Holidays Are Hell by Kim Harrison, Lynsay Sands, Marjorie M. Liu, Vicki Petterson

Four short stories from the masters of bizarre, including two of my favorite writers (Harrison and Sands). Unfortunately some of these stories tend to be a bit on the dark side, but otherwise a great paranormal read.

Details: Harper, November 2007

Excellence Rating: Great

How To Lose an Extraterrestrial in 10 Days by Susan Grant

Unlike her siblings, Evie Holloway can’t stand the thought of a life of public service. She’s content to focus her energies on raising her children after her divorce and her new chocolate dessert business. When Evie’s sister decides that Evie’s house is the best place to hide the Reef now that the devices that turned the normal man into a killing machine were removed, Evie thinks her sister is crazy and bets her that he’ll be gone in ten days. Unfortunately her sister took the bet and now Evie is stuck with the alien. At first Evie was worried Reef would break her bones if he stays, but now that he wants to return home she’s worried he’ll break her heart if he leaves.

This story is a sequel to My Favorite Earthling and Your Planet or Mine? and these books should be read first to fully appreciate everything included in this story. As usual, Susan did a great job with the characters, giving them enough conflicts to keep things moving along at a fast pace. Given the way the story ended, I really hope I get to read more about this universe. Recommended.

Details: HQN, July 2007

Excellence Rating: Great

Steaminess Factor: Yummy

Call Me Wicked by Jamie Sobrato

Someone wants Lauren Parish dead, just because she happens to a witch. Unfortunately her most recent lover Carson McCullen manages to show up at exactly the wrong time. While her world doesn’t approve of witches taking mortal lovers, Lauren is forced to take Carson with her, otherwise the witch hunters would kill him to get to her. Now forced to hide in a safe house, Lauren must remain celibate despite the hot guy with all the right moves sharing her room. Now assuming Lauren manages to escape the witch hunters, will she be able to protect Carson from the killers in her world?

While this story is a bit on the dark side, it was still enjoyable. Definitely worth reading for anyone who likes both Blaze and paranormals.

Details: Blaze #238, June 2007

Excellence Rating: Very Good

Steaminess Factor: yummy

The Last of the Red-Hot Vampires by Katie MacAlister

Portia Harding’s education as a physicist left her skeptical of all things supernatural, which made her a natural companion for her friend who loves to investigate spooky houses and visit graveyards looking for ghosts. Even when an ethereal virtue passes her powers to Portia, she remains an unbeliever. That is until she runs into Theondre North. Theo isn’t merely the handsome man he appears to be, he’s also immortal. When the Court of Devine Blood tests Portia’s new powers, Theo stands by her side while she undergoes the trials to demonstrate her ability to become a virtue. Then after a brief encounter with the devil himself, Theo finds himself without a soul and needing blood for sustenance. But soon they find themselves caught up in a much bigger plot. Now can Portia and Theo find a way to save the themselves or will then find themselves banished from the world for all eternity?

Set in the same universe as the Asling Grey books and Even Vampires Get The Blues, this story unveils more about the Katie’s supernatural universe. I loved the way she brought back some of the minor characters you may have met in her previous novels. And while I think she rushed the ending a little bit, I believe it’s a story that Katie’s fans will enjoy – and something tells me, we’ll see more of these characters in future novels.

Details: Signet, April 2007

Excellence Rating: Very Good

Steaminess Factor: Yummy

A Greek God at the Ladies Club by Jenna McKnight

Darius, son of Zeus and god of gems, loved women. Unfortunately during a tryst, he turned himself into a statue to hide from a jealous husband. When the husband wrecked the statue in a fit of rage, Darius found himself walking the earth in search of a perfect replica of himself with which he could return to the normal world. Alexandra de Marco used a recently unearthed Greek statue as a model for one she carved from a slab of solid marble to raise money for the orphanage where she grew up. While Darius studied the statue, he also found something special in its creator – she affected him like no other woman ever had. Alex was surprised when her statue came to life, but now she finds herself without a statue for the charity auction and a Greek god who was as charming and sexy as he was 3,000 years ago. Now can Darius convince Alex that he shouldn’t be returned to the statue or will Alex condemn him to another 3,000 years without a body.

This is another laugh out loud book from Jenna McKnight. I love the premise and the characters and while there are a few flaws in the storyline, I really enjoyed reading it and I think you might too.

Details: Avon, December 2003

Excellence Rating: Very Good

Steaminess Factor: Yummy

Love in the Fast Lane by Jenna McKnight

While in the middle of a sports car race, Scotty Templeton suddenly finds he has a ghostly passenger. After wrecking his racecar and then his career, Scotty learns the only way to rid himself from this ghost is to deliver an engine from his car collection to the ghost’s mother. The ghost’s daughter, Maggie Cooper is ready to make the big leap to Chicago to move in with her boyfriend when Scotty shows up with his package. Maggie tries to convince him to leave, but while Scotty wants to comply, the ghost has other ideas. Soon, Scotty finds himself falling for the driven lady and now Maggie must decide to start her new life in Chicago with Mr. Dull or to abandon her safe relationship to take a risk on a racecar driver like Scott.

This book is extremely funny and I loved the characters. The story is pretty good, with a couple of subplots to keep things hopping. But being a car guy, I found had a few issues with some of the details in the book that most readers would never notice. It’s definitely worth the read, especially if you like ghosts who need to make peace with their past.

Details: Avon, January 2007

Excellence Rating: Very Good

Steaminess Factor: Yummy

Bite Me If You Can by Lynsay Sands

Lucian Argeneau has been tracking and killing rogue vampires for over two thousand years. But when a young girl manages to escape from Lucian's latest target he finds himself with a problem. After closing her bar for the evening, Leigh feels someone sink their teeth into her neck and she loses control of her body. When she wakes she’s in a strange place surrounded by strange people and she experiencing a brand new kind of hunger. Soon Lucian finds himself responsible for the girl and for the first time in over a thousand years, he wonders if it's time to end his lonely life. When Leigh realizes what she’s become, she’s not sure if she can become a bloodsucker like Lucian. But before Leigh and Lucian can come to terms with their relationship, the renegade vampire returns to claim what he believes is his rightful property. Now is Leigh ready to include Lucian in her new life or will the rogue manage to kill them both before she can make up her mind?

I miss the sense of humor and the playfulness from Lynsay Sand’s older books that she wrote before she started writing for Avon. That doesn’t mean that this story is bad, it just means that this story is different from her earlier stories. Otherwise this story continues the Argeneau family saga and if the family tree inside the book is right, we haven’t seen the last vampire book from Lynsay.

Details: Avon, January 2007

Excellence Rating: Very Good

Steaminess Factor: Yummy

The Pleasure Chest by Jule McBride

Tanya Taylor loves artwork as only an artist could. When she sees a painting of a pirate dating back to the 1790’s, she just has to have it, even though her credit card says she shouldn’t. Then one evening she finds a mysterious stranger in her bedroom that bears a striking resemblance to the pirate in the painting. Stede O’Flannery enjoyed taking human form for the first time in years, though he knew he had exactly one week to fall in love or the curse will return him to the painting. And without love, he’ll have to wait patiently until his next opportunity to take human form arises. But love requires two people. Now can Stede convince Tanya that he’s in love with her, or more importantly can he convince himself?

This is a cute story about an interesting couple. I really enjoyed Stede’s personality and how he had adapted to modern life. Tanya was also an interesting person too. But I really wish that Moon Beam played a larger role in the story. She's too interesting of a character to have just a walk on role in the story. The basis for the story shows that Jule has a very creative mind and I’m looking forward to reading her next book.

Details: Blaze #281, October 2006

Bottom line: A very good book

Your Planet or Mine by Susan Grant

When Jana Jasper was nine, she found a cute boy hanging outside her window whom she named Peter Pan. Peter Pan or as he's know to his father, Cavin of Far Star was visiting Earth with his father when he met the girl of his dreams, so he devoted the rest of his life to saving her planet from invasion. Twenty years later, Jana hadn’t found anyone quite like Peter even though she had entered political office like her father and grandfather before her. Unfortunately someone was spreading false accusations hoping to discredit her and her family and is now stalking her. Then to complicate matters, Peter returns with an assassin on his heels to warn her about a coming invasion. Now Jana and Cavin must fight to stay alive long enough in order to save the Earth, her life and her career.

I loved this book. The two plot lines worked well together insuring that that couple is never certain what’s coming next. I really enjoyed reading about Jana’s first encounter with Cavin at age nine and how they were able to communicate despite the language barrier. The story insured that a sequel is on the horizon, and I can’t wait to read to read it. If you love romance with a sci-fi twist, you’ll love this story.

Details: HQN, August 2006

Bottom line: A very good book

Angel with Attitude by Michelle Rowen

Getting kicked out of Heaven is a bad way to start your day. But as the ex-angle, Valerie Grace learns, it’s only the beginning. Being human means that you have to put up with colds, sore bodies and creepy men. But there’s a glimmer of hope. If she can do enough good deeds and avoid temptation for the next 70 years, she just might make it back into Heaven. Of course, there’s no way in Hell, the Devil is going to let something that pass, so he dispatches a sexy tempter named Nathaniel to make sure that Valerie never makes it home. But a slight complication becomes a hellacious mess as Valerie finds herself responsible for recovering the Key to Heaven. Now can Valerie convince Nathaniel to help her to save Heaven and Earth or will Valerie succumb to Nathaniel’s charms and live the rest of her life in Hell?

I love Michelle’s story and her sense of humor. I frequently found myself laughing at passages throughout the book. I also thought the ending was strong and powerful and funny as well. If your taste in books is just a little wacky, and if don’t mind reading a book about Angels and Demons, then you really should give this one a read.

Details: Warner Forever, July 2006

Bottom line: A great book

Even Vampires Get the Blues by Katie MacAlister

Being half-human and half elf makes life more of a challenge for Samantha Cosse than for most people. Unable to complete her studies to become a Diviner, Samantha opened a private investigation agency specializing in retrieving lost items. Her first client is Paen Scott, who must find a relic called the Jilian God in order to save his mother’s soul. Of course, there are others that would do anything to prevent Paen and Samantha from finding the relic. While Samantha finds herself strongly attracted to Paen, she realized that he is a Dark One – a vampire without a soul, and only though the assistance of a Beloved, can Paen get his soul back. Of course, Paen doesn’t want his soul back, but given the tingly feeling deep down inside whenever they’re together, Samantha realizes that she may have to become Paen’s Beloved even if he isn’t interested and assuming that she stays alive long enough.

Katie is arguably one of the most versatile writers today, writing contemporary and historical novels, along with paranormal and young adult novels. I’ve enjoyed many of her stories and this one is no exception. Her skill at writing historicals adds to this contemporary story though the detailed descriptions of the area along with the incredible research it took to keep all of the mythological elements accurate. While this is not part of the Aisling Grey Guardian novels, it is set in the same universe. If you liked those novels, I’m certain you’ll like this one.

Details: Signet Eclipse, May 2006

Bottom line: A very good book

Vamps in the City by Kerrelyn Sparks

Darcy Newhart longed for a job in television like she had four years ago when she was still alive, so she pitched a new reality TV show called the Sexiest Man on Earth to the Digital Vampire Network. While selecting cast the cast for the show, Darcy decided to throw in a few humans just to make things interesting. Unfortunately, Darcy didn’t know how much trouble that would cause. Austin Erickson, human, is both a contestant on the show, as well as a member of the CIA’s elite anti-vampire team known as Stake-Out. Now Austin and Darcy are falling in love. If Austin survives elimination on the show, will he settle for the million dollar prize or will Austin insist on staying with Darcy for the rest of his life?

This is a follow-up book to Kerrelyn’s previous novel, How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire. Many of the same characters from the first book also make appearances in the second, so you may want to read the first novel first. I loved the sense of humor that she included in both stories, so if you like vampires and humor, these books are for you.

Details: Avon, May 2006

Bottom line: A very good book

Dates From Hell by Kim Harrison, Lynsay Sands, Kelley Armstrong, Lori Handeland

This paranormal anthology contains four different stories that show women surviving their own dates from hell.

In Undead in the Garden of Good and Evil, by Kim Harrison, Ivy Tamwood – a homicide cop that just happens to be a living vampire – finds herself caught between a family responsibility to work her way up the corporate ladder and a boss who’s holding up her promotion until she has sex with him.

In The Claire Switch Project, by Linsay Sands, Clair Beckett unwittingly becomes part of a science experiment that gives her the ability to change her shape. But is changing her shape enough to help her attract the attention of her longtime friend, Kyle Lockhart?

In Chaotic, by Kelley Armstrong, a young girl named Hope, attempts to prevent a robbery only to find that the robber isn’t what he appears to be. Can her demon heritage help save her from an encounter with a werewolf?

In Dead Man Dating, Lori Handeland, tells the tale of Mara Naomi Elizabeth, aka Kit who not only finds that her date is dead, he’s also inhabited by a demon who wants to love her to death – literally. Her only hope is a rogue demon hunter who’s asking a price higher than she’s willing to pay.

I enjoyed reading this collection of stories. I really enjoyed Linsay’s sense of humor in her story and the fact that her story stands by itself. This isn’t true of Kelley’s story because it’s set in the same world as many of her other stories. Fortunately, I’ve read a few other stories she’s written, which made the story really enjoyable. The remaining stories were pretty good as they explored some different paranormal ideas that I haven’t seen before. All in all, I think if you love paranormal stories, you’ll love this book.

Details: Avon, April 2006

Bottom line: A very good book