Title: The Wager Author: Sherrilyn Kenyon In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance (Trisha Telep) Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Camelot, Paranormal fantasy Dates read: 26th December 2019 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Robinson Year: 2009 5th sentence, 74th page: In his day that Sir had meant that he was a man with standing.
Sir Thomas Mallory thought that it was all a dream. So there was a drunken night in a bar. Then there was a book. And then he remembered that it wasn’t actually a dream…
Here I’m speaking from personal experience: sometimes you should just keep your damn mouth shut. And the narrator of this short story is definitely in agreement with me. He should have kept his mouth shut, and then maybe he wouldn’t be in purgatory. Definitely enjoyed this story. But it’s in a collection of romances… and I don’t feel like this is a romance at all. Sure, there’s a little lust, but it’s not exactly about a romance between two individuals.
I love that this story uses the stories of Camelot, Arthur and Avalon. That the narrator is Sir Thomas Mallory. The senses of history and truth interwoven with paranormality and supernatural fantasy worked really well. These are the kinds of stories that I love – the ones that use fact and fiction to create a fantastic new reality that you just can’t help but dive into.
I’m kind of annoyed that this isn’t part of a bigger series. I would love one in which the stories of Camelot are true, but with a supernatural twist. Weirdly enough, I did just receive The Guinevere Deception in a book box… so this might be what I have to pick up next to get my fix.
Title: King Pole, Gallows Pole, Bottle Tree Author: Elizabeth Bear In: Naked City (Ellen Datlow) Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Circus, Ghosts, Urban fantasy Dates read: 26th December 2019 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: St. Martin’s Press Year: 2011 5th sentence, 74th page: Following the line of his motion, I realized suddenly that there was an awful lot of ink on my arm.
He followed the ghost to the Bottle Tree. Then he started to lose his memory. How will they get it back?
I think that one of my greatest fears about growing old is the idea of forgetting everything that I know. There is a history of dementia in my family, so it’s a particularly scary thought for me. Which kind of made this story quite intense and almost terrifying. After all, it’s about forgetting parts of yourself that you don’t even know your forgetting. Sounds a little too familiar if you ask me.
I loved that this story’s lead was actually a city. In a weird, metaphysical way. Or a deity of the city, that’s a huge conversation for another day. But the idea was still brilliant. It made me wonder what beings would be created by my cities and towns. What they would forget with the passage of time. And how their personalities would change.
Probably the thing that I loved most about this story though was the interconnection between the circus, death and ghosts. It’s a surprising mix and not one that I would have thought of for myself. Yet, it was so blatantly obvious with a backdrop of LA once you read it. Such a great adventure!
Title: The Walled Garden Author: Michele Lang In: The Mammoth Book of Time Travel Romance (Trisha Telep) Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Easy reading, Fae Dates read: 20th December 2019 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Robinson Year: 2009 5th sentence, 74th page: You already know me from class and by my sign.
An attack has left her lost, confused and scared. But, a chance encounter with a polite young man might help to lead her on the way to recovery. Or a whole new world.
This short story was in a collection of time travel romances… yet, I spent the entire time trying to figure out where the time travelling actually was. There were bits and pieces of time travelling. But I wouldn’t put it on a shelf with that theme. This felt more about venturing into the underground worlds of the fae and the Otherworld.
I love that this story is all about recovering and finding your own way forwards after tragedy. Bouncing back is important, and we all do it in our ways. I wouldn’t necessarily want to go about it by venturing through a strange underground garden… but it was still a great way to find out how to recover and find your new reality.
There is a super surreal feeling to this entire story. Even trying to articulate what happened and why I enjoyed this is difficult. It’s like when you dream that you’re walking through a mist, and everything you experience is completely real. But it’s also entirely emotional. That’s the way that this story feels as you journey through the pages to the end.
Title: Madame X Author: Nicky Peacock In: The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories (Maxim Jakubowski) Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Crime Dates read: 19th December 2019 Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Robinson Year: 2015 5th sentence, 74th page: A sweet second of elation shuddered through the doctor’s body, then he realized the horror of what had just happened.
The doctor has been called to see a patient. What he finds in the depths of a whorehouse is nothing like what he expected. It will become his worst nightmare. Maybe the Ripper isn’t so bad after all…
I’m getting towards the end of The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories. And surprisingly, I hadn’t actually read any stories which featured Jack as a hero. Or made an attempt at justifying his actions beyond exploring the idea of him being clinically insane. It was really fun to read a story which does this. Fun, interesting and a great new way to look at the reality.
I read a lot of books and stories which feature sex in some way, shape or form. This is the first one that made me feel so incredibly squirly. There was just something about the descriptiveness of some of the acts. And since it involved an insane, rabid prostitute… they weren’t comfortable descriptions. Or sexy in any way, shape or form.
Although I liked the angle that this story took, I didn’t really enjoy it. There was a little too much rutting throughout the story to make it one that I would feel comfortable with. There was nothing about the passions of sex in this. It was just… so wrong in so many ways.
Title: Saving the World at the New Moon Motel Author: Roberta Lannes In: Alien Sex (Ellen Datlow) Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Aliens, Humour, Lust Dates read: 19th December 2019 Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: ROC Year: 1990 5th sentence, 74th page: He ain’t gonna come, Terri.
Terri just wants a little bit of revenge after her Old Man walked out on her. So she finds an alien in a little diner. It’s certainly an experience to last a lifetime.
The introduction to this short story highlights that this is one of the authors lighter pieces. However, since this whole collection has been a little twisted and not what I would consider light… I was a little unsure as to whether this would be true. It turns out that this is quite a light-hearted and fun story about alien sex. One that had me laughing throughout quite merrily.
I’m pretty good at imagining images for what I’m reading… I struggled to picture the penises (or is it peni?) in this story. There was just something a little unimaginable about this. It might just be my very (happily) narrow view of the world and people’s bodies. But, I think that the close alignment to a normal body, just with a few extra appendages is what mad it so difficult to imagine.
Unlike literally every single other short story in the Alien Sex collection, this one was fun, light and an easy read. It didn’t leave me feeling uncomfortable when I turned the final page. Rather, I was just smiling and feeling highly amused by the occurrences and characters in this story.
Title: The Difference Between Deceit and Delusion Author: Domino Finn Series: Black Magic Outlaw Companion In: Urban Enemies (Joseph Nassise) Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy Dates read: 19th December 2019 Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Gallery Books Year: 2017 5th sentence, 74th page: Bullets peppered the large surface but failed to penetrate.
What’s the difference between deceit and delusion? Will this villain be able to figure out the answer before it’s too late?
This entire story was just a complete, total and utter massacre. Which I loved. Because I’m a blood-thirsty little freak. But it’s probably not okay that I actually enjoyed this much death and killing. I grinned the whole way through this story. Completely unable to remove the grin from my face. But, it’s hooked me into this series. So obviously it was a story that was worth reading and a series that will make it to the top of my TBR list.
I loved that this story utilises people of African faith and mythology. It’s not one that I come across frequently, and I hope that this African flavor makes its way into the greater series when I finally get to add them to my shelves. Most of my stories generally include European mythologies, and I’m sure some of that will makes its way in, but the fact that there was discussion of Anansi and the such? It made the bloodthirsty grin even wider.
One of the reasons that I probably enjoyed the bloodthirstiness of this story so much – I’ve been in a pretty bad mood of late. Reading a story which is incredibly violent and dark is always a way to draw me in when I’m in such a state. Not the kind of short story that I’m likely to forget anytime soon.
Jo and David just want to spend a nice, leisurely afternoon at the beach. But a group of thugs, a near drowning and some not-so-pretty mermaids are about to mess with their plans.
The Weather Warden series is one of those that I thoroughly enjoy. Yet, I don’t tend to pick it up as quickly. Probably because the chapters are pretty much half the novel. Having said that, reading Blue Crush reminded me how much I love this series and how much I need to read the next one. There is just something about Jo’s spunk that draws me in. Even when it’s a short story about a day at the beach with her lover…
This short story reminds me of the reasons why I hate swimming in the ocean. There is just something about it that gives me the heebies. And considering this short story also has mermaids in the ocean who want to kidnap and kill unwilling swimmers… ugly mermaids. Although, it adds an extra layer to the mythos of the series. An extra paranormal race which could be potentially very interesting further along in the series.
This short story is a sweet, fun and not-so-easy read. It’s quick, but so much goes on in just a few pages. Probably one of the main reasons I love Caine’s work. So much is squeezed into such a few pages. Leaving you feeling in shock and completely disappointed that the story was over so quickly.
Title: The Duke & I Author: Julia Quinn Series: Bridgertons #1 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Historical romance, Regency romance Dates read: 17th – 18th December 2019 Pace: Medium Format: Novel Publisher: Piatkus Year: 2000 5th sentence, 74th page: ‘Of course,’ Lady Bridgerton said politely.
‘Men are sheep. Where one goes, the rest soon follow…’ Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers, 30 April 1813
After enduring two seasons in London, Daphne Bridgerton is no longer naïve enough to believe she will be able to marry for love. But is it really too much to hope for a husband for whom she at least has some affection?
Her brother’s old school friend Simon Basset – the new Duke of Hastings – has no intention of ever marrying. However, newly returned to England, he finds himself the target of the many marriage-minded society mothers who remain convinced that reformed rakes make the best husbands.
To deflect their attention, the handsome hell-raiser proposes to Daphne that they pretend an attachment. In return, his interest in Daphne will ensure she becomes the belle of London society with suitors beating a path to her door. There’s just one problem, Daphne is in very real danger of falling for a man who has no intention of making their charade a reality…
This novel is beautiful, sweet and romantic. It’s kind of like a Jane Austen novel with far more humour, and a more approachable, modern language. Quite possibly my favourite read of the year to be fair. There is just something about it which is kind of brilliant, and a lot of fun. There is also a sense of naivety to the storyline which really isn’t present in a lot of the romances that I read.
Although this is a romance, I was fully expecting the marriage to occur at the end point of the story. After all, that’s normally the “happily ever after” moment for most of these stories. But, instead it actually takes place just after the halfway mark. Actually, the couples biggest challenge is their own personal issues and the moments they have to face up to throughout the marriage, rather than actually getting to the altar. I completely loved this because it highlighted the fact that there is a story after marriage. That you have to continue working on the relationship, even after you have made that commitment. Something that I think sometimes needs to be highlighted a little more.
I couldn’t put this book down. It did take me two days, because I started it late at night and figured that I needed to actually sleep… but the next day, I decided to shun all people and only pursue the barest of responsibilities… I really, really had to see what happened. It’s been a little while since I was this happily engrossed in a story and I was just so damn grateful. My biggest frustration is the fact that I blew my budget over Christmas, so now have to save up before I’m able to buy more books in this series. But they’re at the top of the list!
As to the characters… Simon is incredibly stupid and angry at moments. But we still love him. There is a number of great redeeming characteristics about him, so it’s possible to forgive his stupid moments. Daphne is frustratingly naïve in many moments. But I think that it’s very true to the time, or our ideas of the time. I also love that although she’s a regency-era woman, she also has a modern rebellious streak… there’s a number of moments throughout where she actually punches the moronic men in her life. And haven’t we all felt the same desire at some point?
Title: The Colliers’ Venus (1893) Author: Caitlin R. Kiernan In: Naked City (Ellen Datlow) Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Fantasy, Urban fantasy Dates read: 18th December 2019 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: St. Martin’s Press Year: 2011 5th sentence, 74th page: “How very inspirational.”
There is something waking in the mines. But only he knows how to deal with it.
I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking that mines are kind of terrifying places. The passage of time is also terrifying, but in a more abstract way. So a story that somehow combines these two things? It actually worked out incredibly well as a scary short story. Nothing terrifying, not like the Stephen King books I’ve been reading lately… but still not a comfortable story.
There’s something about Kiernan’sshort stories that are just a little darker and more twisted than the others in my collections. Or at least, in the collections that she’s been in. It’s nothing obvious and poignant, but, as soon as I finish one of her short stories I just feel… uncomfortable. And kind of just sit there feeling a bit “huh” over what I just read. Which is kind of amazing. But also means that I have to be in the right mood to enjoy her stuff.
I loved how this story was created out of a vague, dreamy state. Nothing felt concrete and real in the storyline and as I turned the last page I just kind of sat there staring at the wall. Trying to figure out all the intricacies of the storyline. I’m still not quite sure that I’ve got it… but that’s why I love to reread stories!
Fall in love with the unpredictable and irresistible dukes (and one dog named Duke) of Four Dukes and a Devil. Join New York Times bestselling authors Cathy Maxwell, Jeaniene Frost, and Tracy Anne Warren, along with USA Today bestselling author Elaine Fox and RITA Award winner Sophia Nash, for tales of noble danger and devilish desire.
Delicate young ladies must be protected from him.
First he steals her clothes, then he steals her heart.
Most would be terrified of this powerful vampire—but not him.
He’s “the catch of the century”. . . but she’s the only one he can’t have.
A young miss demands a kiss. But he won’t rest once she’s touched her lips to his.
With four dukes and one devil, there’s no limit on love.
I’ve had this collection on my shelf for a little while. And wow! Why did it take me this long? I completely loved all five novellas. They managed to run the gambit of romance genres and all featured good, strong women who you were completely gunning for the entire time. Five different couples, five different authors, five different settings, one really good adventure. This is the first collection in a long time that I have wanted to read cover to cover instead of taking a break in between like I usually do…
One of the things I loved about this collection is that although all five stories are romances of a sort, they’re from completely different genres. To start with there is a historical romance, then a contemporary one, then a romantic journey that features vampires and a demon. And finally, two regency romances to tie it all out. An intriguing mix, one that I would never have thought would work so well. But wow. It was impossible to put down and impossible to forget.
I now have many stories to put on my wish list… some are to expand on the series which this collection introduced me to, some just because I need to read more by some of these authors. Regardless, I have one more Night Huntress tale that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed and four new authors to obsess over.
Earth and Skye 