Sex, Lies and Vampires by Katie MacAlister

Enthralled to a demon lord, Adrian Tomas knows his life isn’t his own. The only way he could ever hope to regain a normal life as a Dark One would be to find his Beloved. But Adrian the Betrayer knows it’s impossible; that is until he meets Nell Harris. While Nell has the ability to Charm, her one experience with lifting a curse resulted in the death of her friend and lasting damage to her own body. Despite her fears, Nell soon finds herself falling in love with the Adrian knowing that their love is doomed from the very start. But Adrian finds hope when he realizes the power of his Beloved strengthens her ability to Charm. Now can Nell find the strength within to use her skills to save Adrian, or will he be doomed to live out the rest of his life as a Demon Lord?

Reading the previous books is definitely recommended when Katie revisits the world she created in A Girl’s Guide to Vampires and Sex and the Single Vampire. Many of the characters from the previous books make an appearance here and their story continues in this one. The final battle between good and evil will definitely catch your attention, though the ending is abrupt and not all that satisfying. Like the other stories, this one is very dark, though Katie’s sense of humor does show through. If you like vampires, you’ll love this book.

Details: Dorchester, February 2005

Excellence Rating: Great

Steaminess Factor: Yummy

Sex and the Single Vampire by Katie MacAlister

Despite years of trying, Allie Telford hasn’t managed to summon a single spirit, so she traveled to England, famous for its haunted buildings, to try one last time. When she visits a haunted inn looking for a ghost, she stumbles across a man bleeding to death from a hundred stab wounds and when she turns around for a moment, he disappears. Later she attends a book signing to get an autograph for a friend and meets Christian J. Dante for the second time, this time without the blood. Soon she learns that Christian is a Dark One without a soul and only she can save him. With Dante is deeply involved in an elemental battle between good and evil and needing the support that only his Believed can give him, will Allie be able summon her powers to save him before it’s too late.

This story is set in the same world as A Girl’s Guide to Vampires and features many of its key characters. There’s a lot of action as Christian’s quest is revealed as well as giving a bigger glimpse of Katie’s mystical world. If you love dark vampire books with a touch of humor, you should definitely add this one to your list.

Details: Dorchester, March 2004

Excellence Rating: Great

Steaminess Factor: Yummy

A Girl’s Guide to Vampires by Katie MacAlister

While on vacation in Europe, Joy Randall decided to accompany her best friend, Roxy on a side trip to the Czech Republic to meet her favorite author. There she met someone with whom she could spent the rest of her life. Then she learned she was the Beloved of a creature she never believed existed – a vampire. To complicate matters, the vampire is accused of a murder he didn’t commit. Now while Joy races to save the innocent Dark One, she finds herself forced to choose between a life with a man who makes her feel complete or an immortal life with a vampire.

While a little dark for my tastes, humorous situations abound making this book a worthwhile read. I loved the characters in this book, especially the two men vying for Joy’s attention. I also loved the way that Katie managed to keep Joy confused about the men in her life, right up until the very end of the story. All in all a great read and one that I think you’ll enjoy.

Details: Dorchester, November 2003

Excellence Rating: Great

Steaminess Factor: Yummy

Calamity Jayne Goes To College by Kathleen Bacus

Tressa Jayne Turner’s boss agrees to make her a full-time reporter, but only if she goes back to college and study journalism. But there’s more to Tressa’s life than just college classes. Things like shedding those last few pounds to fit into her maid of honor dress and dealing with a grandmother who’s love life is out of control. But these pale in comparison to following a campus crime spree that's following the lecture notes for an Introduction to Criminal Justice. As the crimes escalate from littering to assault, can Tressa find the guilty party before the professor starts teaching about murder?

This book is missing some of the charm of Kathleen’s earlier stories. Gone were most of the blonde jokes along with most of the sexual tension between her and the two officers of the law that are vying for her attention. However, Kathleen did bring back many of the characters from per previous books and I loved the humor in the campus crimes. So if you’re a fan of Tressa “Calamity” Jayne, you need to read this book, but I hope Kathleen will go back to the style she used in her earlier books.

Details: Dorchester, April 2007

Excellence Rating: Pretty Good

Steaminess Factor: Yummy