Ghost of a Chance - Book Review (repost/reread)

 

Ghost of a Chance (Karma Marx, #1) 

by Katie Macalister

What is it about:
While trapped in a house with her sleazy husband Spider and other characters, Karma Marx, who exorcises haunted houses for a living, investigates Spider's murder, forcing her to find the truth among the living and the dead.

What did I think of it:
A nice, if somewhat shaky mystery with an intriguing setting. In this book Macalister (writing under the name Marsh) proves she doesn't need snarky characters and steamy romance to keep you reading. I really liked how she uses creatures she also uses in her Dark Ones series and expands on them in this story. I also really liked Karma and Macalister's writing style holds up perfectly when stripped of the snark, which made it a lot more serious than her Dark Ones books, but I must say I enjoyed the more serious tone. The plot was a bit wobbly at times, but all in all I really enjoyed reading this book and I hope there will be more books in this series.

Notes on rereading:

I got the new (re-released) ebook and read that instead of my 13 year old print copy which should be somewhere among my many books. And I must say I'm tempted to dig up that old copy to see if the original ending is the same, as the ending felt rushed as if there was a scene left out or some extra scene was just slapped on to connect this book to the next one, Otherwise this held up fine and I'll be reading book 2 soon. 

Why should you read it:
It's a nicely written paranormal whodunnit

Author Spotlight - Katie MacAlister

One of Voodoo Bride's favorite authors is Katie MacAlister.

Voodoo Bride loves Katie's snarky and sexy books about Dark Ones, a sort of vampires.

So today we want to highlight two of those books and there's a swag giveaway as well.


A Girl's Guide to Vampires (Dark Ones #1)

All Joy Randall wants is a little old-fashioned romance, but when she participates in a "Goddess evoking" ceremony with her friend, Roxy, Joy finds out her future true love is a man with the potential to put her immortal soul in danger. At first the ever-practical Joy is ready to dismiss her vision as a product of too much gin and too many vampire romances, but while traveling through the Czech Republic with Roxy, Joy begins to have some second thoughts about her mystery lover because she is suddenly plagued by visions of a lethally handsome stranger. Then, when she and Roxy attend a local GothFaire, Joy meets Raphael Griffin St. John, head of security, and she becomes even more bewildered because the dark and dangerous Raphael seems too close to her dreams for comfort.

Voodoo Bride's thoughts:
If you're looking for a light, funny, romantic and steamy read that also has some mystery going on this is the perfect book to pick up! This book is pure fun. Joy is a cool, quirky lead character and the males (yes: plural! But don't be expecting a menage, merely a triangle or square) aren't half bad either! Macalister's vampires are original and very cool, but luckily they do comply to some universal vampire rules I think every vampire should comply to (meaning no sparkles) so I could really love them. All in all an enjoyable read and after finishing this book I ran out to buy more books in this series.


A Tale of Two Vampires (Dark Ones #10)

Iolanthe Tennyson has had a very bad year—due in part to the very bad men in her life. So, she’s accepted her cousin’s invitation to spend the summer in Austria indulging in her photography hobby. There, rumors of a haunted forest draw Iolanthe into the dark woods—and into the eighteenth century…

Nikola Czerny is a cursed man, forced by his half-brothers to live forever as a Dark One. But his miserable existence takes an intriguing turn when a strange, babbling woman is thrown in his path. Iolanthe claims to know Nikola’s daughter—three hundred years in the future. She also knows what fate—in the form of his murderous half-brothers—has in store for him. If only she knew the consequences of changing the past to save one good, impossibly sexy vampire…

Voodoo Bride's thoughts:
This is a seriously fun book. As with all Dark Ones books I've read so far it's funny, witty and has a delicious romance. I really liked Io, she's a quirky and fun character who speaks her mind. Nikola is a great character as well. I didn't know it was possible to write a nerdish alpha male, but MacAlister pulls it off.

The story was fun from start to finish. There were some inconsistencies, but MacAlister's books are just too much fun to worry about things being consistent. They're all about the romance and the two lead characters overcoming all obstacles that keep them apart.

I did think the romance in this book was less hot than in the other books I read in this series, but it was the sweetest romance I've read from MacAlister so far, so I won't hold the lack of scorching love scenes against it.

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Next to the Dark Ones series Katie MacAlister writes lots more series: There's dragons, guardians, time travellers, steampunk and more. Voodoo Bride hopes to be able to start on one of these other series soon.


We have a small Katie MacAlister swag pack for one commenter.
Tell us if you ever read a book by Katie MacAlister and what you thought of it for a chance to win the Katie MacAlister swag. We'll also include some of my blog bookmarks as well.

A winner will be picked at random on September 10th.
Open internationally to everyone who's legally allowed to enter this giveaway.

And the winner is: VampedChik

A Tale of Two Vampires - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

A Tale of Two Vampires (Dark Ones #10)
by Katie MacAlister

What is it about:
Iolanthe Tennyson has had a very bad year—due in part to the very bad men in her life. So, she’s accepted her cousin’s invitation to spend the summer in Austria indulging in her photography hobby. There, rumors of a haunted forest draw Iolanthe into the dark woods—and into the eighteenth century…

Nikola Czerny is a cursed man, forced by his half-brothers to live forever as a Dark One. But his miserable existence takes an intriguing turn when a strange, babbling woman is thrown in his path. Iolanthe claims to know Nikola’s daughter—three hundred years in the future. She also knows what fate—in the form of his murderous half-brothers—has in store for him. If only she knew the consequences of changing the past to save one good, impossibly sexy vampire…

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
A couple of years ago I started on this series with book one: A Girl's Guide to Vampires. I loved it and read the next four books with just as much pleasure. Book 6 in the series however (Zen and the Art of Vampires) sounded too triangly for my tastes and as book 7 had the same lead character as book 6 I didn't feel like buying those and somehow I never got to buying the books after those two.

Then I got this book as a present from Melliane and once I started reading I was hooked.

This is a seriously fun book. As with all Dark Ones books I've read so far it's funny, witty and has a delicious romance. I really liked Io, she's a quirky and fun character who speaks her mind. Nikola is a great character as well. I didn't know it was possible to write a nerdish alpha male, but MacAlister pulls it off.

The story was fun from start to finish. There were some inconsistencies, but MacAlister's books are just too much fun to worry about things being consistent. They're all about the romance and the two lead characters overcoming all obstacles that keep them apart.

I did think the romance in this book was less hot than in the other books I read in this series, but it was the sweetest romance I've read from MacAlister so far, so I won't hold the lack of scorching love scenes against it.

This book did remind me how much fun this series is, so I just might try to get my hands on book 8 and 9.

Why should you read it:
It's a funny and sweet Paranormal Romance.

My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon
by P.N. Elrod, Marjorie M. Liu, Katie MacAlister, Lilith Saintcrow, Ronda Thompson, Kelley Armstrong, Jim Butcher, Rachel Caine and Caitlin Kittredge

What is it about:
What newly married couple doesn't dream of a romantic retreat where they can escape the world for a while—but what happens when supernatural forces intrude on their wedded bliss?

Nine of today’s hottest paranormal authors answer that question in this all-star collection of supernatural stories. Can a vampire-hunter enjoy her honeymoon when she’s just learned that her new hubby is a werewolf? How can newlyweds focus on their wedding night when their honeymoon suite is haunted by feuding ghosts? And what’s a wizard to do when a gruesome monster kidnaps the bride on her way home from the wedding?

With so much otherworldly mayhem awaiting our newlyweds, will they ever get around to the honeymoon itself? Find out in…My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
I will confess I had difficulty getting into most of the stories. With some it was clear that this was because the story was part of a series and I hadn't read any other books in the series. Others just didn't work for me storywise or felt too forced. Not surprisingly three of the four stories I liked the most were by authors I was familiar with before picking up this book.

My favourites are:
Stalked by Kelley Armstrong
Newlydeads by Caitlin Kittredge
Where the Heart Lives by Marjorie M. Liu
Cat Got Your Tongue? by Katie MacAlister

Why should you read it:
I would advice this book to fans of one or more of the featured authors.

Even Vampires Get the Blues - book Review by Voodoo Bride

Even Vampires Get the Blues (Dark Ones #4) by Katie MacAlister

What is it about:
Paen Scott is a Dark One: a vampire without a soul. And his mother is about to lose hers too if Paen can t repay a debt to a demon by finding a relic known as the Jilin God in five days.

Half-elf Samantha Cosse may have gotten kicked out of the Order of Diviners, but she is still good at finding things, which is why she just opened her own private investigation agency.

Paen is one of Sam s first clients and the only one to set her elf senses tingling, which makes it pretty much impossible to keep their relationship on a professional level. Sam is convinced that she is Paen s Beloved -- the woman who can give him back his soul...whether he wants it or not.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
This addition to the Dark Ones series is both the most silly and the most angsty, but not in a bad way. This book also has the most fun side characters: I loved both Samantha's friend Clare and Paen's brother Finn. There are some plot points that scream at you from the pages, but are overlooked by the characters and I think that could have been done differently, but all in all this is yet another enjoyable, fun and sexy vampire romance. If the next books keep being as entertaining as this one I will keep on reading this series.

Why should you read them:
It's got elves, faeries, vampires, romance and more

Sex, Lies and Vampires - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

Sex, Lies and Vampires (Dark Ones #3) by Katie MacAlister

What is it about:
As far as she can tell, Nell Harris is either going insane or she is in love. Nell thought she had been summoned to Prague to work on an inscription in a rare fourteenth-century breastplate. Instead, she is immersed in the world of the Moravian Dark Ones (think vampires) when she is swept up in the search for a boy held captive by the demon lord Asmodeus. Although Nell would like nothing better than to use her powers as a "Charmer" to help find the missing boy, the last time she dabbled in magic the consequences were dire. Then Nell meets Adrian Tomas. Bound to serve Asmodeus and forced to betray his fellow Dark Ones, Adrian desperately needs Nell to charm away his curse. One look into Adrian's haunted eyes, and Nell discovers she will do just about anything to save the soul of her new beloved.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
Of the books I read in this series so far I both love and hate this book the most. I totally adore Nell and Adrian, their romance and the action. Nell isn't as snarky as the female leads in the first two books, but this makes her all the more loveable. And Adrian! Talk about one big bad sexy vampire! On the other hand this book also manages to make my blood boil by having adults act thoughtless, selfish and cruel in my opinion, which leads to a child being the one to pay for their faults. This is one book where I do think a condom and other birthcontrol methods should and could have been used. That major pet peeve aside this is the best book in the series so far and it makes me eager to read more.

Why should you read it:
It's got a really sexy vampire and a hot romance.

Sex and the Single Vampire - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

Sex and the Single Vampire (Dark Ones #2) by Katie MacAlister

What is it about:
If Allie doesn't find a ghost soon, her short career as a "Summoner" with United Psychical Research Association will be a thing of the past, so naturally she is delighted to find what she thinks is the tortured spirit of a gorgeous, naked, wounded man. But the cranky spirit, who looks exactly like the dishy man who has been haunting Allie's dreams, doesn't need her help since he isn't a ghost, but rather Christian Dante, best-selling author of vampire romances and Moravian Dark One. Of course, Allie wants some answers from the arrogant and domineering Christian, but he is more interested in working out the exact nature of their relationship, since fate has chosen Allie as his "Beloved."

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
This second book in MacAlister's Dark Ones series is just as fun as the first. It's romantic, funny, full of snark and hot. Christian is a returning character from book one and I was worried wether I'd like this book as I didn't really warm up to him in the first book. But those worries were soon laid to rest: Christian is one hunky Dark One and I was soon rooting for him to win Allie over. A delicious, light, romantic read.

Why should you read it:
It's got a hunky book writing vampire!

Just One Sip - Book Review

Just One Sip by Jennifer Ashley, Katie MacAlister and Minda Webber

What is it about:
Three romance novellas take a different look at vampire heroes.

"Viva Las Vampires" by Jennifer Ashley, features a gorgeous, sun-bronzed Viking vampire who owns a vampire-themed hotel and casino in Las Vegas and sees his one true love striding through the lobby hot to interview him for her new book on vampire culture. In this world, there are warm vamps who are immortal and cold vamps who are undead.

Katie MacAlister's "Bring Out Your Dead" is about Ysabelle, a counselor to newly made zombies, who meets Sebastian, a vampire who falls madly in love with her and must protect her from a demon.

In Minda Webber's "Lucy and the Crypt Casanova" the host of a cheesy talk show who frequently gets into trouble because of her paranormal guests finds that the police detective investigating the same incubus case as she is the long-lost vampire love of her life.

What did I think of it:
I bought this book for the Katie Macalister story "Bring Out Your Dead" and that story is fun like all her Dark One stories and has a very cool zombie named William. I do think it's not a very good standalone novella though. You need to have read at least book two and three of her Dark Ones series to grasp all of this story.

Take note: "Bring Out Your Dead" has also been printed in another anthology called "My Zombie Valentine".

On to the other two stories:

"Viva Las Vampires" is quite an entertaining story. The action storyline is paper thin and it focuses more on some steamy romance and smut, but is quite enjoyable at that.

"Lucy and the Crypt Casanova" wasn't my kind of story. I do not like the 'old lovers who broke up meet again, fight and kiss and make up' kind of plots, so I didn't much like this novella.

Why should you read it:
A nice read for any Vampire Romance fan.

Ghost of a Chance - Book Review

Ghost of a Chance (Karma Marx, #1) by Kate Marsh (Katie Macalister)

What is it about:
Karma Marx exorcises haunted houses, sending troublesome poltergeists and other spirits to the ever after. But one assignment traps Karma, her foster child, her sleazy soon-to-be-ex husband, Spider, and his crooked partner under one roof. And when Spider turns up dead, it's a locked house mystery, and Karma's determined to reveal the truth, even if it means tackling all of the mansion's inhabitants-mortal and otherwise...

What did I think of it:
A nice, if somewhat shaky mystery with an intriguing setting. In this book Macalister (writing under the name Marsh) proves she doesn't need snarky characters and steamy romance to keep you reading. I really liked how she uses creatures she also uses in her Dark Ones series and expands on them in this story. I also really liked Karma and Macalister's writing style holds up perfectly when stripped of the snark, which made it a lot more serious than her Dark Ones books, but I must say I enjoyed the more serious tone. The plot was a bit wobbly at times, but all in all I really enjoyed reading this book and I hope there will be more books in this series.

Why should you read it:
It's a nicely written paranormal whodunnit

A Girl's Guide to Vampires - A Book Review by Voodoo Bride

A Girl's Guide to Vampires by Katie Macalister

What is it about:
All Joy Randall wants is a little old-fashioned romance, but when she participates in a "Goddess evoking" ceremony with her friend, Roxy, Joy finds out her future true love is a man with the potential to put her immortal soul in danger. At first the ever-practical Joy is ready to dismiss her vision as a product of too much gin and too many vampire romances, but while traveling through the Czech Republic with Roxy, Joy begins to have some second thoughts about her mystery lover because she is suddenly plagued by visions of a lethally handsome stranger. Then, when she and Roxy attend a local GothFaire, Joy meets Raphael Griffin St. John, head of security, and she becomes even more bewildered because the dark and dangerous Raphael seems too close to her dreams for comfort.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
If you're looking for a light, funny, romantic and steamy read that also has some mystery going on this is the perfect book to pick up! Aside from yet again a bit of Goth bashing this book is pure fun. Joy is a cool, quirky lead character and the males (yes: plural! But don't be expecting a menage, merely a triangle or square) aren't half bad either! Macalister's vampires are original and very cool, but luckily they do comply to some universal vampire rules I think every vampire should comply to (meaning no sparkles) so I could really love them. All in all an enjoyable read and after finishing this book I ran out to buy more books in this series.

Why should you read it:
Steamy Romance and Vampires!