Hot Spell [Mass Market Paperback]

Emma Holly (Author), Lora Leigh (Author), Shiloh Walker (Author), Meljean Brook (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 7, 2006

Venture into a world beyond the ordinary, where the dark passions and voracious appetites of vampires, werewolves, demons, and a few undaunted mortals combine to unleash a potent spell.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Sensation (November 7, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425212882
• ISBN-13: 978-0425212882
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,702 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #88 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Romance > Fantasy, Futuristic & Ghost

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

109 of 111 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An anthology equal to its name--It's hot!, November 1, 2005

By 

Lauren MacLean - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hot Spell (Mass Market Paperback)

Hot Spell is a terrific anthology with strong writers and sizzling stories.

The first entry, "The Countess's Pleasure", by Emma Holly, is a wonderful world combining British Victorian India and the paranormal. Emma Holly cheerfully introduces her tale with the words, "Everyone said what happened in Bhamjran stayed in Bhamjran." A recent widow, Georgiana DuBarry, Countess of Ware, decides to indulge in the pleasures the city has to offer. After witnessing a floor show, Georgiana contracts a liaison with the performer, Iyan Sawai. The author describes what's brought these two unlikely people together and handles what could be a tawdry situation with real sensitivity. The story perfectly fits the short format, but I acknowledge that I was sorry it ended; I wanted more. For those readers who haven't had the opportunity to read "The Demon's Daughter", this story is set in the same creative world.

The second, modern tale is Lora Leigh's "The Breed Next Door". It stands alone, but the story is part of a series called the Feline Breeds. The hero, Tarek Joran, is genetically engineered. He and those like him suffered considerably in the process of being "developed". After fighting for their freedom, the breeds resolve to make a place for themselves in this world. Tarek is a sort of bountry hunter, and he's drawn to his neighbor, Lyra Mason. Tarek's enemies attack Lyra in an effort to get to him. The story crackles with sexual tension. Although it may not be as satisfying as her longer novels, it's a great introduction into Miss Leigh's inspired series.

The third story, "Falling for Anthony" by Meljean Brook, is ambitious in scope. It's a complicated combination with quasi-angels, vampires, and a quest. Anthony, who has always loved Emily, is brought back from the dead to protect her and her brother. There's a lovely story here, but it clamors for a longer format.

Shiloh Walker's vampires and werewolves are favorites of mine. "The Blood Kiss", like others in the anthology, is a stand alone although part of her larger "The Hunters" series. Julianna is the daughter of an evil vampire. She is kidnapped by Roman Montgomery, king of the werewolves. They fall in love and must fight the efforts of her father's minions to recapture her. Mikhail, the father's second in command, plays a small but significant role here. He's a recurring character in Walker's paranormal universe. I'll confess that I wanted more of this story too.

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Read, November 11, 2005

By 

H. Gracia (Chula Vista, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hot Spell (Mass Market Paperback)

I would like to give this a 4 1/2 star rating. Three of the stories were great and one left something to be desired.

The Countess's Pleasure by Emma Holly was very nice. I liked the imagination of the other race and the mix with Victorian times. It was an unusual choice to put together but it really worked.

The Breed Next Door by Lora Leigh was my favorite. It was the shortest but the hottest. I would have loved to see this as a full length novel. Even with the constraints of the short story you got a sense of who and what Tarek was. Leigh was able to make me care for the 2 main characters in a short period of time. This calls for a sequel. Loved it!

Falling for Anthony by Meljean Brook was, to me, the weakest of the 4 stories. It is the only reason I didn't give the book 5 stars. I felt that there was too much happening and too much detail to ever develope any feeling for the main characters. I got lost in story at times as there seemed to be so much happening with no follow-through of information.

The Blood Kiss by Shiloh Walker was another strong short story. She was able to develope the characters and make you like them and care about them in a very short period of time. This is another story that calls for a sequel because of some of the very interesting secondary characters. Very nice story.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Luke warm spell, March 27, 2006

By 

Lisa Hopcroft "Lelea" (Mid west, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Hot Spell (Mass Market Paperback)

I came into this book not having read any of the authors before and I had very little background knowledge of any of the series attached to this collection. That said....

The Countess's Pleasure was....okay. I never really got invested in the story and when it was over it didn't leave me wanting to look up any of the author's other works.

The Breed Next Door was one of the two best in this collection. It left me wanting to read the series that this is a stand alone to. Lyra made me smile and laugh at loud at times. The way Lyra and Tarek enjoyed provoking each other was fun to watch without being over the top. It was fun and I can't wait to read more stories set in this world.

Falling for Anthony fell short of interesting. Mixing angel-like gurdians and vampires it left me feeling nothing at all.

The Blood Kiss was the second of the two best stories. Julianna is the blood daughter of the Eduard, an old world ruling vampire who just happens to be holding Roman's younger brother hostage. No a wise idea when Roman is the werewolf's King. After Julianna helps Roman free his brother he takes the opprotunity to snatch Julianna. Eduard assumes Julianna betrayed him and declares her to be Blood Prize, an old world law that is just as horrendous as it sounds. It left me wanting to read more but not unsatisfied.