Series: Kate Daniels #6.5; SPI Files 0.5; Psy-Changeling #12.5
Format Read: paperback
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Reading Challenge: 2014 What An Animal
Release Date: November 25, 2014
Buying Links: Amazon*
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Blurb from goodreads:
Four masters of urban fantasy and paranormal romance plunge readers into the dangerous, captivating world unearthed beyond the dark...
New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh delivers a smoldering story with Secrets at Midnight, as the scent of Bastien Smith’s elusive lover ignites a possessiveness in him that’s as feral as it is ecstatic. And now that he’s found his mate, he’ll do anything to keep her.
In #1 New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews’ novella, Magic Steals , when people start going missing, shapeshifting tigress Dali Harimau and jaguar shifter Jim Shrapshire must uncover the truth about the mysterious creatures responsible.
From Milla Vane—a warrior princess must tame The Beast of Blackmoor to earn a place among her people. But she quickly discovers that the beast isn't a monster, but a barbarian warrior who intends to do some taming himself.
It’s seer Makenna Frazier's first day on the job at Supernatural Protection and Investigations, and her first assignment is more than she bargained for when bodyguard duty for a leprechaun prince’s bachelor party goes every which way but right in national bestselling author Lisa Shearin’s Lucky Charms.
Secrets at Midnight by Nalini Singh - I've read a couple of her Guild Hunter books but this was my first of her Psy-Changeling books. I'll be looking to add more of them to my TBR pile. Despite being a novella, there was a lot packed into this story. Bas has been having trouble finding his mate despite some tantalizing hints and when he finds her, he begins a sweet, sassy, and sexy courtship. Kirby was sweet, a little naive, but independent and spunky. She didn't let him push her around. Singh gives a fully developed characters, humor, smexy scenes, some action, and some family drama. Not having read any of the books, some of the background info went over my head but it worked well as a stand-alone. I'm intrigued by the shifters in this world and want to read more. 4 stars
Magic Steals by Ilona Andrews - Kate and Curran were nowhere in sight for this story. This is about Jim and Dali. They're dating but Dali's family doesn't know and there are some hilarious moments. Jim has quite the mischievous sense of humor and he wants her family to know about them. Dali has some insecurity issues and Jim? He cheerfully bulldozes over them and when that doesn't work, he tries to boost her up. It's hard to think of a 700+ pound tiger as meek or insecure but Dali starts out that way at the beginning. By the end of the story, we, and Dali too, see her as strong, capable, and more than able to take care of herself. The Andrews again weave in mythology from around the world, this time from Dali's corner. She gets involved with helping a friend of her family. The heat between Jim and Dali was delightful and while the mystery was a little sluggish, I loved the mythology. 3.5 stars
Lucky Charms by Lisa Shearin - This story dragged at times, the pace was slow despite all of the action. Despite that, I enjoyed. It was full of humor, smut, action, and some new takes on certain mythological beings. "Lucky Charms" tells the story of Mac's first and it's a doozy. Her bosses have lied to her, her new partner is reluctant work with her, and she spends the night getting drugged, eying man candy, and dealing with naked, tricky leprechauns and a naked pissed off werewolf. This story takes place before the first book so you can jump in without any difficulty. 3 stars
The Beast of Blackmoor by Milla Vane - This was my least favorite of the stories. Unlike the others, it's not an urban fantasy but a more traditional fantasy. It's a dark story and angsty, with a very bitchy goddess. The hero Kavik has been condemned by said bitchy goddess but he's a good man who is trying to do right. Mala serves the goddess and she's trying to fulfill a vow. They work together but bump heads. among other body parts. There's an explicit scene where they have sexual relations in a tavern in front of an audience. The story was confusing, didn't engage me, and didn't really fit with the rest of the book. I liked Mala but Kavik left me cold. 2.5 stars
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Great giveaway hun! I'm a sucker for Ilona Andrews, so any anthology with her in it makes it.
ReplyDelete:) Good luck with the giveaway. I hope you like the story.
DeleteAww, I am sorry you didn't like the last story, Bea! I kind of digged it but I like barbarian romances *wink* Weren't Jim and Dali awesome?All those food disasters! :)))
ReplyDeleteLOL The food disasters were pretty funny. There was a lot of humor in that story.
DeleteBarbarian romances definitely don't do it for me, ah well. More for you. :D
I really enjoyed this book, I listened to the audio. I was familiar with Singh and Andrews series, but Shearin and Vane were new to me. I will be look from more from them in the future. The Beast of Blackmoor was my least favorite too, but I still found it interesting.
ReplyDeleteVane was the only new one to me. I think I'd have liked it better if it had been longer and there's been more depth.
DeleteI really enjoy all the authors in this anthology, so I'm very excited to read it. :D
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the giveaway!
DeleteI really liked all four of them but agree that the last one was very out of place. It took me a while to get into that one because of the tone switch. Not sure what they were thinking on that at all.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that was just really odd.
DeleteSquee...Andrews is in there and at the moment and cannot wait to read this!
ReplyDelete:D :D I would have thought you already had it.
DeleteI can't wait to catch up on the Kate Daniel's series - I'm on the 4th book. I love how the novellas focus on the other characters though, because I love them just as much as Kate and Curran.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I like getting to see and better know the secondary characters.
DeleteNot read any of those authors but it would be nice to try them out. :)
ReplyDeleteOooo, I have this one on my want list. :) Glad I saw your tweet. Thank you!
ReplyDelete