Tag Archives: Paranormal Romance

Night Vision by Maria V. Snyder

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of paranormal romance book cover

Title: Night Vision
Author: Maria V. Snyder
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Family,  Paranormal romance
Dates read: 6th November 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Sure enough, light gleamed from the windows despite the late hour.

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Synopsis

Sophia has been a recluse for most of her life. For good reason – she’s a Light Bender. But, when a chance run in has her involved with an intriguing government agent… she might just have to readjust all of her priorities in life.

Thoughts

Absolutely loved the idea of a “Light Bender” that was the core paranormal stake in this story. It was a completely unique take on a paranormal being. And one that I found more relatable and plausible than many of the paranormal beings I read about (at least the light sensitivity and ability to see in the dark anyway).

I love that this story features two really strong familial ties. Firstly, the man in this story is after the kidnappers of his sister. He risks everything to save her, and isn’t able to accept her powers until he meets Sophia. Then there’s Sophia – her father literally gave up everything to keep her safe and protect her from the horrors of the night. Both men will do anything for their families. And this was just such a beautiful theme throughout.

This isn’t a smutty, intense romance – it’s something simple and sweet. It takes a while for the romance part of the story to set in, and even then, it is secondary to the main plot line. Something that I thoroughly enjoyed. Since, after all, most of the time romance takes a backstory to our daily lives too.

 <- Once a Demon ReviewPele’s Tears Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Circle Unbroken by Ann Aguirre

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of vampire romance 2 book cover

Title: Circle Unbroken
Author: Ann Aguirre
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 6th November 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Cyrus would be delighted to escort you.

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Synopsis

She’s the leader of her people and has to find a Chosen to sustain her long, long life. But, her latest Chosen seems to have cast a spell on her. One that even she may not be able to resist.

Thoughts

I’ve always imagined reincarnation as a bit of a circle – alright, in my head it’s a seriously squiggly, knotted line. But, it joins up at either end in a never ending loop, so it’s kind of like a circle. Which means that a story in which this rebirth has been interrupted… it was kind of quickly going to pull me in.

At first I didn’t understand how this story was actually a romance. It mostly explored the horribleness of obsessive love. Not just for the focus of such an obsession. But also for the person who is feeling that obsession. I might be in love, but if I felt that way…I’d fight it just like the man in this story. the all-consuming, terrifying passion that is felt is not comfortable, not okay and seriously awkward.

This story was really about the circle of soul mates and lovers. About giving up everything for the one that you love and finding a way to make your own happily ever after. Even if you are a vampire who has to take a new lover frequently to slake the thirst…

<- The Vampire, the Witch and the Yenko ReviewSkein of Sunlight Review ->
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Once a Demon by Dina James

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of paranormal romance book cover

Title: Once a Demon
Author: Dina James
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Demons, Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 31st October 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: She made a wonderful effort to pronounce it, and asked if she could shorten it to simply ‘Kail’.

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Synopsis

Katrina has decided that Kyle needs a good friend. With the help of her husband, she lures this reclusive vampire into their home. But, when she finds out more about his past, she has to question everything that she’d believed to be true.

Thoughts

Unlike many of the short stories found in The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance, the two leads in this story aren’t the love interests. Actually, there’s no romance whatsoever between them with Katrina being a very, very happily married woman and her counterpart in this tale being a fairly notorious recluse. I liked the departure from the expected. It was nice to have two different people who had found their soul mates connecting on a more platonic level and finding common ground in their stories.

I absolutely adored Katrina in this story. She was so obviously in control of all of the men in her life and it was her very naïve sweetness that allowed her to do this. A bit of a reminder that we can conquer all with our femininity, as well as with a sword (but that would be other stories which feature a sword). Having the men wrapped around her finger helped to draw out the other characters and almost offer a sense of healing that was previously missing. Something that I think is so important, and completely beautiful.

Using a demon / vampire hybrid was totally unexpected. But very much welcomed. I’m actually quite disappointed that this is just a standalone short story. I would have loved to explore both the powers of Lucifer’s son and the politics behind his fall. Because, although the fall was beautifully described in this short story, I feel like there could be so much more going on behind the scenes… maybe I’ll just have to make it all up in my own mind’s eye.

 <- Grace of Small Magics ReviewNight Vision Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Charmed by the Moon by Lori Handeland

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for my big fat supernatural wedding book cover

Title: Charmed by the Moon
Author: Lori Handeland
Series: Nightcreature #5.5
In: My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding (P.N. Elrod)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy, Werewolves
Dates read: 31st October 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: “I’m not supposed to see you wearing the dress until the wedding-“

Synopsis

It’s the eve of their wedding, and something just doesn’t quite feel right. Until they find the love charms… and everything seems to start making sense. So, do they truly love each other? Or was it just someone’s magic getting involved?

Thoughts

I freaking adored this short story. Which really isn’t surprising since I tend to love everything written by Lori Handeland. She manages to write paranormal romance stories which are sweet and get the pulse racing. But they’re also not over the top. Most of the time, the romance is about pursuing a truth and justice. The kind of relationship that I prefer to be in – something that is about a great connection, lots of sparks, but also a sense of each other. Actually, Charmed by the Moon is more potent at this than any other story I’ve read by her thus far.

One of the aspects of this story that I truly loved was the idea that even though the couple loved each other and were about to get married, they were still willing to risk it all. Risk it all to make sure that what they felt was true, and not the results of a spell that had been cast. It would be easy to go along the easy route, but they chose the hard one so that they could have something that was true, and not simply a figment of their imagination.

The last thing I probably loved about this story was the fact that it’s part of the Nightcreature series. I would have been a little devastated if it wasn’t, so I’m definitely glad that it is part of a larger series. After all, I don’t want the story to end there!

 <- The Wedding of Wylda SereneTacky ->

Image source: Amazon

The Vampire, the Witch and the Yenko by Tiffany Trent

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of vampire romance 2 book cover

Title: The Vampire, the Witch and the Yenko
Author: Tiffany Trent
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 31st October 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: I won’t give you what you want.

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Synopsis

A witch bounty hunter has a score to settle. A male vampire just doesn’t want to be used as a stud. Will they be able to work together for a better future?

Thoughts

I’ve never read a vampire story where the female vampires go into heat and effectively rape the male vampires. Or use them for stud, whichever way it can be looked at. In this short story, the crazy female vampire definitely had a rapey vibe. But I did love that it was a very unique take on vampire reproduction, society and morphology. Also that the vampire society described was matriarchal, not patriarchal (another first).

A vampire, and a witch bounty hunter are a pretty fun match. Especially when they are both aiming for similar things, working on cars together and just generally fighting injustice. A very fun little connection, especially when, yet again, the woman ends up rescuing the man and being the powerhouse in the relationship. It’s nice when more common gender roles are turned about.

Whilst I enjoyed this story, it still had a bit of a lah storyline. Overall, the tale was great. But, I tended to find that it was over explained in the wrong parts, and rushed through the more interesting bits. Not really to my taste… but that could have also been my mood at the time.

 <- The Ghost of Leadville ReviewCircle Unbroken Review ->
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The Ghost of Leadville by Jeanne C. Stein

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of vampire romance 2 book cover

Title: The Ghost of Leadville
Author: Jeanne C. Stein
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 (Trisha Telep) & Vampires: The Recent Undead (Paula Guran)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Vampires, Westerns, Wild west
Dates read: 29th October 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: We do not.

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Synopsis

She’s lived in Leadville before. But it was a different time, a different place, and full of fond memories. The Wild West meets vampires and a life full of regret.

Thoughts

This is a beautiful, bittersweet short story about loss and the possibilities of a future. It’s kind of sweet, incredibly nostalgic and a nice little read to occupy your time for about 10 minutes. I loved the narrative voice of this tale – she’s waxing nostaligic about her past love, but not in a way that makes you completely regret her past.

I thoroughly enjoyed the time travelling aspects of this – it starts in the present, flickers to the past, and then shudders back into the present again. Giving the reader not only an insight into modern-day vampiric life, but also the joys and tragedies of her past as she works towards a more interesting future. Or at least one that she’s a little happier with and more involved in.

I loved the fact that this is a Western Vampire story. you have Doc Holliday and Billy the Kid. A saloon. And a prostitute. All aspects of stories which I quite enjoyed and want to find out more about in the future…

 <- Eternity Embraced ReviewThe Vampire, the Witch and the Yenko Review ->
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The Wedding of Wylda Serene by Esther M. Friesner

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for my big fat supernatural wedding book cover

Title: The Wedding of Wylda Serene
Author: Esther M. Friesner
In: My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding (P.N. Elrod)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Mythology, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 29th October 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: “Bingo,” he said, pointing his index finger at me pistol-style and vocalizing a passable gunshot sound effect as he brought the thumb-hammer down.

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Synopsis

Wylda Serene has never been told no by her doting grandparents. So when she wants her wedding in a cursed club house, they just can’t put their foot down. What follows is a wedding full of insanity and magic. One that will go down in history.

Thoughts

This short story had me laughing out loud. All throughout. It kind of took all the worst things about weddings and turned them on their head. It made for a funny, engaging, ridiculous story that you couldn’t help but relate to. Especially when nothing turns out like you expected. And although everyone gets their happily ever after… it’s certainly not in the way that one would expect.

Between reading this short story and Crazy Rich Asians (at about the same time), I’ve come to the conclusion that the rich are just downright weird. That “polite” society and the weddings / events that they host are just not quite normal. After all, the entire time in this short story a very ill-conceived wedding is being organised and because of this, nothing is quite as it seems.

I have an incredibly unhealthy obsession with mythologies – and Greek mythology is one that is a lot more accessible than many others. But, I did enjoy the fact that some of the minor deities from this mythos take point in this story. It wasn’t about Zeus and his cohort, but some of their lesser-known offspring. It added an extra layer of enjoyment to this story that makes me want to read it again and again and again.

 <- “All Shook Up” ReviewCharmed by the Moon Review ->
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Eternity Embraced by Larissa Ione

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of vampire romance 2 book cover

Title: Eternity Embraced
Author: Larissa Ione
Series: Demonica #3.5
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Demons, Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 27th October 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Then we consider your idea about moving to New York.

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Synopsis

Desire…
Demon slayer Andrea Cole has always taken down the demons and vampires she hunts without mercy. But when a fellow slayer is captured and turned into a vampire by a sadistic monster, she must choose between loyalty to her family and the man she loves.

Versus Instinct…
Kaden Quinn has dedicated his life to slaying vampires, so when he is turned into one, his greatest nightmare comes to life. And when the woman he loves is thrown into a dungeon with him ― as food ― he must battle new instincts and old desires, and choose between his life, and hers.

Thoughts

This story is a bit of a cliffhanger, and as I was reading it, I was seriously hoping that it was part of a greater series. I was lucky, it is. Which makes me super happy, because this world building is brilliant. Although, I wanted more of a backstory… which I will get when I finally buy the novels!!!

This is so a true love conquers all kind of story… after all, it’s the thing which makes sure that Kaden doesn’t turn evil. Even when Andrea fully expects him to. This isn’t a ride off into the sunset, happily ever after story. It’s more of a there’s a chance for the future, but we’re not really sure what’s going to happen next kind of tale. And it’s the perfect hook to make you want to buy the rest of the series.

Eternity Embraced is an incredibly sweet, beautiful story. It’s an easy read, and one that sweeps you away for five, ten minutes. Just enough to sweep you off your feet and make you believe in true love again. Or at least, a love that give you an amazing future.

 <- Blood Gothic ReviewThe Ghost of Leadville Review ->
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Trinity Blue by Eve Silver

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of paranormal romance book cover

Title: Trinity Blue
Author: Eve Silver
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 19th October 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: “Killed?” she echoed.

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Synopsis

Jen’s new handyman arrives just as a spate of murders rocks her town. He’s connected somehow, but she’s not quite sure… yet. It isn’t until her powers finally bloom that everything falls into place.

Thoughts

This is just an easy, fun reader. It’s not intense. It’s not overly memorable. Just easy and fun. And just a little bit cute. Alright, in some moments more than a little bit. Although there is a murder or two… so maybe not so cute…

I really like Jen’s character in this. She has a number of secrets, but they don’t seem as dark as some of the other stories that I’ve read recently. She also has a great backbone and almost perfect instincts. From the very beginning she trusts Daemon, and you know that this is a safely placed trust. Even if others are questioning it a little.

As a short story, I breezed through this and then didn’t really find it memorable. But, as I’m writing this review, I realise how much I loved the storyline. I think that it would make an amazing novel-length story. Yet, alas, it wasn’t. And now I must move on and find something that rings the same intriguing bells in my crazy little literary brain.

 <- The Tuesday Enchantress ReviewGrace of Small Magics Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

The Tuesday Enchantress by Mary Jo Putney

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of paranormal romance book cover

Title: The Tuesday Enchantress
Author: Mary Jo Putney
Series: Guardians #3.5
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Angels, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 15th October 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: I thanked him through a mouthful of samosa.

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Synopsis

Nothing ever happens on a Tuesday. Or so Owens and his friend think. But then the deli they’re in is held up, and Owens meets the woman of his dreams… maybe good and interesting things do happen on a Tuesday.

Thoughts

I love that this story starts with the idea that nothing ever happens on a Tuesday. Because, hey, who hasn’t felt like that before? Tuesdays aren’t like a Monday (where everything sucks), or a Friday (when you’re all excited to have a life again)… they’re just, eh. Except for the Tuesday in this story. It was a great reminder that exciting things can happen at any time, or in any way. Even falling madly in love.

One of the things I always hated when I was younger was when boys would ask me out because I was pretty. Or talk to me for the same reason. The one guy that made me fall head over heels? He never even seemed to notice how I looked – and honestly, still doesn’t give a crap, he loves me for me. The Enchantress in this story exactly reflects this (but to a far more dramatic degree). She’s never felt wanted for herself, and that seriously impacts her. But, when that final moment of love and partnership comes upon her… it is all the more sweet and beautiful.

Not only does the boy win the girl in the end. He also manages to use his phenomenal powers to rescue his best friend, pass his final exams and just generally be absolutely awesome. Mostly it’s the passing his final medical exam after being in a hold up, healing his best friend and just generally having a seriously crappy night.

 <- Light Through Fog ReviewTrinity Blue Review ->
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