Reviewette: Demon's Delight --- Witch Way by Mary Janice Davidson

Publisher: The Berkley Publishing Group
Pages: 1 - 63

From the Cover: Can a witch and a witch-hunter find common ground ..... without killing each other first.....

Image being told your whole life that you're going to die at thirty...at the hands of your mortal enemy...that you're a witch to be killed by a witch-hunter.

Image that you have been trained your entire life to defend yourself...against an unknown enemy...and being told on your twenty-first birthday...that you have two years to live...two years until you must take a life to save humanity from the greatest evil ever known...

It's Rhea Goodman's twenty-first birthday and Flower and Power (Stephanie and Bob a.k.a. Mom and Dad) want to talk her. What have they done now? Robbed a bank? Protested animal cruelty? Whatever it is, she's sure she can fix it. But, not this time, this time they tell her that she is destine to fight a great evil, all the target practice they have forced their children to learn has been in preparation for the fight of her life.

Chris de Mere can smell a demon, literally smell it, they stink. He follows his nose and dispatches yet another evil dude. Does he get a thanks? No. And he still has to worry about the Goodman that's going to kill him. He's been going to every Goodman he can find to try to avoid being killed on his thirtieth birthday. Well, Boston's next on the list, maybe this will be his lucky city; Massachusetts is where the Salem witch trials were held.

When Chris pulls up at Rhea's family home, he is told to go away, Rhea has two more years to learn to kill him. They don't know is neither has to die if they come to an agreement.

The legend say that the curse can only be broken when the witch shares their greatest power with the hunter, and vice verse. A Goodman has to trust a De Mere, will that ever happen? When Power near kills Chris by running him over while Chris and Rhea tussling on the ground, Rhea has an epiphany! But Chris takes off before she can share what might be their only chance. Maybe the curse can be broken, now to find Chris.

Chris is back to hunting the demons stalking women around town. He wants to believe that the curse will be broken, because he really doesn't want to die. As he comes upon the demon pair, Rhea finds him. As they kill the demon duo and Rhea tells him her big plan. She teaches him to rhyme, and he doesn't kill her; and together, they make a baby. Curse broken, problem solved. Right? Well, at least no one has to die....

In Witch Way, Mary Janice Davidson comes through again. She writes an engaging little tale that you're sure is going to end in a dastardly deed. But, she turns the table and leaves it upside down. Rhea is a sweetie, who will do anything to protect her mom and dad and the various other ankle biters better known as her siblings. She's strong like all MJD's heroines, speaks her mind, and doesn't take any sh** from anyone, not even when it comes wrapped up in a cute little package by the name of Chris De Mere. Chris is a good guy who has been portrayed as the evil doer, when he's nothing of the sort. Well, there is this little voice in his head that keeps telling him to be evil, but he doesn't listen to it (at least not often, and he tells it to shut up all the time). When Rhea and Chris come together, sparks fly in more ways than one. Witch Way was a quick little read that was just a lot of fun. Demon's Delight is a great anthology from a group of talented writers that give a new meaning to the words angels and demons. I recommend this book to the reader who wants to take a sweet little break and have a blast. Literally, that Chris can cast a wicked spell, if only he could rhyme.

MJD - I hope you're feeling better, rest up!

Reviewette: Bite Anthology --- Biting in Plain Sight --- By Mary Janice Davidson

Publisher: Jove Publishing / Penguin Group Publishing
Pages: 59 -131

From the Cover: Feel the euphoria of fear in the shadow of a reluctant Queen of the Undead.

Betsy just can't get over the fact that she's a vampire. I mean the whole blood thing -- ewww! She's been pronounced the Queen -- Queen Betsy of the Vampires. Even if it does mean the perpetual hot Eric Sinclair is her consort and likes buying expensive shoes....

Sophie has lived in Embarrass, Minnesota on her houseboat for many years. She's known for her moonlight wandering and being the best damn vet in the county. And she doesn't even mind making late night house calls, that's always when you need a vet.

Liam Thompson has been watching Dr. Sophie since he was a boy. Everyone knew Dr. Sophie was a vampire, but no one said anything, not because they were afraid of her, but because they were afraid she'd leave. Liam looks for ill animals, he can always find a pregnant barn cat or two when he needs one, just so he can talk to Dr. Sophie.

When Dr. Sophie stops in to look in on his cats, she catches an odd news story. It would seem there as been as rash of young women committing suicide after their boyfriend calls it quits. It's odd because none of the girls appeared suicidal.

Sophie tells Liam that she must leave immediately. Liam asks if this has anything to do with vampire business. She's shock, how does Liam know her true identity? She asks, and he tells her everyone in town knows, but they don't want to scare her off. Sophie explains that it's vampire business, she has to go see the Queen in Minneapolis...and she's afraid of the Queen (Nostro had been a very cruel King, until Betsy did him in).

After enjoying a night together at the local Radisson, they locate the Queen, she and her consort along with various hanger-ons live in her best friend Jessica's mansion (a hanger-on). Liam and Sophie pop in to let them know they're in town (proper vampire procedure) and that there is something fishy going on. Upon hearing their news, Queen Betsy ready for stake.

Upon locating the dastardly villain and delivering the message "Dude. We. Don't. Want. You. To. Kill. Anyone. Else. Because. It's. Wrong." (p.123) He attacks Liam and then is promptly staked...through the heart...turning to dust...Now the happy couples can get back to what they were doing before...having a wild time.

As many of you know MJ Davidson is one of my favorite authors and the Queen Betsy Series is at the top of re-read stack. Whenever I need an instant pick me up, read MJ. She takes the supernatural and turns it on it's ear. And the beautiful shoes Betsy owns are beyond belief. So, if you need to laugh about life, love, or vampires, read Mary Janice Davidson and visit Mary Janice Davidson's Website for more information about all her great books. I've laughed til I've cried.

Fish Out of Water by Mary Janice Davidson

Publisher: Penguin Group / Berkley Publishing Group
Pages: 270
From the Cover: Fred the mermaid has taken the bait and chosen Artur, High 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.....

Dr. Fredrika Bimm is unique, she's a hybrid, a cross between two species, human and merfolk. Her mother, Moon Bimm and her biological father, Farrem, had one night of wild passion on a coastal beach 30 years ago. Fred is the product of that union, although she has never known that father and was raised by her mother's husband, Sam, who accepted Fred as if she was his own.

Fred has always known she was a mermaid, since the first time she was able to flip her tail. Jonas, Fred's best friend since the second grade, is as metrosexual as a guy can get and Fred's biggest supported. He's also in love with Fred's former boss, Dr. Barb from the Boston Aquarium, if Fred's walks in on them one more time, she's going to yak. She can only hope their wedding gets here fast.

Artur, Prince of the Undersea Folk, has been an ardent pursuer of Fred (little Rika) since she was shot helping to fight off pirates. He's shown her things she's never seen before, taught her to use her telepathy for under water communication. He wants nothing more than her hand in marriage and to make her the sea's next queen. Fred doesn't know what she wants, and she isn't shy about saying so.

Thomas, MD, Ph D, and romance writer, has been in and out of Fred's life, leaving on one excuse or another. She's undeniably attracted to him and who wouldn't be...he's gorgeously tall, brown hair that just brushes his shoulders, and a body to die for. And doesn't appear to know Fred's alive, and he's been living with Tennian, the Prince's equally gorgeous cousin. Maybe the best she can do is forget him. Suddenly, it seems easier to marry Artur and live under the sea. After all, much to her mother's shame, Fred has been sexless for three years while she gets her life together. At least she would get to share the temple that is her body.

When Fred rents a townhouse (mansion) on the Sanibel Island, it's to be to the go-between with the Undersea Folk, humans, and the media. With interviews, wedding plans, and a house full of unwanted guest, Fred's life is messy. When Fred's biological father walks back into to her life, she's stunned, should she accept him as a part of her life, tell him to take a hike, or try to make peace between him and the other Undersea Folk. You see, her father tried to over throw King Mekkem when he was still a pup. He has been banished these past 30 years and would like to come home to the sea.

But something strange is going on, Undersea Folk are disappearing off the King's radar. His telepathy allows him to keep tabs on all the Undersea Folk, and 478 have suddenly gone missing. Are the human scientist experimenting on them, have they somehow been killed without the King's knowledge? Where have they gone?

Fred must get to the bottom of the mystery. Thomas contacts his father, a retired Naval Captain, for help. He has access to files and places that no one else can get to in the government. With his help, they find whose behind the disappearances. Farrem has been up to his old tricks and it will be up to Fred to save them all.

Fish Out of Water by Mary Janice Davidson was published in December 2008. It is the third book in the Mermaid (Fred the fish) series. Although I haven't read the previous two books, I have seen Fred in short stories. I like to read books in order, but in this series, it's not necessary. Fish Out of Water was a fun fast read, just a couple of hours. It gives just enough background that the story makes sense without a lot of rehashing for readers not new to the series. I love Mary Janice Davidson's books. The Undead (Queen Betsy of the vampires and shoe fetish) Series is one of my favorites, as is Wyndham Werewolf Series (Derek's Bane) and the Jennifer Scales Series (YA scifi series, about dragon morphing written with Anthony Alongi), The Royal Series (Alaska as an independent state), the Gorgeous Series (demons), as well as several anthologies where you meet Fred, Derek, (or I guess I should say merfolk and werewolves, and hear about Fred and Derek) and others. Fred is a feisty heroine that doesn't take crap from anyone, (including the King and Prince) and curses like a sailor, but she's caring and compassionate, and would never let her friends down (even the ones she has a love/hate relationships with). When she accepts Artur proposal, it isn't for love, but a longing for love, which she eventually finds with Thomas. Fish Out of Water was definitely a worthy read. I highly recommend any of Mary Janice Davidson's books for those who just want to have fun.

Dottie :)