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40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
5 Klovers - Courtesy of CK2S Kwips & Kritiques, February 29, 2008
Berkley Sensation brings four talented authors together to create one erotic anthology infused with enough animal attraction to satisfy the most ardent lover of shape shifter romances! Shifter will simultaneously stir your most erotic fantasies while warming your heart with four stories of love and romance.
~Mad Dog Love by Angela Knight~
With not only her life, but the entire empire at stake, empress Zarifa Lorezo needs a bodyguard to ensure she reaches her destination safely. When she learns of a slaver in possession of a werewolf slave, she decides that "Mad Dog" is the man for the job.
Even wearing a slave-collar, Rance "Mad Dog" Conlan proves himself more than a match for the empress on the run...
Whether it is a full length novel or a novella length story, Angela Knight never fails to sweep you up in any tale she spins. She effortlessly creates edgy characters that enthrall the reader, making you wish this story were not a work of fiction, but real people fighting the good fight in our own world and leaving it a better place.
And so it is with her entry in the Shifter anthology, Mad Dog Love. In this short story, she brings together a hero and heroine of the highest caliber who, although they meet under decidedly shaky circumstances, quickly learn to trust one another as they see each other with more than their eyes, opening their hearts.
With a fantastic twist at the end that I admit to never anticipating, Ms. Knight deftly wraps up a gripping plot while leaving the reader fervently hoping for a continuation of this exciting universe with future stories. Mad Dog Love is a must-read for any reader who enjoys a red-hot interstellar romance!
~A Jaguar's Kiss by Lora Leigh~
Hired as the first teacher to the Breed children in Buffalo Gap, Natalie Ricci thought she was prepared for everything the job had in store for her. Nothing could have prepared her for Breed Enforcer Saban Broussard and his sexy Cajun accent. She was even less prepared for this thing they call the Mating Heat...
Saban is determined to win the woman he recognized at first sight as his mate. No one will come between them - not her overly aggressive ex-husband and not the evil scientists intent on capturing a Breed Mate for their nefarious studies...
It amazes me that after so many Breeds books, Lora Leigh is still able to find fresh angles for stories in one of my favorite book series. With A Jaguar's Kiss, she brings the story of a Breed male who finds his mate is a divorcee, with an ex-husband all too present - something guaranteed to drive his jaguar fury wild, but exacerbated even more when the man tries harder and harder to separate Saban from Natalie.
As a schoolteacher, Natalie brings a no-nonsense attitude to this story, and as a recent divorcee, she brings the pain of a woman struggling to exert her long-denied independence even as the Mating Heat drives her into Saban's life and into his arms.
Even with the frenetic pace driven by the Mating Heat and Saban's courtship of Natalie, Ms. Leigh manages to weave a very nice dose of intrigue throughout the story, effortlessly tidying up any loose ends by the end of this novella.
Whether you have previously read one of Lora Leigh's Breeds stories or not, A Jaguar's Kiss is sure to tantalize, thrill, and totally titillate.
Series Order (NY books only):
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)
Connected Books:
Hot Spell (The Guardians, Book 1) (The Breed Next Door) (The Countess's Pleasure) (The Blood Kiss)(Falling For Anthony)
Beyond the Dark
Shifter (Berkley Sensation)
~Shifter's Lady by Alyssa Day~
First Maiden of the Nereids, Marie hasn't left Atlantis for any reason in four centuries, much less a vacation. With her brother's mating to a shifter in the land Above, it is time for her to make the journey to that world to meet her new sister and the panther pack they belong to.
With centuries of life, she has had her share of lovers, but none could have taught her quite what to expect from a man like Ethan, the Alpha of that very panther pack. She finds him alarmingly irresistible, a situation that Ethan is all too happy to use to his advantage.
Ethan swears his protection for the beautiful Atlantian, a feat which proves more and more challenging as the mysterious threat to his lands and the creatures within them grows daily.
I have to confess, although I have read the first book in Alyssa Day's Atlantis Rising series and have purchased all of the stories released so far, I am woefully behind in reading this spell-binding saga. Because of this, I was gratified to find that Shifter's Lady worked very well read out of series order, in addition to being perfectly poised as a standalone story guaranteed to entice readers new to Alyssa Day's work into buying the rest of the books in this saga.
Although centuries old, Marie is charmingly innocent, having lived the majority of those years as the First Maiden of the Nereids, a position that keeps many of the Atlantian men from regarding the lovely woman as more than a friend. It is that charm coupled with her beauty that instantly captivate Ethan.
Marie may have met men like Ethan before, but none who harbored the desire for her that Ethan does, much less who stirred the same yearnings within her. Although she never imagined herself with a warrior, it isn't long before she succumbs to Ethan's amorous advances.
The ending of Shifter's Lady is very interesting, wrapping up some of the storylines, yet leaving room for another tale starring this endearing couple. In the meantime, this fan will be moving the other books in this saga up in her TBR pile...
Series Order:
Warriors of Poseidon: Atlantis Rising (Book 1)
Warriors of Poseidon: Atlantis Awakening (Book 2)
Connected Books:
Wild Thing
Shifter (Berkley Sensation)
~Sea Crossing by Virginia Kantra~
After being ruined by a man and summarily dismissed from her teaching post at an all-girl's school, Emma March forges on with her life, entering herself into service in exchange for passage to Canada. Long before her boat reaches its destination, tragedy strikes, necessitating the abandonment of the now sinking ship. In the midst of the turmoil, Emma falls overboard.
Certain she is to meet her death, she is surprised to wake nude in the company of a virile stranger on a remote yet populated island. It seems that the chances of a ship arriving anytime soon are slim to none, but lucky for Emma, the odd residents of the island happen to be in need of a teacher...
Virginia Kantra was the only author in the Shifter anthology that was brand new to me, and I wasn't quite sure what to expect. We began the book with a futuristic science fiction romance, and Ms. Kantra closes the anthology with a paranormal historical romance, titled Sea Crossing. Incorporating the myth of the Selkie into a historical setting, it feels as if the author has transported us to another world. And I suppose the island of the Selkies could be considered just that, with their own ways of life, removed from the human world, although still tinged with bits of humanity through the children they've fostered with mortals.
As she struggles to find her place in a world that leaves unmarried women with few choices, Emma's dilemma is palpable. Her resolve to find a life where she can be of good use while still maintaining her morals is admirable. Of course, it is just those morals that keep her and the handsome Griff apart for so long. Well, those morals plus the secrets he is keeping from her...
It is easy to see why Emma is drawn to Griff, despite those pesky morals. Strong, mysterious, and caring - he is the epitome of everything she could want in a husband. For that matter, he is the epitome of what most women want in a husband.
In the end, all secrets are exposed, and watching as Emma comes to term with this strange new world she discovers is heart-warming. If Griff could fall any more in love with her, then he most certainly does in the end. And the very same could be said of Emma as she discovers the true depth of Griff's feelings for her and just what he is willing to do in order to be with her.
Series Order:
Shifter (Berkley Sensation)
Sea Witch (Children of the Sea)
Sea Fever
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9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mmm, Mmm, Good!, March 25, 2008
Shifter is a collection of short stories by four of the hottest current paranormal authors. It includes four stories, all with a theme of shape-shifting:
- Mad Dog Love by Angela Knight
- A Jaguar's Kiss by Lora Leigh
- Shifter's Lady by Alyssa Day
- Sea Crossing by Virginia Kantra
As with all such collections, I liked some stories more than others, but I'm happy to report that in this particular collection all four stories were very strong and while I may have my favorite, I really enjoyed them all. One aspect I found unique about this collection is that most of the stories were told more from the hero's point of view than from the heroine's, where most romance books are the opposite, which I found refreshing and absorbing. Here are my reviews of each, for your enjoyment.
Mad Dog Love by Angela Knight
This story is full-on science fiction, set in a distant futuristic alternate world. Pretty much everybody uses "nanobots" to help them out, and of course, the richer you are, the better your nanobots. Although the author never really delves into a technical description of the nanobots, my perception was that they are microscopic little computer systems that are injected into people to enhance their abilities, skills and sometimes, physical attributes.
Mad Dog is a Werewolf - or would that be "nano-Wolf"? His nano system allows him to transform into a much larger, werewolf-like creature with enhanced senses, strength and fighting abilities. A quick reference is made to the origin of this system - he comes from a very challenging planet where such abilities are needed to survive. Alas, Mad Dog was captured by slavers and his nano system is being controlled by someone else. Despite constant torture, Mad Dog remains defiant and determined to escape.
Enter our heroine - an Empress in disguise with a souped up military nanosystem who wants to buy a bodyguard. Adventure - and a steamy romance - ensues.
This author does a very good job of giving the basics needed to visualize and grasp the setting and situation she has created, without bogging down in the technical details as is the downfall of many science fiction stories. Instead, you are caught up by the story and intrigued by the well developed characters. Both the hero and heroine are distinctive and interesting and one can certainly understand why they would be attracted to each other. The story is engaging, and wraps up admirably in the short space provided by this venue.
I don't know if this was a one-time use setting or if we'll be seeing more of this environment in future books - but I hope so. I thought it was a fresh and creative take on the use of nano technology and shape shifting. The story itself was in turns intriguing, adventurous and steamy - all contributing to a solid, satisfying read.
A Jaguar's Kiss by Lora Leigh
This is one of the many Breed stories by this author. I've read a few others so far - a couple of novels and at least one other short story - and I thought this was one of the best ones yet! Lora Leigh is a master at creating sensual tension and heat and this story doesn't disappoint.
The hero, Saban, is a Breed. Genetically engineered with the enhanced senses, and some other traits, of a jaguar. On top of that he's a Cajun with a sexy name - he is sizzlin'!
His prey - er, heroine - is Natalie, the first non-Breed approved to be a teacher to the Breed children. Saban has been assigned to escort her to her new position and ensure her security. One whiff is all it takes for Saban to know she's his destined mate.
Saban is a perfect Alpha male hero - gorgeous, studly, and dominant, yet he struggles to control his desires in order to win his mate's love. He suffers in torment for months while he tries to win her over with traditional wooing. Natalie is resistant, due to her recent divorce from an overly controlling man. Poor Saban, he's got his work cut out for him.
Ms. Leigh did an excellent job combining her trademark white-hot sexual scenes with a sweet and tender love story. And let's not forget the intrigue. All within a short story! Wow. If you've enjoyed previous Breed stories - or if you haven't gotten to them yet - I highly recommend this one. It's one of the best in the series and a great stand alone story, to boot.
Shifter's Lady by Alyssa Day
This is another short story connected to a larger series - The Warriors of Poseidon series. The author doesn't take a lot of time to explain the main premise of the series, but I don't think this would detract from this story, even if you haven't read the other books.
Marie is the First Lady of Nereids in Atlantis. As such, she's pretty well tied to her job. But with her brother having finally found his lady love, she's decided it's time to get away. She's going to go visit her new sister in law (who happens to be a shifter) and get a little vacation at the same time. Little does she know what awaits her in the Land Above!
Ethan is the Alpha of the pack that Marie's new sister belongs to. She's had lovers, but they'd always been the gentle, scholarly type. She's not quite sure how to deal with this strong, sexy Alpha male who's not shy about letting her know he's interested.
Our lovers barely get to say hello before danger threatens and Ethan is forced to deal with it in order to protect his panthers as well as his new love interest.
This story is told from a different direction than most of the Warriors of Poseidon stories. We've met Marie before as a minor character, but suddenly she's front and center and we are reminded that everyone has their own story. The author packs a lot of story into a short few pages, but still manages to keep it cohesive, interesting and sexy. She wraps things up satisfactorily, while leaving options for more stories and even hinting at some developments in the main series. I would venture to say we will be seeing Ethan and Marie again.
Although I think the reader will enjoy this story more if they've read the others in the series, first, it's not absolutely required. Shifter's Lady is a welcome addition to this collection.
Sea Crossing by Virginia Kantra
I believe this is the first story I've read by this author and it was enough to make me go out and look for more. Sea Crossing is a little different than the other three stories in this collection because it has an historical setting instead of contemporary or futuristic.
Emma is a school teacher - or rather, she was, until she was "ruined" by an unscrupulous man who played her for a fool. Now she's got nothing to look forward to but an unknown future in another country, as she indentures herself for a year of labor in exchange for passage to Canada.
Fortunately for her (although she doesn't realize it), her ship sinks during a storm at sea! Miraculously, Emma wakes up warm and dry (and naked) in a strange man's bed. Understandably wary, Emma quickly discovers that Griff is a simple, but honorable, man who does his best to make her feel comfortable. It turns out that the island where she awoke is in need of a teacher - how convenient! She just doesn't know yet that the students - and the other residents - are mythical shape changing Selkies.
At first I wasn't sure if this story was going to work for me; the tone and pacing are so very different from the other stories in the book. But as I read on, the story, the characters, the setting, all began to grow on me. Griff is warm and caring despite his reserved and sometimes gruff manner and the author skillfully portrays him as a strong, virile and attractive man without the usual descriptions. By the time you get to the end, you'll be wishing you could find a Griff of your own.
This may have been the first Virginia Kantra story I've read, but I think it won't be the last. Sea Crossing was a surprising and pleasurable finale to a very good book.
Overall, this was a very good anthology that introduced me to some new characters and authors and reacquainted me with some familiar ones. I enjoyed every story, but I think my favorite was A Jaguar's Kiss (or maybe Sea Crossing...) - it's hard to pick!
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
4.5 stars - No disappointments here, 4 fabulous sexy shifter tales make this anthology a very satisfying read, March 15, 2008
Shifters succeeds where many paranormal romance anthologies fail, here we get a quartet of oh so sexy shifters in four stories that not only are well matched in their sensuality level, but also are very satisfyingly fleshed out romantic tales that work well in the novella format.
"Mad Dog" - Angela Knight does an excellent job of bringing together two powerful and intelligent leads in her futuristic tale of a disguised Empress Zafira who purchases a enslaved virile wolf shifting warrior Rance to serve as body guard as Zafira flees the regent that held her captive for years. Zafira can truly empathize with Rance's frustration at his loss of freedom since she herself has lived as a virtual slave in her palace, literally controlled by the regent out to steal her throne. While slave warrior Rance gives Empress Zafira the edge she needs to help her save herself and her empire from the regent's evil plans, Zafira is clearly a force to be reckoned with. I love that both Rance and Zafira recognize that they have more than just heat to offer each other and that it is Rance's trust in Zafira's capability during the final confrontation that allows her to set them both free.
I haven't read Lora Leigh's full length Breeds novels, but "Jaguar's Kiss" far exceeds her previous short "The Breed Next Door" from the anthologyHot Spell. I really enjoyed this one. While Leigh's previous tale had a great setup, it fell apart once the mating heat took over. That's not the case here. Jaguar Breed Saban with his Cajun accent is totally dominant even as he tries to deny his nature and charm instead of claim Natalie using techniques he's learned from dating books. But Natalie senses the animal behind the teasing and banter and is wary of Saban's controlling nature having recently started to enjoy her independence from her control-freak ex. I thought that it was great that even though Saban attempts to push Natalie into accepting that she's his mate by initiating the hormone driven mating kiss, Natalie fights back and doesn't allow Saban to dominate her even though the bond is near undeniable.
In "Shifter's Lady" Alyssa Day combines a shifter's mate bond and the Atlantean's soul meld and the result is one incredibly sizzling attraction. Here Day hooks up Ethan the Jaguar shifter alpha we met in "Wild Hearts in Altantis" ( Wild Thing) and Atlantean healer Marie from the last book Warriors of Poseidon: Atlantis Awakening (Book 2) to give us a nice little fill in to Day's Warrior's of Poseidon series.
Finally, the last story by Virginia Kantra "Sea Crossing" was a much stronger contribution than her previous Fae inspired efforts in anthologies Over the Moon and Man of My Dreams. I loved watching gorgeous Selkie Griff help 'ruined' school teacher Emma to overcome the fallout from her very unpleasant `first time' with passion and tenderness, even as Emma melts Griff's gruff practicality and inspires in him a desire for a permanent bond that is unusual for a Selkie.
All in all this is a fun collection of shifter romances from ladies that really know how to write the steamy stuff but who still manage a decent story at the same time. The icing on the cake here is that we not only get four terrific alpha males but the women that are destined to be their mates are more than strong enough to hold their own when these macho guys' animal sides come out to stake a claim.
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