SEX AND THE SINGLE VAMPIRE

Author: Katie MacAlister ISBN: 0505525542 3/2004 PARANORMAL Publisher: Dorchester

Dark One n. [Origin Czech, also known as vampires.] A Moravian Dark One is doomed to spend his lifetime cruising the singles' scene in search of the one woman who can redeem his soul. You think dating is hard? Try it when you're nine hundred years old and you've used every pick-up line in the book. Forming a lasting relationship is even more difficult when the woman who makes your heart sing sees dead people and likes to play with demons. Summoner n. [Origin English.] Someone who summons ghosts, poltergeists, and demon lords. Summoners tend to hang around cities like London that are filled with portals to Hell, haunted inns, and other locations dishy vampires might be found lurking. Most Summoners are female, which makes for difficulties when it comes to explaining to the man who haunts your dreams and fills your soul with love why your pet ghosts can be found hovering around even in the most romantic of circumstances.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Considering I was having one of my 'cranky' days, (and let's face it, what woman doesn't? *G*) it was quite an accomplishment to bring a smile to my face. But Katie MacAlister's wonderfully written story, interesting and sexy characters, and especially her quirky sense of humor, was able to accomplish that very feat.

The first character you'll meet in the story is Allie. She is a 'Summoner' from the USA who is in London on a 'do or die' mission. Her job is to summon spirits, document the event, and then release the spirit from its earthbound state, if the spirit wishes, so that it may continue on its journey to the other side. The problem, however, is that Allie has never been able to summon one, which  is why she's in London. If she can't summon a ghost in London, which is rather populated with ghosts, then she is out of a job.

I liked Allie right from the get go. She has a somewhat sarcastic sense of humor, which is often directed at herself, sometimes a bit cynical and very determined. Allie's had a hard time of it in the past and has had to find the courage and strength to pick herself up, stand on her own two feet and get on with her life.

Another thing I loved about Allie - she isn't perfect! After reading books with heroines who have the perfect body and 'the face of an angel' and everything the average woman isn't, it was refreshing to find Allie. She walks with a limp, her leg is scarred from an incident in her past. She wears sunglasses all the time because she is insecure about the reactions she gets since her eyes are so unusual that they tend to creep people out.

Our hero in this story is Christian Dante. He is known to the human world as C.J. Dante - the very sexy and single author of steamy vampire romance novels. In reality, he is actually a Dark One, which is a vampire of sorts. Allie is in line to have a book signed for someone back home, not knowing that Christian is holding the event hoping to find his Beloved - whom he will know at first sight. That person turns out to be Allie. He cannot believe that she could possibly be the one. This woman is outspoken, stubborn and not at all what he had in mind. Christian was sure his Beloved would be very soft-spoken and biddable. Allie doesn't believe it either. She's sure he's out of his mind - she doesn't even believe in vampires ... at first. But aside from that, she thinks Christian is rather full of himself and pushy. She's sure he would be better off finding his 'Beloved' elsewhere.

The interaction between these two characters is great. They are both compelled by the other and, at the same time, fighting the attraction with all they've got. In the middle of all of this, there is still more going on with this story. Christian is searching for his friend and needs Allie's help to find him. Both of them are in for quite a few surprises and close calls in the process. Not to mention, a few memorable love scenes.

Along with Allie and Christian, we are treated to a few other entertaining characters.  First, there is Joy and Roxy. They are also American and each has a very distinctive personality which never bores you. Second, there are a few ghosts that Allie has managed to summon. None of them will allow her to release them, but neither will they leave her. They sometimes pop up at the most inopportune moments and make for a humorous situation. There is even one that constantly provokes Christian. The ghost is a courtier who had been rather lucky flirting with and getting the ladies in life. He tries to do the same now with Allie. I guess, dead or alive, some habits are hard to break.

Katie MacAlister has done a great job writing a very entertaining story that will keep you turning the pages to see what's going to happen next, and how it will all turn out. I have to admit I wasn't quite sure what this book was going to be like when I saw the title, but SEX AND THE SINGLE VAMPIRE was an unexpected delight to read. This is the sequel to A GIRL'S GUIDE TO VAMPIRES, which I haven't had the pleasure of reading but I will be very very soon.

Sue Cloud