Tag Archives: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2

The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 edited by Trisha Telep

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Overview
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Title: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2: Love Bites
Author: Trisha Telep, Jordan Summers, Deborah Cooke, Karen MacInerney, Caitlin Kittredge, Dina James, Camille Bacon-Smith, Rosemary Laurey, Patti O’Shea, Angie Fox, Caitlin R. Kiernan, Jamie Leigh Hansen, Carole Nelson Douglas, Diane Whiteside, Jaye Wells, Stacia Kane, Jennifer Ashley, Justine Musk, Jennifer St Giles, Dawn Cook, Nancy Holder, Larissa Ione, Jeanne C. Stein, Tiffany Trent, Ann Aguirre & Devon Monk
Series: Mammoth Books
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Short story collections, Vampires
Dates read: 22nd March – 9th November 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Le Cirque de la Nuit.

Synopsis

From the biggest names in vampire romance, 25 tales of a hunger like no other.

Bloodthirsty new vampire romance, including thrilling new stories from bestselling and award-winning authors aush as Jordan Summers, Jaye Wells, Larissa Ione, Jeanne C. Stein and Deborah Cooke. You’ll encounter gothic romance and gritty contemporary tales of urban vampire love, from stand-alone short stories to well-loved (and feared) characters from established series.

Ruthless but tortured, gifted with paranormal sensitivity and sexually mesmerizing, vampires show they can be gentle and caring, too.

Forget the everyday world. Forget the rules. Succumb to a different kind of love.

Thoughts

I really think that Twilight kind of ruined the idea of vampires for me. And vampires with romance… it’s something that I’ve taken forever to truly get into. And even now, with this collection, I thoroughly enjoyed it in short bursts. Some of these stories were absolutely amazing. Many others weren’t. And some sat nicely in the middle. Which mostly just made this collection, fun, easy and a great break from reality late at night when I was no longer able to concentrate.

Having said that, the introduction sounds kind of pessimistic. That’s not the case with this book. It’s definitely an anthology that I would suggest to others. And one that I think people would thoroughly enjoy. I’ll probably even read it again in the future – just take my sweet time about it to space out the vampire overload.

As with all of the other Mammoth Books that I’ve read so far, I found this a great introduction to authors. Both new ones, and a reminder that I need to add some previously read authors to my wishlist too. I just need to magically find more money to actually purchase everything that has been added into my list.

<- Untitled 12Paris After Dark ->

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Skein of Sunlight by Devon Monk

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
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Title: Skein of Sunlight
Author: Devon Monk
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 9th November 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Maddie still crouched, set herself, feet strong beneath her, shoulder forwards, knitting needles in her hand, ready for the impact.

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Synopsis

Maddie has survived a lot and come out on the other side with a strong sense of self. But all she really wants to do is find her perfect shop and immerse herself in the world of yarn. A chance meeting might just be the answer to all of her dreams. Or her death, one can never be really sure with vampires involved.

Thoughts

One of the few things that my mother and I share in common is a love of craft. I’m not quite as obsessive as she is. But I do share the obsession and fascination in the ways in which a simple piece of yarn can be turned into a beautiful jumper or scarf. A piece of clothing or decoration. The possibilities when you walk into a yarn shop are endless. Add to that a vampire story, and you also have an eternity in which these possibilities can occur.

I’ve been really enjoying the few Devon Monk stories that I’ve had the pleasure of reading. Which meant that it was really nice to end my reading of The Mammoth Book of Vampire Stories 2 with a story by such a well-loved author. Actually, it makes me want to pick up yet another one of her books and sink my teeth into it… I’m trying for a little self-control right now since I’m currently reading 25 books… but the temptation is seriously niggling.

Although this story is about yarn, it’s also about that part of growing older. When the shiney sheen of hope and life have started to wear and you look at the world around you with a more jaded point of view, but one that tends to be a little better balanced. And, it gives a great opening for a happily ever after that you can walk into with your eyes wide open.

 <- Circle Unbroken ReviewThe Mammoth Book of Vampire Stories by Women Review ->
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Circle Unbroken by Ann Aguirre

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Overview
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Title: Circle Unbroken
Author: Ann Aguirre
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 6th November 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Cyrus would be delighted to escort you.

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Synopsis

She’s the leader of her people and has to find a Chosen to sustain her long, long life. But, her latest Chosen seems to have cast a spell on her. One that even she may not be able to resist.

Thoughts

I’ve always imagined reincarnation as a bit of a circle – alright, in my head it’s a seriously squiggly, knotted line. But, it joins up at either end in a never ending loop, so it’s kind of like a circle. Which means that a story in which this rebirth has been interrupted… it was kind of quickly going to pull me in.

At first I didn’t understand how this story was actually a romance. It mostly explored the horribleness of obsessive love. Not just for the focus of such an obsession. But also for the person who is feeling that obsession. I might be in love, but if I felt that way…I’d fight it just like the man in this story. the all-consuming, terrifying passion that is felt is not comfortable, not okay and seriously awkward.

This story was really about the circle of soul mates and lovers. About giving up everything for the one that you love and finding a way to make your own happily ever after. Even if you are a vampire who has to take a new lover frequently to slake the thirst…

<- The Vampire, the Witch and the Yenko ReviewSkein of Sunlight Review ->
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The Vampire, the Witch and the Yenko by Tiffany Trent

Book Review, , ,
Overview
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Title: The Vampire, the Witch and the Yenko
Author: Tiffany Trent
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 31st October 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: I won’t give you what you want.

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Synopsis

A witch bounty hunter has a score to settle. A male vampire just doesn’t want to be used as a stud. Will they be able to work together for a better future?

Thoughts

I’ve never read a vampire story where the female vampires go into heat and effectively rape the male vampires. Or use them for stud, whichever way it can be looked at. In this short story, the crazy female vampire definitely had a rapey vibe. But I did love that it was a very unique take on vampire reproduction, society and morphology. Also that the vampire society described was matriarchal, not patriarchal (another first).

A vampire, and a witch bounty hunter are a pretty fun match. Especially when they are both aiming for similar things, working on cars together and just generally fighting injustice. A very fun little connection, especially when, yet again, the woman ends up rescuing the man and being the powerhouse in the relationship. It’s nice when more common gender roles are turned about.

Whilst I enjoyed this story, it still had a bit of a lah storyline. Overall, the tale was great. But, I tended to find that it was over explained in the wrong parts, and rushed through the more interesting bits. Not really to my taste… but that could have also been my mood at the time.

 <- The Ghost of Leadville ReviewCircle Unbroken Review ->
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The Ghost of Leadville by Jeanne C. Stein

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Overview
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Title: The Ghost of Leadville
Author: Jeanne C. Stein
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 (Trisha Telep) & Vampires: The Recent Undead (Paula Guran)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Vampires, Westerns, Wild west
Dates read: 29th October 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: We do not.

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Synopsis

She’s lived in Leadville before. But it was a different time, a different place, and full of fond memories. The Wild West meets vampires and a life full of regret.

Thoughts

This is a beautiful, bittersweet short story about loss and the possibilities of a future. It’s kind of sweet, incredibly nostalgic and a nice little read to occupy your time for about 10 minutes. I loved the narrative voice of this tale – she’s waxing nostaligic about her past love, but not in a way that makes you completely regret her past.

I thoroughly enjoyed the time travelling aspects of this – it starts in the present, flickers to the past, and then shudders back into the present again. Giving the reader not only an insight into modern-day vampiric life, but also the joys and tragedies of her past as she works towards a more interesting future. Or at least one that she’s a little happier with and more involved in.

I loved the fact that this is a Western Vampire story. you have Doc Holliday and Billy the Kid. A saloon. And a prostitute. All aspects of stories which I quite enjoyed and want to find out more about in the future…

 <- Eternity Embraced ReviewThe Vampire, the Witch and the Yenko Review ->
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Eternity Embraced by Larissa Ione

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Overview
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Title: Eternity Embraced
Author: Larissa Ione
Series: Demonica #3.5
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Demons, Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 27th October 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Then we consider your idea about moving to New York.

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Synopsis

Desire…
Demon slayer Andrea Cole has always taken down the demons and vampires she hunts without mercy. But when a fellow slayer is captured and turned into a vampire by a sadistic monster, she must choose between loyalty to her family and the man she loves.

Versus Instinct…
Kaden Quinn has dedicated his life to slaying vampires, so when he is turned into one, his greatest nightmare comes to life. And when the woman he loves is thrown into a dungeon with him ― as food ― he must battle new instincts and old desires, and choose between his life, and hers.

Thoughts

This story is a bit of a cliffhanger, and as I was reading it, I was seriously hoping that it was part of a greater series. I was lucky, it is. Which makes me super happy, because this world building is brilliant. Although, I wanted more of a backstory… which I will get when I finally buy the novels!!!

This is so a true love conquers all kind of story… after all, it’s the thing which makes sure that Kaden doesn’t turn evil. Even when Andrea fully expects him to. This isn’t a ride off into the sunset, happily ever after story. It’s more of a there’s a chance for the future, but we’re not really sure what’s going to happen next kind of tale. And it’s the perfect hook to make you want to buy the rest of the series.

Eternity Embraced is an incredibly sweet, beautiful story. It’s an easy read, and one that sweeps you away for five, ten minutes. Just enough to sweep you off your feet and make you believe in true love again. Or at least, a love that give you an amazing future.

 <- Blood Gothic ReviewThe Ghost of Leadville Review ->
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Blood Gothic by Nancy Holder

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Overview
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Title: Blood Gothic
Author: Nancy Holder
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 (Trisha Telep) & By Blood We Live (John Joseph Adams)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Mental health, Vampires
Dates read: 18th October 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: She awoke from these dreams drenched in sweat and feeling exhausted.

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Synopsis

She’s been dreaming of her vampire lover for years. Now she just has to wait until he finally comes to claim her. But, things may not be quite as they seem when she finally returns from her trip to Transylvania.

Thoughts

I really wouldn’t call this a romance. And I would not have expected to find such a story in a collection of vampire romance stories. There is just nothing romantic about this tale. Obsessive, yes. Vampiric, kind of. But romantic? Nope, nope, nope. And if someone reads this thinking that it’s romantic… they need to sort their brains out a little better…

Ever since Twilight came out, I didn’t really understand the vampire obsession. After all, vampires feed on humans. In the last few years, I’ve read some stories that are romantic and lustful, but that teenage, angsty attachment and obsession? Still really don’t get it. This short story kind of feels like it echoes that. This woman is completely fixated on the idea of a vampire lover that visits her in her dreams. But I’m not sure that he’s actually real. Her obsession turns to a sickness of some kind and I kind of like to believe that the end of the story is actually a gentle way to say that it is the end of her life. Completely due to a weird obsession and an inability to find the reality in the world.

In a book of romantic, lustful tales, this short story leaves you with a somewhat uncomfortable feeling. It’s a bit huh, a bit weird, and a complete reminder of the idea that sometimes we need to stop and look at our obsessions. Pause so that we can take a step back and fix our own mental health. Or at least, that’s what this story reminded me of.

 <- With Friends Like These ReviewEternity Embraced Review ->
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With Friends Like These by Dawn Cook

Book Review, , ,
Overview
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Title: With Friends Like These
Author: Dawn Cook
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Urban fantasy, Vampires
Dates read: 15th October 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: “You can’t kill me,” he said, boots scuffing.

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Synopsis

His roommate has a way with women. And people in general. But, even if he’s a little bit jealous… he loves their nightly run. That is, until he finds out the truth about Jim…

Thoughts

Alright, so the friend in this kind of sucks. He uses his room mate to find his way back into the vampire hierarchy. He kind of drugs him. And then he almost gets him killed. Oh, and he’s a douche nugget to women. Like I said, a really bad friend… but what can you expect, he’s a vampire.

My biggest issue with this story though is the fact that they like to run late at night. I don’t like running. I would never run in a city… and doing so late at night? That just seems ridiculously unrealistic. Like stupidly, unbelievably unrealistic. Who the heck runs late at night in a city in a dangerous part of town? Oh, right, a vampire and his pet friend…

This was a really well written story, one that I thoroughly enjoyed. But it did kind of leave a sour taste in my mouth… after all, he stuck with the insane vampire even after her realised how much manipulation had occurred. And the nasty vampire man also treated women like trash… I know that I definitely don’t need (or want) friends like these…

 <- Point of No Return ReviewBlood Gothic Review ->
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Point of No Return by Jennifer St Giles

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Overview
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Title: Point of No Return
Author: Jennifer St Giles
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Historical fiction, Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 26th September 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: How could a mortal believe a slayer over a man like you?

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Synopsis

She’s been half in love with a statue for as long as she can remember. But when she meets the man in real life, her life may just be put in jeopardy. Will he arrive in time to save her?

Thoughts

Love hits us all. Not so often in the form of an obsession with a statue. But it still hits us. Luckily, nothing untoward happens with the statue… rather it happens with the man who inspired the physique. Which I can kind of understand… I too have stared at some gorgeously constructed artwork…

Prejudice exists in everyday life. But it seems to be so much more potent when told through the lens of fantasy and fiction. Maybe something to do with the fact that it removes us a little further from the situation, so we can see it a lot clearer. I like that instead of focusing on vampire prejudice (I have a LOT of those stories), this tale focuses instead on assumptions made about women and their sexuality. Actually, it was mostly the belief that she’s a witch because of her red hair… but still…

Every action has a consequence. I kind of hate the consequences in this story… in trying to save the woman he loves from a life of the night, he inadvertently places her in even more serious danger. Danger which makes you want to reach through the pages and punch the idiots who perpetrate it in the face. But that’s a soap box moment for another day…

 <- I Need More You ReviewWith Friends Like These Review ->
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I Need More You by Justine Musk

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
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Title: I Need More You
Author: Justine Musk
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Angels, Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 20th September
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: “Vincent.”

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Synopsis

She travels across the world to hear his call. To be reunited with the man that she loves… but how can she be sure that this fallen angel loves his nightwalker back?

Thoughts

The part of this story that I liked the most was the setting. Using the backdrop of Burning Man was completely novel and intriguing. It’s something that I’ve only vaguely heard of and been a little intrigued by. And it’s a setting that I’ve never come across before.

The poignancy of the setting of Burning Man and letting things go worked incredibly well for this story. The narrator follows a fallen angel and man all over the world, following a secret call that helps her to find her love. But after a few blissful moments of reunion, the cycle is repeated again. It honestly sounds like an intensely painful and irritating way to maintain a sexual relationship. But, at the end there is a kind of farewelling of the past and a hope for the future.

This wasn’t quite the vampire romance story that I expected. It really wasn’t even all that vampire-based. Alright, the narrator was a vampire, but there really wasn’t a moment in it that this seemed to take key place within the storyline. She more read like a mortal who happened to have a dietary concern… for the majority of the story. I think that this, along with the vagueness of the relationship made this story a bit bleugh for me, although still not horrifying.

 <- The Scotsman and the Vamp ReviewPoint of No Return Review ->
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