Review: 3.5 stars. I love finding new authors who blow my mind.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 13, 2012
From Reading and Writing Urban Fantasy and Paranormal RomanceAt A GlanceI liked four stories out of the six. Though not all were for me I do believe that many people will enjoy this anthology.The GoodSacrificial OathI loved the concept of this story. The idea that the Sovereign's daughter is to be made a virginal sacrifice to appease a Goddess because of an unhappy accident is interesting. Alesuela takes the news as you might expect. She is sad and depressed but she tries to stay positive for her father. Her father is just as heartbroken. This was a very sad story until the very end but I was enthralled the whole time. The lead up to the sacrifice was nail-biting.The Amulet of OrmisezThis story had so much potential. The idea that an amulet  can turn people greedy and malicious was fascinating. I think if this story was expanded on and lengthened it would have been great.BirthrightAnother great concept. It was spooky at first which kept my interest. I didn't know were the story was going to go until the author wanted me to.PetrifiedNow this story I liked. Once I got my head around what was happening, I was pulled in. The characters were well developed in such a small time frame and the mystery was excellent. I was genuinely surprised by the end. This was a really well written story.Last Winter RedNow this is the story to read. I would buy this book just for this story. If the author decided to expand on this story by turning it into a full novel, I would be all over it. The concept was both eerie and complex. Nothing is as it seems. Emily has lived a life separated from other societies. All she knows is that she was made to birth healthy babies, free of the disease that ravages the Outside.Emily is so naive it's sad. People take advantage of her and all she wants to do is be an active part of her society. But on the Outside she finally learns the truth about the world and the people she grew up with. Along the way, she finds a few friends who grow to love her as much as she loves them.I loved the twists in this story. I was genuinely surprised by what was really going on. I only wish there was more to read.Escort to InsanityThis one is a whole bunch of insanity. This story has everything one would want: action, flirting, shapeshifters, and naked men. Nicole thought getting an escort for another one of those horrible charity events would make things run smoothly. No such luck. Benjamin is not just a escort, he is a whole lot more. Unwittingly, Benjamin drags Nicole into his world, one with violence and shapeshifters. And when the bad shapeshifters take Nicole's roommate as hostage, Nicole finds the courage to take matters into her own hands.I really had fun reading this story. The characters were cute and funny. The action was superb. And the drama was constant. I would also like to see this story turned into a full length novel.The BadSacrificial OathI think the ending was a little too convenient for my taste.The Amulet of OrmisezThis story needed more substance. It needed to be longer. It felt so rushed and it was confusing the way it was written. It spent too much time on the little things and not enough time on the action and drama.BirthrightThere was so much potential but I just didn't enjoy the story in the end. It was somewhat awkward and didn't have enough going on to make me want to read the second half.PetrifiedThe story confused me at first. It took me a little while to figure out what was going on.Last Winter RedThere is nothing bad about this story. I loved it all.Escort to InsanityI just have one thing to say: Benjamin better pay Nicole back because that's not right for her to lose that much money because of his problems.The SnugglyWe get some sexual situations but no sex scenes. I did like the potential romances that bloomed in many of the stories.Final ThoughtsI enjoyed enough of the stories in this anthology that I would definitely suggest it to other people. The last two stories are pretty much a knock out. If only they were longer so I could enjoy more of them. Recommended.QuotesI followed him when he headed for the rear of the car, trying hard not to get distracted by the sweet, sweet curve of his bum as it tick-tocked with each step. "I swear I've seen you without clothes more than with.""And she says that like it's a bad think," Kellie piped up from her seat.*****"Tracing family trees is harder than you think. I've marked each point of change where the women have moved to a new point of origin, but I've not been able to find the reason behind the change. Not all women stay in that place. They'll live somewhere and return when they're ready to settle. Salmon do a similar thing. When they're ready to spawn, they'll return to the place they were born.""You're comparing me to a fish?""A tasty fish." His eyes sparkled in the low light.