inconceivably

This is the series that introduced me to paranormal romance, and for a long time I just rattled it off as my favorite both for sentiment and habit. However, I'm starting to lose some steam....well, I started losing steam several books ago actually, but here I am reading the book as soon as it was released just the same! See? Habit. Sentiment. It is my understanding that there might only be a couple books left - I hope that is the case. If Harris gets a new contract for this series I will start yanking on my hair. As much as I don't want to give the characters up, it is time.I say that because, no matter how many books there are, there is never one that leaves the reader satisfied. I don't like series that keep you stringed along so that you are forced to pick up the next book - how about a series with dynamic characters and engaging plots that are wrapped up each time so that you pick up the next book because you want to? Every time I set down a new Sookie book, my first thought isn't "wow, that was good!" it is "sigh, another year until the next one." Nonetheless, even though there are tons of loose ends and questions, a couple of big plot lines were satisfied/closed and the book was incredibly fast paced. I also found it a lot funnier then I remember the other books being. Also - there was a brief paragraph talking about the Queen of Oklahoma and Oklahoma in general and it referred to Eric as being a Sooner fan, and I had a nice brief fantasy of Eric and I wearing matching OU tshirts. ha.Charlaine even lets the dreaded "E" word drop on more than one occasion. Imagine my surprise. (If you don't know the word I'm referring to - think Bubba.)Bill doesn't make an appearance until halfway through the book and let me tell you, the first half was a relief. I know he comes in handy, but I am so sick of the guy! Since he almost died in the fae war but didn't, I suppose she is keeping him around for a reason. But still...As for Sookie and Eric, that loose end is gonna blow in the wind, mocking us, until the flippin' last page of the final book. I just know it. I really like Eric a lot, but all is not well in relationshipville. If nothing else, there will most likely be at least some major developments along those lines (whether for good or ill) in the next book. As long as Sookie doesn't end up dating Bill again I won't throw the books out the window.Anyway, the book fit in well with the series and I don't have any major complaints! Hopefully the next couple of books will be the last and poor Sookie can finally catch a break. Now it's time to wait another year for the next release...