Tag Archives: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance

Taking Hold by Anya Bast

Book Review, , ,
Overview
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Title: Taking Hold
Author: Anya Bast
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Werewolves
Dates read: 25th August 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: “It’s uh-” She swallowed hard.

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Synopsis

Casey is out in the wilderness trying to find a lost young man. But the werewolf who is assisting her might just be more of a temptation than she can bear.

Thoughts

This is one of those short stories that I thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed in the moment. But kind of forgot about once I turned that final page. Even writing this review, I had to flick back to it just to remember what I’d actually read. Maybe I’ve just been reading a little too much werewolf / shapeshifter paranormal romance of late…

Something which this short story did was make me really, really want to pick up Lora Leigh’s Breeds series. The positioning of the werewolf as a totally separate species, and not human at all kind of reminded me of that. And also the stupidity that we kind of have in our own separations, if someone is not exactly like us, they are often considered as somehow less than human, even if there is a whole heap of evidence to the contrary. The fact that this was done through the vessel of a loner werewolf and outcast teacher made the point far more subtle, but it was still there.

The care for a child is something that I think ties everyone together. Or at least, it does in this story. Even though the child in question is sixteen, the cusp of innocence is still there are Casey and Mac race against time and hunters to rescue him. It helped to bring a more humanitarian element to the storyline and detract a little from the intense passion, which kind of felt needed at this point of the collection.

 <- John Doe ReviewHow to Date a Superhero Review ->
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John Doe by Anna Windsor

Book Review, , ,
Overview
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Title: John Doe
Author: Anna Windsor
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Angels, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 31st July 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: She took a deep breath, knowing he needed to understand everything.

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Synopsis

Dutch knows that there are dark things in the world. What she doesn’t expect to find is love when the man who is supposed to protect her from them shows up at her psychiatric ward.

Thoughts

The most disappointing aspect of this story was that it was so short and it isn’t part of a greater series. I know, a pretty common complaint for me. I always love when I read a really good short story and it turns out that there’s a whole series that I can stick my greedy little literary nose into. But the premise of a half-angel and her protector (who also happens to be her lover) was incredibly fun. And it was seriously disappointing when I found out that it was a standalone – there was just some incredibly brilliant world building going on!

In July I seemed to read a few stories which feature psychiatric facilities and asylums. A bit of a random theme, but it worked really well in John Doe. After all, Dutch finds out that there are far more serious things going on in the world than she had ever anticipated. Add that to the fact that she lives in isolation from everybody and is celebrating her thirtieth birthday alone… it worked really well to make Dutch seem like she’s lonely and unsure as to what she wants to do with her life. The appearance of Shant changes that all. And injects this amazingly fun and sassy side of the lead that I really wasn’t expecting.

Most of the paranormal romances I’ve been reading lately feature the couple for the entirety of the story. This tale on the other hand doesn’t have the male love interest in it for as long. He goes missing for a fair while and then returns towards the end. The period of separation though worked beautifully for the structure of this tale and I loved the slight department from what I would consider a more traditional tale.

 <- Paranormal Romance Blues ReviewTaking Hold Review ->
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Paranormal Romance Blues by Kelley Armstrong

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
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Title: Paranormal Romance Blues
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Women of the Otherworld Companion
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women
Dates read: 12th July 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: “What did he look like?”

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Synopsis

She’s a half demon who keeps striking out in love. But when she goes to a vampire bar and runs across a far stronger mystery, and maybe even a way to get out of her paranormal romance blues.

Thoughts

One of the things that has always disappointed me about the Women of the Otherworld series is the fact that there isn’t a novel dedicated entirely to Aaron and Cassandra. I like this version of vampires and I think that it would be much fun. But, a short story in which they make an appearance leaves me quite happy.

There has never been one inkling in my desires to go to a vampire bar. Although I love paranormal fantasy tales, I find the very idea of such a themed bar to be kind of tawdry. Which the lead in this also seems to feel the same. She not only makes fun of the hired actors for the boring simplicity of their act. It’s the kind of smart-ass response I would personally have if someone dragged me to such a place. Although, it ends up working out quite well…

I enjoyed the twist in this story. The man that was thought to be the “bad guy” wasn’t, and the one who seemed kind of innocent, was kind of, well, evil. The juxtaposition between perceptions and reality was great, and I loved how there was a sense of hope and wonder when the last page was turned.

<- Succubus SeductionJohn Doe ->

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Succubus Seduction by Cheyenne McCray

Book Review, , ,
Overview
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Title: Succubus Seduction
Author: Cheyenne McCray
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 11th July 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: As soon as his hands were free, he tried pushing her to the floor, but she took control and rolled him onto his back so that she was on top.

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Synopsis

Liln has to seduce Archer if she wants to remain an immortal succubus. But things aren’t quite what they seem and she’s about to discover that some things are worth more than immortality.

Thoughts

There’s nothing like a good paranormal romance short story to give you a bit of a break from the piles of papers that you have to read. Or at least, that’s how I feel about it. And McCray’s short story about a succubus with a mission was perfect. There was a great level of lust and passion in the story, but the idea of betrayal and insecurity in the tale was far more enjoyable.

I was kind of expecting Liln to be successful in her attempts at seduction. After all, she’s a succubus and he’s a mere mortal. But, as with all good short stories, it doesn’t quite work out that way. Rather, mortality and a happily ever after is on the horizon. And, frankly, I much rather that ending than one that is filled with lustful guilt at the turning of the last page. Although, don’t get me wrong, I have a few of those stories sitting on my shelves, and they might be making their way into my “next read’ pile.

 <- The Temptation of Robin Green ReviewParanormal Romance Blues Review ->
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The Temptation of Robin Green by Carrie Vaughn

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
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Title: The Temptation of Robin Green
Author: Carrie Vaughn
Series: Kitty Norville #0.5
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance (Trisha Telep) & Kitty’s Greatest Hits (Carrie Vaughn)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy, Werewolves
Dates read: 3rd July 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Hoofed footfalls shuffled towards her through the wood shavings that covered the floor.

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Synopsis

Robin Green is a virgin and a scientist. But, when her newest research subject is an irresistible selkie, she might just be willing to give up anything for the temptation of being near him.

Thoughts

I don’t really know how I felt about this short story. I liked the idea, but since it was the first story in a collection of paranormal romance tales, I was expecting something a little more lustful and a lot less…well, pathetic. I wish I had a better word for Robin Green, but mostly I just found her pathetic. And kind of irritating. I’m hoping that I meet her again later in the series so that I can improve my opinion of her.

The idea of supernatural beings in a secret government research facility, not being treated as humans is not in the least bit surprising. After all, history is rife with similar activities against minority groups. And, even though this is a fantasy, it still made me incredibly uncomfortable. Which I suppose is the aim of the story. Or at least, one of the aims. The whole woman running away with a selkie was probably more so the point…

I still haven’t read any of the novels in the Kitty Norville series, but, yet again, reading a short story set in that world has made me itch to pick up the series and immerse myself in a whole new world.

 <- Conquistador de la Noche ReviewLooking After Family Review ->
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Grace of Small Magics by Ilona Andrews

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Small Magics

Title: Grace of Small Magics
Author: Ilona Andrews
In: Small Magics (Ilona Andrews) & The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook short story
Publisher: NYLA
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Too stunned to move, she simply stared.

Synopsis

A woman must repay her family’s debt to a shapeshifting magician.

Thoughts

Grace of Small Magics is a fantastic reminder that “offense is the best defense”. Grace’s quiet strength and stability in the face of overwhelming odds is inspiring, and her ability to take control of her future admirable. I love the way that Andrews uses this to poignantly remind us that just because someone appears mousey and weak, they are still capable of great feats.

Both the main characters in this story are battling their own inner demons and preconceived misconceptions. By working together and being themselves, they slowly are able to not only take account of their own past, but also find love and acceptance within each other. I love the idea that when you find someone, your past is just that, in the past, and your good points are grasped and embraced.

 <- Of Swine and RosesSmall Magics ->

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