Review: These two awesome previously published shorts - are worth a second read
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 09 3, 2011
I am so excited to have stumbled on this collection. Ilona Andrews and Jeaniene Frost together with two awesome previously published quick reads from their popular series. If missed them because you aren't a fan of those huge multi-author anthologies like I am, this is your chance to get really good stories connected Frost'sNight Huntressand Andrews'Kate Danielsseries - plus some bonus sneak peaks for stories they have lurking just beyond the horizon.Since Jeaniene Frost started making her previously published Night Huntress World short stories available in e-novella format, I have been hoping to get the short that was actually a Cat and Bones short fromDeath's Excellent Vacation, and Ilona Andrews' Kate Daniels prequel fromDark and Stormy Knightsas well, along with teasers for their upcoming books/novella's - I am in heaven:)  These were short, since both of those anthologies had lots of stories, but both were among the best stories in their respective collections.Andrews' "A Questionable Client" - During her Mercenary Guild days, Kate is hired as a bodyguard, and of course trouble follows -  Kate's first encounter with the mysterious Saiman is even more entertaining on the second read. I especially enjoyed the bits of Slavic myth in the story and the way that the challenge that Kate-being-Kate, presents to Saiman - who is sure that everyone has a price -  lays the foundation for their oddball working relationship in the future. This story is a treat for fans but would work as a decent intro to the series as well.Frost's "One For The Money" - Cat and Bones pull bodyguard duty for a human heiress targeted by supernatural hit men - This is a more than decent little Night Huntress fix, it even has a few little steamy bits for Bones and Cat. I enjoyed this one more the second time around as well, it takes a little bit to get rolling, but there's some really funny snarky lines for both Bones and Cat.  And what really got me this time was Bones teaching Justina (Cat's mom) how to protect herself - paraphrasing Cat, nothing says love more than taking a knife through the heart. Fans will probably appreciate this story more than newbies, since half the fun of seeing Cat and Bones together is knowing about them and their relationship, but from a series standpoint it is stand alone.Also included are bonus sneak previews :>> Frost'sOnce Burned (Night Prince, Book 1)- Vlad's book - and "Home for the Holidays" fromThe Bite Before Christmas, an upcoming anthology with Lynsay Sands.>>Andrew'sFate's Edge (A Novel of the Edge book 3)and "Magic Grieves", an upcoming Kate novella (I think that the wait for the next full length Kate is somewhat long since Andrea's first book comes next)