WHAT THE FANG? is the first book in Stacey Kennedy’s “Undead Ever After” series. This story takes place in an alternate reality in which supernatural beings like vampires are out and about, and not hiding from humans. Willa Farrington is a mild-mannered witch who owns a book shop in Charleston. As a witch, Willa is basically a dud. Most days it doesn’t really bother her. She’s making her own way in the world and has two fab vampire BFFs. At the start of the story, some vampire baddies harass her and try to abduct her. That’s when he walks in – Killian Constantine. Killian is the vampire Warden of Charleston, and a tall, dark, and all-business hottie.

A big chunk of this story is about the past haunting the present. With her mother dead and her father unknown, there is the orphan vibe that Willa gives off. She’s not self-pitying, but you do feel sympathy for her. Willa has built stability in her life but, all of a sudden, various unknown forces seem determined to shatter her world. The witchy world played a big part in her upbringing up to a point, when she didn’t pass the magic test. This early rejection makes her a little conflicted when it comes to her witch heritage. By contrast, she finds some degree of acceptance from the vampire world. Specifically, her vampire customers and her two best friends. And when she finds herself in danger, it’s Killian who comes to her aide. Because Willa seems to be in danger from person or persons unknown for much of WHAT THE FANG?, I expected there to be the requisite conflict between the hero and heroine over her safety, and her sense of autonomy. Happily, that was not the case in this book. Killian is protective, without being smothering or condescending. Likewise, Willa wants to maintain her independence, but is cognizant of her limitations and the danger posed to her. As for the romance in WHAT THE FANG?, there are oodles of smoldering looks and sexual tension.

WHAT THE FANG? offers readers supernatural slugfests, sexy vampires, and a compelling romance. It will be interesting seeing how relationships evolve and what new conflicts arise in future books. Whatever the conflict, I hope that this hero and heroine remain on the same side and work together. I’d also like to see Willa’s friends find loves of their own eventually. I look forward to the next installment in Stacey Kennedy’s “Undead Ever After” series.

Book Summary