slaps Eric, even threatens to go to the police and Eric vamp rushes her with fangs out. He withdraws quickly though and says that maybe they can come to some kind of arrangement.
Sam calls Tara about being late for work, saying that he gets it, she’s pissed about him telling her to stay away from Maryann. He warns her about Maryann again, saying that next time she needs to take a hard look around at the people hanging out with Maryann. Arlene comes in, making excuses for being late involving her kids and Sam assures her it’s OK, but that he thought Sookie was working. Arlene tells him she’s covering for her and praises Sam for being understanding, saying it looks good on him. Sam turns to the pictures he’s tacked up behind the bar when Arlene goes to change into her uniform. He leans in close, stopping to contemplate one of Sookie.
Jessica wakes up at Bill’s house, sad and disappointed that no one is home. She looks downright miserable when neither Sookie or Bill answer her call. So she gets all dolled up in red curls and a cute little yellow sundress (where did she get the dress?) and goes to Merlotte’s. The men are all giving her the eye and she is liking the attention. She sees Hoyt, pauses and decides to sit facing him in the booth next to his. He asks to join her and proceeds to act very un-Hoylt-like as he smooth talks a very flattered looking Jessica. He finds out she’s a vamp though when she asks for a Ture Blood, B positive. She looks apprehensive, but relaxes again when he slowly smiles and tells her that her being a vamp is awesome. This was one of my favorite scenes of the night. Jessica is shaping up to be my favorite character this season.
Sookie agrees to go to Dallas with Eric if he releases Lafayette and pays her five thousand dollars. Bill tries to shush her but she reminds him that she’s been missing work and needs a new driveway. Eric tells Bill that his human is getting uppity, but Bill pipes up then saying Eric will pay her ten thousand dollars and Bill gets to go with her. Sookie and Eric exchange more “oh snap” kinds of words, Sookie telling she’s disgusted by Eric and that she’d rather have cancer when he offers her something. Unfortunately this part was so fast I didn’t hear it all properly. Whatever was said, Sookie has definitely made an impression on Eric. Pam brings Lafayette up, throwing him to the ground and sulking to Eric that she wanted to keep him. Eric tells her she has enough pets already and Lafayette calls Pam a bitch. Pam asks Eric’s permission to kick Lafayette, but Eric denies her.
That night the party is in full swing outside at Maryann’s. Andy shows up in regards to a noiuse complaint, and notices a small house in the back yard that houses the same pig Tara saw Maryann with that night she was drunk driving. Maryann approaches Andy then, sho tells her about the noise complaints. Maryann promises to trun down the music. Andy stops her, asking if she has a livestock permit for the pig. Maryann feigns ignorance, saying she has no idea what he’s talking about. When he shows her the small house, the pig is gone. He straightens, saying he saw it and that he’s a good cop. Maryann acts sympathetic and hugs him, saying of course he is and everyone knows it. She convinces him to have a drink and stay.
Jason has dinner with Steve and Sarah. Sarah goes to get dessert, and Steve is telling Jason that a person is either on the side of darkness or the side of light, that there is no in between. He talk about how vampires murdered his family, even his baby sister and calls all vampires baby killers. He says he has to avenge his family. Sarah comes back in with banana pudding, which Steve had told Jason she doesn’t whip out for just anyone. Steve tells Jason that God has great things in store for him and asks Jason if he feels this. Jason smiles wide and says that he does.
Jessica takes Hoyt back to Bill’s house where he starts to show her how to play the Wii. Jessica kisses him but is mortified when her fangs come out and she can’t control them. Hoyt tells her not to be embarrassed about what she is and that he likes her a lot. He says they ought to wait before doing anything, though. Jessica says she’s waited too much though and pounces on Hoyt.
Bill and Sookie drive Lafayette home. As they park outside his house, he tells Bill he’d appreciate it if he told Eric that he’s been at a club, drinking margaritas and getting his chest waxed these last few days. Bill agrees that this would be very smart. Lafayette refuses Bill’s help and limps inside where he curls up on his couch, looking very scared and alone.
Sookie and Bill talk on the way to his house. She tells him that the more she opens her eyes, as she did when vampires first came out, the more evil she sees. Bill says humans and vampires are both equally capable of good and evil. But Sookie doesn’t see how Bill can defend Eric and he points out that Eric saved her life. Bill also says he’d glamor it all away for her if he could. Sookie says she’s glad he can’t, that she’s tired of things like the creature, Rene, etc., sneaking up on her. She’d rather know what to be afraid of. She says that she knows there’s darkness inside Bill, but that there’s good, too.
Tara and Eggs are in the hot tub, kissing, when a nude party goer asks to join them. She tells them she’s a licensed massues and asks who’s first. As Eggs slides over to get a massage, Tara turns and truly sees for the first time what’s going on around her. More people are walking around nude, cavorting to the point of having sex and things are plainly out of hand. She leaves the hot tub, disgusted, and Eggs follows her into the house. As they go in, we see Jane and the town coroner making out, their eyes morphed into black holes. Tara asks Eggs if this is what Maryann is all about, if it’s what he’s all about. He claims those are just drunk people having a good time, and that he got carried away with the other woman. Tara tells him it’s over between them if this is what he’s into. Eggs curses as she stomps up the stairs.
Back at Bill’s house, he and Sookie are engaging in some seriously funny dirty talk involving petticoats when the two begin to kiss and fumble their way inside. It’s not long till Bill realizes something is off though and they see Jessica hunched over someone on the couch. Bill throws Jessica off of Hoyt, and Jessica jumps up saying she hasn’t bitten him and wasn’t going to. Hoyt tries to tell Bill that it’s OK, but Bill pushes him back down, snarling at him.
Sam seems almost done with packing up his truck when his collie friend shows up, whimpering. Sam pets the dog, saying he wouldn’t have left without saying goodbye to him. He ends up whipping off his shirt as he encourages the dog to take a run with him. They end up at the dock on a small lake and Sam jumps right in, shifting back to human form as he does so. The other dog just stands on the dock and whines, running off as Sam turns his back, swimming. Daphne walks up,m asking if Sam was talking to the dog. Sam is surprised and asks Daphne what she’s doing out alone at night. She tells him same as him, to cool off. And that she can’t sleep because she has this hard ass boss. Sam pretty much admits that he’s been a jerk to her. Daphne asks if the water really is as warm as he told the collie it was. He acts surprised again when she starts to take her clothes off, but relents when she assures him the lake is big enough for both of them. We leave off with a view of Daphne’s back, scarred horribly, in the exact same manner Sookie’s was.
Holy crap, is it just me or does this season seem to be packing in almost too much per episode? At first I loved this; each and every detail is obviously important. It’s taking me more than one viewing to take it all in though and my head is spinning a little bit. For all that, though, I do like how they’re stepping up season 2.
I’m pretty disappointed that Lafayette was not made a vampire. Hold that thought though because Eric isn’t through with him. Scenes from next week’s show show us that Eric goes to Lafayette’s house. I do wonder now though if Lafayette will be killed off soon.
Sookie’s finally showing her own claws as she’s tired of things constantly coming at her in the form of one danger after another. I kind of giggled as she asked for five thousand from Eric as payment for going to Dallas since this is pretty much how she goes on to make the bulk of her money in the books. It marks her first real deal with Eric and her first steps into the world of vampires, steps that will see her fully enmeshed in it all eventually.
I’m finding that I’m not wild about the bloody visuals when it comes to her and Bill. In the book I suppose they’re muted by my obviously less vivid imagination. Going back to Bill feeding her after Dr. Ludwig heals her back – gross. The way Bill looks at her is like a master with his sick dog. Foreshadowing? My overactive imagination and personal bias? Either way, Bill looked especially creepy as he fed her that blood.
And I am just loving Jessica in this episode. The way I’m coaxed to sympathize with her is very interesting. She’s very lonely and such a victim of one too many vampire political maneuvers. How can I not want her to find some happiness? Her meeting Hoyt was priceless. Loved it. However, she’s only 17. I find myself a little nonplussed by her age, yet also wanting her to be happy. She’s a vampire now, but I’m not sure if that detail is enough to make me forget that this is essentially a seventeen year old girl, confused, scared at times and hoisting some very dangerous and new instincts. I did feel that her scenes were the best one this time.
So what about you? What parts did you like the best/least this time?
Normally this place is all about me and my reading past, present and future, but I decided a few weeks ago to open the stage to guests on some of my recurring post themes and the first one is Kristen Howe, who I met via Twitter. Kristen is here today to share with us a little about how she got to be where she is today as a reader:
As an inspiring author, I’ve read a lot of books in various subjects over the past couple of years. It got me thinking, if I can do it too and read the best. Reading in my desired genre of thrillers, 85% of the time in my TBR pile, gave me the thrill of adding some excitement to every page turner. I hope to join the best in the future, when I reach that point.
What got me hooked on reading a lot of books was back in high school. If it wasn’t for my English teacher, Ms. Persh, that made me enjoy mysteries, a decade ago. One of Mary Higgins Clark’s early classics, “Where are the Children?”, was one of the books I’ve read and listened on tape. It gave me chills and excitement to read many more mysteries from Mary Higgins Clark in the years to come, and from other authors like Patricia Cornwell, James Patterson and PD James.
From there, I’ve read at least a bunch of mysteries until the early 2000s, when I dipped into the subgenres of thrillers and cozies. My reading list poured out from there to many different kinds of cozies (culinary, flowers, crafts, etc.) and into thrillers (legal, medical, futuristic, eco-thriller).
I consider Ms. Persh and Mary Higgins Clark to be my leading influences in reading a multitude of books and inspiring into the venture of writing. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be where I am today .
5 favorite mystery authors:
- Mary Higgins Clark
- Nevada Barr
- Marcia Muller
- James Patterson
- Patricia Cornwell
My fave favorite cozy authors are:
- Carol Higgins Clark
- Elaine Viets
- Nancy Martin
- Lee Charles Kelley
- Jane Cleland
My fave favorite thriller authors are:
- Erica Spindler
- Iris Johansen
- Tess Garritsen
- Nicci French
- John Grisham
Kristen, thanks for sharing your reading interests with us! So what about you? Have the mystery or thriller genres shaped your reading life? Who are some of your favorite mystery and/or thriller authors?
Kenda: So, last week’s discussion was on The Need For Seed. Katiebabs (of Babbling About Books And More) and I discussed the driving, relentless urge that some heroines have in romance to have a child, so much so that they’ll do anything to copulate with the man, even if it means coercion or deception of some kind. It’s a trope that dates back to the humble beginnings of romance in some of the genres forward-moving authors like Johanna Lindsey and is still alive and well with books like Loves Me, Loves Me Knot by Heidi Betts.
So naturally, Katie and I had to scrutinize other tropes or facets of romance that seem, well, a little over the top. Full of bull. A little too much drama even for yo mama.
Like cream. Female sourced, gushing rivers of arousal. What exactly is up (puns are definitely intended) with this river of cream that runs through her, the book, the entire plot sometimes? Are some women literally able to produce fields upon fields of rich, savory cream for her mighty, rocket-thrusting hero, or is this strictly an aspect of the fantasy that is inherent in some romance?
A disclaimer: As I stated loosely in the previous post, there’s nothing wrong with reading about your favorite fantasies in romance or any work of fiction, even if cream is a part of that. Hell, it’s a lot safer, too – surely these cream gushing heroines’ would be dehydrated by now in the real world. Hmmm, maybe I should go get some Gatorade before we continue. Electrolytes: your weapon against overzealous feminine cream.
But to get back to our questions, what say you, Katie? Is all that dripping cream on the heroine’s thigh, heck, her ankle, there strictly for the fantasy aspect, or is there some poor woman out there, right now, dehydrated from all the smoldering, growling glances her man is giving her?
KB: I don’t mind if the heroine can’t help with the gush from the hero’s tender administrations. But have you noticed when the hero’s own “cream” is mentioned, it is very vague? As for the heroine, we have an ode to her body’s reaction from the wet, swollen dewy flesh to her hard raspberry nipple that must be plucked. Why doesn’t a romance author go into more detail about plucking the hero’s nipples or the rush of desire, which leads to his explosion? Perhaps readers are not interested in the man but more the woman because as reader we all want to come with the flick of the hand or the tongue?
Two things I hate in the books I read, especially erotica is when the hero wants the heroine to taste her own desire. How is that hot? The same goes for the heroine slurping down the hero’s own creamy essence, as it is the best thing she has ever tasted. And don’t get me started on rubbing their wet pleasure all over her chest. Again, why is that sexy?
This come on demand, especially from the heroine cracks me up. You would think the hero would come undone first over the heroine, but nope. The hero lets go, gushing like a geyser while the hero follows as more of a trickle if anything if you think of what the heroine just did.
Kenda: Yes, but Katie *turns KB’s chin back to 5th paragraph* where does this penchant for overflowing cream originate? Was it merely some passing, friction-easing fancy on the part of an author, or do women actually exist in real life that have the ability to produce oceans of cream in one sitting? My god – what if mutants really were amongst us? Would this be a superpower?
Oh how I digress. Maybe my question is more suited for some brave soul who will come forward and quench my burning desire to know if this ability is fact or fiction.
*crickets to infinity* Hmm, yes, I don’t think that’s going to happen. Moving on.
Quoting you here:
“Why doesn’t a romance author go into more detail about plucking the hero’s nipples or the rush of desire, which leads to his explosion? Perhaps readers are not interested in the man but more the woman because as reader we all want to come with the flick of the hand or the tongue?”
Interesting question, and not one I’m sure there is one right or wrong answer for considering the depths that make up all of us different readers. I think that the fantasy aspect does come into play a lot, which is why a lot of romance seems to be centered, heh, Ved right into the woman’s pleasure. Maybe the supposition is that when women are reading the story, they want to imagine themselves as the heroine, whether she’s successfully lobbing birds out of the sky like the rest of the crowd of guys or having the biggest, wettest damn orgasm of her life.
Then again, I’ve read plenty of comments by fellow readers that support an interest much more for the hero’s POV.
As for coming on demand in books, it’s kind of cheesy. Ooh, bad word choice. Better to say, it sounds so laughable, especially if it’s the more alpha variety hero and he’s at her crotch growling out the command. Hello, last time I looked that wasn’t an Easy Button. It’s not the Olympics or anything either, but unless that hero has seriously invested in the offices of Foreplay and Associates, I find the idea that instant coming via the Easy Button trope is in most reading cases pretty unbelievable.
And the whole tasting factor? I suppose it’s kind of like the o’dourves course. Some of the stuff on that tray will make one oohh and ahhh with delight and other times it makes the partygoers flinch and back away. Some want that tray and others don’t. Now, would the tray ever excite a diner enough to rub it on another excited diner? Er… maybe. But I’m guessing they’re just inviting a fight that way. Trays flying everywhere! Maybe trays are good for healthy, glowing skin. Could you imagine that crap as a skin mask?
This leads me to wonder what kind of cleanup is necessary for these enormously talented fictional women and their partners. Surely more than a dampened cloth from the ‘ole hand painted pitcher and bowl set is in order. I mean, call up the kitchen help and let’s get a bath going, please. At least take a swim in the pool. Diluted chlorine’s a step in the right direction, surely. Because after the bliss that made her geyser forth, a damp cloth is not going to cut it. In fact, maybe we ought to just call Merry Maids and let them tackle this stuff.
And here ends Part 1 of A River Gushes Through It. To continue on, click on over to Katiebabs, whose post will be up around noonish, eastern U.S. time.
I’ve been meaning to do an updated post on my personal thoughts on my red Sony Reader 505, Sangria, and so here we have it. I last talked about it here (and this is where you’ll find out more in-depth about the device itself, how it works, etc.), and this one will be shorter as there’s not too much more to report.
I’m still very happy with my purchase, well, my gift rather. It was money well spent even though I would say the majority of my reading is still done in a print format. This mainly being so because of the state of eARCs being the red headed stepchild still that they are. Yes, many authors and or publishers do seem to be open to e formats for advanced reading, but just as many if not more seem to prefer printed copies of ARCs. And that’s OK. Not everyone is able to get a reader. I really didn’t expect to myself, but having one has made the options for reading ARCs broader, so I am grateful for that.
As for purchases, I have purchased several ebooks for my reader, and mostly that reading has been relegated to category romances for my Year of the Category reading challenge. I must say, I absolutely love reading these shorter format books on my Reader. I don’t know why other than so far I’m not really driven to have printed copies of these particular books on my shelves. What I am reading in print is a different story for me personally because these are mostly series that I started in print format and so I want to keep them all together in the same incarnation. Plus, my TBR pile is insanely large and mostly in print format. I’ll have to give those trees their due and read them as well.
I’m slowly trying to change that, though, because yes, those print versions do take up space. Even though I have two enormous bookshelves, they’re already quite full and I have no more room for more shelves. I suspect that in the future I may only buy printed versions of books that are either not available to download at all or that have a particularly pleasing overall package, from the cover to the contents. There is still something about opening and fingering through those crisp pages. So all is not lost for either format, it just boils down to what I have a taste for at the moment or what is available.
As for the actual workings of the device itself, I’m still pretty pleased with it. I’m pretty easy to please, though. All I really want to do is turn it on and read. If you’re the kind that likes to take notes, this baby doesn’t offer that option. However, I have found that bookmarking pages I want to use, to remind me of a point or to quote from, is usually sufficient enough. If you’re a stickler for the perk, though, you may want to upgrade to the newer 700BC model, which does allow for note taking. The 700BC also has a touch screen; the 505 does not. I don’t mind this though, I’m not gaga about touching screens all the time anyway. Maybe I get enough of that thrill from my iPhone.
I’ve become a little disappointed in the battery, which seems to not stay at full capacity as long these days. I haven’t actually timed it of course, but it does need more recharging than I thought it would, especially when we consider that I still do most reading via print. One thing I noticed; the battery does slowly drain when not in use. I recharged it once, then didn’t use it for a couple of weeks or so and noticed that the battery was no longer at full capacity when I turned it on again. I also had the panic-inducing experience of the battery going 100% dead on me. Panic-inducing because when I attempted to charge it via the computer USB cord, it didn’t do anything, not for almost 40 minutes. I looked up more info about the battery at that point and it turns out that it does take longer for it to even start charging if you happen to let the battery completely die. I don’t think this hurts the battery, but just be aware in case you’re hoping to start charging a 100% dead one instantly. It won’t. Wait a bit and the red light/screen prompt that indicates it’s charging will eventually light up/appear. And you can start breathing again at that point, too.
I have’t bought a wall charger for it yet as there hasn’t been a need. The computer USB has worked sufficiently. If you’re not a traveler or you travel with a laptop, then I would say there’s no need to immediately spend that extra $30 or so. Your laptop chord that it comes with will work just fine.
I’m still very happy that I don’t have a wireless connection to the Sony ebook online store, as Kindle does to Amazon, because dayum – I’d be buying a ton more ebooks. I’m really grateful because I’ve already bought some ebooks I wished that I hadn’t – and you cannot return those ebooks, fellow readers. Not that I know of anyway. Let me know if I’m living under a rock regarding that one. But so far, it’s not problem for me to just plug in that USB and connect to the internet. Now, should Sony enable a wireless feature one day, I probably would roll with it, but for now, it’s not hurting a thing by not being available.
My only other complaint is that reading PDFs is kind of clunky on here. I indicated before that doing so was adequate enough when using Calibre to convert the PDF so that it wasn’t as much of a drain on the battery. However, and it’s probably just my non-tech self not fully realizing how to work Calibre, I really wish there was an easier way to convert a PDF to Sony’s format for the Reader. Because blowing up the text, for example, still will throw the formatting to hell, even after wringing it through Calibre.
Needless to say, downloading directly from Sony’s online ebook store is the best option for reading on the Sony Reader. The format works beautifully and voila – happy readers. So-called promises of Sony formats on other ebook stores have been formatted the same, not that I’ve bought so far. Mostly, ones I’ve bought from other online stores say they’re the right format for the Sony Reader, yet it’s really just a PDF, as the formatting gets thrown all out of whack like a regular PDF. Again, I’m probably not doing something right, but you’d think it would be easier.
Still, I do like Sony’s ebook store; I’ve even found some books there I’d wished I bought there instead of in print format due to weight, cheaper price, etc. Note, the price won’t always be cheaper, of course, but I’ll certainly check there from now on to see if it is.
Out of all the readers available today, I’m still very happy that I got a Sony Reader. Comparitively, it has plenty of what I need when it comes to reading ebooks. I certainly don’t need to be any more spoiled by it than I already am.
By now I’m betting a lot of you have seen the cover for Larissa Ione’s upcoming fourth Demonica novel, Ecstasy Unveiled, about Lore, the mysterious supernatural newb we met in Wrath’s book, Passion Unleashed. I remember Ione being a little bit worried that Lore would be viewed as sequel bait in Wrath’s book, and I have to say, after seeing this cover, who wouldn’t mind him being bait – of any kind?
And check out the trail ‘o happy taunting us from the bottom of the cover. Judging the book by the cover, it seems Lore has plenty of naughty in store for us. And that’s bait enough for me.
Ecstasy Unveiled releases February 2010, with a fifth as of yet untitled installment coming in Fall 2010.
Barb and J.C. Hendee
Traitor to the Blood (Noble Dead Saga, series 1, book #4)
ROC
ISBN-10: 0451460901
ISBN-13: 978-0451460905
Fantasy
January 2, 2007
Warning: even this book’s official blurb is a spoiler for previous books. I will be revealing some as well.
Born a half-breed to an elven mother and human father, Leesil was raised in the Warlands as assassin, spy, and slave to Lord Darmouth, ruler to one of its independent provinces. But Leesil’s mother trained him too well, and he used his skills to escape, leaving his parents to suffer Darmouth’s wrath for all such traitors and their kin. Now, with newfound purpose in the company of his beloved Magiere, Leesil returns to confront the sins of his past and uncover his parents’ fate.Unable to turn him from this dangerous course, Magiere follows Leesil into the darkness of his past in the Warlands. Knowing what may happen should Darmouth learn of Leesil’s return, she is prepared to slaughter any who may try to take him from her. But Magiere’s own past may well pose a more deadly threat. Two creatures of unfathomable power continue to stalk her — one who believes she’s the key to his salvation, and one who seeks to destroy her… and all those she loves.
read more…
For anyone not familiar with the Sookie Sunday posts I did for the first season, do beware. I post spoilers and try to get as much detail about an episode down as I can.
Keep This Party Going
Maryann gets the party started at Merlotte's.
One of the best parts about this series is how it always picks up right where we left off. This time, that’s in Fangtasia’s basement, with blood and gore still dripping from Eric’s mouth. He tosses a body part, an arm, at Lafayette, who flinches away. Eric says now would be a good time to tell him if he has any silver on him. L replies that he’s not that stupid, and Eric disagrees, saying that yes, he is. Eric then asks if he has any blood in his hair. L says he can’t see in the low light, and Eric vamp rushes him, getting in his face and asks if that’s better. L says that yes, there is some blood in Eric’s hair. Eric releases L’s chain then and begins leading him upstairs. He tells L that he’d better not do anything rash because he’s still hungry.
Sookie and Bill are curled up in bed and post bloody coital bliss ensues when she says this is another first for them – makeup sex. They chat in bed for a bit and the convo turns to Jessica, who Sookie says Bill should be a little easier on. Bill tells Sookie that he worked hard to find his way back to his humanity, and that Jessica, being so new, doesn’t retain any humanity, that her vampire impulses are strong and hard to resist. As they continue to talk and disagree, Sookie points out that they’re arguing again and as they begin to kiss, what I’m beginning to realize is their screwing theme song comes on, the same music from their first sexual encounter together (I’m not a fan of this, the same music popping up over and over for the same kind of scene).
At Fangtasia, Pam declares Eric a disaster, who is seated in his office about to interview Lafayette. L offers to sell out all his clients that he sold V to, proclaiming himself to be a survivor, willing to do whatever it took. And he proves it, too when they ask about Eddie and what happened to the vampire that fell victim to Amy’s greed for V. At first L denies any knowledge of what happened to Eddie, but it’s not but a few seconds later that he rats Jason out, saying that Jason took Eddie. This doesn’t seem to move Eric at all, who switches topics soon after, asking if L had any V clients in Dallas. He asks if anyone there had heard of a new V on the market, one from a vampire much older and better than him. Apparently this vampire has gone missing. When they’re through interviewing L, he’s dragged kicking and screaming back to the basement by Chow, yelling the whole time that he won’t go back down there.
Meanwhile, Jason is riding on a bus with fellow participants for the leadership retreat with the Fellowship of the Sun. He meets another man on the bus, a former football player for a prestigious college and the two seem to hit it off. Jason tells the man about his breakfast with Steve and Sarah – the church leaders – and while the man seems to pause about this he laughs it off and seems as if he tries not to act jealous. Jason then cusses about something, and the guy chastises him in a friendly way for doing so.
At Maryann’s house, Tara wakes up and goes outside to greet Eggs, who’s working in the yard. Here Eggs finally tells her a little about himself, like the fact that he doesn’t have a job and that before living with Maryann, he was homeless under a freeway underpass. He’d also been convicted for robbery and assault and served time for both, but got out early on good behavior. Tara says that that’s a good thing, and he says something like, “Yeah, you would know.” Tara looks ashamed about this, crossing her arms.
We switch to Sookie’s house where I’m not really sure that much more went on besides her searching out a framed picture of her, Tara and Gran from when Sookie and Tara were little. Sookie smiles at the picture and the “Gran theme song” starts playing. The same one when Sookie ate her Gran’s pie and when she cleaned out Gran’s room last week. Maybe it was just supposed to be another remembering Gran kind of moment. I don’t feel like this scene really did anything more to express Sookie’s grief for her Gran, though and I don’t know that anything will top the pie scene from season one in that regard.
At the retreat, they hand out silver rings to each participant and Sarah says that today is the day that His light begins to shine on you, speaking to all of them.
Tara goes into work at the bar and Maryann goes with her. Maryann sits down at a booth and before Daphne can take her order, Sam intercepts the new waitress and tells her he’ll handle it. He tells Maryann to leave, but eventually relents and takes her order. She orders stuffed snapper, a rib eye, catfish and is still ordering when the scene switches.
Back at camp, they’re playing a variation of flag football, just without the football. Jason is, as usual, doing very good and the man from the bus has clearly targeted Jason and tries to take him out a couple of times with some rough treatment during the game. Jason does eventually win though, taking his shirt off as he gets more into the game. The minister’s wife, Sarah, is not very subtle at how impressed she is by Jason – and his physique – as she whoops and hollers for him.
Back at the Fangtasia basement, L notices something shiny on one of the severed appendages from his former prison-mate and Merlotte’s patron from the last episode. He moves till he can reach the appendage, pulling it to him with his feet. It’s the metal hip replacement that the man told him about and Lafayette digs it out and is successful in using it to break his chain.
At the bar, Tara tells Sookie that she’s confused. She knows she has it good at Maryann’s, but something tells her that it’s all kind of weird and she doesn’t trust it. Sookie asks Tara to move in with her and Tara seems flattered and glad that Sookie asked her. They’re interrupted by a loud noise and look out in the supply area where Daphne, the new waitress, has dropped something, causing Sam to yell at her. Tara advises Sookie to leave before Sam asks her to stay and work. Out in the dining area, Maryann sees Sookie and they’re introduced. Maryann says that Sookie is special and an “old soul”. Sookie tries to read Maryann’s thoughts, but they seem to be in a different language.
Lafayette emerges from the basement cautiously. The bar is quiet and no one seems to be about. He runs to a door and tries to open it but it’s locked. His noises alert Ginger, the woman who Sookie discovered Longshadows treachery through in season one, who holds him up with a gun. L eggs her on till she shoots him in the leg. She then proceeds to scream her head off and L tells her to be quiet and to hand him some towels. She starts to and lets off screaming long enough to shout that those are dirty. L asks for them anyway. Ginger is such a dingbat form all the glamoring the vamps have had to do on her that this was probably one of the funniest parts of this particular show.
Camp seems to have moved on to the camp rock version as the entire group listens to a country-esque singer up on a stage with a small band. The audience is all on their feet as she sings about getting asked out. Steve comes out after the song is over and introduces her as Amanda Jane and the song title as “Jesus Asked Me Out Today”. It was actually a really cute song. For a second I wondered what was going on because she sings in a very sultry manner and the lights are dimmed like a club. After she’s through though, everyone sits down in chairs and they begin a game of good guy vs. the vampire sympathizer. Sarah comes out to play the vamp sympathizer and Jason is chosen to be the “good guy” because he won the flag game earlier.
At Bill’s house, Sookie arrives to a distraught Jessica, who says Bill left to do errands that did not require her presence. She saw her parents on TV and sees now why her parents never let her watch it, that it’s horrible. She tells Sookie that she was horrible to her family and is surprised when she’s cries blood for tears. Sookie tells her about her Gran passing and how it’s the distance form the loved ones that hurts. She says that being where Gran used to be, like her room, helps a little.
Jessica then asks Sookie to drive her to her parents house. Sookie refuses at first, saying that she should ask Bill and to tell Bill exactly what Jessica told Sookie and that surely he would understand. But then Sookie relents, knowing Bill wouldn’t do that at all. She agrees to take Jessica to see them, but makes Jessica promise not to tell Bill, ever. Interesting how Sookie’s doing exactly what she got mad at Bill for last week, the not telling him something important bit. Pot, you’ll be played by Bill, while Sookie will take the roll of kettle.
Bill is actually out clothes shopping for Jessica, which just made my heart melt a little bit. A sales lady offers to help him and – as Bill was looking especially hot with his pale self in that dark, tight shirt – when she finds out he’s a vampire she offers to model the clothes for him in a dressing room. Bill smiles politely, as always, but refuses. Eric interrupts them, wearing a dark sweat/track suit getup, proclaiming it to be the new him. He asks if Bill likes it and Bill says he does, approvingly. The sales lady laughs then and puts her hands up as she walks away. I do believe she thought they were gay. Chuckles galore.
Back up on stage, Sarah pretends to be a vampire herself, donning cheesy fake vamp teeth. Jason promptly goes into a rage, taking an American flag pole and moving in on her as if he’ll stab her through the heart with it. She falls down looking very surprised and Jason briefly remembers Eddie and a look of guilt crawls over him as he backs away and lowers the pole. Meanwhile, Sarah looks as enraptured by him as ever. OK, it’s just a little too obvious – something is definitely going to happen between these two.
At Merlotte’s, Terry Bellefleur, who’s taken over as the cook, acts as if he’s going to have a breakdown. Arlene goes into the kitchen to spell him for a bit when Daphne comes to take out the orders, asking again which table number 4 is. As she heads off, Arlene tells Terry that Daphne’s not going to work out and Terry notes that most of the orders that night have been going to table 4. Out on the floor, Daphne turns in circles trying to figure out which is table 4 when Maryann calls out to her. Daphne is relived and puts the order down. Maryann says something encouraging sounding to Daphne then that makes the woman pause in surprise.
ETA: I totally had forgotten about this, but at some point, Eggs comes intot he bar again and tells Tara that he wants to be with her. I don’t remember anything else about this part, but there you have it. He wants to be with her. Like we couldn’t already tell.
Sam is talking to Andy Bellefleur, who’s been taken of the case and is lamenting the fact that he doesn’t get any respect in this town. Sam tells him that he needs to suck it up and doesn’t seem to have a lot of sympathy until Andy tells Sam about being taken off the case. Sam agrees not to cut the guy off and even suggests he go ask someone to dance. Andy reuses the dancing suggestion, saying that someone told him once that he looked like an epileptic on meth when dancing. Maryann, however,does get up and begin dance, flitting from person to person till a lot of the patrons are up and dancing, too.
At the clothing store, Eric tells Bill that the sheriff of area 9 is missing, a vampire named Goddrick. Eric wants to take Sookie with him to Dallas so she can help find him. Bill refuses adamantly. Eric says that he asks out of respect for bill, but that he can take Sookie is he wants to. When Bill still says his answer is no, Eric tells him, “Poorly played,” as he shakes his head and leaves.
Jessica and Sookie arrive at Jessica’s old home and watch from outside in the car. Sookie begins to cry at one point, saying that Jessica can probably never forgive her and that her state as a vampire is all her fault. Jessica tells Sookie that she doesn’t blame her, but then Jessica sees her sister through the window and rushes with vamp speed to the front door, banging on it. Sookie tears her away from the door, but not before Jessica’s mother opens it and sees them. Jessica gets her mother to invite them in and Jessica looks pleased while Sookie is clearly terrified.
And we’re back at camp again where Jason is in the bathroom cleaning up in the mirror. The guy he beat at the game earlier, the same one from the bus, is clearly jealous of Jason when he comes into the bathroom and launches into a tirade, saying something to the point of Jason thinking he’s so much better. He tells Jason that Jason being at the retreat is a joke, that they may not see it now, but they will. Jason has a moment of doubt as he remembers Eddie again.
By this point, Maryann has Merlott’s literally rocking to the beat. Everyone is up and dancing and even gets Andy to dance as well, who does indeed look like an epileptic on meth. Sam takes Maryann back to his office and tells her to stop. She does that weird shaking routine, which makes Sam nervous and he backs away, asking her what she’s doing. The next thing he knows, he’s in his collie form. Maryann kneels to him, warning him that she can force him to change whenever she wants to, even in front of other people. Sam whimpers. Out on the dance floor, the bar patrons are still having a good time dancing and we hone in on Jane ( I think that’s her name), the bar’s resident alcoholic that’s always around, whose eyes have gone to completely jet black, as if there’s only black holes where her eyes should be.
At Jessica’s house, her mother and sister are glad to see her, clearly having missed her. But then her father comes home. He embraces her at first but then starts yelling, telling her how worried her mother was as he shakes Jessica hard. She shoves him off of her and reveals her vampire state when she lets down her new sharp teeth. She tells him to get his belt, that she’s ready for him now.
At Fangtasia, Lafayette is lying on the black couch in Eric’s office with Chow, Pam and Eric standing around. Eric asks how his leg is. L proceeds to ask them to tun him into a vampire, and he sells it hard, too, saying he could be Eric’s very own bad ass vampire. Eric says he’ll make note of it or something similar and asks Pam and Chow if they’re ready to feed. All three fall on L, obviously ready to do just that.
At Jessica’s house again, Sookie seems genuinely shocked at how callously Jessica talks to her family. Jessica says that her mother is dumb and that her father is as mean as a snake. She pins her father up against the wall, knocking Sookie down when she tries to stop her, and Jessica puts a belt around her father’s neck. She begins cinching it, saying this won’t hurt or it won’t hurt for long, one of those. At that moment, Bill busts in the front door, but he can’t enter. He commands Jessica, as her maker, to back away, and she does so, looking confusedly at her father, almost as if she didn’t realize how she got to that point. Bill eventually convinces the little sister, in one of the creepiest moments of his, to let him in and he first enters and forces Sookie to leave, saying he has to clean up her mess. Sookie apologizes and begs Bill not to kill them before she turns and runs out.
We close with Bill vamp rushing the father, who is still standing against the wall. Bill looks once back at Jessica, and then at the father again, growling.
This was, in my opinion, one of the best shows, if not the best of both seasons yet. I’m really pleased with how much action we’re getting this early in the season. At this point in season one it seemed to move too slow. I kind of scattered my opinions above already, but I am loving Lafayette as a vampire and hope that this is where they go with his character. Even as L was bragging to Eric, Pam and Chow about what a good vampire he would make, I was like, “True, true. The man is only telling the truth.” He’s clearly all about him.
Jason, Jason…sigh. It seems there is no role he will ever have in the TV series or the books that does not involve sex. I think this is where he’s heading in regards to the minister’s wife, Sarah. A very naughty indiscretion of some kind, surely. Also, I wonder how his easily influenced, peas-sized intellect will view his own sister now after this retreat.
Eric’s plans to retain Sookie’s services in finding the missing sheriff of area 9 is right in line with the book, Living Dead in Dallas, and as it’s one of the only story lines that seems to be staying true for the most part, I’m looking forward to seeing her first foray into service for the viking.
And last, but not least, I am loving how they’re developing Maryann and can’t wait to see what mischief she stirs up next, and how they develop a maenid in this 3rd person POV show (versus the narrower 1st from the books).
And what about you? What did you think of this episode?
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