Review: High Stakes by Erin McCarthy

High Stakes: A Tale of Vegas Vampires by Erin McCarthy This is the first book in Erin McCarthy's new series. A paranormal vampire series with a high funny factor... No! Wait! Come back... It is good! Alexis arrives at Ethan Carrick's Vegas hotel ready to kick ass and take names. The plan is to knock some sense into her baby sister who closed her dentist practice and moved in with some rich hotel owner she just met. Alexis is smart, successful and has been taking care of Brittany since their stripper mommy died. She knows she can do anything she sets her mind to and can take care of herself. Alexis also thinks she needs to do the same for Brittany and hasn't quite caught on that her baby sister is all grown up. And as confident as she is in her mind she is equally unconfident in her looks. Basically our girl has some serious control issues and low self esteem in the looks department. The baby sister, Brittany Baldizzi, is the girl next door, if your door happens to be in Las Vegas. She has more beauty and heart than brains but Brittany isn't a dumb bunny. Although she is aware people see her as just another pretty face. Ethan Carrick is the leader of the 'undead world' and would like to stay that way. In typical politician fashion he thinks (and is being told) the best way to win another 40 years as vampire president is to clean up is playboy image and marry a good woman. Only this is vegas baby and he is a vamp - so good woman equals a hottie impure (a human with a vampire daddy) and not Jackie O. It takes about five seconds with Alexis for Ethan to learn marrying Brit isn't an option. And even though he knows the house always wins, he can't help but take a gamble on Alexis. Alexis figures playing some freaky wanna be vamp's girlfriend is the quickest way to get her baby sister out of "harms way". And Brittany just wants to save their souls from hell. Oh and then there is the guy trying to 'kill' Ethan, one trying to beat him and another trying to cure him. All in all good times. We do end up spending too much time in with the bad guys. And I have to confess I didn't care much about them. But it didn't take away from Ethan and Alexis's romance so I can't complain too much. When I heard Erin McCarthy was the next author to pony up a vamp series I rolled my eyes, whined and knew without a doubt I would read it. There is something about McCarthy's books that are so fast, fresh and funny. The dialogue flows off the page and can't help but make me smile. And I am a really hard sell as far as comedy goes. She doesn't do slapstick, doesn't lose the romance and the book is as steamy as it funny. Erin McCarthy takes any genre and makes it her own. I don't think I am reading a paranormal, contemporary or even a 'romance' novel when I open one of her books. I am reading an Erin McCarthy novel. She is one of the very few authors I honestly think I would follow into any genre. And High Stakes continues her winning streak. So what did you think? Have you read it? Did you like it? Have you reviewed it? I haven't stated Bit yet but I have it and plan to this weekend. Hope it is just as good! NEXT: (out now) Bit the Jackpot and I am crossing my fingers Bled Dry (on sale May 2007) shows up at my door soon You can find more info on Erin's vamp series here, find her blogging here and order High Stakes here.

Review: The Rules of Seduction by Madeline Hunter

Genre: Historical Romance Grade: A- Alexia Welbourne is a poor relation of The Longworth family. Unknown to any of them, except Timothy (head of the family), they are all living on borrowed time. By chance Hayden Rothwell enters the picture and the clock stops. Timmy has been a bad, bad boy but due to a debt Hayden allows him to try to keep his honor and save face - at least with his family. Timmy's bright idea is to blame his 'ruin' on Hayden. This comes to light in one of the first scenes as Alexia gives Hayden a tour of her soon to be old home. These are two great characters and the dialogue is wonderful. They are both adults and they behave that way. Alexia is scared and unsure of her next steps but she doesn't fall apart and wait for someone to fix it for her. Hayden Rothwell reminds me of David de Abyndon from By Arrangement. They are both basically good men who have done some bad things. They find themselves in situations not of their own making and try to fix them best way they can. And they both keep a stupid secret from their wives for too long. They do end up with their wives differently and I admit I found Hayden and Alexia's first 'love' scene together jarring. I expected it to go differently. I didn't really think he would go through with it. The Rules of Seduction is a perfect example of how to use sex and love scenes to add to the characters, their relationship and move the story along. So much happens from that dirty attic floor to the last page. The plot is tried and true but with enough of Hunter's plotting and wonderful characters to make it interesting, entertaining and different. If you have marked Madeline Hunter off your to buy list or haven't tried her in a while give this one a shot. The Rules of Seduction is a really great read and from the sneak peak for The Lessons of Desire this is a series to watch.