Undead and Undermined (Undead #10) by MaryJanice Davidson

Undead and Undermined by MaryJanice Davidson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


There’s no guarantee in life.
Or for that matter, death…

Vampire queen Betsy Taylor has awoken in a Chicago morgue, naked as a corpse. Her last memory is reconciling with her husband, Eric Sinclair, after a time-traveling field trip to hell (literally) with her sister, Laura. Now, she’s Jane Doe #291, wrapped in plastic with a toe tag. Betsy can’t help but wonder, what in hell happened?

For starters, she and Laura didn’t time-travel alone. What followed them had a wicked agenda: to kill Betsy in a time when she was young and vulnerable and end her future reign as queen. But it’s not just Betsy’s future that’s taken an unexpected detour. Everyone in her circle, alive or undead, is feeling the chill. Betsy can’t let the unthinkable happen. It would be a cold day in hell if she did.

~~~

I actually enjoyed this book more than the last one in this series. Maybe because I have had time to get over the trauma of the ending of the last book and I can see where MJD is trying to fix it. Maybe it is because I know that this is the second book in a three book arc in the midst of this series and I am hoping for some wonderful conclusion to this horrifying story line. I am very much looking forward to reading the next book so that I can see how MJD plans to redeem herself with the story of Betsy's reign of terror!



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Undead and Unfinished (Undead #9) by MaryJanice Davidson

Undead and Unfinished by MaryJanice Davidson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Vampire queen Betsy Taylor makes a deal with the devil in order to discover the secrets of the Book of the Dead. Just one catch: she and her sister must go to hell to do it. Just long enough to make nice with her mother, aka Lucifer, and take a detour through time...


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The first half of the book was mindless Betsy babble. She is getting more annoying with each book. Plus I found MJD's writing style to be so immature and well stupid. To be honest I was ready to give this book one or two stars all the way through the first half. But the saving grace for the book allowing me to give it 3 stars is the second half where Betsy and Laura time travel. That at least was interesting and a little more readable. But of course it was all ruined with the ending which was awful!!!

I honestly don't know why I continue to read this series. I think that it is because I go so long between books that I allow myself to forget just how awful the previous book was. This book actually took me a long time to read because I just was not that interested in getting back to it.

I won't actively seek out the next book, but if I happen across it I am sure that I will end up reading it in the hopes that maybe, just maybe, MJD will save this series.



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Faeries Gone Wild by MaryJanice Davidson, Michele Hauf, Lois Greiman, Leandra Logan

Faeries Gone Wild by MaryJanice Davidson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


MARYJANICE DAVIDSON
“Tall, Dark and Not So Faery”

Scarlett is not your typical pint-sized faery. At six feet, four inches tall, she’s an unlikely candidate for a match made in heaven. But when she ventures to Cannon Falls, Minnesota, on royal orders to survey its extraordinary residents, she stumbles upon the one man who just may measure up to size…

LOIS GREIMAN
“Pixie Lust”

William Timber is a cutthroat developer who refuses to let a few trees come between him and his next million. But when Avalina—a sparkling faery charged to protect all things green—comes to town, William is forced to choose between life as he knows it and the unknown reaches of his heart.

MICHELE HAUF
“Dust Me, Baby, One More Time”

A librarian by day and a tooth faery by night, Sidney has absolutely no time to find Mr. Right. Until she flies smack dab into sexy, sun-bronzed Dart Sand, a man who makes her wings a-flutter…and whose allure could get her banished from the Mortal Realm.

LEANDRA LOGAN
“A Little Bit Faery”

Tia is mystified when she strikes out on the Luna faery singles scene, in spite of her hourglass curves and vivacious charm. Then she takes off for Manhattan and lands on the doorstep of a steamy firefighter who sets her soul on fire—and shares a strong connection to her secret past.
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Overall a fun read. Loved the first story by MJD, but then I had just read her story in 'No Rest for the Witches' that was about these same characters. I absolutely adored the characters and really hope to see much more of them. They would make a fabulous new series!!

I really did not like Lois Greiman's story. The male character was so 'besotted' by his fairy lover that he was a bumbling idiot for the entire story.

The story by Michele Hauf was fun. The tale of two night working faeries, a tooth fairy and a sandman, who meet and pursue each other. The sandman has a premature 'dusting' problem that sets up the fun story line that makes this story such a fun read.

The last story by Leandra Logan was a bit different. It is hard to explain but it was a very 'intelligently' written story. Typically with these short stories about Faery you expect a lot of fluff, but this one was written a lot differently. At times it almost seemed strange, but overall, for me, it made for a very interesting story line and good read. I might look up more by this author just to see what else she has written.



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Mysteria Lane (Mysteria #2) by MaryJanice Davidson, P.C. Cast, Gena Showalter, Susan Grant

Mysteria Lane by MaryJanice Davidson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Return to a town of bewitching seduction and sensual demons. There’s a spellbinding witch of love who wants to make one man hers; a vegan having trouble adapting to vampirism; Satan’s emissary, who is looking for steady work in Colorado; and angelic triplets feeling a wee touch of the devil.

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A nice set of 4 stories set in Mysteria, a town created for the supernatural. It has been a while since I read the first book in this series, so I really did not remember any of the characters that were in this book but the concept was still there. As with the first book, the story by MaryJanice Davidson was the worst. Very disjointed with little to no plot and a couple of different story lines that really did not mesh well. The other 3 stories in the book were fun, quick reads. The story by PC Cast was a 'sweet' romance while the story by Gena Showalter was a 'hot' romance. Susan Grant's story was a little more out there, but still an enjoyable read. Overall the book does not have anything that is going to be memorable over the long haul, but was a fun bit of quick entertainment.



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Merry Christmas, Baby (Men of Rogues Hollow #4) by various authors

Merry Christmas, Baby by Lucy Monroe

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


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DONNA KAUFFMAN - Making Waves: The last thing playboy captain Burke Morgan needs is a last-minute replacement cook for his yacht who also suffers from motion sickness. But once he sees luscious Kamala Apolo, he's got a perfect idea for getting her body in sync with the rhythm of the water...
NANCY WARREN - Let It Snow: When perky Chicago weather girl Marisa Langley gets stuck in the cold with her survivalist cameraman, Rob Sheridon, she can't begin to forecast just how steamy it can get between the two of them...

ERIN McCARTHY - And About Time, Too: Josh Black is so in love with his friend Cassidy that he writes her into his cartoon strip, making Cassidy think he's fallen for another woman. Can two confirmed "friends" unwrap their true feelings in time to share a night of unforgettable holiday passion?

MARYJANICE DAVIDSON - Undercover Clause: Dressed as a sidewalk Santa, undercover cop Corinne mistakes Tony Danielson for a purse snatcher. What Tony sees is a beautiful, lonely workaholic, and he'd love to take her out of disguise and help her slip into something a little more comfortable...

LUCY MONROE - Silver Bella: Successful model Bella Jackson may look steamy on covers, but under them, she's a total novice. What she needs is someone who can make her feel the way she looks. And hunky Texan Jake Barton seems exactly what she needs in her Christmas stocking...

SUSANNA CARR - Snow Day: Showing up naked in Tyler's bed has more to do with Karen's rotten luck and bad sense of direction than actual intent. But Tyler's sure she's right where she belongs, and he's got one Christmas snowstorm to prove it to her...

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Glad that I decided to read this before sending it on. Great stories. The one that I enjoyed the least was the MJD one which is surprising as she is the only author who I have read before. Her story just did not have the substance that the others did. Granted each story was a lust/love at first sight story, but they were fun and told good stories. Definitely steamy enough for a cold winter night. lol

Great anthology. Gonna go check out some of the other books out by these authors.



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Undead and Unwelcome (Undead, #8) by MaryJanice Davidson

Undead and Unwelcome by MaryJanice Davidson



Betsy Taylor has problems that only a vampire queen/suburban wife could possibly understand. Such as taking the body of her werewolf friend Antonia-who died in her service-to Cape Cod, where she's not sure if the Wyndham werewolves will welcome her with fangs or friendship. Meanwhile, her posse back in St. Paul is sending frantic e-mails alerting Betsy to her half-sister's increasingly erratic behavior. Looks like the devil's daughter is coming into her own-and raising hell.



My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Another fun chapter in Queen Betsy's life. These are such quick reads that I almost feel cheated. It goes by so quickly and then we have to wait, wait, wait for the next one.

I am looking forward to seeing what happens with Laura in the next book.

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Fish Out of Water (Fred the Mermaid, Book 3) by MaryJanice Davidson

Fish Out of Water by MaryJanice Davidson


red the Mermaid has taken the bait and chosen to date Artur, Prince of the Black Sea, over human marine biologist Thomas. And just in time. The existence of the Undersea Folk is no longer a secret, and someone needs to keep them from floundering in the media spotlight. Fred has all the right skills for that job, but has a hard time when her real father surfaces and tries to overthrow Artur’s regime.

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I am so sad to know that this is the last Fred the Mermaid book. I love Fred and totally enjoyed this series. In this final book Fred has to help Arthur and his father try to figure out what is happening to the Undersea Folk. Lots of them have been disappearing since their recent decision to show themselves to humans and Fred and the crew rent a mansion in Florida and begin to investigate. Add to this Fred's best friend, Jonas in the midst of his wedding plans and Fred's decision about which guy she wants to be with and you are in for a wonderful adventure. This is the MJD that I fell in love with!!


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Dead Over Heels by MaryJanice Davidson

Dead Over Heels by MaryJanice Davidson


Three all-new paranormal stories of lust, laughter, and love from the New York Times bestselling author, including an original novella featuring Undead queen Betsy Taylor.

With her trademark "sassy dialogue, lusty lovemaking [and:] irreverent humor"* New York Times bestselling author MaryJanice Davidson delighted fans with her wickedly sexy and wildly funny anthology, Dead and Loving It-stories in which the worlds of the Wyndham Werewolves and Undead Queens collided. Now she returns to that sensual and irresistible after-dark realm of werewolves, vampires, and mermaids in three more original novellas--including an all-new Betsy Taylor novella.

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Completely enjoyed all three stories in this book.



They were the MJD classics that I have come to know and love.



Reading about Betsy and Sinclair's honeymoon was great. I always enjoy the Wyndham Wolves and I am a huge fan of best friends falling in love. The Mermaid story was a lot of fun, especially since I just finished the two 'Fred the Mermaid' books right before reading it.



Love MJD's anthologies when I am in the mood for some fun, light reading. She always delivers.


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Swimming Without a Net (Fred the Mermaid, Book 2) by MaryJanice Davidson

Swimming Without a Net by MaryJanice Davidson


As Fred the Mermaid tries to fit in with her own kind, she finds herself hooked on both Artur, the High Prince of the undersea realm, and Thomas, a hunky marine biologist. She's also caught between two factions of merfolk: those happy with swimming under the radar-and those who want to bring their existence to the surface.

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Another enjoyable Fred the Mermaid book. I do enjoy MJD's writing style. When I am in the mood for some lighthearted fun reading I can rely on her.



The ending of this book left me wanting to read the next one right away. Sadly I will have to wait till November but I will be picking it up then.






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Sleeping with the Fishes (Fred the Mermaid, Book 1) by MaryJanice Davidson

Sleeping with the Fishes by MaryJanice Davidson


Fred is not your ordinary mermaid. She's not blonde. She's not buxom. And she's definitely not perky. In fact, Fred can be downright cranky. And it doesn't help matters that her hair is blue.

While volunteering at the New England Aquarium, Fred learns that there are weird levels of toxins in the local seawater. A gorgeous marine biologist wants her help investigating. So does her merperson ruler, the High Prince of the Black Sea. You'd think it would be easy for a mermaid to get to the bottom of things. Think again.

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a quick, fun, typical MJD read. Loved the characters and the storyline. Looking forward to more in the series.


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Undead and Unworthy (Undead Series, Book 7) by MaryJanice Davidson

Undead and Unworthy by MaryJanice Davidson


Seventh in the hilarious New York Times bestselling series featuring Vampire Queen Betsy Taylor - now with a hot new look.

The series New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan calls DELIGHTFUL, Wicked Fun "is looking hotter than ever"

No one does humorous romantic fantasy better than the incomparable MaryJanice Davidson (The Best Reviews), and nobody reigns over the undead with more savvy than her heroine Betsy Taylor, back to rule the nights as Vampire Queen--and survive the days as a new suburban bride. But it's not all marital bliss. Betsy's husband, Sinclair, has been perusing The Book of the Dead, Betsy's being hounded by a ghost who's even more insufferable in death than in life, and a pack of formerly feral vampires has decided to pay an unwelcome visit

My review

rating: 2 of 5 stars
I was not at all happy with this book. MJD mentions taking the next few books in a new 'arc' and I can only wonder if said arc is total mindlessness. I mean in past books, yes Betsy was ditzy, but at least everyone else had some sense and Betsy's ditziness was funny. In this book everyone seemed to loose what brains they once had. From Nick's constant, idiotic put downs of Betsy, to Sinclair's monosyllable comments I found the entire book to be mindless dribble. Worse yet it was not even humorous dribble. Just mindless.



Towards the end of the book I had a small glimmer that there may actually be a plot with Fiends, but even that went south (though I won't spoil it for those who make it that far by telling you why).



The ending seems to put Betsy on a new -- I am bad and everyone is going to know it -- path, but only time will tell how that will go.



I will read the next book, because I am a sucker and I previously enjoyed this series. But I really hope for the sake of this series that MJD puts a little more substance in the next book.


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#42 -- Undead and Uneasy by MaryJanice Davidson

*From the Publisher*
Weddings are never easy. But when you're Vampire Queen Betsy Taylor, they can become downright deadly...

In the days leading up to The Big Day, Vampire Queen Betsy Taylor seems to have a full house and the wedding guests have yet to arrive. Along with her human buddies, there's a ghost, a werewolf, and a Fiend crashing at her place. And though her fiancŽ, Vampire King Eric Sinclair, conveniently disappears when the conversation turns to seating charts and flower arrangements, he does manage to make his oh-so-sexy presence known at other moments.

Cold feet are no surprise, especially with an undead groom. But when Sinclair truly goes missing-and not just to avoid wedding preparations-along with most of her friends and loved ones, Betsy is frantic. Alone and afraid for the fate of everyone she loves, Betsy can't trust anyone as she tries to find them and whoever is behind all the disappearances. And what happens next will shake the foundation of the vampire world forever.

*My Opinion*
Loved this installment of the Undead series. After the disappointment of Undead & Unpopular I really enjoyed this book. Betsy is not nearly as shallow in this book but still is Betsy. lol MJD ties up a lot of loose ends and gives us a fun chapter in the life of Betsy the Vampire Queen.