Publisher's Blurb:
The howlingly good spin-off of the Undead series from the New York Times bestselling author.
Rachel, a werewolf/accountant, is asked to keep one eye on Vampire Queen Betsy Taylor and the other peeled for a rogue werewolf who's itching to start a war. But her attention is mostly on a sexy, mysterious stranger she wishes she could trust.
Review:
I'm a big fan of MaryJanice Davidson's books because the woman makes me laugh out loud. And while I love the Betsy Taylor, Queen of the Vampires series, I really enjoyed Derik's Bane and the stories that involve the Wyndham werewolves. So MJ was kind enough to write this book just for me - thanks, MJ! (In my head she's my very good friend.) As fans of her books know, she has a very strong and unique narrative voice chock full of nutty humor and wacky wit. You'll either love it or scratch your head asking "WTF"? Obviously I am in the former camp, and will happily swill any Kool-Aid she's pouring, because her books brighten my day and put me in another world for a while. And isn't that something special?
So anyhoo, back to Wolf at the Door. Written in the author's somewhat breathless, stream-of-consciousness style, it is primarily the love story of Rachael - CPA, werewolf, and cousin to the Wyndham Pack leader, and Edward - CPA, geek-extraordinaire, and roommate to a Boston vampire and albino vampire-slayer. Rachael has been sent to St. Paul to keep an eye on Betsy. The werewolves don't know much about the Vampire Queen, other than the fact that one of their own died in her service, and her appearance on their turf afterward made her seem even more of the enigma that she is - as in "Is she really that vapid or is it a deviously clever act?". And now that Betsy's publishing a newsletter for the undead and other paranormal creatures (with her home address and phone number!), she has caught the eye of Edward, crusader for what is right and good, and scout for the legendary Boo, albino vampire slayer and girlfriend to Ed's vampire roommate. So both Ed and Rachael have ended up in St. Paul on a mission, and they soon meet in a bookstore, where fate and destiny obviously have a plan. These two get each other and see all the wonderful qualities in the other, quickly falling into mad, passionate lust and like.
The writing style of the author allows for a real sense of knowing Rachael and Edward. The reader feels their awkwardness, excitement, anxiety and lust. It creates a shared intimacy with the characters, and places the reader in the story, caring and worried about what happens next. Unfortunately the breezy, inside-the-characters-head style also left me completely confused in the beginning about what was going on. A little more explanation about the initial scene would have helped me jump into the story faster. As it was I just kept reading and trusted the author and everything turned out fine.
An added treat to Wolf at the Door is seeing Betsy and her gang from a fresh, outsider's perspective. And they are funny and strange and unlike any other character (paranormal or human) I've read about. Their personality quirks and foibles make them seem honest and realistic. And they completely befuddle Rachael and Ed, who were expecting something a little different from the legendary Vampire Queen, her consort, a zombie, and a very pregnant billionaire.
All in all, this was a delightful diversion, a fine romance, and laugh out loud funny.
For more information visit the author's website at http://www.maryjanicedavidson.net/.
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