Review: A Short Story Paranormal Romance That Packs a Punch
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 5, 2014
I don't know what it is about a wry, slightly snarky first person narration in a paranormal story, but I just eat that up.  Laney, the heroine, is a Grim Reaper and she gives the details of her background and the beginning of the story.  I plunged into this short piece so deeply that I blinked in shock to see I was at the end.  I think I might have made one of those unbecoming whimper sounds over my disappointment to see there was no more.Laney comes to town following the hunch her reaper magic gives her that this is where she is needed.  She is a pro at this death dealing and collecting bit for the violent deaths department of her reaper group so she heads to the bar where the cops congregate to get a bead on the most likely one to lead her to the big baddies of town.  She targets one who looks likely, but is shocked to discover he can actually see her hiding in the 'shade' and that he had just been questioning a werewolf.  His life line was definitely human, but he must have some para blood in him somehow.Troy makes the gorgeous petite female at the bar and his interest is immediately caught.  He senses she isn't human, but he's not sure what she is.  Then she darts out the door right after that were who would have no qualms tackling a small female like her.  He senses that she'll be in danger and feels a strong need to protect her.  He follows after her and is glad he did when he stumbles upon her in a nearby alley with the were towering over her where she lays injured on the ground.Laney got caught by surprise when instead of running in fear from what she is, the were came at her.  Taking down paras isn't in her reaper classification, but she was sure willing to try until he busted her in the jaw.  The human cop comes to her rescue as the were runs off.  She's more the happy to let the delectable man take care of her injuries and anything else for that matter.  It's been a while and she decides that Detective Troy Regan is just what she needs for a rare night of fun before she has to get back on task.  He seems into her too.So this one went by pretty fast and I was relieved to discover that its part of a series since it ended so abruptly.  I like what I got with this short story and I definitely like where its going.  It checked off so many elements that make for a fantastic read to me:  The paranormal worldbuilding that includes Laney's Grim Reaper status, the foreshadowing that the small town might be in for trouble from the para population, the lusty beginnings and further hints of something of a romance developing and even the attractive characters of Laney and Troy.  As I said, my only disappointment was not being done with Troy and Laney's story, but I hold out hope that there will be more to come with them in the next book.All in all, lovers of paranormal romance who enjoy a spunky, sassy heroine and a protective, slightly possessive hero should pick this up.