Jessica Bogard

State Hornet

If you are a fashion forward, shoe addicted vampire, then”Undead and Unwed” is the book for you. For us meremortals, however, this imaginative story by Mary Janice Davidson isstill a wonderful diversion. The novel combines humor with a fresh,provocative voice that makes readers laugh and blush from cover tocover.

“Undead and Unwed” is the story of Elizabeth Taylor;not the woman with seven ex-husbands and a perfume line, butinstead a secretary from Minnesota. Elizabeth, who goes by Betsy,lives alone with her cat. It isn’t a very glamorous life, butthen she doesn’t live it very long. That’s right,within a brief span of time Betsy is dead and about to be buried incheap shoes and a revolting pink suit.

This novel’s quirky qualities demand attention instantly,despite being written in the often irritating, first personperspective. After all, everyone knows at least one shoe obsessedblonde, but they’re rarely vampires. In this instance, seeingthe world through Betsy’s eyes is interesting and enjoyable.Her adventures, especially those pertaining to her shoes anddysfunctional family, easily keep booklovers fully entertained.

Eric Sinclair is the hero of Betsy’s tale, and the causeof many a blush. Eric is a tall dark and handsome hunk who wantsBetsy in numerous ways. The pool scene alone is enough to havereaders wishing they weren’t reading “Undead andUnwed” in public. Eric isn’t the only one who wantsBetsy, which is a signal that this isn’t a standardromance.

In a typical romance, Betsy would be the blonde who tripped onher heels while running away from a vampire, instead of the newestmember of their specie. Furthermore, at the end of “Undeadand Unwed,” Betsy is neither married nor pregnant; a reliefconsidering that “plot twist” became old ages ago.

The conversations concerning acceptance of homosexuality anddifferent ethnicities within this book are also a nice touch. Theyare humorous and yet serious enough to hold readers’attention. Several of the scenes pertaining to minorities withinour society are interesting as well as thought provoking.

“Undead and Unwed” is so satisfying, fans will bedelighted to learn that a sequel has recently been released.”Undead and Unemployed” has Betsy working the nightshift at the Macy’s shoe department, within the Mall ofAmerica. Sure, not everyone loves the mall, all those peoplelurking can be worrisome, but the description of a mall so enormousthat the parking lots are named after states, will have youcontemplating a road trip to Minnesota &- during the summer,of course.