The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance #BookReview #pnr #romance

Fall in love with someone out of this world.

If love transcends all boundaries then paranormal romance is its logical conclusion. From the biggest names around, here are 24 tales to take you to another time and place.

Let Alyssa Day, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Cheyenne McCray, Jeaniene Frost, Ilona Andrews, Kelley Armstrong, Maria V. Snyder, Carrie Vaughn, Allyson James and others show you powers beyond your wildest imaginings.

Within these pages mythical beasts, magical creatures of all shapes and sizes, heart-stoppingly handsome ghosts, angels, and mortals with extra-sensitive sensory perception play out the themes of extraordinary desires.



Includes:
The Temptation of Robin Green by Carrie Vaughn
Succubus Seduction by Cheyenne McCray
Paranormal Romance Blues by Kelley Armstrong
John Doe by Anna Windsor
Taking Hold by Anya Bast
How to Date a Superhero by Jean Johnson
Daniel by C.T. Adams and Cathy Clamp
Light Through Fog by Holly Lisle
The Tuesday Enchantress by Mary Jo Putney
Trinity Blue by Eve Silver
Grace of Small Magics by Ilona Andrews
Once a Demon by Dina James
Night Vision by Maria V. Snyder
Pele's Tears by Catherine Mulvany
Pack by Jeaniene Frost
When Gargoyles Fly by Lori Devoti
The Lighthouse Keeper and His Wife by Sara Mackenzie
Blood Song by Lynda Hilburn
The Princess and the Peas by Alyssa Day
At Second Bite by Michelle Rowen
Blue Crush by Rachel Caine
The Wager by Sherrilyn Kenyon
In Sheep's Clothing by Meljean Brook
The Dream Catcher by Allyson James


The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance Edited by Trisha Telep
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It took me a while to read this anthology. I carried it around and read here and there, which is what I really enjoy. Lately, I'm more interested in short stories while I'm waiting in line to pick up my son from preschool.

For the most part, I really enjoyed these stories. They're all written by bestselling authors who've already made a name for themselves with readers. Some authors I've read before, but for the majority were new to me, as in I've heard of them but I've never read any of their stories. There were a few stories that I questioned, since at least two of them didn't really have a happily-ever-after or an even happy-for-now endings. They were interesting stories, but not what I'd label as romance. Not that I found them disappointing, but the just didn't seem to fit in this collection.

The rest, of course, fit the genre perfectly. Here we find a slew of paranormal creatures that are sure to satisfy, such as vampires, werewolves, selkies, gargoyles, djinn, superheroes and so much more.

I thought about reviewing each, but thought that might take up too much time, so I'll just highlight the stories that really struck me as good!

Paranormal Romance Blues by Kelley Armstrong. When it comes to paranormal stories, you just can't go wrong with Ms. Armstrong. I've loved her writing since the first book I read written by her, Dime Store Magic. The only problem I saw with this particular story is that I wished it was longer. But, that could just be my natural hunger for her writing.

How to Date a Superhero by Jean Johnson. This is the first superhero romance that I've ever read, and I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am a superhero fan (give me Marvel or DC hero any day!) but I've never read a romance featuring this type of hero. I loved it! It made me want to read more superhero romances. And really, with all the women I know who go crazy over the Avengers, why haven't I seen more superhero romances out there? We need more people!

Night Vision by Maria V. Snyder. Oh, I loved this one! Maybe it was the setting, maybe it's just me with my insatiable hunger for certain stories, but with a few tweaks, this one could have easily been a paranormal MacGyver story. For whatever reason, MacGyver spoke to me through this story, and I realize the author probably had no intention of that. It's probably just my obsession. But I enjoyed the story so much! I loved the characters and the thrill of running for their lives, the danger and suspense and the connection between the hero and heroine. It was a fun ride! I'll read this one again in the future, just because I love this kind of story.

The Princess and the Peas by Alyssa Day. This one was way different for me! I loved it! Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen, the author diverted direction and I ended up reading a story I had no idea how it would unfold. Which, I'm sad to say, is mostly unusual for me. Maybe its because I'm a writer, with some stories, I can predict which direction the characters are going. Not this time. This was interesting! I especially loved the humor. I just wish it was longer! I'd love to read more!

At Second Bite by Michelle Rowen. Another fun, fast-paced story with a snarky heroine. It was an incredibly quick read with a lot of danger, suspense and humor. I loved the characters and the struggles they were facing. The author painted a very thorough picture in such a short story that made it feel much longer. It tied up neatly (maybe a little too neatly), but for a short story this was fine. I feel the author could have made this a longer story and it would be just as enjoyable.

Blue Crush by Rachel Caine. Alright. I'll say this now. I can't tell you how many times I placed Ms. Caine's books on the bookshelves in the bookstore where I worked for so many years. I'm disappointed with myself that I never picked up one of her books to read. Are they all like this? I'm going to have to find out. This story was probably the best short story in the entire collection. Yes, I said it. That's how much I loved it! Now, granted, the characters were already established, the hero and heroine were already together, and I know nothing of them. This is part of her Weather Warden series, which, like I said, I've heard about, but never read. Well, now I have to start reading them because of this story.

In Sheep's Clothing by Meljean Brook. Oh, this was another fun one that takes the reader on a full journey with just a few short pages. We get an entire backstory within the action that propels the story forward. It was like reading a full novel in a few minutes. I really enjoyed this one!


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AMAZON

Sharing Favorite Authors on International Authors' Day! #IAD

Normally, I love talking about books. But when someone asks who my favorite author is I get a little tongue-tied. There's no way I can pick only one favorite. It's worse if someone asks which is my favorite book of all-time. There are hundreds! No kidding! How could I possibly choose?

To celebrate International Authors' Day, I decided to share a few of the books written by some of my favorite authors. These are authors that I must read. When I hear they've published a book, I'll go buy it without even looking to see what its about because I know from experience it will be a great read!

 On Goodreads, I've tried to list all of my favorite authors (in no particular order). I know I might be missing a few and there's always more to add when I find a new author!

Wolf's Bane by Ash Krafton

Since becoming oracle to the demivampire two years ago, advice columnist Sophie has battled werewolves and survived a vampire attack (or two). However, not only was she powerless to save her lover Marek when he slipped to the brink of evolution, she also witnessed his transformation into a falcon, the symbol of Horus United.

Sophie’s quest to save Marek is further complicated when rock star Dierk Adeluf – who also happens to be the king of the Werekind – invites her backstage after a concert. Just when it seems she will find respite from heartache, Sophie is bitten by a werewolf and Dierk decides she is destined to be his queen.

Sophie is caught between the demivamps she loves and the Were who commands her to love him. Throw in his jealous wanna-be girlfriend and an ambush by witches, and there you have the big mess that Sophie calls her life. And, hello? Her soul mate is still a bird.

She’s supposed to be the girl with all the answers, but Sophie needs more than a little advice--she needs divine intervention.

~I'm currently reading this one!

Thirteen by Kelley Armstrong

A war is brewing—the first battle has been waged and Savannah Levine is left standing, albeit battered and bruised. She has rescued her half brother from supernatural medical testing, but he’s fighting to stay alive. The Supernatural Liberation Movement took him hostage, and they have a maniacal plan to expose the supernatural world to the unknowing.

Savannah has called upon her inner energy to summon spells with frightening strength, a strength she never knew she had, as she fights to keep her world from shattering. But it’s more than a matter of supernaturals against one another—both heaven and hell have entered the war; hellhounds, genetically modified werewolves, and all forces of good and evil have joined the fray.

Uniting Savannah with Adam, Paige, Lucas, Jaime, Hope, and other lost-but-notforgotten characters in one epic battle, Thirteen is a grand, crowd-pleasing closer for Armstrong’s legions of fans.

Whisper His Name by Elizabeth Thornton

Breaking the code to her heart...

Independent and stubbornly unmarried, Abbie Vayle has always been a little too smart for her own good. But she may have gone too far when she starts her own rare-book business--and accidentally acquires an antique book in Paris with a mysterious code scribbled in the margins....

Someone wants the book back--and is willing to kill to get it. The only trouble is, Abbie no longer has the book. It's locked away in the customs house in Dover. Now it's a race against time as Abbie stays one step ahead of her pursuers. The last person she wants to confide in is her best friend, Hugh Templar, whom she knows only as a formidable scholar who shares her passion for Roman antiquities.

But as Hugh keeps turning up where she least expects him, a few things begin to dawn on her....Not only is Hugh surprisingly--in fact incredibly--handsome without his glasses on, but he's strangely "professional" in how he handles her mysterious enemies.

Hugh is clearly not what he seems. And soon Abbie realizes that neither is she...as she discovers what it means to love with all her heart and soul.

Princess and the O by Felicia Forella

What’s a girl got to do?

Princess Acelin of Timoria is staring down the barrel of her self-imposed deadline to marry and grant her father’s wish, her thirtieth birthday is less than a month away. She has been wined and dined by royalty from England to Monaco and everywhere in between. And she has yet to meet her Prince Charming, the man who can give her the one thing she longs for…an orgasm. She’s beginning to wonder if she’s asking for too much.

Is he the man for the job?

Prince Nolan of Bermine is beginning his leave from the Royal Air Force when his father drags him to the birthday celebration of the woman dubbed “the Promiscuous Princess” by the press. And finds himself tied up in knots over her. Now he just has to exert enough control to prove to her that she can indeed it all.

A Night Like This by Julia Quinn

Anne Wynter might not be who she says she is . . .

But she's managing quite well as a governess to threehighborn young ladies. Her job can be a challenge—in a singleweek she finds herself hiding in a closet full of tubas, playingan evil queen in a play that might be a tragedy (or mightbe a comedy—no one is sure), and tending to the wounds ofthe oh-so-dashing Earl of Winstead. After years of dodgingunwanted advances, he's the first man who has truly temptedher, and it's getting harder and harder to remind herself that a governess has no business flirting with a nobleman.

Daniel Smythe-Smith Might be in mortal danger . . .

But that's not going to stop the young earl from fallingin love. And when he spies a mysterious woman at his family'sannual musicale, he vows to pursue her, even if that meansspending his days with a ten-year-old who thinks she's aunicorn. But Daniel has an enemy, one who has vowed to seehim dead. And when Anne is thrown into peril,he will stop at nothing to ensuretheir happy ending . . .  

Frederica by Georgette Heyer

When Frederica brings her younger siblings to London determined to secure a brilliant marriage for her beautiful sister, she seeks out their distant cousin the Marquis of Alverstoke. Lovely, competent, and refreshingly straightforward, Frederica makes such a strong impression that to his own amazement, the Marquis agrees to help launch them all into society.

Lord Alverstoke cant resist wanting to help her

Normally wary of his family, which includes two overbearing sisters and innumerable favor-seekers, Lord Alverstoke does his best to keep his distance. But with his enterprising - and altogether entertaining - country cousins getting into one scrape after another right on his doorstep, before he knows it the Marquis finds himself dangerously embroiled... 

Photo courtesy of Michele Nelson

A little about me:

I'm an author of paranormal and gothic romance. Before the supernatural took possession of my pen I worked as an Assistant Manager and bookseller for Waldenbooks. After the store closed, I turned to writing as my next career choice. Now I write romance while taking care of my 3 young children. I live with my husband and 2 neurotic cats in the coal region of Pennsylvania.

I have a new book coming out at the end of this year called, The Witch's Kiss. It's Book 4 of The Merriweather Witches. If you haven't read the first three, you can get caught up now...





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