Tag Archives: Vicki Pettersson

Unbound by Kim Harrison, Melissa Marr, Jeaniene Frost, Vicki Pettersson & Jocelynn Drake

Book Review, , , , , , , ,
Overview
Image result for unbound book cover kim harrison

Title: Unbound
Author: Kim Harrison, Melissa Marr, Jeaniene Frost, Vicki Pettersson & Jocelynn Drake
In: Unbound (Kim Harrison, Melissa Marr, Jeaniene Frost, Vicki Pettersson & Jocelyn Drake)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Short story collections, Strong women, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 29th March – 7th May 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology
Publisher: EOS
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Startled, Jenks turned in the air even as Daryl caught her breath only to start coughing.

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Synopsis

Five master of dark fantasy cross the borders between our world and others.

Not all huntersa are bound by human laws…

Revisiting the paranormal realms they’ve made famous in their wildly popular fiction, New York Times bestselling authors Kim Harrison, Jeaniene Frost, Vicki Pettersson and Jocelynn Drake – plus New York Times bestselling YA author Melissa Marr with her first adult supernatural thriller – unleash their full arsenal of dark talents, plunging us into the shadows where the supernatural stalk the unsuspecting… and every soul is a target. 88 Get ready for the ride of your life – because the wildest magic has just been unleashed…. and evil is about to have its day.

Thoughts

This was a great collection of urban fantasy novellas. Not only did it introduce me to a few new worlds (that are now sitting impatiently on my To Buy List), but it also swept me away into a couple of worlds that I already love, and can’t wait to sink my teeth into again and again. The great balance of known worlds and new ones made me incredibly excited to crack the pages of this collection, and I’m mostly just disappointed that it took me so long to do so…

The stories in Unbound run across a series of paranormal settings and creatures. Yet, they all have powerful women as their core. There is something that always draws me back again and again when the woman is the powerful lead, when she is independent and strong. Even if things tend to go a little haywire when they try to do the right thing…

It took me a little while to read this book. It wasn’t because I didn’t want to dive into the stories, but rather the opposite. I was a little concerned about the depths of my obsession with the stories. I didn’t want to go out and buy a heap of other novels when I still have so many to read. But, honestly, if I wasn’t concerned about spending too much money… I probably would have read all five of these novellas in a day or two. They were all completely amazing!

 <- Two Lines ReviewLey Line Drifter Review ->
Image source: Harper Collins Publisher

Dark Matters by Vicki Pettersson

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for unbound book cover kim harrison

Title: Dark Matters
Author: Vicki Pettersson
Series: Signs of the Zodiac #4.5
In: Unbound (Kim Harrison, Melissa Marr, Jeaniene Frost, Vicki Pettersson & Jocelyn Drake)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 3rd May 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: EOS
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: “Which means you think that ninety-six percent of what is up here is dark matter.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

JJ superhero has illicit affair with Shadow agent Solange.

Thoughts

I still haven’t yet had time to sink my teeth into the first Signs of the Zodiac novel. Yet, I seem to keep picking up the novellas and thoroughly enjoying them. And this one was no different. Taking the idea of love and polar opposites and twisting it into a story that was both fun and kind of tragic. Especially when JJ is left at the end, clutching a broken heart and forced to face an unhopeful future.

There is something fun about a tale where total opposites attract. And although mostly this is just slight personality quirks, in Dark Matters, it is actually opposites. Yin and yang. Dark and light. And although you kind of spend a lot of the time hoping that you’re not right about the darkness. That this is actually a story about love and destiny. There are so many hints that it’s not quite what you want, but enough that keeps you hoping. Which makes the crash at the end of the story all the more bittersweet and powerful.

I can’t wait to see where this novella fits into the rest of the Signs of the Zodiac world. And, well, sink my teeth into the novels that are sitting on my shelves, just waiting to be read.

 <- Reckoning ReviewThe Dead, the Damned and the Forgotten Review ->
Image source: Harper Collins Publisher

The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance edited by Trisha Telep

Book Review, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Overview
The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance

Title: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance
Author: Trisha Telep, Sherri Erwin, Caitlin R. Kiernan, Jenna Black, Jenna Maclaine, Raven Hart, Delilah Devlin, Keri Arthur, Kimberly Raye, Alexis Morgan, Lilith Saintcrow, C.T. Adams, Cathy Clamp, Susan Sizemore, Dina James, Colleen Gleason, Barbara Emrys, Savannah Russe, Shiloh Walker, Vicki Pettersson, Rebecca York, Rachel Vincent, Amanda Ashley, Karen Chance & Nancy Holder
Series: Mammoth Books
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Short story collections, Vampires
Pace: Fast
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: I have travelled the world in search of knowledge, studied with every important intellectual from da Vinci to Hawking.

Synopsis

Love is a weapon in the face of evil.

From the biggest names in paranormal romance, here are over 25 tales of a hunger like no other…

Let Karen Chance, Keri Arthur, Lilith Saintcrow, C.T. Adams and Cathy Clamp, Amanda Ashley, Vicki Pettersson and Susan Sizemore and others take you hot-blooded on the trail of the sexiest creatures of the night.

In the world of the Undead there are strange codes of conduct, dark rituals and dating games, as they seduce the locals and engage in the most sensual encounters you’ll sink your teeth into this side of the grave.

These ain’t your mother’s vampires!

Thoughts

I kind of loved this collection. It definitely isn’t one that you can read cover to cover in one sitting – there’s only so many vampire romances that I can happily read before they start to blend into one. But as a slow read that I just picked up every now and again… it was really, really good.

The short stories in this collection ranged from the classical and predictable vampire stories to ones that took a whole new spin on the ideal. Some were just sweet and some just downright disturbing. And although they all follow a similar theme, not one is the same. I now have a very long list of new authors and series that I want to sink my teeth into…

<- Red Letter DayFade to Black ->

Image source: Goodreads

Remember the Blood by Vicki Pettersson

Book Review, ,
Overview
The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance

Title: Remember the Blood
Author: Vicki Pettersson
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Vampires
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: And while the scream is gratifying, it’s the scent of his elixir, fouled though it is, that causes her appetite to rear.

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Synopsis

Ina and Alexander are meant for each other, but what will they do to keep their immortal romance alive?

Thoughts

I struggled with this short story. I absolutely loved it, but I found it quite sick and twisted, and thus a little more difficult to deal with. Actually, I finished this story going… huh and a little bit eeeeew. Not quite the way I normally finish a romance story.

I have read a few of Pettersson’s stories now, and one of the things that I often love about her writing is the fact that it is never quite what I expect and it always leaves me feeling entertained and bemused. This short story, featuring a couple that will literally sacrifice anything to have their immortality together certainly left me feeling a little perplexed. It took a new spin on vampirism and what must be sacrificed for immortality. A new take on the ways in which we keep our love and romance alive in a long-term relationship. Although, not a way in which I would ever suggest keeping romance alive if you have a conscience…

 <- Hunter’s Choice ReviewThe Sacrifice Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Holidays Are Hell by Kim Harrisson, Lynsay Sands, Marjorie M. Liu & Vicki Pettersson

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Holidays Are Hell

Title: Holidays are Hell
Author: Kim Harrison, Lynsay Sands, Marjorie M. Liu & Vicki Pettersson
In: Holidays Are Hell (Kim Harrison, Lynsay Sands, Marjorie M. Liu & Vicki Pettersson)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Short story collections, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Harper Fiction
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: The cold hit me, and I held my crossed arms close now for warmth.

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Synopsis

This holiday, spend quality time with family and loved ones—living and dead . . .

There’s no place like home for the horrordays—unless you’d prefer a romantic midnight walk through a ghost-infested graveyard . . . or a haunted house candlelight dinner with the sexy vampire of your dreams. The (black) magical season is here—and whether it’s a solstice séance gone demonically wrong with the incomparable Kim Harrison, a grossly misshapen Christmas with the remarkable Lynsay Sands, a blood-chilling-and-spilling New Year’s with the wonderful Marjorie M. Liu, or a super-powered Thanksgiving with the phenomenal Vicki Pettersson, one thing is for certain: in the able hands of these exceptional dark side explorers, the holidays are going to be deliciously hellish!

Thoughts

I was expecting a far more intense Christmas-theme throughout this collection of four novellas. Although all four are set within the holiday season, one of the stories heavily themes Thanksgiving, another the Chinese New Year. So, although not completely about Christmas, the holiday themes that I was expecting were still there, playing a great backdrop against the urban fantasy battles and tales that unfold across the pages.

Compared to the rest of the holiday collections I’ve been reading recently, Holidays Are Hell has a much darker spin on the holidays. The stories that take up this collection aren’t completely dark and twisty, but they’re not light, shining and hopeful. Kind of a bit more realistic about the joys of Christmas as I’ve felt them for the last few years…

 <- The Harvest ReviewTwo Ghosts for Sister Rachel Review ->
Image source: Harper Collins Publishers

The Harvest by Vicki Pettersson

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Holidays Are Hell

Title: The Harvest
Author: Vicki Pettersson
Series: Signs of the Zodiac #1.5
In: Holidays Are Hell (Kim Harrison, Lynsay Sands, Marjorie M. Liu & Vicki Pettersson)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Dark fantasy, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Harper Fiction
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: At the Tulpa’s nod, Zoe tried for a lighter tone.

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Synopsis

Zoe’s granddaughter has been stolen by agents of the dark, and she’ll do anything to rescue her. Including teaming up with the team that she abandoned, and the only man she’s ever truly loved…

Thoughts

I’m not American. I have never been to, understood or had anything to do with Thanksgiving. My closest relationship to this holiday is what I see on movies, and the comments I see across social media. Having said all of that, this is certainly my first ever Thanksgiving-themed story. And it was incredibly enjoyable… I think I’m beginning to understand a bit of the American feelings towards this holiday… maybe… I’m still not even 100% sure what it’s about.

I’m a little disappointed that I didn’t have a chance to read The Scent of Shadows before The Harvest. Although this was an amazing novella in and of on itself, there were hints and ideas of the storyline from the first novel scattered throughout. Especially the trauma of Jo and Zoe’s role in her life. Yet, there is such a hint of an amazing untold story that I am fighting the urge to rip the first novel off my shelf and just devour it… first I need to finish some of the other books I have on my shelf… time for a little self-control and discipline…

 <- Six ReviewHolidays are Hell Review ->
Image source: Harper Collins Publishers

Shifting Star by Vicki Pettersson

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

Dark and Stormy KnightsTitle: Shifting Star
Author: Vicki Pettersson
Series: Signs of the Zodiac #4.6
In: Dark and Stormy Knights (P.N. Elrod)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: She didn’t know if it was the small white lie or her tears dropping to his face that did the trick, but his eyes fluttered open long enough to reveal recognition touching his gaze.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

Star is newly human, but it takes her awhile to figure out what this entails – both the hope, the loss and the joy of being alive crash together as she races to save some young girls.

Thoughts

There is always a problem with reading short story collections, and that is finding a series that you really want to buy. This was one such series, and a series that some of the books don’t seem so easy to get my hands on. The fact that this is a bit darker than the other stories in Dark and Stormy Knights and I really loved the change in pace and genre.

Star is newly human (or physical, I’m still kind of fuzzy on the details of this) and there’s a great flirtation within the first few moments. Yet, I love how she is still so completely obviously closed off from the world around her. The potential doesn’t unfold until much later in the story, and as Star’s relationship blooms, the stakes become higher and higher.

I didn’t love the ending to this. Until I got the message in it. And now I kind of can’t stop thinking about what it was saying – that whole idea of living life to the full and what not worked brilliantly well. And now I can’t wait for the novels to arrive at my door…

 <- Beknighted Review Rookwood and Mrs. King Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Dark and Stormy Knights edited by P.N. Elrod

Book Review, , , , , , , , , , , ,
Overview
Dark and Stormy Knights

Title: Dark and Stormy Knights
Author: Ilona Andrews, Jim Butcher, Shannon K. Butcher, Rachel Caine, P.N. Elrod, Deidre Knight, Vicki Pettersson, Lilith Saintcrow & Carrie Vaughn
In: Dark and Stormy Knights (P.N. Elrod)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Easy reading, Short story collections
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Even today’s cleverest smiths are no match for the magic of the fomor.

Synopsis

It was a dark and stormy knight, and nine dark defenders are about to embark upon a perilous quest…

They’re the shadowy defenders of humanity – modern-day knights committing the darkest of deeds for all the right reasons. In this all-star collection, nine of today’s hottest urban fantasy authors bring us thrilling, all-new stories of the supernatural brimming with magic, mystery, and mayhem.

An unlikely hero goes head-to-head with a ruthless cantrev lord in Jim Butcher’s “Even Hand”. Kate Daniels is called upon for bodyguard duty to protect Saimen, a shifter she trusts less than her worst enemy, in Ilona Andrews’s “A Questionable Client”. At all costs, Cormac must stop a vicious werewolf before it attacks again on the next full moon in Carrie Vaughn’s “God’s Creatures”. And in Vicki Pettersson’s “Shifting Star”, Skamar reluctantly enlists the aid of her frustratingly sexy neighbor when she takes on a vengeful creature kidnapping young girls.

When everything’s on the line, can these sinister guardians complete their missions and live to fight another day? Find out in Dark and Stormy Knights!

Thoughts

I loved this collection. I loved it so much that I really didn’t want to put it down. And bought almost every series featured in this collection. Which has cost me a fair bit of money in the last few days… yes, I am well aware that I have a problem. And I’m a little bit concerned by how quickly and easily I fall into these amazing literary worlds.

I loved the variety of stories, genres and tales throughout this. I loved the fact that the dark fantasy common thread ran through seamlessly. And I loved that each time I turned the page something exciting and thrilling was leaping out at me. There’s actually not much negative that I can say about this collection. After all, it took me through the scale of emotions, a number of whirlwind adventures and made me feel like I never wanted to put this book down again. For any fans of fantasy, this is definitely one to add to your shelf.

 <- A Questionable ClientGod’s Creatures ->

Image source: Goodreads