Undead and Unwed

Undead and Unwed is the first novel in MaryJanice Davidson's Undead series, following Betsy Taylor's unexpected transformation into a vampire after a fatal car accident. The story combines elements of paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and comedy in a modern-day Minneapolis setting. Betsy discovers she's no ordinary vampire - she can withstand sunlight, resist bloodlust, and handle religious objects without harm. These unusual traits mark her as potentially significant in vampire society, drawing the attention of both allies and enemies. She must navigate her new supernatural existence while dealing with practical concerns like reclaiming her shoe collection and finding her place in the vampire community. The plot centers on Betsy's conflict with Nostro, the current vampire ruler, while she develops an uneasy alliance with the powerful vampire Eric Sinclair. Her support system includes her wealthy best friend Jessica, a gay doctor named Marc, and various supernatural allies who help her face the challenges of her new existence. This novel offers a fresh take on vampire mythology by combining traditional supernatural elements with contemporary humor and romance. The story explores themes of identity, power, and adaptation to unexpected life changes through its protagonist's journey from ordinary secretary to potential vampire queen.

Readers call this a light, humorous take on vampire fiction that doesn't take itself seriously. The tone falls between chick-lit and paranormal romance, with strong comedic elements. Liked: - Fast-paced, entertaining dialogue - Main character Betsy's sarcastic personality and shoe obsession - Short length makes for quick reading - Balances humor with vampire elements - Sexual tension between lead characters Disliked: - Betsy comes across as shallow and self-absorbed - Plot feels thin and underdeveloped - Heavy focus on designer brands and shopping - Some found the humor forced or juvenile - Romance moves too quickly Ratings: Goodreads: 3.89/5 (71,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (600+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.2/5 (300+ ratings) One frequent comment notes it's "brain candy - fun but not filling." Multiple reviews mention dropping the series after book 1 or 2 due to repetitive plots, though they enjoyed this first installment.

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris A telepathic waitress falls for a vampire in a small Louisiana town while solving supernatural mysteries in this first book of the Sookie Stackhouse series.

Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost A half-vampire woman hunts the undead while becoming entangled with a master vampire who changes her perspective on the supernatural world.

Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs by Molly Harper A former children's librarian navigates her transformation into a vampire with the help of a supernatural community in small-town Kentucky.

Happy Hour at Casa Dracula by Marta Acosta A Latina writer becomes involved with vampires after an accidental blood exchange at a party leads to unexpected complications.

Tall, Dark & Dead by Tate Hallaway A witch who works at a bookstore discovers her connection to vampires while dealing with supernatural politics in modern-day Minneapolis.

🦇 The Pontiac Aztek, which kills the protagonist in the book, was named one of Time Magazine's 50 Worst Cars of All Time and was discontinued in 2005. 👠 The book helped pioneer the "chick-lit paranormal romance" subgenre, blending fashion-conscious heroines with supernatural elements, which became increasingly popular in the 2000s. 📍 Minneapolis, where the story is set, has a rich Gothic literary history and was also the setting for Anne Rice's "The Vampire Chronicles" character Louis's early vampire years. ✍️ Author MaryJanice Davidson wrote the first draft of "Undead and Unwed" in just three weeks and went on to publish over 100 novels and novellas. 🧛‍♀️ The book's take on vampire mythology, where traditional weaknesses don't apply, influenced later works in urban fantasy that reimagined classic vampire lore for modern audiences.