July 29, 2008
Bad Boys Online by Erin McCarthy, 3
Book Description: "Hard Drive"
Mack Stone can't believe he's just walked in on the delicious Kindra Hill having an online affair in her office. Being discovered in flagrante computer delicto doesn't seem to bother Kindra. In fact, she claims to prefer the impersonal touch to the complication of a relationship. That's enough to make Mack issue a challenge of his own: He wants Kindra to grant him twelve nonstop hours to turn every erotic e-mail into a hot reality and prove that in love and pleasure, there's no substitute for the real thing...
"User Friendly"
Computer guru Evan Barrett can solve any tech problem, but the sight of Halley Connors' lovely head pasted onto some woman's nude body -- courtesy of a hacker determined to derail her catering website -- just has him in a cold sweat. Imagining his secret crush in the buff is the kind of fantasy that drives him wild every time Halley's near. Now, as they work overtime to save the business, Evan realizes that not every fire needs putting out so quickly...and some require very little stoking to catch...
"Press Any Key"
To Jared Kinkaid, the only way to keep his mind -- and his hands -- off his luscious co-worker Candy Appleton is to insult or ignore her at every turn. But his efforts at lust control have his boss convinced that the partners need a little help via online couples counseling. But when they're mistakenly signed up for sensual couples counseling instead, Jared and Candy's shock turns to pleasure as they each deliver some hands on therapy of their own...
Review: This book features three erotic romance short stories that are somehow tied in with the internet. The stories were average but enjoyable enough. I did find it a bit silly that so many of the couples got engaged after one night together. Readers of contemporary erotic romance may enjoy this anthology.
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April 28, 2008
Dead over Heels by MaryJanice Davidson, 3 1/2
Book description: With her trademark "sassy dialogue, lusty lovemaking [and] irreverent humor"* New York Times bestselling author MaryJanice Davidson delighted fans with her wickedly sexy and wildly funny anthology, Dead and Loving It-stories in which the worlds of the Wyndham Werewolves and Undead Queens collided. Now she returns to that sensual and irresistible after-dark realm of werewolves, vampires, and mermaids in three more original novellas--including an all-new Betsy Taylor novella.
Review: Dead Over Heels features three short stories from Davidson’s three ongoing paranormal series. All there are quick, fun reads and there isn’t a bad story in the anthology. If you are a Davidson fan you will enjoy this anthology.
Undead and Wed is from her Betsy Taylor series and it follows Betsy on her honeymoon. Jessica and Nick crash the honeymoon and there’s a murder mystery. This story is just as funny as everything else in the series and fans won’t want to miss it.
Survivors takes place in the Fred the Mermaid series. It does not feature the main characters in the series so it can easily be followed without reading the series. A wildlife host for an educational tv network gets stranded in the middle of the ocean and is rescued by a mermaid.
Speed Dating Werewolf Style is a Wyndham Werewolf story but it also stands on its own. Cain is ready to find a mate and she asks her best friend, Saul, to set her up with some of his werewolf friends. What Cain doesn’t know is that Saul is in love with her so he sets her up on some intentionally disastrous blind dates.
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December 10, 2007
Many Bloody Returns edited by Charlaine Harris, Toni L. P. Kelner, 3 1/2
Book description: Never-before-published vampire stories by Charlaine Harris, Jim Butcher, Kelley Armstrong, and many others.
Suspenseful, surprising, sometimes dark, sometimes humorous-these all-new stories will ensure that readers never think of vampires (or birthdays) in quite the same way again.
In New York Times bestselling author Charlaine Harris's "Dracula Night," Sookie Stackhouse is the only human at the annual commemoration of Dracula's birth. But this year, the Prince of Darkness actually shows up-and finds Sookie to be a tasty-looking present.
New York Times bestselling author Jim Butcher's crime-solving wizard Harry Dresden, of the Dresden Files novels, heads to a role-playing party to give his vampire brother a birthday present in "It's My Birthday Too," only to discover there are some bloodthirsty party crashers who don't share their brotherly love.
In "Twilight," Cassandra DuCharme, who appeared in New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong's Dime Store Magic, knows she has to kill to live as a vampire another year-but finds herself disturbingly disinterested in the hunt.
Plus ten more bloody good birthday stories that take the cake.
Review: Some stories in this anthology were better than other but there weren’t any I had to force myself to finish. The stand outs were Kelley Armstrong and Christopher Golden. I always enjoy Armstrong’s writing and I was glad to learn more about Cassandra in this story. Golden’s story was dark and beautifully written.
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August 20, 2007
On the Prowl by Patricia Briggs, Eileen Wilks, Karen Chance, & Sunny, 3 1/2
Alpha and Omega by Patricia Briggs
The werewolf Anna finds a new sense of self when the son of the werewolf king comes to town to quell unrest in the Chicago pack—and inspires a power in Anna that she’s never felt before.
This story sets up a new series set in the same world as the Mercy Thompson series. This was the best story in the anthology and it made this book worth buying. Loved the new characters and I can’t wait to read more in the series.
Inhuman by Eileen Wilks
Kai has a secret gift of sensing thoughts and desires. What she senses in her neighbor Nathan could be dangerous. Because he has a secret gift too and it’s about to be let loose.
I like Wilks’ paranormal universe and would read more of her books if she would focus on a new couple in each book. I enjoyed this story. The romance worked for me. I would have liked this more as a full length book with more attention paid to the mystery and the couple’s back story. But I enjoyed it for what it was.
Buying Trouble by Karen Chance
In a New York auction house, a Lord of the Fey crosses paths with a fiery redhead mage named Claire. But in this strange underground society, the rarity up for sale is Claire herself.
I’ve never read anything by this author before but I will have to seek out her full length books after reading this. The dialogue was witty and the world seems interesting. There was too much plot crammed into such a short story but I didn’t min that too much.
Mona Lisa Betwining by Sunny
Among the children of the moon, Mona Lisa is of Mixed Blood—part Monere, part human, and destined to be alone. Then she meets a man who could be her salvation—or her downfall.
This was the only story I didn’t enjoy in this anthology. I never skim but I found it hard to finish this story without skimming. The prose was nauseating and I can’t stand Mary Sue harem stories.
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April 23, 2007
Prom Nights From Hell by Meg Cabot, Stephenie Meyer, ect., 3
Book description: In this exciting collection, bestselling authors Meg Cabot (How to Be Popular), Kim Harrison (A Fistful of Charms), Michele Jaffe (Bad Kitty), Stephenie Meyer (Twilight), and Lauren Myracle (ttyl) take bad prom nights to a whole new level—a paranormally bad level. Wardrobe malfunctions and two left feet don't hold a candle to discovering your date is the Grim Reaper—and he isn't here to tell you how hot you look.
From angels fighting demons to a creepy take on getting what you wish for, these five stories will entertain better than any DJ in a bad tux. No corsage or limo rental necessary. Just good, scary fun.
Review: Meg Cabot’s story was fun in a Buffy season one sort of way. Lauren Myracle’s story was my favorite in the anthology. I liked the characters and the plot was genuinely creepy. Kim Harrison’s story had a decent plot but I couldn’t bring myself to like the main character. I didn’t get Michelle Jaffe’s story at all. It felt like it took place in the middle of a series. Stephenie Meyer’s story was ok but I wish the hero had been developed more. Like most anthologies, this is a mixed bag. It’s worth a read if you like most of the authors featured but I wouldn’t recommend it as an introduction to their work.
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January 16, 2007
My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding edited by P.N. Elrod, 2 1/2
Book description: An “ordinary” wedding can get crazy enough, so can you imagine what happens when otherworldly creatures are involved? Nine of the hottest authors of paranormal fiction answer that question in this delightful collection of supernatural wedding stories. What’s the seating plan when rival clans of werewolves and vampires meet under the same roof? How can a couple in the throes of love overcome traps set by feuding relatives---who are experts at voodoo? Will you have a good marriage if your high-seas wedding is held on a cursed ship? How do you deal with a wedding singer who’s just a little too good at impersonating Elvis?
· L. A. Banks
· Jim Butcher
· Rachel Caine
· P. N. Elrod
· Esther M. Friesner
· Lori Handeland
· Charlaine Harris
· Sherrilyn Kenyon
· Susan Krinard
Shape-shifters, wizards, and magic, oh my!
Review: There’s a lot of authors in this anthology that I normally like but I found the majority of the stories boring. My problem was with the premise of the anthology. I often find weddings boring, especially when I’m not emotionally attached to the couple. These stories were too short for me to care about them. There were a few stories I liked tough.
Dead Man’s Chest by Rachel Caine was a fun, Pirates of the Caribbean inspired story. In it, a newly married woman discovers she’s less than happy with her groom and that the crew of the pirate ship she was married on is suffering from a curse.
Charmed by the Moon by Lori Handeland follows the engagement of Jessie and Will from Blue Moon. I liked them in Blue Moon and it was nice to revisit them.
The last story I enjoyed was A Hard Day’s Night-Searcher by Sherrilyn Kenyon. I was surprised I liked this because I’ve hated everything I’ve read or attempted to read by this author. It’s part of her Dark Hunters series but the world building isn’t hard to understand if you haven’t read that series. It’s basic paranormal romance stuff but I liked the world and the couple. I doubt I’ll be running out to read the rest of her books though.
If you are a fan of most of the authors in this anthology you may find it worth looking at but I’m not going to recommend it.
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December 31, 2006
Hot Spell by Emma Holly, Lora Leigh, Shiloh Walker, Meljean Brook, 3 1/2
Book description: Venture into a world beyond the ordinary, where the dark passions and voracious appetites of vampires, werewolves, demons, and a few undaunted mortals combine to unleash a potent spell...
Here are lovers to tempt the imagination: Eyes that glitter with keenness born of ancient knowledge. Hands that move with a tenderness belying superhuman strength. Inviting smiles that reveal exquisitely lethal fangs. Rippling, leonine muscles. There's danger in the air...and heat.
Review: Hot Spell features four paranormal romance short stories with a heavy doses of erotica. The first is The Countess's Pleasure by Emma Holly. In it a countess tries to recover from a disappointing marriage by propositioning an erotic performer. This story is set in the same world as The Demon’s Daughter but it stands on its own. Holly, once again, manages to write an erotic story that also manages to be very romantic.
The next story is The Breed Next Store by Lora Leigh. In it a woman finds out that her neighbor is one of the feline breeds. It’s part of her breeds series but it also stands on its own very well. I really liked the beginning of this story. It has something I’ve never come across in a Leigh story before, characters who have personalities and are likeable. The rest of the story is filled with the same old thin plots and alpha dominating sex scenes. Still, it’s probably the best thing I’ve read by this author.
Meljean Brook is definitely an author I’m going to have to look out for. Her story, Falling for Anthony, has everything I could want in a paranormal romance. Great characters and romance mixed with detailed and original world building. Anthony, a battlefield doctor, hopes to return from the war and offer for the woman he’s loved since he was a child. Before he can return he is attacked by a vampire and must chose to die or become an angel-like guardian. I can’t wait to read a full length novel form her.
The anthology closes with The Blood Kiss by Shiloh Walker. Roman, an alpha werewolf, infiltrates a vampire’s party to rescue his brother and discovers the woman he’s attracted to is the vampire leader’s daughter. It’s part of her Hunters series> I haven’t read any of that series but I had no problem following it. The vampire/werewolf politics thing is so over done and there isn’t anything original to separate it from the other werewolf/vampire stories being published. The alpha hero also didn’t appeal to me. It’s not a bad story though, just average. I’m sure others will like it more than I did.
Hot Spell is well worth reading for the outstanding stories by Meljean Brook and Emma Holly. The Leigh and Walker stories were just ok but there were not stories that were so terrible I hate to force myself to finish them. That’s a rare accomplishment fro a romance anthology.
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Angel of Music by Carrie Hernandez, 3 1/2
Book Description: Three stories, based on characters from the original Phantom of the Opera novel. Three stories, revisiting that universe. A phantom who lives in hiding. An angel heard in dreams. There are "Phantoms of the Mind," that send a lonely rape victim spiraling off into madness. There’s "The Portal," a place where darkness meets light. There is "Little Lotte," the child who hears an angel sing. Unlike any stage or screen version, the focus is angel, not phantom. Ever present, he unites the threads of these tales.
Review: Angel of Music collects three stories that were inspired by the Phantom of the Opera The first story, Little Lotte, has Christine’s father telling her and Raoul a story when they were children. The story was short but it had a nice dream-like quality to it. It was a good opening story for the collection. Phantoms of the Mind was, by far, my favorite story in the collection. In it, a young girl discovered Erik at the circus and it changed her life forever. The story has many twists as it follows the young girl’s life into adulthood. It was a very emotional story and I was surprised at where it ended up. The last story was The Portal and was about how Erik’s daughter came to know her father. It was an interesting story but I couldn’t connect with the main character. Fans of Phantom of the Opera will like this collection and the story Phantoms of the Mind makes it worth tracking down.
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November 29, 2006
Otherworld Tales 2005 by Kelley Armstrong, 4
This is the fourth free online novella published on Kelley Armstrong's website from her Women of the Otherworld series. This time around it’s a collection of short stories about various characters in her series. Like everything else Armstrong has written, I enjoyed all of the stories in this collection. I did have some favorites though. Demonology is about Adam’s mother, Talia, discovering that her son is part demon. Talia is a character that wasn’t on my radar before reading this story but now I want to read more about her. Birthright tells how Logan joined the pack. I’ve really enjoyed learning more about Logan through these e-books. Case of the Half-Demon Spy was a really cute story about Paige and Adam when they were teenagers. Escape is another favorite in the collection. It’s follows Eve on the night she dies. Wedding Bell Hell is about the wedding of one of my favorite couples in this series, Paige and Lucas.
You can download this e-book and all of Armstrong’s others for free here. If you haven’t had a chance to check out her writing yet I highly recommend downloading her first three e-books, Savage, Ascension, and Beginnings. All three are prequels to her first novel Bitten and by the time you finish them you will be hooked on this series.
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November 01, 2006
Santa, Baby by Jennifer Crusie, Lori Foster, and Carly Phillips, 3
Book description: JENNIFER CRUSIE
Mayhem ensues under the mistletoe as a determined shopper grabs the very last hot toy action figure off the shelf, only to find herself plunged into the middle of a real-life spy game—in the arms of a sexy secret agent. . .
LORI FOSTER
Two dedicated coworkers with a lot of secrets (and fantasies!) between them must plan a Christmas party side by side—and discover a love worth celebrating—in this steamy office romance.
CARLY PHILLIPS
A “mistletoe moment” begins when a no-nonsense lawyer intent on seducing her boss meets his twin instead—after giving him a scintillating kiss that leaves him begging for more. . .
Review: I bought this anthology mostly for the Crusie story but also because I wanted to try some new contemporary romance authors. I liked Cruise’s story, Hot Toy, the most. It was really funny and had a bizarre plot. It’s worth reading for Crusie fans.
Foster’s story, Christmas Bonus, dragged the anthology down. It always annoys me when a man calls a woman things like baby and hon, especially when they aren’t in a relationship yet. It seemed liked the hero did this every other line and that, along with the huge mental age difference between the hero and heroine, made him seem like her creepy uncle. Also, there’s something unbearably Mary Sue-ish about a heroine in a romance novel who is also a romance novelist. Nothing about this story worked for me.
Naughty Under the Mistletoe by Carly Phillips was an ok read. I thought the hero and heroine fell in love way too fast to be believable. However, there was some good character development here so I can overlook that. I may try something else by Phillips.
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October 18, 2006
Strange Candy by Laurell K. Hamilton, 3
Book description: Known for her darkly violent, stunningly erotic Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter novels, New York Times bestselling author Laurell K. Hamilton reveals new dimensions of her talent in these fantastical fairy tales and lush parables as she welcomes readers to the far corners of her fertile imagination.
From a woman who marries into a family of volatile wizards to a couple fleeing a gang of love-hungry cupids, from a girl who seeks sanctuary in the form of a graceful goose to the disgruntled superhero Captain Housework, readers will revel in the many twists and turns of fortune in these unique, sometimes surreal visions. Hardened vampire hunter and zombie animator Anita Blake gets blindsided by the disturbing motives of her clients in the never-before-published "Those Who Seek Forgiveness" and in "The Girl Who Was Infatuated with Death."
Review: Strange Candy is a collection of Laurell K. Hamilton’s older stories, with the exception of The Girl Who Was Infatuated With Death which was published recently in the Bite anthology. If you like Hamilton for her erotica you’ll probably be disappointed in this but older fans will find something to like here.
There are some stand-outs in the anthology. Those who Seek Forgiveness was the first Anita Blake story and this is the first time it’s been published. It’s a great zombie story and it reminded me how much I use to like the Anita Blake series. The Edge of the Sea is about a merman who come out of the ocean at night and murders women. I loved the atmosphere and it was one of the few stories in the anthology that felt complete. Selling Houses is a creepy story set in the Anita Blake universe about a woman who tries to sell a house that the previous owners had been murdered in. Hamilton is at her best when she writes horror like this. Geese is about a woman who disguises herself as a goose until she can seek revenge for her family’s murder. This was the only traditional fantasy story here that worked for me. The last really great story was a slightly sci-fi one called Here Be Dragons. It’s about empathic sociopaths and is genuinely disturbing.
Unfortunately, there are more mediocre and bad stories in this anthology than there are great ones. I’m not going to go through all of them but the four stories set in the Nightseer universe are the worst. They are dull, traditional fantasies that have little creativity and don’t suit Hamilton’s style at all. Still, I’d say the anthology is worth reading (but not buying) for Hamilton’s older fans.
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September 13, 2006
Winter Moon by Mercedes Lackey, Tanith Lee, and C.E. Murphy, 2 1/2
Book description: Mercedes Lackey
In an isolated land where the lure of the "Moontide" leads to shipwrecks, a woman is torn between obeying her father or her king. When she chooses to follow a Fool, she discovers magic she'd never expected . . . at a price that might be too high . . .
Tanith Lee
Struggling under the curse of a dead comrade, Clirando, a warrior priestess unready to face the powers trapped within her, must face "The Heart of the Moon" to reveal what has been hidden . . .
C.E. Murphy
In "Banshee Cries," ritual murders under a full moon lead Jo Walker to confront a Harbinger of Death. Maybe this "gift" she has is one she shouldn't ignore -- because the next life she has to save might be her own!
Review: Mercedes Lackey’s story is part of her Five Hundred Kingdoms series but it stands on its own. It was pretty basic Lackey. A generally enjoyable romance but very flat villains. Overall, the story was really average but I’ve read worse by Lackey.
Tanith Lee’s story was a disappointment. It started great but a good deal of it was boring. I usually enjoy Lee’s writing too, especially her older stuff.
C.E. Murphy is a new to me author and her story was the best in the anthology. It’s a follow up to Urban Shaman but it also stands well on its own. I wasn’t too into the magic system but I really liked the character interactions. I may have to pick up Urban Shaman based on this.
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June 26, 2006
Mysteria by MaryJanice Davidson, Susan Grant, P.C. Cast, and Gena Showalter, 3
Book description: Hunky werewolves, delicious demons and, drop-dead sexy witches all have the same address...
Hundreds of years ago, in the mountains of Colorado (just close enough to Denver for great shoe shopping), the small town of Mysteria was "accidentally" founded by a random act of demonic kindness. Over time, it has become a veritable magnet for the supernatural-a place where magic has quietly coexisted with the mundane world.
It's a town like any other town, where the high school's Fighting Fairies give fans something to cheer about, where everyone knows your name-if not exactly what you are-at the local bar, and where the wishing well actually lives up to its name. Strange occurrences happen every day, but now the ladies of Mysteria are about to unleash a tempest of seduction that will have tongues wagging for centuries to come...
Review: The first story in this anthology is Mortal in Mysteria by Susan Grant. It’s about a demon who gets banished from hell and falls in love with a mortal woman. I liked the idea of the story but there was almost no characterization. The romance felt like it was just going through the motions.
Next up is Alone Wolf by MaryJanice Davidson. A werewolf searching for his own kind moves to Mysteria and hooks up with his relator. This was an odd story. I liked the secondary characters but hated the romance. The story lost me at the unprotected sex and never won me back.
The third story is The Witches of Mysteria and the Dead Men Who Love Them by Gena Showalter. This one is about a witch who gives a longtime crush a love potion but isn’t sure if he really wants her. Finally, a story I liked! It was really cute. I’ve never read anything by Showalter but I’d read more by her.
The last story is the best in the anthology. It’s Candy Cox and the Big Bad (Were)Wolf by P.C. Cast. After a string of disastrous marriages, a woman dates a much younger man who happens to be a werewolf. This was a really well done younger man/older woman romance. The romance was well developed for a short story. I also loved all the Dark Shadows references in the Cast and Showalter stories.
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May 28, 2006
Under Cover by MaryJanice Davidson, 3 1/2
Book description: “Sweet Strangers”
Renee Jardin never meant to become the world's most sought-after thief. But the minute she walks out of her biotech firm accidentally carrying “The Cure”—the most important scientific discovery of the century—she's on the run from ruthless bioengineers, cops, and the U.S. government. Desperate to lose her trackers, Renee lays a full-body kiss on the first gorgeous guy she sees…a kiss that she gets back with a toe-curling vengeance. N.S.A. agent James Axelrod never thought apprehending his suspect would be so easy, and so sinfully arousing…or that he would consider taking her into custody in the privacy of his own bedroom…
“Lovely Lies”
Peter Random lost everything when he was outwitted by that goody-goody Renee Jardin. Late in his rent, his job gone, Peter vows he'll never let anyone get close enough to burn him again. So why can't he seem to tell Lori Jamieson and her troubles to hit the road? It isn't just her hot bod and full lips—although those have a magic he can't deny. Something about the damsel in distress makes Peter want to wrap her in his strong arms and prove that a bad boy can be very, very good, especially when it's between the sheets…
“Delightful Deception”
At the biotech firm, they call her Thea “I.Q.” Foster—“I.Q.” for either Intelligence Quotient or Ice Queen, depending. Slipping the Cure into Renee's tote bag was satisfying revenge, but now that the fun's over, Thea sets her sights on a new challenge: sarcastic, secretive Jimmy Scrye. Cracking open his hard shell would be a real game, but Jimmy's more than Thea's match. He's got a few ideas for turning the tables on the brainy scientist…sensual, erotic fantasy ideas that just might change those letters in her name to “Incredible,” “Insatiable,” and “Quivering with delight”…
Review: Under Cover is probably the best non paranormal book I’ve read of Davidson’s. It’s a nice anthology of contemporary romance stories. The first story, Sweet Strangers was my least favorite but I still enjoyed it. I would have liked to see the romance developed more. The second story, Lovely Lies was really cute and the romance worked great in short story format. The last story, Delightful Deception had really different characters and I would have loved to read a full length novel with them. If you haven’t tried Davidson yet, Under Cover is a good place to start.
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April 01, 2006
Dead and Loving It by MaryJanice Davidson, 3 1/2
Book description: USA Today bestselling author MaryJanice Davidson has enchanted readers everywhere with her delicious blend of wicked humor, sizzling sex and a totally unique vision of vampires and werewolves. Now, in this collection of four sensual novellas, worlds collide when she brings her beloved Wyndham werewolves together with the vampires ruled by Undead Queen Betsy Taylor. In three of her most popular novellas, a Wyndham werewolf finds their perfect-sometimes reluctant!-mate, whether mortal or immortal. The collection culminates with the highly anticipated original story of feral vampire George the Fiend, as he meets the only female who can tame the beast within-a lovely werewolf. Filled with equal parts of spicy heat and laugh-out-loud moments, this collection will drive you wild with blood-pounding delight.
Review: The first two stories in this collection are cute, funny erotica stories. I liked both of them. The third story would have been much better if the characters had been developed more. Still, not a bad story. The last one is set in the Betsy Taylor universe and focuses on George the Fiend. George is one of my favorite characters from that series so I loved that he got his own story. Davidson fans will enjoy this collection.
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January 27, 2006
Irresistible Forces edited by Catherine Asaro, 
Six of today’s most popular authors join talents in a unique anthology that shows love can conquer all...even the boundaries of time and space. These stories—many featuring the most beloved characters from the author’s bestselling series—will transport you from medieval to modern times, into magic lands and to the farthest reaches of the universe...to places in the heart where love truly is an irresistible force.
The first story in this collection is Winterfair Gifts by Lois McMaster Bujold. In it, a genetically engineered giantess catches the romantic attention of a guard. This story is part of Bujold’s Vorkosigan series which I have not read so the story was hard to get into at first. But the story quickly drew me in and I loved the unconventional romance. I’ll definitely be reading more by this writer.
The second story was The Alchemical Marriage by Mary Jo Putney. It’s about a former prisoner who must join his power with a woman to stop the Spanish Armada. I liked the idea of this story but the romance falls into the dreaded psychic soul mates category that I hate so much. Still, it’s a pleasant read and I’d consider reading more by the author.
Next up was Stained Galss Heart by Catherine Asaro. In it, a politician’s son is forced to choose between the woman he loves and the life his family wants for him. This story is part of her Skolian Empire series and is a direct prequel to The Quantum Rose. I don’t think the story will be hard to follow if you haven’t read any of the other books. The romance in this story is average but the hero is interesting and atypical. Very enjoyable. Asaro is the only author in this anthology I’ve encountered before and I still want to read more by her.
The fourth story was Skin Deep by Deb Stover. It’s about a dead man brought back to life in the body of a woman to help his widow move on. Loved the plot. It seemed like the story should have been a novel but was condensed into short story format. That didn’t interfere with my enjoyment of the story and I’d love to read more by her.
My favorite story in the collection was The Trouble With Heroes by Jo Beverley. In it, a man seeks to stop a terrifying force that can destroy all life on the planet. This may just be the best short story I’ve ever read. Love the romance, characters, setting, and the dash of horror. I did not want it to end and I can’t wait to read more by this author.
The last story was Shadows in the Wood by Jennifer Roberson. It’s a mix of the story of Robin Hood and Arthurian legend. Ok story but, since I’m not a huge fan of either of the original stories, it wasn’t for me.
All in all a fantastic anthology. None of the stories were bad which is a rare thing for an anthology. If you want to see if you like sci-fi/fantasy romance this book is a wonderful place to start. I certainly found some great new authors.
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January 03, 2006
Dracula in London edited by P.N. Elrod, 
Bram Stoker’s immortal tale of vampirism told the story of how Count Vald Tepes came to London and met his demise at the hands of Abraham van Helsing’s vampire hunters. But how did Dracula occupy his time when he wasn’t stalking Lucy Westenra and Mina Harker? These sixteen stories take the infamous nosferatu on a tour of 1890s London—where he encounters such historical personages as actress Ellen Terry, young scientist Nikola Tesla, Edward Prince of Wales, and a writer names Abraham Stoker—in this masterful anthology from some of today’s best authors...
I love the premise for this anthology. However, most of the stories are average and some are even dull. There were a few stand outs though. To Each His Own Kind by Tanya Huff has Dracula meeting London’s aristocracy. The Dark Downstairs by Roxanne Longstreet Conrad tells how a Westenra servant fights Dracula. Dear Mr. Bernard Shaw by Judith Proctor features an actress being pursued by Dracula. Finally, The Three Boxes by Elaine Bergstrom has Dracula hiring a woman in drag as a servant. If you are a hard core Dracula fan or if you like a lot of the authors in this anthology this may be worth a buy.
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August 04, 2005
Night's Edge by Maggie Shayne, Barbara Hambly, and Charlaine Harris,
Book Description: Her Best Enemy by USA TODAY bestselling author Maggie Shayne
Kiley Brigham refuses to believe there's a ghost in her house, but when an unseen hand leaves a bloody message on her bathroom mirror, she's forced to turn to local psychic Jack McCain. As the two work to uncover a long-buried secret, Kiley finds that she's haunted not by spirits, but by thoughts of Jack. . .
Someone Else's Shadow by Nebula Award-nominated author Barbara Hambly
Maddie Laveau worries about her young roommate, Tessa, when she stays late to practice ballet in the old Glendower Building. . .and when Tessa goes missing, Maddie enlists mysterious tenant Phil Cooper to help. But is Phil the white knight she needs, or the predator she fears?
Dancers in the Dark by Anthony Award-winning author Charlaine Harris
Layla Rue Le May is no ordinary dancer-her partner, Sean McClendon, is a three-hundred-year-old redheaded vampire. So when Layla Rue acquires a stalker, she's forced to face the music. . .and wonder if this will finally be her last dance.
Review: The first story in this anthology is Her Best Enemy by Maggie Shayne. The romance was very fast paced, which would usually annoy me but it didnt hurt my enjoyment of this story. I also liked that this was an old fashioned haunted house story. I havent read one of those in a while. Based on my enjoyment of this story, Ill probably pick up one of Maggie Shaynes novels.
The second is Someone Elses Shadow by Barbara Hambly. This was my favorite story in the anthology. I loved that the heroine spent most of the story not knowing if her love interest was the villain. Actually, I loved the writing in general. I have a few of Hamblys books sitting on my shelf and Ill be moving them up on my priority list.
The last story is Dancers in the Dark by Charlaine Harris. Ive never read anything by Harris that I didnt love and this is no exception. This story is set in the same world as Harris Southern Vampire series but stands on its own. This was easily the best vampire story Ive read in months.
Its been a very long time since I read an anthology where I didnt have to sit through at least one bad story. This is a must read for fans of paranormal romance.
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May 25, 2005
Tapestry by Lynn Kurland, Madeline Hunter, Karen Marie Moning, and Sherrilyn Kenyon,
Book Description: Welcome to a world of chivalry, danger, legends, and love. These four original novellas bring to life all the romance and adventure of the Middle Ages, with the common thread of a rich medieval tapestry woven through each tale.
Review: The first story in this collection is To Kiss in the Shadows by Lynn Kurland. In it, Jason and Kendrick of Artane rescue a scarred girl from the perils of court life. This is the best thing by Kurland Ive read in a while. Jason is a character I really enjoyed in This Is All I Ask and From This Moment On and Im glad I finally got to read his story. Even Kendrick, who I didnt like in Kurlands first book, Stardust of Yesterday, is entertaining. I wish this had been a full length novel and expanded on the romance a bit more.
The second story is An Interrupted Tapestry by Madeline Hunter. In this story, a woman must seek out an old friend from her past to save her brothers life but finds her feelings for her friend changing. This story was average but enjoyable. I wouldnt mind reading a full length novel by this writer.
Next is Dragonswan by Sherrilyn Kenyon its about a history professor who finds herself mated to a weredragon and taken into the past. The plot wasnt too bad but other than that there was nothing I liked about this story. Ive tried to read books by Kenyon before but her writing doesnt appeal to me at all.
The last story in the collection is Into The Dreaming by Karen Marie Moning. In it, a young writer finds herself in the past and her only mission is to save the man shes dreamed about her whole life from a fate worse than death. The main character was a bit too much of a Mary-Sue for my tastes but other than that I liked the story. Especially the light fairy elements. Id consider reading something else by this writer.
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March 24, 2005
To Weave a Web of Magic by Patricia McKillip, Lynn Kurland, Sharon Shinn, and Claire Delacroix,
Book Description: Four extraordinary and renowned authors come together with stories of epic romance that live through the ages...of the beguiling and transforming power of beauty...of a woman awakening to the magic she possesses...of a world where human women pursue the love of angels...and of a medieval legend who comes thrillingly to life. Four stories to delight and enchant. Four rare talents destined to weave a web of magic that will leave you breathless...
Review: This anthology is made up of romantic fantasy stories. Some fall more on the romance side, some on the fantasy side making this anthology really only for people who enjoy both genres. I enjoyed the McKillip, Kurland, and Shinn stories with the Shinn being my favorite. Those three are worth reading but I didnt love any of them. The Delacroix story isnt bad its just dull. Nothing in here is going to thrill you but if you like the genres or a few of the writers than its a good read.
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January 09, 2005
The Door in the Hedge by Robin McKinley, 6 1/2
Book Description:Master storyteller Robin McKinley here spins two new fairy tales and retells two cherished classics. All feature princesses touched with or by magic. There is Linadel, who lives in a kingdom next to Faerieland, where princesses are stolen away on their seventeenth birthdays-and Linadel's seventeenth birthday is tomorrow. And Korah, whose brother is bewitched by the magical Golden Hind; now it is up to her to break the spell. Rana must turn to a talking frog to help save her kingdom from the evil Aliyander. And then there are the twelve princesses, enspelled to dance through the soles of their shoes every night. . . . These are tales to read with delight!
Review: Ive loved everything Ive ever read by McKinley so I was shocked that I didnt like this too much. The stories are as beautifully written as ever but lacked any emotional impact. My favorite story in the anthology was The Princess and the Frog which was a retelling of The Frog Prince. I might have liked this quite a bit if only it had been fleshed out more. This anthology is worth a read if you are a devoted McKinley fan, otherwise I suggest McKinleys other anthology, A Knot in the Grain, instead.
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January 05, 2005
Bite by Laurell K. Hamilton, Charlaine Harris, MaryJanice Davidson, Angela Knight, and Vickie Taylor, 5 1/2
Book Description:Follow a vampire hunter who can be as deadly as her prey. Meet a down-home southern girl whos found out, much to her chagrin, that vampires are her type. Feel the euphoria of fear in the shadow of a reluctant Queen of the Undead. Step closer to the hot-blooded edge of passion as a strange new mythology of the night is unveiled.
The bite is back in vampire fiction as todays most provocative authors cast their irresistible spells on you...
Review: The first story in this collection is The Girl Who Was Infatuated with Death by Laurell K. Hamilton. Its an Anita Blake story set between Blue Moon and Obsidian Butterfly. In it, Anita is approached by a woman who wants her help in stopping her seriously ill daughter from becoming a vampire. Thats a great set up that could have caused Anita to examine her views on vampirism. Unfortunately the story takes the boring Jean-Claude/Anita sexual tension route that has already been done in this series too many times before. The set up for the story goes absolutely nowhere. The story is quite short so if you are thinking of buying this book just for the Anita story do yourself a favor and read it in the book store.
The second is One Word Answer by Charlaine Harris. Its a Sookie Stackhouse story where Sookie learns that her vampire cousin has been murdered and she is the executor of her will. Like the Hamilton story, this one was disappointingly short but it was more enjoyable and complete. It gives the reader insight into what Sookie and Bills relationship is like now that theyve broken up. It also introduces a character that will probably be important down the line. But one again, if you want this just for the Harris story read it in the store.
My favorite story in the anthology was Biting in Plain Sight by MaryJanice Davidson. A small towns vampire vet realizes theres a vampire murderer on the loose who is causing young women to commit suicide. On her way to stop him, she picks up a man who has wanted to get to know her better for years and the King and Queen of the Undead. This is part of Davidsons Undead series but you dont really need to read that to follow whats going on. The characters in this were a lot more mature than the characters featured in Davidsons other work Ive read but they were just as interesting. Davidson has yet to disappoint me and she is quickly becoming one of my favorite writers.
By far the worst story is Galahad by Angela Knight. Its about a witch who goes into an alternate dimension where characters from Arthurian legend exist, and teems up with vampire Galahad to defeat an enemy. This story is part of a larger series that Ive never read so the plot made absolutely no sense to me. I could have overlooked this if the characters or the romance had been interesting but they just werent. The characterization was non-existent and the sex scenes were some of the cheesiest Ive ever read. I can honestly say there was nothing in this story that I liked.
The final story in the anthology is Blood Lust by Vickie Taylor. Its about a scientist whos only way to get revenge on the vampire that stole his work and murdered his girlfriend is to become a vampire himself. This story was ok but it could have worked much better as a full length novel. I was interested enough in the idea to wish it had been given time for more character development and plot twists. Still, I enjoyed it enough as it was and I could see myself reading more by Vickie Taylor.
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November 19, 2004
Cravings by Laurell K. Hamilton, MaryJanice Davidson, Eileen Wilks, and Rebecca York, 7 1/2
Book Description: Four favorite authors present their favorite characters in all-new tales of bloodlust, appetites that must be sated again and again, and the passion that feeds them.
Review: The first story in the collection is Blood upon My Lips by Laurell K. Hamilton. The back of the book claims this is an all new Anita Blake story but its really just the first few chapters of the latest Anita Blake novel, Incubus Dreams. Since I read that book and didnt like it I felt no need to read the beginning of it again. The only reason a Hamilton fan may want to read this is to see if they want to read Incubus Dreams If you dont like the portion of the book contained in here you probably wont like the rest either. Luckily the rest of the stories in this collection are much better than the first offering.
Next up is Dead Girls Dont Dance by MaryJanice Davidson. Its about a young vampire who meets up with an old college crush and they go on a road trip to visit the new queen of the undead. This story is set in the same world as Undead and Unwed and Undead and Unemployed but you dont have to read those to follow this. Nice vampire romance full of Davidsons usual wacky humor.
The third story is Originally Human by Eileen Wilks. Its about a succubus who finds a young man with amnesia and they must discover who he is and whos trying to kill them both. I never thought Id enjoy a story about a succubus but this was actually my favorite story in the collection. The characters were very different and there were lots of surprising twists. I found myself wishing this was a full length novel. The writer recently released a novel, Tempting Danger, set in the same world and Ive already picked that up.
The last story in the collection is Burning Moon by Rebecca York. In this one, a werewolf is hunting the man who murdered his wife when he comes across a blind tarot card reader who may be able to help him in his quest. The romance in this one felt a bit rushed but I enjoyed it overall. It had a lot of interesting ideas and I liked it enough to probably check out one of the writers full length books.
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December 14, 2003
Charmed Destinies by Mercedes Lackey, Rachel Lee, & Catherine Asaro, 6
This books contains three stories with a fantasy/romance theme.
The first is Counting Crows by Mercedes Lackey. It's about a young girl who finds her self married to a brute and she must take extraordinary measures to get away from him. I usually react very strongly to Mercedes Lacky's writing. I either love it or hate it. This time, I'm sad to say, I really hated it. I didn't like the characters or the plot and all the rape just disgusted me.
The second is Drusilla's Dream by Rachel Lee. This one is about a woman who hides in a fantasy world to escape the real one. I like this story ok. I thought the real world stuff was more interesting than the fantasy stuff though.
The last is Moonglow by Catherine Asaro. It's about a sorcerous who enters into an arranged marriage with a blind and deaf prince. I really like this one. Any story with a magic system that doesn't bore me is always nice. Actually I just really liked the writing in general. I'd probably read more by this author.
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August 19, 2003
The Rose and the Beast: Fairy Tales Retold by Francesca Lia Block, ****
A short story collection featuring nine fairy tale based stories. Most of the major fairy tales are covered here: Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, ect... Some of the stories are set in fantasy worlds but many are set in modern times.
This was an enjoyable and very light read but not much else. All of the stories were fun to read but my two favorites were Wolf and Beast. Wolf is a take on Little Red Riding Hood where a teenage girl runs away from her abusive father to her grandmother's house. Beast is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast that didn't stray far from the original. This was my favorite story in the book mainly because Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairy tale. I recommend this book to any one who loves fairy tales.
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March 13, 2003
A Knot in the Grain and Other Stories by Robin McKinley, ****
This is a short story collection containing five stories: The Healer, The Stagman, Touk's House, Buttercups, and A Knot in the Grain. The first four stories are set in McKinley's Damar universe, the first three even feature Luthe. The last is a departure for her because it is set in modern times and doesn't have a very large fantasy element.
The Healer, is the story of a girl named Lilly who has the power to heal but is also mute. She meets a mage who can hear her telepathically and they set off on a journey to restore Lilly's speech. This is a fairly strong story and a great pick to start the book with. The characters are fleshed out well and the love story was enjoyable.
The Stagman, is about a princess named Ruen who is left, by her greedy uncle, as a sacrifice to a human/stag hybrid. Is the Stagman really as bad as people think he is? This is probably my favorite story in the collection. I liked all the characters and the plot was very interesting. It would have worked much better as a novel though. By the time the story was over there were still far to many unanswered questions.
Touk's House, is the story of a girl named Erana who was raised by a witch. As she grows up, she befriends and eventually falls in love with the witch's troll son. This is a fairly decent story. The plot is really interesting but it would have been much better if the characters had been developed a bit more.
Buttercups, is the story of a old farmer named Pos who marries a young girl named Coral. Pos loves his wife very much but has doubts about her affection for him because she spends too much time on buttercup hill. This is a cute story but it's, unfortunately, very boring.
A Knot in the Grain, is about a teenage girl named Annabelle who is forced to move away and leave behind her entire life. She finds little comfort in her new house but one day she discovers a secret compartment in her new bedroom. It was a great idea to make this the last in the collection because the tone is very different from the others. It's not a love story and it's not even really a fantasy story. What makes this story special is how authentic Annabelle's character is. McKinley captures the emotion that goes along with moving to a new place very well.
I'd recommend this book to people who are already fans of McKinley's work. You don't really need to be familiar with the Damar series to enjoy the stories but it certainly helps. I also feel that McKinley is better suited to longer stories. If you are looking to get into McKinley's work it'd be a good idea to start with Beauty or one of the Damar books.
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