Jan. Book - A Girl's Guide to Vampires

[Kae]

OK _ Remember this is just my opinion and Katie, you said you wanted honest ones.
I had a really hard time with the book. Joy's attraction to Raphael just never made sense to me. Her choosing a human male over a 900 year old vampire who can do some great things, like invade her mind, didn't click. The being able to get around the Czech Republic in small towns by only speaking high school German and English also didn't work for me, maybe because I teach Geman.
It did give me moments of humur and Christian was a very powerful character, he seemed to have a lot more depth than the others. I look forward to reading more about him.
I do read romance all the time, it is my escapism, this one just didn't help me escape too much. It may have been that I was PMSing while reading it.

Below are my answers to the questionaire, it might explain my opinions better.

Kae
Hoping she didn't offend anyone.



1. Some readers have very definite opinions regarding books written in the first person point of view. What are the advantages to reading a book written in first person?
You get to see how the character thinks and how the mind is working. It does keep you away from the minds and motives of the other characters. !st person puts you in the main characters role.
2. Joy is fated to be Christain’s Beloved, but her heart belongs to Raphael. How big a role do you feel fate really plays in finding your true love? Would you be willing to go against fate?
If it was really her fate to be Christian’s beloved , she would not fall for Raphael. Fate has a role in everyone’s life, but I believe that we make our own paths. Fate is determined by which path we follow.
3. Raphael wants to protect Joy even though he knows she doesn’t wish to be protected. How do you feel about a man who does what he thinks is best for his woman despite her wishes?
I am fine with a man protecting a woman. He just has to deal with the consequences, perhaps her anger, for the actions he takes. He should also expect her to protect him regardless if he wants her to.
4. What did you like most about Joy? What were some of Raphael’s most appealing traits? How did the differences in their two characters complement one another?
I didn’t like Joy. She was persistent but really didn’t pay attention. She still felt she could not be killed – the “I am invincible” complex. I did like how she worked things out in her mind, logical for her but maybe not for the rest of the world. Raphael was a realist. He understood life. They were two sides of the same coin.
5. Romanticizing something as dark in nature as vampirism is common these days, and Joy and Roxy are part of the large number of women (the author included) who find vampires sexy. What did you think of Joy’s reaction when she found Tanya’s body after it had evidently been savaged by a vampire? Would the realism of that situation make you change your opinion about the cult of blood?
Joy was in shock and blamed the nearest one to her, but wanted to protect those around her. I think her reaction was subdued to what I would expect from her. She is an emotional character, prone to listening to her emotions versus her head as we see when she reacts to Raphael not confiding in her. Personally, I love reading about vampires, it is very interesting, but the realism of what they have to do to survive is not appealing. If I honestly saw a person killed by a vampire, I would become a true believer and find a way to get out of Dodge.
6. How did you feel about Roxy and Christian—were they good secondary characters? Did you want to know more about them?
Roxy was fluff and I couldn’t stand her. I would not have minded if she has been the one killed. At least Tanya had depth to her character. Christian was great, a little to nice, but a good character. I would like to see him end up with Meredith. With her distaste of the Dark and his need for the Light, it seems a good match and an interesting story.
7. What did you think of Joy’s rune stone readings? Have you ever had your future read? Did you believe that Joy really was able to see something beyond what her everyday insight would allow?
Joy appeared to be able to see, but she didn’t believe. If you have the gift and use it, but don’t believe in it – that is dangerous. Yes, I have had my future read on many occasions, but then again I have a realistic approach the path’s I walk.
8. The author uses humor to highlight emotional scenes, particularly the love scenes. How do you feel about humor being used in that manner?
Humor in bed is great. It erases the monotony that many authors get into when writing about sex.
9. What was your favorite scene? Which scene did you think was the funniest?
The funniest scene was when Joy was able to see how large Raphael really was. However, it showed her inexperience and her inanity. My favorite scene was the final scene. Christian actually stole the book at that point.
10. What kind of man could hold the same seductive power over you as Raphael held for Joy?
Hopefully none. I do not want to be so physically enamored with a man that I put myself and others in danger.

[hhrvt]

lets see.....first of all, there are very few books that i finish in a matter of 3 days, and this was one (i read 220 pages of it the first night)---laughed my ass off through the whole thing--i LOVE the humor with the sex, i think its so imporatnat to be able to laugh in bed (one reason i love my rogue)---yes, roxy was annoying, but i actually found myself MORE pissed at joy---i just wanted to smack her and say "shut up and listen to the guy for a minute, he knows what hes talking about" (i have the same problem with claire in the outlander series :)) ---best line?? the one right at the start about the chopsticks and jarge jar of olives, priceless---and ill agree with kae, christian totally stole the show at the end, wonderful---yeah, that was an unoragnized ramble, sorry :)

[vanessa]

mmm.... like hhrvt, I read this within 3 days. Unlike Kae, however, I *don't* as a normal rule read romances. The only other romance book I have read and enjoyed was Diana Gabaldon's "Outlander" series.

My overall impression with "Girls Guide to Vampires":

Plotline: definitely enjoyed it as I do enjoy Vampire themed books/movies, etc. :) As I don't normally read romances, I was very pleased to see that this book DOES have a plot, a good plot and stuck with the plot throughout the book.

Humor: I quite thoroughly enjoyed the humor in not just the sex scenes, but throughout the book (I LOVED the description of the fallout from the last time Joy had done public Rune readings!). Humor is a very essential part of life and many of us also use humor in bed in our everyday situations so I liked seeing it as an "added feature" of the book.

Meredith: Truly gifted in the arts but takes herself too seriously. Like Kae, I envision her as being the 'beloved' for Christian. Again, it's their match between dark and light. The "explanation" behind it all.... Meredith was doing a reading for Joy for her soulmate and ended up reading for herself. Prophecy being what it is made itself seem to fit Joy in its vague-ness and the way certain people were introduced. The "mixup" in the scrying for Joy and the reading by Meredith could explain the confusion and feeling of saviour Christian had for Joy. (just pulling straws and this is how I ended up convincing myself... :grin: )

Joy: Pain in the Ass but since she's the heroine gets away with being overrun by her emotions and not being a logical being. Not that being led by emotions is a bad thing *some* of the time, but logic needs to enter the picture somewhere and I really didn't see her as following too much login. Of course, following her emotions is what led her to believe that Raphael was the true soulmate for her and not Christian so in this instance, not too bad.

Roxy: Bubblehead. Great sidekick but not terribly involved of a character; definitely don't think she would make a good heroine in a book. She was definitely a good sounding board for Joy's emotional responses to her visions and 'emotional logic'. She did, of course, put Joy into situations she would not have found herself in otherwise, which of course, is the primary job description for a secondary character! :)

Christian: Almost too obvious that he was the vampire and not Raphael. I didn't get too strong of a feel for him as a character but what there was did not leave me feeling like he was a "bump" in the book. There were too many questions left unanswered but as he was not exactly the hero of the book (except for the last chapter! WOW!) those questions did not need to be answered. He has strong potential as a character and I will definitely look forward to reading more about him in the sequel.

Raphael: Got a feel for him as a real "burly" kind of a guy that has an awful lot of baggage and a great deal of 'old fashioned-ness' to him. His overwhelming protection of Joy and his "I'll tell you everything when it's over" kind of attitude is one that I have always bristled against myself and started to really feel for Joy and get upset at Raphael.

Of course, getting myself sympathizing with characters is what makes this book a really good read instead of just a simple "Romance" book! I will definitely be recommending this book to others and may even get my husband to read it! :)

I look forward to reading everyone else's comments on this book and see how everyone else reacted to the characters! I would also like to know how Joy's MANY public rune readings came out in the following few weeks (i.e., is Joy really the Cataclyscient or is Meredith the cataclyscient (she *was* present at the previous public rune readings after all!!)

[Mairi the Herbwench]

1. Some readers have very definite opinions regarding books written in the first person point of view. What are the advantages to reading a book written in first person?
I always write in first person - it's my preferred style to both read and write. It allows you pretty full access to the main character, but you have to read in a lot to the other characters, and I like that. Lousy review, I know, but just a personal preference that I can't really explain.
2. Joy is fated to be Christain’s Beloved, but her heart belongs to Raphael. How big a role do you feel fate really plays in finding your true love? Would you be willing to go against fate?
I’m not a big believer in fate – or “true love”. I tend to analyze things and look at why, rather than just “because”. I do believe that things happen for a reason.
3. Raphael wants to protect Joy even though he knows she doesn’t wish to be protected. How do you feel about a man who does what he thinks is best for his woman despite her wishes?
Wrong, wrong, wrong. Communication is key. What he thinks may be right isn’t necessarily so.
4. What did you like most about Joy? What were some of Raphael’s most appealing traits? How did the differences in their two characters complement one another?
In many aspects, Joy seemed like a real person; however, her sudden jealousy seemed contrived. She wasn’t totally consistent within her character (and I can’t remember specifics and I don’t have the book with me. Raphael I was in love with from the beginning. His body, his response to a woman “I know the woman I’ll spend the rest of my life with” – yes, a deep dark secret – I’m a romantic at heart. She wanted to be independent, he wanted to be protective, and they were able to work it out.
5. Romanticizing something as dark in nature as vampirism is common these days, and Joy and Roxy are part of the large number of women (the author included) who find vampires sexy. What did you think of Joy’s reaction when she found Tanya’s body after it had evidently been savaged by a vampire? Would the realism of that situation make you change your opinion about the cult of blood?
The majority of vampire stories I’ve read always include a “savaging” piece – and in part, that’s part of the attraction – “am I the one to lose my life?” Major risk taking, or “am I the one who he’ll love and treat like a goddess” – major reward.
6. How did you feel about Roxy and Christian—were they good secondary characters? Did you want to know more about them?
I loved Roxy – I have friends like her. Christian was secondary, and I didn’t feel that he got “fleshed out” – couldn’t understand why Joy would be remotely interested in him when he didn’t seem to have much of a personality. I do look forward to seeing him come back – and do like the idea of Meredith being his “beloved” – that I can believe.
7. What did you think of Joy’s rune stone readings? Have you ever had your future read? Did you believe that Joy really was able to see something beyond what her everyday insight would allow?
I’ve not had the runes read, but have had tarot read – and it’s been interesting. Some people can see “what’s beyond” – and try to deny it. I think that’s what Joy was doing.
8. The author uses humor to highlight emotional scenes, particularly the love scenes. How do you feel about humor being used in that manner?
I loved the humor. Sex is inherently very funny, and if you can’t laugh in bed – you have no relationship. This was one of the few books I’ve read that had me laughing out loud, even on the 2nd reading.
9. What was your favorite scene? Which scene did you think was the funniest?
Can’t recall off the top of my head.
10. What kind of man could hold the same seductive power over you as Raphael held for Joy?
None. I’m too analytical, and am not given to “falling in love” - a pseudonym for lust, in my opinion.

This was a nice, short, sweet book to read. Yes, there were elements that didn't mesh (speaking only German while traveling - I tend to agree with that) but it's fiction. I can allow that suspension of belief. I finshed it in a few hours and laughed a lot while doing it. I have recommended it and will continue to do so.

[AnnaFaerie]

I hate to say this, but I couldn't get into this book (sorry Katie).

I have spent 5 minutes typing and erasing what I said trying to explain why I couldn't get into the book and I can't really find one specific reason.

The story didn't have any flow to it for me. I had to go back to re-read things and I just kept saying.....huh?

Sorry.

[Nevada]

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 12:01 am Post subject: Jan. Book - A Girl's Guide to Vampires

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OK _ Remember this is just my opinion and Katie, you said you wanted honest ones.
I had a really hard time with the book. Joy's attraction to Raphael just never made sense to me. Her choosing a human male over a 900 year old vampire who can do some great things, like invade her mind, didn't click. The being able to get around the Czech Republic in small towns by only speaking high school German and English also didn't work for me, maybe because I teach Geman.
It did give me moments of humur and Christian was a very powerful character, he seemed to have a lot more depth than the others. I look forward to reading more about him.
I do read romance all the time, it is my escapism, this one just didn't help me escape too much. It may have been that I was PMSing while reading it.

Below are my answers to the questionaire, it might explain my opinions better.

Kae
Hoping she didn't offend anyone.



1. Some readers have very definite opinions regarding books written in the first person point of view. What are the advantages to reading a book written in first person?
I do enjoy getting the characters feel with first person views
2. Joy is fated to be Christain’s Beloved, but her heart belongs to Raphael. How big a role do you feel fate really plays in finding your true love? Would you be willing to go against fate?
If it was fate than there wouldn't be someone else who could turn her from him.
3. Raphael wants to protect Joy even though he knows she doesn’t wish to be protected. How do you feel about a man who does what he thinks is best for his woman despite her wishes?
It can be very annoying...like most women I dont enjoy being treated like a child who doesnt know right from wrong. Granted when dealing with serial killers, vampires..in a country where they don't speak English as a first language...I'd accept the help.
4. What did you like most about Joy? What were some of Raphael’s most appealing traits? How did the differences in their two characters complement one another?
I did and did not like Joy...first I am a very common sense person so found her a bit too impulsive....That Raphael didn't strangle, tie her up or have the police arrest her to keep her safe was a sheer miracle. His steadiness will hopefully balance out her impulses.
5. Romanticizing something as dark in nature as vampirism is common these days, and Joy and Roxy are part of the large number of women (the author included) who find vampires sexy. What did you think of Joy’s reaction when she found Tanya’s body after it had evidently been savaged by a vampire? Would the realism of that situation make you change your opinion about the cult of blood? Okay, I worked in medical for a long time and have wrapped more than my fair share of bodies...what was written didn't scare me..but then I have seen much worse up close...however if I believed it was done by a vampire...you betcha I would be heading for the nearest collection of stakes and holy water...and my first belief would be it was made by a wannabe not a
true vampire as their survival depends on not having the victims savaged and left in obvious places to be found. The less publicity the better in their case.
6. How did you feel about Roxy and Christian—were they good secondary characters? Did you want to know more about them?
Roxy...I would never travel with her..nice enough but waaayy to erratic for my nerves...Christian I liked...I would like to see more on him.
7. What did you think of Joy’s rune stone readings? Have you ever had your future read? Did you believe that Joy really was able to see something beyond what her everyday insight would allow?
I liked that research was done on Runes. That Joy has the sight is interesting and that she is reluctant to parade it was admirable. Yes I have had my future read, very accurately on occassion.
8. The author uses humor to highlight emotional scenes, particularly the love scenes. How do you feel about humor being used in that manner?
The best sex is sex you can laugh during...I liked that
9. What was your favorite scene? Which scene did you think was the funniest?
I loved it when Joy ummm physcially made her point on Christian to not try to overwhelm or force her into something she doesnt want.
10. What kind of man could hold the same seductive power over you as Raphael held for Joy?
Nope don't want one like that...My husband is perfect for me...makes me a little more impulsive than I normally am and makes me laugh but doesn't interfere with my ability to think for myself or get my business done.

[Nevada]

Yeah Yeah I just realized I cut and pasted to far up...

[Morte]

1.Some readers have very definite opinions regarding books written in the first person point of view. What are the advantages to reading a book written in first person?

I love first person narrative, I find that in general it allows me to understand and connect with characters better. And in the case of the 2 books I’ve read by Katie it’s also made the story (to me) read like a friend sitting there telling me about events she’s experienced…

2. Joy is fated to be Christain’s Beloved, but her heart belongs to Raphael. How big a role do you feel fate really plays in finding your true love? Would you be willing to go against fate?

I DEFINITELY believe in fate… however I believe that fate is something with choices… it was fate that I met my husband.. but my choice (and his) that our relationship developed in the way it did. I think fate brings you to a crossroads where you make decisions that effect your life…

3. Raphael wants to protect Joy even though he knows she doesn’t wish to be protected. How do you feel about a man who does what he thinks is best for his woman despite her wishes?

OK… good question I run into this one a LOT in romances… For me there’s two parts to this.. there’s the fantasy “Wow he loves her So much look what he’s willing to do for her, he's So manly *swoon*” part and then there’s the “Oh My God I would kick his arse if a guy tried to treat me like that!” So in real life I definitely wouldn’t want that sort of relationship, it’s very controlling and unfair to both partners (and hey that’s what role playing is for *wink wink*)…

4. What did you like most about Joy? What were some of Raphael’s most appealing traits? How did the differences in their two characters complement one another?

I like that Joy chose to follow her heart… that she didn’t just say “Well I guess I was fated to be with Christian so this thing for ‘Bob’ must be some aberration or test” That even though she wasn’t always logical she believed in herself.. Rapheal was just hot *g* in that fantasy land way… I would have liked to know more about him though… I did think his calm manner and her impulsive manner complimented each other but would have liekd to see them have a touch more in common

5. Romanticizing something as dark in nature as vampirism is common these days, and Joy and Roxy are part of the large number of women (the author included) who find vampires sexy. What did you think of Joy’s reaction when she found Tanya’s body after it had evidently been savaged by a vampire? Would the realism of that situation make you change your opinion about the cult of blood?

I though Joy seemed a little too rational in the situation, especially after she saw Raphael with the body… she HAD to be questioning her sanity by that point… But as the reader I was glad to see Tanya “bite it” *he he*. I don’t know about the last question though, the whole scene in the book seemed very staged to me and my immediate thought was that someone was trying to frame an innocent… and I guess IRL I would have similar thoughts…

6. How did you feel about Roxy and Christian—were they good secondary characters? Did you want to know more about them?

Roxy was ANNOYING if she was my friend I would have strangled her for her frequent and amazing insensitivity and just plain rudeness... However those traits made her believable to me … I know people like that. I liked Christian I liked his very self contained manner and the small tidbits about his personality that were revealed in passing… he’s also a character I would like to learn more about.

7. What did you think of Joy’s rune stone readings? Have you ever had your future read? Did you believe that Joy really was able to see something beyond what her everyday insight would allow?

I’ve never had my “fortune” told through any medium personally but have had some *very* interesting experiences during Pagan rituals involving foretellings (long story) as well as a Great Grandmother who predicted things during her life time that are still happening to her descendants today. I believe that Joy definitely had the sight but wondered about the negative focus of it…

8. The author uses humor to highlight emotional scenes, particularly the love scenes. How do you feel about humor being used in that manner?

I think my favorite thing about Katie’s books is the humor ESPECIALLY during sex scenes. Humor is so much a part of the human condition that I think it’s the missing ingredient in a lot of the romance/sex I read. Real people do silly things in all aspects of their lives and I love seeing it portrayed so keenly in fiction

9. What was your favorite scene? Which scene did you think was the funniest?

I loved the opening scene, as well as the falling down the stairs scene (up until Tanya made her entrance). And the sex scenes were great (please note I often SKIP sex scenes in books b/c I find them too false and embarrassing to read). I would be very hard pressed to pick the funniest scene humor throughout the book really made the story in my opinion.

10. What kind of man could hold the same seductive power over you as Raphael held for Joy?

We’re talking attraction here not authority right? I often find underdog and sensitive guys very attractive (thus my geeky, poetry writing husband). But one thing I find INCREDIBLY sexxxxxxy is capability… any sort of capability… as silly as it sounds watching my husband program actually makes my knees weak he’s so good at what he does… (web design)

[Morte]

So my follow-up to the huge-mongus question answering post:

I really enjoyed this book my one problem was that at a few points the plot got a *little* convoluted..but that could have to do with me staying up til 4AM to finish it too..

i enjoyed the different take on vampires (new to me is it Katie's own invention?) and as i mentioned i really loved the humor! i think it's what took em from liking the book to loving and reccomending it...

And to the people have trouble with the believability of the language thing, when i was 17 i went to Europe with 3 years of high school french and had no problem whatsoever making myself understood. So many europeans speak english (and most speak at least 2 languages so there's an overlap of secondary languages) and are in my experience willing to make an effort once you've made an effort to speak the local language(s)

my .02

[KatieMac]

Thanks for the comments on GGV, everyone! I appreciate hearing what you all think of it. And it's OK if you don't like the book--one of the first things you learn as an author is that not every person is the right reader for your book. Even with authors I love, there are some of their books I just don't like or get into or whatever. :)

But I did want to set one thing straight--Christian's Beloved is not Miranda. She's fated for other things--namely, she's the mother of a sixteen year old girl who is the heroine of a new vampire teen series that will launch in January of 2005.

Katie