Born to Bite (Argeneau, Book 14)

LYNSAY SANDS

Synopsis from Goodreads: Legend has it that Armand Argeneau is a killer in the bedroom...

But with all three of his late wives meeting unfortunate and untimely ends, is this sexy immortal a lover or a murderer? That's what Eshe d'Aureus intends to find out. As an enforcer, it's her job to bring rogue vampires to justice, even if the rogue in question makes her blood race red hot.

Armand knew she was trouble the moment Eshe roared into town on her motorcycle, clad in tight black leather. She claims she's hiding from dangerous fiends, though he suspects something more. But after three wives who've all had trouble remaining, well, undead, Armand is reluctant to open his heart again. Then strange accidents start to happen, each deadlier than the last, and Armand realizes he may not have much time to prove he's a lover, not a slayer.

Stats for my copy: Mass market paperback, Avon Books, 2010.

How acquired: Bought.

My thoughts: My least favorite Argeneau book so far. The characters just never grabbed me. Except Bricker. I enjoyed all of his scenes and was glad when he put in an appearance. The Argeneau books usually have a lot of humor in them but this one was a little lacking. And there was no romance at all. No sexual tension, no build up. When Eshe and Armand first meet, they both realize right away that they are life mates, and fall into bed together very quickly after that. And yes, the circumstances didn't really allow them any time to pussy foot around and get to know each other, what with Eshe there to secretly investigate Armand who was suspected of killing his three wives and his son's wife. And even when it became evident that someone was now trying to kill both Eshe and Armand, I never felt any sense of urgency. I didn't know who was behind the attacks, yet still felt little suspense. And then when the mystery was resolved at the end, the action was quite civil and a bit of a letdown.

I always thought it was rather ridiculous in previous books that the women always faint after having sex. But now apparently it's not just the women, it's life mates. Both Armand and Eshe faint afterwards. Was it always both partners and I just never noticed? Either way, I still think its ridiculous.

And as I complained about previous books, the characters are constantly saying things “dryly”. Three times on one page. And sometimes now they even smile dryly. And towards the end I began to notice that they also often murmured when they spoke. I'm a little tired of both words now.

Regardless, every book can't be a winner, and I'm still a fan of the author, and I'll still continue with the series, though maybe not right away. 

Devil of the Highlands

LYNSAY SANDS

Synopsis from Goodreads: He is the most notorious laird of Scotland: fierce, cold, deadly...and maybe even worse. Yet Evelinde has just agreed to wed him. Anything, she thinks, is better than her cruel stepmother. Though Evelinde should be wary of the rumors, she can't help but be drawn to this warrior...for the Devil of the Highlands inspires a heat within her that is unlike anything she has ever known.

They may call him whatever they wish, but Cullen, Laird of Donnachaidh, cares only for the future of his clan. He must find a wife, a woman to bear him sons and heed his commands. He has no need for beauty or grace, but one taste of his lovely bride's sweet lips and the sultry feel of her skin arouse an untamed passion. Perhaps there's more to marriage than he thought.

Stats for my copy: Large print hardback, published by Thorndike Press, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning, by arrangement with Avon Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2009; borrowed from my local library.

My thoughts: If I didn't have a job to go to every day, which means having to get up of a morning, I might have read this entire book in one night.

This is the third of the author's non-vampire books I've read (the first two being The Brat and What She Wants.) As with all of Ms Sands' heroines, Evelinde is very likable, although she felt somewhat familiar, being similar, personality wise, to the heroines of THE BRAT and WHAT SHE WANTS. Cullen, however, was much more distinctive and I was quite enamored of him. But then he was the very description of “the bad boy”, and aren't we drawn to those men? At least on paper.

Since her father's death, Evelinde has been under her stepmother's power, and treated quite badly by her. Step-mama is thrilled to have arranged a marriage for Evelinde with the man who is fearfully known as the Devil of Donnachaidh, anticipating that Evelinde will be miserable in her new life. If she survives her marriage. After all, the devil is rumored to have killed his first wife when she did not bear him any heirs. And other relatives have died under suspicions circumstances.

But of course a reputation is sometimes just a reputation, and we all know there will be an HEA in the end. In the meantime, the characters have to deal with Evelinde constantly having accidents and close calls that become more and more suspicious, while she is determined to get to the bottom of the aforementioned deaths and clear her husband's name.

The situations Evelinde gets into are sometimes ridiculous, but I laughed out loud several times. I can always count on that happening when I pick up a Lynsay Sands book. 

What She Wants

LYNSAY SANDS

Synopsis: Earl Hugh Dulonget of Hillcrest was a formidable knight, used to getting what he wanted. This time, he got himself into a bind. His uncle's will had a codicil: He must marry. And Hugh had just insulted his would-be bride by calling her a peasant! How could he win back her esteem – and her hand?

Everyone seemed to have advice. Some men-at-arms thought that Hugh could win the fair Willa's love by buying her baubles. The old witch who was her guardian wanted Hugh to crawl back on his belly. And his castle priest proffered "De Secretis Mulierum", a book on the secrets of women. But Hugh had ideas of his own. He would overcome every hindrance – and all his friends' help – to show Willa that he had not only what she needed, but what she wanted. And that the two of them were meant for a lifetime of happiness.

First line of chapter one: The door flew open, slamming into the cottage with what would have been a crash if it had been made of stronger material.

Stats for my copy: Mass market paperback, published by Dorchester Publishing Co., Inc., 2002; 357 pages; received through BookCrossing.

My thoughts: Lynsay Sands is one of my favorite authors, thanks to her Argeneau Vampire series, of which I've read – in order – through Book 13 so far. I've only read two of her non-Argeneau books, The Highland Bride, which was still a vampire story and which I enjoyed, and The Brat, an historical, which I loved. Two of Ms. Sands' trademarks are sassy humor and comical situations, and she employs both in WHAT SHE WANTS.

The beginning was a little slow and didn't really engage me. Hugh has just learned that his uncle's will decrees that he marry Willa, whom he's never heard of and whom he assumes is his uncle’s “by-blow” - illegitimate child. He rushes off in a fit to Willa's home to announce to her that he has no intention of marrying her, insulting her in the process. Later he learns that Willa is not quite who he thought she was, and that while he inherits his uncle's property, Willa inherits the money needed to run the estate. Back he goes, this time in an attempt to convince Willa that he does want to marry her after all.

Once this part of the story has been resolved and Hugh and Willa travel to their new home to be married, the story picks up tremendously. Willa has a mind of her own, and Hugh often finds her maddeningly frustrating. And consummating their new marriage – let's just say events keep happening to delay that, and both parties are the victims of bad advice from others, much to their dismay and our reading enjoyment.

There are several supporting characters, most of whom are wonderful, creating at times a kind of screwball movie type effect, running in and out of the scene. And there's a mystery afoot, as someone keeps attempting to kill Willa.

All in all, a quite enjoyable romp, and I'm very happy to have several more of this author's books, both Argeneau and non-Argeneau, waiting in my TBR pile.

The Bite Before Christmas

LYNSAY SANDS and JEANIENE FROST

Synopsis:

THE GIFT, by Lynsay Sands: Teddy Brunswick knows about the immortals among us. He's worked with them, called them friend – but he never counted on being snowed in with one over Christmas. Katricia Argeneau is a tasty little bundle and she seems to feel the same way about him. Problem is, he's not sure she feels quite the same way. After all, the snowstorm has derailed her blood delivery, which leaves him the only available meal on the menu...

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, by Jeaniene Frost: Cat and Bones are looking forward to a normal holiday – at least as “normal” as it gets for the combustible vampire couple and their otherworldly friends and family. But their yuletide plans are shattered when a stranger shows up and reveals long-buried family secrets that threaten to take a bite out of their holiday cheer...and lives.

Stats for my copy: Hardback, published by HarperCollins Publishers, 2011; sent to me by a BookCrossing member.

My thoughts: I've read most of Sands' Argeneau books - and one of her historical romances - and I love her writing. Her story here, however, while enjoyable, was also a little boring, a little slow, a little same old same old. Fun but nothing special. Teddy is the police chief of and lives in the same little town as Elvi and Victor, from Book 7 in the Argeneau series, THE ACCIDENTAL VAMPIRE. So he's already familiar with the Argeneaus and their kind. Wanting to get away on his own during the holidays, Marguerite suggested a little cottage that he could rent. Little did he know that she was up to her usual matchmaking ways and had also suggested the neighboring cottage to Katricia Argeneau. And that a snowstorm would cause a tree to fall across the road, taking down a power line and effectively cutting them off from the rest of the world.

Teddy and Katricia pool their resources – she has food, he has firewood – and spend time hanging out in his cottage, talking and getting to know one another. You know how it's all gonna end, especially if your familiar with the series.

The Cat and Bones story on the other hand - I loved it. I can't get enough of them and Frost has not disappointed me yet. This story is a about 40 pages longer than the Sands story, and did not drag anywhere. The story opens with a surprise birthday party for Bones, which is crashed by a stranger who claims to be Bones' biological half brother. But while Bones, Mencheres, Kira and Spade all seem mesmerized by the stranger and his stories, Cat, Denise and Ian are suspicious of him, along with Fabian and Elisabeth. Cat finds herself actually working with Ian, and it was nice to see Ian become a little more likable.

Plenty of action, with a plot that I couldn't quite predict. I truly love this series.

The Brat

LYNSAY SANDS

 I love Lynsay Sands' Argeneau vampire family series, but had only read one of her non-Argeneau books prior to this (The Highland Bride, which was also about a vampire). The Brat is a historical romance, with no supernatural elements, unless you count the fact that Murie, the heroine, is incredibly superstitious. And that superstition is what drives her into the arms of the hero..

Murie was orphaned at the age of ten, and brought to court to live with the King, her godfather, and the Queen, who never seemed very welcoming to the young girl. She was bullied by the other girls, until a girl named Emilie gave her some advice on how to survive life at court. Thus, she became The Brat, known for her fits of weeping and wailing loudly. The King doted on her, spoiling her horribly.

Balan has come to court with his cousin, Osgoode, in need of a wife, preferably one with coin. After his mother died in childbirth, his father neglected the child and allowed his castle to fall into a state of disrepair until his own death. Then the plague struck, and many of the servants and all of the villagers who survived fled for greener pastures, leaving a small collection of loyal servants who, try as they might, just can't do it all. Osgoode suggest the Lady Murie for a wife, to which Balan reacts with horror. Marry the Brat? God, no!

Murie has been ordered by the king to marry, but will be allowed to choose her own husband. Knowing of her superstitious nature, one of the ladies, Lauda, tells her about a St. Agnes Eve belief, that if you either fast all day, or eat rotten meat on that day, you will dream that night of the man you are to marry.

But Balan and Osgoode have overheard two separate conversations – Murie and her best friend talking about how Murie got the king to order her to marry, and Lauda and her brother, Lord Aldous, scheming to trick Murie into marrying him. Realizing there is more to Murie than the rumors and her nickname imply, they determine that they must thwart Lord Aldous, which inadvertently puts Balan in Murie's path as a potential husband. Thank goodness they have no problem eavesdropping!

As with the Argeneau books, Lynsay Sands infuses plenty of humor into her story, causing me to laugh out loud more than once. Murie and Balan wed for practical and convenience reasons, and of course eventually realize they actually love each other, and I was quite in love with Balan practically from the beginning. It's not all roses and rainbows of course, as while traveling to Balan's home it becomes apparent that someone is out to kill Balan, and nearly succeeds more than once. I thought I knew who was behind the murder attempts, it seemed so obvious, but I was wrong, and I like that.

A very enjoyable book, with a satisfying HEA.

(I received this book through Book Mooch.)