I finished Club Dead by Charlaine Harris last night. It is the third in the Southern Vampire Mysteries (aka – Sookie Stackhouse books).
The reason I started reading this book is because True Blood on HBO starts next month and I really would rather read a book before I see it on television or in a movie.
I really enjoyed the book which surprised me. It possibly should not have surprised me since I liked the first two books in the series (which I read a long time ago). However, **SHALLOW ALERT** I knew there was no HEA (happily ever after) and no big looming alpha male to get the sexual tension all riled up. Due to these points, I was apprehensive to the notion of reading it. Let me clarify – there is sexual tension between Sookie and Eric, and even the new character of Alcide, but they aren’t what I would truly consider alpha. Maybe Alcide, but I knew from the beginning Sookie wouldn’t go for him. For some reason, I never desire to read a book unless I know I get some hot alpha male. I don’t require an HEA ending; the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning and Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs, two of my favorite series, remain unresolved in the romantic department at the end of each. However, I get to read about Barrons and Adam – two uber alphas:)
My whole point is: It makes me feel a little shallow that I don’t want to enjoy a book that doesn’t fit my standards. It’s not that I can’t enjoy it, I just don’t want to. At the end of Club Dead, I looked back and I honestly could say I did like the book. I just don’t have the urge to run to my bookshelf and pick up the next one. I found myself giggling through some scenes and I was kind of happy Bill was kidnapped at the beginning of the book so Eric had more page time (hello! Shallow!;) It was a very well written story, a great mix of action and humor, and a bit of mystery.
I guess I should look at as I know what I like, so I just just stick to it. Give me hot alpha men with a smartly written story. I will eventually read the next Sookie, because I do want to know what happens between Sookie and Eric (srsly – Bill can go bye bye for all I care). Now I am indulging myself in Angela Knight’s Magaverse world – Lancelot!! (I am only on the short story but I am really liking it already!!).
Now to go onto a completely different topic (don’t worry – this post isn’t making much sense to me either) I just saw this cover for the first time and I am all excited!
I want this book! This is the third book in the Hathaway series and will be Poppy’s story. Here is an excerpt. Kev Merripen, who is the hero in the second book, Seduce me at Sunrise, is one of my favorite males. I have loved all of Lisa Kleypas’ historicals and can’t wait for this one to come out.
It is still raining outside – I think this day five. I am in need of sunshine. I am not sure why I feel the need to share the weather with the readers of my blog. I will stop now before I continue to ramble ;)
Happy Thursday!!!
Hi Mandi!
I haven’t read any of the Sookie novels. Mainly cause I hate the covers but with what you’ve said regarding little sexual tention and no alpha males…The spark still has yet to be ignited. I MUST have my alphas. :)
I’m huge fangirl of the Mercy Thompson series too.
The excerpt for the new Kleypas sounds amazing. I haven’t been that impressed with Kleypas’s historicals as I have her contemps but I still think she’s crazy talented.
:) VFG
VFG – LOL – I totally should have mentioned the covers. UGH! So not smexy ;)
I have never read any Kleypas contemporaries..I have Blue Eyed Devil in my tbr.
GUHH – Blog at my post!!!Damnit to hell! It was good too…
Hey Mandi!!! Thank you for explaining to me what HEA means (no, I really did not know what it menat)!
Now for the matter at hand… We all know that I love the Sookie series. I orginally picked it up because of the Louisiana thing going on. Me = Louisiana, Sookie = Louisiana.. yea, I know shallow, but oh well.
The cover thing… I wish they would have played up those a bit more than that… but I guess they do what they think… but not crazy about them.
Now that I know what HEA means, I hate to say this, but I don’t ever see a HEA coming from this series. I guess they figure they will milk it for all its worth. But damnit… if you are not going to give me a HEA, then AT least give me a lot of alpha males with A LOT of hot steamy sexy to make up for it damnit!!! And that is far and in between.
I read #8 and it left a stale taste to the series. I know there is a lot going on in 8 to make room for more books, but still… the story is dying becasue of the HEA or the lack of romance to anyone. I mean come’on… Alcide and Quinn… and Eric are why I read it… and if she is not going to hook up with at least one of them to have some hot steamy sex with… then why the hell am I still reading them!!! LOL!!! But I want to stay abreast as to what is going on. Shallow as it may be, I am reading to statisfy my appetitte (sp?) for Alcide, Quinn and Eric. But not a happy camper though… but I have preordered #9.
Cecile – My blog likes to eat posts;)
Hmmm…now I don’t want to finish the series:) I don’t know..I can’t make up my mind. This definitely is a series I can’t read straight through at this point. Maybe one here or there and it will keep my interest a bit more. I’m all for sexual tension..but there has to be some resolve eventually.
I can see why in True Blood they have Sookie’s brother in a sex scene in every episode:)
For some awesome Alphas, you should check out Alyssa Day’s Atlantis series. Yum. And futuristic isn’t my usual thing, but Angela Knight’s time-travelling dudes are pretty smexy too.
Yea, Mandi… I normally do not like to post negative things like that… but I hate it when I am disappointed in something and think “if only someone would have told me or gave me their opinoin.” But they are good books. Here and there type. I read straight through all the way to 8. I loved them… but… that was before I knew what was hot and steamy out there!!! LOL!!! And you see in the books, Jason is hardly brought about especially with sex scenes… they are never in depth! But please, do read them. They are good reading books and they keep you entertained… just not all hot and steamy!
Nicola – Thanks!! I have never heard of Alyssa Day!
Cecile – I know what you mean:) Like I said, I do plan on reading the next because the way the third ended I DO want to find out what happens. I just need some hot and steamy for a bit before I go back to it:) I would rather someone be honest in reviews:)
I am, a sucker for a HEA, I get so sad when i don’t get one. I have watched the whole Gladiator movie one time, half of it several…ok not the best example but at least he could have lived.
And I need a strong alpha too. I didn’t connect with the tv series, but if I get the books I will try them. hopefully love them
I do believe in being honest about what I read, whether it is at my blog site, or a post here… I want to be honest. And let people know that is strictly my opinion. That is why I always ask for feedback. I want to know all sides of.
But, yes, go get bothered somewhere else… lol before going back!
I, too, tried the first Sookie book and found the love interest completely forgettable. I like average guys, but he was a little too average.
This appearance/attraction thing doesn’t mean you’re shallow. Or maybe it means we’re ALL shallow so you’re in good company, ha, ha!
I just finished a book where the romantic hero was something like 5’4″ (which is shorter than I am) and had a rosebud mouth and “enormous” blue eyes “the color of a lagoon” and was referred to as “adorable” several times in the book — and to my surprise, I just couldn’t accept this.
I know the author was experimenting with unconventional, and normally I applaud that, but I found out that I want my male characters to be sufficiently manly, too!
Though I just had a thought — those J.R. Ward characters might be a hard act to follow, no pun intended! Maybe all the male characters you read after finishing one of those books might seem insufficiently alpha.
Blodeuedd – LOL@ Gladiator:)Yes, I say give them a try.
Cecile – I am reading Seduction’s Gift by Angela Knight and I love it. Lancelot and all the Knights of the Round Table are vampires! In present day…(hot vampires:)
Obsidian – True that after I read a really good book, I usually don’t like what I read next..and we all know how much I love my BDB brothers:) LKH writes Anita Blakes love interests as short and some hair down to their ankles – I don’t know..I have a hard time appealing to them. (Except Jean-Claude)
Yes, Jean-Claude is my favorite as well. He’s got a sense of style and a sense of humor. And he’s good-looking. What more could we want? Her Merry Gentry males were a little offputting with all their ankle-length, flowing, rainbow-colored hair, ha, ha!
Hi Mandi, I’m not going to tell you to read them all. I’ve read up to and including 8 and I agree that 8 was a bit disappointing. However, if Alpha Male and Eric is your cup of tea then you have got to read book 4. You won’t be disappointed!
Alaine – AHH! book four is next!! Now I’m going to have to read it;) I have it sitting right here….
I would definitely read book 4, you won’t be sorry! Another good paranormal romance Alpha male is Bones from Jeanine Frost’s Night Huntress series. Currently there are 3 books and book 4 comes out later this year. (I too like Adam and Barrons)
Patti – Bones!!! I LOVE Bones. I just read the series last month and am dying for the next one. Seriously one of my favorite series!!!!
I’m ready for my Adam and Barron’s fix too:) Did you know part of Dreamfever is going to be in Barron’s POV?? Squeeee!!!!!
I’ve been searching for some good paranormal romance-type books and just noticed your list of fictional boyfriends (some of which are also MY fictional boyfriends), and there are several series I haven’t seen – now I’m excited to check out some new (to me) stuff. Thanks!
Patti – Hey..step off those are my boyfriends ;)
Let me know how you like whatever you check out! (did that sentence make sense? :)
I'd definitely recommend reading at least the 4th book :) I've read all the others and the promo for the 10th book and it looks like Sookie will finally be in a relationship (but we'll see how long that lasts…).
PS I also LOVE Bones from the Night Huntress series :)
tara – I am def going to read 4th book! Everyone I talk to says how good it is.
I lurve Bones:) Can't get enough of him!