"entertaining vampiric fantasy"
Engaged to marry his highness Eric Sinclair, vampire Queen
Betsy Taylor keeps telling the dead and undead not to throw
her a surprise birthday party; everyone says they will
honor her wishes. The European royal vampires visit, but
Eric says they insult them as they should have come last
year. Still Eric tries to be the diplomat when a follower
Sophie goes berserk. She recognizes Alonzo the vampire who
killed her in the late nineteenth century. As Betsy tries to clam down Sophie, the raging vampire's
human lover Liam wants to convert and to kill Alonzo not in
that order. Betsy is a bit cranky as she has given up blood
and her visitors don't make it easier on her as they
believe she is undeserving to be queen let alone a vampire.
Life after death interferes with buying midnight shoes as
she plans her wedding, rehearses to act surprised at her
surprise birthday bash, calm down Sophie, and let the
Europeans know to stuff their opinions on her in the part
of the anatomy that does not see sunshine (of course that
is the entire body). Now less than one week before she
turns one, there is so much to do and so little time to do
it. This is a terrific Taylor tale that starts off zany
("There's a Zombie in my Closet") and never slows down as
all hell breaks loose on several fronts. Though often
amusing there is a more serious undertone to the fantasy
than in previous Undead tales. Besides the Alonzo "crime"
that puts quite a spin on cold cases, Betsy best friend
human Jessica is ailing with the vampire queen pondering
the ethics of bringing her across against her will. As
always MaryJanice Davidson provides an amusing entertaining
vampiric fantasy. Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted May 30, 2006 reviewed for Hardcover edition - Berkley Pub Group /
June 6, 2006 -
ISBN #0425210294
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted November 30, 2006
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