The very top of the first page of the first chapter I found a quote I wanted to use. I figured 'Haven't done it before, but hell why not? This deserves it!' and marked (with a post-it tab) it and moved on to read more. Within ten pages I found another two quotes. Before I hit chapter 5 I had more neon post-it tabs sticking out of my book then a Las Vegas casino sign has lights. That's when I gave up keeping track and just kept reading. Jane is hilarious. I know she comments that she wasn't so special in her B.D. (before death) life, but she's exactly the type of girl I'd love to hang with. All the time.

A quick run down of her admirable attributes: she loves books, she quotes obscure books, she knows obscure trivia, she uses sarcasm like the genius tool that it is, not afraid of hitting a guy when irritated, she loves books, she organizes books where-ever she goes compulsively...need I go on? Oh wait--she collects obscure BBC DVD's...honestly I think I found my fictional character soul mate!

I'll stop fangirling over Jane a moment to discuss the rest of the book. Its told first person POV from Jane's perspective (all those juicy, lovely, sarcastic thoughts). Her mom would probably be considered a psychotic sociopath if they lived in the North (but as its the South, in a town rooted in 'antebellum' traditions, she's just being 'motherly'), her dad is all kinds of academic awesome, less said about her sister the better, her best friend is really really weird, but in a good way. I want to know what Zeb is short for**. Her sire and love interest, Gabriel, is pretty smoking--s'long as you ignore his territorial stance where Jane is concerned.

I have to admit out of all the reasons why I thought Jane was being targeted the actual reason never even popped into my head. Though the actual person it turns out to be did a couple times (but I'm naturally disposed to disliking that sort of person). I like that her Aunt Jettie (her recently deceased Aunt Jettie) is a pistol--she hasn't let a little case of death get in the way of her merrymaking (at the expense of anybody and everybody equally).

It was a little long and drawn out in some parts, but figuring this is the first novel and groundwork had to be set (for the reader and for Jane in story) its excusable. And its damn hilarious the entire time anyhow. The little quotes from the 'The Guide for the Newly Undead' are just priceless. I'm hoping more time is spent at that quaint bookshop--I think the owner will be a crack up too. Some of the worldbuilding will be very familiar--especially if you read a whole lot of vampire novel series--but what lacks there is made up for Harper's wit and banter, plus none of it is dwelled on for any long length of time.

The next book in Jane's adventures are due out at the end of August--Nice Girls Don't Date Dead Men is the title. If I read amazon correctly a third book is due out early January 2010 titled Nice Girls Don't Live Forever, but like anything else in this world publication dates and names can change.

**Update: Molly emailed me to let me know what Zeb is short for:
"...Zeb is a family name. It's my sister's middle name. She was named for my great-grandma, Zeb, who was named for her great-uncle, Zebulon."

I guess that means its not short for Zedicus Zul Zorander (I am so mixing up book series...) ( )

This is quirky and adorable. Librarian Jane was minding her own business when an accident left her dying and an altruistic vampire bit her and changed her into one of the undead rather than allow her to perish. Molly Harper’s voice is hilarious, as is this cast of characters, from Jane’s kindergarten teacher friend Zev, to her ghost of a great aunt, to Gabriel, the vampire sire who has the hots for her and shows up at just the right times.

I loved Jane’s missteps as she struggles to navigate vampire life, as well as the hilarious notes of life in the South. The mystery of who could be out to get Jane and why adds a note of humor and suspense as Jane ticks through the potential enemies she might have made since becoming one of the undead. Although, I must say, the heating romance with Gabriel quickly became my very favorite part. This was a quirky and oh so fun book to read.

Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
( )

Cotton candy light and fluffy, but oh so addictive. ( )

"You ask a lot of questions."
"I'm a librarian. The learning curve is steep." ( )

Wasn't as good as the werewolf books by the same author. I don't think I'll read more of this series, but this was entertaining enough. ( )