** spoiler alert ** I really enjoyed the short stories that Charlaine Harris created and put in this book. Personally I think it's marketing genius that you leave a couple of unnoticeable gaps in the stories to fit in the actual plot line with little short stories. I mean, come on, lots of true fans will have bought this book just for a little extra Sookie Stackhouse. I know I did.

Well, in my opinion it is genius for making money but not good the continuity of stories. I had been very annoyed that she had started off the story of Definitely Dead with Hadley suddenly being dead and Sookie suddenly having to go to New Orleans to deal with everything. I made a big enough point of this in my review for Definitely Dead but even so, it really annoyed me. Never mind the fact we only find out that Sookie had the opportunity to kill Waldo and he was actually killed by Bill and Bubba towards the end of Definitely Dead but we apparently would have known it all along with this little short story. Okay, it was still a pretty good story line even if it did annoy me greatly that it was left out of one of the main books.

I think everyone would have to agree that Eric waiting for the Great Pumpkin-- I mean Count Dracula was a fantastic story. And it was great and so adorable but I didn't exactly enjoy the messed up way the Count was killed. It was awkward. I completely expected Sookie to be in some kind of danger and even more so when she stated she was the only human there. But I suppose it is just that tad bit awkward when you attempt to kill a Prince. Hah. I still enjoyed Eric’s mannerisms, how he got so excited like every year and how cynical Pam was about the whole thing. And the way he looked so sadly down at the fake Count’s remains and said “Maybe next year.” He even liked Sookie enough to help in killing his hero and Pam cared about Sookie enough to give her the stake. So it was a smushy, wonderful story all around.

After Dracula Night my second favorite story is of course Gift Wrap. It's sad - predictably sad - that Sookie is alone at Christmas. But when most of your closest friends are the undead, what do you expect? But it was very sweet that Sookie wasn't alone. I mean, I know, I know there are all these massive dangers about helping people you don't know when you find them in that kind of situation and it’s unlikely to ever happen in real life but it was just great. It was probably most women's fantasy. An unusual but attractive guy appears from nowhere, he's hurt so you get to play the caring women and then he shows his appreciation in very satisfying ways. And even if he does leave at the end of the night, big deal, at least the night didn't get tainted with his bad habits or the fact he likes to strangle cats! I do admit it was a little weird it was her great grandfather Niall who set it up. I doubt many people would ask their folks for a set up like that. But Niall is hardly your run of the mill Great Grandfather. I’m quite sure that Sookie kicked herself for not going outside sooner to investigate the sound to have more fun!

I enjoyed all the stories and the way Claude and Claudine made their less impersonal appearance in Sookie's life. I think Charlaine Harris intended that to be a surprise because whenever Claudette is mentioned in the main stories, Sookie never talks about how she solved the murder. But I did wonder how she and Claudine suddenly became such good friends. It explains a lot.

I also enjoyed the little side story about Greg Aubert and his good luck spells and Amelia and Sookie playing detective.

This was a really great set of short stories that will accompany the books very well. Now, I'm off to read all the books again!