When you get a lot of authors together, you never know what you are letting yourself in for. With Bewitched, Bothered and Be-Vampyred you have exactly that, a lot of authors and a plot to work with. You also have different personalities, and writing skills. Bewitched, Bothered and Be-Vampyred has it "all": fairies, demons, werewolves, the succubus, and other myths-and-legends.

In the small town of Brokenoggin Falls, the lonely town sheriff, Janice, has been stuck in her position for a lot longer than she wants anyone to know, and hasn't gotten any for a lot longer than that. When in wanders the sexiest vampyre ever awakened, fully naked, and sporting a 2"x 2" wooden stake through his chest. Not only does he declare his love for her but also a full-blown case of amnesia. Janice thinks she has seen enough; if only she really knew what was in store for her.

The harpy named Claire learns that her husband, Sam, Lord of the Forest Trolls, has gone missing and is presumed flirting and cavorting with other women the world over--according to the traveling Garden Gnome postcards everyone in town except Claire is receiving from him.

The skeletons in the closet are as real as the bodies in the cellars. The spells, cast by moonlight, frequently go awry, and one ex-demon slayer trying to sell her lingerie in peace meets a 7,000-year-old demon.

All of those lonely, lonely witches are looking for action with someone besides Brokenoggin's only single warlock, so when a truly mysterious cabana boy named Juan comes to town, he has everyone's attention.

A faery queen, Morgan (or Morganna, as she prefers to be called), who's in love with the werewolves' veterinarian, Joe, can't get Joe to notice her without a very sweet vampyre's help.

So if all these myths-and-legends sound interesting, this is the book for you. All proceeds from Bewitched, Bothered and Be-Vampyred are being donated directly to the International Red Cross's disaster relief fund in an effort to help victims of the Christmas 2004 tsunami - and in the hope that ongoing sales can be used to benefit victims of other natural disasters as well.

Reviewed By Tammy Adams
© June 2005