Rating: 
Summary: A simply outstanding anthology
Review: From paranormal to supernatural to futuristic romance, this anthology has something for everyone who likes their romances to step outside the normal romance guidelines. All four tales are so good, readers will think they were written by authors that are OUT OF THIS WORLD. "Interlude in Death" by J.D. Robb. New York Police Lieutenant Eve Dallas goes off planet to give a talk at the interplanetary law enforcement and security conference. Once there an enemy of her husband offers her captain bars if she helps take Roarke down. Soon killings directed at Roarke follow leaving Eve to fight for her life and that of Roarke's. "Kinsman" by Sue Krinard. Two telepaths try to stop a war from breaking out between the human colonists and the Shaavrin race. The Shaavrin refuse to allow humans in their space sector unless a kinsman is aboard. Kori and Jonas must stop a plot to destroy the existing order while finding time to deepen their relationship. "Immortality" by Maggie Shayne. A beautiful witch turns to the dark side when her child dies. The witch lives for four thousand years, but then almost dies. Matthew, who is mourning his wife and unborn child rescues her. Together they find the love and acceptance they never found with their deceased spouses. "Magic like Heat Across my Skin" by Laurell K Hamilton. Anita breaks her self-imposed silence to ask for help from her vampire lover Jean Claude in getting back one of her were-jaguars. To do so he insists that they must merge auras. She reluctantly agrees with the results being something never before seen in this world. Harriet Klausner
Rating: 
Summary: Solid Stories from Popular Writers
Review: I bought this book because I am a very big fan of Laurell K. Hamilton, and preternatural romance in general. Her contribution to the anthology is found last, preceded by Nora Roberts writing as J.D. Robb, Susan Krinard and Maggie Shayne. Before purchasing this novel I was familiar with all the writers but one, Susan Krinard. Having never read anything of hers prior to her short story, "Kinsman", I was impressed. Albeit hard to follow in the begining it did have an interesting concept and the leading charecters were dynamic if not a little predictable. The authors I have already been introduced to did not dissapoint. J.D. Robb kicks it off with another Lieutenant Eve Dallas story. You do not need to be familiar with Eve and Roarke from the "In Death" series to enjoy this story. Eve is a strong and capable leading lady, one you are sure to enjoy. The story follows along the lines of a police mystery with a little drama, sci-fi and romance thrown in. A good read. Another of my favorite writers contributes to this colaboration. Maggie Shayne, writter of "Eternity" and "Infinity"(Some of my favorites), adds a story of magic and romance. Along the lines of her previous novels she takes us into the life of Puabi, an Imortal High Witch, who is reincarnated to fix an an ancient wrong. If you enjoyed this story, I highly recomened her other works. As I said earlier, I purchased this story for Anita and the boys. As I read the synopsis I came to realize that the story, "Magic Like Heat Across My Skin", is mearly a preview to her forthcoming book "Narcissus In Chains". I admit that I was grateful for the first few chapters featuring Anita since January of last year, but I was expecting an original short story apart from the new book. Besides that fact, I did enjoy the story, if not the atmosphere it took place in, a great deal, especially seeing Anita and the boys back together again. Narcissus will prove to be an interesting addition to the Anitaverse, if not a royal pain in the behind! I look forward to reading the conclusion to that dilemma in October(Ms. Hamilton, if you are reading this, please no delays!). Though I did enjoy this collection of stories I must issue a disclaimer to he public. If you are buying this book only for Ms. Hamilton's work, wait for "Narcissus In Chains" to come out. If not, enjoy the read.
Rating: 
Summary: A Hit and Miss Anthology
Review: I bought this book because I like the work of most of the authors in it (JD Robb, Laurell Hamilton, Susan Krinard) but mostly because I was extremely excited to read a short set in the Anita Blake universe. I was extremely disappointed. Very, very disappointed. Laurell Hamilton's offering was actually an excerpt from her newest novel "Narcissus in Chains," a fact that wasn't mentioned anywhere on the cover of the book. Now, I don't mind excerpts, but I don't feel that this should have been included in this anthology. I feel that if Ms. Hamilton had wanted to participate, she should have written an original short story. This was cruel teasing and frankly, won't be at all desired now that "Narcissus" is out. I could not believe, after I read it, that I paid that much for an excerpt! After all, most post those on their websites and worse, I felt like she was cheating me out of the pure enjoyment of "Narcissus"! However, plotwise, it was good. Cliffhanger wise... it was truly evil. The publisher (whom I blame in this instance) should find some other way to market Ms. Hamiton's excellent work than in this manner, though I wish that the esteemed author did dabble in shorts between her longer works. The other stories: Maggie Shaye's was based on a series she has published. Frankly, I didn't bother to read it. I read one of the others and found it dismal at best. I don't like reincarnation stories that often. I liked Ms. Shay's vampire stories, however, so perhaps it is just the theme. JD Robb is JDRobb. Ms. Roberts (writing under her pen name) is as excellent as ever, though I don't know if reading this short about Eve and Roarke is worth all seven dollars, I certainly am happy to add another "In Death" piece to my collection. Keep going Ms. Roberts!! Susan Krinard. I liked some of Susan Krinard's work, but I think any perspective buyer should be warned that you either hate her work or you like it. It can be boggy, messy and terminally detailed at times, but her premise is generally enjoyable. I read to see how she goes actually plots the stories. I found myself enchanted by her first historical werewolf story (can't remember the name) but the rest....so=so. I can't comment on this story directly because I didn't read it. I was/am working on a story with a premise that is depressingly close to hers, though a bit spicier, I hope, and didn't want to influence my own work with hers. All in all, if you like the "in death" series, get the book, or if you enjoyed Maggie Shay's series, I suppose. If you're reading it for Hamilton, forget it, and consider writing the publisher about their underhanded marketing techniques. If you want to try Krinard... this is as good a place as any. Ms. Robert's work truly carried the day here.
Rating:
Summary: Not worth the effort
Review: I BOUGHT THIS BOOK BECAUSE IT CONTAINED A "NEW" ANITA BLAKE STORY. IN FACT IT ONLY CONTAINS THE FIRST 6 CHAPTERS OF NARCISSUS IN CHAINS. THE ROBB STORY WAS GOOD, IF YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE EVE DALLAS SAGA, ELSE, YOU MIGHT NOT BE TO INTREAGED BY IT. I LIKED IMMORTAL AS WELL, BUT WAS GLAD IT WAS ONLY ABOUT 100 PAGES, I DON'T THINK I COULD HAVE TAKEN ANY MORE. IF I HAD REALIZED THAT THERE WAS NO NEW HAMILTON STORY IN THIS ANTHOLOGY, I WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT IT. AS IS IT, I'M MORE THAN A LITTLE SORRY I WASTED MY TIME AND MONEY. I SUGGEST YOU READ THE ANITA BLAKE SERIES BY HAMILTON, THE DALLAS SERIES BY ROBB, AND THE DARK JEWLES SERIES BY ANNE BISHOP. DON'T WASTE YOUR VALUABLE TIME ON THIS BOOK UNLESS YOU ARE A DIE HARD FAN OF ONE OF THE AUTHORS.
Rating:
Summary: Not worth the effort
Review: I BOUGHT THIS BOOK BECAUSE IT CONTAINED A "NEW" ANITA BLAKE STORY. IN FACT IT ONLY CONTAINS THE FIRST 6 CHAPTERS OF NARCISSUS IN CHAINS. THE ROBB STORY WAS GOOD, IF YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE EVE DALLAS SAGA, ELSE, YOU MIGHT NOT BE TO INTREAGED BY IT. I LIKED IMMORTAL AS WELL, BUT WAS GLAD IT WAS ONLY ABOUT 100 PAGES, I DON'T THINK I COULD HAVE TAKEN ANY MORE. IF I HAD REALIZED THAT THERE WAS NO NEW HAMILTON STORY IN THIS ANTHOLOGY, I WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT IT. AS IS IT, I'M MORE THAN A LITTLE SORRY I WASTED MY TIME AND MONEY. I SUGGEST YOU READ THE ANITA BLAKE SERIES BY HAMILTON, THE DALLAS SERIES BY ROBB, AND THE DARK JEWLES SERIES BY ANNE BISHOP. DON'T WASTE YOUR VALUABLE TIME ON THIS BOOK UNLESS YOU ARE A DIE HARD FAN OF ONE OF THE AUTHORS.
Rating:
Summary: Worth the read!
Review: I bought this book for "Interlude in Death," J.D. Robb's short story. It has a complete story, starting with murder at the Martian resort where the cops are gathering for a conference. Robb adds to the building of her characters with this short story and fills under a hundred pages to make the story complete.
I was introduced to Laurell Hamilton. This was a little disappointing at first since it was obviously an excerpt from her new novel but it was so great I want to read all the Anita Blake novels
Sue Krinard's story just might be the beginning of a romance series. This one was predictable, but very intriguing, not the best story but worth the read!
Maggie Shayne's story was the weakest of the four stories. I was not impressed with her style and the story had no interest for me at all.
All and all I enjoyed this book even through two were only excerpts. I never miss an Eve Dallas tale, short story of novel and I love to be introduced to new authors!
Rating:
Summary: Worth the read!
Review: I bought this book for "Interlude in Death," J.D. Robb's short story. It has a complete story, starting with murder at the Martian resort where the cops are gathering for a conference. Robb adds to the building of her characters with this short story and fills under a hundred pages to make the story complete.
I was introduced to Laurell Hamilton. This was a little disappointing at first since it was obviously an excerpt from her new novel but it was so great I want to read all the Anita Blake novels
Sue Krinard's story just might be the beginning of a romance series. This one was predictable, but very intriguing, not the best story but worth the read!
Maggie Shayne's story was the weakest of the four stories. I was not impressed with her style and the story had no interest for me at all.
All and all I enjoyed this book even through two were only excerpts. I never miss an Eve Dallas tale, short story of novel and I love to be introduced to new authors!
Rating:
Summary: A Great Introduction to Great Writers
Review: I bought this book simply because I am an Anita Blake junkie and couldn't wait to get my next fix. So you can imagine my surprise at how much I really enjoyed the other stories. Now, before we continue with the review, let me just admit that, yes, apparently I have been living under a rock. I say this because I had never heard of J.D. Robb and the 'In Death' series before buying this book. The story 'Interlude in Death' starts off the quartet of stories and it made me an instant Eve Dallas fan. "Wow!" is all I can say. I had never met any of these characters before, but by the end of the story I felt I knew them and wanted to spend more time getting to know them. (I immediately went out and bought every book in the series.) The fact that Ms. Roberts could make a new reader like me care so much about these characters in a little over 100 pages just amazes me. That is truly a sign of a great author. The final story is an excerpt from Laurell K. Hamilton, from her then new novel, "Narcissus in Chains". I was disappointed only because it was not original and by now, I had already read the full "Narcissus in Chains" novel. But even rereading an Anita Blake story is better than a lot of what is out there. The middle two stories, "Kinsman" by Susan Krinard and "Immortality" by Maggie Shayne have the misfortune of being sandwiched between two really outstanding stories. I think if I read these two first, or as part of a separate collection I would have a much higher opinion of them. Both are good. Both are entertaining. They just didn't reach out and grab me like Robb's or Hamilton's stories do. Basically, if you are only familiar with only one or two of the authors I would really recommend this book to get a taste of similar, but very distinct, writers -- I think you will be as pleasantly surprised as I was.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Introduction to Great Writers
Review: I bought this book simply because I am an Anita Blake junkie and couldn't wait to get my next fix. So you can imagine my surprise at how much I really enjoyed the other stories. Now, before we continue with the review, let me just admit that, yes, apparently I have been living under a rock. I say this because I had never heard of J.D. Robb and the 'In Death' series before buying this book. The story 'Interlude in Death' starts off the quartet of stories and it made me an instant Eve Dallas fan. "Wow!" is all I can say. I had never met any of these characters before, but by the end of the story I felt I knew them and wanted to spend more time getting to know them. (I immediately went out and bought every book in the series.) The fact that Ms. Roberts could make a new reader like me care so much about these characters in a little over 100 pages just amazes me. That is truly a sign of a great author. The final story is an excerpt from Laurell K. Hamilton, from her then new novel, "Narcissus in Chains". I was disappointed only because it was not original and by now, I had already read the full "Narcissus in Chains" novel. But even rereading an Anita Blake story is better than a lot of what is out there. The middle two stories, "Kinsman" by Susan Krinard and "Immortality" by Maggie Shayne have the misfortune of being sandwiched between two really outstanding stories. I think if I read these two first, or as part of a separate collection I would have a much higher opinion of them. Both are good. Both are entertaining. They just didn't reach out and grab me like Robb's or Hamilton's stories do. Basically, if you are only familiar with only one or two of the authors I would really recommend this book to get a taste of similar, but very distinct, writers -- I think you will be as pleasantly surprised as I was.
Rating:
Summary: Can't wait for the next one.
Review: I bought this one for Puabi's story Immortatily by Maggie Shayne. She was the evil dark witch in Destiny & I thought how can Maggie write a story about a dark one & then I thought there's more here than meets the eye & Puabi is not a dark immortal witch, but I was wrong. How Maggie did it was brilliant. I loved the twist in the end & can't wait for the next story. This series is brilliant, please keep it coming & bring us back the other immortals from the previous books.
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