Blow Me Down

By Katie MacAlister

Book Overview

This Game Girl has wreaked havoc on the high seas--but the tide is about to turn...In the Internet virtual reality game Buckling Swashes, Earless Erika and Black Corbin are two of the most deadly... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451216393
• Release Date: November 2005
• Publisher: Berkley
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.44 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.8" x 1.0" x 4.3"

Customer Reviews

surprising and fun

I was surprised by Blow Me Down--I'd been expecting something along the lines of The Corset Diaries or Hard Day's Knight, but I got more than I bargained for. I love when that happens. Katie MacAlister, by the way, is on my must-buy list. Which is not to say that I've caught all her books--there are a few of her backlist I have yet to find, and I only have one or two of her Katie Maxwells. Amy's a workaholic businesswoman who, according to her teenage daughter, doesn't know how to have fun. So she accepts her daughter's challenge to spend an hour playing Buckling Swashes, a pirate-themed virtual reality game. And that's where the paranormal part comes in, so you really need to check your disbelief suspension before going further. She gets stuck in the game and can't get out. Furthermore, it's not just audiovisual--you feel everything that happens in the game as if it's real. And your character looks the way you see yourself. Amy meets Black Corbin, the rival pirate, who's also the game's designer. He initially looks like a romance novel cover model, but when Amy objects, he changes his appearance to something more real. Corbin's also stuck in the game, and hijinks and romance ensue as they try to figure out who's trapped them there and why, and how to get out, all the while continuing to play the game. I rolled my eyes a bit at Amy's (to my mind) overdone insistence on there not being any killing in the game, and even more when Corbin agrees--hello? It's a pirate game. What do they think happens when they sink a ship? And what, then, is the point of the cannons and swords? But that was a small annoyance in a fun, delightful book. I enjoyed the puzzle aspect, and despite the unreal setting, the development of the relationship between Amy and Corbin was realistic and sexy. I particularly enjoyed what their characters' appearances said about them. It was a nice touch. The ending, too--and I'm not going to give it away--was just right. As they started falling in love--and having great sex!--in cyberspace, I worried how that would translate in real life. To my relief, it was handled perfectly.

Why all the contention?

I see that some people loved this book while others hated it. Personally, I loved it, for it's humor and fun sexuality, even if the plot line was far-fetched; a little suspension of disbelief goes a long way. Usually, McAllister's books start out a little slow for me (I put down both this and Hard Day's Knight for a few weeks), but I know now to stick with them because they always end up delightful. I really wish she would get away from the paranormal genre and try her hand at westerns, as well as another pirate novel. For the time being, I'll read whatever she writes, as I love her books, especially this one.

Yet another fun one!

This was only the second of Katie's non-paranormal books I've read. I was hooked on the premise and the humor from the start! As usual with Katie's books, I couldn't put it down. There is a bit of mystery to the novel as well, which leaves you wondering who the bad guy really is...

Inventive and Fun!

The book starts out a little slow, but soon picks up, and then I couldn't put it down! The idea is really, quite clever and the author makes you second guess yourself when trying to piece things together. The characters are funny and real and I highly recommend this book.

Blew Me Away!

I admit that I'm far fonder of Katie Mac's Vampire & Dragon novels.Who isn't adicted to them? But she is usually good for a giggle & that's all I was hoping for when I picked this latest book up. What a great surprise! Even though I'm still a little young to adore the late 30 something /with a teenage daughter heroine (sorry those of you in that range, no offense)Amy was very indearing.She and game designer Corbin, who become trapped in a virtual reality pirate game made a delectable couple. The chemistry was perfect!Add a hilarious & loyal bestfreind, a cast of scurvy but lovable pirate characters, a morbid child sidekick, & an evil baddy who could be anyone of a host of suspicious players & you have an explosive hit. I also liked that Amy aka Earless Erika, wasn't made to play the helpless damsel roll but got to be a lady pirate who kicked but with a good helping of luck. This was a wonderful book! Why are you still reading this review?Go get a copy!