Customer Reviews

Hot Spell

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Upon the pages of this erotically paranormal novel, the combined writing of four authors, will sweep you into their tales of wondrous lovers, and their sexually cultivated hungers. Each one is new and distinctly different; all are explicitly exposing! Cast your own Hot Spell!

Historical
What would you do if you watched a naked and well-built demon arouse himself in front of you, and a room full of other women? Georgiana DuBarry, a widow, finds herself in that exact position. Read on to see what develops from this exposed encounter...

The Countess's Pleasure is by Emma Holly. Ms. Holly has created a delicious demon-like character that any women would not mind getting burned and devoured by. This erotic tale will grab the readers by the throat, from page one. This story is the gem of this anthology - brilliant and beguiling.

Modern time
Lyra's new neighbor, Tarek, is a sexual dream; but he cannot cut his own grass or stay away from her prized rose bush. Wait until Lyra finds out that Tarek is also a Feline Breed; and now, someone is out to get Lyra! This story will heat-up to a blistering climax!

The Breed Next Door is by Lora Leigh. Here, kitty-kitty; Ms. Leigh is at it again, writing another sexually charged story about an alpha-type male feline. If you have read one of her many other feline books, then you already know how fiercely erotic they are; if not, you are in for a treat.

Historical
Anthony is now a winged Guardian; after being killed at the hands of nosferatu. Before his one hundred years of training is completed, he will return to earth to seek out and kill the same creature that ended his life. Guardians are created to protect the people on earth from demons and the nosferatu. With only six months since Anthony death on earth, he will have to face the loved ones he has left behind.

Falling for Anthony is by Meljean Brook. Ms. Brook's writes a little off from center. Her starting approach in this story has many subplots going on at the same time, so you will really need to stay focused to fully comprehend this tale of dark winged love. The imagination that went into this story will astound you! This reader hopes to see more of Ms. Brook's work in the future.

Modern time
One should never enrage the wolf king, Roman Montgomery. Eduard does, when he imprisons Roman's younger brother. Now, Roman is going to get his brother from this vampire, and take something very precious from Eduard, his blood child Julianna! The combination between fangs and fur are scorching!

The Blood Kiss is by Shiloh Walker. What can one say about Ms. Walker's erotic quill that has not already been said? Well, here are a few: different, hedonistically fresh, and enthralling are always synonymous with Ms. Walker. She knows no boundaries, crossing them with ease, making the transition with seamless phrases and thoughts. Ingenious is her personal pen.

When you put together authors like: Emma Holly, Lora Leigh, Shiloh Walker, and Meljean Brook, you know their wildly wicked imaginations will procreate willfully. This novel is a prime example that just adds to these acclaimed authors numerous credits. Don't hesitate! Don't wait! Just buy!

Reviewed by © Janalee Ruschhaupt, 2005
Courtesy of Love Romances www.loveromances.com

"The Countess's Pleasure" by Emma Holly. During the Victorian age in Bhamjran, widow Georgiana attends a sex dance performed by Iyan. Having no sexual experience in spite of her marriage, she wants Iyan and he wants her. However, he is an indentured servant trying to get his mother free from a wrongful conviction and she is a foreign aristocrat so nothing can come of this desire.

"The Breed Next Door" by Lora Leigh. In Fayetteville, Arkansas, Tarek is a Breed created to kill; he understands his inferiority to the natural born, but wants his neighbor Lyra anyway. He stops a professional from killing her and declares he will keep this woman safe though it means forfeiting his life for neglecting the undercover assignment he is performing.

"Falling for Anthony" by Meljean Brook. In 1811 Anthony goes to the Peninsular as a surgeon because his medical school sponsor demands this of him. Before he leaves his best friend's sister Emily seduces him. In Spain, a vampire assaults him but tastes the Sword of Norbridge "etched" on Anthony's soul. Anthony must return to England to keep his friend and his beloved safe, but he died in Spain.

"The Blood Kiss" by Shiloh Walker. Wolf King Roman wants his nineteen years old younger brother freed from the vampires who hold him or else. The werewolf sneaks into his adversary's estate planning to rescue his sibling only to be thrown for a loss when he meets the natural born daughter of vampire Lord Eduard, Julianna as he knows she is his pack mate.

These four graphic erotic romantic fantasies are terrific novellas that sub-genre fans will appreciate yet wonder how heated each tale could have been as full length novels.

Demons, Aliens, Werewolves, Vampires, and genetically engineered beings. Berkley's Hot Spell anthology is sure to have something to satisfy every lover of Paranormal Romance!

~The Countess's Pleasure by Emma Holly~

All the Countess of Ware was seeking was one night of discreet, yet earth-shattering passion. Securing the services of an exotic Yamish dancer seemed just the thing. All Georgina thought she wanted was pleasure, but what she found with Iyan was so much more...

I've previously enjoyed Emma Holly's contemporary romance and her fantasy romance, but in The Countess's Pleasure, Holly delivers an intriguing blend of historical romance and science fiction that I found more than pleasing.

Iyan's alien race is known for their control, their unwillingness to give in to emotion. Even still, it isn't difficult to see how Georgina stirs him, as his precious control wavers time and again with the lovely widow.

Georgina is the perfect match for Iyan, despite being human. Practical and shrewd outside of the bedroom, the passion she exhibits behind closed doors with Iyan charms him as effectively as those other qualities so valued by his people.

As can be expected with any Emma Holly story, the love scenes are decadent and plentiful, certain to liven even the most dormant libidos!

~The Breeds Series: The Breed Next Door by Lora Leigh~

Tarek's current mission places him right next door to none other but his own mate, although he doesn't realize that is who Lyra is to him at first. No, that critical piece of information isn't revealed to him until living next door to her for months threatens to push him past his breaking point. When Jonas Wyatt explains the Breed Mating Heat to him, Tarek is more than eager to claim for his own the sassy little bread-baker who has unwittingly tormented him for so long.

But Tarek's mission threatens his new Mate's safety, and Tarek will protect her at any cost.

The Breed Next Door is the first of Lora Leigh's Breeds series to really drive home in no small way the fundamental differences in the way the Breeds grew up versus humans. As entranced as he is by the scent of his little Mate, Tarek is equally captivated by the scents of the homemade bread she bakes - something he has never experienced before, and something most of us take for granted.

Indeed, watching Tarek enjoy new experiences such as clumsily mowing his own lawn, enjoying the taste of freshly baked bread, and trimming his yard is simultaneously heart-rending and joyous. While your heart breaks for what he has missed in his life, you cannot help but find his zeal for these things infectious.

Which is the very reason Lyra finds it impossible to stay mad at him, no matter how bonkers he drives her. Well, that and this crazy attraction she feels for him. Still, Lyra gives him hell every chance she gets, in a way she has no idea turns the incorrigible Tarek on.

What Lora Leigh story would be complete without a healthy infusion of love scenes guaranteed to make your own knees quiver in excitement and induce some very sweet dreams for the reader... And Ms. Leigh delivers all of that and more in The Breed Next Door!

~The Guardians, Book 1: Falling for Anthony by Meljean Brook~

Anthony and Colin have long been best friends, despite their differences in social class. But while those differences do not prevent their friendship, they certainly prove an obstacle to Anthony being able to court the woman he loves, Colin's twin sister Emily.

When Anthony is struck down by a Nosferatu, the Guardian Michael offers him the chance to become a Guardian himself. Normally, such an offer means the new Guardian is prevented from returning to Earth for the first hundred years of their service, to avoid any contact with those who knew them before their death. When the Nosferatu that killed Anthony targets Colin & Emily's family for death, Michael breaks the rules, and assigns Anthony to the mission to save his friends.

Falling for Anthony is the first in Meljean Brook's The Guardians series, and is very closely connected to both Demon Angel (Book 2) and Demon Moon (Book 4). This novella tells the tale of when Colin (Demon Moon's hero) and Hugh (Demon Angel's hero) met when Anthony, Hugh, and the demon Lilith (Demon Angel's heroine) saved Colin's life and quite possibly his very soul. I read the second and fourth books in this series prior to the first, and regardless of the timeline and connected events, I had no trouble understanding any of the stories.

It was very interesting to finally see what exactly transpired so long ago that made Colin what and who he is today.

Of course, that bit of Guardian history is juxtaposed against the tender romance between Anthony and Emily. Believing he can never be with the woman he loves the way he wishes, Anthony settles for whatever he can have of her. When fate returns him to her side after his mortal death, he knows he should resist her charms, but finds he cannot, even though he is bound to his role as a Guardian for the rest of her life. But there is always a loophole, isn't there?

~The Blood Kiss by Shiloh Walker~

When his brother is unjustly held captive by the dastardly Master of the House of Capiet, Roman determines to break him out of the vampire's clutches without delay. He never expects to meet his mate in the process, nor does he expect to find her in the form of the Vampire Master's own daughter, the beautiful Julianna.

Kidnapping the lovely heir to the House of Capiet seems the perfect revenge. But doing so not only threatens the outbreak of war between the vampire house and his own werewolf clan, but promises Julianna's destruction at the hands of her own people.

I ashamed to admit that while I have owned Hot Spell for more than a year, I have only just read this particular story. My only excuse is that I had just discovered author Lora Leigh at the time I bought it, and my frenzy to read all of her work right away caused me to skip any but her stories in the anthologies I purchased then.

Little did I know that a fantastic story featuring two creatures I adore - vampires and werewolves - was languishing away on my bookshelf just begging for my attention. And Shiloh Walker's The Blood Kiss definitely grabbed my attention at page one and held it until I finished the last word in this sexy paranormal tale.

In a romance faintly reminiscent of `Romeo and Juliet', Walker introduces us to Wolfclan Montgomery and the House of Capiet, who have engaged in some barely disguised feuding. Of course, this little story includes some very sexy paranormal creatures and some of the most beautifully primal love scenes between Roman and Julianna.

Although the ending to this story left me more than satisfied, I found myself wanting more of this intriguing world and its characters. I will definitely be searching for any related stories penned by this talented author.

Connected Books:

Emma Holly
The Demon's Daughter (Berkley Sensation)
Hot Spell (The Guardians, Book 1) (The Breed Next Door) (The Countess's Pleasure) (The Blood Kiss)(Falling For Anthony)

Lora Leigh (This list only includes the Breeds books published by Berkley)
Hot Spell (The Guardians, Book 1) (The Breed Next Door) (The Countess's Pleasure) (The Blood Kiss)(Falling For Anthony)
Megan's Mark (The Breeds, Book 1) (Berkley Sensation)
Harmony's Way (The Breeds, Book 2)
Tanner's Scheme (The Breeds, Book 3)
Dawn's Awakening (The Breeds, Book 4)
Beyond the Dark
Shifter

Meljean Brook
Hot Spell (The Guardians, Book 1) (The Breed Next Door) (The Countess's Pleasure) (The Blood Kiss)(Falling For Anthony)
Demon Angel (The Guardians, Book 2)
Wild Thing
Demon Moon (The Guardians, Book 4) (Berkley Sensation)
Demon Night

Four terrific paranormal erotica/romance writers deliver four sexy, unique and wholly enjoyable stories! Short stories that pack a wallop! My favorite (by a narrow margin) was 'The Countess's Pleasure' by Emma Holly; I found the mix of human and 'gentle demon' to be fascinating; the gradual awakening of unexpected love and spicy bedroom action paved the way for the next 3 stories: 'The Breed Next Door' by Lora Leigh, and 'The Blood Kiss' by Shiloh Walker are exciting, full of Alpha Male type action, and sooooo HOT!! 'Falling For Anthony' by Meljean Brook is a beautiful love story with a fabulous ending! Love overcoming all - even death! Don't get me wrong - there is lots of bed play in this as well - (Yes, Virginia, Angels DO know how to have fun - and then some)!
I found all four stories to be fresh, engrossing, very enjoyable, and s-s-sizzling hot with lots of classy erotica! Werewolves, vampires, mixed breeds, and humans - all coming together to make one terrific read! Keeper shelf material!

This book contains the following four stories.

5 stars for THE COUNTESS'S PLEASURE by Emma Holly.
I loved it. It was different and sensual. The ending was wonderful. There was a surprise in the plot that I did not expect. It was erotic and also a very nice story. Story brief: Georgiana is a widow. She visits a ladies nightclub in Bhamjran where a yama (demon) is enslaved and must perform on stage in the nude.

Sexual language: strong. Number of sex scenes: five. Setting: unknown time, probably early 1800s in a place called Bhamjran in the desert. Copyright: 2005. Genre: historical paranormal romance.

For a listing of my reviews of other Emma Holly books, see my 2 star review of "Prince of Ice: A Tale of the Demon World" posted 6/23/08.


4 stars for THE BREED NEXT DOOR by Lora Leigh.
Fun story. Good escape. Very sexual and sensual. This is one the of breed stories. The author has written several. In this one, Tarek is part lion. He lives alone in a house next door to normal human Lyra. He can't cook or make decent coffee. She makes homemade bread and good coffee, which he can't resist. One of his former evil lab captors is hunting him and threatens her. He learns that she is his one and only "mate". They have typical wild, frantic sex, breed style.

Sexual language: strong/erotic. Number of sex scenes: four. Setting: current day Fayetteville, Arkansas. Copyright: 2005. Genre: erotic paranormal romance.

For a listing of my reviews of other Lora Leigh books, see my 4 star review of "Tempting the Beast" posted on 6/30/08.


4 stars for THE BLOOD KISS by Shiloh Walker.
Good, fun, different, and a feel good ending. Roman is king of werewolves. His brother Steven is taken prisoner by the vampires in New Orleans. Roman goes to rescue Steven and falls in love with the vampire princess Julianna.

Sexual language: strong. Number of sex scenes: four. Setting: New Orleans, Louisianna and Tennessee. Copyright: 2005. Genre: paranormal romance.

For a list of my reviews of other Shiloh Walker books, see my 4 star review of The Missing posted 11/12/08.


3 stars for FALLING FOR ANTHONY by Meljean Brook.
Pretty good. I read this for background before I read Demon Angel and Demon Moon. It is a short story, 100 pages long. Demons called nosferatu kill humans. Guardians fight them and protect humans. Michael was a human, close to death and becomes a guardian. He is sent to fight a nosferatu attacking Emily, the woman he loved.

Sexual language: strong. Number of sex scenes: six. Setting: 1811 London and Spain. Copyright: 2005. Genre: fantasy and paranormal romance.

SERIES:
The first four books in this series are:
3 stars. FALLING FOR ANTHONY (in Hot Spell anthology) Copyrt 2005. Review Date 5/11/08.
1 star. DEMON ANGEL. Copyrt 2007. Review Date 5/11/08.
(not read) PARADISE (in anthology Wild Think).
2 stars. DEMON MOON. Copyrt 2007. Review Date 5/11/08.

I don't tend to reread books, I have such a backlog of books waiting to be read that I don't normally take the time. This time I was pleased that I did. When I originally purchased this book, I bought because of Emma Holly's demon story, I had read and enjoyed The Demon's Daughter (Berkley Sensation), so it wasn't much of a surprise that the Countess' Pleasure was my favorite story both then and now. It is exceedingly steamy but there is a sweetness in the romance along with the heat and a vulnerablity in the hero that was unexpected and appealing.

The Blood Kiss was fun too. A take on Romeo and Juliet, only their feuding clans are werewolves and vampires and both Roman Montgomery and Juliana Capriet aren't the silly tragic teens, but are strong, stubborn and intelligent.

Falling for Anthony is the reason I reread this book. I must admit that I didn't enjoy it nearly as well the first time. Meljean Brooks has a very complicated world in her Guardian series and this story doesn't stand apart from the series well. That said, after reading The Guardians: Demon Angel (Book 2) (Berkley Sensation) I foung this story very entertaining. It filled in holes in Demon Angel and made portions of The Guardians: Demon Moon (Book 4) (Berkley Sensation) more poignant. In rereading this story it was enjoyable seeing Hugh, Lilith and Michael now that we know them so well, since understanding their interactions and motivations made this story more interesting. So from my experience the Guardian series should be read in this order: Demon Angel, Falling for Anthony, Paradise in Wild Thing and the Demon Moon.

The fourth story the Breed Next Door, will probably please Lora Leigh fans since she seems to have written quite a few Breed stories, but I didn't care for it either time I read it. It starts out promisingly with the hero unsure of his humanity but longing for it and for love and acceptance, after knowing only brutality. But once he gets together with his "mate" it deteriorates. The language is graphic and repetative, and the love scenes uninspired.

For an anthology 3 out of 4 isn't bad, and if you've been reading the Guardian series you will definately want to read this one.

I just want to say I have been reading alot of Ellora's Cave books (which includes many wonderful writers) and I have to say so far there hasn't been any of the series I have not enjoyed. This was a great read.