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Dark Ones #2 - Dark Ones 2
Sex and the Single Vampire
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".
326 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 27, 2005
154 people are currently reading
3366 people want to read
About the author
Katie MacAlister
121 books5,975 followersFor as long as she can remember, Katie MacAlister has loved reading. Growing up in a family where a weekly visit to the library was a given, Katie spent much of her time with her nose buried in a book. Despite her love for novels, she didn't think of writing them until she was contracted to write a non-fiction book about software. Since her editor refused to allow her to include either witty dialogue or love scenes in the software book, Katie swiftly resolved to switch to fiction, where she could indulge in world building, tormenting characters, and falling madly in love with all her heroes.
Two years after she started writing novels, Katie sold her first romance, Noble Intentions. More than thirty books followed during the years after Noble's publication. Her novels have been translated into numerous languages, been recorded as audiobooks, received several awards, and placed on the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. She also writes for the young adult audience as Katie Maxwell, and for the mystery world as Kate Marsh.
Katie lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and dogs, and can often be found lurking around online.
Two years after she started writing novels, Katie sold her first romance, Noble Intentions. More than thirty books followed during the years after Noble's publication. Her novels have been translated into numerous languages, been recorded as audiobooks, received several awards, and placed on the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. She also writes for the young adult audience as Katie Maxwell, and for the mystery world as Kate Marsh.
Katie lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and dogs, and can often be found lurking around online.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 342 reviews
March 6, 2023
This was a lot more fun to read than the first book in the Dark Ones series, A Girl's Guide to Vampires. The four main characters from the debut are here too, but Joy, Roxy, and Raphael have rather minor roles (Roxy is still annoying and Joy is quite pregnant & on the sidelines). The focus this time is on Christian, the Moravian Dark One (vampire) who's spent nine centuries "in search of the one woman who can redeem his soul."
That happens if he Joins with his Beloved, who then becomes immortal but not a vampire. The Joining (uppercase required) means that the Dark One feeds on nothing but his Beloved's blood, which is immediately poisonous to any other Dark One. (That last bit actually comes up in a critical scene.)
The story is told in the first person by Allie (for Allegra) Telford, and instead of being an ordinary mundane mortal (you know them as Muggles) like Joy or Roxy she's a Summoner. Supposedly she knows how to Summon, Bind, and Release "spiritual entities," as her boss at the United Psychical Research Association in Sacramento, California calls them, but she's unproven; she hasn't managed to Summon anything yet (with the capital S of course), and she's been sent to London, England for a last chance to prove herself in a place that's teeming with ghosts.
Long story short, she manages to summon the ghost of a three-legged cat, who behaves exactly like a live cat. Eventually we get to meet the cat's owner, the ghost of a middle-aged, very proper lady named Esme who calls her cat Mr. Woogums. Before that, though, she meets Christian in a bizarre state, mistakes him for a ghost, and tries to Release him to the ever after.
The real ghosts, five or six in all, are a laugh riot, and I was delighted that, right from that unlikely beginning, the conversations between Christian and Allie raised my laugh meter too! For me that's the best kind of romance, with plenty of humor between the principals in addition to the sex, love, and sacrifice.
And yes, they come along for the ride when Allie and Christian confront a powerful demon and the nasty humans who work with him. The latter head up the Association of Research Mediums and Psychics Investigation Trust, referred throughout the story by their acronym ARMPIT. You get the idea. The action becomes intense, Allie's latent powers emerge, and Christian's character has unexpected depth. Recommended!
That happens if he Joins with his Beloved, who then becomes immortal but not a vampire. The Joining (uppercase required) means that the Dark One feeds on nothing but his Beloved's blood, which is immediately poisonous to any other Dark One. (That last bit actually comes up in a critical scene.)
The story is told in the first person by Allie (for Allegra) Telford, and instead of being an ordinary mundane mortal (you know them as Muggles) like Joy or Roxy she's a Summoner. Supposedly she knows how to Summon, Bind, and Release "spiritual entities," as her boss at the United Psychical Research Association in Sacramento, California calls them, but she's unproven; she hasn't managed to Summon anything yet (with the capital S of course), and she's been sent to London, England for a last chance to prove herself in a place that's teeming with ghosts.
Long story short, she manages to summon the ghost of a three-legged cat, who behaves exactly like a live cat. Eventually we get to meet the cat's owner, the ghost of a middle-aged, very proper lady named Esme who calls her cat Mr. Woogums. Before that, though, she meets Christian in a bizarre state, mistakes him for a ghost, and tries to Release him to the ever after.
The real ghosts, five or six in all, are a laugh riot, and I was delighted that, right from that unlikely beginning, the conversations between Christian and Allie raised my laugh meter too! For me that's the best kind of romance, with plenty of humor between the principals in addition to the sex, love, and sacrifice.
So it was that an hour after I described to Christian just how I would geld him (with a grapefruit knife and two egg cups), we sat in his comfortable study with Joy, Raphael, Roxy, and the ghosts (minus Alis, who had been left in an empty bedroom with several inexpensive ceramic knickknacks to amuse her.)Besides Esme and Mr. Woogums, the ghosts include Alis Owens, who screams in Welsh at expensive ceramic urns; Jem Hopkins, a teenage boy who imitates characters he sees on TV; Antonio, a swaggering Spaniard from the Golden Age; Honoria, a pouty little girl from Victorian times. When she needs to, Allie binds each one into its own "fuzzy bobble" (sic) from her sweater.
And yes, they come along for the ride when Allie and Christian confront a powerful demon and the nasty humans who work with him. The latter head up the Association of Research Mediums and Psychics Investigation Trust, referred throughout the story by their acronym ARMPIT. You get the idea. The action becomes intense, Allie's latent powers emerge, and Christian's character has unexpected depth. Recommended!
May 20, 2010
I absolutely loved the first book in this series (A Girl's Guide To Vampires) but I have to say that Sex and the Single Vampire surpassed my expectations and was a fantastic read. While you could probably get away with reading this as a stand alone book I would recommend reading the books in order as this continues very nicely from the first book & has guest appearances from previous characters. Reading this book first would give you a big clue to the ending of the first book.
Allie is a Summoner but not a very successful one - in fact she is on a warning from her boss that unless she proves herself during this trip to London she won't have a job to come back to. When she manages to Summon the ghost of a cat she is over the moon but before long she seems to be collecting ghosts left right & centre. This may be fantastic for her career but unless she can work out a way to Release them into the afterlife it looks like she is going to be stuck with them.
She is also seeing visions - naked & bleeding from multiple cuts the man she sees is telling her she is the only one who can save him. She is surprised when she bumps into Christian and realises he is the man from her visions. He is a Moravian Dark One and he believes she is his Beloved - the only one who can save his soul. Allie has had a bad past with men - she has escaped from an abusive relationship and has no intention of ever letting a man have any kind of control over her again. The last thing she is looking for is a relationship & she doesn't take kindly to Christian's attempts to protect her. There is an instant attraction between them though which leads to fireworks between them.
This book had all the hilarity of A Girl's Guide to Vampires & more. We get to see Joy & Roxy from the previous book and the addition of the ghosts just adds to the fun and games. There is also plenty of action - Christian's friend is missing and Allie offers to join the search to help find him - they come across enemies that seem almost impossible to beat and it will take all their combined efforts to come through this. Allie is strong, independent & the Queen of rants and witty one-liners and I couldn't help but fall in love with Christian. This book kept me gripped from the very first page and I didn't want it to end. I'm just pleased that there are more books in the series & I can't wait to continue reading them. I really can't recommend this book enough.
Allie is a Summoner but not a very successful one - in fact she is on a warning from her boss that unless she proves herself during this trip to London she won't have a job to come back to. When she manages to Summon the ghost of a cat she is over the moon but before long she seems to be collecting ghosts left right & centre. This may be fantastic for her career but unless she can work out a way to Release them into the afterlife it looks like she is going to be stuck with them.
She is also seeing visions - naked & bleeding from multiple cuts the man she sees is telling her she is the only one who can save him. She is surprised when she bumps into Christian and realises he is the man from her visions. He is a Moravian Dark One and he believes she is his Beloved - the only one who can save his soul. Allie has had a bad past with men - she has escaped from an abusive relationship and has no intention of ever letting a man have any kind of control over her again. The last thing she is looking for is a relationship & she doesn't take kindly to Christian's attempts to protect her. There is an instant attraction between them though which leads to fireworks between them.
This book had all the hilarity of A Girl's Guide to Vampires & more. We get to see Joy & Roxy from the previous book and the addition of the ghosts just adds to the fun and games. There is also plenty of action - Christian's friend is missing and Allie offers to join the search to help find him - they come across enemies that seem almost impossible to beat and it will take all their combined efforts to come through this. Allie is strong, independent & the Queen of rants and witty one-liners and I couldn't help but fall in love with Christian. This book kept me gripped from the very first page and I didn't want it to end. I'm just pleased that there are more books in the series & I can't wait to continue reading them. I really can't recommend this book enough.
January 5, 2021
This is the first vampire book I've ever read and I beyond loved it. It's what got me in to reading.
April 24, 2013
Vamps, magic and humour...what more could a book need??
Description:
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.
My Thoughts,
A MUCH better book than the first one! Christian is a different character. He is more Alpha,has more personality and more Vamp. Allie has a much better personality and was much easier to connect with than the heroines in the first book. Over all this outing was hands down better than book one. The plot was crisper and moved faster with out all the fluff and arguing. Yes there was humour but it was just that humour, not nasty picking. I think this novel is really the "first" novel in the series setting us up for alpha vamps, solid Beloveds and a deeper plot. I am looking forward to reading the next book.
3. 5 stars for this much better book...if the series keeps going in this direction I think we will reach 5 stars in the series. I would recommend this book as a good fun read.
See t'irla's talk for more reviews tirlastalk.blogspot.ca READ RATE REVIEW the author thanks you.
Description:
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.
My Thoughts,
A MUCH better book than the first one! Christian is a different character. He is more Alpha,has more personality and more Vamp. Allie has a much better personality and was much easier to connect with than the heroines in the first book. Over all this outing was hands down better than book one. The plot was crisper and moved faster with out all the fluff and arguing. Yes there was humour but it was just that humour, not nasty picking. I think this novel is really the "first" novel in the series setting us up for alpha vamps, solid Beloveds and a deeper plot. I am looking forward to reading the next book.
3. 5 stars for this much better book...if the series keeps going in this direction I think we will reach 5 stars in the series. I would recommend this book as a good fun read.
See t'irla's talk for more reviews tirlastalk.blogspot.ca READ RATE REVIEW the author thanks you.
March 15, 2017
Absolutely terrible. Honestly one of the worst books I've read in a long, long time.
October 5, 2010
Just finished rereading this. It was just as good the 5th time around. I never get tired of Katie Macalister's writing. She's brilliant to say the least.
There are SO many favorite parts for me in this book, but the one that gets me every time is when Noelle is sucking on that gold stick of hers she uses for... I suppose everything involving demony stuff. It's just so her. "She leaned back on her heels and sucked the tip of her gold stick. "Asmodeus, eh?" "
She's one of the best characters, that keeps showing up in many of the books. It seems like she might be getting a book soon. I'm crossing my fingers. I know a lot of people have been waiting a while for it.
As for Allegra and Christian, I know people were pleading for his book, but it was already out by the time I picked up the series. I did however, quickly fall in love with him and his domineering ways too. :) Allegra is the perfect one for him. She's spunky and I love her eyes.
One of my favorite scenes is in the beginning in the book store when they ask each other what and who they are. From there, obviously, Joy and Roxy get involved. It was bliss to read this book, and so nice to see everyone back from the first novel. I like how Katie's characters "keep in touch" and we get to keep seeing them in each other's novels.
Another one of my favorite paragraphs is the one that ends with 'Here Be Dragons'. I'm just so into mid-evil and that saying had such a feel to it! "...Hopelessness filled that room, and reminded me of the antique maps where cartographers had penned images of monstrous sea creatures with the notation that "Here be dragons."
Last but not least is the ghosts.I crack the F Up when I read about them. Esme always gets on my nerves at first, me hating being told what to do, but she grows on you. Dragging the bible, taking care of Honoria, Mr. Woogums, it's hilarious. Oh, and the sausage curls. Jem is amazing too. His constant "costume" change is great. From rapper to wrestler, and missing a tongue, he's one of the funniest. I like his accent too. Antonia, O Antonio! One of my favorite lines of his is when he's so disappointed that Allegra had joined with Christian he asks if she'll have lots of girl babies, and if one of them will grow up and know that she's his. Last but not least is Alis. He china-hating ways are sidesplitting. Every time I read about her screaming at ceramics, I lose it! Her character is just so descriptive and mind boggling. Welsh woman with an old wrinkled prune face who use to sust this old man's valuables and now hates anything expensive. LMAO. She even has a favorite vase to hate.
ONE LAST THING! (I know, I keep saying that, This book is just so HILARIOUS!)
"Oriens. Now would one of you mind telling me why neither of you is averting your eyes from my dreadful presence, so monstrous that my very being is unbearable to humankind?"
Noelle snickered, quickly converting it into a cough.
"Well, possibly," I said, feeling my lips twitch again. "But maybe first you would tell us why you chose to manifest yourself in the form of Shirley Temple as last seen on the 'Good Ship Lollipop'?"
The demon twirled around, its big pink sash fluttering as it smoothed down its dress and frilly little petticoat. "My grotesque form isn't making you sick with fright?"
We both shook our heads, Noelle with a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing out loud. "Shirley Temple at her pinnacle was frightening," I finally told it, "but not in the sense I think you mean."
The demon's little golden curls bobbed as it stamped its foot. "It's that Morilen! He told me that this form would strike terror in the hearts of humans!"
There are SO many favorite parts for me in this book, but the one that gets me every time is when Noelle is sucking on that gold stick of hers she uses for... I suppose everything involving demony stuff. It's just so her. "She leaned back on her heels and sucked the tip of her gold stick. "Asmodeus, eh?" "
She's one of the best characters, that keeps showing up in many of the books. It seems like she might be getting a book soon. I'm crossing my fingers. I know a lot of people have been waiting a while for it.
As for Allegra and Christian, I know people were pleading for his book, but it was already out by the time I picked up the series. I did however, quickly fall in love with him and his domineering ways too. :) Allegra is the perfect one for him. She's spunky and I love her eyes.
One of my favorite scenes is in the beginning in the book store when they ask each other what and who they are. From there, obviously, Joy and Roxy get involved. It was bliss to read this book, and so nice to see everyone back from the first novel. I like how Katie's characters "keep in touch" and we get to keep seeing them in each other's novels.
Another one of my favorite paragraphs is the one that ends with 'Here Be Dragons'. I'm just so into mid-evil and that saying had such a feel to it! "...Hopelessness filled that room, and reminded me of the antique maps where cartographers had penned images of monstrous sea creatures with the notation that "Here be dragons."
Last but not least is the ghosts.I crack the F Up when I read about them. Esme always gets on my nerves at first, me hating being told what to do, but she grows on you. Dragging the bible, taking care of Honoria, Mr. Woogums, it's hilarious. Oh, and the sausage curls. Jem is amazing too. His constant "costume" change is great. From rapper to wrestler, and missing a tongue, he's one of the funniest. I like his accent too. Antonia, O Antonio! One of my favorite lines of his is when he's so disappointed that Allegra had joined with Christian he asks if she'll have lots of girl babies, and if one of them will grow up and know that she's his. Last but not least is Alis. He china-hating ways are sidesplitting. Every time I read about her screaming at ceramics, I lose it! Her character is just so descriptive and mind boggling. Welsh woman with an old wrinkled prune face who use to sust this old man's valuables and now hates anything expensive. LMAO. She even has a favorite vase to hate.
ONE LAST THING! (I know, I keep saying that, This book is just so HILARIOUS!)
"Oriens. Now would one of you mind telling me why neither of you is averting your eyes from my dreadful presence, so monstrous that my very being is unbearable to humankind?"
Noelle snickered, quickly converting it into a cough.
"Well, possibly," I said, feeling my lips twitch again. "But maybe first you would tell us why you chose to manifest yourself in the form of Shirley Temple as last seen on the 'Good Ship Lollipop'?"
The demon twirled around, its big pink sash fluttering as it smoothed down its dress and frilly little petticoat. "My grotesque form isn't making you sick with fright?"
We both shook our heads, Noelle with a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing out loud. "Shirley Temple at her pinnacle was frightening," I finally told it, "but not in the sense I think you mean."
The demon's little golden curls bobbed as it stamped its foot. "It's that Morilen! He told me that this form would strike terror in the hearts of humans!"
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2011
Ugh, this book was really not for me. It had a lot of the things that I really dislike in books: possessive men who think they have to control women, annoying side characters, insta-love, men with long hair,and a very misleading cover. There's something to say about it when I put it down to watch an episode of Lost Girl that I've already watched on the same day.
I haven't read the first book, A Girl's Guide to Vampires, and I definitely will not be reading it now. The whole premise sounded good for Sex and the Single Vampire. And the cover! It looked like a book with a heroine who would be kicking vampire ass and having some good times in the sack. And it wasn't anything like that. Had I found the book with a different cover than the one I have, I would have passed it up. Why did she have a stake? And blond hair? And the same coloured eyes?
I'm getting off track.
Yes, there was sex, but it was so fluffy that it felt like the author was kind of writing around the actual act. Part of the time I wanted to skip past their conversations during it because it was the same conversation back and forth. I didn't like the mind-talking. It was irritating, not endearing.
And the hair on Christian. Why do authors think long hair is sooooo sexy on men? How many women find it really attractive? I don't. I don't like it in the Black Dagger Brotherhood books, or the Highlander books, so I didn't like it in this book either. A small part, but it still makes me roll my eyes when Allie talks about his hair.
Joy and Roxy. They are the main reason I won't read the first book-despite the whole plot being given away after reading the second book first-because I honestly hated them. They didn't serve any purpose other than to be annoying and vague and stupid.
And the last thing I feel the need to harp on is the insta-love. This book took place over what, four, maybe five days and Allegra and Christian are soul mates? I didn't buy into the Beloved crap. It was too corny and not well explained. Yet I see insta-love in many, many books. Why is this? I don't know of anyone every falling in love in days. Let alone a month.
Sorry, this book just didn't do it. I gave it 2 out of 5 because I liked the ghosts some of the time. I'm putting the stress on SOME because there were a lot of times that I didn't like them either. Actually, I liked the cat the entire time.
Man, this is the most negative review I've ever done. I'm going to have to read something amazing to get me over this crap.
I haven't read the first book, A Girl's Guide to Vampires, and I definitely will not be reading it now. The whole premise sounded good for Sex and the Single Vampire. And the cover! It looked like a book with a heroine who would be kicking vampire ass and having some good times in the sack. And it wasn't anything like that. Had I found the book with a different cover than the one I have, I would have passed it up. Why did she have a stake? And blond hair? And the same coloured eyes?
I'm getting off track.
Yes, there was sex, but it was so fluffy that it felt like the author was kind of writing around the actual act. Part of the time I wanted to skip past their conversations during it because it was the same conversation back and forth. I didn't like the mind-talking. It was irritating, not endearing.
And the hair on Christian. Why do authors think long hair is sooooo sexy on men? How many women find it really attractive? I don't. I don't like it in the Black Dagger Brotherhood books, or the Highlander books, so I didn't like it in this book either. A small part, but it still makes me roll my eyes when Allie talks about his hair.
Joy and Roxy. They are the main reason I won't read the first book-despite the whole plot being given away after reading the second book first-because I honestly hated them. They didn't serve any purpose other than to be annoying and vague and stupid.
And the last thing I feel the need to harp on is the insta-love. This book took place over what, four, maybe five days and Allegra and Christian are soul mates? I didn't buy into the Beloved crap. It was too corny and not well explained. Yet I see insta-love in many, many books. Why is this? I don't know of anyone every falling in love in days. Let alone a month.
Sorry, this book just didn't do it. I gave it 2 out of 5 because I liked the ghosts some of the time. I'm putting the stress on SOME because there were a lot of times that I didn't like them either. Actually, I liked the cat the entire time.
Man, this is the most negative review I've ever done. I'm going to have to read something amazing to get me over this crap.
July 21, 2017
This review was originally published at Grab the Lapels! Please click the link to see the review formatted with images.
Content Warning: memories of domestic violence, some fat shaming, a lot of very low-key sex scenes.
Sex and the Single Vampire (Dark Ones #2) by Katie MacAlister follows one of the characters from the previous novel, A Girl’s Guide to Vampires. It is a minor spoiler to say that in the first book, Joy ends up with Raphael, and Christian is the vampire. One fun, cheeky thing about Christian is he is the famous author of books about Moravian vampires, which women eat up like mad. Little do they know, his books might as well be autobiography.
Christian is the focus of this novel. He needs to find his Beloved to save his soul from eternal suffering. He thought it was Joy, and no one has ever heard of a Moravian being wrong about who his Beloved is. But Joy loves Raphael, so she promises Christian that she and Roxy will find Christian’s true Beloved.
Enter Allegra. She is an American summoner who has never actually summoned a ghost. Her last chance is to head to a hotel in London that has reported some active spirits. There, she finally succeeds! . . . and summons a three-legged cat. Allegra is still proud of herself, but loses focus when she has visions of a man covered in blood. She actually locates this man the next day, exactly as she had seen him in her vision, only for him to shoo her away. The nerve!
The book dips into meta-fiction like A Girl’s Guide to Vampires did when Allegra heads to a book signing by C.J. Dante in order to get a copy of the newest novel and get it signed by the author. After waiting for ages she gets to the front, and it’s the man . . . the one who was bleeding. Allegra is quickly swept away by two women, whom she learns are Roxy and Joy. They explain that they think Allegra is Christian’s Beloved and will explain everything.
Sex and the Single Vampire came out in 2004, just one year after the first book. I was not aware that the books would need to be read in order! I never commit to series. Except now I have. To not be ashamed of nineteen-year-old me. *sigh* I listened to the audio book, which is narrated by Cassie Campbell. Google tells me she’s famous and has all kinds of awards. The novel is told from Allegra’s perspective, and all I could think about when I heard the Allegra voice was sweet kittens and Frances from The Great British Baking Show.
That’s . . . not really a compliment. Frances always sounded babyish to me, and when we’re talking about the narrator’s voice, well, you want something strong, crisp, and clear.
Weirdly enough, Cassie Campbell’s voices for the Czechoslovakian Christian, British Esme, and German Guarda are all fantastic! I would say Campbell’s voice for Christian is actually better than Karen White’s in the first audio book because it’s not so slow and hesitating. Since Christian’s role was smaller in A Girls Guide to Vampires, it could be halting. As a main character, a similarly slow voice would have made the book drag.
The plot needed some love. This novel feels like the result of multiple editors all trying to have their way, which creates strong and weak moments all over the place. Awesome: Allegra and Christian communicating in each other’s minds takes the place of those annoying modern cell phones. Negative: the motives and actions of the bad guys make almost no sense. Awesome: Allegra’s choice to be stubborn is appropriate because she is the victim of domestic abuse. She only does things when she’s ready and comfortable. Awesome: this patience extends to Christian’s and Allegra’s choices in their sexual relationship. He says, “Ask me to stop and I will” and that they will wait “until the time is right” when Allegra feels comfortable. Negative: zero mention of contraceptives, though we know Moravian vampires can have babies. Negative: Allegra’s brain doesn’t want to have sex with Christian, but her body does, which implies women aren’t in control of their bodies. Let’s not do that. The diet industry will do that for us.
Also Negative: Allegra is so unsure because she was abused by her ex-husband (she’s actually physically disabled as a result), but fairly quickly develops a sexual relationship with Christian without knowing much about him. Why not put off the physical relationship for at least a week and get to know him. In passing, it’s mentioned that Christian had a brother who died, his dad was made a Moravian but Christian was born one, and that he was knighted. Huh. More conversations first would have led to a more satisfying payoff when we get to the sexual relationship. I think MacAlister was relying on the whole Beloved thing to bypass the characters getting to know each other because a Beloved and Moravian are made for each other, end of discussion. It doesn’t work for me.
The sex scenes take up a lot more space in this second book — a chapter may end with a sex scene and the next one begin with “round two” — but they’re still full of euphemisms, even more so than the first book! We get a lot of “we joined,” which is nice, but it’s also confusing because the whole point of a Beloved is for her to “join” with her Dark One, which is different than sex. Thus, we get a lot of “joining” in various ways, which leads to a repetitive feel to what’s happening.
On a positive note, there is a lot of humor! Allegra raises her first human ghost, a British woman named Esme. Summoning requires Dead Man’s Ash, which Allegra sprinkles all over. Christian, watching her, says, again, in that amazing Czech accent, “That looks rather messy. Isn’t there a more efficient way to summon a spirit?” Then, after Esme is summoned, the first thing she does is criticize Allegra’s clothes (I think Esme is some sort of Emily Post-type). Allegra responds:
Joy and Roxy are reduced to almost nothing. Joy is hugely pregnant (guess we learn a condom tear in Book #1 leads to babies in Book #2) and Roxy calls her fat, a pig, and a beached whale. Roxy says Joy’s child will be messed up because she’s engaged, not married. Whoa, nellie! What? Seriously? In 2004? I’m not sure what the author’s intentions are with Roxy, but she’s a childish and annoying character that adds so little. Joy has been boiled down to saying, “Roxyyyyyy” to scold her friend when she asks Allegra questions like, “Did you guys do the nasty?” What, is Roxy 13? Wait, no, sometime over the past year she did get married and lose her virginity. She’s an adult woman. There was so much potential in this book, but it’s not one that I will read again.
Content Warning: memories of domestic violence, some fat shaming, a lot of very low-key sex scenes.
Sex and the Single Vampire (Dark Ones #2) by Katie MacAlister follows one of the characters from the previous novel, A Girl’s Guide to Vampires. It is a minor spoiler to say that in the first book, Joy ends up with Raphael, and Christian is the vampire. One fun, cheeky thing about Christian is he is the famous author of books about Moravian vampires, which women eat up like mad. Little do they know, his books might as well be autobiography.
Christian is the focus of this novel. He needs to find his Beloved to save his soul from eternal suffering. He thought it was Joy, and no one has ever heard of a Moravian being wrong about who his Beloved is. But Joy loves Raphael, so she promises Christian that she and Roxy will find Christian’s true Beloved.
Enter Allegra. She is an American summoner who has never actually summoned a ghost. Her last chance is to head to a hotel in London that has reported some active spirits. There, she finally succeeds! . . . and summons a three-legged cat. Allegra is still proud of herself, but loses focus when she has visions of a man covered in blood. She actually locates this man the next day, exactly as she had seen him in her vision, only for him to shoo her away. The nerve!
The book dips into meta-fiction like A Girl’s Guide to Vampires did when Allegra heads to a book signing by C.J. Dante in order to get a copy of the newest novel and get it signed by the author. After waiting for ages she gets to the front, and it’s the man . . . the one who was bleeding. Allegra is quickly swept away by two women, whom she learns are Roxy and Joy. They explain that they think Allegra is Christian’s Beloved and will explain everything.
Sex and the Single Vampire came out in 2004, just one year after the first book. I was not aware that the books would need to be read in order! I never commit to series. Except now I have. To not be ashamed of nineteen-year-old me. *sigh* I listened to the audio book, which is narrated by Cassie Campbell. Google tells me she’s famous and has all kinds of awards. The novel is told from Allegra’s perspective, and all I could think about when I heard the Allegra voice was sweet kittens and Frances from The Great British Baking Show.
That’s . . . not really a compliment. Frances always sounded babyish to me, and when we’re talking about the narrator’s voice, well, you want something strong, crisp, and clear.
Weirdly enough, Cassie Campbell’s voices for the Czechoslovakian Christian, British Esme, and German Guarda are all fantastic! I would say Campbell’s voice for Christian is actually better than Karen White’s in the first audio book because it’s not so slow and hesitating. Since Christian’s role was smaller in A Girls Guide to Vampires, it could be halting. As a main character, a similarly slow voice would have made the book drag.
The plot needed some love. This novel feels like the result of multiple editors all trying to have their way, which creates strong and weak moments all over the place. Awesome: Allegra and Christian communicating in each other’s minds takes the place of those annoying modern cell phones. Negative: the motives and actions of the bad guys make almost no sense. Awesome: Allegra’s choice to be stubborn is appropriate because she is the victim of domestic abuse. She only does things when she’s ready and comfortable. Awesome: this patience extends to Christian’s and Allegra’s choices in their sexual relationship. He says, “Ask me to stop and I will” and that they will wait “until the time is right” when Allegra feels comfortable. Negative: zero mention of contraceptives, though we know Moravian vampires can have babies. Negative: Allegra’s brain doesn’t want to have sex with Christian, but her body does, which implies women aren’t in control of their bodies. Let’s not do that. The diet industry will do that for us.
Also Negative: Allegra is so unsure because she was abused by her ex-husband (she’s actually physically disabled as a result), but fairly quickly develops a sexual relationship with Christian without knowing much about him. Why not put off the physical relationship for at least a week and get to know him. In passing, it’s mentioned that Christian had a brother who died, his dad was made a Moravian but Christian was born one, and that he was knighted. Huh. More conversations first would have led to a more satisfying payoff when we get to the sexual relationship. I think MacAlister was relying on the whole Beloved thing to bypass the characters getting to know each other because a Beloved and Moravian are made for each other, end of discussion. It doesn’t work for me.
The sex scenes take up a lot more space in this second book — a chapter may end with a sex scene and the next one begin with “round two” — but they’re still full of euphemisms, even more so than the first book! We get a lot of “we joined,” which is nice, but it’s also confusing because the whole point of a Beloved is for her to “join” with her Dark One, which is different than sex. Thus, we get a lot of “joining” in various ways, which leads to a repetitive feel to what’s happening.
On a positive note, there is a lot of humor! Allegra raises her first human ghost, a British woman named Esme. Summoning requires Dead Man’s Ash, which Allegra sprinkles all over. Christian, watching her, says, again, in that amazing Czech accent, “That looks rather messy. Isn’t there a more efficient way to summon a spirit?” Then, after Esme is summoned, the first thing she does is criticize Allegra’s clothes (I think Esme is some sort of Emily Post-type). Allegra responds:
“Esme, you’re not my mother. And you are dead. Those are just two reasons why advice from you is not needed.”
Her lower lip quivered, and her eyes filled with ghostly tears.
[Christian said,] “I hope you are pleased with yourself. You have made a spirit cry.”
There are lots of dry little back-and-forths with Allegra and Christian . . . mostly before they’ve decided to have sex for the first time. I wished we got more!
Joy and Roxy are reduced to almost nothing. Joy is hugely pregnant (guess we learn a condom tear in Book #1 leads to babies in Book #2) and Roxy calls her fat, a pig, and a beached whale. Roxy says Joy’s child will be messed up because she’s engaged, not married. Whoa, nellie! What? Seriously? In 2004? I’m not sure what the author’s intentions are with Roxy, but she’s a childish and annoying character that adds so little. Joy has been boiled down to saying, “Roxyyyyyy” to scold her friend when she asks Allegra questions like, “Did you guys do the nasty?” What, is Roxy 13? Wait, no, sometime over the past year she did get married and lose her virginity. She’s an adult woman. There was so much potential in this book, but it’s not one that I will read again.
July 11, 2013
What drew me to this book was the paranormal element - Summoner Allegra Telford is under the gun to produce a ghost for her boss... or she's out of a job. So the idea of introducing a vampire wasn't so far-fetched and I went with it. Apparently there's a first book that I missed in this series, but frankly, the info dumps led me to believe I didn't miss anything by skipping it.
Which unfortunately brings me to the substance of my review. This book was a hot mess. And not in a good way. Aside from the aforementioned (and numerous) info dumps throughout the book - and done in a way that was much too convenient for the lazy plot - the book just seemed to be all over the place. Like it didn't know what to do next, so it just did everything. Verb tenses changed A LOT - sometimes within the same sentence. And I'm sorry, but as a fellow writer (and an editor, I just cannot condone that. The dialogue was ridiculous in places, with characters talking over each other about completely unrelated things. Seriously, what purpose do Joy and Roxy serve except as really obvious comic relief? They are not integral to the plot AT ALL. Allie would have met Christian all on her own and she's a smart girl - she would have gotten a pretty quick read on his situation.
Let's take a moment and ponder names: I'm sorry, but since 50 Shades of Crap, I'm forever allergic to a name like Christian. And I must admit at times this book read like reworked fan fiction. So it made me wonder... And I looked up Love Spell online and found out it was defunct. It was also published by Harper Collins ebooks, but I have to wonder about the circumstances. I also found a number of silly typos (things like typing a z instead of an s). Not to mention so many awkwardly worded and way too long sentences that had me doing double and triple takes to see if I'd read them correctly.
Technical edits aside, I feel like this book could have benefited from a good developmental edit. Plot points seem to tumble out as after-thoughts, explained away via info dumps and long narratives. Magical "rules" in Allie's world are explained only when she's doing something and the reader doesn't know why or how. It's certainly a good lesson for other writers: get your world-building and lore down BEFORE you get working on the book. Talk about wasted opportunity. Also wasted is a potential glimpse into Christian's likely-sordid past. Nothing! Oh, Allie mentions as a side-note that somewhere along the way, he told her he was once a knight. Seriously? Just throw it in as explanation for his "heroic" qualities? I'm not buying it.
And regarding C.J. Dante's "charms" - seriously, people, when are we going to stop worshiping men who prefer to dominate and control their women? I do find it redeemable that Allie doesn't put up with his crap, but it's only because she was the victim of spousal abuse. Really?! Why does everyone have to have the sob story? Why can't women just be strong when they want to be, and men be flexible in relationships? Why do we romanticize these things? But I digress.
Another thing that kind of bugs me about this book is the title (and the cover design). Frankly, this book has little to do with sex. Or a single vampire. It has to do with the relationship and connection between a Dark One and his Beloved. Are there female Dark Ones, I wonder? Don't know. The book doesn't focus at all about Christian's world. I'm throwing in my vote for this book to be renamed to something like... Beloved? The Bloodsucker and the Ghost Hunter?
Thankfully, this book didn't take long to read. Now I'm going to check out Chuck Wendig's recommendations for good reads. I'm tired of stumbling around in the dark.
Which unfortunately brings me to the substance of my review. This book was a hot mess. And not in a good way. Aside from the aforementioned (and numerous) info dumps throughout the book - and done in a way that was much too convenient for the lazy plot - the book just seemed to be all over the place. Like it didn't know what to do next, so it just did everything. Verb tenses changed A LOT - sometimes within the same sentence. And I'm sorry, but as a fellow writer (and an editor, I just cannot condone that. The dialogue was ridiculous in places, with characters talking over each other about completely unrelated things. Seriously, what purpose do Joy and Roxy serve except as really obvious comic relief? They are not integral to the plot AT ALL. Allie would have met Christian all on her own and she's a smart girl - she would have gotten a pretty quick read on his situation.
Let's take a moment and ponder names: I'm sorry, but since 50 Shades of Crap, I'm forever allergic to a name like Christian. And I must admit at times this book read like reworked fan fiction. So it made me wonder... And I looked up Love Spell online and found out it was defunct. It was also published by Harper Collins ebooks, but I have to wonder about the circumstances. I also found a number of silly typos (things like typing a z instead of an s). Not to mention so many awkwardly worded and way too long sentences that had me doing double and triple takes to see if I'd read them correctly.
Technical edits aside, I feel like this book could have benefited from a good developmental edit. Plot points seem to tumble out as after-thoughts, explained away via info dumps and long narratives. Magical "rules" in Allie's world are explained only when she's doing something and the reader doesn't know why or how. It's certainly a good lesson for other writers: get your world-building and lore down BEFORE you get working on the book. Talk about wasted opportunity. Also wasted is a potential glimpse into Christian's likely-sordid past. Nothing! Oh, Allie mentions as a side-note that somewhere along the way, he told her he was once a knight. Seriously? Just throw it in as explanation for his "heroic" qualities? I'm not buying it.
And regarding C.J. Dante's "charms" - seriously, people, when are we going to stop worshiping men who prefer to dominate and control their women? I do find it redeemable that Allie doesn't put up with his crap, but it's only because she was the victim of spousal abuse. Really?! Why does everyone have to have the sob story? Why can't women just be strong when they want to be, and men be flexible in relationships? Why do we romanticize these things? But I digress.
Another thing that kind of bugs me about this book is the title (and the cover design). Frankly, this book has little to do with sex. Or a single vampire. It has to do with the relationship and connection between a Dark One and his Beloved. Are there female Dark Ones, I wonder? Don't know. The book doesn't focus at all about Christian's world. I'm throwing in my vote for this book to be renamed to something like... Beloved? The Bloodsucker and the Ghost Hunter?
Thankfully, this book didn't take long to read. Now I'm going to check out Chuck Wendig's recommendations for good reads. I'm tired of stumbling around in the dark.
August 5, 2020
Wohin ging die Reise?: Nach London
Reiseleiterin: Katie MacAlister
Reiseanbieter: LYX Verlag
Reisebegleiter:
Allegra Tellford eine sympathisch-coole Geisterbeschwörerin mit einer traumatischen Vergangenheit.
Später noch der Dunkle (eine Art Vampir) Christian.
Reisehighlights:
Geisterbeschwörungen, Sex, die Dunklen, Dämonen und der Nervenkitzel immer mal wieder dem Tod zu entkommen.
Ton der Reise: Humorvoll und locker.
Reisedauer?: Etwa 8 Stunden
Persönliches Reiseerlebnis?
Ich habe sicher 4 x diese Reise angetreten, bevor ich mich entschied doch den gesamten Buchurlaub zu genießen. Ich fand es interessant genug, es immer wieder zu versuchen mit dieser spannenden London Reise, aber es war einfach nie die richtige Zeit dafür. Ich hatte auch später mehrere Reiseunterbrechungen, was mehr an mir und meiner Leseunlust liegt, als an dem Buch. Zwischenzeitlich habe ich auch die Zeit ein wenig schneller vergehen lassen und nicht alle angebotenen Programmpunkte ausgenutzt, weil ich zum Beispiel mit Allegras Verhalten im Streit lag. Nicht falsch verstehen, ich mochte sie, aber manchmal habe ich mich ihren Unternehmungen dann doch lieber nicht angeschlossen und bin etwas später wieder zu ihr gestoßen. So bin ich Gefühlen wie Wut, Verzweifelung und dem Wunsch sie zu schütteln aus dem Weg gegangen, auch wenn ihre Gründe sich in Gefahr zu begeben doch recht nobel sind.
Alles in allem eine angenehme Reise und ich werde sich noch häufiger einen Buchurlaub bei Katie MacAlister buchen.
Reiseleiterin: Katie MacAlister
Reiseanbieter: LYX Verlag
Reisebegleiter:
Allegra Tellford eine sympathisch-coole Geisterbeschwörerin mit einer traumatischen Vergangenheit.
Später noch der Dunkle (eine Art Vampir) Christian.
Reisehighlights:
Geisterbeschwörungen, Sex, die Dunklen, Dämonen und der Nervenkitzel immer mal wieder dem Tod zu entkommen.
Ton der Reise: Humorvoll und locker.
Reisedauer?: Etwa 8 Stunden
Persönliches Reiseerlebnis?
Ich habe sicher 4 x diese Reise angetreten, bevor ich mich entschied doch den gesamten Buchurlaub zu genießen. Ich fand es interessant genug, es immer wieder zu versuchen mit dieser spannenden London Reise, aber es war einfach nie die richtige Zeit dafür. Ich hatte auch später mehrere Reiseunterbrechungen, was mehr an mir und meiner Leseunlust liegt, als an dem Buch. Zwischenzeitlich habe ich auch die Zeit ein wenig schneller vergehen lassen und nicht alle angebotenen Programmpunkte ausgenutzt, weil ich zum Beispiel mit Allegras Verhalten im Streit lag. Nicht falsch verstehen, ich mochte sie, aber manchmal habe ich mich ihren Unternehmungen dann doch lieber nicht angeschlossen und bin etwas später wieder zu ihr gestoßen. So bin ich Gefühlen wie Wut, Verzweifelung und dem Wunsch sie zu schütteln aus dem Weg gegangen, auch wenn ihre Gründe sich in Gefahr zu begeben doch recht nobel sind.
Alles in allem eine angenehme Reise und ich werde sich noch häufiger einen Buchurlaub bei Katie MacAlister buchen.
April 3, 2008
I must agree with a previous reader who told me this book was better than
A Girl's Guide to Vampires
, the first book in this series. Though A Girl's Guide was okay, Sex and the Single Vampire was great. After reading A Girl's Guide, I could've went either way as to whether I wanted to read this author again, but now, after reading Sex and the Single Vampire, I'm looking forward to the next tale in this series. (I hope there is one though I really don't know for sure.)
In this book, in addition to vampires, we also encounter ghosts, demons, Summoners, triumvirates, and other workers of magick. Joy and Roxy are no longer the main characters in this book, though they still play a bit more than a minor role. So though their annoying bickering and cutting each other down continued in this book, it was certainly more bearable. The main characters are Allie, a Summoner (of ghosts) and Christian, a Morovian Dark One, very similar to a vampire, who was also in the first book. There was a lot more going on in the book besides a simple love story. And though this book is indeed considered a paranormal romance, the danger and intrigue inherent in the rest of the story made me forget I was even reading a romance most of the time.
In this book, in addition to vampires, we also encounter ghosts, demons, Summoners, triumvirates, and other workers of magick. Joy and Roxy are no longer the main characters in this book, though they still play a bit more than a minor role. So though their annoying bickering and cutting each other down continued in this book, it was certainly more bearable. The main characters are Allie, a Summoner (of ghosts) and Christian, a Morovian Dark One, very similar to a vampire, who was also in the first book. There was a lot more going on in the book besides a simple love story. And though this book is indeed considered a paranormal romance, the danger and intrigue inherent in the rest of the story made me forget I was even reading a romance most of the time.
November 10, 2012
I’ll start by saying I love Katie MacAlister. She is on my must always buy-list, her humor is quirky and snippy, her characters stick with you, and her stories are just so easy and fun. That being said Sex & the Single Vampire, was a masterpiece. I finished this book in less than twenty-four hours, and it would have been easier if I hadn’t had to work, or sleep. This book is the second in her Dark Ones series. This book follows the story of the incredibly hunky Christian Dante, whom readers are introduced to in the first book of the series. The good news, not only Christian is back and sexier than ever, the book, amazingly even more compelling that Girls Guide. I really enjoyed the first one, but this book hooks you from the start and keeps you flipping pages. Aside from Christian is our female lead Allegra, who is a strong willed woman who has a wonderful development as a character with physical and emotional obstacles that made my heart ache for her.Secondary characters were just great and everything was just so awesome. Overall it's wildly kooky, sexy, and funny. Christian is to die for and Allie is a sweet endearing nut. It's typical camp romance that Katie does so well and it's another of her special books.
August 23, 2013
****mild spoilers*** Book #2 in this series was MUCH better than book #1! I did like the fact that it was about characters from the 1st book though and was happy to see Dante back in action! This book was an actual vampire romance though, so I immediately liked it better (hello! That is what I wanted in the 1st one!)! The female lead was more mature in her speaking too, which was a nice break from the immaturity of the last book. The sex scenes were AWESOME and the biting spectacular! LOL I do hope one of the books that I haven't read in the series has to do with Sebastian & Noelle though (characters introduced in this book) as it left you hanging where they are concerned. It could already exist though. I am looking forward to book #3 for sure. I hope it is more of the same. Another great thing about this book was the female lead's history. I loved that she wasn't stereotypically pretty (scars, funny eyes, divorced, etc.) as most characters of these novels tend to be gorgeous/perfect and I can't relate to them much. Overall, I just loved this book. I laughed and cried and gasped and enjoyed the whole ride! Highly recommend to anyone who can take a bit of humor in their vampire romance!
March 4, 2022
This was like if the main character had Frankenstein's monster but was excited that he's sexy. The plot, you ask? I was hooked. The world building was understandable and did not detract from the banter in the lead up. This book got 5 stars based on the characters not getting married alone.
The characters had some flaws. Allegra has serious "not like other girls" energy, and should just pull a David Bowie with her eyes. She also gives herself the worst makeover since the Breakfast Club. That aside, Christian is a gentle misogynist and continues like that for the rest of the book. But, the consent in this book is very hot and sexy!!
"He boinged into my hands." Top literature quotes of the 21st century.
The characters had some flaws. Allegra has serious "not like other girls" energy, and should just pull a David Bowie with her eyes. She also gives herself the worst makeover since the Breakfast Club. That aside, Christian is a gentle misogynist and continues like that for the rest of the book. But, the consent in this book is very hot and sexy!!
"He boinged into my hands." Top literature quotes of the 21st century.
January 15, 2021
Ten years ago I rated this four and five stars and found it hilarious, now I barely rate it three stars and may even rate it two stars after a night of sleep...
_____
Before reading it: I first read the German edition more than ten years ago. I was traveling and needed something simple to read so I bought this book at a book store at the train station. It was silly but also really really funny and I enjoyed it enough to read it again a few years later. It was still hilarious so I read the rest of the series (16 instalments, some longer, some shorter, some better, some not). After that I bought the English paperback edition.
That was ten years ago, now I am really looking forward to reading it again and can't find the bloody paperback. After so many years it makes me wonder if I'll still like it as much, but I think I will.
Soo, I've read up to page 66 of 264 and up to now it was neither funny, nor very good.
The tortured and domineering alpha male who wants his women to be "feminine, soft, giving", as that is their "role in life", and says shit like "Why do you wear the clothing of a man?". The independent modern woman who really dislikes the man as a person, but her body betrays her by wanting him and she thinks shit like "Christian was a deep well of desperate need, the need for the purity of love to salvage his soul, to pull him from the abyss of anguish and despair that filled him". I mean, I knew the books were full of tropes and damn corny and had some serious issues, but I remember the humour being worth it. So far, it's not.
And what's up with her eyes, how did she never in her whole life meet someone new who did not find them creepy? She really needs to get out and meet more people!
After finishing it: I am disappointed. I barely did like it enough for three stars, the plot is actually quite interesting after a certain point and the characters (mostly the ghosts and Noelle) are quirky. However, it wasn't hilarious, I may have smiled once or even twice, but that's it humourwise. Now I have to wonder if my taste changed with the hundreds of books I've read in the last ten years, or if I just wasn't in the right mood for this. Still, I am quite disappointed, I remember it as laugh-out-loud hilarious and this time it really wasn't...
_____
Before reading it: I first read the German edition more than ten years ago. I was traveling and needed something simple to read so I bought this book at a book store at the train station. It was silly but also really really funny and I enjoyed it enough to read it again a few years later. It was still hilarious so I read the rest of the series (16 instalments, some longer, some shorter, some better, some not). After that I bought the English paperback edition.
That was ten years ago, now I am really looking forward to reading it again and can't find the bloody paperback. After so many years it makes me wonder if I'll still like it as much, but I think I will.
Soo, I've read up to page 66 of 264 and up to now it was neither funny, nor very good.
The tortured and domineering alpha male who wants his women to be "feminine, soft, giving", as that is their "role in life", and says shit like "Why do you wear the clothing of a man?". The independent modern woman who really dislikes the man as a person, but her body betrays her by wanting him and she thinks shit like "Christian was a deep well of desperate need, the need for the purity of love to salvage his soul, to pull him from the abyss of anguish and despair that filled him". I mean, I knew the books were full of tropes and damn corny and had some serious issues, but I remember the humour being worth it. So far, it's not.
And what's up with her eyes, how did she never in her whole life meet someone new who did not find them creepy? She really needs to get out and meet more people!
After finishing it: I am disappointed. I barely did like it enough for three stars, the plot is actually quite interesting after a certain point and the characters (mostly the ghosts and Noelle) are quirky. However, it wasn't hilarious, I may have smiled once or even twice, but that's it humourwise. Now I have to wonder if my taste changed with the hundreds of books I've read in the last ten years, or if I just wasn't in the right mood for this. Still, I am quite disappointed, I remember it as laugh-out-loud hilarious and this time it really wasn't...
April 8, 2020
Wuhu, endlich bekommt auch Christian seine Story. Ich muss ja ehrlich sagen das ich vom ersten Band an einen Faible für Christian hatte. Aber auch wenn ich Allegra wirlich total amüsant finde, ging mir ihre Art total auf den Keks. Ständig dieses zu dominant mimimi.. klar sie hat echt miese Erfahrungen gemacht aber das ging das ganze Buch so und es war einfach nur nervtötend.
Ansonsten war der Schreibstil wie immer flüssig und sehr lustig geschrieben, leider diesmal auch wieder die Sexszenen. Aber ansonsten muss ich sagen das es wieder relativ schnell gelesen war und wieder waren die Gegner extrem gruselig. Ich bin sicher Asmodeus taucht schon nochmal wieder auf.
Was ich mich die ganze Zeit frage ist, was mit Raphael nicht stimmt, irgendwie habe ich nicht wirklich das Gefühl das er ein Mensch ist. Mal schauen was da noch so kommt. Dennoch bekommt das Buch nur 3* Sterne von mir... es hatte extrem viel Schreibfehler und ich bin ein Mensch dem das normal nicht so auffällt.
Mein Lieblingscharakter aus dem Band? Alis der Geist, die ständig das Porzellan anschreit, ich hab mir das echt immer bildlich vorgestellt. Wie die arme da steht und die Porzellanvase anschreit :D
Ansonsten war der Schreibstil wie immer flüssig und sehr lustig geschrieben, leider diesmal auch wieder die Sexszenen. Aber ansonsten muss ich sagen das es wieder relativ schnell gelesen war und wieder waren die Gegner extrem gruselig. Ich bin sicher Asmodeus taucht schon nochmal wieder auf.
Was ich mich die ganze Zeit frage ist, was mit Raphael nicht stimmt, irgendwie habe ich nicht wirklich das Gefühl das er ein Mensch ist. Mal schauen was da noch so kommt. Dennoch bekommt das Buch nur 3* Sterne von mir... es hatte extrem viel Schreibfehler und ich bin ein Mensch dem das normal nicht so auffällt.
Mein Lieblingscharakter aus dem Band? Alis der Geist, die ständig das Porzellan anschreit, ich hab mir das echt immer bildlich vorgestellt. Wie die arme da steht und die Porzellanvase anschreit :D
February 6, 2021
3 stars - B, C, & D.
This book was SO GOOD. If I were rating in on pure enjoyment alone I would give it 5 stars. In my opinion, the best romances have to have blood, pain, sacrifice. This book had all the right components and was so well-executed. I loved Joy and co.'s reappearances and that the prequel characters remained three dimensional in book 2 of the series.
The central romance was steamy and captivating, but I loved that Allegra kept her independence while embracing her fate as Christian's Beloved.
SO GOOD.
This book was SO GOOD. If I were rating in on pure enjoyment alone I would give it 5 stars. In my opinion, the best romances have to have blood, pain, sacrifice. This book had all the right components and was so well-executed. I loved Joy and co.'s reappearances and that the prequel characters remained three dimensional in book 2 of the series.
The central romance was steamy and captivating, but I loved that Allegra kept her independence while embracing her fate as Christian's Beloved.
SO GOOD.
May 2, 2022
Loved it!
March 1, 2023
I like Kate MacAlister's books because they are funny and light. This one was exactly that. I very much enjoyed reading an MC who isn't perfect and her hot vampire love interest.
November 21, 2017
Such fun books
April 30, 2014
Two stars might be a little generous, but although this was mind numbingly boring at times there were still small parts I liked. Firstly, in the bad department was Allegra. Two different colored eyes, the ability to summon ghosts (at least, she can after a while, she has no idea at the start of the book) dresses in casual, comfortable but ugly clothing, dark unknown past with abusive spouse. Enter domineering Christian, who likes his women dainty, agreeing and lustful. Turns out this book is the second in the series, I didn't know that when I started, because there are a few vapid women left over from the first book, Roxy and Joy, who also fall into the bad department. I didn't like any of these characters, and since this story is about them, then it's impossible to really like the story at all. Allegra abandons almost all her misgivings and jumps into bed with Christian the fourth or fifth time they meet, but it's never clear how she's gone from independent, don't need a man to lusting for an arrogant dick. Christian being a dick, mellows slightly and bdcomes expert love maker. Please.
Now I don't read romance expecting sizzling love scenes, but I at least don't want to feel grossed out. The sex here is pathetic, boring and I do admit expecting a little more from a book with sex in the title. There was zero sexual tension because Allie said 'Yes please' the second Christian's dick was on the table. Add the random ghost voyeurs, and you lost me.
The small parts I liked were the ghosts at times, and the demon hunter at the end, but I can see where that's going and I don't care. Two things out of a 370 page novel is not good.
I finished this book through sheer will alone. I don't plan on ever reading another of this author's work, and definitely not the first book since it involves characters I hate. Do not recommend, stay away!
Now I don't read romance expecting sizzling love scenes, but I at least don't want to feel grossed out. The sex here is pathetic, boring and I do admit expecting a little more from a book with sex in the title. There was zero sexual tension because Allie said 'Yes please' the second Christian's dick was on the table. Add the random ghost voyeurs, and you lost me.
The small parts I liked were the ghosts at times, and the demon hunter at the end, but I can see where that's going and I don't care. Two things out of a 370 page novel is not good.
I finished this book through sheer will alone. I don't plan on ever reading another of this author's work, and definitely not the first book since it involves characters I hate. Do not recommend, stay away!
July 24, 2012
This book was much better than the first in the series. The main character, Allie, was not a flighty twit like Joy and, being a summoner, was much better equipped to handle the realities of vampires. There was an actual plot that could be followed throughout most of the book rather than seeming to be thrown in at the end and the book didn't hinge on having lots of kinky sex scenes like the first one seemed to. Joy an Roxy did provide some comic relief though so it was good to see them again in that aspect. I was kind of hoping becoming Christian's Beloved would fix Allegra's leg as well, but I guess you can't have everything. Once again though I think it took the leap from "hey you're kind of hot" to "OMG I LOVE YOU!!" rather abruptly and I think the author would do well to spend more time verbalizing what brings the heroine to that point instead of springing it on you all of a sudden-like. Still, this was enough to convince me to give the next book in the series a try.
It was also cool to see these books take place in the same world as the Guardian/Dragon books...maybe there will be a crossover?
It was also cool to see these books take place in the same world as the Guardian/Dragon books...maybe there will be a crossover?
April 10, 2013
Sex and the Single Vampire was the first book I ever read by Katie MacAlister and I can honestly say that it changed my life. I was going through a very tough time when I stumbled upon this book at the local super market and it helped me get through everything. I was skeptical at first because I didn't really go for romance novels, but the description on the back was so funny it sold me. I've rarely ever actually laughed out loud while reading a book, but Sex and the Single Vampire caused me to do just that (in public) several times. Because of this book Katie has become one of my top favorite writers, as well as one of the biggest influences on my own writing, and she helped me expand my tastes to other romance writers like Richelle Mead.
Sex and the Single Vampire ranges from hilarious comedy to drama to heated romance and the transitions are seamless. It's because of this book's dynamics that I've read it at least six times, and I'll continue reading for the rest of my life. I'll never get tired of the quirks and flaws of Katie's characters. They seem so real it's like they're standing right in front of you.
Sex and the Single Vampire ranges from hilarious comedy to drama to heated romance and the transitions are seamless. It's because of this book's dynamics that I've read it at least six times, and I'll continue reading for the rest of my life. I'll never get tired of the quirks and flaws of Katie's characters. They seem so real it's like they're standing right in front of you.
October 2, 2015
I can't help but love this author. The writing is just so funny and clever! Though seriously, you cannot have a seldom used word like aforementioned appear 3 times in a book without it sticking out like a purple people eater.
So I loved this book, ..with caveats. 1) The heroes are too sappy for my taste. Although, the excessive sap does contribute to the campy feel. The campiness and not taking it all too seriously is part of what really makes me enjoy the book. 2) The copious copulous scenes are chatty and snarky but not quite enough that you feel permitted to laugh. Again, this adds to the camp, but it also sits in a sort of uncomfortable middle ground where I really don't know what the authors intention is. I want to laugh, but its a little too explicit to outright chuckle over.
It was a very entertaining read though and I might just be hooked on this series. Criticisms aside, they're fun quick reads. Fluffy, but with enough big words that you don't feel completely dumb for reading them. And, I love a book that makes me laugh. LOLing is always worth and extra star or half star.
So I loved this book, ..with caveats. 1) The heroes are too sappy for my taste. Although, the excessive sap does contribute to the campy feel. The campiness and not taking it all too seriously is part of what really makes me enjoy the book. 2) The copious copulous scenes are chatty and snarky but not quite enough that you feel permitted to laugh. Again, this adds to the camp, but it also sits in a sort of uncomfortable middle ground where I really don't know what the authors intention is. I want to laugh, but its a little too explicit to outright chuckle over.
It was a very entertaining read though and I might just be hooked on this series. Criticisms aside, they're fun quick reads. Fluffy, but with enough big words that you don't feel completely dumb for reading them. And, I love a book that makes me laugh. LOLing is always worth and extra star or half star.
February 28, 2013
Allie is more believable than the previous female characters, although still not quite there, while Christian is more in the model of the brooding sexy vampires of other authors in the genre. This book was not as full of humorous comments or come backs as the first one, but still it had a very healthy--and, whithin the suspension of disbelief of the story, more believable--dose of humor. I like the fact that the female protagonist has a disability (or could be even considered that she has two), and is recovering from life with an abusive husband (although THAT story again is poorly developed and pretty implausible, even in a paranormal novel). Still, the novel keeps you entertained and in some aspects I think it improved on the first one. Still, a pattern that keeps reappering is that of the TSTL female protagonist, which, in spite of her self-determination, will-power and active role in the story, has to inevitable be saved by the male protagonist for doing the unreasonable thing that he told her not to do, on several occasions.
June 10, 2008
Allegra "Allie" is a ghost Summoner who finds herself with matchmaking ghosts who won't leave, along with an arrogantly handsome Dark One named Christian who is convinced she's his Beloved.
Fun little romp, but it's missing a little something, maybe from the first person narrator. Allie is a fun but emotionally scarred heroine (with a really dark past!) that stands up to Christian's high-handedness. There are a lot of supernatural elements in this book--psychics, demons, ghosts, etc., plus a very dark villainous plot. The big fight is very reminiscent of The Dresden Files, with a very overpowered and outmatched protagonist.
Fun little romp, but it's missing a little something, maybe from the first person narrator. Allie is a fun but emotionally scarred heroine (with a really dark past!) that stands up to Christian's high-handedness. There are a lot of supernatural elements in this book--psychics, demons, ghosts, etc., plus a very dark villainous plot. The big fight is very reminiscent of The Dresden Files, with a very overpowered and outmatched protagonist.
July 1, 2009
I didn't think it possible to rate a MacAlister book this low but alas, here it is. The book was slow to start out. Slow. I never did like Allie, the heroine, and there was no sizzle between her and Christopher. Zip. I didn't think they were right for each other. I almost held out hopes that it would turn out that Sebastian was actually her intended but no such luck. If I hadn't already read one of the later ones in this series I would go no further. As it is, I am hereby chalking this one up as a fluke and moving to book 3, though granted with little enthusiasm.
April 5, 2024
"What sort of step? Convince him of what? Believe what? Why do I feel like you guys are talking about Eskimos, and I'm trying to explain how to make fudge?"
Once again Ms. MacAlister just has me laughing and crying. Loved it.
I was so giddy when I finally got to read Christian's book! I loved Allie, strong woman who has over come so much in her life. I can relate to her being so stubborn about letting a man in. To trust again. But *sigh* Christian.
I can't forget Roxy and Joy.....HA! Some don't like this duo but I love them. I think they're hilarious.
Once again Ms. MacAlister just has me laughing and crying. Loved it.
I was so giddy when I finally got to read Christian's book! I loved Allie, strong woman who has over come so much in her life. I can relate to her being so stubborn about letting a man in. To trust again. But *sigh* Christian.
I can't forget Roxy and Joy.....HA! Some don't like this duo but I love them. I think they're hilarious.
May 26, 2017
This is one of those books you almost hate to admit reading - a totally cliche paranormal romance. With vampires. Who have fancy names.
But the sex was great. Seriously.
Everything else was amusing, and fun enough. But seriously, this gives "trashy novel" a whole new, AWESOME, level.
I didn't even know it was part of a series - just picked it up for the plane ride home. Perfectly diverting, if not especially enriching. Cheers.
But the sex was great. Seriously.
Everything else was amusing, and fun enough. But seriously, this gives "trashy novel" a whole new, AWESOME, level.
I didn't even know it was part of a series - just picked it up for the plane ride home. Perfectly diverting, if not especially enriching. Cheers.
June 8, 2015
Oops, she never has found a ghost yet and now she does it first a ghost cat and later ghosts from people.
And as an extra she finds a vampire too, which she first thinks is a ghost, but later she finds out he is her mate. But she doesn't want to believe that.
Like the way with the watcher helping out and mentioning what book she writes, lol.
Also some hot erotic moments with the vampire and Allie.
And as an extra she finds a vampire too, which she first thinks is a ghost, but later she finds out he is her mate. But she doesn't want to believe that.
Like the way with the watcher helping out and mentioning what book she writes, lol.
Also some hot erotic moments with the vampire and Allie.
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