The Monster Librarian Presents:

Paranormal Romance and Erotica

Ever dream of dating something tall, dark, and deadly. Whether it is vampires, werewolves, or even zombies (who knew!), readers enjoying dating on the darkside and these are some titles along those lines.

Rhonda Wilson interviews paranormal romance/erotica writer Devyn Quinn.

Silencing Sam by Julie Kramer*New Review

2010, Pocket Books Fiction

ISBN: 978-1-4391-7800-3

Available: New

        TV reporter Riley Spartz finds herself in hot water yet again in Julie Kramer’s Silencing Sam. The third book surrounding Spartz’s unconventional sleuthing skills has her tracking down who killed Sam Pierce, a newspaper columnist who has more than his fair share of enemies, including Spartz. Naturally, as these stories are wont to do, Spartz is implicated in the murder and she must not only find a way to prove her innocence, she must maintain her television ratings and helps solve two other grisly murders at the same time. Kramer knows the journalism field and spices it up just enough to provide large doses of humor and intrigue while focusing on real issues.

        Kramer has quite obviously done extensive research into the Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota region, which brings the story to life and gives it an authentic air. She’s great at queuing in plot devices to keep the pacing brisk while leaving the real culprit just behind the reveal curtain. While Silencing Sam is not Kramer’s first book surrounding the Riley Spartz character, it is not necessary to read the first two titles (Stalking Susan and Missing Mark) prior to reading this third installment. Each book can be read independently. Readers’ advisory note: this story is written in the first-person.

Recommended for public library mystery/thriller collections.

Contains: while violence is discussed, it is not overly graphic or gory.

Reviewed by Kelly Fann

Divine by Mistake by P.C. Cast

Harlequin, 2009

ISBN: 9780373803163

Available: New and Used

A probable case of self-insertion on the part of the author leads to strong character building in this fish-out-of-water tale of an ordinary English teacher transported to a magical world to take the place of her soul-twin (who just happens to be the incarnation of a goddess). Heavy on European mythology, Wicca magic, and sassiness, Divine by Mistake is richly written, but the tale is a predictable fantasy romance (as predictable as a romance between a shape shifting centaur shaman and a new goddess-incarnate can be).

Shannon finds herself literally in the shoes of Rhiannon, an ill-tempered (and promiscuous) Favored One on the edge of war and about to undergo a handfasting to the centaur High Shaman. Unlike Rhiannon, who abandoned a stranger to her problems instead of trying to solve them, Shannon embraces her new identity (who wouldn't with an automatic, hot husband and a load of nymphish servants? Not to mention the clothes, horses, castles, etc. that come with being a goddess incarnate).

Some readers will be able to let the tale wrap them up in a fantasy escape, while others will find Shannon and her story eye-roll worthy. Divine by Mistake is a “love it or hate it book” that will appeal more to romance fans than traditional fantasy fans. It's likely to be a popular addition to a public collection though, due to the popularity of its author (though personally I just didn't feel that Shannon carried the story as well as Zoey, the main character of Cast’s young adult House of Night books, does.)

One major word of warning—this book is not appropriate for a majority of Cast's younger teen audience as it contains sexual context that's definitely at an adult level.

Contains: sexual themes, blunt sexual language & sexual situation, some violence 

Reviewed by: Michele Lee

When Blood Calls by J.K. Beck

Random House Publishing Group, 2010

ISBN: 9780440245773

Available: New
    When Blood Calls is billed as a “dark” paranormal romance. It certainly has its share of darkness- it starts with the aftermath of a brutal murder. Unfortunately, it’s short on romance. Sara, the heroine, first appears as a brief memory of a one night stand while Lucius, the murderous vampire “hero” is waiting for the paranormal police to take him out.  We don’t actually meet her until more than thirty pages in (and there was enough profanity in the first 25 pages that I almost didn’t make it that far), and once we do… well, there’s a limit to how much I can suspend my disbelief, and I reached it here as Sara Constantine, a brand new district attorney was promoted to the “paranormal division” of the LAPD just in time to take charge of prosecuting the guy with whom she just had fabulous sex.  And J.K. Beck has written some breathtaking sex scenes. I was amazed that Sara could see straight, or keep from melting into a puddle… forget effectively prosecuting the defendant.
    The chemistry between Lucius and Sara is undeniable, but it’s also creepy. Lucius is obsessed enough with Sara to stalk her, and, in spite of the fact that she’s just put away a serial killer, she allows him past significant paranormal defenses installed in her apartment for her protection. She sets aside her strong belief in the system to protect him when she’s supposed to be prosecuting him, although he is unrepentant about his actions. Lucius claims her presence is soothing, but it never seems to slow his amoral actions down- instead, he uses her as his get-out-of-trouble-free card. Their actions don’t show growth or real connection. Sara’s willingness to set her principles aside when it comes to Lucius is depressing, and Lucius’s attitude towards the law and toward Sara doesn’t change at all.  
    This is the first in a trilogy, and J.K. Beck has done some great world-building here, implying that there’s more to many of the characters that we meet here, like paranormal cops Tucker and Doyle, and creating an impressive law enforcement division for paranormal crimes. She sets up some good opportunities for conflict through vampire and werewolf politics that will likely complicate more straightforward storylines. I can only hope that Lucius and Sara and their relationship fall into the background and other, more convincing, relationships take center stage as Beck explores the world she’s created.
It’s hard to imagine an audience this book might satisfy. Libraries looking to build their paranormal romance and dark urban fantasy collections have many other choices, and this may not be the best use for limited funds.  The other two books in this collection are due out later this year, and depending on how the trilogy develops, as the world-building is very interesting, it may be worth it to take a second look at this after all three volumes are in print.

Review by Kirsten Kowalewski

Siren's Call by Devyn Quinn

Signet, 2010

ISBN: 978045123093

Available: New

    Siren’s Call is the first novel in Devyn Quinn’s new Dark Tides trilogy.  The lead heroine, Tessa Lonike, is not your typical lighthouse keeper, as she is also a mermaid.  One night, while keeping watch, she sees a man attempting to commit suicide and uses her special powers in order to save him, unbeknownst to him.  Many months later, her two sisters hire on a man, Kenneth Randall, to help Tessa out with repairs on her island.  Tessa is less than thrilled that her sisters had gone against her wishes and hired someone to help her, though once they both find out each other’s secrets… his being that he was the man she had rescued and hers being that she is a mermaid… she starts reconsidering things.  And that narcissistic personality she had aimed at him goes to the wayside a bit.  Unfortunately, things don’t just go to a “happily ever after” ending, as Tessa’s ex-fiancé comes along stating that he has evidence to help her find out more about her family and background.  Now, with both guys in the picture, and with the surprising knowledge that Tessa learns about her family, she has a lot to consider about her future.
    Whereas Quinn’s previous titles have had a strong erotic edge to them, Siren’s Call takes things down a notch and makes for a more sensual read.  That doesn’t mean there isn’t any sex in the book, but the scenes are tamed down a bit so that even those who blush easily can handle reading the novel.  Siren’s Call is not only a love story, it is also a novel about self-discovery.  Tessa has wanted for years to discover more about her heritage, and throughout the story, that’s exactly what she does.  In the process, she also learns a bit more about herself as a person as she discovers that she doesn’t have to be  hard-nosed, but can open up to people who care about her and even have a close relationship.  The blend of action and romance that Quinn has spun together in this beautiful tale of discovery should please all readers of the romance genre as it truly is a magnificent tail (pun fully intended).  Highly recommend for all fans of romance books!
Contains:  Adult Language, Adult Situations, Sex
Review by Rhonda Wilson

Sins of the Night by Devyn Quinn

Aphrodisia, 2008

ISBN: 9780758220189

Available: New and Used

    Following its prequel, Sins of the Flesh, Sins of the Night jumps forward a bit in time to the final stages of pregnancy for the main heroine from the first book, Rachel Carnavorn, with her husband, Devon’s child.  The Kynn have never known a child to be born within their “race” and Rachel is struggling through the process.  To add even more stress to her condition, another vampire has popped up… and old “friend” of Devon’s named Adrien Roth.  Adrien once hunted the Kynn, and one kill he did succeed at was the murder of Devon’s previous love, Ariel.  In order to get revenge on Adrien, Devon had Ariel’s sister Lilith turn him into one of their kind, thinking that would be the worst thing that could happen to him.  However, Lilith went beyond that and tortured Adrien for weeks, causing him to want revenge.  And that revenge he wants to take out on Devon’s new wife, Rachel, and their unborn child.
    Even more action-packed then Sins of the Flesh, Devyn Quinn really heats things up in this second novel of the Kynn.  Not only is the reader left to wonder how things will turn out with the first Kynn birth, but readers are left wondering throughout the book if there even WILL be a Kynn birth, since both Rachel’s life and the baby’s is in jeopardy due to Adrien’s character.  While reading, I formed a love/hate relationship with Adrien’s character.  I sympathized with him for the torture he had endured in his past, yet he instigated some of that with the murder of Ariel.  And then while seeking out revenge of his own, he stumbles across a woman that he is instantly attracted to, and I feel hope that maybe she can help soothe things over given the circumstances.  Sins of the Night is a bit of a rollercoaster ride all the way through and as any ride, it came to an end way too quickly!  Looking forward to seeing where Quinn may take the Kynn in the future.    Highly recommend to all readers!
Contains:  Adult Language, Adult Situations, Graphic Sex, Minor Violence
Review by Rhonda Wilson

Sins of the Flesh by Devyn Quinn

Aphrodesia, 2007

ISBN: 9780758220172

Available: New

    Sins of the Flesh is the first of a series, which introduces readers to the life of Rachel Marks and Devon Carnavorn.  Due to lack of funds, Rachel has been forced to close down her bookstore. In search of a new job, she stumbles upon an ad for a local Goth-themed nightclub, Mystique, hiring for several positions.  She goes in for an interview and after being interrogated by both Devon, the owner of Mystique, and his assistant, she accepts the job.  Even upon first meeting, there is sexual tension between Rachel and Devon, which increases in intensity as the novel continues.  Not only is Rachel pulled into the world of the Goth club, but Devon introduces her into his own world, the world of the Kynn… a world of vampires.  After getting attached to Rachel, Devon’s difficult decision is whether he should turn her or not as he is unsure of whether she is ready to fully take on a whole new life.
Devyn Quinn charges in full-steam ahead with this introduction into the world of the Kynn.  She throws the reader, as well as the heroine, Rachel, directly in line of bad boy Devon right away and with the tension building from the start, you know things are going to heat up.  However, Sins of Flesh has more going on than the title and cover art suggest.  The pages of this book are filled with a couple of major key plotlines that tie together nicely to bring both Rachel into Devon’s life and then for Devon to bring her into his “Kynn life”.  The balance of storyline, dialogue, and “the naughty bits” is very well-balanced throughout the book as Quinn is a talented writer and knows how to keep the reader interested.  Naughty with just a hint of nice sprinkled throughout, Sins of Flesh leaves the reader craving more!  Highly recommended for any readers that don’t mind a few intense sex scenes within the pages of their books.
Contains:  Adult Language, Adult Situations, Graphic Sex, Minor Violence
Review by Rhonda Wilson

Lucky Stiff by Tonia Brown

Library of the Living Dead Press, 2010

ISBN: 9891452833972

Available: New

Peter Lyles is an average eighteen-year-old college student—studious, boring, and bad with girls.  While on spring break in New Orleans, Peter accidently overdoses and dies in his hotel room.  In their grief, shock and fear Peter’s friends take him to a Voodoo practitioner and he’s brought back to life—actually he’s turned into a zombie.  Peter says goodbye to his friends, tells his parents he’s quit school and spends the next five years in the swamps of Louisiana learning how to live as a zombie.
              Peter learns the ways of sex magic from his Voodoo madam.  He reads her books, learns how to keep himself from decaying in the heat, and he has LOTS of sex.  Eventually he is sent out into the world to find his own way and build a life.  Peter goes to see his parents and he tells them the truth about what he is, but they don’t believe him.  He leaves and has no other contact with them for a long time.  Peter travels from place to place for the next few years.  After some time he settles down and goes to work for an escort service.  Peter likes his new life and stays longer than he planned…he even falls in love.  Through all his years he has kept his hunger for flesh at bay.  One fateful night, however his past finally catches up with him and he must face his fears.
              Tonia Brown has written a pretty good story in Lucky Stiff.  It’s a nice change of pace to have one zombie because of Voodoo as opposed to an entire world full of them due to the apocalypse.  When I hear “erotic horror” the first thing I think of is vampires, not zombies. Tonia Brown gets huge props for combining great sex and a zombie.  How Ms. Brown brings Peter back as a zombie is extremely imaginative.  The climax—no pun intended—of the story is quite unexpected.  However I thought the end of the book was just a little too neat.  I like my horror messy, including the end.  Overall it’s a fun read, and I recommend it to fans of erotic horror.
Contains:Adult Content
Review by Colleen Wanglund

Undead and Unwelcome by MaryJanice Davidson
Berkley, 2009
ISBN:  978-0-425-22773-2
Available:  New and Used
 

    MaryJanice Davidson's 8th installment of the Undead series (also known as the Betsy the Vampire series) is written from two different perspectives throughout the book.  Half of the book is written directly from Betsy's point of view and the other half is written from the view of Dr. Mark Spangler, who is one of Betsy's roommates.  Betsy, her boyfriend Sinclair, their adopted son BabyJon, and her best friend Jessica fly off to Cape Cod at the start of the book to visit the Wyndham Werewolves.  They are on a mission to return the deceased body of their fellow werewolf, Antonia, to them.  The Wyndham Werewolves are more accusing than welcoming, as they can't comprehend how one of their own could have died protecting a vampire!  Adding to the stress between the werewolves and the vampires is BabyJon.  The werewolves seem to be uneasy around him, but Betsy can't fathom why they would be uncomfortable around a baby.  It seems there might be a bit more to BabyJon than meets the eye.
    While Betsy is away, sister Laura, the Antichrist, has a bit of her own "party" going on.  She has sent their friend Tina away, brought in a group of Satan Worshipers, and has even started killing vampires.  Mark is doing everything he can to get in touch with Betsy, but unfortunately every time he sends her an e-mail he types it in text messaging shorthand and Betsy can't seem to translate it.  Sinclair tries to call Tina to check in after not having heard from Tina in a few days and finds out that their phone service had been cancelled.  It looks like the only way to find out what is going on is to head home, but they can't do that until they resolve the whole "war" with the werewolves on how it is Antonia died.  Just your average Betsy week, right?
    Once again, MaryJanice Davidson has written a light, fun read that the reader will fly right through and that leaves you wanting more.  The quirky dialogue is always what I most look forward to in a Davidson book and this one is no different.  In this particular book, I think some of the funniest lines were in the emails sent from Mark to Betsy where he was using the text messaging shorthand.  Betsy was having a lot of trouble figuring them out, but it was fun sorting them out.  I mean, come on... who wouldn't know that "TSIATHTF" stands for "The Shit Is About To Hit The Fan"?  I am definitely ready to see what happens next with BabyJon and Laura so would like to have had a longer book in that sense, but it'll be well worth the wait for number nine!  MaryJanice Davidson's books are always a joy to read and are usually a one or two sitting read.  I just can't put them down!  Highly Recommended!
Contains:  Adult Language, Adult Situations
Review by Rhonda Wilson

Mermaid Series #3 - Fish out of Water by MaryJanice Davidson
Jove, 2008
ISBN:  978-0-515-14549-6
Available:  New and Used
    The final book in MaryJanice Davidson's Mermaid trilogy starts off with Fred buying a house and slowly obtaining unwanted roommates.  Houseguest number 1... Jonas, Fred's best friend, who insists on dragging her around to help plan his wedding, which Fred hates!  And to make matters worse, her boyfriend, Prince Artur, proposes to her!  Now Jonas is all excited at the prospect of planning a royal wedding for her.  Can things get any worse?  Wait!  This is Fred we're talking about.  Of course they can!  Enter... Thomas Pearson, marine biologist, and the guy Fred chose over Artur.  As if that isn’t enough bad news, let's add one more houseguest to the list... Fred's long-lost father, Farrem, who she has never met and who all the other sea folk think is their worst enemy.  How's a girl supposed to cope with everyone in such close quarters... especially when one is her ex?
    It's a shame that this is the end of the series, as I have really enjoyed the characters in this trilogy.  Davidson definitely could have continued on with this series a while longer as there is much more potential, so I'm hoping that more will come from these characters in spin-off stories somewhere down the road.  Dialogue is definitely Davidson's strongest suit and this book is filled to the brim!  Jonas had some of the quirkiest lines in the book and Fred's foul mouth makes me think of times I want to say something to and don't.  I admire her for being so outspoken.  She is never afraid to speak her mind, and that shows in this book, as she spoke up to several of the head people, including her own father. It's amusing as well, as they all tend to just laugh at her when she goes off on a tirade instead of getting angry with her.  I'll miss hearing about Fred, but I did like the way that Davidson ended this book.  I thought it was a good finish.  I think all readers of the paranormal romance genre will enjoy this fun, fast-paced read.  Highly Recommended.
Contains:  Adult language, Adult Situations
Review by Rhonda Wilson

Wolf Tales VIII by Kate Douglas
Kensington, 2009
ISBN:  0-7582-2694-4
Available:  New

Symptoms of a Broken Heart by Cory Cramer
Damnation Books, September 2009
ISBN: 978-1-61572-032-3
Available: Forthcoming (Trade paperback and digital)

    While Symptoms of a Broken Heart is a solid fit into the shape shifter category, the “change” in this book is a metaphor for many of the characters’ innermost desires, rather than a power or curse. It’s an interesting application that is almost a throwback to older werewolf tales where the monster represented the fear of giving into such desires.

    Lisa and her soon-to-be-married sister attend a Full Moon party, meant to be one last hurrah before they settle down, but they get more than they expect when it turns out to be an actual full moon party thrown by actual shape shifters. Tragedy strikes, and one sister is left alive and seeking the power of the attendees in order to save her own rear and cover up the other sister’s death.

    This is a fast, hard read with two strong female leads, neither of which are flat stereotypical female characters or stereotypical horror-fiction lesbians. Erotic, dark and spiked with a creepy aftertaste that will stick with readers, this is a novelette worth snatching up.
Contains: graphic sex

Review by Michele Lee

Stakes & Stilettos by Michelle Rowen
Forever, 2009
ISBN:  978-0-446-50584-0

Available: New

    Michelle Rowen brings Sarah Dearly back for her fourth book in the Immortality Bites series.  Dearly has recently been turned into a vampire and has just started adjusting to things when she stumbles into a witch, Stacy, with a grudge.  Stacy decides to make Dearly's adjustment period a bit more complex by placing a curse on her that turns her into a bloodthirsty nightwalker instead of the sweet vampire that was able to drink from the carton rather than the neck.  Sarah has to race against the clock to find a way to make Stacy reverse the curse before it becomes permanent and Sarah is stuck as a nightwalker forever.  Along the way she looks for assistance from her best friend, George, her boyfriend, Thierry, and the Red Devil, a masked stranger who saved her from getting staked.  As she seeks a solution to the problem of her curse, Sarah is also trying to figure out who the Red Devil is, and if he's for real.  In the midst of it all, she’s trying to figure out how to get Thierry to marry her, despite the fact he's already married.  If anyone can handle it, Sarah can!
    Stakes and Stilettos is yet another fun read in the Immortality Bites series.  This series has been fun from the start and Rowen has kept it interesting all the way through.  The more I read this series the more I find myself getting deeply involved with the lives of the characters.  They all have unique personalities and are very likable, despite the wicked personalities of some (i.e. Thierry's wife, Veronique).  I really have nothing negative to say about this book other than it left off with a major cliffhanger which made me want the next book immediately! I had a great time reading this book and will continue to read this series and anything else Rowen puts out.  I think all fans of the paranormal romance genre would enjoy this series.  Highly recommended.
Contains:  Mild Sexual Situations
Review by:  Rhonda Wilson

Dead and Dateless by Kimberly Raye

Random House Publishing Group, 2007

ISBN: 034549217X

Available: yes

    Dead and Dateless  is the second book of a series that falls into the ever-popular chick-lit meets vampires genre. In this book , a female "born-vampire"  who prefers to get her blood from a bottle fights her attraction to a "made-vampire"  and tries to run a dating agency for paranormals while on the run from the cops on a murder charge.  A good vacation book and a fun read, it is worthwhile to track down the first volume, Dead End Dating, especially for readers waiting for their next MaryJanice Davidson fix.  Recommended for public libraries.  Contains:   Sexual Situation  Entry by Havoc.

How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks

Avon, July, 2005
ISBN: 0060751967

Available: New and Used
    Vampire Roman Draganesti just sank his fangs into something he shouldn’t. Dentist Shanna Whelan is running from the mob. Roman’s mission is to make the world safe for vampires and mortals by providing synthetic blood. Shanna is terrified by the sight of blood. In the midst of mafia assassination attempts, vampire terrorist attacks, market studies, and CIA kidnappings, and in spite of Roman’s nosy harem and Shanna’s father’s psychic vampire slaying team, Roman and Shanna manage to fix his fangs, conquer her fear, outwit everyone who’s out to get them, and redeem each other through love. How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire is suspenseful and funny, with some great secondary characters. It’s a wild ride, with a hopeful ending and a story arc that suggests Sparks will be back to continue her story of love and war. There is a sequel, Vamps in the City, which showcases a few minor characters in this book. It’s much campier and doesn’t really advance the story arc suggested in this book, so I suspect we’ll see more books set in Roman and Shanna’s vampire universe. Contains: references to sex toys, graphic erotic sex, and terrorist violence. Recommended.


Undead and Unreturnable by MaryJanice Davidson

Berkley, May, 2006
ISBN: 0425210812

Available: New and Used
    The adventures of Betsy Taylor, vampire queen and shoe fashionista, are continued in the fourth installment of the series. Undead and Unreturnable doesn’t have quite the snap of the first few books: Betsy’s not quite as acerbic, the dialogue’s not quite as witty, and now that she’s decided she’s in love with Eric Sinclair, tall, dark and vampire, their conflicts seem pretty superficial. Of course, we have the reappearance of Laura, the devil’s daughter and Betsy’s half-sister, and of Jon, a former vampire slayer who wants to write up Betsy’s life story for his English class. Throw Christmas, a brand-new half-brother, and a serial killer into the mix, and you get an overstuffed but still entertaining plot, and an overcrowded but still enjoyable houseful of characters. Undead and Unreturnable could use some trimming, but readers of Betsy’s adventures should still enjoy this book. Contains: violence, murder, steamy sexual situations. Other titles starring Betsy Taylor include: Undead and Unwed, Undead and Unemployed, Undead and Unappreciated, and Undead and Unpopular.
 

Vamps in the City by Kerrelyn Sparks
Avon, April, 2006
ISBN: 0060752017

Available: New and Used
    The title is a little deceiving: you won’t find four single women looking for vampire love in the big city here. The premise is original, though: Darcy Newhart, an unwilling vampire and former television reporter, applies for work at DVN(Digital Vampire Network) and gets the green light to produce a reality show, The Sexiest Man Alive. Wealthy vampire Roman Draganesti has fallen in love with a mortal and released the ladies in his harem, who are mostly at a loss as to what to do next. On the show, Draganesti’s former harem will choose a new master. Darcy decides to puncture a little vampire arrogance: unknown to the judges and viewers, half of the contestants are mortal. Our hero is Austin Erickson, a powerful psychic working undercover for the CIA’s “Stake-Out Team.” Darcy and Austin definitely have chemistry, but the vampire harem steals the show. Sure, they’re superficial, bigoted, and quarrelsome, but they are also very, very, funny, and by the end of the book you can see they’ve grown up quite a bit. The book’s ending was a bit of a letdown, but it was certainly different from what one expects in the average vampire romance. A note: The sexism and bigotry in Vamps in the City is hard to stomach, but it’s satirical in nature. If you can get past the yucky network executive at the very beginning, you’ll probably enjoy the book enough to want to read the next one.

This book is the sequel to: How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire

Contains: steamy sexual passages, obnoxious sexism and bigotry, minimal gore and violence. Entry by Francesca the Librarian
 

Undead and Unwed. By MaryJanice Davidson
Berkley, 2004.
ISBN: 042519485X (paperback)
Available: New and Used
Elizabeth (Betsy) Taylor’s birthday really bites. First, she’s fired from her job as a secretary, then an SUV hits her and she wakes up dead. The rules don’t seem to apply to her: she can enter churches, sunlight doesn’t kill her, and holy water just makes her sneeze. It’s not enough that her stepmother stole her Manolo Blahniks and put her in cheap knockoffs for the funeral, now she’s the prophesied queen of the vampires, to her great annoyance. Adjusting to vampire life isn’t easy: she gets mired in “vamp politics”, and it seems like she’ll have to choose sides: repulsive, beastly Nostro or fabulously handsome, sexy, and obnoxious Sinclair. Is it too obvious that she picks the sexier of two evils? The vampires are the ones who are horrified- by her irresponsible, compassionate, contrary ways and her very human nature. The dialogue is a scream- Betsy gets better one-liners than Buffy ever did- and the sex is steamy. The relationship between Betsy and Sinclair is unresolved at the end of the story, which is okay, because it means you get a sequel which is equally funny and sexy. If you’re ready for a break from serious vampire fiction, look up Undead and Unwed. You won’t be sorry you did.  Contains graphic sexual situations, references to suicide and rape. Highly recommended.

Sequels: Undead and Unemployed
Undead and Unappreciated
Undead and Unreturnable
Undead and Unpopular  
By Francesca the Librarian
 

Bitten and Smitten by Michelle Rowen
Warner Forever, January, 2006
ISBN: 0446617008

Available: New and Used

    An addition to the "chick-lit" genre of vampire romance, with a sad lack of either horror or romance. Rowen is trying to create another Betsy Taylor: unfortunately, her heroine, Sarah Dearly, lacks Betsy's attitude, morals, dialogue, and fashion sense.  She has no chemistry with Thierry, the master vampire who made her promise to help him kill himself if he shows her the vampire ropes, and outside of one awkward groping scene there's not even any sex to keep it interesting.  She's got more chemistry with Quinn, a vampire hunter turned vampire who can't seem to decide whether he wants to kill her or date her. Rowen does create some very funny situations: Sarah's a vampire because her blind date decides she'd be a great undead girlfriend, and she discovers her cousin's married a vampire when she's asked to sign for a keg of O negative blood at the wedding. There's nothing too horrible about Rowen's vampires- sunlight, crosses, and holy water don't affect them, and they work as accountants, bartenders, and executive assistants. They don't have to bite people, they can just order up blood from delivery guys who get it from willing donors.  The main disadvantages of vampirism  seem to be an inability to keep down your lasagna and those pesky vampire hunters. An okay read to fill your time while you wait for MaryJanice Davidson to finish the next installment in the Betsy Taylor saga. Mild sexual situations, violence, references to suicide.

By Francesca the Librarian

Paranormal Romance series

MaryJanice Davidson’s “Queen Betsy” books

Kimberly Raye’s  “Dead End Dating” books

Katie MacAlister’s  “Sex and the Single Vampire”

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