Book Review: Danger Sweetheart by MaryJanice Davidson

Danger Sweetheart by MaryJanice Davidson is a parody that takes jabs at every romance trope out there. I highly suggest reading the author’s note before diving into the “story” because it describes how this book came to be and what exactly it is all about.

Blake Tarbell has a town to save. Rich, carefree, and used to the Vegas party lifestyle, Blake is thrown for a curve when his former cocktail-waitress mother pleads he go back to her roots to save the town she grew up in. Blake's used to using money to solve his problems, but when he arrives in Sweetheart, North Dakota, this city boy has to trade in his high-priced shoes for a pair of cowboy boots. Natalie Lane's got no time for newbies, and there's nothing she can't do to keep a farm up and running. But when a handsome city-slicker rolls into town with nothing but bad farmer's instincts and good intentions, Natalie's heartstrings are pulled. She's about to teach him a thing or two about how to survive in Sweetheart. And he's about to teach her a thing or two about love...

Danger Sweetheart takes jabs at just about every romance trope out there- but frankly without having read the author’s forward I would have just thought the book was silly, trying too hard, and likely would not have finished it. Even having read the explanation of the book I was not impressed. There were a couple fun moments that kept me reading, but I think the effort to achieve a parody or satire felt too forced to make it really work for me. I almost put it down, but I was too curious to see how one of the promise tropes was worked in to walk away. The characters occasionally offered the quirky fun I expect from Davidson, in such an over the top way necessary in a parody, and that was the other thing that kept me reading when I might have otherwise given up.

Danger Sweetheart made me sad. I love the writing style of Davidson, how her characters are quirky and can laugh at themselves (and each other) and move forward. I think in trying so hard to be funny the charm that usually keeps me happily read was lost. 

Best Parodies of Nonfiction Materials Five Great Parodies

Tired of the seemingly endless supply of how to and self help manuals on every conceivable subject? It seems like for every best selling non fiction book that is worthwhile other immediately follow in its wake with the same information or worse, misinformation. These parodies take those books and entertain us while making the subject new again.

The Self-Destruction Handbook: 8 Simple Steps to an Unhealthier You by Adam Wasson and Jessica Stamen is a parody of all the self help books intended to help the reader live a healthier life. In this handbook you can learn how to lose weight too quickly, start a drinking problem, which drugs are right for you and so much more. The book is a fun, entertaining read that does not mock those looking to better themselves, but laughs openly at the advise that those individuals often receive.

Releasing the Imbecile within: An Incomplete Idiot's Guide by Paul Livingston is another self help parody. This book focuses more on the genre of books that attempt to make the reader a more effective individual in business and friendships rather than personal health. It begins with a test to show how unintelligent you are, and goes on from there.

Hardly Working: The Overachieving Underperformer's Guide to Doing as Little as Possible in the Office by Chris Morran makes fun of the office and business administration books. Instead of learning to be an effective worker or leader this book shows readers how to do as little as possible at work. Learn the art of looking hard at work as you play solitaire or shop on the internet. A perfect parody for anyone forced to read materials or attend workshops intended to increase their workplace moral and productivity.

101 Places Not to Visit: Your Essential Guide to the World's Most Miserable, Ugly, Boring and Inbred Destinations by Adam Russ is the answer for travel lovers that are tired of reading guides that refuse to say anything negative about listed locales as well as those who simply dislike traveling. Every continent is featured in the book including Antarctica. Destination descriptions are laden with stereotypes and disinformation. It is an entertaining parody of travel guides, tourists and some highly traveled locations.

Homeland Insecurity: The Onion Complete News Archives, Volume 17 (Onion Ad Nauseam) by Scott Dikkers is a collection of parody news stories from The Onion. Each article is a parody of our media companies and the publics urge to believe what it is told. Anyone that enjoys The Onion or is simply fed up with traditional media will enjoy this highly entertaining collection.

The Zombie Renaissance

Zombies have long been part of folklore and horror stories. There are a number of reasons that zombie lore can be found in every culture, but these days zombies have escaped the confines of the horror genre and B-Movies and can be found in just about every type of book, so regardless of your favorite genre, there is likely a zombie book out there for you. If you want to explore beyond Walking Dead and Warm Bodies and the cross media success they have had, here are some suggestions. 

Breathers: A Zombies Lament by S.G. Browne is not your typical zombie novel. This is a romantic comedy tale told from the zombie’s point of view. it shades light on the troubles faced by two zombies in love.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan is a young adult novel with romance, action, and a very quick pace. Mary's isolated village is governed by the Sisterhood. After they set a monster, one of the Unconsecrated, loose within the village, Mary and the few other survivors set off in the unknown.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith is one of the monster mash ups that flooded the market a few years ago. Combine Austin;'s idyllic English countryside with a zombie plague. Elizabeth Bennett must save herself and the alluring though infuriating Mr. Darcy.

Graveminder by Melissa Marr will appeal to those that love gothic fiction. Drawn back to the home of her youth, Rebekkah Barrow learns the secret of keeping the dead in their graves and the role she has inherited.

The Reapers are the Angels by Alden Bell was an 2011 Alex Award Winner and a Nutmeg Award Nominee. It follows the journey of a young woman who wanders a vast wasteland never knowing what life before the zombies was like. Savoring glimpses of beauty and kindness, Temple is torn between hope and despair and must face forces beyond her darkest nightmares.

Gil's All Fright Diner by A. Lee Martinez
The Duke of Werewolves and the Earl of Vampires stave off hordes of the undead at a roadside diner in this uproarious debut novel.

Happy Hour of the Damned by Mark Henry
Fashionista zombie Amanda Feral investigates the disappearance of an undead friend in Seattle. Full of visceral action, this urban fantasy series has plenty to sink your teeth into.

Craving even more zombie goodness?

• Cell by Stephen King
  Filled with the gory details that made Stephen King’s name synonymous with horror, this faced-paced novel evokes a world where zombies are made not with a bite, but with a phone call.
• Zombie Movies: The Ultimate Guide by Glenn Kay
  Summarizing more than 250 films made between 1932 and 2008, this resource chronologically lists the outbreak of zombie films and their unyielding rise to popularity.
• Patient Zero: A Joe Ledger Novel by Jonathan Maberry
  Baltimore detective and Army veteran Joe Ledger puts all of his considerable talents to the test when he is recruited into a shadowy government agency responsible for keeping the zombie menace at bay.
• World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks
  Set 10 years after a zombie war, the story is a collection of first-person accounts from survivors and covers all angles of the earth-shattering event.
• The Zen of Zombie: Better Living Through the Undead by Scott Kenemore
  Learn the secrets to true and sustained happiness by exploring the uncomplicated yet philosophical and insightful world of the zombie.
• Pay Me in Flesh by K. Bennett
  Lawyer Mallory Caine is a far cry from your stereotypical zombie, though she does eat brains. Sexy, smart and put together, this savvy lady fights for justice for all.
• Zombie Haiku by Ryan Mecum
  Chronicling one zombies slow but inevitable decomposition in the form of haiku, this ancient art form is elevated to hilarious new heights.
• Nekropolis: A Matt Richter Novel by Tim Waggoner
  Zombie private investigator Matt Richter walks the mean streets of Nekropolis trying to keep the peace, and himself from falling apart.
• Zombies for Zombies: Advice and Etiquette for the Living Dead by David Murphy
  Becoming a zombie can be really demotivating. Full of tips and tricks on important topics like fashion, hygiene and nutrition, this guide is meant to usher you into your new “life” with ease.

Book Review: Fifty Shames of Earl Grey by Fanny Merkin (aka Andrew Shaffer)

Fifty Shames of Earl Grey by Fanny Merkin (aka Andrew Shaffer) is a parody of the much talked about Fifty Shades of Grey.  Earl Grey is an arrgant tycoon that seduces the naive coed Anna Steal.  Anna is a Walmart employee with out any plans for the future. Her head is turned by Earl's good looks and staggering amounts of money. Can Anna get past his fifty shames, which include listening to Nickelback, shopping at Walmart on Saturdays, and his love of BDSM (Bards, Dragons, Sorcery, and Magick)?

Fifty Shames of Earl Grey had much potential. Some parody is better than the original, however this is sadly not the case here. I was quickly tired of Anna's nose picking, her alcoholic roommate, her attractive male friend and his 'brony' culture, and Earl's smirking. My favorite part of the book is in the epilogue or teaser for part two which takes place in space.

I do not recommend Fifty Shames of Earl Grey. However, if you do take a look, read the first chapter and the last three pages, which I wish I had done. You will not be missing out on much.