Archive for the ‘Anthology’ Category

PRIMAL
Lora Leigh, Michelle Rowen, Jory Strong, and Ava Gray
ISBN: 978-0-425-23905-6
ASIN: B004Z8MJB6
February 2011
Berkley Sensation
Erotica/Anthology
Paranormal Romance/Anthology
Trade Paperback

The anthology begins with Bleeding Heart by Michelle Rowen. Jill is seeking a cure to the formula tainting her bloodstream. She’s become an anathema to vampires as just one bite of her blood kills them. There’s just one tiny problem… the formula is unstable and is killing her. Declan Reyes, dhampyr, is determined to help her. Will Dr. Reynolds have the answers they seek?

Bleeding Heart picks up just after the conclusion of NIGHTSHADE, the first book in the series. Without the context of the first book, Bleeding Heart has too many missing pieces to fully stand alone. I thoroughly enjoyed Rowen’s Immortality Bites series but her trademark humor is absent from this series. Declan is a hard man to like. The serum injected into him has made him almost heartless at times and the added touch of impotence just seems over the top. Quite honestly, I won’t be reading anything further in this particular series. Rating: 1.5

Skin & Bone by Ava Gray begins with an earthquake. Silas is on the run from the Foundation but he can’t refuse the cries of the woman buried in the rubble. Juneau sees beneath Silas’ tough exterior… but what will she think when she learns of his hidden power?

Silas first appeared in SKIN TIGHT but it is not necessary to read the book to appreciate Skin & Bone. However, knowing the context of what Silas has suffered only makes his happily-ever-after all the more beautiful. Silas is somewhat of a different type of hero, drawing his strength from what he has hidden rather than any displays of power. Juneau is the perfect counterpart to him, light hearted enough to dispel the darkness Silas has endured at the hands of the Foundation. Without a doubt, Ava Gray’s story is the best in PRIMAL. Great story! Rating: 5

In Jory Strong’s Angel-Claimed, Sajia’s entire world hinges on locating her missing charge. To fail means death, both for herself and her family. Addai has been searching for Sajia’s reincarnation since her murder long ago.

According to Jory Strong’s website, Angel-Claimed is set in the world of GHOSTLAND. This story was the biggest disappointment of the anthology to me because I loved GHOSTLAND and yet I couldn’t connect with the characters or the world of Angel-Claimed. I wanted to like Sajia and Addai but their relationship is too closely tied to pain for me to enjoy it. Rating: 1

PRIMAL concludes with Lora Leigh’s Primal Kiss. The Breeds have been free for awhile, but that hasn’t stopped those who oppose them from attacking. Meanwhile, Creed Raines has been hired to protect Kita Engalls, the daughter and niece of the men who experimented on the Breeds. How will Kita react when she discovers who Creed really is?

Primal Kiss is part of the Breeds series but does stand alone. The overall storyline involving the serum and the possible effects towards the Breeds is explained well enough that new readers can understand it, while giving fans a further glimpse into Brandenmore’s history. The romance between Creed and Kita is hot and quite steamy as the sparks fly between these two. Kita is no cowering victim and Creed has definitely met his match with her. Rating: 4.5

PRIMAL HEAT offers a mixed bag of stories. It’s hard to rate the overall anthology has the stories ranged in strength. As a fan of all four authors, I am still surprised that I didn’t enjoy all of the stories rather than just the ones by Ava Gray and Lora Leigh.

HAUNTED BY YOUR TOUCH
Jeaniene Frost, Shayla Black, and Sharie Kohler
ISBN: 1439166765 (Mass Market Paperback)
ASIN: B003VM8Q8C (Kindle eBook)
November 2010 (Mass Market Paperback)
November 2010 (Kindle eBook)
Pocket Star
Paranormal Romance/Anthology
Paranormal Romance/Dark Fantasy
Paranormal Romance/Shape Shifter
Mass Market Paperback

Jeaniene Frost kicks off HAUNTED BY YOUR TOUCH with Night’s Darkest Embrace. Mara has repeatedly returned to Nocturna, looking for the Pureblood who captured and killed her cousin, Gloria. Mara is part demon, as was Gloria, and Purebloods feed off the essence of part demons. This time Mara sees one of the Purebloods… but she also sees Rafael. Just what is the ruler of Nocturna hiding?

Jeaniene Frost crafts a new, exciting world where partial demons, Purebloods, and the Fallen reside in an uneasy predator/prey relationship. While not a part of her Night Huntress series, Night’s Darkest Embrace has me hoping that we will see more tales set in this world. Jeaniene Frost manages to pack quite a bit of character development and world building into the short story format, showcasing why she is a must-read author for any fan of urban fantasy or paranormal romance.

Mated by Shayla Black ventures into the world of the Doomsday Brethren.  Raiden Wolvesey is horrified to find out that Tabitha Lowery’s family has been attacked and killed by the evil wizard, Mathias d’Arc.  Raiden had denied any feelings for Tabitha despite the fact she is pregnant with his child, but this attack stirs feelings of protectiveness in him. Why is Mathias after Tabitha’s family? And will Raiden continue to deny his love for Tabitha, allowing her to be Mated with another?

I hadn’t read any of the Doomsday Brethren series but after finishing Mated, I immediately picked up the first book of the series and started reading! Shayla Black has crafted a world that is both magical and sensual. Raiden is a somewhat frustrating hero, almost too much of an Alpha male, and yet somehow the story still works, perhaps because of the very real sense of danger permeating the story. I love the overall storyline and look forward to even more adventures as the Doomsday Brethren battle Mathias.

HAUNTED BY YOUR TOUCH concludes with Darkest Temptation by Sharie Kohler. Lily is determined to kill Luc in order to regain her humanity. Bitten by a lycan, Lily has been told she must kill the alpha in order to stop her conversion… but Luc insists he is not lycan. Can love blossom between such an unlikely couple?

Darkest Temptation is the first story I’ve read by Sharie Kohler and I couldn’t help but feel like I was missing something. A lot of the story focuses on Lily’s possible conversion and the attraction building between Lily and Luc. Fans of paranormal romance will probably appreciate Darkest Temptation a bit more than urban fantasy fans, although there are hints that make me think the books might be worth reading.