Rating: 
Summary: Over all, a pretty good read.
Review: Let me preface this review by stating that I usually do not read anthologies because I feel that the stories are not long enough to be fully developed. Thus saying, Ms. Ashley, Ms, Feehan and Ms. Thompson do an admirable job in giving the reader some solid stories to read.Amanda Ashley's story ranks with a 3 star for me. It is a nice story, revolving around the Phantom of the Opera theme and a lonely vampire. Loving the play, and knowing it inside and out, was helpful for me to understand a lot of references and to better like the story. I felt that this tale was like so many of the other vampire stories out there. Because there was nothing new or fresh to give the story life, it was just average to me. Christine Feehan's book ranks a strong 4 star for me. I am a huge Feehan fan and have been disappointed in the past that she has not brought the characters from the other stories together. There was a lot of background information of the Carpathians and interaction of old characters in this story. Personally, I would have liked to have seen this as a full length story, but she did an excellent job in the short space she had. I am not sure how well this story stands alone if you have not read her earlier stories. Ronda Thompson's book is also a 3 star book for me, (thus the overall 3 star ranking). Once again, there was nothing wrong with the story itself, there was just nothing outstanding about it either. The end seemed a bit rushed, and the reader was made well aware of the fact that there will be a follow up book about the brother. Maybe it was because we did not see much about the werewolf, just about the wild wolves and I never got to feel like I knew our hero as a werewolf (the story mostly takes place between the full moons). I guess my only other werewolf comparison is Susan Krinard and Laurell Hamilton, and this story did not do them justice. Overall, I thought these stories were fun to read. I would have bought (and did) the anthology for Feehan's book alone.
Rating: 
Summary: A stunning paranormal anthology
Review: Masquerade by Amanda Ashley (originally published 1994) Jason Blackthorne is the stuff of nightmares...and fantasies. He is a vampire, doomed to an eternity of darkness and feeding on human blood to survive, until he meets Leanne, the sunshine to his darkness. She is a singer/dancer, to whom Jason finds himself inexplicably drawn. From the moment Leanne meets him, she is convinced he is the man she has waited for her whole life. But Jason is terrified to reveal his secret; convinced Leanne would be repulsed by the truth. Will they overcome the curse binding him to a lonely darkness forever, to be together? Ms. Ashley writes another stunning vampire tale. Her characters come alive, in spite of the novella length of the story. One will feel the agony of Jason's lonely life, along with him, as well as the bittersweet joy he finds in Leanne; and will be cheering them on to a happy ever after. But be forewarned, reading this tale will give the reader great desire to listen to Phantom of the Opera. Dark Dream by Christine Feehan Falcon is an ancient Carpathian, sent out by his prince Vladimir, over 1000 years ago, to hunt the evil vampires. He has been alone and without a lifemate for so long, he is in danger of turning vampire himself. Falcon decides to return to his home in the Carpathian Mountains one final time to see his new prince, Mikhail, and the Prince's once human lifemate, Raven, before destroying himself by meeting the dawn. In the last leg of his journey, he meets Sara Marten and is shocked to discover she is his lifemate. Sara discovered an ancient diary many years ago, which drew her for some unknown reason, to a mysterious dream man. She has since been running from the vampire that murdered her family She is surprised to meet this dream man in the flesh... at first mistaking him for the vampire she has been eluding for the past 15 years. Sara is therefore not surprised to discover his secret. But before they can be happy, they must defeat the vampire, enlisting the aid of Falcon's Prince Mikhail, his brother Jacques, and their lifemates, Raven and Shea. Will they conquer this evil nemesis to find eternal love? Ms. Feehan has done it again! She has created incredible characters, who will live on in memory long after the story is finished. Her best-selling Dark saga only improves with age and each new tale. This novella is every bit as fulfilling as one of her full-length novels. This is not a story to be missed. Midnight Serenade by Ronda Thompson Rick Donavan is a country veterinarian, who lives in isolation, separating himself from everyone. For he suffers an ancient curse, having been bitten by a werewolf and becoming one himself. Stephanie Shane is a wildlife advocate, who is trying to build up support for wolves in the wild, trying to make all aware of their importance and beauty. She has been tracking a wolf pack and happens upon some farmers trying to kill a wolf, but only succeeding in wounding him. She is bitten as she tries to help the wolf with its injuries, before it runs off. She follows the injured wolf's trail right through the door or Rick's home. He fascinates Stephanie, despite his trying to discourage her from her mission. Rick is also attracted to her, sensing some pull between them. However, he now fears he may have passed his curse on to Stephanie, and decides he must save her from it. Will they defeat the odds to be together? Or are they doomed from the start? This is Ms. Thompson's debut in the paranormal genre and she does not disappoint. Hers is an impressive addition to this book, featuring two of the most world-renowned paranormal romance authors. This story is fast paced and never slows down. The characters are very well drawn and will be memorable. This reviewer hopes Ms. Thompson's first foray into the paranormal is not her last. AFTER TWILIGHT is a more than satisfactory book to be read during the Halloween season, or any time of the year. All three stories are ones to be savored over and over again. Run out and buy a copy today.
Rating:
Summary: Just needed more
Review: Ok, let me state I have really enjoyed all of Christine Feehan's books and Amanda Ashley's too. I was however disapointed in all of the ladies with this installment. I read the genre a great deal am I am getting tired of the stereotypical tortured monster. I think they should all just lighten up and have a character that likes who and what he is and doesn't say sorry to anyone for it. That is not what happened here. Feehan's story of course was different. I enjoyed getting background but this would have been better as a book, there needed to be more "meat" on the story's bones so t speak. For a halloween book I sadly did not get the creeps or swept away once. I am glad I have the book for the slight bit of backround it provides Feehan's Carpathian series but other than that, tell the werewolf to keep some sheep to eat and tell the vampire to have a long talk with a good therapist.
Rating:
Summary: Christine does it again
Review: The book was excellent, I bought it for Christine Feehans story and enjoyed the other ones as well. But Ms.Feehans is by far the best. Hero Falcon is dark, wanting and very sexy. So sure he will never meet his life mate he pours out his soul in a diary to her. Fate steps in and she recieves it long before he ever shows up. A wonderful way to lanch them quickly into romance. Very clever. Falcon is a wonderful character and needed a full length book of his own. I hope Ms Feehan brings Falcon back in other "Dark Series" books. He is a keeper. Diane
Rating: 
Summary: A Book of the Power of Love
Review: The three stories in this book all have the same message the power of True Love and Hope. The savage beasts that the three heros have become are tamed by the love of three very strong womwn. This is second of this type of romance I've read and I enjoyed it very much.
Rating:
Summary: A Book of the Power of Love
Review: The three stories in this book all have the same message the power of True Love and Hope. The savage beasts that the three heros have become are tamed by the love of three very strong womwn. This is second of this type of romance I've read and I enjoyed it very much.
Rating:
Summary: Authors Show why we love Genre Work!!!!
Review: This book is a compilation of three of Leisure Books very best authors. Two have significant paranormal experience and one has done a masterful job at her first paranormal effort. Madeline Baker, writing as Amanda Ashley, presents a beautiful love story between a tremendously sexy, yet tormented vampire, Jason. He falls in love with a singer, Leanne, in the Phantom of the Opera Cast and aches to claim her, yet he knows because of the darkness in his soul, he never can. Watching the development of this love story, the beauty unfold, you find yourself demanding they consummate their love. Which way will our vampire hero choose, eternal life without his love, or mortality in which he's certain to die? Christine Feehan presents another of her glorious "Dark" series. We find Falcon, an ancient of rich heritage, returning to his homeland to pay homage to his prince, before seeking eternal rest, seeking the dawn. En route, he meets a beautiful soul, Sara Marten, who gives him a reason to live, a reason to continue his long existence. Unfortunately for Sara, and for Falcon, she has been long chased by a vampire, also of ancient blood. How they face and destroy this threat is a test to power, courage and the ancient essence of love. Ronda Thompson, familiar to many, is ravishing in her debut as a paranormal author. She presents a beautiful story of Rick, a werewolf who encounters a beautiful conservationist, Stephanie, who is desperately trying to save wolves in the area in which he lives. Unfortunately Rick accidentally bites Stephanie, thus making it almost certain that she will become a werewolf as well. He knows that to save her, he must sacrifice his life. How he makes the sacrifice, is best left to the reader to discover. This is a wonderful anthology, by three talented authors, you should not miss this one for your book collection at home. Pick it up, you'll not be sorry.
Rating:
Summary: Could NOT Put this one Down!
Review: This is my first time reading Amanda Ashley & Rhonda Thomson, but definitely not my last! Both are now that greatest of all finds--new favorite authors! I can't remember the last time I read a collection of short stories, but I wanted to sample these authors in hopes of finding more paranormal romances to enjoy. I'm new to this genre, the closest I came was Rice's vampire series, now seen as incomparable in excitement, sensuality, and satisfaction. I've seen the future & it's not Rice or her Lestat. Thomson's Werewolf story is the most believable, moving and romantic of its type, unique as incredible as that seems, for this wolf-man is almost too human, & sexy is an understatement. I may never go back to mere human romances again. I hope this author keeps her unique edge and continues to breathe life into such marvelous character-driven stories. Amanda Ashley creates a female antagonist, Leanne, who is a bit too incredible & perfect to believe in fully, plus annoyingly reluctant one minute, accepting too much too soon the next. Jason, not an imaginative name for a vampire from Europe, & Leanne go back & forth constantly--vowing to never see each other again, only to fall back into each other's arms repeatedly--a tiring plot design of crisis & fulfillment that keeps irritatingly interrupting the reader's escape into the story. This seems a lazy, template-driven way to create tension to me. Still, this is a sensual fantasy fairy tale that will satisfy almost any appetite, though the climax may seem effortful once it's over. Ashley delivers on her promises predictably--I'm still hoping to find an author who will surprise me with an unpredictable ending in this genre. I will peek at Ashley's other paranormals to see if she's a worthy new favorite author to explore fully. Feehan satisfies completely with another fantastic book from her "Dark" series. Dark Dreams features a powerful ancient Carpathian guardian of his people, about to walk into the sun & end his existence. He has given up in his search of the Light lifemate who could save him from becoming the very evil he hunts & destroys. Same exact plot, just different names and details. We get exactly what we expect in Feehan's Dark series, and the climactic moment, while even thrilling at times & eventually satisfying, gets as stale as monogamy in a loveless marriage after awhile. What makes up for that predictability is Feehan's expert character development which makes us care about & love them like we would a chosen family. The humor is perfectly blended and laugh-out-loud hilarious. The romance & sensuality more fulfilling, detailed & REAL than any other in this genre. Still, the laziest phrase authors use in ALL of these novels, though gratefully Feehan uses it less than most, "he deepens the kiss", turns me off like a cold shower. Please authors & EDITORS, delete that phrase from your stories--it adds nothing to our knowledge of the characters or story, and is just unnecessary sloth. It is exciting to read each author's different idea of what would make mythic monsters romantic and acceptable to the human characters & readers alike. I'm addicted to this new-for-me genre because these authors DO make suspending reality fairly easy, an escape sorely needed in today's world of human monster's with no morals. Here instead, we are confronted with morally good creatures traditionally seen as monsters that are anything BUT. Thanks to these three authors for introducing me to a new source of pleasure--short novel length stories packed into a single-book bargain. I look forward to filling my selves with more books from all three! Like those potato chips we can't eat just one of, these stories are irresistable.
Rating:
Summary: great read
Review: This was my first book to read by these authors. Since reading this book, I have read books by both Amanda Ashley and Christine Feehan. A wonderful read and a great way to see if you like the authors style. Highly recommended if you enjoy vampires and werewolves.
Rating:
Summary: What a Surprise
Review: This was my first exposure to Amanda Ashley and Chrisine Feehan. All I can say is Wow! I've enjoyed Linda Lael Miller's vampire stories and was looking for something similar. I enjoyed Ashley's story, Masquerade, about Leanne and Jason. The setting was today, the characters seemed so real, you felt you knew them, especially Jason. He had such a tender side but his character did not seem far-fetched. This was a very touching and beautiful love story, beginning to end.
Christine Feehan's Dark Dream was my introduction to her Dark Series, Wow. I really marvelled at her ability to create this uniquely different world. There was a great love story, an introduction to the Carpathian Society which so engrossed me, I went out and bought all of her Dark Series books. It reminded me of Lucas' Star Wars empire. Christine has created a believable story of how vampires came to be which is more unusual and therefore more entertaining. These Carpathians are not human but a nearly extinct species that is mistaken for vampires. This was a truely different type of love story but this difference, made it that much more interesting. This story had so much of everything. If you want something different and satisfying, without a large investment give this a try. Thompson's Midnight Serenade was also a satisfying story, but after the first two stories, not as interesting. You get three love stories with a slight twist. If you like unique romance reading, give this a try, you'll love it!!
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