A Girl's Guide to Vampires (Dark Ones #1)
18 journalers for this copy...
Thanks to Tmoke for sending this to me from my wish list.
From Booklist
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. Readers will gladly give in to the wickedly sharp bite of MacAlister's wit in this temptingly toothsome romance. With its superb characterization and writing that manages to be both sexy and humorous, this contemporary paranormal love story is an absolute delight. John Charles
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
From back cover
From Booklist
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. Readers will gladly give in to the wickedly sharp bite of MacAlister's wit in this temptingly toothsome romance. With its superb characterization and writing that manages to be both sexy and humorous, this contemporary paranormal love story is an absolute delight. John Charles
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
From back cover
- Joy Randall's Top 5 Tips for Vampire Hunters:
- Location, location, location. Remember, if you wouldn't be there, neither would a bloodsucker. They won't be found dead (ha!) in places like discos, ten-minute lube shops, or Switzerland. Check the Czech Republic.
- Trust your eyes. You know the handsome, annoyingly arrogant, self-assured man in the shadows with long hair and a cleft in his chin? He's your vampire.
- No matter how tempting it might be, DO NOT "ACCIDENTALLY" ACQUIRE A PAPER CUT AND SUGGEST YOUR VAMPIRE KISS YOUR FINGER TO MAKE IT BETTER. What you offer as a snack, he might take for a four-course meal.
- From here on out, play it cool. Don't offer to accompany your prince of the night on the talk show circuit and WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T OFFER HIM YOUR HEART.
- And most of all, remember--being a vampire is nothing to laugh about.
This book was kind of funny. Granted the main character pissed me off at times because I thought she was too stupid, and the way her and her best friend kept bickering... sheesh, but overall the story had enough going for it to hold my interest. Though it would be considered a paranormal romance, there was enough else going on to keep it from getting too boring, probably because you're kept wondering throughout most of the book which characters, if any, really are vampires or not. But then once you know for sure, the rest of the action picks up pace and a slight amount of danger is introduced.
I think LizzyBeth mentioned to me that the sequel to this, Sex and the Single Vampire, was better than this one so I'm starting on that now.
I've got a couple people who want to read this next so I'll hold it in Reserve until I decide exactly what I'm going to do with it. Who knows, it might be a good candidate for a bookray too.
UPDATE 07-Mar-2005: I liked the sequel Sex and the Single Vampire better than this one. (Click the link for that book to read my review on it.)
I think LizzyBeth mentioned to me that the sequel to this, Sex and the Single Vampire, was better than this one so I'm starting on that now.
I've got a couple people who want to read this next so I'll hold it in Reserve until I decide exactly what I'm going to do with it. Who knows, it might be a good candidate for a bookray too.
UPDATE 07-Mar-2005: I liked the sequel Sex and the Single Vampire better than this one. (Click the link for that book to read my review on it.)
Starting a BOOKRAY for this book. (And SandDanz will follow up with a ring/ray for the sequel, Sex and the Single Vampire within the next 3 to 6 months.)
BookRay Participants (last modified 25-Jul-2006)
· pheelya, MD, USA (ship Intl)
· BooksnBeer, VA, USA (ship Intl)
· SueBo, PA, USA (ship Intl)
·DumbFox, OH, USA (ship Intl) skipped, no reply
· sekach00, MI, USA (ship US)
· AsianWaterfall, FL, USA, moving from Japan to US Jul/Aug 2005 (ship Intl)
· innae, CO, USA (ship Intl)
· AtwoJay, BC, Canada (ship Intl)
· amberC, NT, Australia (pref Aussie)
· gypsyrose02, WA, Australia (pref Aussie, Intl OK if needed)
· catsalive, NSW, Australia (ship Intl)
· woosang, NSW, Australia (ship local)
· Fleebo, NSW, Australia (ship Intl)
· Alithia, New Zealand (ship Intl)
·jessicaloveyou, Singapore (ship Intl) unresponsive
·Auglaise, UK (pref UK) unresponsive
·sweetf, UK (ship Intl/surface) asked to be removed
· CandyDarling, Finland (ship Intl)
·seaflower, Finland (ship Intl) asked to be skipped
· joasik, Poland (ship Intl)
· Rianonne, Austria (pref Europe)
· Rhenium3, Czech Republic <== book is here <-- END OF RAY
· The above list order may be modified at any time to accomodate new participants or those who wish to leave the ring. So you should always refer to the list included in this journal entry before mailing the book out after you've finished with it.
· After messaging the next person in the list for their address, allow at least a week for a reply (to allow for vacations). You may want to send more than one PM if they don't reply to the first one since I've experienced firsthand issues of BookCrossing PM's not being delivered. In Search Of (ISO) posts in the Bookring Forum also work well. If they haven't replied after 1 to 1-1/2 weeks, skip them and move on to the next person in the list.
· Please post a journal entry here (1) when you first receive the book so we all know it has arrived safely, and (2) after you've finished reading it and are ready to send it along. Of course, please include your thoughts and opinions on the book itself too. :)
· For courtesy sake, please try not to hang on to this book for more than 4-6 weeks as others are also waiting to read it. If you don't think you can get to the book in that timeframe, you can request to be skipped over and added to the end of the ring instead. Just use your best judgement so as not to hold up the book.
· I will continue to accept participants to this bookray even after it has begun it's journey. Newcomers will be either added to the end or else inserted in the most efficient place to keep shipping costs and times most efficient. I can't guarantee that shipping preferences can be honored after the book has started it's journey, so if you're joining the ray after it's started, you should be prepared to ship Internationally if required.
· When the book has reached the last participant, I will officially withdraw my involvement and it will then be up to that person to do what they like with the book, whether that be reannouncing and continuing the ray, using the book in trade or RABCK with another BookCrosser, or even adding it to their personal shelf for awhile so they can share it with non-BookCrossing friends. (Feel free to ask me to remove BOOKRAY from the book's title if it will no longer be used in that capacity since only the person who originally registered the book can make such changes.)
INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING NOTES:
Do not assume that surface shipping is always the most efficient choice. For many International destinations from the US, a single paperback can be shipped in a small Global Priority Mail (GPM) envelope for only $5, about $1 more than surface mail to the same destination. And rather than the 4-6 weeks quoted shipping time of surface mail (often longer), GPM takes only 3-5 days and includes a delivery confirmation number too. I suggest that you consider this shipping option when mailing overseas from the US.
BookRay Participants (last modified 25-Jul-2006)
· pheelya, MD, USA (ship Intl)
· BooksnBeer, VA, USA (ship Intl)
· SueBo, PA, USA (ship Intl)
·
· sekach00, MI, USA (ship US)
· AsianWaterfall, FL, USA, moving from Japan to US Jul/Aug 2005 (ship Intl)
· innae, CO, USA (ship Intl)
· AtwoJay, BC, Canada (ship Intl)
· amberC, NT, Australia (pref Aussie)
· gypsyrose02, WA, Australia (pref Aussie, Intl OK if needed)
· catsalive, NSW, Australia (ship Intl)
· woosang, NSW, Australia (ship local)
· Fleebo, NSW, Australia (ship Intl)
· Alithia, New Zealand (ship Intl)
·
·
·
· CandyDarling, Finland (ship Intl)
·
· joasik, Poland (ship Intl)
· Rianonne, Austria (pref Europe)
· Rhenium3, Czech Republic <== book is here <-- END OF RAY
· The above list order may be modified at any time to accomodate new participants or those who wish to leave the ring. So you should always refer to the list included in this journal entry before mailing the book out after you've finished with it.
· After messaging the next person in the list for their address, allow at least a week for a reply (to allow for vacations). You may want to send more than one PM if they don't reply to the first one since I've experienced firsthand issues of BookCrossing PM's not being delivered. In Search Of (ISO) posts in the Bookring Forum also work well. If they haven't replied after 1 to 1-1/2 weeks, skip them and move on to the next person in the list.
· Please post a journal entry here (1) when you first receive the book so we all know it has arrived safely, and (2) after you've finished reading it and are ready to send it along. Of course, please include your thoughts and opinions on the book itself too. :)
· For courtesy sake, please try not to hang on to this book for more than 4-6 weeks as others are also waiting to read it. If you don't think you can get to the book in that timeframe, you can request to be skipped over and added to the end of the ring instead. Just use your best judgement so as not to hold up the book.
· I will continue to accept participants to this bookray even after it has begun it's journey. Newcomers will be either added to the end or else inserted in the most efficient place to keep shipping costs and times most efficient. I can't guarantee that shipping preferences can be honored after the book has started it's journey, so if you're joining the ray after it's started, you should be prepared to ship Internationally if required.
· When the book has reached the last participant, I will officially withdraw my involvement and it will then be up to that person to do what they like with the book, whether that be reannouncing and continuing the ray, using the book in trade or RABCK with another BookCrosser, or even adding it to their personal shelf for awhile so they can share it with non-BookCrossing friends. (Feel free to ask me to remove BOOKRAY from the book's title if it will no longer be used in that capacity since only the person who originally registered the book can make such changes.)
INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING NOTES:
Do not assume that surface shipping is always the most efficient choice. For many International destinations from the US, a single paperback can be shipped in a small Global Priority Mail (GPM) envelope for only $5, about $1 more than surface mail to the same destination. And rather than the 4-6 weeks quoted shipping time of surface mail (often longer), GPM takes only 3-5 days and includes a delivery confirmation number too. I suggest that you consider this shipping option when mailing overseas from the US.
Journal Entry 4 by CheriePie at Bookray Controlled Release in Silver Spring, Maryland -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, April 5, 2005
Released 18 yrs ago (4/5/2005 UTC) at Bookray Controlled Release in Silver Spring, Maryland -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Kicked off bookring to first participant. Sent to pheelya on 06-Apr-2005 via Media Mail. Stamps.com Delivery Confirmation # 02010521297521268629.
Kicked off bookring to first participant. Sent to pheelya on 06-Apr-2005 via Media Mail. Stamps.com Delivery Confirmation # 02010521297521268629.
Woo!! I received this one in the mail today. I have one bookring book ahead of this one, but I should hopefully start this one next week! Thank you.
A quick read. Somehwat predictable. Don't know if I've just read too many vampire books lately or too many romancy type novels in my life *laugh*
PM'ing BooksnBeer for addy to pass along.
Thank you for sharingthe book!
PM'ing BooksnBeer for addy to pass along.
Thank you for sharingthe book!
Received this book in yesterday's mail. It looks like a fun read. I do have two other bookrings which just arrived, but I will devour the others and get to this as soon as possible.
Started this last night. So far, funny and a cute look at a modern day girl dealing with an ancient myth. I'll write more after I have finished.
I enjoyed this light book. I do have to say that my girlfriend gave me the third book, I read it before this one and I did like that a bit more. I am really looking forward to the second book. What I did like about this book is the witty, modern main characters. What I did not like about this book is the constant arguing between Joy and Roxy. I would have really toned that down.
This book is on it’s way to SueBo – enjoy.
This book is on it’s way to SueBo – enjoy.
Thanks! Will start reading ASAP.
Loved this book. It had me laughing out loud at some points. Excellent read.
Loved this book. It had me laughing out loud at some points. Excellent read.
I really enjoyed this alot. Some of the argueing got to me too, however, besides that, it kept me guessing and thought it was a good read.
Tryed to PM and email Dumbfox for about 2 weeks. Will move on to the next person on the list.
Tryed to PM and email Dumbfox for about 2 weeks. Will move on to the next person on the list.
Journal Entry 12 by Suebo at Mailed To Fellow Bookcrosser in -- Mail or by hand-rings, RABCK, meetings --, Michigan USA on Thursday, August 11, 2005
Released 18 yrs ago (8/11/2005 UTC) at Mailed To Fellow Bookcrosser in -- Mail or by hand-rings, RABCK, meetings --, Michigan USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Sending to sekach00 as part of a bookray
Sending to sekach00 as part of a bookray
Just got this in the mail today! I have to finnish up one book, then I'll be reading this one!!!
Unfortunatly, I couldn't really get into this book (I am 9 months pregnant though, and a bit preoccupied, so my not getting into this book doesn't mean it's not great!) so I sent it off to the next reader. I really hope that everyone else enjoys it!
arrived today. will start reading it right after my current book. :)
I suck. I haven't been able to read this book. I keep trying, but I just don't have the free time. :(
I'll pass the book on, and pick up a copy to read from the library when I have free time again. Sorry for holding up the bookray, everyone. :(
I'll pass the book on, and pick up a copy to read from the library when I have free time again. Sorry for holding up the bookray, everyone. :(
recieved from AsianWaterfall today...I will start reading as soon as I finish the other bookring I am reading...sigh.
i really enjoyed this book...and if the second in the series is better?? I am rushing out now to find it! Perhaps I just need some romance in my life tho...grin.
will be sending it off as soon as I get the address!!
will be sending it off as soon as I get the address!!
Got in the mail the other day. Will read asap.
Finished reading yesterday. I haven't read a romance novel in years, but when I did read them I preferred the ones with something a little (or a lot) fantastical. Therefore, this one brought back good memories. Maybe I'll have to read these more often if they're this good. :)
Mailed out on Saturday to AmberC
the book arrived today, luckily plastic wrapped. i have a few other bookrings before it.
Chic-lit meets vampire and romance with a murder mystery thrown in. I found Roxy annoying for most of the book. Not the usual ending to vampire romance, which made the story worthwhile.
posting to gypsyrose02 tomorrow.
posting to gypsyrose02 tomorrow.
yay! its here. been looking forward to this one. thanks everyone!!
this is on its way to catsalive.
Received today, thanks gypsyrose02.
Unfortunately, I didn't like this book at all. What a load of rubbish. How old were Joy & Roxy supposed to be? They certainly acted like a pair of 14-year-olds. Oddly enough, I didn't mind Roxy's big mouth - she was quite funny - but their antics were just too silly for words. The only character I did like was Christian & I'd be interested to know if he finds his True Beloved one day. Don't tell me it's Miranda!?
Thanks CheriePie. I'll get this off to woosang ASAP. Posted 10/7/6.
Thanks CheriePie. I'll get this off to woosang ASAP. Posted 10/7/6.
I received this book from Catsalive a little while ago. I am in a reading slump but I hope to get to this one soon.
Hmm I was undecided about this book. On one hand I loved the two lead male characters BUT hated the female ones. Roxy is the most rude, annoying and I suppose loud person, and if I had been travelling with her, I would have gone home. I just ouldn't stand her at all. Our heronine was a little better but still seemed too stupid for her own good. I nearly gave up on the book early on as I found I was cringing at the antics of these two women.
If you meet any women like this run the other way.
This book has ended my reading slump and for this I am grateful :)
Thanks for sharing I will probably read the next book as I love to torture myself.
If you meet any women like this run the other way.
This book has ended my reading slump and for this I am grateful :)
Thanks for sharing I will probably read the next book as I love to torture myself.
Journal Entry 30 by woosang at Controlled release in Campbelltown, New South Wales Australia on Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Released 17 yrs ago (7/25/2006 UTC) at Controlled release in Campbelltown, New South Wales Australia
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Posting to Fleebo
Posting to Fleebo
Journal Entry 31 by woosang at Controlled release in Campbelltown, New South Wales Australia on Tuesday, July 25, 2006
RELEASE NOTES:
Posting to Fleebo
Posting to Fleebo
Received today - thanks very much! I'm looking forward to a bit of fun with this book.
Very entertaining, and of course very silly too. I was a bit taken aback by the bitching in the first chapter (had to agree with Miranda: it didn't seem like Roxy and Joy were best friends at all) but they settled down into merely ditzy and outrageously outspoken. One question though: why is an avowed skeptic so practiced at rune reading? And those hunka hunka maybe vampire guys... hah! But it's not meant to be anything like real life, is it? Thanks for the read. It was heaps of fun, and I'm looking forward to the next one (two?).
Just got this in the post - will read it and pass it on.
I didn't read this book for its literary finesse, just as a bit of an entertaining diversion from my rather hectic life. It was fine for that reason. I wouldn't have suggested it as being something that needed to be added to a list of classic books, but it was an easy read.
I agree that there are some parts that are cringe worthy, and parts of the friendship that seems rather harsh, but then friends can sometimes be like that. I also agree that the skeptical approach to rune reading is a total contradiction to Joy's ease of use, and understanding of the processes of them. However this is an aside. I enjoyed the book enough to think that I wouldn't mind reading more from Kate MacAlister.
I agree that there are some parts that are cringe worthy, and parts of the friendship that seems rather harsh, but then friends can sometimes be like that. I also agree that the skeptical approach to rune reading is a total contradiction to Joy's ease of use, and understanding of the processes of them. However this is an aside. I enjoyed the book enough to think that I wouldn't mind reading more from Kate MacAlister.
Journal Entry 36 by CandyDarling from Helsinki, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland on Thursday, November 30, 2006
Wohoo, the book is here! :) Can't wait to read it, as I love Katie MacAlister's Aisling Grey, Guardian series.
Journal Entry 37 by CandyDarling from Helsinki, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland on Thursday, January 18, 2007
Oh my, this JE is a bit late, as I finished A Girl's Guide to Vampires already a month ago!
This wasn't my first encounter with the world of Katie MacAlister's Dark Ones, as I've earlier read her book Got Fangs?, which is about a teenage girl, forced to spend the summer travelling with the GothFaire, because her mother works there. Sounds familiar? It is, and it's not. The characters in these two books are totally different, so there must be at least two GothFaires touring Europe, but Got Fangs? is about a vampire who finds his beloved. (If you're interested in trying it out, I've got a bookring running for Got Fangs?, just pm me.)
When I started reading A Girl's Guide to Vampires, I was instantly annoyed by the two main characters. Fortunately I managed to mostly ignore it throughout the book, but I can't say I enjoy reading about two dimwits who constantly bicker with each other. Roxy was even more annoying than the narrator Joy, and I can't understand why Joy put up with her. Maybe that's why they had two hotel rooms... When I travel with my best friend, we always sleep in the same room.
When the girls travel to the Czech Republic, the book gets more interesting. I actually started thinking that I want to travel to Moravia too. The action takes place in the little town of Blansko, where they stay at the hotel Dukla. It's funny to note that Katie MacAlister has probably used the town's homepage for research, as everything she talks about in the book can be found from there...
Unfortunately, after a successful attempt to create an interesting athmosphere, the author manages to forget all about it, as the rest of the book could be taking place anywhere. Fortunately by that time the plot has picked up, and the book qualifies as good entertainment. Like other Katie MacAlister books, A Girl's Guide to Vampires is sometimes funny and sometimes annoying. She has a tendency to write a surprising amount of exasperating characters into her novels, and I wish I knew what Joy and her love interest had in common except lust. Although I must say I loved the cheerleaders.
I haven't yet grown tired of Katie MacAlister's style, and will continue to read her books. I want to know how Christian finds his beloved in the next book, Sex and the Single Vampire! A Girl's Guide to Vampires is now travelling to Joasik in The Netherlands, as Seaflower asked to be skipped. I sent the book on January 9th.
This wasn't my first encounter with the world of Katie MacAlister's Dark Ones, as I've earlier read her book Got Fangs?, which is about a teenage girl, forced to spend the summer travelling with the GothFaire, because her mother works there. Sounds familiar? It is, and it's not. The characters in these two books are totally different, so there must be at least two GothFaires touring Europe, but Got Fangs? is about a vampire who finds his beloved. (If you're interested in trying it out, I've got a bookring running for Got Fangs?, just pm me.)
When I started reading A Girl's Guide to Vampires, I was instantly annoyed by the two main characters. Fortunately I managed to mostly ignore it throughout the book, but I can't say I enjoy reading about two dimwits who constantly bicker with each other. Roxy was even more annoying than the narrator Joy, and I can't understand why Joy put up with her. Maybe that's why they had two hotel rooms... When I travel with my best friend, we always sleep in the same room.
When the girls travel to the Czech Republic, the book gets more interesting. I actually started thinking that I want to travel to Moravia too. The action takes place in the little town of Blansko, where they stay at the hotel Dukla. It's funny to note that Katie MacAlister has probably used the town's homepage for research, as everything she talks about in the book can be found from there...
Unfortunately, after a successful attempt to create an interesting athmosphere, the author manages to forget all about it, as the rest of the book could be taking place anywhere. Fortunately by that time the plot has picked up, and the book qualifies as good entertainment. Like other Katie MacAlister books, A Girl's Guide to Vampires is sometimes funny and sometimes annoying. She has a tendency to write a surprising amount of exasperating characters into her novels, and I wish I knew what Joy and her love interest had in common except lust. Although I must say I loved the cheerleaders.
I haven't yet grown tired of Katie MacAlister's style, and will continue to read her books. I want to know how Christian finds his beloved in the next book, Sex and the Single Vampire! A Girl's Guide to Vampires is now travelling to Joasik in The Netherlands, as Seaflower asked to be skipped. I sent the book on January 9th.
I forgot to register this one when I got it. Reading it now :)
Released 17 yrs ago (3/15/2007 UTC) at
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
I didn't enjoy this book that much. It was hard to get into it and to be honest the constant bickering between the heroine and her best friend annoyed me. Won't be following this series.
Sent to the next person in the ring.
I didn't enjoy this book that much. It was hard to get into it and to be honest the constant bickering between the heroine and her best friend annoyed me. Won't be following this series.
Sent to the next person in the ring.
Journal Entry 40 by Rianonne from Wien Bezirk 22 - Donaustadt, Wien Austria on Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Arrived today in the mail!
I have my actual book and a BookRing ahead of this one ..
I have my actual book and a BookRing ahead of this one ..
Journal Entry 41 by Rianonne from Wien Bezirk 22 - Donaustadt, Wien Austria on Tuesday, April 17, 2007
That was a funny read - just what I needed to distract me from my daily life. Very entertaining with a murder mystery thrown in which kept me guessing till the very end :)
I didn't mind the bickering at all ... which makes me wonder now about me and my state of mind ...
If the sequel is even better than I have to grap it from my Mt.TBR very soon ;)
I didn't mind the bickering at all ... which makes me wonder now about me and my state of mind ...
If the sequel is even better than I have to grap it from my Mt.TBR very soon ;)
great, will start reading it soon! :)