Tag Archives: Short Story Collections

Strange Brew edited by P.N. Elrod

February 15, 2017Book ReviewCaitlin Kittredge, Charlaine Harris, Dark Fantasy, Faith Hunter, Jenna Maclaine, Jim Butcher, Karen Chance, P.N. Elrod, Paranormal Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Patricia Briggs, Rachel Caine, Short Story Collections, Strange Brewskyebjenner

Title: Strange Brew
Authors: Patricia Briggs, Jim Butcher, Rachel Caine, Karen Chance, P.N. Elrod, Charlaine Harris, Faith Hunter, Caitlin Kittredge & Jenna Maclaine
In: Strange Brew (P.N. Elrod)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance, Short story collections
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology
Publisher: St Martin’s Griffin
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Murphy jumped on me then, pinning my left arm down as Meditrina started raking at my face with her nails, both of them screaming like banshees.

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!

<- Dark Sins Review

Seeing Eye Review ->

Image source: Goodreads

Happily Ever After by Kiera Cass

February 1, 2017Book ReviewDystopia, Easy Reading, Kiera Cass, Romance, Short Story Collections, The Selectionskyebjenner

Title: Happily Ever After
Author: Kiera Cass
Series: The Selection Short Stories
In: Happily Ever After (Kiera Cass)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dystopia, Easy reading, Romance, Short story collections
Pace: Fast
Format: Collection
Publisher: HarperTeen
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: I took my seat in the dining hall, blushing when Clarkson winked at me.

America’s story wasn’t the only one with a happy ending…

Before Amberly came to the palace… She was a Four in love with a One.

Before Maxon met the girl of his dreams… He was the boy of someone else’s.

Before Aspen opened his heart to someone new… He was determined to fight for his first love.

And before Marlee could fall for a prince… She was swept off her feet by a guard.

I didn’t know what to expect out of this collection of short stories – The Selection series seemed to be pretty much complete at the end of The One. I was completely wrong though, finding out about Amberly, Maxon, Aspen and Marlee’s tales just helped to build on the intrigue and beauty of America’s love story. Their views of each other and the characters, and their histories helped me to further understand some of the actions that I found so frustrating while watching Mer fall in love.

It wasn’t only the four short stories that were in this collection, Celeste’s short reflections on key parts within their Selection process provided insight into a somewhat hard to like girl. Her insecurities and doubts actually made me like a character that I found truly hard to stomach throughout the series. Add to this a short that lets you know how Lucy fell for Aspen, and a collection of pages which tell us where each of the girls in the elite ended up, and not only was this novel a great read, but it also left me feeling even more complete and happy with America’s love story than before. Now to discover more about the daughter in The Heir…

<- The Crown Review

The Queen Review ->

Image source: HarperCollins

On the Prowl by Patricia Briggs, Eileen Wilks, Karen Chance & Sunny

January 24, 2017Book ReviewDark Fantasy, Eileen Wilks, Karen Chance, On the Prowl, Paranormal Romance, Patricia Briggs, Short Story Collections, Sunnyskyebjenner

Title: On the Prowl
Author: Patricia Briggs, Karen Chance, Sunny & Eileen Wilks
In: On the Prowl (Patricia Briggs, Karen Chance, Sunny & Eileen Wilks)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal romance, Short story collections
Pace: Fast
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Berkley
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: Lightning stitched from one black-hung pocket of sky to the next.

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.

<- Inhuman Review

Alpha & Omega Review ->

Image source: Patricia Briggs

Wild Embrace by Nalini Singh

January 16, 2017Book ReviewNalini Singh, Paranormal Romance, Psy-Changeling, Shapeshifters, Short Story Collectionsskyebjenner

Title: Wild Embrace
Author: Nalini Singh
Series: Psy-Changeling Companion, Psy-Changeling Season One Companion
In: Wild Embrace (Nalini Singh)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Short story collections
Pace: Medium
Format: Collection
Publisher: Gollancz
Year: 2016
5th sentence, 74th page: “If you were like Avril, you would not be Tazi.”

The “alpha author of paranormal romance”* presents a stunningly sensual collection of four all-new Psy-Changeling novellas, in which taboos are broken, boundaries are crossed, and instincts prove irresistible…

Echo of Silence
In a deep-sea station, Tazia Nerif has found her life’s work as an engineer, keeping things running smoothly. But she wants nothing more than to break down the barrier of silence between her and her telekinetic Psy station commander…

Dorian
A changeling who can never shift lives a life of quiet frustration—until he learns how to let his leopard come out and play…

Partners in Persuasion
Still raw from being burned by a dominant female, wolf changeling Felix will never again risk being a plaything. But for dominant leopard Dezi, he’s the most fascinating man she’s ever met. She just has to convince this gun-shy wolf that he can trust the dangerous cat who wants to take a slow, sexy bite out of him…

Flirtation of Fate
Seven years ago, Kenji broke Garnet’s heart. Now the wolf packmates have to investigate the shocking murder of one of their own. And the more Kenji sees of the woman Garnet has become, the deeper he begins to fall once more. But even his primal instincts are no match for the dark secret he carries…

This collection of short stories was kind of intense. Unlike Wild Invitation, every story in this collection had a slightly twistier and more emotionally potent tale. Except for the first short story, Echo of Silence, the tales all connected intimately into the characters that I have fallen in love with in the Psy-Changeling world. Again and again I am flummoxed by Singh’s ability to make me connect so deeply with a new character every time I break the spine of one of her stories.

Although it’s not necessary to read Wild Embrace alongside the main Psy-Changeling novels, I would recommend the attempt. They just add a little more to the tale and let you know what is happening to some of the secondary characters between the epic battwlles that are beginning to characterise this hard-hitting series.

<- Wild Invitation

Beat of Temptation ->

Image source: Nalini Singh

Hex Appeal edited by P.N. Elrod

January 2, 2017Book ReviewCarole Nelson Douglas, Carrie Vaughn, Erica Hayes, Hex Appeal, Ilona Andrews, Jim Butcher, Lori Handeland, P.N. Elrod, Paranormal Fantasy, Rachel Caine, Short Story Collections, Simon R. Green, Urban Fantasyskyebjenner

Title: Hex Appeal
Authors: Ilona Andrews, Jim Butcher, Rachel Caine, Carole Nelson Douglas, P.N. Elrod, Simon R. Green, Lori Handeland, Erica Hayes & Carrie Vaughn
In: Hex Appeal (P.N. Elrod)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Short story collections, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology
Publisher: St Martin’s Griffin
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: Books and clothing and bedclothes and typical dorm room décor had been scattered everywhere.

Fall under the intoxicating spell of their hex appeal…

In the magical world that lies hidden beneath our own, witches and conjurers play deadly games. They know just the right spell to kill a man with one kiss—or raise him back again. And they’re not afraid to exact sweet revenge on those who dare to cross them. But what if you’re the unlucky soul who falls victim to a conjurer’s curse? And if you had the power to cast a magic spell of your own, would you use it?

In this bewitching collection, nine of today’s hottest paranormal authors tell all-new, otherworldly tales. Spellbinding stories featuring bigfoot, albino vampires, professional wizards, resurrected boyfriends and even a sex droid from the twenty-third century named Silicon Lily. But as our conjurers are about to discover, it’s all fun and games until someone gets hexed. And sometimes, even the best spun spells can lead to complete and utter mayhem.

This was a slightly dark and definitely morally questioning collection of short stories. In each tale there was no good or bad guy, but rather someone who was working at surviving with the cards that they have been dealt. The name hints beautifully at this though, Hex Appeal, both appealing and potentially damaging – like all of the leads in these nine very diverse stories.

Finishing this collection left me wanting more, more of these not-quite-good characters that thrived in worlds that ran beautifully parallel to our own. Each tale consisted of a multi-dimensional setting in which fighting to survive allowed for acts that would not necessarily be accepted in today’s society and reality. Drugging someone to rob just seems wrong, but make it a horny vampire and it is much more realistic. Think you’re husband may kill you in a dystopian reality? Take out a retribution clause to ensure that he follows you into death… these ideas are such exaggerated versions of our reality that they truly make you think about the world that we all live in today.

<- The Arcane Art of Misdirection

Retribution Clause ->

Image source: Succubus

Wild Invitation by Nalini Singh

December 11, 2016Book ReviewDark Fantasy, Nalini Singh, Paranormal Romance, Psy-Changeling, Shapeshifters, Short Story Collections, Wild Invitationskyebjenner

Title: Wild Invitation
Author: Nalini Singh
Series: Psy-Changeling Companion, Psy-Changeling Season One Companion
In: Wild Invitation (Nalini Singh)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Short story collections
Pace: Medium
Format: Collection
Publisher: Gollancz
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: But it made her feel good.

In Beat of Temptation , innocent Tamsyn has always had a place in her heart for Nathan, a blooded DarkRiver sentinel. But is she ready for the fierce demands of the mating bond?

In Stroke of Enticement , a wary young teacher, skeptical about love, arouses the man—and the animal—in an aggressive leopard changeling who must prove his affections are true.

Plus 2 NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED NOVELLAS

In Declaration of Courtship , Grace, a shy submissive wolf, finds herself pursued by the last man she ever would have imagined: a SnowDancer lieutenant said to be “mad, bad, and dangerous to know.”

In Texture of Intimacy , SnowDancer healer Lara discovers the searing joys—and unexpected challenges—of being mated to quiet, powerful Walker, a man used to keeping his silence.

This was a great collection of Psy-Changeling short stories, each with its own beautiful love story that helps build upon the amazingly intricate world that Singh has so painstakingly built. I love that each tale can be read in isolation to the series, but they can help to introduce peripheral characters that are mentioned within the main novels.

The four short stories in this collection are not only held together by their romantic themes and their ability to remind us all that we can all find love, but also in their ease of reading and simplicity. Where the couples in the key novels in the Psy-Changeling series are constantly fighting against themselves, one another and their circumstances, those within the stories in Wild Invitation have shorter, and far less dramatic courtships. That’s not to say that there isn’t a flavour of drama to keep us intrigued, but it is not so frustrating to constantly read about couples that are only ever capable of messing up their potential relationships.

A great introduction to the world of Psy-Changeling if you’re curious about this fantastic paranormal romance series. Singh manages to make you feel emotionally connected to every single one of her characters, hoping to see them triumph in their chosen lives.

<- More Nalini Singh

Wild Embrace ->

Image source: Nalini Singh

Night Shift by Nalini Singh, Ilona Andrews, Lisa Shearin & Milla Vane

December 2, 2016Book ReviewEasy Reading, Ilona Andrews, Lisa Shearin, Milla Vane, Nalini Singh, Night Shift, Paranormal Romance, Short Story Collectionsskyebjenner

Title: Night Shift
Author: Nalini Singh, Ilona Andrews, Lisa Shearin, Milla Vane
In: Night Shift (Nalini Singh, Ilona Andrews, Lisa Shearin & Milla Vane)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Paranormal romance, Short story collections
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Berkley
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: How could she do anything but adore him?

Four masters of urban fantasy and paranormal romance plunge readers into the dangerous, captivating world unearthed beyond the dark…

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh delivers a smoldering story with Secrets at Midnight , as the scent of Bastien Smith’s elusive lover ignites a possessiveness in him that’s as feral as it is ecstatic. And now that he’s found his mate, he’ll do anything to keep her.

In #1 New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews’ novella, Magic Steals , when people start going missing, shapeshifting tigress Dali Harimau and jaguar shifter Jim Shrapshire must uncover the truth about the mysterious creatures responsible.

From Milla Vane—a warrior princess must tame The Beast of Blackmoor to earn a place among her people. But she quickly discovers that the beast isn’t a monster, but a barbarian warrior who intends to do some taming himself.

It’s seer Makenna Frazier’s first day on the job at Supernatural Protection and Investigations, and her first assignment is more than she bargained for when bodyguard duty for a leprechaun prince’s bachelor party goes every which way but right in national bestselling author Lisa Shearin’s Lucky Charms.

I loved, loved, loved this enthralling collection of four short stories. The underlying theme of paranormal romance provided a darker side to some great stories, but also a sense of joy and hope in each journey.

Each and every tale within this book left me smiling and wanting more – so much so that I went and bought a book by each of the authors immediately after I put the book down.

Using our inner desires and our animalistic nature in such a fascinating way was a task that was pursued differently by each author, but helped to tie the four stories together. If you liked one, you’d probably (definitely) like all four.

<- The Beast of Blackmoor Bog

Secrets at Midnight ->

Image source: Audiobooks

Small Magics by Ilona Andrews

October 13, 2016Book ReviewEasy Reading, Ilona Andrews, Kate Daniels, Paranormal Fantasy, Short Story Collections, Small Magicsskyebjenner

Title: Small Magics
Authors: Ilona Andrews
In: Small Magics (Ilona Andrews)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Paranormal fantasy, Short story collections
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook Collection
Publisher: NYLA
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: I could recite most of our conversations word for word, I do have a very precise memory.

Now collected for the first time, an irresistible compilation of five previously published stories by the bestselling author of the Kate Daniels series; including Kate’s very first meeting with Saiman, some related adventures, and two unforgettable ‘outside’ excursions.

This is a beautiful collection of short stories – five tales sweet tales that left me with a huge smile across my face. Three of these stories are from the Kate Daniels series, but the other two are completely new tales. I would actually love it if they were each part of a much larger series, the heroines are so relatable.

Every story within Small Magics is uplifting and inspiring, not only because of true love, but also in beating the odds and being triumphant, in spite of all odds.

<- Grace of Small Magics

A Mere Formality ->

Image source: Goodreads

We Sa and the Lumber King by Faith Hunter

September 25, 2016Book ReviewAnimagus, Blood in Her Veins, Dark Fantasy, Faith Hunter, Have Stakes Will Travel, Jane Yellowrock, Native American Mythology, Short Story Collections, Skinwalker, Strong Womenskyebjenner

Title: We Sa and the Lumber King
Author: Faith Hunter
Series: Jane Yellowrock #0.1
In: Blood in Her Veins by Faith Hunter & Have Stakes, Will Travel by Faith Hunter
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Animagus, Dark fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Roc & Roc
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: After long time, shadows began to stretch upon the ground.

Beast, with Jane Yellowrock in the background of her mind, observes the lumber camp of white men who are destroying her hunting grounds. She decides to take revenge on the leader of the lumberjacks.

It was incredibly interesting to read a little more about some of Jane’s first years. Not only is it a great way to gain insight into her first transformations, but it also gave me a glimpse into the desecration of the land by white man when they first arrived in the Americas.

This short story was beautifully written – it was structured from the Bobcat / We Sa’s point of view, and the difference in language was both startling and enjoyable. Where Beast is strong and always willing for a hunt and fight, We Sa is aware of her limitations and fearful of the consequences of her actions.

Throughout the other Jane Yellowrock stories, Jane’s connectivity with nature is alluded to, but never highlighted. This short story beautifully ties this intricate relationship into her story and illustrates that although her victims may have changed, Jane is still sassy and uses slightly obscure tactics to get the job done.

<- More Faith Hunter

The Early Years ->

Image source: Goodreads

Stolen Goods by Shannon K. Butcher

September 15, 2016Book ReviewEasy Reading, Fantasy, Kicking It, Shannon K. Butcher, Short Story Collections, Strong Womenskyebjenner

Title: Stolen Goods
Author: Shannon K. Butcher
In: Kicking It (Faith Hunter & Kalayna Price)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Roc
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: She had no idea what the Fractogasts wanted with those stolen pieces, but the second machine she was in broke down, everything had snapped back into place, restoring her.

Blacksmith Matthew Brighton wants to hire mercenary Simone Solange to help him retrieve a special hammer the Fractogasts are using to construct a portal. Once complete, the portal will allow more of these destructive creatures entry and it will be the beginning of the end for humanity. Simone is all business with her leathers and magical red boots. Matthew has his own skills as she learns when she accompanies him on the assignment.

I have an obsession with boots, so reading about a pair of hand-tooled, red, knee-high boots that make the wearer invisible was enough to draw me into this short story. The vividness of descriptions and characters bought this micro-world to life beautifully. I was so impressed with the way in which Butcher was able to bring an entire world to life in mere paragraphs.

Butcher crammed a lot of character information into few words – I have read very few pieces of writing that are able to divulge so much in such a short period. I think that this may be one of the reasons why I so thoroughly enjoyed this story. Although, as much as I want to read it again, I’m not entirely sure what drew me in so succinctly.

<- Forked Tongues Review

The Girl With No Name Review ->

Earth and Skye

The ramblings of a bibliophile.