Don't read all four of the short stories in DEAD AND LOVING IT all at once. Read back-to-back, although a quick read, the stories are all extremely similar--there are even phrases in the stories that have been used, word for word, in the one that came before it.

That said, all four stories deal in some way with werewolves, specifically ones from the Wyndham clan. The stories are short, sexy, and to the point. Although I enjoyed the premise of all of them, the use of the "c" word to describe the female anatomy irked me, so much so that I had to, at times, set the book aside.

However, SANTA CLAWS, MONSTER LOVE, THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS A WEREWOLF, and A FIEND IN NEED are all fast-paced stories that die-hard fans of MJD will enjoy. Overall, not a bad book, although the typographical errors and the repetitive phrases (even some entire scenes appeared recycled from the previous short story) keep it from being a true winner. ( )

This is a collection of four short stories involving cross references to characters in MaryJanice’s other books, but each enjoyable alone.

Santa Claws – Werewolf Alec Kilcurt has come to visit the American Pack Leader, and encounters the love of his life – ringing a charity bell and wearing a Santa outfit. How can Alec convince Giselle Smith that they are meant to be together, and keep her from freaking out over his secret?

Monster Love – Richard Will has been a vampire for a long time, and he’s lonely. But how can he find someone who will love the monster he is? Janet Lupo is an abrasive and unpopular werewolf, confined by Pack rules and unhappy with her life. Could it be they are meant for each other? (Note: there are elements of this story which may not appeal to some people – kidnapping and forced seduction. In the end, it works okay for me, but is not for everyone.)

There’s No Such Thing as a Werewolf – Doctor Drake Dragon was hidden from the Pack by his mother due to his blindness. Now, he’s a doctor in the human world, and one night he rescues Crescent Muhn, a woman who seems determined to learn how to fly by flinging herself off of tall structures. If he’s a werewolf, what is she?

A Fiend in Need – Antonia is a werewolf – but she cannot change forms. She does, however, see the future – and she sees that she needs to leave her Pack and go help Vampire Queen Betsy Taylor – if only she know what she needed to do for Queen Betsy. George is one of the fiends whom Betsy had been trying to rehabilitate – he’s a man of few words and fewer memories. Antonia takes one look at George and knows his name is Garrett Shea, and there is just something about him she cannot turn away from. ( )

Four short stories of love, lust, and laughter! This book is steamy and hilarious all at the same time. An incredible read. ( )

***** "Santa Claws". Scottish werewolf in town to pay tribute to the new heir runs across a woman dressed as Santa. Great blend of humor and burning-hot steam. Plus, there's a shout-out to Emma Holly, which is way cool.

***** "Monster Love". Ooooh, a combo! Betsy-vamp meets Wyndham werewolf. Hot and hilarious, and daring. Not many authors can write a bondage & rape scenario and still make me root for the hero.

***** "There's No Such Thing as a Werewolf". A blind werewolf doctor meets a younger woman who just has this feeling that she should be able to fly, and he can suddenly see her.

***** "A Fiend in Need". Yes! Another combo! Antonia, the seer, non-Changing werewolf from Derik's Bane, and George the Fiend from the Betsy books. ( )

I've only read two other of MaryJanice Davidson's books, Undead and Unwed and The Royal Treatment. In each of those books I found Davidson's strength to be in her (humorous) character development. That, unfortunately, is grossly missing here. The characters were just not that compelling -even those characters I absolutely loved in the undead series. And to top it off, all four of these stories started sounding pretty repetitive. The main plot points, descriptions, and even (at times) the dialog tended to be pretty interchangeable from story to story. I'm looking forward to reading Undead and Unemployed and I'm just gonna forget about this one. ( )