Tag Archives: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance

When Gargoyles Fly by Lori Devoti

Book Review, , ,
Overview
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Title: When Gargoyles Fly
Author: Lori Devoti
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Gargoyles, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 27th November 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Her hands were wrapped around his neck, her cheek pressed against his chest.

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Synopsis

She wants to carve a beautiful gargoyle like the one she comes across everyday. But, when she’s pushed off the building and the gargoyle she bought to life saves her, all bets are off.

Thoughts

This is my first ever gargoyle story. Which is intensely exciting, because I got to create a new bookshelf in my shelves. I spent most of the time thinking about the funny gargoyle sidekicks in The Hunchback of Notre Dame though… which, considering this was a fairly serious gargoyle. And apparently a sexy one… the images in my head really didn’t suit this story.

I’m a big believer in the idea that everything has a “soul” or spirit. Something that vibrates at a frequency and connects all of us. Although I don’t feel a huge connection with stone, I do think that it does have some kind of life in it. This short story reflects that idea. It was kind of brilliant how it worked. And the idea that a woman / artist was able to somehow bring this to life…intriguing. Actually, I found the artistic side of this story so much more romantic than the actual romance side of it.

This is not my favourite romance in this collection so far. Which was surprising… it started out with so much promise! But there was something just a little… meh about the story. Mord just let the woman he loves roam around and get put into a crazy asylum… not my favourite way to deal with a romantic story, and no fun, powerful message behind it. He was just stupid.

 <- Pack ReviewThe Lighthouse Keeper and His Wife Review ->
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Pack by Jeaniene Frost

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
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Title: Pack
Author: Jeaniene Frost
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: Dark fantasy, Paranormal romance, Werewolves
Dates read: 23rd November 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: In short, he looked like your typical Yellowstone tourist, not the leader of a secret pack of monsters.

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Synopsis

All she wanted to do was go for a nice, long hike in the mountains. Instead she’s attacked by a werewolf, taken as hostage and quarantined with a man that is just far too tempting for her sanity.

Thoughts

As with all of Jeaniene Frost’s stories so far, I absolutely adored this story. She has a way of writing that combines strong women with difficult situations and a heavy dose of romantic lust that always leaves me with a huge smile on my face. There is just something about this writing that is a poignant reminder of why Frost is one of my favourite writers.

Yet, it’s not all sunshine and roses (again, why I like Frost’s writing)… there is a harsh beginning as the lead female is turned against her will and attacked. A sense of trying to find out who she is in a new world and re figure out how to exist. Many of the paranormal romances I read feature a turning that is unwilling and unwanted. Something which would be dreadful. This still follows that trend (and I kind of expect it from most, because who would really want to be a monster?), but it gives a much happier ending. One that isn’t too sappy either.

This short story, as much as it’s a romance, is all about choice. She gets to choose how to live, there is punishment because her choice is taken from her and the two love interests eventually choose to be together. In fact, the biggest divider for them is the fact that originally she is choosing not to succumb to their attraction…

 <- Pele’s Tears ReviewWhen Gargoyles Fly Review ->
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Pele’s Tears by Catherine Mulvany

Book Review, , ,
Overview
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Title: Pele’s Tears
Author: Catherine Mulvany
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 16th November 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: She upended the box, staring in despair at battered copies of National Geographic and Scientific American.

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Synopsis

She’s the girl that he fell in love with. And he’s the PI she’s hired to find out what happened to her Grandmother. Will Pele’s Tears give them their happily ever after?

Thoughts

I love that this paranormal romance is partly set in Hawaii. It’s not a common setting for most of the stories that I read…and not only did I love the change, but I also haven’t had the pleasure of being there myself, so it bought to life one of the destinations on my bucket list.

Everyone has that “what if” person in their lives. That person they spend their whole time wondering what would have happened “if”. For some of us, this “what if” isn’t really bittersweet or one that we linger on. Or at least, for me, it certainly isn’t. Yet, this short story is such a tale. Not only is it a “what if” for the current generation in the story, but it’s also one for her grandmother.

Stories of the old gods and goddesses always draw me in completely. The fact that this goddess is all about giving someone a final few days with the love of her life and fixing up things so that the future is better… well, I can understand the sacrifice of Pele’s Tears…

 <- Night Vision ReviewPack Review ->
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Night Vision by Maria V. Snyder

Book Review, , ,
Overview
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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 ->
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Once a Demon by Dina James

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
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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 ->
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Trinity Blue by Eve Silver

Book Review, , ,
Overview
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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 ->
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The Tuesday Enchantress by Mary Jo Putney

Book Review, , ,
Overview
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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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Light Through Fog by Holly Lisle

Book Review, , ,
Overview
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Title: Light Through Fog
Author: Holly Lisle
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, Ghosts, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 30th September 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: “It’s not cancer,” he said softly.

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Synopsis

Sarah is trying to move on after the devastating loss of her husband. But a night deep in the fog might help her to cross to another world where he was waiting for her. To spend their ever after together.

Thoughts

This story bought tears to my eyes. It was beautiful, sweet and totally made me believe in true love. And the idea that love crosses boundaries. Even if that boundary is death. It’s the kind of story which makes you believe that there are more things on heaven and earth than you could ever dream, and maybe you should believe just for that one moment longer.

The atmosphere of this story is beautifully creepy. You can kind of guess that from the mention of fog in the title. The swirling of fog in each meeting, the moments which Sarah and her deceased husband manage to steal away together… that question of “what if” lingers throughout this story. Yet it doesn’t manage to be creepy… rather an ethereal and beautiful tale.

Possibly my favourite moment ever happens at the end of the story. When Sarah is able to pretty much turn around and say F*** you to all of the horrible naysayer. Family might mean a lot, but there are certain aspects of family and decisions we make that count towards true family…

 <- Daniel ReviewThe Tuesday Enchantress Review ->
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Daniel by C. T. Adams and Cathy Clamp

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
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Title: Daniel
Author: C.T. Adams & Cathy Clamp
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 21st September 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Cut off the head?

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Synopsis

On a routine night on the job, she runs into a completely horrific vampire. It’s enough to throw her into the arms of the one that she loves… but at what cost? Will they survive the coming battle?

Thoughts

This story didn’t quite go the way that I expected. I was kind of anticipating the lead to be a woman who had some serious ties to the paranormal world. And maybe even some powers of her own that would help her in her chosen career. Not really the case, she has a single, kind of sexy, tie to the paranormal world. But nothing more. Nothing more intense and terrifying. Just one Daniel that (I think) lives in her home and is her friendly companion…

There is something incredibly amusing about a mortal woman defending herself from a vengeful vampire with a super soaker. Something that had me laughing out loud, reflecting on this story and just remembering the general fun that I had while reading it even days after I turned the last page. I would like to think that even I could take on an angry undead with my awesome super soaker skills (alright, I’m delirious, but a girl can dream).

This isn’t quite that simple girl meets boy story. For starters, girl met boy way before the start of this story. And boy that girl meets in this story starts out by having his throat cute open by a pair of keys. But it does have that simplicity and sweetness. Girls almost death makes boy make a move. Girl and boy get together and vow to try and survive. They do survive and fun little happily ever after ensues… like I said. Fun, sweet and simple. Everything that I felt like in a short story at the time.

 <- How to Date a Superhero ReviewLight Through Fog Review ->
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How to Date a Superhero by Jean Johnson

Book Review, , ,
Overview
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Title: How to Date a Superhero
Author: Jean Johnson
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Superheroes
Dates read: 16th September 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: That was the frustrating thing about her gift; she only ever saw in glimpses and snatches, incomplete pieces.

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Synopsis

Farsight has had a crush on her partner, Steelhand for what seems like forever. But, he just won’t return her affections. So when she has a vision of what could happen between them, things are about to get a little awkward…

Thoughts

For all of my love of paranormal, people with superpowers and the many superhero movies, I’ve never actually read a story which features a superhero couple. Or at least, none that I remember. And I only have one superhero book on my entire bookshelf. Which is saying something… is this a niche that I need to expand on?

This story didn’t actually have a couple getting together. It had all of the lead up, it had the premonition of it happening… but it didn’t actually happen. Which was different, and unique. I kind of liked it though. It really took the idea of leaving a short story open ended and emphasised this. After all, they are planning on getting together, but there is still the little matter of the villains to contend with…

After reading this short story, I just wanted to delve into the world of superheroes. For me, this story wasn’t so much about romance, but about the genre of people running around in tights. Which is why, as soon as I finished it, I pulled out a copy of Smallville and put it in my DVD player… if I can’t immediately find a superhero book, I may as well watch a superhero show…

 <- Taking Hold ReviewDaniel Review ->
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