This book was interesting, but in all honesty, a bit slow moving. I had problems following it in places, and the heroine's rather nonchalant reaction to the fact that she'd slept with a vampire kind of took the excitement away. That's not to say that it was a bad book; I enjoyed it, just that I've read better. I did like the heroine, and I liked the fact that she was chubby, and not the little waif type you always find in these books. Also liked the fact she wasn't a 20-something. I guess I identified with her better because of it. ( )

Liked this a lot. Might have enjoyed it more if had read any of the books before it in series. It's #7. contrary to some readers I find it refreshing and awesome that Katie MacAlister's heroines obsess about their figures. It adds character, diversity and a bit of much needed reality to the paranormal romance genre. It is incredibly important that romance and fantasy authors utilise diverse men and women in their books in order for people to feel good about themselves.

Socially, it has been proven time and again that the more mainstream media (adverts, slogans, tabloids, games as well as certain films and books) focuses on unreal ideals of men and women - the more body dysmorphia is found in our cultures. So many romance novels and fantasy novels as well as 'paranormal romance' marginalise real people. They lead us to believe that if our skin isn't palest ivory, if we wear glasses, if we are over or under certain ages, if our hair is curly, if we go out without makeup on etc - then we are somehow unworthy.

Yes, it gets repetitive sometimes with certain authors. But it's a darn sight more refreshing than other repetitive issues in books & films. Until I pass on from this world, please G-d not anytime soon, I will do my best to campaign for our rights as human beings to be portrayed as such. This particular book IS paranormal fantasy, yes, but it shows real people's dilemmas even within a fantasy setting.

The protagonist does have to choose between those she cares about and change her mind constantly in this book - but while this may upset certain monogamous and fundamentalist people, it is a more accurate portrayal of what life can be like for women in their thirties than many books in the related genres. For a more quality author, but with longer books - I'd suggest Laurell K Hamilton. ( )

I tried getting into this book, but just couldn't. Then after reading the Amazon reviews, glad I didn't invest more than the hour I did read. Looking for more in Dragon series. ( )

**spoiler alert!***
So I always like the Dark Ones books. They're funny, romantic, and STANDALONE. This one was funny, but not LOL funny as some have been in the past. The ghost interactions - yes; the love interest interactions, notsomuch.

So can I get a big WTF about Katie MacAlister and her semi-cliffhangers of late?! My mom absolutely forbid me to read Playing With Fire (Silver Dragons, #1) until the second one came out because It. Just. Ends. In the middle. AAAGGHH! Ok, so Zen doesn't end in the middle, but it certainly doesn't finish, either! And there's another book with the same characters coming out in May 2009? Have any of the other Dark Ones novels been continued this way? I was kind of excited for my HEA and then I got this totally frustrating ending. Blargh.

Don't get me wrong - I liked this book. I'm just aggravated by the ending.

And Magda seems a little iffy to me. When the whole Denise thing went down at the end I was sure Magda had been a red herring, but she seems like she could be the real Zenith big bad. But who knows. I won't, not until next g-damn spring! ( )

Reasonably enjoyable book. Nice sex scenes. Character development was a little thin. Interesting that the main female lead was overweight (who is the girl on the cover?), but I am not sure what the title has to do with the book. ( )