Would You Like To Be A Family?

Would You Like To Be A Family? by Koyama

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

While there is a main story here that makes sense with the title, there are also 2 other side stories, making this more of an anthology.

The main story features Takemura and Natsui. Takemura is rather stoic and reserved at the workplace, following rejection and isolation in school when he first confessed to another boy. As a result, the last thing he expected was to find not only acceptance, but a family as well. Lucky for him that Natsui is so outgoing and unwilling to just let him disappear once he's finally gotten him used to visiting with the family.

The second story features Kuma, a high schooler who didn't expect to fall for Yagi when he visits his friend's brothers for an evening gaming and learns the brother is gay, which means Yagi, the rejected boyfriend, must be as well. Kuma comes across as rather scary with how blunt he is, which fits with his school's reps and hoodlums, but he's actually very kind, which seems somewhat at odds with his sudden attraction to Yagi. It's not a surprise that both of these characters would be so confused at the true definition of their relationship given the way things play out and their age gap.

The last story features Kodama, a reclusive psychology student who eventually admits he doesn't really understand emotions and tends to rely on data from his studies to understand how people function. As a result, he thinks he understands Harada, an outgoing fellow student who is happy to help where he can. Truthfully though, he doesn't actually understand at all until some space and answers to that same study he was compiling data for seem to give him a wake up call.

In all three stories, there is at least one character that is rather reclusive or shy. The other character is very outgoing. But in all situations, the couples have their own obstacles and struggles to get on the same page and discover what they want together. Ultimately cute short stories, just not as in depth as some, which is unsurprising given they all have to fit in one book.

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The Magical Christmas Cat

The Magical Christmas Cat by Nalini Singh

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Psy-changeling 3.2: Stroke of Enticement by Nalini Singh
Zach and Annie obviously have a thing for each other right off the bat, though Annie has very obvious trust issues and Zach may be a little too careful of her emotions. In the end it takes a little mental hammering from Mercy for Zach to get the hint, though he obviously hits all the right notes with Annie's stubborn mother. That was a nice bit of surprise given her obvious prejudice towards Changelings early on in the story. This is another story in which one or both sides of the pair may need some obvious healing that their mate helps with rather significantly. Annie also makes our second human mate of the series so far.

Christmas Bree by Erin McCarthy

After all of the fuss about the house being a family heirloom, it's a tad disappointing that Bree seems to suddenly give up so easily. The story is left with a bit of an ambiguous ending however as Abby makes yet another prediction. Not sure if this is part of a series somewhere that finishes the sister's story or if this is just a one time short story. 

Sweet Dreams by Linda Winstead Jones
Well that took an unexpected turn. Admittedly, Todd seemed the better candidate originally with all of his "luck" and frequent insistence. At the very least, the guy really can't take a hint. There should have been a lot more actual conversation here, but somehow, it still works with all the secrecy and the demon summoning.

Christmas Heat by Lora Leigh
The breed are an interesting twist - not entirely fitting the usual shapeshifter lore, but not entirely human either. The "mating heat" is a bit much though, especially as it hints that at some point there is no choice and it just continues to get stronger until both sides give in, and then continues even after that to grow stronger and bind them tighter together. Can't say it was my favorite of the shifter stories I've read, but it was interesting for a short story.

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Halloween Adventures!

Halloween Adventures! by Random House

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Blaze & the Monster Machines: Truck or Treat
Even though my kids like trucks, oddly, they haven't really been drawn into Blaze or his friend's stories. Still, it's cute how shadows are shown and described in this story, which is a good segue into shadow figures or puppets, which can be a lot of fun. As most often, these are

Paw Patrol: The Spooky Cabin
This one rather closely follows the TV episode with the same story, including Rubble's fright and the Paw Patrol finding out just what was causing the cabin to seem so spooky in the first place. While some people are also scared of mice, Rubble and the pups are not on that list.

Shimmer & Shine: Monster Magic
This probably is really cute if it's a TV series, however, as a story it's a little harder to follow with the genies and their wishes. Let alone how everything either seems to go wrong outright even if they hit the correct theme for the holidays, or be all sweetness. Guess that's why they're names are Shimmer and Shine if they make everything seem prettier.

Paw Patrol: Howl for Halloween
Sometimes the best laid planes don't go exactly as expected. The party may be planned on a ship, but the ship wasn't supposed to be going anywhere. Fortunately, there was still a captain at the helm, even if it wasn't the usual one. The second ship at the end though.... short of a projector hiding somewhere that isn't identified, there doesn't seem to be an explanation for the last shock to end both this story and the whole Halloween book.

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Disney Junior: Five Tales of Fun!

Disney Junior: Five Tales of Fun! by Walt Disney Company

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Mickey & the Roadster Racers: Donald's Stinky Day
This follows one of the TV series episodes rather closely when Donald ends up making friends with a skunk. As expected, that's not the best smelling friend to have around usually.... at least not until they figure out how to be friends and Daisy maybe steps in with some perfume (though one has to wonder how that would actually blend with the skunks natural scent - but it's a cartoon, so anything is possible).

Puppy Dog Pals: Ice, Ice, Puggy
See original read through and review here.

Vampirina: Scare B & B
This is a newer Disney Junior show, and not one the kids have gotten into as much as some of the others. Things get a bit dicey when both Vee's human friends and a couple of vampire guests both want to rent the one room available in the B & B. A lot of happy accidents and some careful maneuvering later, it's only complete coincidence and accident that allows the guests to meet without things falling apart. Without the prejudice of their different kids in the way however, they all get along swimmingly, proving that what you are maybe isn't as important as who you are.

The Lion Guard: Bunga the Wise
See original read through and review here.

Mickey & the Roadster Racers: Mickey's Perfecto Day
Another TV episode changed to book form. This time between a bull calf following around Minnie for her rose and Donald losing his voice when he plans to sing with his friends, the Three Caballeros, it's questionable if the group of friends will still get their perfecto day in Madrid.

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Paid Leave Omega

Paid Leave Omega by Shiki Fujimine

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


At first glance I actually didn't realize this was an anthology. Even more so than most however, it is very badly disjointed. Other than the whole omegaverse tie in there are few similarities between art and story type. The characters, while having those same underlying traits and habits, are all vastly different. Perhaps the most obviously different one is the seventh story, which is the only one that hints at a finalized relationship, but doesn't force it or dive straight in. It's actually rather sweet how Nana hints that he wasn't looking for his "perfect match" because he wanted to stay with his friend even though they both thought his friend was a beta and not an omega that should be paired with an alpha like him. Too much emphasis on the secondary genders rather than the actual characters and way too short of stories for the fast relationships that happen. They have to be fast, since there's literally only so many pages, but still... too fast.

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After Moonrise

After Moonrise by P.C. Cast

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This is two short stories written by two different authors that focus on characters from two different branches of After Moonrise, an agency of psychics that works for the public, sometimes with authorities, to solve strange cases involving the supernatural (ie dead people).

Possessed by P.C. Cast
Kent talks easy and is obviously determined to do his job, but his relationship with the twins and whole possession bit leave a lot to be desired. If that line of possession hadn't taken over the whole story and turned things so weird, I might have enjoyed it more.

Haunted by Gena Showalter
Levi is sweet under his gruff persona and Harper's no-nonsense approach is a good fit with him. I wondered exactly how the early preview would tie in with Harper's painting. After Possessed, I was thinking more along the lines of dream visions or second lives. This took on another approach to the whole after life thing. We even very briefly see Kent again and hear him reference his "ladies." Lana, while appearing to belong with Harper as a friend, seems the most in limbo with her afterlife. She can't really work with After Moonrise in her previous capacity as a ghost, and apparently she was good if Kent called on her to potentially help "his ladies" in the first segment.

Then there's this preview of Alice in Zombieland that I first thought was part of this book and not a teaser. That alone is rather confusing and disturbing in it's own sense. Can't say it exactly made me want to pick up that book to finish the tale.

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Angels of Darkness

Angels of Darkness by Ilona Andrews

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Guild Hunter 3.5: Angel's Wolf by Nalini Singh
We know Noel from a short appearance in Archangel's Kiss. Namir is pretty much new and not like many other angels in the emotional sense. I prefer the slower build to their relationship, especially with the scars they both carry. It's easy to imagine Dimitri's irritation when Noel decides to stay, throwing off the Tower's plans. Have to admit that the cats are a sweet touch to me, being a fellow cat lover and having two in my own home.

Alphas 0.5: Origins by Ilona Andrews
Part of me wants to find more Alphas stories because it seems like such a complex world. The other part of me still feels confused and not all that motivated by this rough group of "protectors." There is potential, but I can't claim this short was enough to make me see or want it all. Despite Karina's logical choices, can't help but think there is still some Stockholm syndrome going on here. Also don't feel badly for her so much as for Emily, who is the true innocent without power.

Samaria 5.5: Nocturne by Sharon Shinn
Corban is a very different angel with his music, moping and blindness. Moriah is a breath of fresh air with her sarcasm, determination and wit. Combined, the two make for an interesting combination and a very fun read. The way they are introduced here leads me to believe they are not part of the main series. It would be fun to follow their adventures if they were.

The Guardian 7.5: Ascension by Meljean Brook
The last short I read for this series focused on a vampire's employee and family. This one focuses on two actual Guardians as they hunt a demon and a group of self proclaimed vampire hunters. While it does do a much better job of showing exactly what the Guardians are and what they can do than the previous story, it also isn't much better as far as the general dry tone and lengthy explanations. The endings always end up being sweet somehow despite also feeling convenient and a tad rushed (though I'm not sure you can still use that word when these two have apparently been avoiding each other for hundreds of years leading up to this meeting). Still, not engaging enough to have me wanting to dig into the main series yet.

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Must Love Hellhounds

Must Love Hellhounds by Charlaine Harris

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The Britlingens Go to Hell by Charlaine Harris
If you've read the Southern Vampires/Sookie Stackhouse series, then you have met the Britlingans before. It has been a long time since I had any interest in the series, and that proved true with this spin-off. The end picks up a bit, but most of it is dry and slow despite their adventure into Hell. A few references to their original series that are written likely to make readers want to know what happened and pick it up. It's the same reference repeated several times though, which makes it feel like maybe something is lacking here that they couldn't think of any other mission or another description of those same events.

Guild Hunter 0.5: Angels' Judgment by Nalini Singh
We start with a brief introduction to the Cadre and take off for a very fast romance between Sara and Deacon. We learn not only how they met, became a couple, Sara became guild durector, Deacon retired from hunting and went to weapon master full time, and how they came to own Slayer. That's a lot to fit in one short story where the bulk of action happens in roughly 48 hours. Still, there's a lot of foreshadowing, like Sara's prediction with Elena and some commentary about Raphael that tie in extra nice to the rest of the series. Almost makes me want to re-read the first book with all these preludes in place, especially since I had a rough start with the series.

Kate Daniels 3.5: Magic Mourns by Ilona Andrews
Already reviewed here.

The Guardian 5.5: Blind Spot by Meljean Brook
I have not read anything else in regards to this series. It definitely leaves that reading the series would be helpful. Otherwise you feel like you're playing catch up without all the cards. Of course the ending has to hint at everything turning out for the best. The characters are hard to fall for as it still feels like do much is missing, though they do become more interesting by the end.

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Blood Lite

Blood Lite by Kevin J. Anderson

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Otherworld Stories 8.2: The Ungrateful Dead by Kelley Armstrong
It would be nice to see this zombie tale play out to the end, likely after Jeremy has joined the party, but it doesn't. What you do get I'd a lot of ghost heckling, Jaime attempting to be patient and reasonable, with a healthy dose of Savannah's snark and humor added to the mix. Entertaining, but still lacking on a whole.

Mr. Bear by Joe R. Lansdale
What on earth did I just read? This is by far one of the most disjointed and generally disturbing short stories I have read in an anthology that I can currently recall (and I usually have a pretty good memory for my books). Mr. Bear is so far beyond anything remotely good or acceptable that it's not even laughable. Jim, on the other hand, is essentially a captive that willingly goes along for the nightmarish ride. He should have taken a clue after that horrible flight and ditched the bar the second he saw Bear there in the first place.

Hell in a Handbasket by Lucien Soulban
Yet another version of "what on earth did I just read?" Innocence is apparently embodied by the baby Eve and used in a joke war between an angel of Heaven and a demon of Hell. I'm sure the story could have been stranger, though I'm not really sure how at the moment.

The Eldritch Pastiche from Beyond the Shadow of Horror by Christopher Welch
I wonder if the protagonist here is actually the form of many a writer over the ages as they struggle to get that first publication approved. It would feel like a type of insanity to repeat the same process continually for the same result when that result yields nothing of value, wouldn't it? Otherwise, it's just another messed up "horror" story with no real humor or horror at all.

Elivs Presley & the Blood-sucker Blues by Matt Venne
In this alternate reality, Elvis is not only a rock star, but a vampire and self-proclaimed vampire hunter all rolled into one. Of course the story has to be told from his point of view to top it all off. No thanks. I prefer Elvis as the human he really was.

No Problem by Don D'ammassa
The only summary I can think of to this is "Frankenstein gone wrong." Instead of reanimation by lightening, we have a serum that essential makes them a type of zombie.... though apparently not as mindless as once presumed. So much for covering up all those murders.

Old School by Mark Onspaugh
I'm not sure this even qualifies as a short story as it's just over page on my e-reader. A zombie raising goes horrifically wrong, leaving a lot of mental lamenting over different things as the car of people messing with forces they don't understand ends up the center of a hungry zombie horde instead of just having one hungry zombie on their hands as intended. Though how they thought they'd deal with even just the one is a mystery to me. Ends up just feeling way to short and a little on the stupid side.

The Sound of Blunder by J.A. Konrath & F. Paul Wilson
This has got to be one of the strangest stories I have ever read. It took multiple tries to get through it despite how short it is. The repetitive names, constant abuse, rehashing of events/woes, and general bad air of the whole thing make it feel like you're wading through muck against a grinding stone to get through it. Could have done without this one.

An Evening with Al Gore by Charlaine Harris
This is Charlaine Harris, so the vampire angle really shouldn't have surprised me. I have read the entire Southern Vampires/Sookie Stackhouse series after all. Still, it feels more like a history piece until the last little bit. There's always that hint that there's something else going on, but there really are no definite tells as to what that something may be until the end. Well written in that respect, but still didn't really enjoy it like I'd hoped. This book is proving to be very difficult to wade through.

Dear Prudence by Steven Savile
Okay... this guy obviously hates his wife, and it sounds like she may not be entirely human if the list of ways to kill supernatural creatures is anything to go by. Seriously though, how many ways can you write an "I hate you, I want you to die, gone shopping" letter? I lost count and I don't think it was interesting enough to go back and try again.

A Good Psycho Is Hard To Find by Will Ludwigsen
So apparently surviving some psycho trying to kill them with a chainsaw wasn't enough excitement for their lifetime. They had to become the chainsaw wielding psychos. That definitely would not be a recommended way to keep a relationship alive.

High Kicks & Misdemeanors by Janet Berliner
This is one strange story after another, but an ostrich spirit guide and death squad masquerading as Rockettes? Pass.

PR Problems by Eric James Stone
A ghoul laments over vampires and werewolves getting all the good press, but then uses it to his adventure when the stupid vampire can't tell he's a ghoul (who can change into a hyena) and not a werewolf. Guess it's a good thing they killed the serial killer first or they wouldn't be "alive" to consider good or bad press.

Hellchaser 0.5: Where Angels Fear to Tread by Sherrilyn Kenyon
As if the name Ezekiel wasn't a hint, Zeke gets a new life/destiny thanks to a coin left to him by Michael. Gabriel is set to the task of informing him.... though personally I think there are still a lot of holes in how he's supposed to live his new life and exactly what he's going to be doing. Guess that's where the imagination comes in.

Harry the Book 3: A Very Special Girl by Mike Resnick
The names alone are so out there that it feels like I'm reading a bad comedy. Those names are supposed to be hints to the actual person, but sometimes they are just redundant (like Gently Gently). Bookie work and romance don't mix here, especially when the would-be romance is a mashup of too many problems to count.

Love Seat Solitaire by D. L. Snell
Never thought I'd read a story about a psychotic ghost goldfish. Since when could goldfish throw knives, play video games, write (albeit badly), or play card games?

I Know Who You Ate Last Summer by Nancy Holder
That escalated quickly. I guess it kind of had to for how short it was, but... wow. Looks like it'll end up the same way as Hamlet; everyone dead.

Bitches of the Night by Nancy Kilpatrick
This one hinges directly on Dracula lore, only we have Istvan instead. With the bad Dracula accent even written out, it made me cringe to read it. One poor vampire against three... make that four.... vampire wives. His misery is his own fault.

The Bell... From Hell by Jeff Strand
I really doubt something as simple as a bell would ever actually call Satan, even if you do have to ring it over 600 times in one go. Then there's the parting line: "love conquers all... but in a pinch, you can fake it." Yeah, that's real great pearls of wisdom to pass on there.

Dead Hand by Sharyn McCrumb
Apparently the media is more frightening than racing and potentially crashing cars if this zombie is any indication. I say zombie, because he's a dead star driver brought back to life who'd rather die on the track than do the media circuits. He's really not a zombie in the traditional sense though as he basically passes for human. Amusing overall, but as short and pointless as most of these have been.

The Dresden Files 10.2: Day Off by Jim Butcher
A quick bit of Dresden action to end off the book. Given that I actually do enjoy The Dresden Files and Butcher's brand of humor, this was a refreshing quick read after drudging through the rest of the book. A few highlights that I initially picked up the book for, but otherwise, this was only one I didn't really plan on that I enjoyed. Kind of sad, but also glad that this is the note they chose to end on.

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My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon

My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon by P.N. Elrod

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Otherworld Stories 7.3: Stalked by Kelley Armstrong
This is Elena and Clay's honeymoon, taking place after the twins are born and Clay has his arm injured. McKay comes back with a friend who's interested in Elena. Perhaps they thought one for each of them leveled the playing field. Apparently not as McKay will be in the river indefinitely and Cain only escaped Elena by almost drowning himself. As Clay summarized himself: situation normal.

The Dresden Files 9.6: Heorot by Jim Butcher
Having seen the TV series back in college, the books have been on my to-read list for awhile now. Harry comes off as rather dry in his wit though just as amusing still. Gard is another interesting character, though truthfully I find the intelligence attributed to his animals (mainly Mouse this time) rather entertaining. Who needs a valkyrie when you have a giant dog riding to the rescue?

Roman Holiday, or SPQ-Arrrrrr by Rachel Caine
Well this duo manages all sorts if trouble in just the day of and after their wedding. A bit reminiscent of Pirates of the Caribbean, just with more emphasis on the romance than the curses.

Vampire Files 0.5: Her Mother's Daughter by P.N. Elrod
It sounds as if this is part of Elrod's Vampire Files as they feature Jack, our vampire detective charged with finding the groom a mere hour after his wedding. Some emphasis on mob brutality, meaning the goon got away lucky that he even escaped death at all. Jack is very adept at picking up nuances, even without any apparent vampire talents.

Black London 1.5: Newlydeads by Caitlin Kittredge
It has been a long time since I read the Black London series. I remember thinking the set up was interesting, but really struggling with how they talk and the general tones of the descriptions. That was still true here. It feels almost like it tries too hard to have a British feel, and that makes it overwhelmingly uncomfortable.

Dirk & Steele 6.5: Where the Heart Lives by Majorie M Liu
This was a fun piece with a bit of mythical leaning. Lucy doesn't seem to be entirely normal either, which helps her fit right in with this unusual family. A far better place for her than her original home anyways. I have not yet read anything else from this series. If it reads as this short did, I would likely enjoy it. May be something for me to look into.

Dark Ones 5.5: Cat Got Your Tongue? by Katie MacAlister
I wouldn't call any honeymoon with ghosts normal, let alone when the ghost is looking for a vampire and wants to curse another ghost which ends up with the human helper cursed instead. There seems to be some odd triangle with Robert, Joy, and Christopher as well, which I can only assume plays out in the main series from the brief references. Not my favorite, but an enjoyable piece that has the potential to interest me in the series later on.

Half of Being Married by Lilith Saintcrow
I've heard of Saintcrow's books before, but never read any. This short didn't make me feel like I've been missing anything. The sunrunners seem interesting, but the rest sounds like an overly convoluted mess trying to relabel things that have been well known in this type of fiction for a long time. That doesn't even start with this couples very strange and disjointed relationship. It just doesn't feel like it works.

A Wulf in Groom's Clothing by Ronda Thompson
This was an amusing read but also slightly aggravating. There are poems referenced about this curse, but never actually read or recited completely for readers. On top of this, there are a lot of assumptions made. Laura may or may not now be a werewolf instead of Sam. It's still unknown why the curse suddenly changed forms either, let alone if they actually will end up passing it on to any potential children. This is written in an entertaining and engaging tone that would make for a fun full story following these characters beyond just their honeymoon.

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Dates From Hell

Dates From Hell by Kim Harrison

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The Hollows 2.5: Undead in the Garden of Good & Evil by Kim Harrison
It's been a long time since I read The Hollows. This story is purely Ivy's as she's still with Kisten and working to get away from Art and Piscary on different levels. There is very brief mention of Rachel at the end when Ivy learns who her new partner will be, but we don't even get her name. All that is mentioned is that she is a witch and Ivy now has her file as she moves offices. One thing is certain: never get on Ivy's bad side.

The Claire Switch Project by Lynsay Sands
A science experiment gone wrong finally brings two scientists together with the help of their high school reunion. It's more than a little awkward with a good mix of humor thrown in. Obviously things work out without any drastically horrible side effect given the five year time jump for the epilogue.

Otherworld Stories 5.2: Chaotic by Kelley Armstrong
This short story was really the reason I wanted to read this book now. Here we have Hope and Karl's first adventure as it's happening. It's also the same case that reveals Hope has been working for a freelance Cabal plot and not the Council. Thankfully, Karl has the contacts to fix that, even if getting them out of this first scrape puts them in Benicio's debt. We see that come to play in Hope's book from the main series, Personal Demon.

Dead Man Datin by Lori Handeland
I read a few of Handeland's books several years ago during my college days. I remember enjoying them but not really loving them. This was the same way. Zac and Kit together have some intense and sometimes funny moments. Alone, they leave a lot to be desired. Guess it's a good thing Zac comes back in the end and Kit is really good at research.

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Down the Rabbit Hole

Down the Rabbit Hole by J.D. Robb

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Picked this up for In Death 41.5: Wonderment in Death.

In Death 41.5: Wonderment in Death by J.D. Robb
Obviously this one held my attention. I didn't want to put it down, thought 2 kids and a day job insisted I must. One thing that struck me after the fact was that there is absolutely no Mavis or Nadine in this one. Might not be so strange given Mavis is busy with her own family & career while Nadine might not get wind of this Mad Hatter given it was originally considered a murder/suicide. Still, it's unusual for our favorite reporter not to be sniffing around when an unusual story stirs up around Eve. That might have detracted a bit given the short nature of this story though, and the fact that we do get some Louise and Charles on the side. The parallels to the classic Alice in Wonderland are woven in wonderfully with this dangerous cocktail. It's a good thing Eve has plenty of help from all the right angles so there isn't another "Alice."

Alice & the Earl in Wonderland by Mary Blayney
Not exactly the thrill seaker. This one is more of a mild simmer as man pines after girl and girl insists it would destroy his social standing, so no go. All thanks to a little time travel and a small matter of a wishing coing though, these two get their happily ever after, neatly solving a few other wishes for changed fates along the way.

ILove by Elaine Fox
This was by far one of the odder stories as those with addictions are literally sucked into technology and forced to "pay attention" until they figure out what is important in life. Really it all felt very convoluted and cheesy. Not exactly the strong character draw from some of the other stories.

A True Heart by Mary Kay McComas
Elise is by far one of the hardest characters for me to get into, mostly because she is so negative about everything. It becomes amptly apparent that it's a large part of why she's drawn into this costume nightmare to discover herself so to speak. The constantly changing personas as they characters literally change "costumes" to become someone else with each discussion, revelation, and/or history viewing is a little mind boggling. It would be far easier on the subconscious if they picked a "character" to be the guide and stuck with it. Otherwise it's this constant game of trying to remember who is talking to whom in the costume sense of the charade. Add to that a complete 180 where the main character rushes off on her friend to "make everything right" and you're left wondering what exactly you just read. Still, the various cameos are entertaining, ranging from Zorro, to Star Wars, Avatar, Curious George, and even Abraham Lincoln.

Fallen by R.C. Ryan
Another time travel as the "rabbit hole" analogy feature. This one is also a bit of a second life/magic story as Colin is very much alive in both the past and the present both being meant for one Bethany Campbell. I do have to admit though, all the hunts on horseback have me wishing to go out riding in the hills myself (though certainly not sidesaddle in a skirt).

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Night Shift

Night Shift by Nalini Singh

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I originally picked this up for the Kate Daniels short story by Ilona Andrews.

Psy-Changeling 12.3: Secrets at Midnight by Nalini Singh
I was genuinely surprised by how much I ended up liking Bastien and this different take on shapeshifters in general. The story was naturally short and to-the-point given that's all the room there is in an anthology. Still, it did a decent job of introducing the characters and not making you feel completely lost if you hadn't read anything previous in the series yet, while still making it obvious there was plenty more out there if you wanted it. I think this is one series going on my to-read list to see if it measures up.

Kate Daniels 6.5: Magic Steals by Ilona Andrews
Jim has always been an interesting character that sort of hangs out on the fringes of the story when he's not actively on Kate guarding duty. It was nice to see him more relaxed and having a life outside of his business mode. Dali has always sort of been the odd one out of the pack, but here it becomes obvious that she and Jim really do work well together and are a good match.

The Beast of Blackmoor by Milla Vane
This one was very hard to get into. Admittedly my favorite character was the horse, Shim. Picks up a bit towards the end when you actually start getting action and emotions out of the characters instead of constant denial and traveling. Not enough to make me want to follow it if this had been a short for a longer series.

SPI Files 0.5: Lucky Charms by Lisa Shearin
Again, the ending was the better part of this short story. It was very difficult to get into this one and never really felt like it flowed right. Once the partners opened up and started talking things out more friendly towards the end it started feeling like there might be some potential. Of course at that point, it's over. Can't say this was enough to really make me want to pick up the series.

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Mirror, Mirror

Mirror, Mirror by J.D. Robb

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Picked this up for In Death 37.5: Taken in Death, and found wonderful bonuses in the other stories.

In Death 37.5: Taken in Death by J.D. Robb
I actually enjoyed this more than the latest In Death full book. The parallel to Hansel and Gretel worked wonderfully. There wasn't much outside the case as it was too focused and fast moving, but what was there was spectacular. These characters always come together in the best ways. Dallas made a very interesting "good witch" with her interaction with the little boy to save the twins.

If Wishes Were Horses by Mary Blayney
As if the title wasn't enough to grab my attention? This one paralleled with The Three Little Bears in a old English manor style during war time. There were many good lessons in the idea of being careful what you wish for - you never know just how it will come true. Lucky for our odd couple, their wish still worked out.

Beauty, Sleeping by Elaine Fox
A different twist on Sleeping Beauty, this one had the "princess" saving the "prince." The set up could have been stronger, but the story has it's own unique twists that make it wonderful.

The Christmas Comet by Mary Kay McComas
This one took aspects from 2 tales: The Little Matchstick Girl and The Star Money. Natalie is both wise, wonderful, naive, and a little dense sometimes. You can't help but love her character while feeling concern for not only her homeless adopted family she's trying to help, but her own circumstances as it's so much easier for everyone else (reader included) to see her own dire situation. Magic comet indeed.

Stroke of Midnight by R. C. Ryan
An Irish twist on Cinderella, Sydney is very much downtrodden and abused by her step mother. They peg the wounded girl and abusive step mother routine nicely. Cullen is an odd twist that you never quiet know what to expect from. Their romance is more than a little bit of a whirlwind. Cullen is a mystery from the get go, and the sudden explanation at the end certainly makes the shoe fit, but leaves it feeling a little surreal. Regardless of this drastic bit of magic, this was one of favorites in the book.

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Down These Strange Streets

Down These Strange Streets by George R.R. Martin

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


I have had a really hard time digging into this book, as evident by both the rating and the amount of time it took me to read it. Sure, books are taking me longer to finish as more of my time is spent either working or with my daughter than reading, but May to July? Nearly 3 months for one book. Ouch.

Originally picked this up because it had shorts from authors that I normally read. Sadly, they mostly seemed to be filler that you could already more or less guess from the main series and didn't fill any real gap or need. The rest of the stories were dry and failed to draw me in, lending to the extended reading time. Maybe I would have been more interested in them if I knew more of the stories or characters aside from the brief snippets given at the start of each one. Either way, this book was overall a rather large disappointment that I finished more out of sheer determination than a desire to find out what happened next.

The only saving grace that earns the second star is Patricia Brigg's snippet from the Mercy Thompson series. I adore that series and never seem to get enough of it. This was the only part of the book that I didn't take a break during or have to trudge through to finish. Wish I could say that about more of the book.

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An Apple for the Creature

An Apple for the Creature by Charlaine Harris

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Takes me a lot longer to finish a book now that I have a baby to focus on. This especially took time I think because it was a lot of short stories, so I could read a story and take a break (that usually ended up to be a rather long break) before reading the next story. The two main stories that drew me to this book were the following:

Southern Vampires: Playing Possum by Charlaine Harris
Not sure exactly where in the series this is supposed to be as it isn't numbered, but it was an interesting short about Sookie and Hunter. Interesting that Hunter's teacher is also rather unique.

Kate Daniels: Magic Tests by Ilona Andrews
Not as enthralling as a Kate/Curran story, it was still nice to get something from Julie's POV. She comes across as a lot more intelligent and capable than just the troublesome child that we meet from Kate's perspective.

The other short stories are also interesting, but these two were specifically what I wanted the book for. As with most anthology stories, they often seem too short and unfinished. Nice teasers, but often leave you with a taste for more.

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Magic Graves

Magic Graves by Jeaniene Frost

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


So many series in this book. I'm not nearly as far in Night Huntress as Kate Daniels, so I kind of feel like some of that was spoiled for me, though at the same time it makes me want to go back and catch up on that series sooner rather than later.

Night Huntress 4.5: One for the Money by Jeaniene Frost
I'd actually already read this in it's previous publication, Death's Excellent Vacation, though I'd forgotten as at the time I don't think I'd started the series so the connection didn't click. It was far more enjoyable this time through actually being somewhat familiar with the characters.

Kate Daniels 0.5: A Questionable Client by Ilona Andrews
This short was the reason I read this book in the first place. The prequel to the Kate Daniels series, this little snippet explained a lot about the tension and comments that often bounce between Kate and Saiman. It does feel to be lacking something though as Curran is very noticeably absent in this little snippet. He really does add an element to the series that makes it even more enjoyable.

Not going to comment on the preview chapters of later books as I will be or have read them, so they will have their own reviews.

This includes the following stories:

• Edge 3: Fate's Edge (first 2 chapters) by Ilona Andrews
• Kate Daniels 3.5: Magic Mourns (first 2 chapters) by Ilona Andrews
• Kate Daniels 4.5: One for the Money by Ilona Andrews
• Night Huntress 0.5: A Questionable Client by Jeaniene Frost
• Night Huntress 6.5: Home for the Holidays (first 3 chapters) by Jeaniene Frost
• Night Prince 1: Once Burned (sneak peak) by Jeaniene Frost

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In Death 17.5: Remember When

In Death 17.5: Remember When by Nora Roberts

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


It's been awhile since I read one of her books under Nora Roberts as I've focused largely on the In Death series since starting it last year. I read most all of her Nora Roberts books I could get my hands on years ago, then ended up not following actively any more as I was busy with college, followed by wedding plans and everything else life throws at you. This was a good draw in back to Robert's own style while still keeping with her mystery series under Robb.

The first half is done in traditional Roberts romance bringing together a con's daughter and a private investigator in a rather unusual manner. The second half is under Robb, bringing in main characters Eve and Roarke to solve the remainder of the P.I.'s investigation as it now links to Eve's current murder case. Both stories are very engaging and entertaining. I'm glad that both are included in the book and the story is concluded with the In Death portion. The doubtful conclusion at the end of the first half is probably the only part that would have driven me nuts if it had been a stand-alone.

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Home Improvement: Undead Edition

Home Improvement: Undead Edition by Charlaine Harris

 My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Some of these stories are very interesting and leave you wishing they were longer. Others are just the right length; There was only one that I really had a hard time wading into. A little spooky and somehow oddly related to home repairs, this is a unique collection of stories that will give you a little bit of everything.

This includes the following stories:

• Blood on the Wall by Heather Graham
• Downside Ghosts 3.5: Rick the Brave by Stacia Kane
• In Brightest Day by Toni L.P. Kelner
• It's All in the Rendering by Simon R. Green
• Mercy Thompson 0.5: Gray by Patricia Briggs
• October Daye 4.5: Through This House by Seanan McGuire
• Southern Vampires 11.1: If I Hade A Hammer by Charlaine Harris
• Spellcrackers.com 0.5: Full-Scale Demolition by Suzanne McLeod
• Squatters' Rights by Rochelle Krich
• The Mansion of Imperatives by James Grady
• The Path by S.J. Rozan
• The Strength Inside by Melissa Marr
• Wizard Home Security by Victor Gischler
• Woolsley's Kitchen Nightmare by E.E. Knight

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666: The Number Of The Beast

666: The Number Of The Beast by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The stories obviously don't go too in depth or develop very far because they are short stories. What they do give you though are glimpses of various spooky happenings of a very wide variety. Some are harder to puzzle out. Others are just simply enjoyable. Nice variety for an anthology.

This includes the following stories:

• A Trick of the Light by Chet Williamson
• Channel 99 by Peter Abrahams
• Empire of Dirt by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
• Erased by Jane Mason
• Ever After by Isobel Bird
• Grandma Kelly by David Moody
• Haunted by Ellen Schreiber
• If You Knew Suzie by Heather Graham
• Imagining Things by T.E.D. Klien
• Incident Report by Joshua Gee
• La Fleur De Nuit by P. D. Cacek
• Saving Face by Christopher Pike
• Scapegoat by Robin Wasserman
• Shelter Island by Malissa de la Cruz
• Slam Dance by Bentley Little
• The Legend of Anna Barton by Laurie Faria Stolarz
• The Little Sacrifice by Joyce Carol Oates
• Wolfsbane by Sarah Hihes Stephens

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