Title: The Party Author: Nalini Singh Series: Psy-Changeling #6.5 Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters Pace: Fast Format: Free online short story Publisher: Nalini Singh online Year: 2015 5th sentence, 74th page: Her eyes almost crossed when she saw the array of objects on the table in front of the healer.
The Party balances out Mercy’s tough, sentinel side with her more feminine, girlish tendencies. It also serves as a great reminder of her connection to her pack, and family. The happy simplicity of the afternoon and their laughter while painting toe nails are a wonderful display of the happiness that women can find in each other’s company. The Party is a refreshing take on a woman’s relationship – that it is about sharing, laughter and joy; rather than bitching and competition.
Faith’s misconception about the products of her newest business partnership had me smiling and giggling. The conversations that followed are some that I myself have had with my girlfriends – those who you are so comfortable with, that you don’t have to watch everything you say and do. It is this feeling of comradeship that carried of the pages of my eReader as I read The Party.
Judd and Brenna are a great couple, and their uniqueness draws me back to them again and again and again. But, it is almost impossible to imagine them in their daily lives – when they’re not acting to neutralise the threats to their family. Movie Night provides a window into this life perfectly. It shows a young couple that are deeply in love, yet still getting to know one another in some of the most basic of ways.
I constantly struggle to have movie night with my own partner, we just don’t tend to have the same tastes, so it was extra fun to read about some of the same issues in one of my favourite literary couples. Although both Brenna and Judd are far more willing to compromise on their choices than either myself or my own partner, it was still nice to know that such a simple act can have quite a few connotations in a relationship for others.
Kit is a great secondary character in the Psy-Changeling series, to the point that I almost wish he was a primary one. So, it is nice to have a short story that is about him. The relationship which he has with his sister, and the loss of his family are beautifully captured in very few words. Such a beautifully crafted short story that makes you realise that every person, every character has their own story – whether it’s in real life, or the pages of a book.
The mentions of Kit’s potential as the next alpha help to further emphasise the points made by the sentinels in the other books about the leopard changeling pack. His awareness of others, their strengths and weaknesses are the marks of a great leader in any reality, and his love and care for his sister and his pack simply help to further the potency of his growing powers.
The rat’s which become an integral part of the Changeling world and the Psy-Changeling stories are always viewed on the peripheral. The conversations with them always run through one of the leopard pack, and it is difficult to understand what makes these characters tick. So, it was incredibly enjoyable to read the short conversation which takes place between two of the characters.
The different point of view which Zane and Teijan provide is a great counterpoint to the more predatory outlooks of the other parties within this series. It is also a reminder that for every single interaction, there is an opposing view.
Zane and Teijan’s surprise at the leopard pack’s generosity and willingness to work together (rather than order others around) is a poignant reminder of the way in which this non-predatory group has been treated in the past. Another reminder that although the greater battle is between key factions, it does have trickle down effects for all others in this brilliantly created and layered world.
I love short stories that investigate the everyday lives of my favourite characters. It not only helps to make them all the more real, but it is a great way to revisit them in a series that jumps from one lead to another. And although it is something that I do love about the Psy-Changeling series, I also sincerely missed Lucas and Sascha throughout the following tales.
We take a lot of things for granted, such as being told bed time stories by our parents. Sascha’s inability to partake in such a simple act is both humbling and saddening. Yet, Lucas’ love for the woman he chose and the children who make up his pack help to outshine this moment of sadness you feel at such a horrid childhood upbringing.
Although this story is only four pages long, it is so sweet and quaint that this one scene will remain in my head (and my heart) for a long time. It is cute, sweet and simple. A reminder that although the brewing conflict throughout the Psy-Changeling series is dangerous and complex, everyday life and the joys that it brings continues unabated.
Title: Inhuman Author: Eileen Wilks Series: World of the Lupi #3.5 In:On the Prowl (Patricia Briggs) Rating Out of 5: (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Animagus, Paranormal romance Pace: Medium Format: Novella Publisher: Berkley Year: 2007 5th sentence, 74th page: The need for his voice, his presence, washed over her, leaving her shaky inside as well as out.
Certain people in Midland, Texas, are dying. All of them were Gifted, and all of them have been drained of their blood. Kai is a reluctant telepath with a skewed Gift—she sees thoughts instead of experiencing them. So, unlike other Midlanders, she can intuit that they have a “Guardian.” She also knows that the Guardian Nathan isn’t human. His true nature hasn’t been divined. Neither has hers. But when another one of the Gifted is found dead, Kai herself becomes a suspect. And only Nathan can save her.
The first few sentences left me incredibly attached to Kai, in a way that rarely happens in such a short period of time. Her supernatural abilities were also something that I had never imagined or heard of before, yet, they seem like an incredible ability to possess. Partner this intriguingly vulnerable character with Nathan, and a serial murderer, and this is one of my favourite short stories.
Kai’s eventual connection to the murderer was very surprising, but it was kind of sweet and indicated the depths of her care for others. This, and hints at her past accident, show the level of care that she show to other living beings, and that they all have the right to live. Although this very fact does eventually put her life in danger, something which helps to add flavour and fear to the blooming relationship between Kai and Nathan.
I’ve read this short story before, but reading it after finishing Blood Lines helped to place a lot more of the storyline within context. It also hinted at more connections in future storylines to the parallel reality / world of Faerie. Where Dis has been mentioned in past World of the Lupi stories, it isn’t until this novella that the connection to Faerie truly begins to have an influence on the overarching tale of the World of the Lupi.
Title: Blood Lines Author: Eileen Wilks Series: World of the Lupi #3 Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Animagus, Paranormal romance Pace: Slow Format: Novel Publisher: Berkley Sensation Year: 2007 5th sentence, 74th page: “Cynna, I told Ruben you should be in charge, but – “
USA Today bestselling author Eileen Wils’s novel Mortal Danger was praised as “terrific” by The Best Reviews, which went on to say, “Keep an eye out for the enigmatic Cynna Weaver in future novels.” Here she is, caught up in a web of political intrigue – and a world spinning out of control…
Touch-sensitive FBI agent Lily Yu and her werewolf bond-mate are recruited by the Secret Service to help identify elected officials who have accepted demonic pacts. But Lily must turn to fellow agent Cynna Weaver for help when Cynna’s former teacher, a demon master, emerges as the main suspect behind the pacts.
After a demon commits a gruesome murder, sorcerer Cullen Seabourne joins the team racing the clock to find the apprentice of evil who uses demons to kill. Cynna and Cullen must work together – a challenge indeed when each has good reason to ignore the desire simmering between them. But passion and events both spiral out of control as an ancient prophecy is fulfilled – and the lupi’s greatest enemy sets her sights on total devastation…
I loved that although this story still centred around Rule and Lily, the focus slowly shifted onwards to Cynna and Cullen’s weird and unorthodox attraction to each other. As usual, these romantic entanglements were complicated by the presence of magic and mayhem as She continues to progress her attacks on the lupi. And to further confuse an already conflicted situation, the rules and laws of the lupi societies make what would have once been a simple homicide investigation for Lily to become an intricate dance of politics, power and passion.
Cynna and Cullen are such unconventional characters, and I loved that their relationship and courtship echoed this. A lot of the romance stories that I have read involve boy meets girl, there is a problem, they fall in love. Instead, Cynna and Cullen are attracted to one another, tolerate each other’s madness, but really don’t find it necessary to fall in love or really pursue any extra emotional entanglement. Yet, although it is not expressly stated by either of them, that emotional connection is there, right alongside the physical. Their acceptance of each other and ability to see beyond the stigmas that they have both carried all their lives shows a depth of understanding and connection that sometimes even the happiest couples struggle to find and maintain.
Although many characters’ secrets are revealed throughout Blood Lines, I think that it is the presence of Grandmother Yu throughout the tale that is my favourite. Such an authoritative and outrageous old woman deserves a complex and mystical history, and Wilks didn’t fail to deliver on that. The discovery of past and present lovers, of her abilities and the very way in which she is able to end the story on a surprising note heightens Grandmother Yu’s prowess and potency within this series.
Title: Mortal Danger Author: Eileen Wilks Series: World of the Lupi #2 Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Animagus, Paranormal romance Pace: Slow Format: Novel Publisher: Berkley Sensation Year: 2005 5th sentence, 74th page: “I can’t hunt down Harlowe if I’m locked up somewhere.”
USA Today bestselling author Eileen Wilks returns to the fascinating world she introduced in Tempting Danger, and takes readers to the very edge of passion and suspense – where deception and betrayal can not only place your life in jeopardy, but your very soul in mortal danger…
Former homicide cop Lily Yu has a lot on her plate. There’s her sister’s wedding, a missing magical staff with unknown powers, and her grandmother’s sudden decision to visit the old country just when Lily could use a little advice. Maybe she should turn to the man she’s involved with, but for all the passion that flares between them, she doesn’t really know Rule Turner. Yet she’s tied to him for life, both of them caught in an unbreakable mate bond.
That Rule is a werewolf, a prince of his people, only complicates matters…
Now an agent in a special unit of the FBI’s Magical Crimes Division, Lily’s job is to hunt down Harlowe, a charismatic cult leader bent on bringing an ancient evil into the world. But what Lily doesn’t realize is that Harlowe has set a trap – for her. And then the unthinkable happens.
In the blink of an eye, Lily’s world divides and collides, and she is thrust into a new and frightening reality. Her only hope will be to trust Rule – and herself – or Lily will be lost forever…
I first read this book over a year ago, and, quite frankly found it a bit tedious. Mostly due to the fact that it seemed to take a very random turn after Tempting Danger. However, after reading the short Originally Human and letting go of my preconceptions of werewolf tales, I fell madly in love with this tale. The battle between the Lupi and Her is a far more intricate and complex arching story than I had originally believed. Although I’m not used to being so thoroughly thrust into such an epic battle early in a series, it works wonderfully when you finally pay attention.
Although the plottings of Her are a constant point of conflict within Mortal Danger, Lily and Rule’s negotiation of their new relationship takes centre stage throughout their interactions. Their struggle to compromise with each other is a great reminder of every negotiation for a new couple. I can relate completely to Lily in this – tying your life to someone else’s is a huge change and when you are used to standing on your own two feet, relying on them day in and day out can be a difficult thing to get used to.
Wilks’ creation of a different reality in which part of this story takes place, Dis, or Hell, is masterfully done. It is vivid and enthralling, but also eerie in its timeless existence. To create a world that is similar to our own, but is governed by its own set of natural laws is incredibly difficult, to do so in a way that it feels both familiar and new is another mark of success in Wilks’ writing.
Today’s hottest urban fantasy authors come together in this delicious brew that crackles and boils over with tales of powerful witches and dark magic!
In Charlaine Harris’ “Bacon,” a beautiful vampire joins forces with a witch from an ancient line to find out who killed her beloved husband. In “Seeing Eye” by Patricia Briggs, a blind witch helps sexy werewolf Tom Franklin find his missing brother—and helps him in more ways than either of them ever suspected. And in Jim Butcher’s “Last Call,” wizard Harry Dresden takes on the darkest of dark powers—the ones who dare to mess with this favorite beer.
For anyone who’s ever wondered what lies beyond the limits of reality, who’s imagined the secret spaces where witches wield fearsome magic, come and drink deep. Let yourself fall under the spell of this bewitching collection of short stories!
This was a thoroughly enjoyable collection of short stories – they all erred on the side of dark fantasy and had twists to traditional ideas that I didn’t expect. The balance of female and male chief protagonists was well thought out, with a range of characters for even the most discerning reader to fall in love with. I loved that each tale was strange and unique, but they all fit together in a fabric that made the stories flow easily into each other.
The nine authors collected together in Strange Brew contributed short stories from their larger series, but they were easily accessible if you have not read the greater series (as I hadn’t for the majority). They are a window into another world that encourages you to jump in, feet first, something that I, for one, intend to do!
Alpha and Omega by Patricia Briggs
The werewolf Anna finds a new sense of self when the son of the werewolf king comes to town to quell unrest in the Chicago pack- and inspires a power in Anna that she’s never felt before.
Inhuman by Eileen Wilks
Kai has a secret gift of sensing thoughts and desires. What she senses in her neighbor Nathan could be dangerous. Because he has a secret gift, too, and it’s about to be let loose.
Buying Trouble by Karen Chance
In a New York auction house, a Lord of the Fey crosses paths with a fiery redheaded mage named Claire. But in this strange underground society, the rarity up for sale is Claire herself.
Mona Lisa Betwining by Sunny
Among the children of the moon, Mona Lisa is of Mixed Blood- part Monere, part human, and destined to be alone. Then she meets a man who could be her salvation- or her downfall.
I am absolutely in LOVE with this stunning collection of short stories. The strong women; unabashed way in which these four authors approach a woman’s sensuality and sexuality; and the fantastical worlds which are created through their masterful words create a series of spine-tingling stories that will leave you greatly anticipating just what happens next. Long after the last page has been turned, the characters float through my mind in an antagonising march of potent story-telling and rampant romance.
I’m a sucker for a good romance, and I love it even more when the woman is strong and independent enough to fight for herself, whilst still embracing the love with which they are presented. As a woman, the fine line between succumbing to love while still remaining strong and tough is a difficult one to walk. To create literary characters that embody this in a way that they appeal to a wider audience is immensely difficult, and the authors who contributed to this anthology show their supreme talents in being able to construct these characters.
Title: The Party
Title: Movie Night
Title: A Gift for Kit
Title: A Conversation
Title: The Cannibal Princess
Earth and Skye 