Authors: Nalini Singh, Ilona Andrews, Lisa Shearin, Milla Vane
Publication: Berkley (November 25, 2014)
Description: 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.
My Thoughts: I read three of the four stories in this anthology. The first was Secrets at Midnight by Nalini Singh and told the story of Bastien Smith finding his mate in kindergarten teacher Kirby who was raised human and in foster care and doesn't know that she is a shifter. I like Bastien's complete devotion to Kirby and Kirby's courage and determination not to be overrun by Bastien's more dominant personality.
I also liked Magic Steals by Ilona Andrews which was a story about Dali and Jim. It was told from Dali's point of view and gave me an entirely new appreciation for her.
I also read Lucky Charms by Lisa Shearin and liked it so much that I bought the novels in the SPI series. I loved the narrator's quirky viewpoint and her wonderful descriptions. I am also curious about what comes next for the characters.
After reading Lisa Shearin's story I wasn't able to get into The Beast of Blackmoor by Milla Vane. I wasn't ready for a switch to high fantasy after urban fantasy. I'll give this story a try another day.
All in all, this was an entertaining anthology. The high point for me was the introduction to an author I hadn't read who wrote the kind of stories I really like.
Favorite Quote (from Lucky Charms):
I'd seen werewolves before; I'd just never seen one carrying a massive .45 in a shoulder rig, and wearing fatigues and a T-shirt that read: "Don't run, you'll only die tired."I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.
And if that wasn't enough—and it was plenty—he was big, somewhere between six foot seven and Sasquatch.
I had a hard time with the switch in genres also and high fantasy is hit or miss for me. I did like the other stories and I have the second book in Shearin's series in my TBR pile.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I enjoyed hearing Dali's voice and seeing Jim from her perspective. It's a nice change and gave me a different perspective on things in that world.