Anthology
Yes, I know it appears that I'm on an anthology kick at the moment. What can I say? I love anthologies.
Ever After by Nora Roberts
I know I've read this story somewhere before, but I haven't a clue where. It features a magical star pendant that helps a woman find her destiny. It takes place on the Irish coast, always a magical place for romance.
Catch A Falling Star by Jill Gregory.
I don't normally like the whole "innocent beauty forced in marriage to hulking brute" type storyline. Probably because it's usually the woman who's forced to do all the changing and compromising. This time there was compromising on both sides. The hulking brute had his reasons for being that way and for being over protective of his princess bride.
The Curse of Castle Clough by Ruth Ryan Langan
I really enjoyed this story. Though it's set in modern times, the castle is old and so is the family name. There's even a ghost lurking about to help with the mystery that needs to be solved before time runs out.
Starry, Starry Night by Marianne Willman
This was my other favorite in the book. A ghost story that's not really a ghost story. A shifting in time that can't be anticipated or depended on. And a very satisfactory ending.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding
anthology
Most anthologies have a theme and this one was, of course, weddings.
There are 9 short stories in this volume, which to me is too many to mention individually. It pretty much covers the whole supernatural realm. You've got vampires and werewolves and demons, there's ghosts and curses and wizards, there's even an Elvis impersonator.
If I had to pick a favorite, it would probably be Dead Man's Chest, by Rachel Caine. It features a bewildered bride, a too good to be true bridegroom and a cursed pirate ship. And let's not forget the pirate captain who, if this were ever to be made into a movie, would definitely be played by Johnny Depp.
I shelled out for a hardback version of this book and it was worth every penny.
Most anthologies have a theme and this one was, of course, weddings.
There are 9 short stories in this volume, which to me is too many to mention individually. It pretty much covers the whole supernatural realm. You've got vampires and werewolves and demons, there's ghosts and curses and wizards, there's even an Elvis impersonator.
If I had to pick a favorite, it would probably be Dead Man's Chest, by Rachel Caine. It features a bewildered bride, a too good to be true bridegroom and a cursed pirate ship. And let's not forget the pirate captain who, if this were ever to be made into a movie, would definitely be played by Johnny Depp.
I shelled out for a hardback version of this book and it was worth every penny.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Wild Thing
Anthology
The thing I like about anthologies is I get three or four stories for the price of one. And an individual story is quicker to read, which means when I'm riveted by a particular tale, I don't end up awake until 3 a.m. trying to decipher the last couple of pages because my eyes stopped working a hour ago.
Animal Magnetism by Maggie Shayne
This is the story about a vet who can share the thoughts of her patients, and the police officer she teams up with to catch a rapist. In between chasing down clues they find the time to indulge in a few fantasies.
Paradise by Meljean Brook
Here's another thing I like about anthologies. Discovering new authors. This story is about a vampire and his guardian angel and it was a great read! I will definitely be keeping my eye out for more of Meljean's work.
Hunter Kiss by Marjorie M. Liu
At first I thought this was going to be a Buffy knock off - there's only one Hunter, the task is passed down from mother to daughter, etc., etc. - but Hunter is a far cry from Buffy. First of all she hunts demons, and second of all, her companions in the hunt are demons that spend the daylight hours sleeping on her skin. Then they meet up with an ex-priest who makes magic with his flute . . .
Wild Hearts in Atlantis by Alyssa Day
This is another author I'd never read before. This is an Atlantis that I would surely love to visit. The story itself takes place mostly in our world, but a world populated with vampires and shape shifters, and where a warrior of Poseidon must team up with a half-human shape shifter. Definitely another author for my list
The thing I like about anthologies is I get three or four stories for the price of one. And an individual story is quicker to read, which means when I'm riveted by a particular tale, I don't end up awake until 3 a.m. trying to decipher the last couple of pages because my eyes stopped working a hour ago.
Animal Magnetism by Maggie Shayne
This is the story about a vet who can share the thoughts of her patients, and the police officer she teams up with to catch a rapist. In between chasing down clues they find the time to indulge in a few fantasies.
Paradise by Meljean Brook
Here's another thing I like about anthologies. Discovering new authors. This story is about a vampire and his guardian angel and it was a great read! I will definitely be keeping my eye out for more of Meljean's work.
Hunter Kiss by Marjorie M. Liu
At first I thought this was going to be a Buffy knock off - there's only one Hunter, the task is passed down from mother to daughter, etc., etc. - but Hunter is a far cry from Buffy. First of all she hunts demons, and second of all, her companions in the hunt are demons that spend the daylight hours sleeping on her skin. Then they meet up with an ex-priest who makes magic with his flute . . .
Wild Hearts in Atlantis by Alyssa Day
This is another author I'd never read before. This is an Atlantis that I would surely love to visit. The story itself takes place mostly in our world, but a world populated with vampires and shape shifters, and where a warrior of Poseidon must team up with a half-human shape shifter. Definitely another author for my list
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Ghost Girl
by Torey L. Hayden
I read this book pretty much in one setting. Given the subject matter I hesitate to call it "good", but it was certainly compelling.
Torey Hayden is an Educational Psychologist who works with emotionally disturbed children. This is the story of one of the children she worked with, Jadie.
Jadie is an elective mute, which means she has the ability to speak, but chooses not to. In the course of the book, Torey works with Jadie to get her to speak again. But there's more to Jadie's story than just her decision not to speak. Jadie shows signs of abuse and although she confides in Torey, she will not speak to anyone else about it. Torey must convince Jadie to speak out before it's too late for her and her younger sisters.
I read this book pretty much in one setting. Given the subject matter I hesitate to call it "good", but it was certainly compelling.
Torey Hayden is an Educational Psychologist who works with emotionally disturbed children. This is the story of one of the children she worked with, Jadie.
Jadie is an elective mute, which means she has the ability to speak, but chooses not to. In the course of the book, Torey works with Jadie to get her to speak again. But there's more to Jadie's story than just her decision not to speak. Jadie shows signs of abuse and although she confides in Torey, she will not speak to anyone else about it. Torey must convince Jadie to speak out before it's too late for her and her younger sisters.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Catching Up
As fast as I read I'm probably not going to doing multiple revews very often. This one is really just to get me started.
BITE ME IF YOU CAN - Lynsay Sands
I have yet to come away from a Lynsay Sands vampire book disappointed. Not only are her characters and stories great, I love the way she handles the whole vampire thing. In her world, vampirism is a blood disorder caused by nano technology dating back to Atlantis. Buy the book - you won't be disappointed.
HARD DAY'S KNIGHT - Katie MacAlister
To be honest, I didn't know what to expect when I started this book. I love her vampire books - they're funny and sexy and very hard to put down. But this one has nary a vampire, it's not even historical, as the name might suggest. But it was funny and sexy and very hard to put down. It takes place at a Ren Faire where the heroine falls hard (literally and figuratively) for the knight of her dreams, sort of.
DEAD SEXY - Amanda Ashley
I'm going to tell you a secret. Amanda Ashley is really Madeline Baker's evil twin. Okay, so it's just the name Madeline uses when writing the about the darkside. There's a vampire hunter, a vampire, a werewolf and a choice to be made. Very good reading!
DARK NEED - Lynn Viehl
I did not realize when I first picked up this book that it's part of a series. Normally that wouldn't matter, but in this case it would have helped me figure out what was going on. I understood enough to enjoy the book. This was another take on the vampires, this one being the Darkyn, or Kyn. I didn't like the main character, Lucan, at first, but he redeemed himself in the end.
BITE ME IF YOU CAN - Lynsay Sands
I have yet to come away from a Lynsay Sands vampire book disappointed. Not only are her characters and stories great, I love the way she handles the whole vampire thing. In her world, vampirism is a blood disorder caused by nano technology dating back to Atlantis. Buy the book - you won't be disappointed.
HARD DAY'S KNIGHT - Katie MacAlister
To be honest, I didn't know what to expect when I started this book. I love her vampire books - they're funny and sexy and very hard to put down. But this one has nary a vampire, it's not even historical, as the name might suggest. But it was funny and sexy and very hard to put down. It takes place at a Ren Faire where the heroine falls hard (literally and figuratively) for the knight of her dreams, sort of.
DEAD SEXY - Amanda Ashley
I'm going to tell you a secret. Amanda Ashley is really Madeline Baker's evil twin. Okay, so it's just the name Madeline uses when writing the about the darkside. There's a vampire hunter, a vampire, a werewolf and a choice to be made. Very good reading!
DARK NEED - Lynn Viehl
I did not realize when I first picked up this book that it's part of a series. Normally that wouldn't matter, but in this case it would have helped me figure out what was going on. I understood enough to enjoy the book. This was another take on the vampires, this one being the Darkyn, or Kyn. I didn't like the main character, Lucan, at first, but he redeemed himself in the end.
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