Title: Paranormal Romance Blues
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Women of the Otherworld Companion
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women
Dates read: 12th July 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: “What did he look like?”

She’s a half demon who keeps striking out in love. But when she goes to a vampire bar and runs across a far stronger mystery, and maybe even a way to get out of her paranormal romance blues.

One of the things that has always disappointed me about the Women of the Otherworld series is the fact that there isn’t a novel dedicated entirely to Aaron and Cassandra. I like this version of vampires and I think that it would be much fun. But, a short story in which they make an appearance leaves me quite happy.

There has never been one inkling in my desires to go to a vampire bar. Although I love paranormal fantasy tales, I find the very idea of such a themed bar to be kind of tawdry. Which the lead in this also seems to feel the same. She not only makes fun of the hired actors for the boring simplicity of their act. It’s the kind of smart-ass response I would personally have if someone dragged me to such a place. Although, it ends up working out quite well…

I enjoyed the twist in this story. The man that was thought to be the “bad guy” wasn’t, and the one who seemed kind of innocent, was kind of, well, evil. The juxtaposition between perceptions and reality was great, and I loved how there was a sense of hope and wonder when the last page was turned.

<- Succubus Seduction

John Doe ->

Image source: Goodreads