Title: Undead and Unwed
Author: MaryJanice Davidson
Publisher: Piatkus UK / Berkley US
Publication Date: 2 Feb 2006
Paperback: 260 pages
Genre: Paranormal Romance
RATING: 8/10
SUMMARY:
First Betsy Taylor loses her job, then she’s killed in a car accident. But what really bites is that she can’t seem to stay dead. And now her new friends have the ridiculous idea that Betsy is the prophesied vampire queen, and they want her help in overthrowing the most obnoxious power-hungry vampire in five centuries.
REVIEW:
Undead and Unwed is the first book in the series featuring Betsy Taylor. Betsy is a young secretary who is attacked and then two months later run over by a car. She wakes up in a coffin and realises things are not quite right.
Betsy is fun, witty and loves shoes *a girl after my own heart* and after many attempts at trying to end her undead life, as her life pretty much sucked after losing her job, she realises that she cannot kill herself as she is now a vampire. She’s also fairly independent, *apart from the cheques her father sends her every month* and so is not particularly fussed about following ‘vampire rules’. But what seems to be the norm for other vampires doesn’t really apply to Betsy.
While other vampires cringe at the word ‘God’, Betsy can use it whenever she pleases, and she does with much pleasure. Items such as holy water and crosses burn other vamps but Betsy isn’t affected and can even wear a cross around her neck with no problems at all.
There is a side affect to this. It seems one of the Master vampires, Nostro, is threatened by her gifts and doesn’t like the fact that she is different. He either wants her to join his band of merry vamps or die. When confronted by Nostro, instead of shriveling back in fear, Betsy thinks that it’s all a bit ‘hollywood’ and finds herself with the giggles. Before Nostro can set his fiends upon her, another Master vampire swoops in and rescues her.
This other Master vampire is Eric Sinclair, Betsy’s very delicious love interest, although I’m not sure if he is totally trustworthy. Because of her unusual gifts, Sinclair believes that Betsy is the Vampire Queen and needs her help to overthrow Nostro. He also knows about her love for Jimmy Choo and so bribes her by threatening to burn each pair until she agrees… Of course this means she has no choice but to help!
The story is fast-paced, energetic and very funny. I really enjoyed the interactions between Betsy and Sinclair, her witty, catty remarks were just brilliant. I also liked her friends Jessica and Marc. They are a great addition to the cast of characters and hope they are developed further in future books.
VERDICT:
This is a very entertaining read and I absolutely loved it. So much so that I wenta-one-clickin’ on Amazon and somehow managed to buy the entire series! *don’t tell the hubster* This is a quick read at only 260 pages (some of the other books in the series are even shorter), but there’s lots to keep you entertained from beginning to end.
SOURCE: This copy is from my personal library.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
You can find out more about the author here:
24 Comments
I love this book and the whole series. Like you said it's short but so much fun to read.
Hope that you are going to enjoy the rest of the series.
Reply
This is one of my favorite series. MJD is very witty, and I think the series keeps getting better as it goes.
Reply
This sounds like so much fun!
i'll give it a try definitely.
Reply
Sabrina – I'm glad you loved the whole series, makes me feel better for buying it LOL
FV – So pleased the series gets better and better as so many don't and lose that initially spark
Ines – It *is* fun and you *must* read
I'm really looking forward to reading the next book, I'm desperately trying to find a slot inbetween my review books, 'cos I want to read it now! LOL
Reply
I really like the sound of this, I may just be doing some Amazon one-clicking this week!
Reply
I am going to read this one day! It sounds like a really fun vamp series
Reply
Great review
I'll add the series on my reading list 
Reply
Dot – Yes! One-click is SO good, but VERY addictive. It doesn't even feel as though I'm spending money
I would definitely recommend this book, it really was a fun read.
Jenny – I hope you do get to read it as I'm sure you would love it. It is very entertaining and had me chuckling to myself on many occasions
Aleksandra – Thanks! Definitely add it to your list – I can't wait to read the rest of the series. Hopefully I will get to read the second book in the next few weeks
Reply
I don't really like vampire novels (I loathe the whole Twilight thing), but this sounds like so much fun, I think Im gonna follow your lead and order it from Amazon!
Thanks for the recommendation
Reply
great review; thank you! Do you think this series is YA appropriate and would appeal to teenagerss? It sounds like a good one for my high school library, but when I went to buy it it is labeled Adult.
Reply
Amanda – You're welcome – I am a lover of all things vampish, but even if you're not I'm sure you'll enjoy the book as it's very witty with a little bit of romance.
Helen – Thanks! Um, I'm not sure if it is YA appropriate as it does contain adult themes. It may be best to read it yourself first and then make a decision
Reply
There's a fave quote of mine from Betsy to her stepmom.
“Don’t you ever go into my home again without permission. Touch my things again, whether I’m dead or not, and I’ll kick your a$$ up into your shoulder blades.”
Loved this book, better than the Real Vamps Have Curves by Gerry Barlett, imho
Paula
My Blog
Reply
I haven't read this series but it looks great..it's always nice to have a book with humor in it to break up my constant UF reads..
Reply
Wow! This book sounds really good
Thanks for the review. I am definitely going to look into reading it.
Reply
Luv46kdz – LOL – there are so many passages that I laugh-out-loud funny. Betsy is one of my fav heroines, I just hope I continue to like her as much when I read the rest of the series.
Heather – I agree – with reading so much horror and urban fantasy it's always lovely just to kick back with something lighter, and this was just the ticket!
Elizabeth – I would definitely add it to your tbr as it's such a great read. Really light hearted but with lots of funny moments. All the characters are interesting too, I can't wait to read more about them
Reply
So glad you liked it!!! I was rollin' on the ground laughing. I read 1-4 and need to get on 5, 6, & 7
Reply
I love this series. Again, it is another series I'm behind on reading, but they are short and that can be quickly remedied.
Reply
psssst….shhhh… we can keep a secret.
I am on Book 4 and I love it all! Sinclair makes for a yummy day dream!=)
Reply
Rosey – It is just SO funny! Can't wait to read the rest of the series!
Melissa – Sometimes it's nice just to read a short, lighthearted book!
Chas – Hehe, thanks!
Having only read the first book, I'm looking forward to seeing how the characters develope – especially Sinclair! 
Reply
Oh wow! What a fun read! Sounds like a great plot and lots of light fun. I have to say I am a shoe person too, more a boot fetish than all.
Great review!
Reply
Yes, will add to my pile.
Reply
I wanted to add that when reading the book in public things can get a bit strange.
I read one of the books while waiting on the train and started laughing out loud at an especially funny scene. People looked at me as if I was totally crazy.
Reply
Your description made me think of Charlaine Harris and that is a great thing. I'll have to get these books some how, thanks for convincing me!!
Reply
Melissa – Hehe, I do love shoes! This really is a fun read, so if you enjoy reading about vamps but with a lot of humour then you will love this book
Tribute Books – Definitely add to your pile! Great fun book
Sabrina – Hehe!!! I do that sometimes and my hubby looks at me like I'm mad! I think it's a great testament to the writer that they can get such a reaction from their readers
April – I haven't read any Charlaine Harris yet, but do have the Sookie series on my shelves. You will have to get to the Betsy books and I will have to get to the Sookie books – deal?
Reply