Book Review (but not really) Dead After Dark by Charlaine Harris

Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris 
There are secrets in the town of Bon Temps, ones that threaten those closest to Sookie—and could destroy her heart... 

Sookie Stackhouse finds it easy to turn down the request of former barmaid Arlene when she wants her job back at Merlotte’s. After all, Arlene tried to have Sookie killed. But her relationship with Eric Northman is not so clearcut. He and his vampires are keeping their distance…and a cold silence. And when Sookie learns the reason why, she is devastated.

Then a shocking murder rocks Bon Temps, and Sookie is arrested for the crime.

But the evidence against Sookie is weak, and she makes bail. Investigating the killing, she’ll learn that what passes for truth in Bon Temps is only a convenient lie. What passes for justice is more spilled blood. And what passes for love is never enough.

I have been putting off writing this because everyone, for one reason or another, pretty much feels the same way I do: disappointed. I’m not disappointed with the outcome. I didn’t care who she ended up with; as long as Sookie got what she wanted I was fine, even though it did seem kind of abrupt. My opinion might be colored by the fact that Harris said she was just tired of these characters, but I felt it showed in the book. It was anticlimactic, lacking passion, hurried, and the book story arc was uninspiring. Two of the major players' endings weren’t brought to a satisfying conclusion and many of the secondary ones weren't either. I’m not that hard to please; killing them off would have been better because it would give me some emotional closure for these people! At least I would know how things turned out for them. But to be fair, Harris is releasing a book at the end of the year to let us know what happened to all the other characters. And let’s not forget she has a new series coming out and she has said some characters from her other novels will be popping up in that one. So that might be a reason for leaving some endings open. 

Now it sounds like I am bashing this book, but I’m not! I adore Sookie. Sometimes an author can write a character that you connect to on many levels. This is what I love about first person POV, the character’s emotions are more real to me. Harris’s writing style made me feel so comfortable in Sookie’s head. The way she thinks and her outlook on life is a lot like mine. So this wasn’t my favorite book of the series, so what? The series as a whole has brought me a lot of reading pleasure and I can’t thank Harris enough for that.


Open letter to Ms. Charlaine Harris:


Dear Ms. Harris,


Thank you.


Sincerely, Sharon Stogner

Sheep Review: Deadlocked by Charliane Harris

This post is more of me telling you how much and why I love this series and why you should read it. I also talk about Deadlocked and there are no spoilers

by Sharon Stogner
co-creator & media relations


With Felipe de Castro, the Vampire King of Louisiana (and Arkansas and Nevada), in town, it’s the worst possible time for a body to show up in Eric Northman’s front yard—especially the body of a woman whose blood he just drank.
Now, it’s up to Sookie and Bill, the official Area Five investigator, to solve the murder. Sookie thinks that, at least this time, the dead girl’s fate has nothing to do with her. But she is wrong. She has an enemy, one far more devious than she would ever suspect, who’s out to make Sookie’s world come crashing down.


There are tons of reviews out there on this book already so no need for me to say what has already been said. Instead I will do one of my favorite things...gush and talk about this series and why you should read it. First I will say if I had to judge Deadlocked against the other books in the series it wouldn’t be at the top as far as main storylines go, but I don’t look at the books in this series that way. Instead I see them as a continuation of one fabulous urban fantasy story so I can't tell you what happened in each book. There is only one more book left (excuse me while a take a moment *sob*) and Harris has started to wrap up some secondary storylines, as well as setting up the events for the last book; the secondary characters seem to all be getting their nice and tidy HEAs, which is fine with me. The faerie story line appears to have ended with a surprise I didn’t see coming, which makes me sad 'cause I love those characters.

The big question is Sookie’s love life. Harris said in the talk I went to that this series isn’t one of those HEA romances. In this book Eric’s fate seems to have been decided and Bill has declared his feelings in a very romantic way. Then there is her best friend Sam, and while Deadlocked changes things for him dramatically, where Harris is going with this remains unknown. Has anyone given thought to the idea that Sookie's HEA might not include a man at all...maybe she will be happiest just being self sufficient and all the ones she loves in a good place.

Now, why do I love this series so much? Harris’ writing voice. I LOVE first person POV books and Sookie’s character resonates with me perfectly. I can slip easily into her head because we think so much alike. Maybe because I am a southern girl and her inner dialogue feels natural to me.

"There is something about JB, something warm and simple that's really appealing, especially when added to hid non-threatening good looks. He's like a great loaf of homemade bread."

"He was just being polite because I am Claude's cousin," I said. "Like hell! He was looking at you like you were chocolate-chip-cookie-dough ice cream," she said. "He wanted to eat you up."

I was pretty sure she was right, but maybe not in the sense she meant; not that I could read Bellenos's mind, any more than that of any other supernatural creature...but elves are what you'd call unrestricted in their diet..."

Will you like this series? Don’t judge the books by the TV show, they are hardly the same beast. The books have characters that don’t even show up in the show like Bubba. He is actually Elvis, but his transition into a vampire didn’t go so well and he doesn’t like it when people use his real name. Also, he eats cats.

Grab the first book Dead Until Dark and read a few pages or download a sample and see if you like looking at the world through Sookie’s eyes. Next year will be book #13 and the last. I will be sorry to see this world end, but like Harris said, it is time to move on.

I found this over on parajunkee.com and it definitely applies here

I give Deadlocked 4 Sheep

and the series as a whole 5 Sheep!

All the books in the Sookie Stackhouse series

Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse / Southern Vampire Mysteries, No. 1)
Living Dead in Dallas (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 2)
Club Dead (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 3)
Dead to the World (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 4)
Dead as a Doornail (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 5)
Definitely Dead (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 6)
All Together Dead (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 7)
From Dead to Worse (Southern Vampire Mysteries, No. 8)
Dead and Gone: A Sookie Stackhouse Novel (Southern Vampire Mysteries, No. 9)
Dead in the Family (Sookie Stackhouse, Book 10)
Dead Reckoning (Sookie Stackhouse, Book 11) (Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood)

Sheree Atcheson’s Geek Chic: How to Look Stackhouse Sultry

Hi guys. It’s me again. I know, I know…I’ve been neglecting my geek-chic duties and I haven’t brought you all an article in quite some time. I apologise! But the main thing is that I’m here now and I’m bringing you exactly what you asked for. The lovely ladies over at ISmellSheep requested an article on a True Blood icon and I hope I haven‘t disappointed you all with my choice..

The unbelievably sultry Sookie Stackhouse.

Sookie is known for innocent looks, teamed with a killer power. Sookie’s outfits always tick the “wholesome southern american daughter” box, however, there’s always a sexy twist to them.

To kill the rock-a-billy look Sookie owns so well, always go for halter neck lines (especially for the bigger busted ladies out there). Not only will it give you that “cutesy american” look, but with a halter neckline, you’ll be vamped all the way up to sexy.

There are many ways you can enterpret the halter neck line . Here are a few options :

For the sexier option, go for a deep, deep red in silk. But don’t go too short, or you’ll defeat the purpose of the sexy, understated pin-up-esque look Sookie rocks so well. If you want to tone down the sexy, then just throw on some tights and you’re ready to go.

Or for a quirky option, try a pair of nude tights, with a black line up the back.

For a more everyday look, go for a checkered print, in a more relaxed fabric like cotton, and wear with white pumps or brogues :

And for the stop-everyone-in-their-tracks option, go for the ultimate luxury, and channel Sookie in this unbelievably gorgeous number, with killer satin heels :

Sookie not only wears dresses, but she also has her casual work wear look, which is totally understated sexy.

Now I know we all might not live in a climate where short shorts are suitable for everyday wear, but no worries, there’s always alternatives.

Firstly, a simple tight, white top will work perfect for this. Just something that highlights your silhouette and shape, without showing it off too much.

Now onto the bottoms. If you’re lucky enough to live somewhere where shorts are a feasible option, then go for it. There are lots of different types of shorts out there, that will work for any body shape. Sookie goes for the short short/almost hot pant.

But if you’re not feeling as adventurous, there’s always the longer leg option, or even the high waisted option (which will even help give that hourglass shape because they’ll hold in any wee bumps).

And like Sookie, just throw on a pair of low-top converse and you’re set. If you’re going out, a pair of plain patent black stillettos will go down a treat.

Or if you want a wee bit of colour popping, try some red heels.

Now as I said, some of us live in places with a “slightly colder” temperature than where Sookie lives, so if you’re one of those people (like myself) then don’t fret! Instead of short shorts, try a pair of skin tight blue jeans/jeggings. Since it’s winter now, jeans might be a better option.

And everyone knows there’s very few things sexier than a plain white top, teamed with the perfect jeans and sky-scraper heels.

And if you want to make this look more suitable for everyday/work, just add your favourite blazer and you’re all ready to go.

One more option for a Sookie-esque look is this more girly look.

Team girly floral blouses, with brightly coloured a-line skirts for a 50’s inspired, classic look.

With Sookie’s look, keep accessories to a minimum. Try a fresh-faced makeup look with just a nude eyeshadow, a pale lip and a little mascara. Just use enough to accent your features, but not over-power them.

Well guys, I hope you enjoyed this article. I promise I won’t take as long to bring you another one as I did this time. As always, if you have any requests, drop me a wee message on here, or even on my personal modelling page ShereeAtchesonModel

Thanks again lads and ladies,

Until next time,

Sheree xx.

A, not really, review of Dead Reckoning

Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris

Blurb:

With her knack for being in trouble's way, Sookie witnesses the firebombing of Merlotte's, the bar where she works. Since Sam Merlotte is now known to be two-natured, suspicion falls immediately on the anti-shifters in the area. But Sookie suspects otherwise and she and Sam work together to uncover the culprit - and the twisted motive for the attack. But her attention is divided. Though she can't 'read' vampires, Sookie knows her lover Eric Northman and his 'child' Pam well - and she realises that they are plotting to kill the vampire who is now their master. Gradually, she is drawn into the plot -which is much more complicated than she knows. Caught up in the politics of the vampire world, Sookie will learn that she is as much of a pawn as any ordinary human - and that there is a new Queen on the board . .

There is no point in actually reviewing a book that is #11 in such a big series. If you have read the first 10 then you are going to read this one, no matter what anyone says about it. If you haven’t read the Sookie Stackhouse books yet, you really can't start the series with Dead Reckoning. I highly suggest you start at the beginning and work your way through the series. Instead I am going to tell you why this series rocks and why you should try it. I will add that I loved Dead Reckoning as I love all the Sookie Stackhouse books, it has been a year since I got to submerse myself in Harris’s world of sexy, unapologetic vampires, shifters and fae, and I am already foaming at the mouth for the next one!

What is it about this series that has everyone so excited (other than the extremely hot supernatural men)? A lot of buzz about the books has being generated by the TV show True Blood which is loosely based on the series. Now, I have only seen season one and while I liked it, it doesn’t really follow the books. So don’t judge whether you will like the books or not based on your reaction to the T.V. show. This series of books is one of the reasons I became a reader and blogger of the UF/PNR genre.

It is written from the POV of the heroine, Sookie, and I love living in her head. Maybe it is because I am a southern girl too, but I like her attitude. Bad stuff keeps coming at her but she buckles down and overcomes the challenges without too much complaining. I also like the easy-going and humorous writing style of Harris. I can totally see myself having the same inner dialogue Sookie does as she goes through her day.

“When I thought of Eric with someone else, I wanted to rip out all his beautiful blond hair. By the roots. In clumps.” –Sookie from Dead Reckoning

Or when Sookie is scared, naked and hiding, while some bad guys look for her.

“My heart sank, though I would have sworn it was already down to my toes. My bare toes. I was glad I’d painted my toenails recently. Irrelevant!”

I also like the fact that the supernatural beings in the story don’t change the way they behave. They don’t experience a sudden epiphany and change their evil ways. You know how in most UF and PNR stories the vampire/shifter/fae tries to change for their significant other? Not in this world . They don’t think like humans (cause, duh! They aren’t) or love like humans do, and they are self-serving and feel no need to apologize for this fact. It is how Sookie handles dealing with these characters that draws me to her. Someone must bend and it is usually her. Harris isn’t very nice to Sookie, for the most part the girl is being manipulated by everyone in her life. She does manage to find a silver lining most of the time, that is part of her charm, but her character is the one that struggles and changes throughout the series. I just find myself rooting for her. Sadly, there are only 2 or 3 books left in the series according to Harris. I will be reading and hoping for Sookie to find her HEA.

The series gets 5 Sheep for 200, Alex!

SS (heavily edited by BAK)