- Title: Under a Vampire Moon: An Argeneau Novel
- Classification: Adult Fiction
- Genre: Paranormal Romance
- Format: Paperback, 384 pages
- Publisher: Avon; Original edition (April 24, 2012)
- ISBN-10: 0062100203
- ISBN-13: 978-0062100207
"I'm also not eager to rush into a new relationship. In fact, I've decided marriage just isn't for me. So what do I care if it takes a while to resolve the old one?"
"Right." She smiled. "It doesn't matter. You got everything you wanted."
"What I wanted was a happy marriage. Failing that, I wanted a fair divorce settlement."
When Carolyn Connor went to St. Lucia she was at the tail end of a long, costly, emotional draining and bitter divorce. Her friend Bethany had convinced her she needed a break from reality and took her on the vacation. The premise of the trip--to escape her worries by enjoying the sun, sand and guys St. Lucia had to offer was a good one but in reality, most of the people at the beautiful island resort were part of a couple. To make matters worse, most were recently married ones. So while her marriage was coming to an end, theirs were just starting. Not exactly the emotional quicker picker upper Carolyn was looking for.
Shortly after arriving, while waiting for a table, Carolyn found herself alone. Bethany became ill and Genie, the other friend who was supposed to join them, had gotten held up by work. When a table finally opens she wasn't the only one attempting to take it. A young couple, Margurite and Julius Argeneau, were also looking to obtain a table. When they decided to share, well let's just say Carolyn was about to meet her fairy godmother, er, future mother-in-law. Well, in this instance, some might see Marguerite as both. lol So while there may not be a ball, there would be music and dancing and while there wouldn't be a prince, some would call Christian a prince among men and while there'd be no horse and carriage, there would be a boat ride. So while not quite a Cinderella remake, there would definitely be some magic in the air. After all isn't love a truly wonderful and magical thing?
__________________
This was such a fun tale. I've been meaning to read Lynsay Sand's Argeneau series for well over a year. I was going to be good, attempt to collect them all, and then read them in order, but then Avon sent me "Under a Vampire Moon" and this little reader went from good to bad. I've been warned reading romances can do that to a gal. *smirk* Anyway, I've read almost every one of Lynsay's hystericals, er, historicals and they are hysterically funny. I always know I'm guaranteed a good bit of humor when I read one of her books and her Argeneau series is no exception.
I loved watching Carolyn's and Christian's relationship grow. Christian and his family are immortals who never age. We'd call them vampires, but according to Christian it's not the politically correct term for what they are. One of the biggest challenges to a potential relationship between Christian and Carolyn is their apparent age difference. While Carolyn is 42, Christian appears to look to be in his mid twenties. Christian's cousin Gia immediately sees the age difference is going to be an issue for Carolyn and concocts a story that Christian is gay and looking for a 'beard', a person to pretend to be his straight significant other. She tells Carolyn that Christian isn't ready to come out of the closet yet to his family and that causes some fun and hilarious situations.
Some of my favorite quotes, lines, moments:
- "It isn't funny," Christian growled. "She told my life mate that I'm gay."
Zanipolo gave a bark of laughter. "And she believed it."
Christian scowled at the man, considering violence until Gia said, "Actually, at first I just said my cugino, was gay and didn't tell her which one. She thought it must be you before I said it was Christian."
"What?" Zanipolo cried. "Why would she think that? Do I look gay?"
Christian growled impatiently, and turned on Gia. "I don't see how her thinking I am gay is supposed to help."
"Is it my hair that made her pick me for the gay one, do you think?" Zanipolo asked suddenly. "Maybe I should cut it." (Zanipolo had me laughing so hard.)
- "Beth wants me to have an affair while I'm here."
Christian raised an eyebrow and teased, "Here? The benches look comfortable, but I think the other restaurant guests might not appreciate it."
- "It's okay." She patted his hand now. "I understand. He is a hottie. All those tan, rippling muscles and the piratey hair."
Christian ground his teeth together and considered wringing her neck instead of Captain Jack's.How dare she think the man a hottie? And what was she doing noticing his rippling muscles? She was his, dammit, whether she knew it or not.
"Not my type," she continued. "I mean, he seems nice enough and all, and probably loads of fun, but there was just no spark for some reason."...
"The good news is, he was flirting with me because Genie told him to make sure I had a good time, so who knows, you may yet be in luck. He could be gay too."...
Christian blinked as it slowly dawned on him that she thought he was jealous of her rather than Captain Jack. Dear God!
Overall, I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. I enjoyed the characters with their quirky personalities. I loved the chemistry between Carolyn and Christian that illuminated the pages and flared to an overwhelming height causing them both to faint. I smiled and laughed at the hilariously silly situations that occurred. I found it a delightfully delicious read with a great combination of humor, drama, and of course romance. I will definitely need to read the series. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one scores a STEAM rating - too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.
Pictures of St. Lucia:
Some of my favorite quotes, lines, moments:
- "It isn't funny," Christian growled. "She told my life mate that I'm gay."
Zanipolo gave a bark of laughter. "And she believed it."
Christian scowled at the man, considering violence until Gia said, "Actually, at first I just said my cugino, was gay and didn't tell her which one. She thought it must be you before I said it was Christian."
"What?" Zanipolo cried. "Why would she think that? Do I look gay?"
Christian growled impatiently, and turned on Gia. "I don't see how her thinking I am gay is supposed to help."
"Is it my hair that made her pick me for the gay one, do you think?" Zanipolo asked suddenly. "Maybe I should cut it." (Zanipolo had me laughing so hard.)
- "Beth wants me to have an affair while I'm here."
Christian raised an eyebrow and teased, "Here? The benches look comfortable, but I think the other restaurant guests might not appreciate it."
- "It's okay." She patted his hand now. "I understand. He is a hottie. All those tan, rippling muscles and the piratey hair."
Christian ground his teeth together and considered wringing her neck instead of Captain Jack's.How dare she think the man a hottie? And what was she doing noticing his rippling muscles? She was his, dammit, whether she knew it or not.
"Not my type," she continued. "I mean, he seems nice enough and all, and probably loads of fun, but there was just no spark for some reason."...
"The good news is, he was flirting with me because Genie told him to make sure I had a good time, so who knows, you may yet be in luck. He could be gay too."...
Christian blinked as it slowly dawned on him that she thought he was jealous of her rather than Captain Jack. Dear God!
Overall, I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. I enjoyed the characters with their quirky personalities. I loved the chemistry between Carolyn and Christian that illuminated the pages and flared to an overwhelming height causing them both to faint. I smiled and laughed at the hilariously silly situations that occurred. I found it a delightfully delicious read with a great combination of humor, drama, and of course romance. I will definitely need to read the series. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one scores a STEAM rating - too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.
Pictures of St. Lucia:
Order of Series according to Lynsay Sands:
Coming August 2012:
I love this series! Sands is so talented, and can write funny like nobody else. I can't wait to pick this up!
ReplyDelete