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Ghosts, vampires, demons, and more! Entangled includes ten suspense-filled paranormal short stories from authors Cynthia Eden, Jennifer Estep, Edie Ramer, Lori Brighton, Michelle Diener, Misty Evans, Nancy Haddock, Liz Kreger, Dale Mayer, and Michelle Miles, plus a Seven Deadly Sins novella by Allison Brennan. Stacia Kane contributed the foreword. Formatting and cover art were also donated to the project by Lori Devoti and Laura Morrigan.All proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.Stories FROST by USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Estep (author of the Mythos Academy, Elemental Assassin, and Bigtime series) — It's Halloween at Mythos Academy, but Gwen Frost and her friends are in for more tricks than treats when they run into a mythological monster intent on killing them.THE FAT CAT by Edie Ramer (author of Cattitude, Galaxy Girls) — In a battle for the souls of seven women, a wizard has the god of war on his side; all the witch has is a fat, black cat.MEDIUM RARE by Nancy Haddock (author of the Oldest City Vampire trilogy) —What’s spooking the spirits of St. Augustine? As the witching hour of Halloween approaches, ghost seer Colleen Cotton must team with a by-the-book paranormal investigator to locate the one ghost who can save the city’s specters. If she fails, her own great grandfather’s spirit may be lost forever.SWEET DEMON by Misty Evans (author of the Witches Anonymous series) —When Chicago’s vampire king insists Kali Sweet join his empire, the vengeance demon must rely on her ex – the half-human, half-chaos demon who left her at the altar three hundred years ago – in order to escape the vamp’s clutches.SIAN’S SOLUTION by Dale Mayer (author of the Psychic Visions series) — When a vampire discovers the human man she loves has been captured and hung in a blood farm, she goes against her own kind and risks everything to save him.A BIT OF BITE by Cynthia Eden (author of NEVER CRY WOLF and ANGEL OF DARKNESS) — A killer is stalking the streets of Crossroads, Mississippi, and it's up to Sheriff Ava Dushaine to stop him. But when suspicion falls on werewolf alpha Julian Kasey—Ava’s ex-lover and the man who still haunts her dreams—Ava knows that she'll either have to prove his innocence...or watch the whole town go up in flames.SINFULLY SWEET by Michelle Miles (author of the Coffee House series) — When Chloe bakes a little magic into her pastries, she attracts the attention of Edward, the sexy half-demon, half-witch, who’s come to warn her those who murdered her sister are now after her.A NIGHT OF FOREVER by Lori Brighton (author of A Night of Secrets and To Seduce an Earl) — Who is Aidan Callaghan? Mary Ellen James is intent on uncovering the truth about the mysterious man, but as she soon finds out, some things are best left buried in the past. FEEL THE MAGIC by Liz Kreger (author of the Part of Tomorrow series) — Jenna Carmichael’s magical attempt to rectify Jessica Manfield’s birth identity takes an unexpected turn when the past comes back to haunt her.BREAKING OUT by Michelle Diener (author of the Tudor-set historical suspense novel In A Treacherous Court) — Imprisoned in a secret facility, powerful telekinetic Kelli Barrack and two other 'special' inmates grab a chance to escape, only to confront their worst nightmares on the outside. GHOSTLY JUSTICE, an all-new Seven Deadly Sins novella by New York Times bestselling author Allison Brennan (author of the Seven Deadly Sins series) — Demon hunters Moira O’Donnell and Rafe Cooper are dragged into the dangerous worl
434 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 7, 2011
8 people are currently reading
1710 people want to read
About the author
Edie Ramer
34 books187 followersEdie is funnier on the page than in real life. A USA Today bestselling author, she writes stories with heart, attitude, and magic. She lives in southeastern Wisconsin with her husband and a very special cat. She loves to hear from readers. You can connect with her at her website: www.edieramer.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
February 12, 2013
Another fabulous short, but sweet insight into Gwen. Here we now know that Gwen and Daphne are firm friends and obviously becoming closer. We also see that Logan is still there - with his side kick (I know, I know, it's his girlfriend but I don't like her ok!!)... but Gwen is slowly coming to terms with her changing life...
I look forward to the next book!
I look forward to the next book!
September 25, 2011
Halloween Frost by Jennifer Estep
This one is part of her Mythos Academy series though readers reading this one really won’t feel lost if they haven’t read the other books in the series. Based on the myths and gods and goddess it is story that is different and fun to read.
The Fat Cat by Edie Ramer
This story gives new meaning to witches and their love of cats though the cat in this story is anything but a typical cat and has a personality that makes this story very entertaining. Tory is the witch in this one that went to find the right cat and what she ends up with is not what she had in mind.
Medium Rare by Nancy Haddock
Has ghosts that keep things hopping in this one. The ghosts add humor to this one among other things to the story. The story line is interesting and brings history to life. The ghosts also add a mystery to the story that really moves the plot along.
Sweet Demon by Misty Evans
Kali Sweet is a demon that gives the reader a completely different view of the typical demon. This one has vampires too that make this an interesting story to read. With demons and vampire you can’t go wrong with this one.
Sian’s Solution by Dale Mayer
Sian is a vampire that has her eyes opened to the world she is living in and one that she didn’t expect at all. She knows she is going to have to act to stop those that she believes are acting in a way that is bad for everyone.
A Bit of a Bite by Cynthia Eden
Sheriff Ava Dushaine seems to suddenly have a problem on her hands and not just in the form of the local werewolf alpha, Julian Kasey. Something is going on between the local humans, werewolves and vampires. Ava just has to try and forget her attraction to Julian to get to the bottom of what is going on.
Sinfully Sweet by Michelle Miles
Chloe O’Shea is a witch that is enjoying her life just the way it is. Then the sexiest man she has ever seen walks through the door of her bakery and everything changes. Only time will tell if it is for the best or not.
A Night of Forever by Lori Brighton
This one takes the reader back in time when the world was different. Mary Ellen knows there is something different about Aiden Callaghan she just doesn’t know what that is. She might be attracted to him but she is sure that he isn’t the one for her though she just might be wrong about that one.
Feel the Magic by Liz Kreger
Jenna is a witch that is about to make history as long as she can do her job correctly if not then things are about to go bad very quickly. Jenna just has to keep control of herself long enough to get everything done.
Breaking Out by Michelle Diemer
The action here is very good and keeps the story moving along very quickly. The opening sentence pulls you into the story until you don’t want to stop reading until you find out what is going on with this one.
Ghostly Justice by Allison Brennan
This is part of the author’s Seven Deadly Sins series that seems to stand on its own quite well. It will also have the reader looking to get the other books in the series to find out more about the characters.
This is a book guaranteed to have a story for everyone. This is paranormal book that covers all the different spectrums of the paranormal world. The stories are short and very fast reads but the reader will not be left wanting. This one is sure to have something for everyone that reads it.
This one has a lot of big name authors writing in this book. It also has a wide range of authors which gives readers a chance to try an author they may have been thinking of trying. It also gives readers a chance to support a worth while cause in that the proceeds go to support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
This book has it all with ghosts, vampires, demons and shape shifters. The stories are engaging and with them being short they are the perfect way to take a break and enjoy some fun.
This one is part of her Mythos Academy series though readers reading this one really won’t feel lost if they haven’t read the other books in the series. Based on the myths and gods and goddess it is story that is different and fun to read.
The Fat Cat by Edie Ramer
This story gives new meaning to witches and their love of cats though the cat in this story is anything but a typical cat and has a personality that makes this story very entertaining. Tory is the witch in this one that went to find the right cat and what she ends up with is not what she had in mind.
Medium Rare by Nancy Haddock
Has ghosts that keep things hopping in this one. The ghosts add humor to this one among other things to the story. The story line is interesting and brings history to life. The ghosts also add a mystery to the story that really moves the plot along.
Sweet Demon by Misty Evans
Kali Sweet is a demon that gives the reader a completely different view of the typical demon. This one has vampires too that make this an interesting story to read. With demons and vampire you can’t go wrong with this one.
Sian’s Solution by Dale Mayer
Sian is a vampire that has her eyes opened to the world she is living in and one that she didn’t expect at all. She knows she is going to have to act to stop those that she believes are acting in a way that is bad for everyone.
A Bit of a Bite by Cynthia Eden
Sheriff Ava Dushaine seems to suddenly have a problem on her hands and not just in the form of the local werewolf alpha, Julian Kasey. Something is going on between the local humans, werewolves and vampires. Ava just has to try and forget her attraction to Julian to get to the bottom of what is going on.
Sinfully Sweet by Michelle Miles
Chloe O’Shea is a witch that is enjoying her life just the way it is. Then the sexiest man she has ever seen walks through the door of her bakery and everything changes. Only time will tell if it is for the best or not.
A Night of Forever by Lori Brighton
This one takes the reader back in time when the world was different. Mary Ellen knows there is something different about Aiden Callaghan she just doesn’t know what that is. She might be attracted to him but she is sure that he isn’t the one for her though she just might be wrong about that one.
Feel the Magic by Liz Kreger
Jenna is a witch that is about to make history as long as she can do her job correctly if not then things are about to go bad very quickly. Jenna just has to keep control of herself long enough to get everything done.
Breaking Out by Michelle Diemer
The action here is very good and keeps the story moving along very quickly. The opening sentence pulls you into the story until you don’t want to stop reading until you find out what is going on with this one.
Ghostly Justice by Allison Brennan
This is part of the author’s Seven Deadly Sins series that seems to stand on its own quite well. It will also have the reader looking to get the other books in the series to find out more about the characters.
This is a book guaranteed to have a story for everyone. This is paranormal book that covers all the different spectrums of the paranormal world. The stories are short and very fast reads but the reader will not be left wanting. This one is sure to have something for everyone that reads it.
This one has a lot of big name authors writing in this book. It also has a wide range of authors which gives readers a chance to try an author they may have been thinking of trying. It also gives readers a chance to support a worth while cause in that the proceeds go to support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
This book has it all with ghosts, vampires, demons and shape shifters. The stories are engaging and with them being short they are the perfect way to take a break and enjoy some fun.
Read
August 11, 2013Entangled: An Anthology To Benefit
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Sometimes it amazes me.
entangled
Your purchase helps fund Breast Cancer Research.
Please click the cover to purchase!!!!!
With all that is bad with this world, that some people can be so generous, giving and kind. That is what happened here, as this wonderful group of authors gave generously of their time to write this group of amazing shorts, especially to benefit the Beast Cancer Research Foundation.
As a survivor myself of advanced Stage III breast cancer, I cannot tell you what a great help the Foundation was to me, and to others like me. My heartfelt thanks to all these women who gave a part of their hearts in these stories!
Proceeds from this wonderful paranormal, contemporary anthology, Entangled, are being donated to the Foundation in full. Please, purchase a copy. It costs less than a cup of Starbucks Latte, and these stories will nourish your soul. Thank you!
Halloween Frost
A Mythos Academy short story
Jennifer Estep
www.jenniferestep.com
Gypsy girl Gwen Frost has the gift of psychometry – the ability to collect images from things she touches. Pretty cool, if a little nosy at times. Hey, she is a teenager, what should we expect?
In this short story, Gwen and her friend Daphne, a Valkyrie, are primping out for Halloween when we first meet them. Well, at least Daphne is. Gwen? Well, not so much.
I haven’t read any of Gwen’s young adult tales previously, though I have heard nothing but good from authors I know and admire. Set at Mythos Academy, the stories revolve around a teenage girl and her friends, learning magic, how to fight and how to serve their ancient Warrior Ancestors. Having not read Jennnifer’s work before I would say that the overall feel is very ‘Percy Jackson’ though, from this short reading, I would say that should I read the first of the series, First Frost I believe I would like Gwen and her friends quite a bit more than I liked Percy. One thing that does bother me about the story? Gwen apparently keeps getting her ashes pulled out of the fire by a “Big Strong Drool Worthy Spartan” – bummer. Girls rock, let’s see her Kick some butt, not get hers saved!!!! On top of that, Why is it the BOY teenage wizard characters get all the attention in the media?! No fair. I liked Gwen’s personality better than Harry’s too – shh… don’t tell anyone, I don’t want to be lynched! LOL
Cute story that gives you enough of a taste of the mythology and background to capture your interest and place Gwen and friends on your reading list if it isn’t already there.
Note: Jennifer Estep’s grandmother is a breast cancer survivor and this story was written to honor her strength and spirit, as well as that of other survivors.
The Fat Cat
Edie Ramer
http://www.edieramer.com
Another writer I haven’t previously read, Edie Ramer’s story, The Fat Cat was a perfect introduction to her writing. Funny, quirky and highly readable, Edie’s story is a happily-ever-after fairey tale with a healthy dollop of excitement to round it out.
Nikki just lost her loser boyfriend (thank goodness) and has decided that the perfect companion is no longer a man, but a cat. A young, healthy, female cat. After the loser boyfriend, she fully intends for her apartment to be a ‘penis-free’ zone! What she gets and where it goes from there is a fun romp of a tale with a surprise twist of an ending that left me uplifted and laughing. I believe it will leave you similarly touched.
Note: Edie is herself a breast cancer survivor. Though fairly young and doing all the right things for her health, Edie’s story is like many others who suffer this horrible disease. It strikes out of nowhere, destroying lives, families and souls.
Medium Rare
Nancy Haddock
http://www.nancyhaddock.com/
I have had the satisfaction of visiting with Nancy Haddock on Good Reads, and it has been a great pleasure. She is the person who originally introduced me to Entangled: A Paranormal Anthology when we talked about my own breast cancer, books, genres, writing and other ideas. She is a lovely person, inside and out.
Colleen Cotton worked her fanny off to get her degree and start her psychotherapy practice. However, finding clients was harder than she thought. Well, until she discovered a knack for ghosts. And then? Everything changed. Now, if it goes bump in the night (or the day, for that matter) Colleen can interact with it. And usually sooth it. Trouble is, once the ghost is gone, the client no longer needs her. Bummer.
In this short by Nancy, the ghosts are restless – not on behalf of others, as in a haunting, but rather on behalf of themselves. If the ghosts themselves are frightened, there must be something particularly nasty on the wind. And someone particularly handsome, and particularly slanderously rude stuck in her living room wing-back.
Now, besides the ghosts themselves having the heebie-jeebies, the legend of St. Augustine (a breast cancer and lymphoma survivor herself) has more trouble with her House Ghost Zavier who is spazing out in a most irritating manner. What is happening is a fascinating story, and brought me a great deal of pleasure. Mostly because Colleen is so likeable and her Da is a hoot. Will without a doubt add Nancy’s work to my read-list!
Note: Nancy lost her beloved grandmother to the ravages of breast cancer, as did far too many of her friends and family members. She begs that all women, young and old, do breast self-exams and have yearly mammograms, as well as living a healthy lifestyle.
Sweet Demon
Misty Evans
www.readmistyevans.com
What a cool thing to be – a Vengeance Demon! That is what Kali Sweet is, and her main goal in her existence is to protect humans. Oh, she can protect us from our own dumbass selves, but she can certainly try to save them from supernaturals. And working for the Bridge Council, the supernatural version of the Justice Department, lets her do just that.
Another author I hadn’t found before – how cool is that? This is the great thing about anthologies – you get to find all these wonderful authors you didn’t know about before you found their story amongst other little gems. And this one sparkled!
I adore it when stories and characters have a sense of humour, and Misty doesn’t disappoint. However, she weaves a deep layer of darkness through this story and has addicted me to her character. She will definitely be on my to-read list!
Note: Misty managed a breast and cervical cancer-screening program for uninsured women. She also lost an aunt to breast cancer, and recently had a friend go through a double mastectomy.
Sian’s Solution
Dale Mayer
http://www.dalemayer.com.
Vampires and humans are living in a fragile balance in this young adult short story by Dale Mayer, another author I was unfamiliar with. Geeze! You would think I never read! Sian is a vampire whom you first meet as she works desperately to free her lover, Taz, a human, from the clutches of a “Blood Farm” the humans know nothing about. A farm where humans are hung, like sides of meat, and kept for their blood. Her determination to save Taz, and her strength, endeared her to me.
Sian and Taz are minor characters in Dale’s Vampire in Denial series. If they are indicative of Dale’s characters, I look forward to finding time to read more of her work.
Note: Dale’s aunt and two friends are breast cancer survivors.
A Bit of Bite
Cynthia Eden
http://www.cynthiaeden.com
Crossroads, Mississippi. The home and stomping grounds of Sheriff Ava Dushaine, but not exactly the first place you would think of for paranormal activities to be the norm. Werewolves and vampires, oh what a set of critters to try to enforce law and order upon. Oy. Especially when it’s been only ten-years since the ‘coming out’ party for the goolies and goblies and things that go bump in the night. And the dead bodies that are currently showing up in Ava’s county. But who is to blame? The wolves? The vampires? Or something even more deadly?
Note: Cynthia speaks of friends who have struggled with breast cancer. Thank you, Cynthia, for your contribution to this anthology!
Sinfully Sweet
Michelle Miles
http://michellemiles.net/
I love scones. My favorite is dark chocolate chunks with dried cranberry and walnuts. Yummers, yummers!! So, of course, with the first page of Michelle’s story including scones and cupcakes and tarts, (oh, my!) I was happy to settle in for this story.
Chloe O’Shea is a baker with a secret. She is a witch on the run, running from her previous coven. A coven filled with secrets. Secrets, and murder. Hiding in plain site amongst the humans as a baker and owner of Sugar Mamma’s Bakery, Chloe has been enjoying her new life. Well, until a sexy hunka-hunka burning man invades her bakery. And suddenly, Sugar Mamma’s is under siege, and Chloe’s new life is blown all to hell.
Note: Michelle has donated her story to this anthology to honour all those who have suffered from not only breast cancer, but cancer of all types.
A Night of Forever
Lori Brighton
http://www.loribrighton.com/
Who was Aidan Callaghan? A seemingly simple question. With a rather complex answer . . .
I have to admit, I am not a fan of, what do you call it? Regency romance, I believe? This story is set in 1859 England, so whatever that means is what I mean! Surprisingly, however, I found this piece quite entertaining and pleasant. My feeling on these pieces is based on a despite for a society that saw and treated women as belongings. Women of the period were often little more than pretty baubles, with no power and no recourse from brutality or ill usage. I suppose that is why I have never cared for these period pieces – women as toys, easily left behind as broken bits, crushed under the male heel. This is a fate Mary Ellen is terrified of, and with good reason. Her background is one of crushing poverty, and she has no intention of returning there. When she meets Aidan, she sees only that falling for him could put her right back into that place, and it terrifies her. But Aiden is so utterly fascinating, so intriguing; she can’t help but wonder what his story might be. And his story is one she could never have imagined.
This is another lovely addition to the anthology. I may not read others of her works, but I found this quite pleasant overall. Should you be a lover of period pieces, this is highly recommended. Or even if you, as I, are not a lover of same, you may still find it as enjoyable as did I.
Note: Lori lost not only an aunt, but also a grandmother and a grandfather to cancer. This story was contributed to honour their memories, and to provide hope for those who still suffer.
Feel The Magic
Liz Kreger
http://www.lizkreger.com
Liz’s story is one I truly got a kick out of. Jenna is a Practitioner (a fancy title for a recognized witch) who has a big job to do. A weird, quirky job, but an important one, not only to her but to all Practitioners. Did I mention the weird part? Politics, backstabbing and nasty people, oh, my! A cat, a witch and a pimp walk into a bar . . .
This is a lovely little story, unusual and quirky, funny and well worth the read.
Note: Liz is a 15-year survivor!
Breaking Out
Michelle Diener
http://www.michellediener.com
Guess what, Michelle? You did a kickin’ job with your very first Contemporary/ Paranormal short! A self-avowed historical fiction writer, Michelle has written a terrific short story full of action, close calls, and a heartrending take on military horrors. Each time I think the last story was the best I read in this anthology, each author seems to kick things up a notch, in a very good way.
Kelli has been imprisoned and tortured for three years, her small gift of telekinesis pushed beyond all limits, while ‘Dr. Greenway’ and the sadistic orderlies torture and abuse her and her gifts, twisting her mind and body. She is nearly beyond all hope, when a fluke occurs, and Kelli has a chance. What happens next is by turns exciting, heart wrenching, and disappointing – disappointing because I would happily buy a book based upon this short story and I am not sure that there are any plans for one!
Note: Michelle’s grandfather, mother-in-law and aunt died of cancer, and she states that any small part she can play in helping to find a cure for this disease is something she is proud to do.
Ghostly Justice (A Seven Deadly Sins Novella)
Allison Brennan
www.sevendeadlysinsbooks.com
Detective Grant Nelson has had a bad month. A. Very. Bad. Month. Demons, black witches, supernatural war. And he had to cover it up. Besides the fact that his girlfriend was massacred in the mess. Now, he has another job to do, and some people he truly doesn’t like are the only ones who will be able to help him; that is, if anyone can help him at all. Did I mention that Detective Nelson has had a bad month?
This novella is partway through Allison’s Seven Deadly Sins series. Though it doesn’t fit ‘exactly’ into the concept of returning the Seven Deadly Sins Demons to Hell, it still does an excellent job of giving you a wonderful feel of the story behind the story, and introduces you to Moira and Rafe, kick-butt demon hunters, as they return a favour for the wounded Detective Nelson. The story is fast paced and truly interesting, with a solid story line and great character development. I had read the first of Allison’s series quite some time ago, but never got time to read the rest. After reading this novella? I believe my TBR list (which is groaning under the weight) may have to have a new addition.
Note: As Allison puts it; we all know someone, and sometimes more than one someone, who has been stricken by breast cancer. Thanks to Allsion, and all the other incredible authors who donated stories to this anthology, funding is just that much closer to helping find a cure.
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Sometimes it amazes me.
entangled
Your purchase helps fund Breast Cancer Research.
Please click the cover to purchase!!!!!
With all that is bad with this world, that some people can be so generous, giving and kind. That is what happened here, as this wonderful group of authors gave generously of their time to write this group of amazing shorts, especially to benefit the Beast Cancer Research Foundation.
As a survivor myself of advanced Stage III breast cancer, I cannot tell you what a great help the Foundation was to me, and to others like me. My heartfelt thanks to all these women who gave a part of their hearts in these stories!
Proceeds from this wonderful paranormal, contemporary anthology, Entangled, are being donated to the Foundation in full. Please, purchase a copy. It costs less than a cup of Starbucks Latte, and these stories will nourish your soul. Thank you!
Halloween Frost
A Mythos Academy short story
Jennifer Estep
www.jenniferestep.com
Gypsy girl Gwen Frost has the gift of psychometry – the ability to collect images from things she touches. Pretty cool, if a little nosy at times. Hey, she is a teenager, what should we expect?
In this short story, Gwen and her friend Daphne, a Valkyrie, are primping out for Halloween when we first meet them. Well, at least Daphne is. Gwen? Well, not so much.
I haven’t read any of Gwen’s young adult tales previously, though I have heard nothing but good from authors I know and admire. Set at Mythos Academy, the stories revolve around a teenage girl and her friends, learning magic, how to fight and how to serve their ancient Warrior Ancestors. Having not read Jennnifer’s work before I would say that the overall feel is very ‘Percy Jackson’ though, from this short reading, I would say that should I read the first of the series, First Frost I believe I would like Gwen and her friends quite a bit more than I liked Percy. One thing that does bother me about the story? Gwen apparently keeps getting her ashes pulled out of the fire by a “Big Strong Drool Worthy Spartan” – bummer. Girls rock, let’s see her Kick some butt, not get hers saved!!!! On top of that, Why is it the BOY teenage wizard characters get all the attention in the media?! No fair. I liked Gwen’s personality better than Harry’s too – shh… don’t tell anyone, I don’t want to be lynched! LOL
Cute story that gives you enough of a taste of the mythology and background to capture your interest and place Gwen and friends on your reading list if it isn’t already there.
Note: Jennifer Estep’s grandmother is a breast cancer survivor and this story was written to honor her strength and spirit, as well as that of other survivors.
The Fat Cat
Edie Ramer
http://www.edieramer.com
Another writer I haven’t previously read, Edie Ramer’s story, The Fat Cat was a perfect introduction to her writing. Funny, quirky and highly readable, Edie’s story is a happily-ever-after fairey tale with a healthy dollop of excitement to round it out.
Nikki just lost her loser boyfriend (thank goodness) and has decided that the perfect companion is no longer a man, but a cat. A young, healthy, female cat. After the loser boyfriend, she fully intends for her apartment to be a ‘penis-free’ zone! What she gets and where it goes from there is a fun romp of a tale with a surprise twist of an ending that left me uplifted and laughing. I believe it will leave you similarly touched.
Note: Edie is herself a breast cancer survivor. Though fairly young and doing all the right things for her health, Edie’s story is like many others who suffer this horrible disease. It strikes out of nowhere, destroying lives, families and souls.
Medium Rare
Nancy Haddock
http://www.nancyhaddock.com/
I have had the satisfaction of visiting with Nancy Haddock on Good Reads, and it has been a great pleasure. She is the person who originally introduced me to Entangled: A Paranormal Anthology when we talked about my own breast cancer, books, genres, writing and other ideas. She is a lovely person, inside and out.
Colleen Cotton worked her fanny off to get her degree and start her psychotherapy practice. However, finding clients was harder than she thought. Well, until she discovered a knack for ghosts. And then? Everything changed. Now, if it goes bump in the night (or the day, for that matter) Colleen can interact with it. And usually sooth it. Trouble is, once the ghost is gone, the client no longer needs her. Bummer.
In this short by Nancy, the ghosts are restless – not on behalf of others, as in a haunting, but rather on behalf of themselves. If the ghosts themselves are frightened, there must be something particularly nasty on the wind. And someone particularly handsome, and particularly slanderously rude stuck in her living room wing-back.
Now, besides the ghosts themselves having the heebie-jeebies, the legend of St. Augustine (a breast cancer and lymphoma survivor herself) has more trouble with her House Ghost Zavier who is spazing out in a most irritating manner. What is happening is a fascinating story, and brought me a great deal of pleasure. Mostly because Colleen is so likeable and her Da is a hoot. Will without a doubt add Nancy’s work to my read-list!
Note: Nancy lost her beloved grandmother to the ravages of breast cancer, as did far too many of her friends and family members. She begs that all women, young and old, do breast self-exams and have yearly mammograms, as well as living a healthy lifestyle.
Sweet Demon
Misty Evans
www.readmistyevans.com
What a cool thing to be – a Vengeance Demon! That is what Kali Sweet is, and her main goal in her existence is to protect humans. Oh, she can protect us from our own dumbass selves, but she can certainly try to save them from supernaturals. And working for the Bridge Council, the supernatural version of the Justice Department, lets her do just that.
Another author I hadn’t found before – how cool is that? This is the great thing about anthologies – you get to find all these wonderful authors you didn’t know about before you found their story amongst other little gems. And this one sparkled!
I adore it when stories and characters have a sense of humour, and Misty doesn’t disappoint. However, she weaves a deep layer of darkness through this story and has addicted me to her character. She will definitely be on my to-read list!
Note: Misty managed a breast and cervical cancer-screening program for uninsured women. She also lost an aunt to breast cancer, and recently had a friend go through a double mastectomy.
Sian’s Solution
Dale Mayer
http://www.dalemayer.com.
Vampires and humans are living in a fragile balance in this young adult short story by Dale Mayer, another author I was unfamiliar with. Geeze! You would think I never read! Sian is a vampire whom you first meet as she works desperately to free her lover, Taz, a human, from the clutches of a “Blood Farm” the humans know nothing about. A farm where humans are hung, like sides of meat, and kept for their blood. Her determination to save Taz, and her strength, endeared her to me.
Sian and Taz are minor characters in Dale’s Vampire in Denial series. If they are indicative of Dale’s characters, I look forward to finding time to read more of her work.
Note: Dale’s aunt and two friends are breast cancer survivors.
A Bit of Bite
Cynthia Eden
http://www.cynthiaeden.com
Crossroads, Mississippi. The home and stomping grounds of Sheriff Ava Dushaine, but not exactly the first place you would think of for paranormal activities to be the norm. Werewolves and vampires, oh what a set of critters to try to enforce law and order upon. Oy. Especially when it’s been only ten-years since the ‘coming out’ party for the goolies and goblies and things that go bump in the night. And the dead bodies that are currently showing up in Ava’s county. But who is to blame? The wolves? The vampires? Or something even more deadly?
Note: Cynthia speaks of friends who have struggled with breast cancer. Thank you, Cynthia, for your contribution to this anthology!
Sinfully Sweet
Michelle Miles
http://michellemiles.net/
I love scones. My favorite is dark chocolate chunks with dried cranberry and walnuts. Yummers, yummers!! So, of course, with the first page of Michelle’s story including scones and cupcakes and tarts, (oh, my!) I was happy to settle in for this story.
Chloe O’Shea is a baker with a secret. She is a witch on the run, running from her previous coven. A coven filled with secrets. Secrets, and murder. Hiding in plain site amongst the humans as a baker and owner of Sugar Mamma’s Bakery, Chloe has been enjoying her new life. Well, until a sexy hunka-hunka burning man invades her bakery. And suddenly, Sugar Mamma’s is under siege, and Chloe’s new life is blown all to hell.
Note: Michelle has donated her story to this anthology to honour all those who have suffered from not only breast cancer, but cancer of all types.
A Night of Forever
Lori Brighton
http://www.loribrighton.com/
Who was Aidan Callaghan? A seemingly simple question. With a rather complex answer . . .
I have to admit, I am not a fan of, what do you call it? Regency romance, I believe? This story is set in 1859 England, so whatever that means is what I mean! Surprisingly, however, I found this piece quite entertaining and pleasant. My feeling on these pieces is based on a despite for a society that saw and treated women as belongings. Women of the period were often little more than pretty baubles, with no power and no recourse from brutality or ill usage. I suppose that is why I have never cared for these period pieces – women as toys, easily left behind as broken bits, crushed under the male heel. This is a fate Mary Ellen is terrified of, and with good reason. Her background is one of crushing poverty, and she has no intention of returning there. When she meets Aidan, she sees only that falling for him could put her right back into that place, and it terrifies her. But Aiden is so utterly fascinating, so intriguing; she can’t help but wonder what his story might be. And his story is one she could never have imagined.
This is another lovely addition to the anthology. I may not read others of her works, but I found this quite pleasant overall. Should you be a lover of period pieces, this is highly recommended. Or even if you, as I, are not a lover of same, you may still find it as enjoyable as did I.
Note: Lori lost not only an aunt, but also a grandmother and a grandfather to cancer. This story was contributed to honour their memories, and to provide hope for those who still suffer.
Feel The Magic
Liz Kreger
http://www.lizkreger.com
Liz’s story is one I truly got a kick out of. Jenna is a Practitioner (a fancy title for a recognized witch) who has a big job to do. A weird, quirky job, but an important one, not only to her but to all Practitioners. Did I mention the weird part? Politics, backstabbing and nasty people, oh, my! A cat, a witch and a pimp walk into a bar . . .
This is a lovely little story, unusual and quirky, funny and well worth the read.
Note: Liz is a 15-year survivor!
Breaking Out
Michelle Diener
http://www.michellediener.com
Guess what, Michelle? You did a kickin’ job with your very first Contemporary/ Paranormal short! A self-avowed historical fiction writer, Michelle has written a terrific short story full of action, close calls, and a heartrending take on military horrors. Each time I think the last story was the best I read in this anthology, each author seems to kick things up a notch, in a very good way.
Kelli has been imprisoned and tortured for three years, her small gift of telekinesis pushed beyond all limits, while ‘Dr. Greenway’ and the sadistic orderlies torture and abuse her and her gifts, twisting her mind and body. She is nearly beyond all hope, when a fluke occurs, and Kelli has a chance. What happens next is by turns exciting, heart wrenching, and disappointing – disappointing because I would happily buy a book based upon this short story and I am not sure that there are any plans for one!
Note: Michelle’s grandfather, mother-in-law and aunt died of cancer, and she states that any small part she can play in helping to find a cure for this disease is something she is proud to do.
Ghostly Justice (A Seven Deadly Sins Novella)
Allison Brennan
www.sevendeadlysinsbooks.com
Detective Grant Nelson has had a bad month. A. Very. Bad. Month. Demons, black witches, supernatural war. And he had to cover it up. Besides the fact that his girlfriend was massacred in the mess. Now, he has another job to do, and some people he truly doesn’t like are the only ones who will be able to help him; that is, if anyone can help him at all. Did I mention that Detective Nelson has had a bad month?
This novella is partway through Allison’s Seven Deadly Sins series. Though it doesn’t fit ‘exactly’ into the concept of returning the Seven Deadly Sins Demons to Hell, it still does an excellent job of giving you a wonderful feel of the story behind the story, and introduces you to Moira and Rafe, kick-butt demon hunters, as they return a favour for the wounded Detective Nelson. The story is fast paced and truly interesting, with a solid story line and great character development. I had read the first of Allison’s series quite some time ago, but never got time to read the rest. After reading this novella? I believe my TBR list (which is groaning under the weight) may have to have a new addition.
Note: As Allison puts it; we all know someone, and sometimes more than one someone, who has been stricken by breast cancer. Thanks to Allsion, and all the other incredible authors who donated stories to this anthology, funding is just that much closer to helping find a cure.
September 6, 2011
This is a Halloween anthology of short stories in the paranormal romance and urban fantasy genres with a single young adult urban fantasy short and an urban fantasy novella. I'll rate each individually.
I'm going to make a confession, I don't usually read Forewords {gasp! I know!}, acknowledgements, dedications, yes. Forewords, no. Kudos to Stacia Kane for a writing a Foreword that pulled me in, hook, line and sinker from the word go. "The other day I got involved in an online conversation with some other writers about condoms. Specifically about condoms and their use in books, as in whether or not the characters we write use them." I couldn't not read after an opening like that. She goes on to talk about the hope of eradicating breast cancer. Condoms to breast cancer? Yep and does a fine job of it. When you purchase this book I hope you'll read Stacia's Foreword.
A Bit of Bite by Cynthia Eden Rating: 5
A paranormal liaison, vampires, werewolves and a hot romance take over in this paranormal romance. The supernaturals came out of the closet 10 years ago. Sheriff Ava Dushaine had a one night stand with the Julian, Alpha of the local werewolf pack. He's never forgotten her and still wants her. Great line: "Is this the part where I say…'My, Julian, what very big teeth you have…'?" The lust between them simmers all the time.
The Fat Cat by Edie Ramer Rating: 3.5
A witch, a talking cat and a warlock who is really an energy vampire take center stage in this paranormal romance. Tory is replacing her ex-boyfriend with a cat, a female cat because she has designated "her condo [as] a No Penis Zone". Ends up with male talking cat. Great line: "She‘d faked orgasms, she could fake confidence." This has a great surprise ending.
A Night of Forever by Lori Brighton Rating: 5
In this steamy historical paranormal romance short, vampires, werewolves, an underground fight club and a reluctant romance lure us in. Mary Ellen doesn't want to be interested in Aidan. She wants a cheerful, rich husband. Not a serious, boring and quiet man like Aiden. So why couldn't she keep from watching him? Aiden has been silently mooning over Mary Ellen for the two months he's been visiting. It has been many years since he's been interested in any female, much less a human.
Medium Rare by Nancy Haddock Rating: 4
Ghosts, a psychotherapist to the haunted, a ghost hunting team, a ghostly battle and an unlikely attraction that turns into a romance haunt this story set in one of my favorite places -- St. Augustine, FL.
Sweet Demon by Misty Evans Rating: 4
A vengeance demon with her own investigations biz, a vampire king, the Goddess of Love and a rekindled romance. A great line: "[she had] fear of commitment, and men came and went like a boyfriend version of Netflix"
Sian’s Solution by Dale Mayer Rating: 3
Vampires, a blood farm and a love that is stronger than the obstacles they'll face.
Sinfully Sweet by Michelle Miles Rating: 4
A magical healer, magically enhanced baked goods, a sexy stranger who is half-Elemental witch, half-incubus and a steamy chemistry between the main characters are featured in this story. This reminds me of two stories I've read this past year both of which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Feel the Magic by Liz Kreger Rating: 3
What an inventive story line! It features a witch and a cat trapped in a woman's body urging the witch to transform her into the cat. She'd heard of transgendered, but trans-specied? This was a new one.
Breaking Out by Michelle Diener Rating: 5
A prison of sorts for 'special' people, a telekinetic, a mind reader, a healer, a breakout, a paranormal (not supernatural) special ops team. Hot chemistry between two of the escapees. Reminds me a little of Christine Feehan's Ghost Walkers series. Welcome to the contemporary paranormal romance genre, Ms. Diener! Great job!
Halloween Frost , A Mythos Academy short story by Jennifer Estep Rating: 3
A Valkyrie, a Gypsy, a Spartan, prowlers (oversized black cougars with lots of teeth and claws), a talking sword and high school warriors take the lead in this YA urban fantasy short. The warriors, champions of the gods and goddesses, battle with a prowler on Halloween.
Ghostly Justice , A Seven Deadly Sins Novella by Allison Brennan Rating: 3.75
An emotionally bruised cop, demon hunters, incarnate demons, a dying woman's request, human vampires (not the supernatural kind) practicing dark magic, human sacrifices and a somewhat steamy romance clash in this urban fantasy novella. The Moira character is very intense in a very 'everything is black or white, no gray allow' kind of way but this may be due to the manipulations of her trainer. Rafe has been getting more powers since being in a coma and it has him a little worried.
Don't forget -- all proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
I'm going to make a confession, I don't usually read Forewords {gasp! I know!}, acknowledgements, dedications, yes. Forewords, no. Kudos to Stacia Kane for a writing a Foreword that pulled me in, hook, line and sinker from the word go. "The other day I got involved in an online conversation with some other writers about condoms. Specifically about condoms and their use in books, as in whether or not the characters we write use them." I couldn't not read after an opening like that. She goes on to talk about the hope of eradicating breast cancer. Condoms to breast cancer? Yep and does a fine job of it. When you purchase this book I hope you'll read Stacia's Foreword.
A Bit of Bite by Cynthia Eden Rating: 5
A paranormal liaison, vampires, werewolves and a hot romance take over in this paranormal romance. The supernaturals came out of the closet 10 years ago. Sheriff Ava Dushaine had a one night stand with the Julian, Alpha of the local werewolf pack. He's never forgotten her and still wants her. Great line: "Is this the part where I say…'My, Julian, what very big teeth you have…'?" The lust between them simmers all the time.
The Fat Cat by Edie Ramer Rating: 3.5
A witch, a talking cat and a warlock who is really an energy vampire take center stage in this paranormal romance. Tory is replacing her ex-boyfriend with a cat, a female cat because she has designated "her condo [as] a No Penis Zone". Ends up with male talking cat. Great line: "She‘d faked orgasms, she could fake confidence." This has a great surprise ending.
A Night of Forever by Lori Brighton Rating: 5
In this steamy historical paranormal romance short, vampires, werewolves, an underground fight club and a reluctant romance lure us in. Mary Ellen doesn't want to be interested in Aidan. She wants a cheerful, rich husband. Not a serious, boring and quiet man like Aiden. So why couldn't she keep from watching him? Aiden has been silently mooning over Mary Ellen for the two months he's been visiting. It has been many years since he's been interested in any female, much less a human.
Medium Rare by Nancy Haddock Rating: 4
Ghosts, a psychotherapist to the haunted, a ghost hunting team, a ghostly battle and an unlikely attraction that turns into a romance haunt this story set in one of my favorite places -- St. Augustine, FL.
Sweet Demon by Misty Evans Rating: 4
A vengeance demon with her own investigations biz, a vampire king, the Goddess of Love and a rekindled romance. A great line: "[she had] fear of commitment, and men came and went like a boyfriend version of Netflix"
Sian’s Solution by Dale Mayer Rating: 3
Vampires, a blood farm and a love that is stronger than the obstacles they'll face.
Sinfully Sweet by Michelle Miles Rating: 4
A magical healer, magically enhanced baked goods, a sexy stranger who is half-Elemental witch, half-incubus and a steamy chemistry between the main characters are featured in this story. This reminds me of two stories I've read this past year both of which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Feel the Magic by Liz Kreger Rating: 3
What an inventive story line! It features a witch and a cat trapped in a woman's body urging the witch to transform her into the cat. She'd heard of transgendered, but trans-specied? This was a new one.
Breaking Out by Michelle Diener Rating: 5
A prison of sorts for 'special' people, a telekinetic, a mind reader, a healer, a breakout, a paranormal (not supernatural) special ops team. Hot chemistry between two of the escapees. Reminds me a little of Christine Feehan's Ghost Walkers series. Welcome to the contemporary paranormal romance genre, Ms. Diener! Great job!
Halloween Frost , A Mythos Academy short story by Jennifer Estep Rating: 3
A Valkyrie, a Gypsy, a Spartan, prowlers (oversized black cougars with lots of teeth and claws), a talking sword and high school warriors take the lead in this YA urban fantasy short. The warriors, champions of the gods and goddesses, battle with a prowler on Halloween.
Ghostly Justice , A Seven Deadly Sins Novella by Allison Brennan Rating: 3.75
An emotionally bruised cop, demon hunters, incarnate demons, a dying woman's request, human vampires (not the supernatural kind) practicing dark magic, human sacrifices and a somewhat steamy romance clash in this urban fantasy novella. The Moira character is very intense in a very 'everything is black or white, no gray allow' kind of way but this may be due to the manipulations of her trainer. Rafe has been getting more powers since being in a coma and it has him a little worried.
Don't forget -- all proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
September 15, 2011
Saw this one on Cynthia Eden's newletter and it's for a good cause, the proceeds from this collection of Halloween themed stories benefits Breast Cancer Research.
I only recognize a handful of the contributors but among the authors that were new to me, I found a couple who will have me hunting down other books related to their offerings here.
Halloween Frost by Jennifer Estep - It's time for trick or treating at the Mythos Academy - This is a YA offering, and I was bummed that the heroine didn't get the hot guy - well at least not yet.
The Fat Cat by Edie Ramer - I really enjoyed this one, looking for a kitten a young witch ends up with an old black cat that's ugly on the outside but who is handy to have around when she battles a warlock whose pretty on the outside but rotten to the core. This is apparently connected to a story about the heroine's sister.
Medium Rare by Nancy Haddock - Colleen is not a charlatan but the real deal when it comes to talking to ghost as she will prove to one gorgeous but irritating ghost hunter - I enjoyed this one too.
Sweet Demon by Misty Evans - A demon enforcer runs afoul of a vamp and reconnects with the demon who broke her heart. This looks like a prequel to a book that follow our 'sweet' heroine. I'd like to see more of this demon and her 'rocker' ex.
Sian's Solution by Dale Mayer - A vampire must save the man she loves even at the risk of exposing her secret.
A Bit of a Bite by Cynthia Eden - A sheriff is on the trail of a supernatural killer, and the prime suspect is the alpha werewolf with whom she shared a steamy encounter - The preexisting attraction makes this short work - a nice treat for Eden fans.
Sinfully Sweet by Michelle Miles - A witch hiding as a baker gives herself away by adding a touch of magic to her treats.
A Night of Forever by Lori Brighton - A young woman, determined to marry well, tries to ignore her attraction to a mysterious, but highly unsuitable male - who has a secret. I liked the mix of historical and paranormal in this one and will be checking out the woman's sister's story.
Feel the Magic by Liz Kreger - A magic practitioner is about to make history when the actions of a glory grabbing minimally talented mage mucks things up - this is connected to a book that Kreger has in the works.
Breaking Out by Michelle Diener - I would have been looking for more books related to this short, which has a powerful telekinetic woman breaking out of captivity with two other special prisoners, from a facility that was apparently trying to turn them into special ops 'weapons'. But since the author says in the afterword that historical is normally her niche, there may not be anymore *sniff*
Ghostly Justice by Allison Brennan - this is a novella connected to the Deady Sins series and apparently falls after the second book, I am assuming that Rafe and Moira are regular characters in the series - laying the ghost of a young woman to rest, uncovers a plan to unleash a demon through sacrificial rites, unless Moira and Rafe can save the next victim.
I only recognize a handful of the contributors but among the authors that were new to me, I found a couple who will have me hunting down other books related to their offerings here.
Halloween Frost by Jennifer Estep - It's time for trick or treating at the Mythos Academy - This is a YA offering, and I was bummed that the heroine didn't get the hot guy - well at least not yet.
The Fat Cat by Edie Ramer - I really enjoyed this one, looking for a kitten a young witch ends up with an old black cat that's ugly on the outside but who is handy to have around when she battles a warlock whose pretty on the outside but rotten to the core. This is apparently connected to a story about the heroine's sister.
Medium Rare by Nancy Haddock - Colleen is not a charlatan but the real deal when it comes to talking to ghost as she will prove to one gorgeous but irritating ghost hunter - I enjoyed this one too.
Sweet Demon by Misty Evans - A demon enforcer runs afoul of a vamp and reconnects with the demon who broke her heart. This looks like a prequel to a book that follow our 'sweet' heroine. I'd like to see more of this demon and her 'rocker' ex.
Sian's Solution by Dale Mayer - A vampire must save the man she loves even at the risk of exposing her secret.
A Bit of a Bite by Cynthia Eden - A sheriff is on the trail of a supernatural killer, and the prime suspect is the alpha werewolf with whom she shared a steamy encounter - The preexisting attraction makes this short work - a nice treat for Eden fans.
Sinfully Sweet by Michelle Miles - A witch hiding as a baker gives herself away by adding a touch of magic to her treats.
A Night of Forever by Lori Brighton - A young woman, determined to marry well, tries to ignore her attraction to a mysterious, but highly unsuitable male - who has a secret. I liked the mix of historical and paranormal in this one and will be checking out the woman's sister's story.
Feel the Magic by Liz Kreger - A magic practitioner is about to make history when the actions of a glory grabbing minimally talented mage mucks things up - this is connected to a book that Kreger has in the works.
Breaking Out by Michelle Diener - I would have been looking for more books related to this short, which has a powerful telekinetic woman breaking out of captivity with two other special prisoners, from a facility that was apparently trying to turn them into special ops 'weapons'. But since the author says in the afterword that historical is normally her niche, there may not be anymore *sniff*
Ghostly Justice by Allison Brennan - this is a novella connected to the Deady Sins series and apparently falls after the second book, I am assuming that Rafe and Moira are regular characters in the series - laying the ghost of a young woman to rest, uncovers a plan to unleash a demon through sacrificial rites, unless Moira and Rafe can save the next victim.
August 30, 2011
A little something for everyone. Suspense, romance, YA, historical...and lots of paranormal creatures. Plus, all the proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation!
March 30, 2012
Review Courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: This anthology is full of fabulous tales of assorted Halloween mischief. Plus, all proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, which can always use the help.
The Review:
Stop right there. Did you read the synopsis? Well, let me reiterate; ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION. Take a chance and help out a GREAT cause. Believe me; they can use all the help they can get. And you win by getting great short stories out of the deal. Win, win!
This is a collection of stories that have a Halloween theme. It’s like a smorgasbord of stories spanning across several genres. Let me warn you: I have not read ANY of the following series before. I know, right? How did that happen? I’m not sure, but I will be looking into some of these now. My review will reflect my ignorance and I will base my ratings off of having no prior knowledge of any of the characters in any of the stories. It will also reflect whether or not each story can survive as a stand-alone.
“Halloween Frost” by Jennifer Estep (Mythos Academy series #1.5)
Gwen Frost is a student attending an academy that teaches warriors chosen by the gods of the Greek pantheon. She and her friends go trick-or-treating around the local community and end up in a fight for their lives type of battle. Gwen is rescued by her crush, Logan. Afterwards, they have a “moment,” right before his girlfriend shows up. Later in her room, Gwen resolves to make a “go” at Logan because she thinks it’s fated. *sigh* I wish I still saw the world that way, like when we were in school. First loves are always so, well, emotional and epic-feeling.
Rating: 3/5
“The Fat Cat” by Edie Ramer
We all know that cats have attitude, Samson has more than most. Mostly, because he is able to communicate with his human, Tory, telepathically and can “voice” all the things that we think cats are really trying to tell us. Tory is also a witch and a good friend to have. When she hears that Nikki, her old pal, is being held against her will by a warlock, it’s up to Tory and Samson to get her out. I know what you’re thinking, who brings a cat to a fight? Samson may be the perfect “man” for Tory after all. This is a neat story that gives kudos to our furry friends, and the power of friendship.
Rating: 4/5
“Medium Rare” by Nancy Haddock
This is a tale about Colleen Cotton, therapist to the haunted. She communicates with ghosts and helps them out. Usually, it is about making deals between the ghosts and the people living in the places they haunt. Colleen along with the sexy ghost hunter, Brick Fraiser, helps out the local ghosts fight against an evil pirate spirit that is trying to consume all the local ghost’s spiritual energies. I love the byplay between Colleen and Brick. At first, Brick believes Colleen to be a scam artist but by the end of the fight with the evil specter of Robert Searle, he finally admits she’s legit. The story ends with “A promise of more to come.” This is a fabulous idea and now I really want to read a full-on book about Colleen and her escapades.
Rating: 5/5
“Sweet Demon” by Misty Evans (Kali Sweet series #0.5)
Kali Sweet is a vengeance demon and her job is to protect humans from other supernaturals, like herself. She is a member of the Bridge Council, a Supernatural Justice Department, and has been assigned to deliver a warning to the vampire king, Raj Nudra, about him hurting humans. It doesn’t help that by doing so, it brings her into contact with her old lover, Rad Beaumont. Lots of bad history between them, including Rad leaving her at the altar some three hundred years ago. Now, she must deal with him trying to make amends right when she needs to concentrate on the threat by Nudra. But when she is kidnapped, Rad comes through and helps rescue her. Can they reconcile the past and try again? Can love truly overcome all the obstacles between them? A little taste of love reignited.
Rating: 5/5
“Sian’s Solution” by Dale Mayer (set in the Blood Ties world #0.5)
This story is set up like an episode of 24: It counts down to the time Sian has planned for her great “escape”. Sian Tallant is a scientist and a vampire. She is currently working in a human harvesting facility and is planning to break out one of the humans, her lover, Taz. Taz doesn’t know that she is a vampire. But when she tried to break things off between them, he follows her into vampire territory and gets captured. Now it is up to Sian to free the man she loves, even though he might come to hate her for what she is. The whole thing is very suspenseful and kept me riveted.
Rating: 4/5
“A Bit of Bite” by Cynthia Eden
Ava Dushaine, Sheriff of Crossroads, Mississippi, has a problem. Someone has been killing humans in her little town and making it look like the werewolves are doing it. Of course, she and the werewolf alpha, Julian, have a history together. One that he would like to see happen again and one that she is dead set against. All of this couldn’t have happened at a better time, for there is a legend about Crossroads and the blood moon, and the apocalypse to follow it. It implies that the humans are in grave peril around the supernaturals in the town during All Hallow’s Eve. Can Ava solve the murders while still protecting Julian and his wolves? Can Julian save Ava from those that will harm her? Will they reconcile their relationship and start anew? This is one of my favorite stories in this anthology.
Rating: 5/5
“Sinfully Sweet” by Michelle Miles
Chloe O’Shea owns and operates a small time bakery, using her grandmother’s recipes and her own secret ingredient, magic, to make delicious pastries. Of course, she wishes for one “delicious” costumer to take notice of her, the dark and sexy Edward. Perhaps she should have given more thought to adding magic into her food, since she is on the run from her old coven. Perhaps she should have given more thought to pursuing Edward before she knew more about him, like the fact that he has been sent by the coven in question to retrieve the item she stole. The item, a pendent, they want is the only clue Chloe has to her sister’s murder. Can she persuade Edward to change his mind and help her out instead? FYI, this particular story has a wonderful scene with interesting alternative uses for cupcake icing. Yum. I really liked the fact that, even though this was a short story, it was packed with sexuality and suspense. I can’t wait to find out more about Chloe and Edward!
Rating: 5/5
“A Night of Forever” by Lori Brighton (The Night Series #1.5)
Set in Victorian England, this story is about the difference between marrying someone based on listening to your head or your heart. Mary Ellen is searching for a husband with her head. She is looking for a man of prestige and wealth, and no matter how much she thinks about him, Aidan Callaghan is none of those things. She wants stability, not poverty. Aidan can’t stop thinking about Mary Ellen as well. He wants her, badly, but refuses to give in to the notion. Aidan’s secret is that he is a vampire and assumes that Mary Ellen could never learn to accept him for who he is. Or can she? When they are forced into a desperate fight for their lives, Mary Ellen and Aidan come together. But when the adrenaline wears off, will the chemistry between them be enough? This story is a bit more romance than paranormal.
Rating: 3/5
“Feel the Magic” by Liz Kreger
Jenna Carmichael is a Practioner, a member of a magic-using profession that has only been legal for about a year. She is putting her name and professional career on the line today: She is going to change Jessica Mansfield, a human woman, into a cat. Jenna will be doing this with the full blessing of the courts and the judge, Judge Sheila Warren, will be there to witness the transformation. Of course, things go very wrong when Jessica’s pimp barges in and tries to stop the change from happening right in the middle of the ceremony. I like this story mostly because it’s has lots of courtroom logistics. Overall, it comes across as very technical, like the early Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake books when zombie raisings were performed. Lots of objections and legal jargon. This novella is paranormal meets People’s Court with a little Jerry Springer Show mixed into it.
Rating: 4/5
“Breaking Out” by Michelle Diener
We first meet Kel locked away in what appears to be a prison/mental facility cell. She doesn’t know if there are others in the facility with her, until she hears a commotion outside her room one Halloween night. Nate is being moved out of the facility, and he’s not going without a fight. When he falls into Kel’s room, he knows that he must escape with her and his friend, Giles. The three of them must work together, or none of them will make it out alive. Of course, Nate and Giles are military trained and Kel has a secret weapon all her own, so the odds tend to favor them. This is a story full of military know-how and psychic experimentations with unforeseen consequences. It keeps you spellbound throughout the whole thing. If you enjoy Firestarter by Stephen King or Christine Feehan’s Ghostwalker series, you might want to try Breaking Out.
Rating: 5/5
“Ghostly Justice” by Allison Brennan (the Seven Deadly Sins series #2.5)
Demon hunters Moria and Rafe take a break from hunting down super evil demons, the Seven Deadly Sins, and go to fight against a psychic vampire using blood sacrifices meant to resurrect an ancient demon, Baphomet, in return for immortality.
Just as I said before, I have not read any of the series attached to the authors that contributed to this anthology. That being said, I believe I would have enjoyed this story more if I had more knowledge about the world and some of the main characters beforehand. There was almost TOO much background added in and I felt that it distracted me from the overall flow of the story. That being said, I plan to add Allison’s series to my TBR pile just based on reading Ghostly Justice.
Rating: 4/5
All in all, an excellent collection of stories by some very talented authors.
FTC Advisory: Jennifer Estep provided me with a copy of Entangled. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. The only things I receive for payment are hugs and kisses from my little boys.
Quick & Dirty: This anthology is full of fabulous tales of assorted Halloween mischief. Plus, all proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, which can always use the help.
The Review:
Stop right there. Did you read the synopsis? Well, let me reiterate; ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION. Take a chance and help out a GREAT cause. Believe me; they can use all the help they can get. And you win by getting great short stories out of the deal. Win, win!
This is a collection of stories that have a Halloween theme. It’s like a smorgasbord of stories spanning across several genres. Let me warn you: I have not read ANY of the following series before. I know, right? How did that happen? I’m not sure, but I will be looking into some of these now. My review will reflect my ignorance and I will base my ratings off of having no prior knowledge of any of the characters in any of the stories. It will also reflect whether or not each story can survive as a stand-alone.
“Halloween Frost” by Jennifer Estep (Mythos Academy series #1.5)
Gwen Frost is a student attending an academy that teaches warriors chosen by the gods of the Greek pantheon. She and her friends go trick-or-treating around the local community and end up in a fight for their lives type of battle. Gwen is rescued by her crush, Logan. Afterwards, they have a “moment,” right before his girlfriend shows up. Later in her room, Gwen resolves to make a “go” at Logan because she thinks it’s fated. *sigh* I wish I still saw the world that way, like when we were in school. First loves are always so, well, emotional and epic-feeling.
Rating: 3/5
“The Fat Cat” by Edie Ramer
We all know that cats have attitude, Samson has more than most. Mostly, because he is able to communicate with his human, Tory, telepathically and can “voice” all the things that we think cats are really trying to tell us. Tory is also a witch and a good friend to have. When she hears that Nikki, her old pal, is being held against her will by a warlock, it’s up to Tory and Samson to get her out. I know what you’re thinking, who brings a cat to a fight? Samson may be the perfect “man” for Tory after all. This is a neat story that gives kudos to our furry friends, and the power of friendship.
Rating: 4/5
“Medium Rare” by Nancy Haddock
This is a tale about Colleen Cotton, therapist to the haunted. She communicates with ghosts and helps them out. Usually, it is about making deals between the ghosts and the people living in the places they haunt. Colleen along with the sexy ghost hunter, Brick Fraiser, helps out the local ghosts fight against an evil pirate spirit that is trying to consume all the local ghost’s spiritual energies. I love the byplay between Colleen and Brick. At first, Brick believes Colleen to be a scam artist but by the end of the fight with the evil specter of Robert Searle, he finally admits she’s legit. The story ends with “A promise of more to come.” This is a fabulous idea and now I really want to read a full-on book about Colleen and her escapades.
Rating: 5/5
“Sweet Demon” by Misty Evans (Kali Sweet series #0.5)
Kali Sweet is a vengeance demon and her job is to protect humans from other supernaturals, like herself. She is a member of the Bridge Council, a Supernatural Justice Department, and has been assigned to deliver a warning to the vampire king, Raj Nudra, about him hurting humans. It doesn’t help that by doing so, it brings her into contact with her old lover, Rad Beaumont. Lots of bad history between them, including Rad leaving her at the altar some three hundred years ago. Now, she must deal with him trying to make amends right when she needs to concentrate on the threat by Nudra. But when she is kidnapped, Rad comes through and helps rescue her. Can they reconcile the past and try again? Can love truly overcome all the obstacles between them? A little taste of love reignited.
Rating: 5/5
“Sian’s Solution” by Dale Mayer (set in the Blood Ties world #0.5)
This story is set up like an episode of 24: It counts down to the time Sian has planned for her great “escape”. Sian Tallant is a scientist and a vampire. She is currently working in a human harvesting facility and is planning to break out one of the humans, her lover, Taz. Taz doesn’t know that she is a vampire. But when she tried to break things off between them, he follows her into vampire territory and gets captured. Now it is up to Sian to free the man she loves, even though he might come to hate her for what she is. The whole thing is very suspenseful and kept me riveted.
Rating: 4/5
“A Bit of Bite” by Cynthia Eden
Ava Dushaine, Sheriff of Crossroads, Mississippi, has a problem. Someone has been killing humans in her little town and making it look like the werewolves are doing it. Of course, she and the werewolf alpha, Julian, have a history together. One that he would like to see happen again and one that she is dead set against. All of this couldn’t have happened at a better time, for there is a legend about Crossroads and the blood moon, and the apocalypse to follow it. It implies that the humans are in grave peril around the supernaturals in the town during All Hallow’s Eve. Can Ava solve the murders while still protecting Julian and his wolves? Can Julian save Ava from those that will harm her? Will they reconcile their relationship and start anew? This is one of my favorite stories in this anthology.
Rating: 5/5
“Sinfully Sweet” by Michelle Miles
Chloe O’Shea owns and operates a small time bakery, using her grandmother’s recipes and her own secret ingredient, magic, to make delicious pastries. Of course, she wishes for one “delicious” costumer to take notice of her, the dark and sexy Edward. Perhaps she should have given more thought to adding magic into her food, since she is on the run from her old coven. Perhaps she should have given more thought to pursuing Edward before she knew more about him, like the fact that he has been sent by the coven in question to retrieve the item she stole. The item, a pendent, they want is the only clue Chloe has to her sister’s murder. Can she persuade Edward to change his mind and help her out instead? FYI, this particular story has a wonderful scene with interesting alternative uses for cupcake icing. Yum. I really liked the fact that, even though this was a short story, it was packed with sexuality and suspense. I can’t wait to find out more about Chloe and Edward!
Rating: 5/5
“A Night of Forever” by Lori Brighton (The Night Series #1.5)
Set in Victorian England, this story is about the difference between marrying someone based on listening to your head or your heart. Mary Ellen is searching for a husband with her head. She is looking for a man of prestige and wealth, and no matter how much she thinks about him, Aidan Callaghan is none of those things. She wants stability, not poverty. Aidan can’t stop thinking about Mary Ellen as well. He wants her, badly, but refuses to give in to the notion. Aidan’s secret is that he is a vampire and assumes that Mary Ellen could never learn to accept him for who he is. Or can she? When they are forced into a desperate fight for their lives, Mary Ellen and Aidan come together. But when the adrenaline wears off, will the chemistry between them be enough? This story is a bit more romance than paranormal.
Rating: 3/5
“Feel the Magic” by Liz Kreger
Jenna Carmichael is a Practioner, a member of a magic-using profession that has only been legal for about a year. She is putting her name and professional career on the line today: She is going to change Jessica Mansfield, a human woman, into a cat. Jenna will be doing this with the full blessing of the courts and the judge, Judge Sheila Warren, will be there to witness the transformation. Of course, things go very wrong when Jessica’s pimp barges in and tries to stop the change from happening right in the middle of the ceremony. I like this story mostly because it’s has lots of courtroom logistics. Overall, it comes across as very technical, like the early Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake books when zombie raisings were performed. Lots of objections and legal jargon. This novella is paranormal meets People’s Court with a little Jerry Springer Show mixed into it.
Rating: 4/5
“Breaking Out” by Michelle Diener
We first meet Kel locked away in what appears to be a prison/mental facility cell. She doesn’t know if there are others in the facility with her, until she hears a commotion outside her room one Halloween night. Nate is being moved out of the facility, and he’s not going without a fight. When he falls into Kel’s room, he knows that he must escape with her and his friend, Giles. The three of them must work together, or none of them will make it out alive. Of course, Nate and Giles are military trained and Kel has a secret weapon all her own, so the odds tend to favor them. This is a story full of military know-how and psychic experimentations with unforeseen consequences. It keeps you spellbound throughout the whole thing. If you enjoy Firestarter by Stephen King or Christine Feehan’s Ghostwalker series, you might want to try Breaking Out.
Rating: 5/5
“Ghostly Justice” by Allison Brennan (the Seven Deadly Sins series #2.5)
Demon hunters Moria and Rafe take a break from hunting down super evil demons, the Seven Deadly Sins, and go to fight against a psychic vampire using blood sacrifices meant to resurrect an ancient demon, Baphomet, in return for immortality.
Just as I said before, I have not read any of the series attached to the authors that contributed to this anthology. That being said, I believe I would have enjoyed this story more if I had more knowledge about the world and some of the main characters beforehand. There was almost TOO much background added in and I felt that it distracted me from the overall flow of the story. That being said, I plan to add Allison’s series to my TBR pile just based on reading Ghostly Justice.
Rating: 4/5
All in all, an excellent collection of stories by some very talented authors.
FTC Advisory: Jennifer Estep provided me with a copy of Entangled. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. The only things I receive for payment are hugs and kisses from my little boys.
October 1, 2011
Reviewed by Tori
Ghosts, vampires, demons, and more! Entangled includes ten suspense-filled paranormal short stories from such best selling authors such as Cynthia Eden, Jennifer Estep, Edie Ramer, Lori Brighton, Michelle Diener, Misty Evans, Nancy Haddock, Liz Kreger, Dale Mayer, and Michelle Miles, and Allison Brennan. Stacia Kane contributed the foreword. Formatting and cover art were also donated to the project by Lori Devoti and Laura Morrigan. (Goodreads)
All proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
When I was asked to review this I jumped at the chance. My great aunt died from breast cancer and my mom is a cancer survivor. This insidious disease has no boundaries and it affects so many lives when it strikes. The foreword, written by Stacia Kane, brought tears to my eyes as she voiced many of the same thoughts and feelings I have had over the years.
I have read but opted not to write a review for every story in this anthology.
HALLOWEEN FROST by Jennifer Estep. A short story that follows her best selling YA- A Touch Of Frost- Gwen and her friends find that Halloween at Mythos Academy brings a whole new meaning to the words “trick or treat”when they are forced to battle mystical creatures who threaten their lives. A perfect balance of humor and action. RATING: A
THE FAT CAT by Edie Ramer. Set after her novel Cattude, White witch Tory gets more then she bargains for when she adopts an older male cat and ends up battling a warlock for seven womens lives. A cute slightly cheesy story. RATING: C
MEDIUM RARE by Nancy Haddock. St Augustine’s spirits are in an uproar and it’s up to Colleen Cotton and a skeptical paranormal investigator to figure out why and how to stop the evil that’s coming. An engaging romantic suspense with a humorous bite . RATING: B
SWEET DEMON by Misty Evans. When Kali Sweet delivers a warning to the Chicago Vampire King, he demands a high price for her insolence. Kali now has to accept help from the half-human, half-chaos demon who left her at the altar three hundred years ago. Action packed with some romantic tension. Would have liked some more focus o on the romance. RATING: C
SIAN’S SOLUTION by Dale Meyer. A vampire risks her life to save the human she loves from her own kind. A tense romantic suspense filled with deception and betrayal. Ending is abrupt. RATING: C
A BIT OF BITE by Cynthia Eden. A full bodied story that deliciously combines romance and mystery as Sheriff Ava Dushaine and her werewolf lover try to solve who is killing the supernaturals before the blood moon rises. RATING: A
FEEL THE MAGIC by Liz Kreger. When Jessica Manfield contracts Jessica Carmichael for a magical identity change, she gets more then she bargained for when her boss, the DA, and someone from Jessica’s past are doing everything they can to make sure she fails. An inventive story line that touches on trans-species gender reassignment and the pitfalls of regulated magic. RATING: B
BREAKING OUT by Michelle Diener. Imprisoned as part of an unauthorized military experiment, a powerful telekinetic and two other inmates escape, only to find out their battle has just begun. A dark multi layered storyline with a hint of romance and humor. RATING: B
GHOSTLY JUSTICE by Allison Brennan. A Seven Deadly Sins novella. Demon hunters Moira O’Donnell and Rafe Cooper are dragged into the dangerous world predators, magic, and sex when a Jane Doe demands justice from the grave. A dark and gritty novella that expands on Moria and Rafe’s relationship and the Order while once again balancing them on a magical double edged sword. RATING: A
Overall Rating: B
Ghosts, vampires, demons, and more! Entangled includes ten suspense-filled paranormal short stories from such best selling authors such as Cynthia Eden, Jennifer Estep, Edie Ramer, Lori Brighton, Michelle Diener, Misty Evans, Nancy Haddock, Liz Kreger, Dale Mayer, and Michelle Miles, and Allison Brennan. Stacia Kane contributed the foreword. Formatting and cover art were also donated to the project by Lori Devoti and Laura Morrigan. (Goodreads)
All proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
When I was asked to review this I jumped at the chance. My great aunt died from breast cancer and my mom is a cancer survivor. This insidious disease has no boundaries and it affects so many lives when it strikes. The foreword, written by Stacia Kane, brought tears to my eyes as she voiced many of the same thoughts and feelings I have had over the years.
I have read but opted not to write a review for every story in this anthology.
HALLOWEEN FROST by Jennifer Estep. A short story that follows her best selling YA- A Touch Of Frost- Gwen and her friends find that Halloween at Mythos Academy brings a whole new meaning to the words “trick or treat”when they are forced to battle mystical creatures who threaten their lives. A perfect balance of humor and action. RATING: A
THE FAT CAT by Edie Ramer. Set after her novel Cattude, White witch Tory gets more then she bargains for when she adopts an older male cat and ends up battling a warlock for seven womens lives. A cute slightly cheesy story. RATING: C
MEDIUM RARE by Nancy Haddock. St Augustine’s spirits are in an uproar and it’s up to Colleen Cotton and a skeptical paranormal investigator to figure out why and how to stop the evil that’s coming. An engaging romantic suspense with a humorous bite . RATING: B
SWEET DEMON by Misty Evans. When Kali Sweet delivers a warning to the Chicago Vampire King, he demands a high price for her insolence. Kali now has to accept help from the half-human, half-chaos demon who left her at the altar three hundred years ago. Action packed with some romantic tension. Would have liked some more focus o on the romance. RATING: C
SIAN’S SOLUTION by Dale Meyer. A vampire risks her life to save the human she loves from her own kind. A tense romantic suspense filled with deception and betrayal. Ending is abrupt. RATING: C
A BIT OF BITE by Cynthia Eden. A full bodied story that deliciously combines romance and mystery as Sheriff Ava Dushaine and her werewolf lover try to solve who is killing the supernaturals before the blood moon rises. RATING: A
FEEL THE MAGIC by Liz Kreger. When Jessica Manfield contracts Jessica Carmichael for a magical identity change, she gets more then she bargained for when her boss, the DA, and someone from Jessica’s past are doing everything they can to make sure she fails. An inventive story line that touches on trans-species gender reassignment and the pitfalls of regulated magic. RATING: B
BREAKING OUT by Michelle Diener. Imprisoned as part of an unauthorized military experiment, a powerful telekinetic and two other inmates escape, only to find out their battle has just begun. A dark multi layered storyline with a hint of romance and humor. RATING: B
GHOSTLY JUSTICE by Allison Brennan. A Seven Deadly Sins novella. Demon hunters Moira O’Donnell and Rafe Cooper are dragged into the dangerous world predators, magic, and sex when a Jane Doe demands justice from the grave. A dark and gritty novella that expands on Moria and Rafe’s relationship and the Order while once again balancing them on a magical double edged sword. RATING: A
Overall Rating: B
August 30, 2011
I was really surprised when I read this anthology. It's rare for me to pick one of these up and like more than just one or two stories. But this had a really great collection of short stories. I got to read some stories from authors I've never read before and I love what I've read. Those authors have found their way onto my tbr list.There wasn't any that I hated, but there were some I loved and remember best out of all of them.
One, is Nancy Haddock's story. Phenomenal! My friends know how much I love the show, Ghost Hunters. Haddock's story was so intriguing and along the same lines that I was intrigued and pulled in. I have only read a few stories centered around ghosts and ghost hunting, but I do have to say, I love it. While it's a story that doesn't come from a series already in the works, I'm hoping that Nancy will let this become a series. It's definitely opened my eyes and I will be checking out her other works.
I'm a big fan of both Edie Ramer and Jennifer Estep. They had some great stories in this, both that go along with books they have written. A short story after Cattitude and Mythos Academy. I've only just read Touch of Frost and was squealing a bit to find a short story that follows after the first book in this anthology.
What touched me the most was, of course, the foreword. I teared up a little. The proceeds of this go to breast cancer research and all of the authors added a note after their stories with words of hope and encouragement. It's wonderful to see these authors pull together for such a cause that will hopefully help make a difference.
This is definitely worth a read. All the stories are fantastic and engaging. And the cause is worth it.
One, is Nancy Haddock's story. Phenomenal! My friends know how much I love the show, Ghost Hunters. Haddock's story was so intriguing and along the same lines that I was intrigued and pulled in. I have only read a few stories centered around ghosts and ghost hunting, but I do have to say, I love it. While it's a story that doesn't come from a series already in the works, I'm hoping that Nancy will let this become a series. It's definitely opened my eyes and I will be checking out her other works.
I'm a big fan of both Edie Ramer and Jennifer Estep. They had some great stories in this, both that go along with books they have written. A short story after Cattitude and Mythos Academy. I've only just read Touch of Frost and was squealing a bit to find a short story that follows after the first book in this anthology.
What touched me the most was, of course, the foreword. I teared up a little. The proceeds of this go to breast cancer research and all of the authors added a note after their stories with words of hope and encouragement. It's wonderful to see these authors pull together for such a cause that will hopefully help make a difference.
This is definitely worth a read. All the stories are fantastic and engaging. And the cause is worth it.
September 22, 2011
Like a great buffet, this anthology gives you the chance to taste a little bit of everything. Short and sweet, these stories did a good job drawing me in, setting the hook, and adding books to my to be read pile.
Witches and vampires, werewolves and demons, ENTANGLED canvasses a broad range of time periods and flavors. "Sian's Solution" shows star-crossed lovers in a future dystopia that pits humans against vampires, while "A Night of Forever" contrasts this with vampire romance in regency England. "Breaking Out" has me anxious to read more about Kel, her heart-melting commando boys, and the shadowy organization that held them all prisoner, but while I wait for more of their story on Goodreads, there's plenty more to keep me busy reading.
From a glimpse of Jennifer Estep's Mythos Academy world mid-series to Misty Evans teaser for the righteous vengeance demon Kali Sweet, ENTANGLED gave me several series to keep my eye on. Add in the bargain price of $2.99, all going straight to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and this eBook is good for both the heart and the TBR pile.
Sexual Content: Sex scenes.
Witches and vampires, werewolves and demons, ENTANGLED canvasses a broad range of time periods and flavors. "Sian's Solution" shows star-crossed lovers in a future dystopia that pits humans against vampires, while "A Night of Forever" contrasts this with vampire romance in regency England. "Breaking Out" has me anxious to read more about Kel, her heart-melting commando boys, and the shadowy organization that held them all prisoner, but while I wait for more of their story on Goodreads, there's plenty more to keep me busy reading.
From a glimpse of Jennifer Estep's Mythos Academy world mid-series to Misty Evans teaser for the righteous vengeance demon Kali Sweet, ENTANGLED gave me several series to keep my eye on. Add in the bargain price of $2.99, all going straight to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and this eBook is good for both the heart and the TBR pile.
Sexual Content: Sex scenes.
February 16, 2012
I bought this anthology because all the proceeds go to Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
I only read Cynthia Eden's and Lori Brighton's stories.
I may finish this anthology up later, but both those stories were great.
I only read Cynthia Eden's and Lori Brighton's stories.
I may finish this anthology up later, but both those stories were great.
August 31, 2016
For Lori Brighton's "A Night of Forever"
October 31, 2012
This dual review was originally posted at Book Lovers Inc
Stella: When I asked for Halloween read recommendations Marlene was quick to name the Entangled anthology, and when we started discussing it we thought why not make a special Halloween related dual review of it? Since it has more than 10 stories we thought reviewing the whole anthology would be way too long, so we decided for each of us to pick 2 stories and give you our thoughts on them.
Stella: I think it isn't a big surprise to those who know me (and have heard my constant praise of Jennifer Estep's series ;-)) that the story I was most excited about was Halloween Frost by Jennifer Estep, which is considered Book #1.5 in her Mythos Academy series, which I love! Truth be told I have already read this novella last year when the Entangled anthology was released but I enjoyed it so much I didn't mind in the least having to re-read it for this review. And I'm happy to say that it was just as much fun as it was the first time around!
Halloween Frost takes place after the first book in Jennifer Estep's YA urban fantasy series, Touch of Frost: Gwen our heroine is already used to life at Mythos Academy and she has made friends with Daphne, a cute and stylish Valkyrie and is crushing big time on Logan a strong and sexy Spartan. Those who haven't read the first book won't feel lost because Jennifer Estep includes enough background history references and explanations to give you an idea on who's who (which could seem a bit repetitive for already established fans of the series).
This short novella tells the story of how Gwen and her friends spent Halloween at Mythos Academy: everyone, teachers and students alike dressed up (except Gwen), the whole town around the school was decorated in full spookiness and the kids went around collecting not just mouthwatering-ly delicious treats but also jewellery and armour!
Can I just say how much I LOVE Jennifer Estep's Mythos Academy series? It is fun, exciting and exceptionally thrilling! It has everything: nail-biting action and fast paced fight scenes, a sexy heartthrob hero and a quirky and so lovable heroine. Halloween Frost packed even more spookiness and sinister athmosphere than the usual stories in the series due to the festive setting. Thanks to Jennifer Estep's vivid and colourful descriptions of Mythos Academy I can easily picture the gothic gargoyles and stone sphinxes guarding the gates.
Carved jack-o‘lanterns lined all the cobblestone streets, the lit candles inside them flickering and making their grins seem particularly sinister in the darkening shadows. Thick, silvery webs complete with fat, rubber spiders swooped from one doorway to the next, while ghosts, ghouls, and other classic monsters could be seen in the storefront windows, arms outstretched like they wanted to break through the glass and grab the students strolling by.
Another aspect I love about Jennifer Estep's books is that she never fails to mention delicious treats that make my mouth water, and being a hobby baker I appreciate that :-D
[...] went from shop to shop, loading up our pumpkins with everything from gourmet pretzels to delicious brownies to candy apples bigger than my fist. I had a serious sweet tooth and quickly filled up my pumpkin, even though we hadn‘t gone through half the stores yet. I popped a piece of dark chocolate fudge topped with vanilla-raspberry syrup into my mouth and sighed as the rich flavors exploded on my tongue. Yum.
Verdict: Halloween Frost is a great addition to the Mythos Academy series and the perfect Halloween read. Let me just say that Gwen and her friends get some first hand spooky action this Halloween ;-) Read Halloween Frost while munching on some yummy candies!
I give Halloween Frost 4.5 spooky stars!
Marlene: The thing about story/novella collections is that there are usually a couple of "meh" stories in the bunch. So when Stella and I decided we would each pick two (and only two) stories to feature, it seemed like a brilliant solution. Not so! This collection doesn't have a "meh" story in the bunch.
My first pick was always going to be Edie Raymer's The Fat Cat. This starts out as a kitty adoption tale. A witch goes into her local shelter to adopt a kitten. Bad move, or so it seems. Instead of leaving with an adorable little kitten, she leaves with a virtually unadoptable fat black tomcat, who is past middle-age into the bargain. Samson not only hears her thoughts, he can speak to her mind. Mostly to ask for food. And quote Casablanca.
Samson becomes her best friend. He's way better company than her ex. But kitty old age is catching up way too fast, and Tory doesn't want to lose him, so she tries a spell. One that will make Samson young and virile again, instead of old and very farty. (Yes, I meant farty. Also arthritic) She tries her spell the night before Halloween. It doesn't seem to work and Tory is heartbroken
On Halloween she confronts the evil warlock who has captured the body, and imprisoned the soul, of her younger sister, along with several other women. He is powerful, and very, very smug. Also a handsome bastard. The only protection that Tory has is poor Samson, still in the body of an old cat. Guess what happens?
Verdict: This story has so many fun elements. The transformation of both the cat and the warlock. The redemption of the young women. Saving the old cat and discovering that he's her best friend. The lovely (well sometimes lovely) idea of knowing what our pets think. All worked into a terrific story of friendship, redemption, witchcraft and Halloween. With a happy ending!
I give The Fat Cat 5 claw-tipped stars!
Stella: The second story I selected was A Bit of Bite by Cynthia Eden. I have followed Cynthia Eden's blog and saw her new releases and was always curious and intrigued to read them for some time now, so now I thought the time has finally come for me to discover her writing through this novella of hers, and I enjoyed it a lot!
A Bit of Bite is a sexy and thrilling parabormal romance with a seriously possessive and protective alpha werewolf (yum!) and a kickass detective heroine.
A twig snapped a few feet away from her. Ava didn‘t jump and spin toward the sound, but her right hand did rise slowly to curl around the butt of her gun. The problem with all the supernaturals was that they could just move too fast—
"Easy." His deep, dark voice washed over her and, just like that, werewolf alpha Julian Kasey stood in front of her. The light, woodsy scent that marked his kind clung to him as he towered over her.
Mmm, can you seriously tell me you just didn't shiver while reading that one word sentence of his?
The chemistry and passion between these two is sizzling and scorching, the perfect story to make you tingle with a bit of thrill!
No one was ever gonna take Ava Dushaine from him. No one. His mouth crashed down onto hers. He should have been easier. Should have used some gentleness, but werewolves didn‘t exactly know much about tenderness. The only things he knew…she‘d taught him. Her lips were parted, and his tongue pushed inside her mouth. He tasted her, and her kiss was better than he remembered. No dream to haunt him, she was real now.
The world-building was interesting and layered, the supernatural sections and societal hierarchy, fractions were different than usual. A Bit of Bite made me suspect there is a series where Cynthia Eden gives more depth to it, and I'll definitely look for it because I very much enjoyed her in-depth and detailed writing style.
Verdict: A Bit of Bite was a great steamy and exciting read. If it were a bit longer, a bit more detailed it could have been a five star story. As it is, it was a delicious novella and I'll have to check out Cynthia Eden's full length stories now that I have gotten a small taste of her writing. A Bit of Bite is a pulsing romance with paranormal setting and a big and delicious alpha hero!
I give A Bit of Bite 4 sexy stars!
Marlene: I also loved Cynthia Eden's A Bit of Bite, but I let Stella have that one. I was feeling generous. The second story I want to highlight is Lori Brighton's A Night of Forever. The story takes place in the same world as her novel A Night of Secrets, but I'll confess that I didn't know that when I read it and it didn't detract from my enjoyment one little bit. Of course, now that I do know, A Night of Secretsis going on my TBR list.
But about A Night of Forever...it starts out as if it were a typical Regency, or close enough, even though it's set in a later period. Mary Ellen plans to marry someone rich and titled, not because she's necessarily that mercenary, but because she craves the security that money and status can bring. However, she finds herself fascinated by a man who appears to have neither. Aidan Callaghan seems to be merely her brother-in-law's houseguest. He is a complete enigma, quiet and withdrawn for the most part, but always watching her. He fascinates her. And she fascinates him.
What Mary Ellen doesn't know is that her brother-in-law is a vampire. And so is his friend Aidan, who is trying his damndest not to use the powers of fascination and enthrallment that he has at his command. Because he could simply make Mary Ellen come to him, but then it wouldn't be real. He wants the contented life that his friend Grayson has found, a life, and love with a woman who knows what he is and loves him anyway.
So he watches Mary Ellen from the shadows, and knows that she is as sincerely interested in him as he is in her. But at the Halloween revels on Gray's estate, Mary Ellen leaves the safety of the house and is captured by thugs. When he comes to her rescue, Aidan is captured as well. In order to escape, he has to reveal what he is to save them. Will his willingness to fight for her provide Mary Ellen with a better kind of security than the money and status she said she wanted?
Verdict: This one had the kind of shivery gothic creepiness that all the best Halloween stories do. At first, you're not sure where the danger is going to come from, and then you're not sure if Mary Ellen will choose safety over love. A Night of Forever tells a terrific tale of the slow build, both to knowledge and to love.
I give A Night of Forever 4.5 fanged stars.
Stella: And yes, as you can see despite us vowing to review only 2 stories (I even asked Marlene to prevent me from becoming greedy and giving in to temptation), when I turned the last page of A Bit of Bite there were the first few lines of Michelle Miles' story and being the baking fan that I am I couldn't stop myself from reading it. See for yourself and tell me if you could have resisted it:
At four in the morning, Chloe O‘Shea unlocked the door to Sugar Mamma‘s Bakery and flipped on the interior lights. She turned on the ovens, gathered her ingredients and started baking for the day. With a giant yawn that nearly split her head in two, she started her scones, a customer favorite. Then the muffins—blueberry, banana nut, poppy seed, bran. Once she had the morning cravings in the glass case ready to go, she started on the afternoon favorites. Cupcakes, cookies, mini-tarts and other delectable goodies.
So there you go, here is my bonus review ;-)
To be honest I haven't even heard of Michelle Miles before, so this novella was a complete blank canvas for me, I had no expectations at all, and yet she managed to blow me away.
Our heroine Chloe is a witch on the run, she has been hiding in the human world and spending her days as a baker, but she can't help herself from pouring some of her magic into her creations:
Perhaps it was a mistake putting her small bits of magic into her cupcakes, her cookies, her scones and her muffins. Her customers loved her baked goods and why not? She poured Happiness into every batch. And lust into her red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese icing.
and so the bad guys she has been hiding from get a flare of where she is. Her savior is Edward a sex on stick mysterious man Chloe can't help but lust after (and trust me the reader won't be able to help herself either!). Together they try to combat the evil forces and stay alive.
Verdict: Sinfully Sweet was a deliciously steamy story with great world-building, fantastic writing style, a likable heroine and a hunk of a hero. Now that I've discovered Michelle Miles' writing first hand I'll go and hunt down her other novels, because I just want more delicious stories!
I give Sinfully Sweet 4.5 delectable stars!
Stella: When I asked for Halloween read recommendations Marlene was quick to name the Entangled anthology, and when we started discussing it we thought why not make a special Halloween related dual review of it? Since it has more than 10 stories we thought reviewing the whole anthology would be way too long, so we decided for each of us to pick 2 stories and give you our thoughts on them.
Stella: I think it isn't a big surprise to those who know me (and have heard my constant praise of Jennifer Estep's series ;-)) that the story I was most excited about was Halloween Frost by Jennifer Estep, which is considered Book #1.5 in her Mythos Academy series, which I love! Truth be told I have already read this novella last year when the Entangled anthology was released but I enjoyed it so much I didn't mind in the least having to re-read it for this review. And I'm happy to say that it was just as much fun as it was the first time around!
Halloween Frost takes place after the first book in Jennifer Estep's YA urban fantasy series, Touch of Frost: Gwen our heroine is already used to life at Mythos Academy and she has made friends with Daphne, a cute and stylish Valkyrie and is crushing big time on Logan a strong and sexy Spartan. Those who haven't read the first book won't feel lost because Jennifer Estep includes enough background history references and explanations to give you an idea on who's who (which could seem a bit repetitive for already established fans of the series).
This short novella tells the story of how Gwen and her friends spent Halloween at Mythos Academy: everyone, teachers and students alike dressed up (except Gwen), the whole town around the school was decorated in full spookiness and the kids went around collecting not just mouthwatering-ly delicious treats but also jewellery and armour!
Can I just say how much I LOVE Jennifer Estep's Mythos Academy series? It is fun, exciting and exceptionally thrilling! It has everything: nail-biting action and fast paced fight scenes, a sexy heartthrob hero and a quirky and so lovable heroine. Halloween Frost packed even more spookiness and sinister athmosphere than the usual stories in the series due to the festive setting. Thanks to Jennifer Estep's vivid and colourful descriptions of Mythos Academy I can easily picture the gothic gargoyles and stone sphinxes guarding the gates.
Carved jack-o‘lanterns lined all the cobblestone streets, the lit candles inside them flickering and making their grins seem particularly sinister in the darkening shadows. Thick, silvery webs complete with fat, rubber spiders swooped from one doorway to the next, while ghosts, ghouls, and other classic monsters could be seen in the storefront windows, arms outstretched like they wanted to break through the glass and grab the students strolling by.
Another aspect I love about Jennifer Estep's books is that she never fails to mention delicious treats that make my mouth water, and being a hobby baker I appreciate that :-D
[...] went from shop to shop, loading up our pumpkins with everything from gourmet pretzels to delicious brownies to candy apples bigger than my fist. I had a serious sweet tooth and quickly filled up my pumpkin, even though we hadn‘t gone through half the stores yet. I popped a piece of dark chocolate fudge topped with vanilla-raspberry syrup into my mouth and sighed as the rich flavors exploded on my tongue. Yum.
Verdict: Halloween Frost is a great addition to the Mythos Academy series and the perfect Halloween read. Let me just say that Gwen and her friends get some first hand spooky action this Halloween ;-) Read Halloween Frost while munching on some yummy candies!
I give Halloween Frost 4.5 spooky stars!
Marlene: The thing about story/novella collections is that there are usually a couple of "meh" stories in the bunch. So when Stella and I decided we would each pick two (and only two) stories to feature, it seemed like a brilliant solution. Not so! This collection doesn't have a "meh" story in the bunch.
My first pick was always going to be Edie Raymer's The Fat Cat. This starts out as a kitty adoption tale. A witch goes into her local shelter to adopt a kitten. Bad move, or so it seems. Instead of leaving with an adorable little kitten, she leaves with a virtually unadoptable fat black tomcat, who is past middle-age into the bargain. Samson not only hears her thoughts, he can speak to her mind. Mostly to ask for food. And quote Casablanca.
Samson becomes her best friend. He's way better company than her ex. But kitty old age is catching up way too fast, and Tory doesn't want to lose him, so she tries a spell. One that will make Samson young and virile again, instead of old and very farty. (Yes, I meant farty. Also arthritic) She tries her spell the night before Halloween. It doesn't seem to work and Tory is heartbroken
On Halloween she confronts the evil warlock who has captured the body, and imprisoned the soul, of her younger sister, along with several other women. He is powerful, and very, very smug. Also a handsome bastard. The only protection that Tory has is poor Samson, still in the body of an old cat. Guess what happens?
Verdict: This story has so many fun elements. The transformation of both the cat and the warlock. The redemption of the young women. Saving the old cat and discovering that he's her best friend. The lovely (well sometimes lovely) idea of knowing what our pets think. All worked into a terrific story of friendship, redemption, witchcraft and Halloween. With a happy ending!
I give The Fat Cat 5 claw-tipped stars!
Stella: The second story I selected was A Bit of Bite by Cynthia Eden. I have followed Cynthia Eden's blog and saw her new releases and was always curious and intrigued to read them for some time now, so now I thought the time has finally come for me to discover her writing through this novella of hers, and I enjoyed it a lot!
A Bit of Bite is a sexy and thrilling parabormal romance with a seriously possessive and protective alpha werewolf (yum!) and a kickass detective heroine.
A twig snapped a few feet away from her. Ava didn‘t jump and spin toward the sound, but her right hand did rise slowly to curl around the butt of her gun. The problem with all the supernaturals was that they could just move too fast—
"Easy." His deep, dark voice washed over her and, just like that, werewolf alpha Julian Kasey stood in front of her. The light, woodsy scent that marked his kind clung to him as he towered over her.
Mmm, can you seriously tell me you just didn't shiver while reading that one word sentence of his?
The chemistry and passion between these two is sizzling and scorching, the perfect story to make you tingle with a bit of thrill!
No one was ever gonna take Ava Dushaine from him. No one. His mouth crashed down onto hers. He should have been easier. Should have used some gentleness, but werewolves didn‘t exactly know much about tenderness. The only things he knew…she‘d taught him. Her lips were parted, and his tongue pushed inside her mouth. He tasted her, and her kiss was better than he remembered. No dream to haunt him, she was real now.
The world-building was interesting and layered, the supernatural sections and societal hierarchy, fractions were different than usual. A Bit of Bite made me suspect there is a series where Cynthia Eden gives more depth to it, and I'll definitely look for it because I very much enjoyed her in-depth and detailed writing style.
Verdict: A Bit of Bite was a great steamy and exciting read. If it were a bit longer, a bit more detailed it could have been a five star story. As it is, it was a delicious novella and I'll have to check out Cynthia Eden's full length stories now that I have gotten a small taste of her writing. A Bit of Bite is a pulsing romance with paranormal setting and a big and delicious alpha hero!
I give A Bit of Bite 4 sexy stars!
Marlene: I also loved Cynthia Eden's A Bit of Bite, but I let Stella have that one. I was feeling generous. The second story I want to highlight is Lori Brighton's A Night of Forever. The story takes place in the same world as her novel A Night of Secrets, but I'll confess that I didn't know that when I read it and it didn't detract from my enjoyment one little bit. Of course, now that I do know, A Night of Secretsis going on my TBR list.
But about A Night of Forever...it starts out as if it were a typical Regency, or close enough, even though it's set in a later period. Mary Ellen plans to marry someone rich and titled, not because she's necessarily that mercenary, but because she craves the security that money and status can bring. However, she finds herself fascinated by a man who appears to have neither. Aidan Callaghan seems to be merely her brother-in-law's houseguest. He is a complete enigma, quiet and withdrawn for the most part, but always watching her. He fascinates her. And she fascinates him.
What Mary Ellen doesn't know is that her brother-in-law is a vampire. And so is his friend Aidan, who is trying his damndest not to use the powers of fascination and enthrallment that he has at his command. Because he could simply make Mary Ellen come to him, but then it wouldn't be real. He wants the contented life that his friend Grayson has found, a life, and love with a woman who knows what he is and loves him anyway.
So he watches Mary Ellen from the shadows, and knows that she is as sincerely interested in him as he is in her. But at the Halloween revels on Gray's estate, Mary Ellen leaves the safety of the house and is captured by thugs. When he comes to her rescue, Aidan is captured as well. In order to escape, he has to reveal what he is to save them. Will his willingness to fight for her provide Mary Ellen with a better kind of security than the money and status she said she wanted?
Verdict: This one had the kind of shivery gothic creepiness that all the best Halloween stories do. At first, you're not sure where the danger is going to come from, and then you're not sure if Mary Ellen will choose safety over love. A Night of Forever tells a terrific tale of the slow build, both to knowledge and to love.
I give A Night of Forever 4.5 fanged stars.
Stella: And yes, as you can see despite us vowing to review only 2 stories (I even asked Marlene to prevent me from becoming greedy and giving in to temptation), when I turned the last page of A Bit of Bite there were the first few lines of Michelle Miles' story and being the baking fan that I am I couldn't stop myself from reading it. See for yourself and tell me if you could have resisted it:
At four in the morning, Chloe O‘Shea unlocked the door to Sugar Mamma‘s Bakery and flipped on the interior lights. She turned on the ovens, gathered her ingredients and started baking for the day. With a giant yawn that nearly split her head in two, she started her scones, a customer favorite. Then the muffins—blueberry, banana nut, poppy seed, bran. Once she had the morning cravings in the glass case ready to go, she started on the afternoon favorites. Cupcakes, cookies, mini-tarts and other delectable goodies.
So there you go, here is my bonus review ;-)
To be honest I haven't even heard of Michelle Miles before, so this novella was a complete blank canvas for me, I had no expectations at all, and yet she managed to blow me away.
Our heroine Chloe is a witch on the run, she has been hiding in the human world and spending her days as a baker, but she can't help herself from pouring some of her magic into her creations:
Perhaps it was a mistake putting her small bits of magic into her cupcakes, her cookies, her scones and her muffins. Her customers loved her baked goods and why not? She poured Happiness into every batch. And lust into her red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese icing.
and so the bad guys she has been hiding from get a flare of where she is. Her savior is Edward a sex on stick mysterious man Chloe can't help but lust after (and trust me the reader won't be able to help herself either!). Together they try to combat the evil forces and stay alive.
Verdict: Sinfully Sweet was a deliciously steamy story with great world-building, fantastic writing style, a likable heroine and a hunk of a hero. Now that I've discovered Michelle Miles' writing first hand I'll go and hunt down her other novels, because I just want more delicious stories!
I give Sinfully Sweet 4.5 delectable stars!
November 13, 2012
Ghosts, vampires, demons, and more! Entangled includes ten suspense-filled paranormal short stories from authors Cynthia Eden, Jennifer Estep, Edie Ramer, Lori Brighton, Michelle Diener, Misty Evans, Nancy Haddock, Liz Kreger, Dale Mayer, and Michelle Miles, plus a Seven Deadly Sins novella by Allison Brennan.
Stacia Kane contributed the foreword. Formatting and cover art were also donated to the project by Lori Devoti and Laura Morrigan.
All proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Stories include:
Jennifer Estep – Halloween Frost
Mythos Academy 1,5
It's Halloween at Mythos Academy, but Gwen Frost and her friends are in for more tricks than treats when they run into a mythological monster intent on killing them.
I really enjoyed this story, which is set in the Mythos Academy series. Gwen, Daphne and her boyfriend Carson are out in the village downhill from the Mythos Academy trick or treating, when they are attacked by a Prowler. Luckily, Gwen’s crush Logan Quinn is nearby to safe them. Together with Gwen, they attack the Prowler, and kill the beast. And just when Gwen and Logan have a moment together, Logan’s current girlfriend interrupts.
Great short story, I enjoyed it a lot.
8 stars.
Edie Ramer – The fat cat
In a battle for the souls of seven women, a wizard has the god of war on his side; all the witch has is a fat, black cat.
Tory just broke up with her boyfriend, and has decided to take a cat this time, no more men! So she goes with her brother and sister-in-law to a cathouse? to pick up a cute little kitten. But instead of that kitten, she takes home with her an old black cat named Samson. Because he can mind speak with her, and he will be killed if she doesn’t take him. And against better judgment, Tory takes him. Samson is not an easy cat, he has all the bad habits of cats and men, but Tory loves him anyway.
As she is a witch, and she does not want to loose him to old age and his many ills soon, she tries a spell to make him a young cat again. It does not work. Then the mother of a friend calls her, asking for help. Her daughter Nikki is under the wicked influence of a warlock, and is acting like a zombie, and could Tory please rescue her.
The warlock is a rich and famous man, and the police won’t do anything. Of course Tory has to try, which makes the warlock smile. He will just add her to his collection. But Samson has other ideas, he will protect his witch!
What a lovely story, the love between woman and cat, a magical battle, and a very surprising but fun ending. I liked it a lot.
8,5 stars.
Nancy Haddock – Medium Rare.
What's spooking the spirits of St. Augustine? As the witching hour of Halloween approaches, ghost seer Colleen Cotton must team with a by-the-book paranormal investigator to locate the one ghost who can save the city's specters. If she fails, her own great grandfather's spirit may be lost forever.
The spirits of St. Augustine are restless, apparently the ghost of a pirate is coming back to steal their souls, and only the spirit of the young girl who vanquished him over 300 years ago, can defeat him again. So with the help of the other spirits, she calls out for Guillelmina. And it is all being witnessed by her nemesis, Brick and his paranormal investigation team. Will he believe in her now, and the technical evidence he is trying to gather? Or will he continue to slander her name?
I’ve never read anything by Nancy Haddock before, but I certainly will try her books! I really liked this very short story, the atmosphere it conjured. And I was oddly moved by it all. Which means Nancy Haddock can create great characters in just a few words.
9 stars.
Misty Evans – Sweet Demon
When Chicago's vampire king insists Kali Sweet join his empire, the vengeance demon must rely on her ex - the half-human, half-chaos demon who left her at the altar three hundred years ago - in order to escape the vamp's clutches.
Kali Sweet is ordered by the Supernatural council, the Bridge, to caution the local Vamp King Nudra. He has been trafficking in blood slaves, which is against the law. One more violation, and he will be punished. By castration, which will kill his bloodlust, and will dethrone him all at once. The Vampire King is not happy with that threat, and that after he tried to buy her. So he sends his demon goons after her, only to have them fail when her ex-fiancé shows up. After almost 300 years all he can comment on is her hair? Really? But the next day he is at her door, wanting to talk, but Kali just closes the door in his face after grabbing the coffee he brought with him. But Rad is persistent, and shows up every day. And Kali gets used to it, lets down her guard, and gets kidnapped by the goons after all.
Tortured, and forced to have bloodslaves of her own, so she cannot refuse working with Nudra anymore. But then Rad comes to safe the day. Or does she safe herself afteral?
I have read some of Misty Evans’ stories before, but this one is really good, even though it is so short. I want to read more about Kali Sweet and her life, this little preview only whetted my appetite. I like Misty’s writing style and sense of humor, and the world she has created.
9 stars.
Dale Mayer – Sian’s Solution
When a vampire discovers the human man she loves has been captured and hung in a blood farm, she goes against her own kind and risks everything to save him.
I have not read anything by Dale Mayer, nor can I remember ever reading about her books. This is a very short story. Vampires and humans co-exist, kind of, though relationships between the two species are frowned upon. Some vampires are operating an illegal blood farm, keeping humans like cows on meathooks, harvesting their blood. When Taz is taken, Sian goes undercover to try to rescue him. She tried to brake up with him, but he followed her into vampire territory.
I liked it, though it is really very short for me to be able to get a good understanding of the authors writing style. Still, I liked this worldbuilding.
Cynthia Eden - A bit of a bite
A killer is stalking the streets of Crossroads, Mississippi, and it's up to Sheriff Ava Dushaine to stop him. But when suspicion falls on werewolf alpha Julian Kasey--Ava's ex-lover and the man who still haunts her dreams--Ava knows that she'll either have to prove his innocence...or watch the whole town go up in flames.
Another story that makes me long for more. Sheriff Ava Dushaine is sheriff in a town divided between humans, vampires and werewolves. She is supposed to keep the peace between them. But someone, or something is killing humans, and the humans are getting afraid, afraid enough to form a mob soon and kill all the vampires and werewolves before they are to be killed themselves.
Ava has a history with the werewolf Alpha though, and now she will have to take him in for questioning. Julian can hardly believe it, but Ava is deadly serious. There is almost a civil war on her hands if she cannot stop those murders. And the dead journalist wanted to interview Julian. Julian claims to have been set up, but who would be fool enough to do that? But when all the vamps are killed, Ava has no choice but to believe him.
Could the legend of the Blood Moon be true after all? Werewolves are born, but on the night of Halloween, humans can be changed into werewolves, by the Alpha …
I really liked this story. I have never read a book by Cynthia Eden before, but I do like her writing style. It is fluent, fast paced, and her characters are very likable. Ava is a strong woman, and no matter the attraction she feels for Julian, her duty comes first. I admire that in her. There is no background story on Julian, but he is strong, and he wants Ava. But he is patient enough to wait for her to come to him. Until she is in danger, and then the wolf takes over, protecting her.
Yes, I liked it.
8 stars.
Michelle Miles – Sinfully Sweet
When Chloe bakes a little magic into her pastries, she attracts the attention of Edward, the sexy half-demon, half-witch, who's come to warn her those who murdered her sister are now after her.
Chloe ran from the coven who murdered her sister, and opened up a little bakery. She can’t resist to put a little magic in her muffins and cupcakes and cookies though, and that is how she is found by Edward, a half witch-half incubus. But just when they are getting naked, another demon shows up, determined to take her back to the coven, and with her sister’s pendant. Can she trust Edward, or are they working together?
A sweet tidbit of a story, and I really want to know more. The writing style is fluent, and I think this could become a story with very hot lovescenes. Looking forward to reading more by Michelle Styles.
8,5 stars.
Lori Brighton – A night of forever
Who is Aidan Callaghan? Mary Ellen James is intent on uncovering the truth about the mysterious man, but as she soon finds out, some things are best left buried in the past.
I really could not get into this story. Historical vampire mixture. DNF this one, so no rating.
Liz Kreger – Feel the Magic
Jenna Carmichael's magical attempt to rectify Jessica Manfield's birth identity takes an unexpected turn when the past comes back to haunt her.
This was a very fun story, a Practitioner is contract to turn a woman into a cat. Jessica claims she was born a cat in a woman’s body, and she wants to be turned. Everything has been organized legally, which took months. And now, on the eve of Halloween, Jenna attempts the spell. But when someone interrupts, the magic goes awry. But is that really a wrong thing?
This little story definitely puts Liz Kreger on my want to read list!
8,5 stars.
Michelle Diener – Breaking Out
Imprisoned in a secret facility, powerful telekinetic Kelli Barrack and two other 'special' inmates grab a chance to escape, only to confront their worst nightmares on the outside.
Wow, this little story makes me want to keep on reading, to find out more. Unfortunately, this is it, as it is not her “normal” genre. I want to know what Giles is, and more about the why and the who and the how, and just everything! Michelle Diener really grabbed my attention with this short story.
9 stars.
Allison Brennan – Ghostly Justice
Demon hunters Moira O'Donnell and Rafe Cooper are dragged into the dangerous world of nocturnal predators to find "Ghostly Justice" for a virgin sacrificed to an ancient blood demon.
The last story in this anthology, and the longest. It was good, but still could not really hold my interest for long periods of time. There was just something missing, some suspense, some more explanations. It is part of the Seven Deadly Sins series, which I haven’t read. Moira and Rafe’s powers are increasing, and well, sometimes very conveniently they just knew what had happened, and what would happen next. A bit too easy perhaps. More tell than show. I will read the series though, as I am curious about this worldbuilding, and the fighting of the seven deadly sins who escaped from Hell as demons.
7 stars.
Stacia Kane contributed the foreword. Formatting and cover art were also donated to the project by Lori Devoti and Laura Morrigan.
All proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Stories include:
Jennifer Estep – Halloween Frost
Mythos Academy 1,5
It's Halloween at Mythos Academy, but Gwen Frost and her friends are in for more tricks than treats when they run into a mythological monster intent on killing them.
I really enjoyed this story, which is set in the Mythos Academy series. Gwen, Daphne and her boyfriend Carson are out in the village downhill from the Mythos Academy trick or treating, when they are attacked by a Prowler. Luckily, Gwen’s crush Logan Quinn is nearby to safe them. Together with Gwen, they attack the Prowler, and kill the beast. And just when Gwen and Logan have a moment together, Logan’s current girlfriend interrupts.
Great short story, I enjoyed it a lot.
8 stars.
Edie Ramer – The fat cat
In a battle for the souls of seven women, a wizard has the god of war on his side; all the witch has is a fat, black cat.
Tory just broke up with her boyfriend, and has decided to take a cat this time, no more men! So she goes with her brother and sister-in-law to a cathouse? to pick up a cute little kitten. But instead of that kitten, she takes home with her an old black cat named Samson. Because he can mind speak with her, and he will be killed if she doesn’t take him. And against better judgment, Tory takes him. Samson is not an easy cat, he has all the bad habits of cats and men, but Tory loves him anyway.
As she is a witch, and she does not want to loose him to old age and his many ills soon, she tries a spell to make him a young cat again. It does not work. Then the mother of a friend calls her, asking for help. Her daughter Nikki is under the wicked influence of a warlock, and is acting like a zombie, and could Tory please rescue her.
The warlock is a rich and famous man, and the police won’t do anything. Of course Tory has to try, which makes the warlock smile. He will just add her to his collection. But Samson has other ideas, he will protect his witch!
What a lovely story, the love between woman and cat, a magical battle, and a very surprising but fun ending. I liked it a lot.
8,5 stars.
Nancy Haddock – Medium Rare.
What's spooking the spirits of St. Augustine? As the witching hour of Halloween approaches, ghost seer Colleen Cotton must team with a by-the-book paranormal investigator to locate the one ghost who can save the city's specters. If she fails, her own great grandfather's spirit may be lost forever.
The spirits of St. Augustine are restless, apparently the ghost of a pirate is coming back to steal their souls, and only the spirit of the young girl who vanquished him over 300 years ago, can defeat him again. So with the help of the other spirits, she calls out for Guillelmina. And it is all being witnessed by her nemesis, Brick and his paranormal investigation team. Will he believe in her now, and the technical evidence he is trying to gather? Or will he continue to slander her name?
I’ve never read anything by Nancy Haddock before, but I certainly will try her books! I really liked this very short story, the atmosphere it conjured. And I was oddly moved by it all. Which means Nancy Haddock can create great characters in just a few words.
9 stars.
Misty Evans – Sweet Demon
When Chicago's vampire king insists Kali Sweet join his empire, the vengeance demon must rely on her ex - the half-human, half-chaos demon who left her at the altar three hundred years ago - in order to escape the vamp's clutches.
Kali Sweet is ordered by the Supernatural council, the Bridge, to caution the local Vamp King Nudra. He has been trafficking in blood slaves, which is against the law. One more violation, and he will be punished. By castration, which will kill his bloodlust, and will dethrone him all at once. The Vampire King is not happy with that threat, and that after he tried to buy her. So he sends his demon goons after her, only to have them fail when her ex-fiancé shows up. After almost 300 years all he can comment on is her hair? Really? But the next day he is at her door, wanting to talk, but Kali just closes the door in his face after grabbing the coffee he brought with him. But Rad is persistent, and shows up every day. And Kali gets used to it, lets down her guard, and gets kidnapped by the goons after all.
Tortured, and forced to have bloodslaves of her own, so she cannot refuse working with Nudra anymore. But then Rad comes to safe the day. Or does she safe herself afteral?
I have read some of Misty Evans’ stories before, but this one is really good, even though it is so short. I want to read more about Kali Sweet and her life, this little preview only whetted my appetite. I like Misty’s writing style and sense of humor, and the world she has created.
9 stars.
Dale Mayer – Sian’s Solution
When a vampire discovers the human man she loves has been captured and hung in a blood farm, she goes against her own kind and risks everything to save him.
I have not read anything by Dale Mayer, nor can I remember ever reading about her books. This is a very short story. Vampires and humans co-exist, kind of, though relationships between the two species are frowned upon. Some vampires are operating an illegal blood farm, keeping humans like cows on meathooks, harvesting their blood. When Taz is taken, Sian goes undercover to try to rescue him. She tried to brake up with him, but he followed her into vampire territory.
I liked it, though it is really very short for me to be able to get a good understanding of the authors writing style. Still, I liked this worldbuilding.
Cynthia Eden - A bit of a bite
A killer is stalking the streets of Crossroads, Mississippi, and it's up to Sheriff Ava Dushaine to stop him. But when suspicion falls on werewolf alpha Julian Kasey--Ava's ex-lover and the man who still haunts her dreams--Ava knows that she'll either have to prove his innocence...or watch the whole town go up in flames.
Another story that makes me long for more. Sheriff Ava Dushaine is sheriff in a town divided between humans, vampires and werewolves. She is supposed to keep the peace between them. But someone, or something is killing humans, and the humans are getting afraid, afraid enough to form a mob soon and kill all the vampires and werewolves before they are to be killed themselves.
Ava has a history with the werewolf Alpha though, and now she will have to take him in for questioning. Julian can hardly believe it, but Ava is deadly serious. There is almost a civil war on her hands if she cannot stop those murders. And the dead journalist wanted to interview Julian. Julian claims to have been set up, but who would be fool enough to do that? But when all the vamps are killed, Ava has no choice but to believe him.
Could the legend of the Blood Moon be true after all? Werewolves are born, but on the night of Halloween, humans can be changed into werewolves, by the Alpha …
I really liked this story. I have never read a book by Cynthia Eden before, but I do like her writing style. It is fluent, fast paced, and her characters are very likable. Ava is a strong woman, and no matter the attraction she feels for Julian, her duty comes first. I admire that in her. There is no background story on Julian, but he is strong, and he wants Ava. But he is patient enough to wait for her to come to him. Until she is in danger, and then the wolf takes over, protecting her.
Yes, I liked it.
8 stars.
Michelle Miles – Sinfully Sweet
When Chloe bakes a little magic into her pastries, she attracts the attention of Edward, the sexy half-demon, half-witch, who's come to warn her those who murdered her sister are now after her.
Chloe ran from the coven who murdered her sister, and opened up a little bakery. She can’t resist to put a little magic in her muffins and cupcakes and cookies though, and that is how she is found by Edward, a half witch-half incubus. But just when they are getting naked, another demon shows up, determined to take her back to the coven, and with her sister’s pendant. Can she trust Edward, or are they working together?
A sweet tidbit of a story, and I really want to know more. The writing style is fluent, and I think this could become a story with very hot lovescenes. Looking forward to reading more by Michelle Styles.
8,5 stars.
Lori Brighton – A night of forever
Who is Aidan Callaghan? Mary Ellen James is intent on uncovering the truth about the mysterious man, but as she soon finds out, some things are best left buried in the past.
I really could not get into this story. Historical vampire mixture. DNF this one, so no rating.
Liz Kreger – Feel the Magic
Jenna Carmichael's magical attempt to rectify Jessica Manfield's birth identity takes an unexpected turn when the past comes back to haunt her.
This was a very fun story, a Practitioner is contract to turn a woman into a cat. Jessica claims she was born a cat in a woman’s body, and she wants to be turned. Everything has been organized legally, which took months. And now, on the eve of Halloween, Jenna attempts the spell. But when someone interrupts, the magic goes awry. But is that really a wrong thing?
This little story definitely puts Liz Kreger on my want to read list!
8,5 stars.
Michelle Diener – Breaking Out
Imprisoned in a secret facility, powerful telekinetic Kelli Barrack and two other 'special' inmates grab a chance to escape, only to confront their worst nightmares on the outside.
Wow, this little story makes me want to keep on reading, to find out more. Unfortunately, this is it, as it is not her “normal” genre. I want to know what Giles is, and more about the why and the who and the how, and just everything! Michelle Diener really grabbed my attention with this short story.
9 stars.
Allison Brennan – Ghostly Justice
Demon hunters Moira O'Donnell and Rafe Cooper are dragged into the dangerous world of nocturnal predators to find "Ghostly Justice" for a virgin sacrificed to an ancient blood demon.
The last story in this anthology, and the longest. It was good, but still could not really hold my interest for long periods of time. There was just something missing, some suspense, some more explanations. It is part of the Seven Deadly Sins series, which I haven’t read. Moira and Rafe’s powers are increasing, and well, sometimes very conveniently they just knew what had happened, and what would happen next. A bit too easy perhaps. More tell than show. I will read the series though, as I am curious about this worldbuilding, and the fighting of the seven deadly sins who escaped from Hell as demons.
7 stars.
July 15, 2019
Purchase: 2018? Reading: 7/10/2019
HALLOWEEN FROST by Jennifer Estep
THE FAT CAT by Eddie Ramer
MEDIUM RARE by Nancy Haddock
cute story about a medium Therapist and a sceptical ghost hunter.
SWEET DEMON by Misty Evans
SIAN'S SOLUTION by Dale Meyer
A BIT OF BITE by Cynthia Eden
Traditional Cynthia Eden. Werewolves and vampires and bad guys too. Lots of action and mystery.
SINFULLY SWEET by Michelle Miles
Looks like a prequel to a series about the witch who left the coven after the murder of her sister and the Elemental witch/incubus demon helping her. Cute story, action packed but very predictable.
A NIGHT OF FOR EVER by Lori Brighton a vampire story set in the Victorian times
FEEL THE MAGIC by Lisa Kruger. ☆☆☆☆Well written story about an alternate universe when Magic was starting to become legalized. A woman came to Jenna, the Practioner, to be turned into a cat. Good story.
BREAKING OUT by ☆☆☆☆Michelle Diener An interesting story about three inmates trying to breakout of a facility that apparently housed many people with special powers. Kelly has telekinesis, Nate has the power to heal and Giles can read thoughts.
GHOSTLY JUSTICE by Allison Brennan. This seems to be part of a series. Therefore it left me too many questions about their abilities that are probably explained in other books. I was too confused about the characters to enjoy the story. I couldn’t understand why Moira had so much angst against Rafe's new abilities. And how does Rafe "know" so much yet not know how he knows.
HALLOWEEN FROST by Jennifer Estep
THE FAT CAT by Eddie Ramer
MEDIUM RARE by Nancy Haddock
cute story about a medium Therapist and a sceptical ghost hunter.
SWEET DEMON by Misty Evans
SIAN'S SOLUTION by Dale Meyer
A BIT OF BITE by Cynthia Eden
Traditional Cynthia Eden. Werewolves and vampires and bad guys too. Lots of action and mystery.
SINFULLY SWEET by Michelle Miles
Looks like a prequel to a series about the witch who left the coven after the murder of her sister and the Elemental witch/incubus demon helping her. Cute story, action packed but very predictable.
A NIGHT OF FOR EVER by Lori Brighton a vampire story set in the Victorian times
FEEL THE MAGIC by Lisa Kruger. ☆☆☆☆Well written story about an alternate universe when Magic was starting to become legalized. A woman came to Jenna, the Practioner, to be turned into a cat. Good story.
BREAKING OUT by ☆☆☆☆Michelle Diener An interesting story about three inmates trying to breakout of a facility that apparently housed many people with special powers. Kelly has telekinesis, Nate has the power to heal and Giles can read thoughts.
GHOSTLY JUSTICE by Allison Brennan. This seems to be part of a series. Therefore it left me too many questions about their abilities that are probably explained in other books. I was too confused about the characters to enjoy the story. I couldn’t understand why Moira had so much angst against Rafe's new abilities. And how does Rafe "know" so much yet not know how he knows.
November 22, 2022
This rating is only for Halloween Frost by Jennifer Estep.
This was a very short story with Gwen, Daphne, and Carson trick or treating through the town. Things escalate when a prowler shows up. This was short and action packed but doesn't really bring any extra info to the storyline.
I was a bit disappointed that Gwen wasn't a Halloween fan considering she seems to love comics so I was expecting her to actually dress up as one.
This was a very short story with Gwen, Daphne, and Carson trick or treating through the town. Things escalate when a prowler shows up. This was short and action packed but doesn't really bring any extra info to the storyline.
I was a bit disappointed that Gwen wasn't a Halloween fan considering she seems to love comics so I was expecting her to actually dress up as one.
March 31, 2015
Halloween Frost
by Jennifer Estep 1 Star
I am so glad that I read this because I actually have a few books to this series sitting in my library to be read. And let me put it to you this way: I won't be reading them.
This was a disaster. I'm not sure how old the characters are, but shit, was this written for 10 year olds?
The love interest is due to hero worship for one, for two the heroine is delusional and kind of thinks like a stalker, and for three: it's another ridiculous "we can't be together" type of bullshit. Honestly.
Estep's writing style is very mundane. There is nothing extraordinary about this series from what I can gather, there is nothing special about the way Estep puts her thoughts to paper, either. In fact, as I am reading it, I'm feeling like this will have a very Lightning Thief atmosphere to it. And I wasn't interested in that whole fiasco either. However, for those of you who enjoyed Percy Jackson, this would probably be right up your alley. You have a protagonist who is made out, by the author, to be brave and strong, but who ultimately hides behind everyone else to take care of her. I'm glad I read this so I didn't waste my time with the rest of this series. I'm not sure if I'll bother with the other series I have of Estep's either.
The Fat Cat by Edie Ramer 2 Stars
A cute little story, if not a little icky. I was laughing a lot. But it did lack a lot of spark, you know, it didn't rock my socks off.
Medium Rare by Nancy Haddock 3 Stars
A very fun, upbeat, satisfying read. I'd definitely check out another book by Haddock. She has a great writing style that really draws you in.
Sweet Demon by Misty Evans 3 Stars
I liked this story. I was eagerly flipping pages. And I am intrigued enough to look for this series. I was laughing my ass off. And as much as I detest on and off again love stories, it is still piquing my interest.
Sian's Solution by Dale Mayer 2 Stars
A very anxious story, but it just lacked anything else. The action was lame, and the romance itself was just slapped together.
A Bit of Bite by Cynthia Eden 2 Stars
I found this to be shameful towards women, rather than supportive. You have Julian who is ever the alpha. He thinks having sex with a woman one time equates to owning that woman. Ava is supposed to be an independent woman, but like all the others of her type, she isn't independent at all. She is more than happy to let a man rule her life. The story was too obvious, as well.
Sinfully Sweet by Michelle Miles 1 Star
Another story in this book that degrades women instead of supporting them. Chloe is prepared to behave as a prostitute. She's timid and horny. A strange mixture of emotion. Then you have Edward, who implied he was having a relationship with her dead sister. What the fuck? No thank you.
A Night of Forever by Lori Brighton 1 Star
Incredibly cheesy. There was not enough emotion and no build up for any of this. It could have been cute had a little more time and effort been spent to add depth to the story.
Feel the Magic by Liz Kreger 2 Stars
This was an interesting concept. And I think had it not been so drawn out and boring in the beginning, this would have been really good.
Breaking Out by Michelle Diener 5 Stars.
For someone who doesn't write paranormal novels, Michelle does a fantastic job. This was easily my favourite book in this anthology. It was gripping, interesting, and an awesome plot. I wish this one was a full story instead. It really needs to be a part of its own series.
Ghostly Justice: A Deadly Sins Novella by Allison Brennan 1 Star
This was boring as hell. I didn't want to finish reading it, and it just so happened to be the longest short story in the book. It was not written in a way to hold your attention. I was easily distracted. I also found the pacing to be too slow. This was a short story that belonged to a series. This is not one that you could pick up and know anything about what was happening or who the main characters were. There was a lot of missing information so I couldn't make a connection to any of the characters. I had thought that the detective was the main character since the beginning made it seem that way. But really, it was Rafe and Moira who were the main focus. They already had a pre-established relationship which left me floundering a little because I didn't catch that with their initial integration. The sex scene should have been left out completely. I've never read such a rushed boring attempt at seduction. It was awful. Based on this book, I will not be looking into this series.
Overall
I liked this book in the fact that there were some authors in here that I've never read from. And there are 3 that I think I will look into. But, I can't say that I would ever pick it up again, nor would I bother recommending it to anyone. I really feel I wouldn't have missed this book or most of the short stories in here if I'd never read them. Only one really stood out.
I am so glad that I read this because I actually have a few books to this series sitting in my library to be read. And let me put it to you this way: I won't be reading them.
This was a disaster. I'm not sure how old the characters are, but shit, was this written for 10 year olds?
The love interest is due to hero worship for one, for two the heroine is delusional and kind of thinks like a stalker, and for three: it's another ridiculous "we can't be together" type of bullshit. Honestly.
Estep's writing style is very mundane. There is nothing extraordinary about this series from what I can gather, there is nothing special about the way Estep puts her thoughts to paper, either. In fact, as I am reading it, I'm feeling like this will have a very Lightning Thief atmosphere to it. And I wasn't interested in that whole fiasco either. However, for those of you who enjoyed Percy Jackson, this would probably be right up your alley. You have a protagonist who is made out, by the author, to be brave and strong, but who ultimately hides behind everyone else to take care of her. I'm glad I read this so I didn't waste my time with the rest of this series. I'm not sure if I'll bother with the other series I have of Estep's either.
The Fat Cat by Edie Ramer 2 Stars
A cute little story, if not a little icky. I was laughing a lot. But it did lack a lot of spark, you know, it didn't rock my socks off.
Medium Rare by Nancy Haddock 3 Stars
A very fun, upbeat, satisfying read. I'd definitely check out another book by Haddock. She has a great writing style that really draws you in.
Sweet Demon by Misty Evans 3 Stars
I liked this story. I was eagerly flipping pages. And I am intrigued enough to look for this series. I was laughing my ass off. And as much as I detest on and off again love stories, it is still piquing my interest.
Sian's Solution by Dale Mayer 2 Stars
A very anxious story, but it just lacked anything else. The action was lame, and the romance itself was just slapped together.
A Bit of Bite by Cynthia Eden 2 Stars
I found this to be shameful towards women, rather than supportive. You have Julian who is ever the alpha. He thinks having sex with a woman one time equates to owning that woman. Ava is supposed to be an independent woman, but like all the others of her type, she isn't independent at all. She is more than happy to let a man rule her life. The story was too obvious, as well.
Sinfully Sweet by Michelle Miles 1 Star
Another story in this book that degrades women instead of supporting them. Chloe is prepared to behave as a prostitute. She's timid and horny. A strange mixture of emotion. Then you have Edward, who implied he was having a relationship with her dead sister. What the fuck? No thank you.
A Night of Forever by Lori Brighton 1 Star
Incredibly cheesy. There was not enough emotion and no build up for any of this. It could have been cute had a little more time and effort been spent to add depth to the story.
Feel the Magic by Liz Kreger 2 Stars
This was an interesting concept. And I think had it not been so drawn out and boring in the beginning, this would have been really good.
Breaking Out by Michelle Diener 5 Stars.
For someone who doesn't write paranormal novels, Michelle does a fantastic job. This was easily my favourite book in this anthology. It was gripping, interesting, and an awesome plot. I wish this one was a full story instead. It really needs to be a part of its own series.
Ghostly Justice: A Deadly Sins Novella by Allison Brennan 1 Star
This was boring as hell. I didn't want to finish reading it, and it just so happened to be the longest short story in the book. It was not written in a way to hold your attention. I was easily distracted. I also found the pacing to be too slow. This was a short story that belonged to a series. This is not one that you could pick up and know anything about what was happening or who the main characters were. There was a lot of missing information so I couldn't make a connection to any of the characters. I had thought that the detective was the main character since the beginning made it seem that way. But really, it was Rafe and Moira who were the main focus. They already had a pre-established relationship which left me floundering a little because I didn't catch that with their initial integration. The sex scene should have been left out completely. I've never read such a rushed boring attempt at seduction. It was awful. Based on this book, I will not be looking into this series.
Overall
I liked this book in the fact that there were some authors in here that I've never read from. And there are 3 that I think I will look into. But, I can't say that I would ever pick it up again, nor would I bother recommending it to anyone. I really feel I wouldn't have missed this book or most of the short stories in here if I'd never read them. Only one really stood out.
January 1, 2018
A good box set from some great authors
September 16, 2011
Jennifer Estep –Halloween Frost
It’s Halloween at Mythos Academy, but Gwen Frost and her friends are in for more tricks than treats when they run into a mythological monster intent on killing them.
This story is a short from her Mythos Academy world. I have not read book 1 and this story took place after that but I still could read and enjoy this story. I liked Gwen who is the heroine, we got to see her fight and we got to hear about her doomed crush. All which made me interested in this world.
Edie Ramer – The Fat cat
In a battle for the souls of seven women, a wizard has the god of war on his side; all the witch has is a fat, black cat.
A witch adopts a fat cat and together they try to bring down a warlock. What a cute story about and her adopted cat Samson. He is really old but he talks to her so she had to adopt him. And the end was the best thing about this story.
Nancy Haddock – Medium rare
What’s spooking the spirits of St. Augustine? As the witching hour of Halloween approaches, ghost seer Colleen Cotton must team with a by-the-book paranormal investigator to locate the one ghost who can save the city’s specters. If she fails, her own great grandfather’s spirit may be lost forever.
I liked this one. It had a good heroine, a good story and there was some tension between her and Brock. All in all making it an interesting story.
Misty Evans – Sweet Demon
When Chicago’s vampire king insists Kali Sweet join his empire, the vengeance demon must rely on her ex – the half-human, half-chaos demon who left her at the altar three hundred years ago – in order to escape the vamp’s clutches.
I like the setting of this one. A demon named Kali who has her own practice and who also runs errands for a council. She deals in vengeance and her she has to deliver it to an evil vampire and she also meets an old lover. Making it a good story.
SIAN’S SOLUTION by Dale Mayer — When a vampire discovers the human man she loves has been captured and hung in a blood farm, she goes against her own kind and risks everything to save him.
I liked this one, I think it was the world that made it so. Vampires and humans share the earth but stay on their sides. I do think I’d like more of this world
A BIT OF BITE by Cynthia Eden — A killer is stalking the streets of Crossroads, Mississippi, and it’s up to Sheriff Ava Dushaine to stop him. But when suspicion falls on werewolf alpha Julian Kasey—Ava’s ex-lover and the man who still haunts her dreams—Ava knows that she’ll either have to prove his innocence…or watch the whole town go up in flames.
I do like a good werewolf story. I was not blown away, but then I was kind of tired when reading it.
SINFULLY SWEET by Michelle Miles — When Chloe bakes a little magic into her pastries, she attracts the attention of Edward, the sexy half-demon, half-witch, who’s come to warn her those who murdered her sister are now after her.
A nice little story about a witch and the incubus that show up. A little passion, a little fighting.
Lori Brighton – A night of forever
Who is Aidan Callaghan? Mary Ellen James is intent on uncovering the truth about the mysterious man, but as she soon finds out, some things are best left buried in the past.
A nice little love story set in the 1800s in England and dealing with, oh yes vampires. Lori has previously also written a story about Mary’s sister and this story was just as good. Enjoyable.
FEEL THE MAGIC by Liz Kreger — Jenna Carmichael’s magical attempt to rectify Jessica Manfield’s birth identity takes an unexpected turn when the past comes back to haunt her.
This one was fun. Jessica wants to become a cat, yes you heard me. And Jenna is the witch to do it.
BREAKING OUT by Michelle Diener — Imprisoned in a secret facility, powerful telekinetic Kelli Barrack and two other ‘special’ inmates grab a chance to escape, only to confront their worst nightmares on the outside.
I am afraid this one and the last was the ones I read quickly since I was pressed for time. It did make it hard to focus and to know if I liked it or not.
GHOSTLY JUSTICE Allison Brennan (— Demon hunters Moira O’Donnell and Rafe Cooper are dragged into the dangerous world of nocturnal predators to find “Ghostly Justice” for a virgin sacrificed to an ancient blood demon.
It was ok, but this one was another one that I was not blown away by.
Some I liked and some clearly suffered cos I was in a hurry. All in all a nice little anthology with many authors to choose from, and many different subgenres.
It’s Halloween at Mythos Academy, but Gwen Frost and her friends are in for more tricks than treats when they run into a mythological monster intent on killing them.
This story is a short from her Mythos Academy world. I have not read book 1 and this story took place after that but I still could read and enjoy this story. I liked Gwen who is the heroine, we got to see her fight and we got to hear about her doomed crush. All which made me interested in this world.
Edie Ramer – The Fat cat
In a battle for the souls of seven women, a wizard has the god of war on his side; all the witch has is a fat, black cat.
A witch adopts a fat cat and together they try to bring down a warlock. What a cute story about and her adopted cat Samson. He is really old but he talks to her so she had to adopt him. And the end was the best thing about this story.
Nancy Haddock – Medium rare
What’s spooking the spirits of St. Augustine? As the witching hour of Halloween approaches, ghost seer Colleen Cotton must team with a by-the-book paranormal investigator to locate the one ghost who can save the city’s specters. If she fails, her own great grandfather’s spirit may be lost forever.
I liked this one. It had a good heroine, a good story and there was some tension between her and Brock. All in all making it an interesting story.
Misty Evans – Sweet Demon
When Chicago’s vampire king insists Kali Sweet join his empire, the vengeance demon must rely on her ex – the half-human, half-chaos demon who left her at the altar three hundred years ago – in order to escape the vamp’s clutches.
I like the setting of this one. A demon named Kali who has her own practice and who also runs errands for a council. She deals in vengeance and her she has to deliver it to an evil vampire and she also meets an old lover. Making it a good story.
SIAN’S SOLUTION by Dale Mayer — When a vampire discovers the human man she loves has been captured and hung in a blood farm, she goes against her own kind and risks everything to save him.
I liked this one, I think it was the world that made it so. Vampires and humans share the earth but stay on their sides. I do think I’d like more of this world
A BIT OF BITE by Cynthia Eden — A killer is stalking the streets of Crossroads, Mississippi, and it’s up to Sheriff Ava Dushaine to stop him. But when suspicion falls on werewolf alpha Julian Kasey—Ava’s ex-lover and the man who still haunts her dreams—Ava knows that she’ll either have to prove his innocence…or watch the whole town go up in flames.
I do like a good werewolf story. I was not blown away, but then I was kind of tired when reading it.
SINFULLY SWEET by Michelle Miles — When Chloe bakes a little magic into her pastries, she attracts the attention of Edward, the sexy half-demon, half-witch, who’s come to warn her those who murdered her sister are now after her.
A nice little story about a witch and the incubus that show up. A little passion, a little fighting.
Lori Brighton – A night of forever
Who is Aidan Callaghan? Mary Ellen James is intent on uncovering the truth about the mysterious man, but as she soon finds out, some things are best left buried in the past.
A nice little love story set in the 1800s in England and dealing with, oh yes vampires. Lori has previously also written a story about Mary’s sister and this story was just as good. Enjoyable.
FEEL THE MAGIC by Liz Kreger — Jenna Carmichael’s magical attempt to rectify Jessica Manfield’s birth identity takes an unexpected turn when the past comes back to haunt her.
This one was fun. Jessica wants to become a cat, yes you heard me. And Jenna is the witch to do it.
BREAKING OUT by Michelle Diener — Imprisoned in a secret facility, powerful telekinetic Kelli Barrack and two other ‘special’ inmates grab a chance to escape, only to confront their worst nightmares on the outside.
I am afraid this one and the last was the ones I read quickly since I was pressed for time. It did make it hard to focus and to know if I liked it or not.
GHOSTLY JUSTICE Allison Brennan (— Demon hunters Moira O’Donnell and Rafe Cooper are dragged into the dangerous world of nocturnal predators to find “Ghostly Justice” for a virgin sacrificed to an ancient blood demon.
It was ok, but this one was another one that I was not blown away by.
Some I liked and some clearly suffered cos I was in a hurry. All in all a nice little anthology with many authors to choose from, and many different subgenres.
September 20, 2011
Nearly all of the stories in this book are based in, and around Halloween. The majority of them are urban with the acceptation of A Night of Forever by Lori Brighton, which is set in 1859. The majority of the stories feature characters from the authors’ others books. Sometimes this can mean the reader does not understand what is going on, or is unable to develop any bond to these characters. This was true for me in a couple of these stories (Allison Brennan’s Ghostly Justice, Jennifer Estep’s Halloween Frost). On the other hand featuring characters from certain stories can also draw in readers (Edie Ramer’s The Fat Cat, Dale Mayer’s Sian’s Solution).
All of the stories have a female leads, and a main man who is attracted to her. The problem was the man or woman fights whatever is after them, usually connected to Halloween, The Blood Moon, or Paranormal woo-woos so much that the stories started to feel the same. There are some stories that held some neat ideas that stood a part like, Nancy Haddock’s Medium Rare, was an all-out ghost battle.
There are a lot of vampires, werewolves and witches. Some of my favorite out of these were, Dale Mayer’s Sian’s Solution, and Liz Kreger’s Feel the Magic. Sian’s Solution has vampires and humans living apart, relationships between the two are looked down upon. Sian must save her man from not being a blood donor. Feel the Magic is about Jenna who has been contracted to turn a woman into a cat. Both put interesting spins on the usual Urban Fantasy world. My favorite is Dale Mayer’s The Fat Cat, about a witch whose cat can speak to her.
Some stories didn’t do it for me, or I thought were too long for the point they were trying to make. One of those was Allison Brennan’s Ghostly Justice which featured a couple trying to discover who was murdering people. It felt like the couple kept chatting about the past just to inform the readers of the past, and it made me feel a little lost. This is also true in Jennifer Estep’s Halloween Frost, the story feels more like an event inside of the novels instead of a standalone story.
There are more than a few stories in this book that set me on new (to me) authors. It is also nice that this book is for a good cause, breast cancer. Out of eleven stories there were only four I didn’t care for, and the rest I would rate a three or higher. That is really good for a book like this. It is also a good book to get into the Halloween mood.
All of the stories have a female leads, and a main man who is attracted to her. The problem was the man or woman fights whatever is after them, usually connected to Halloween, The Blood Moon, or Paranormal woo-woos so much that the stories started to feel the same. There are some stories that held some neat ideas that stood a part like, Nancy Haddock’s Medium Rare, was an all-out ghost battle.
There are a lot of vampires, werewolves and witches. Some of my favorite out of these were, Dale Mayer’s Sian’s Solution, and Liz Kreger’s Feel the Magic. Sian’s Solution has vampires and humans living apart, relationships between the two are looked down upon. Sian must save her man from not being a blood donor. Feel the Magic is about Jenna who has been contracted to turn a woman into a cat. Both put interesting spins on the usual Urban Fantasy world. My favorite is Dale Mayer’s The Fat Cat, about a witch whose cat can speak to her.
Some stories didn’t do it for me, or I thought were too long for the point they were trying to make. One of those was Allison Brennan’s Ghostly Justice which featured a couple trying to discover who was murdering people. It felt like the couple kept chatting about the past just to inform the readers of the past, and it made me feel a little lost. This is also true in Jennifer Estep’s Halloween Frost, the story feels more like an event inside of the novels instead of a standalone story.
There are more than a few stories in this book that set me on new (to me) authors. It is also nice that this book is for a good cause, breast cancer. Out of eleven stories there were only four I didn’t care for, and the rest I would rate a three or higher. That is really good for a book like this. It is also a good book to get into the Halloween mood.
September 20, 2011
Nearly all of the stories in this book are based in, and around Halloween. The majority of them are urban with the acceptation of A Night of Forever by Lori Brighton, which is set in 1859. The majority of the stories feature characters from the authors’ others books. Sometimes this can mean the reader does not understand what is going on, or is unable to develop any bond to these characters. This was true for me in a couple of these stories (Allison Brennan’s Ghostly Justice, Jennifer Estep’s Halloween Frost). On the other hand featuring characters from certain stories can also draw in readers (Edie Ramer’s The Fat Cat, Dale Mayer’s Sian’s Solution).
All of the stories have a female leads, and a main man who is attracted to her. The problem was the man or woman fights whatever is after them, usually connected to Halloween, The Blood Moon, or Paranormal woo-woos so much that the stories started to feel the same. There are some stories that held some neat ideas that stood a part like, Nancy Haddock’s Medium Rare, was an all-out ghost battle.
There are a lot of vampires, werewolves and witches. Some of my favorite out of these were, Dale Mayer’s Sian’s Solution, and Liz Kreger’s Feel the Magic. Sian’s Solution has vampires and humans living apart, relationships between the two are looked down upon. Sian must save her man from not being a blood donor. Feel the Magic is about Jenna who has been contracted to turn a woman into a cat. Both put interesting spins on the usual Urban Fantasy world. My favorite is Dale Mayer’s The Fat Cat, about a witch whose cat can speak to her.
Some stories didn’t do it for me, or I thought were too long for the point they were trying to make. One of those was Allison Brennan’s Ghostly Justice which featured a couple trying to discover who was murdering people. It felt like the couple kept chatting about the past just to inform the readers of the past, and it made me feel a little lost. This is also true in Jennifer Estep’s Halloween Frost, the story feels more like an event inside of the novels instead of a standalone story.
There are more than a few stories in this book that set me on new (to me) authors. It is also nice that this book is for a good cause, breast cancer. Out of eleven stories there were only four I didn’t care for, and the rest I would rate a three or higher. That is really good for a book like this. It is also a good book to get into the Halloween mood.
-Beth (Guest Reviewer)
All of the stories have a female leads, and a main man who is attracted to her. The problem was the man or woman fights whatever is after them, usually connected to Halloween, The Blood Moon, or Paranormal woo-woos so much that the stories started to feel the same. There are some stories that held some neat ideas that stood a part like, Nancy Haddock’s Medium Rare, was an all-out ghost battle.
There are a lot of vampires, werewolves and witches. Some of my favorite out of these were, Dale Mayer’s Sian’s Solution, and Liz Kreger’s Feel the Magic. Sian’s Solution has vampires and humans living apart, relationships between the two are looked down upon. Sian must save her man from not being a blood donor. Feel the Magic is about Jenna who has been contracted to turn a woman into a cat. Both put interesting spins on the usual Urban Fantasy world. My favorite is Dale Mayer’s The Fat Cat, about a witch whose cat can speak to her.
Some stories didn’t do it for me, or I thought were too long for the point they were trying to make. One of those was Allison Brennan’s Ghostly Justice which featured a couple trying to discover who was murdering people. It felt like the couple kept chatting about the past just to inform the readers of the past, and it made me feel a little lost. This is also true in Jennifer Estep’s Halloween Frost, the story feels more like an event inside of the novels instead of a standalone story.
There are more than a few stories in this book that set me on new (to me) authors. It is also nice that this book is for a good cause, breast cancer. Out of eleven stories there were only four I didn’t care for, and the rest I would rate a three or higher. That is really good for a book like this. It is also a good book to get into the Halloween mood.
-Beth (Guest Reviewer)
May 1, 2013
This was a fairly strong anthology that gave me a few new authors to look into (Eden, Evens and Kreger) as well as a short from my favorite YA series. Plus the proceeds help breast cancer research, so you can't go wrong checking this out.
Halloween Frost by Jennifer Estep - trick or treating Mythos Academy style!
The Fat Cat by Edie Ramer - a witch and her cat take on a man draining women. I disliked the ending
Medium Rare by Nancy Haddock - ghosts are scared of a returning ghost pirate and a medium has to find a way to save them with the help of some ghost hunters who had belief issues.
Sweet Demon by Misty Evans - Kali is a demon hunter who is giving a warning to a master vampire at her ex's concert. I really want to find out more about Kali and Rad and need to see if there are other stories.
Sian's Solution by Dale Mayer - the countdown aspect was interesting and added to the tension.
A Bit of Bite by Cynthia Eden - It was nice to see a human holding her own with shifters and vampires. I need to check out more by Cynthia Eden.
Sinfully Sweet by Michelle Miles - seemed incomplete, was mostly just a lot of lustful thoughts interrupted by some danger and setting up a story that didn't take place here.
A Night of Forever by Lori Brighton - Interesting how she masked what type of paranormal the hero was for so long.
Feel the Magic by Liz Kreger - The idea of wanting to be turned into a cat forever seems weird, but it was a good story.
Breaking Out by Michelle Diener - I really felt for Kel. Being prisoner for so long is awful. I liked both Nate and Giles and will look for other stories with them.
Ghostly Justice by Allison Brennan - This was quite a bit longer than the others. Moira and Rafe were interesting characters and I was intrigued by there new abilities and what that would mean in the future.
Halloween Frost by Jennifer Estep - trick or treating Mythos Academy style!
The Fat Cat by Edie Ramer - a witch and her cat take on a man draining women. I disliked the ending
Medium Rare by Nancy Haddock - ghosts are scared of a returning ghost pirate and a medium has to find a way to save them with the help of some ghost hunters who had belief issues.
Sweet Demon by Misty Evans - Kali is a demon hunter who is giving a warning to a master vampire at her ex's concert. I really want to find out more about Kali and Rad and need to see if there are other stories.
Sian's Solution by Dale Mayer - the countdown aspect was interesting and added to the tension.
A Bit of Bite by Cynthia Eden - It was nice to see a human holding her own with shifters and vampires. I need to check out more by Cynthia Eden.
Sinfully Sweet by Michelle Miles - seemed incomplete, was mostly just a lot of lustful thoughts interrupted by some danger and setting up a story that didn't take place here.
A Night of Forever by Lori Brighton - Interesting how she masked what type of paranormal the hero was for so long.
Feel the Magic by Liz Kreger - The idea of wanting to be turned into a cat forever seems weird, but it was a good story.
Breaking Out by Michelle Diener - I really felt for Kel. Being prisoner for so long is awful. I liked both Nate and Giles and will look for other stories with them.
Ghostly Justice by Allison Brennan - This was quite a bit longer than the others. Moira and Rafe were interesting characters and I was intrigued by there new abilities and what that would mean in the future.
November 14, 2014
Yup, another novella collection. My aim in to reduce my Currently Reading shelf and then to tackle my To Read shelf so these were easy targets even if they are a little boring at times. This book had some fantastic stories and some just plain average ones.
HALLOWEEN FROST by Jennifer Estep
3.5 Stars
I love this series, but this novella just didn't really feel like it added much to the series. Perhaps that's because I have finished the series, I don't know...
THE FAT CAT by Edie Tamer
3.5 Stars
This story had an interesting premise and I will definitely check out the other story with these characters.
MEDIUM RARE by Nancy Haddoes
4 stars
Are there more of these? I quite liked this one.
SWEET DEMON by Misty Evar
4 stars
This book gets 3.5 Stars if Radison didn't have a good excuse for his past behaviour. Otherwise I love vengeance demons with attitude.
SIAN'S SOLUTION by Dale Mayer
3 stars
Meh, maybe had I read the rest of the series first I might have cared but honestly I couldn't tell who was what in this story.
A BIT OF A BITE by Cynthia Eden
4 stars
Yes, I liked this one!
SINFULLY SWEET by Michelle Miles
2 stars
bleh - "sleep with me or I'll reveal your location to your enemies", there's a turn on
A NIGHT OF FOREVER by Lori Brighton
3 stars
Yawn
FEEL THE MAGIC by Liz Kreger
3.5 Stars
Interesting, I will have to read the main story
BREAKING OUT by Michelle Downer
4.5 Stars
I really like Kel and I wish there was more of this. Almost tempts me to read outside my usual genres for more of this author but I suspect they won't entice me as much without the magic/supernatural element.
GHOSTLY JUSTICE by Allison Brennan
3.5 Stars
I kind of liked "The Big Reveal" of Moira's past but aside from that I felt like I was phoning in my reading. It's hard to tell whether that's because I'm just not in the mood for more of the same.
HALLOWEEN FROST by Jennifer Estep
3.5 Stars
I love this series, but this novella just didn't really feel like it added much to the series. Perhaps that's because I have finished the series, I don't know...
THE FAT CAT by Edie Tamer
3.5 Stars
This story had an interesting premise and I will definitely check out the other story with these characters.
MEDIUM RARE by Nancy Haddoes
4 stars
Are there more of these? I quite liked this one.
SWEET DEMON by Misty Evar
4 stars
This book gets 3.5 Stars if Radison didn't have a good excuse for his past behaviour. Otherwise I love vengeance demons with attitude.
SIAN'S SOLUTION by Dale Mayer
3 stars
Meh, maybe had I read the rest of the series first I might have cared but honestly I couldn't tell who was what in this story.
A BIT OF A BITE by Cynthia Eden
4 stars
Yes, I liked this one!
SINFULLY SWEET by Michelle Miles
2 stars
bleh - "sleep with me or I'll reveal your location to your enemies", there's a turn on
A NIGHT OF FOREVER by Lori Brighton
3 stars
Yawn
FEEL THE MAGIC by Liz Kreger
3.5 Stars
Interesting, I will have to read the main story
BREAKING OUT by Michelle Downer
4.5 Stars
I really like Kel and I wish there was more of this. Almost tempts me to read outside my usual genres for more of this author but I suspect they won't entice me as much without the magic/supernatural element.
GHOSTLY JUSTICE by Allison Brennan
3.5 Stars
I kind of liked "The Big Reveal" of Moira's past but aside from that I felt like I was phoning in my reading. It's hard to tell whether that's because I'm just not in the mood for more of the same.
February 25, 2012
Entangled is a paranormal anthology containing 11 stories by authors: Jennifer Estep, Edie Ramer, Nancy Haddock, Misty Evans, Dale Mayer, Cynthia Eden, Michelle Miles, Lori Brighton, Liz Kreger, Michelle Diener and Allison Brennan. Of these authors I’ve only read Cynthia Eden’s work before, so 10 of these authors are completely new to me though I have heard of Jennifer Estep and have her book Spider’s Bite coming up soon in my TBR List.
As far as I can tell the only stories in this anthology that are connected to other series by the authors are:
Halloween Frost by Jennifer Estep is #1.5 in the Mythos Academy series.
A Bit of Bite by Cynthia Eden appears to be in the world of the Night Watch and The Fallen series though I haven’t read the Bound series yet, so it could be connected to that series. I’m not clear if it does actually belong to a series or is independent of them all.
Ghostly Justice by Allison Brennan is #2.5 in the Seven Deadly Sins series.
Since these are short stories and I don’t like writing an individual review for each story I’ll just say this about Entangled…I really, really enjoyed each and every story. Some more than others, but they were all good. The only exception is Allison Brennan’s Ghostly Justice. I did not read that story because I would like to read the others in the series first, so I’ll have to revisit it when I do. And though I really hate reading a series out of order I didn’t think I would be reading the Mythos Academy series anytime soon, so I went ahead and read Halloween Frost anyway.
I would love to read some more stories connected to the short stories in this anthology by Nancy Raddock, Michelle Miles, Lori Brighton, Liz Kreger and Michelle Diener. I hope there are more to come!
*The author provided a copy of this book to me for review. Please see disclaimer page on my blog.
As far as I can tell the only stories in this anthology that are connected to other series by the authors are:
Halloween Frost by Jennifer Estep is #1.5 in the Mythos Academy series.
A Bit of Bite by Cynthia Eden appears to be in the world of the Night Watch and The Fallen series though I haven’t read the Bound series yet, so it could be connected to that series. I’m not clear if it does actually belong to a series or is independent of them all.
Ghostly Justice by Allison Brennan is #2.5 in the Seven Deadly Sins series.
Since these are short stories and I don’t like writing an individual review for each story I’ll just say this about Entangled…I really, really enjoyed each and every story. Some more than others, but they were all good. The only exception is Allison Brennan’s Ghostly Justice. I did not read that story because I would like to read the others in the series first, so I’ll have to revisit it when I do. And though I really hate reading a series out of order I didn’t think I would be reading the Mythos Academy series anytime soon, so I went ahead and read Halloween Frost anyway.
I would love to read some more stories connected to the short stories in this anthology by Nancy Raddock, Michelle Miles, Lori Brighton, Liz Kreger and Michelle Diener. I hope there are more to come!
*The author provided a copy of this book to me for review. Please see disclaimer page on my blog.
September 12, 2011
Entangled,a Paranormal Anthology by various paranormal authors is an exciting paranormal with various stories by various authors. In buying this anthology you have contributed funds to Breast Cancer Research Foundation,thanks to these generous author’s work.All proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. I would recommend this anthology to any and all paranormal readers. These authors have done outstanding work in their stories. While some of the stories are chapters some are complete short stories and a novella.They have witches,demons,werewolves,vampires,ghosts,demon hunters,mythological monsters,wizard,ghost seer,paranormal investigator,a vampire king,romance,love,suspense, murder,magic,telekinetic,and the world of noctunal predators. I was excited to have the opportunity to read this wonderful paranormal anthology. Cynthia Eden,Lori Brighton,Allison Brennan,and Jennifer Estep are some of my favorites. While some where my first time reading such as Michelle Diener,Liz Kreger,Michelle Miles,Dale Meyer,Misty Evans,Nancy Haddock,Edie Ramer,but they will not be my last. I found these authors writing to be with depth and details. The characters are engaging,enchanting, with strong women and sexy men.While chasing ghosts,demons,killers,and other, other world beings they also find a little love and a little romance in the process.This is a must read anthology that will have you wanting more from these authors. Entangled has ten suspense-filled paranormal short stories that are worth your time to read. This book was received for the purpose of review from one of the authors. Details can be found at Authors4theCure and My Book Addiction and More.
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October 11, 2011Like a great buffet, this anthology gives you the chance to taste a little bit of everything. Short and sweet, these stories did a good job drawing me in, setting the hook, and adding books to my to be read pile. While not every story in this anthology was a winner, there were enough great entries and variety to keep me eager to flip to the next page.
Witches and vampires, werewolves and demons, ENTANGLED canvasses a broad range of time periods and flavors. "Sian's Solution" shows star-crossed lovers in a dystopian future that pits humans against vampires, while "A Night of Forever" contrasts this with vampire romance in regency England. Both offerings kept my attention and have me keeping my eye out for more by these authors. My favorite story of the anthology was "Breaking Out", which has me anxiously awaiting a full length story (*hint hint*, Publishing gods). Kel’s heart-melting commando boys (who’s teasing, flirting and horseplay made my day), the shadowy organization that held them all prisoner, had my complete attention from page one. This short story is an engrossing dip into their world, and I can’t wait for more.
From a glimpse of Jennifer Estep's Mythos Academy world mid-series to Misty Evans teaser for the righteous vengeance demon Kali Sweet, ENTANGLED gave me several new series to enjoy. Add to that a bargain price of $2.99, all going straight to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and this eBook is good for both the heart and the TBR pile.
Sexual Content: Sex scenes.
Witches and vampires, werewolves and demons, ENTANGLED canvasses a broad range of time periods and flavors. "Sian's Solution" shows star-crossed lovers in a dystopian future that pits humans against vampires, while "A Night of Forever" contrasts this with vampire romance in regency England. Both offerings kept my attention and have me keeping my eye out for more by these authors. My favorite story of the anthology was "Breaking Out", which has me anxiously awaiting a full length story (*hint hint*, Publishing gods). Kel’s heart-melting commando boys (who’s teasing, flirting and horseplay made my day), the shadowy organization that held them all prisoner, had my complete attention from page one. This short story is an engrossing dip into their world, and I can’t wait for more.
From a glimpse of Jennifer Estep's Mythos Academy world mid-series to Misty Evans teaser for the righteous vengeance demon Kali Sweet, ENTANGLED gave me several new series to enjoy. Add to that a bargain price of $2.99, all going straight to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and this eBook is good for both the heart and the TBR pile.
Sexual Content: Sex scenes.
October 4, 2011
I decided to do a mini review of this book since the descriptions were so good at profiling all the stories within this book. This was an enjoyable anthology even though some of the author afterwords were a bit bittersweet since many of them knew of someone with breast cancer or cancer in general. I've always believed that the cure to one cancer will lead to others (and cures for other diseases as well), so I believe it is important to support these endeavors even if it isn't the type of cancer that touched your life. These authors put their craft to work for a cure and I, for one, congratulate them!
As for the book... as with all anthologies you will find ones you love and ones you don't care for. I found my most surprising story by Michelle Diener since I enjoyed it so much and she never wrote a paranormal before. I hope she continues. Especially with the story within the anthology. I will also say that even though there are a couple of stories here that could be considered YA (or are, like Jennifer Estep's story) I would not say that this is for the YA group, most of the stories are adult in nature.
I give this book 4 stars. It is a great collection of stories to find a new author or continue with an author you enjoy! Plus it supports a great cause. I mean it's not often you can get 11 stories for only $2.99! Get it where you buy your ebooks!
As for the book... as with all anthologies you will find ones you love and ones you don't care for. I found my most surprising story by Michelle Diener since I enjoyed it so much and she never wrote a paranormal before. I hope she continues. Especially with the story within the anthology. I will also say that even though there are a couple of stories here that could be considered YA (or are, like Jennifer Estep's story) I would not say that this is for the YA group, most of the stories are adult in nature.
I give this book 4 stars. It is a great collection of stories to find a new author or continue with an author you enjoy! Plus it supports a great cause. I mean it's not often you can get 11 stories for only $2.99! Get it where you buy your ebooks!
July 29, 2012
I picked this anthology up because all proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, which is a wonderful cause. Many of the authors' lives have been touched by cancer in one way or another, some first-hand. The volume is Halloween-themed, as well.
I don't believe I've read anything but short stories by any of these authors in the past except for Jennifer Estep, and I haven't read the Mythos Academy series in which her story is set. I'm more likely to read it now than I was before.
"Halloween Frost" by Estep and "Ghostly Justice" by Allison Brennan (set in her Seven Deadly Sins series) were the most polished stories in the anthology. Too many of the others had plot holes, or felt like teasers to get a reader to pursue more of the author's work. A short story should be self-contained.
Some of the authors let the "romance" get in the way of the plotting. If the main character acts like an idiot because she's distracted by the bulge in a man's pants, why make her the main character of a story? Especially if, as in "Sinfully Sweet" by Michelle Miles, you fail to resolve the major plot issue you raise?
While I admire the cause for which these ladies are writing, I can't help but think a shorter, higher-quality anthology might have been a better bet.
I don't believe I've read anything but short stories by any of these authors in the past except for Jennifer Estep, and I haven't read the Mythos Academy series in which her story is set. I'm more likely to read it now than I was before.
"Halloween Frost" by Estep and "Ghostly Justice" by Allison Brennan (set in her Seven Deadly Sins series) were the most polished stories in the anthology. Too many of the others had plot holes, or felt like teasers to get a reader to pursue more of the author's work. A short story should be self-contained.
Some of the authors let the "romance" get in the way of the plotting. If the main character acts like an idiot because she's distracted by the bulge in a man's pants, why make her the main character of a story? Especially if, as in "Sinfully Sweet" by Michelle Miles, you fail to resolve the major plot issue you raise?
While I admire the cause for which these ladies are writing, I can't help but think a shorter, higher-quality anthology might have been a better bet.
October 12, 2012
Seriously, what can I say? I love short paranormal suspense stories! And you can really beat the bunch line here all the proceeds go to the Cancer Foundation. :) No one can feel bad about buying this book. I really enjoyed all the stories, I loved the Halloween theme!
I feel like I'm so bad at reviewing anthologies - because a good anthology to me has stories in an order that makes sense to a reader, which Entangled has. But I find it hard to evaluate the stories on there own when there are many. But here they all are:
I enjoyed Halloween Frost for the emotional side, Fat Cat for the telepathic kitty humor, Medium Rare for Colleen and Bricks' chemistry, Sweet Demon for the second chance romance, Sian's Solution for the excitement, A Bit of Bite for detectiveness and Halloween ;) , Sinfully Sweet for sexy baking business, A Night of Forever for Victorian Era vampire in lust, Feel The Magic for fun action, Breaking Out for suspense, Halloween, experiments and the action and Ghostly Justice for the chase!
I will say though, as there are lot of sequels sometimes you get caught in thinking you are bit lost or something is explained bit much.
And I will say this will make you wanna pick up more books by some of the authors, like I would want to read more by Nancy Haddock for sure!
This is for paranormal suspense lover who enjoy a little romance in there as well! :D
I feel like I'm so bad at reviewing anthologies - because a good anthology to me has stories in an order that makes sense to a reader, which Entangled has. But I find it hard to evaluate the stories on there own when there are many. But here they all are:
I enjoyed Halloween Frost for the emotional side, Fat Cat for the telepathic kitty humor, Medium Rare for Colleen and Bricks' chemistry, Sweet Demon for the second chance romance, Sian's Solution for the excitement, A Bit of Bite for detectiveness and Halloween ;) , Sinfully Sweet for sexy baking business, A Night of Forever for Victorian Era vampire in lust, Feel The Magic for fun action, Breaking Out for suspense, Halloween, experiments and the action and Ghostly Justice for the chase!
I will say though, as there are lot of sequels sometimes you get caught in thinking you are bit lost or something is explained bit much.
And I will say this will make you wanna pick up more books by some of the authors, like I would want to read more by Nancy Haddock for sure!
This is for paranormal suspense lover who enjoy a little romance in there as well! :D
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September 9, 2011Okay, so this is an incomplete review....well okay, it's only a review of Cynthia Eden's story, because that's the main reason I bought this anthology....well that and the proceeds are all for the breast cancer research fund....
So as long as you keep in mind this is a SHORT story, you'll enjoy it... Obviously things can't be drawn out, so the pace is pretty fast, and what little we got re: the characters made me think I'd like 'em....the only downside really is that now I'm even more antsy for ms eden's next book to come out! So as far as short stories go, I'd rate this one between 3.5 and 4 stars.
Having said that, I've got no plans to read the rest of the book...though I won't rule it out, and if I do read more of it, I'll edit my review...but if you like the other authors mentioned, and again keep in mind, the stories are short, I can only guess and say you'll find them entertaining :)
So as long as you keep in mind this is a SHORT story, you'll enjoy it... Obviously things can't be drawn out, so the pace is pretty fast, and what little we got re: the characters made me think I'd like 'em....the only downside really is that now I'm even more antsy for ms eden's next book to come out! So as far as short stories go, I'd rate this one between 3.5 and 4 stars.
Having said that, I've got no plans to read the rest of the book...though I won't rule it out, and if I do read more of it, I'll edit my review...but if you like the other authors mentioned, and again keep in mind, the stories are short, I can only guess and say you'll find them entertaining :)
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