Tag Archives: Short Story Collections

Hauntings edited by Ellen Datlow

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Overview
Hauntings: Datlow, Ellen: 9781616960889: Amazon.com: Books

Title: Hauntings
Author: Ellen Datlow, Pat Cadigan, Dale Bailey, E. Michael Lewis, Lucius Shepard, David Morrell, Caitlin R. Kiernan, Joyce Carol Oates, Elizabeth Hand, Neil Gaiman, F. Paul Wilson, Jonathan Carroll, Terry Dowling, Paul Walther, Simon Kurt Unsworth, Connie Willis, Stephen Gallagher, Michael Marshall Smith, Richard Bowes, James P. Blaylock, Jeffrey Ford, Gemma Files, Kelly Link, Adam L.G. Nevill & Peter Straub
In: Hauntings (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Ghosts, Horror, Short story collections
Pace: Slow
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Tachyon
Year: 2013

Thoughts

This is, as with all Ellen Datlow collections, seriously fun and enjoyable. The fact that this fantastic collection is full of seriously creepy stories made it that much more enjoyable. Mostly because it’s out of my usual genre of choice. Horror and ghost stories might not be quite my usual speed, but that didn’t mean that I didn’t love reading this collection!

Although I really enjoyed reading all of these short stories, I did find that this was not an anthology I should be reading late at night. Or when I was home alone. Whilst some of the stories were kind of mild and not too terrifying, some made it really difficult to sleep after turning the final page. Or just made it difficult to turn off the lights. Which is why this took me a little bit longer to read than I had anticipated.

Hauntings runs the gambit of horror and ghost stories, from horrible hauntings to stories that had a little bit more hope at the end. They made me feel all of the feelings, and I would most definitely read this collection again in the future.

<- The First Lunar HalloweenEenie, Meenie, Ipsateenie ->

Image source: Amazon

1001 Dark Nights: Bundle One by Shayla Black, Heather Graham, Liliana Hart & Tina Folsom

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Overview

Title: 1001 Dark Nights: Bundle One
Author: Shayla Black, Heather Graham, Liliana Hart & Tina Folsom
In: 1001 Dark Nights: Bundle One (Shayla Black, Heather Graham, Liliana Hart & Tina Folsom)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance, Paranormal romance, Short story collections
Pace: Slow
Format: Anthology, eBook
Year: 2015

Thoughts

Of the four novellas, I actually only enjoyed reading one. And only read one from beginning to end. Yet, it was worth the read, and I will dive into more of these bundles. I mean, there’s nothing wrong with trying something and then just finding that it doesn’t quite work for you.

One of the things I really liked about this anthology is that each of the stories has a bit of steam and romance. All of them have vastly different flavours and it is definitely a good way to dip your toe into not only different authors and series, but also different kinds of romances. I’m getting to a point in my romance reading that I tend to know what I like, but if I was new to the genre? It would be a fantastic way to give things a bit of a try.

I enjoyed reading this anthology, it’s not necessarily anything to rave about, but it was still enjoyable.

<- Silent BiteForever Wicked ->

Image source: Booktopia

The Undead in My Bed by Katie MacAlister, Molly Harper & Jessica Sims

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Overview

Title: The Undead in My Bed
Author: Katie MacAlister, Molly Harper & Jessica Sims
In: The Undead in My Bed (Katie MacAlister, Molly Harper & Jessica Sims)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Short story collections, Vampires
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology, eBook
Year: 2012

Thoughts

This is a very good and fun collection, filled with vampires, sex and lust. All of the good things in a paranormal romance collection of vampires. Alright, so I didn’t actually love the first novella. But other than that, I really loved this. It gave me a few new books / series to read. Because, lots of vampire fun and lust.

I like that there were different levels of spice and yum throughout this collection. Some stories were seriously steamy, others were just a little bit of a lower level. It’s nice to have the different intensities of smut, a good variety in a collection with a very common thread throughout.

I’ve definitely got a few books to continue reading… ones that I can’t wait to dive into.

<- Out with a FangShades of Gray ->

Image source: Amazon

Hex on the Beach by Kelley Armstrong, Jeaniene Frost & Melissa Marr

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Overview

Title: Hex on the Beach
Author: Kelley Armstrong, Jeaniene Frost & Melissa Marr
In: Hex on the Beach (Kelley Armstrong, Jeaniene Frost & Melissa Marr)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Short story collections, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology, eBook
Year: 2021

Thoughts

I loved every single one of these three novellas. One of those anthologies that I’m glad I have on the shelves. And one that I look forward to reading again and again. I mean, I kind of figured that would be the case because I’ve read all of these authors before and loved them all. But, it was still nice to be right in that assumption.

It comes as absolutely no surprise that I loved all of the series that these stories feature in. Two of which I’d already started reading, one of which I had in my TBR anyway. Now I just want to dive into these urban fantasy series all over again.

Even though all three novellas have that same summer vibe throughout this collection, they all have a wonderfully unique flavour. I love that there is the chilling with friends, enjoying a vacation feel, which goes completely belly up in every one of the stories. But, the ways that chaos hits the group is completely different for each tale.

A brilliant collection, one that I was completely in love with from the very first moment.

<- Goddess of Summer LoveDaiquiris and Daggers ->

Image source: Booktopia

Faery Tales and Nightmares by Melissa Marr

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Faery Tales and Nightmares

Title: Faery Tales and Nightmares
Author: Melissa Marr
In: Faery Tales & Nightmares (Melissa Marr)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Paranormal fantasy, Short story collections
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: HarperCollins
Year: 2012

Thoughts

This is a fantastic collection, with the vast majority of the short stories set in the Wicked Lovely world. Although this did give me some spoilers for the series, it was still fun and tantalising to constantly visit that world – one that I’ve always enjoyed, just not quite gotten around to finishing yet. But, having all of these wonderful spoilers has just made me all that much more keen to dive back into the series.

I seriously loved jumping in and out of the Wicked Lovely world. Sometimes it’s just nice to briefly visit a world, without having to commit to a full-length novel. I loved that I could do this with this collection, take a brief pause, but not get too distracted from day-to-day responsibilities.

Even though I really enjoyed reading this, admittedly, I think that I would have been better off reading this collection after finishing the Wicked Lovely series. It was intriguing to get all of these tantalising hints, but it also gave away so many twists and spoilers! It’s made it a little less climatic to jump into the other stories and given away a few things that would have made me completely intrigued to read the actual series.

Every single story in this collection (whether a Wicked Lovely story or one that stands alone) was brilliant. And fun. And had those wonderfully dark twists of the fae. I love that these stories weren’t innocent and covered in cheerful faery dust. But filled with the more traditional ideas of fae.

<- Merely MortalWhere Nightmares Walk ->

Image source: HarperCollins Publishers

Shifting Shadows by Patricia Briggs

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Overview

Title: Shifting Shadows
Author: Patricia Briggs
Series: Mercedes Thompson short stories, Mercy-verse short stories
In: Shifting Shadows (Patricia Briggs)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Short story collections, Strong women, Urban fantasy, Werewolves
Pace: Medium
Format: Collection
Year: 2014

Thoughts

This is such a fantastic collection, probably one of my favourite short story collections. Because, lets face it, anything that features the Mercyverse is going to be brilliant. A collection of novellas and short stories which visit the many, many wonderful characters… that’s just a wonderful adventure to go on.

Shifting Shadows is filled with stories of all lengths and tones. There are some pretty dark stories, some that are light, and some that are cute. I love that you are able to go through the gambit of emotions and pick a story of any length to suit your mood. Although, I would suggest digging into this when you’ve read the relevant novel in the series, that way you don’t get too many spoilers.

I love that if I need a Mercyverse fix, I can just pick this collection up and dive right in. It’s a bit of a shorter approach to diving back into the world without picking up a full-length novel. Plus, it gives you a bit of insight into the other, secondary characters throughout the series.

Shifting Shadows is one of my favourite rereads. It’s a wonderful and fun journey that I will take again and again and again as the years go by. Plus, there are some moments of closure and context that are provided in these tales that help to build upon the full-length novels.

<- Soul TakenMore Mercedes Thompson ->

Image source: Patricia Briggs

When He Was Bad by Shelly Laurenston & Cynthia Eden

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Overview

Title: When He Was Bad
Author: Shelly Laurenston & Cynthia Eden
In: When He Was Bad (Shelly Laurenston & Cynthia Eden)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Short story collections
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology
Year: 2008

Thoughts

When He Was Bad is a fantastic anthology with two yummy, steamy novellas. Just like Howl For It. They are both collections that are fun and light. But with a seriously lustful strain throughout. I absolutely adored both of the novellas in this, and I look forward to reading them again when I need a short distraction from reality.

There was honestly so much enjoyment from reading this. I read each novella in one sitting – they were just so good that I didn’t want to put them down. That used to be an impressive feat. Now I have a toddler, and it is more of an accomplishment… at least in my world.

Both the novellas in this anthology are shifter romances. There is plenty of steam and deliciously dominant males. Two worlds that I loved diving into and look forward to getting a glimpse of again.

<- Wicked WaysMiss Congeniality ->

Image source: Goodreads

Howl For It by Shelly Laurenston and Cynthia Eden

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Overview

Title: Howl for It
Author: Shelly Laurenston & Cynthia Eden
In: Howl For It (Shelly Laurenston & Cynthia Eden)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Short story collections, Urban fantasy, Werewolves
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology
Year: 2012

Thoughts

Howl For It is a fantastic collection of two wonderful, lusty novellas. They both fit nicely together in this collection, with the paranormal romance and werewolves as the centre point. Yet, Laurenston and Eden have two distinctly different voices that you will fall in love with. Both of these novellas are fast paced and filled with a decent amount of death and mayhem. A little bit of betrayal and a whole lot of strong males who can howl at the moon. Definitely a fun anthology to sweep you away on a moonlit night.

This is one of those anthologies that I’m really glad I bought, I look forward to reading it again and again. There was something kind of sweet about both of these stories. Even as they are tales that involve a whole lot of blood and death. I might already have both of these authors in my TBR, but I most definitely want more!

<- Wed or DeadLike a Wolf with a Bone ->

Image source: Penguin Books Australia

Worst Holiday Ever by Miscellaneous

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Overview

Title: Worst Holiday Ever: A Family Drama Romance Anthology
Author: Eva Moore, Adrienne Bell, Kilby Blades, Kari Lemor, Preslaysa Williams, Marie Booth, R.L. Merrill, Erin St. Charles & Meg Bellamy
In: Worst Holiday Ever (Miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Short story collections
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology
Year: 2018

Thoughts

This was one of the best holiday collections that I’ve read in a while. It included a whole lot of humour and romance, shenanigans, and high jinks. What I loved most about it though is that it really helped to capture the whole holiday feeling. The way that the holiday season is always chaotic and goes a little bit awry. But there’s always a silver lining if you look hard enough.

I only knew one author in this collection when I added it to my ereader – Kilby Blades. Now I have an absolutely stacked TBR in my ereader from all of the fantastic new authors I got to discover throughout this collection. I always love a good collection of stories that starts with an author that I know and love, and then just… expands my horizons. I don’t think I’ll ever get through all of the lovely books on my shelves. But there is so much wonderous potential…

Every story in this collection is chaotic and kind of humorous, poking fun at the challenges of the holiday season. But they all have very different themes. Everyone does highlight that the worst of the holiday season comes from the chaos of family. For some the love also comes from there, for others, it comes from elsewhere… the range within this collection is brilliant and made me love it just that much more.

This was a fantastic collection of short stories set around the chaos of family in the holiday season. Definitely a collection I’ll read again and again at that time of year. If only to remind myself that maybe my own family isn’t so bad after all…

<- Feliz Chanukah!Decked Out ->

Image source: Fantastic Fiction

Bad Boys in Kilts by Donna Kauffman

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Bad Boys in Kilts
Author: Donna Kauffman
In: Bad Boys in Kilts (Donna Kauffman)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Scottish romance, Short story collections
Pace: Medium
Format: Collection, Novella
Year: 2006

Thoughts

Bad Boys in Kilts is a deliciously yummy Scottish, contemporary romance collection. It features three novellas about the Chisholm Brothers, which all lead perfectly into the follow-on novel about the fourth. Each of the brothers are great characters on their own. A great way to drift away into a happy world of lust and love, and happily ever afters. Kauffman manages to follow a family of boys who all have completely different lives, whilst keeping the thread of family alive between them. A wonderful few hours reading to relax and leave a smile on my face.

I love how each of these novellas is a wonderful standalone, but they also lead wonderfully into each other. The three women partner alongside the three men wonderfully. All of the dynamics are starkly different to one another, stopping that feeling of same same that often comes along with novellas written by the same author one after the other.

This collection was all around delicious. It was fun, light and engaging. Incredibly cute, and now I can’t wait to read about the fourth Chisholm Brother.

<- Night WatchBottoms Up ->

Image source: Kensington Publishing