Customer Reviews

Weddings from Hell

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

 

 

Weddings From Hell is another paranormal anthology in the vein of Dates From Hell and Holidays Are Hell. Pick a theme and throw some popular paranormal romance or urban fantasy authors at it. And just in time for wedding season we've got this collection of tales sure to make your horrific bridesmaid dress woes and cold-feet fly right out the window.

[Till Death by Maggie Shayne] is the first offering in the anthology. When a heartbroken witch of the McLellan clan lays a curse on the women of her family they are cursed to either die at the hands of their cheating husbands or never know love. When Aunt Iris passes away and Kira heads to Scotland for the will reading the last thing she expects is to encounter ghosts or start falling for handsome family friend Ian Stewart. Can she break the curse and find her happily-ever-after?

I've never actually read anything by Shayne, though I have several of her books waiting to be read. This story was short, cute and felt only slightly rushed by the limited time frame. But what really impressed me was her well written dialog, her Scottish brogue was near flawless and read so well! Can't wait to get caught up enough with other books so I can start reading hers!

[Happily Never After by Jeaniene Frost] is the second tale, when grandma Greta's grandson and grandaughter get into trouble with a local mob-wannabe she calls in a favor from her vampire buddy Bones. Happy to serve, Bones sends in Chance to look after Isabella and hopefully find her missing brother Frazier. Unfortunately Frazier is likely in the hands of Robert Bertini, who has strong armed Isa into marrying him. But Chance isn't about to let the strong and independant woman marry the murderous lout, especially not since he himself is falling for her. Will he be able to save her brother and prevent her from this forced marriage?

Another author I've not read, but she's on my wishlist. This story was amusing with its intentional mobster cliches and the banter between Isa and Chance. If the writing here is any indication of Frost's writing for her series I doubt I'll be dissappointed when I get my hands on it.

[Ghouls Night Out by Terri Garey] is the third story, introducing us to Nicki Styx (who has her own series--2nd book comes out later this month). When Nicki's cousin needs a bridesmaid who is she to deny the family, even if it means dressing up in a pineapple yellow dress meant for the bride's best friend Michelle who just so happens to be dead! Of course, no one knows about Michelle's death yet so when she appears to Nicki, she can't help but feel compelled to help find out what happened. Will Nicki find out what happened to Michelle before it's time to kiss the bride?

This story ended up being my favorite in the anthology. I've never read Garey's first novel as it never hit my radar, but now I'm thinking I should hurry up and get it going! The redneck comments got a little judgemental at times but the stereotypes were nicely handled. Anyone who has some redneck relatives will likely find the entire wedding planning to be realistic and amusing, bachelorette party at a country bar complete with Shania Twain karaoke and round after round of beer anyone?

[The Wedding Knight by Kathryn Smith] was the final story, rounding out the anthology with a historically set scene. When Payen Carr returns to London the last thing he anticipates is that he's arrived on the eve of Violet Wynston-Jones' wedding. When he realizes that her groom-to-be is a member of the Order of the Silver Palm--a group of former Templars seeking the Blood Grail and the destruction of the vampires who protect it--he can't let the wedding happen. But he has other reasons for wanting to stop the wedding as five years ago he and Violet shared one blissful night in which she proclaimed her love. If Payen stops the wedding will he be doing it to protect her from the Order or because of his own unspoken love for Violet?

Another author I haven't read, but have her series sitting on my shelves waiting--this short storty turned out to be my least favorite. I'm not sure if it was because of the historical setting or because I felt like I didn't get enough back story. Maybe a little of both. The dialog was a little dull and very little descriptive scene setting took place to frame out the world in my mind. I believe this story ties directly into her series though so fans of it might enjoy the side trip.

Overall this was a really enjoyable anthology. Three authors I was interested in and hadn't read gave me a good taste for what they write and an author I hadn't even noticed yet smacked me between the eyes and made me take notice. From what I do know of the authors and their series Frost's ties into hers as does Garey's and Smith's. I can't say about Shayne's but I get the impression this is just its own story but well worth reading to feel out her style.

I picked this up because I had recently read Terri Garey's DEAD GIRLS ARE EASY and really like her Nikki Styx character and also because I used to be a big fan of Maggie Shayne's "Wings In the Night" books. I hadn't read Jeaniene Frost or even heard of Kathryn Smith. It ended up being a 50-50 split on how good it was. I thought the Maggie Shayne story was by far the worst. It was so saccharine sweet I was afraid I might barf by the time I got to the end of it! I love her old stuff, this just wasn't up to that standard, IMHO. I wasn't terribly fond of Kathryn Smith's story, but then I'm not a fan of stories that take place in that time period anyway. Terri Garey's story was my favorite. Nikki's been roped into her cousin's wedding and has to deal with the ghost of a dead bridesmaid. I really like this character! And I enjoyed Jeaniene Frost's story so much, I ordered her 2 books. Not a bad way to pass a Saturday afternoon, and if you get lucky enough for half the stories in an anthology like this to be good that's not a bad deal!

What a great anthology. Most anthologies have a few great stories and a few that just come up short; either important details are skipped or missing, the story line just falls flat, or it feels rushed. Maggie Shayne, Jeaniene Frost, Terri Garey, and Kathryn Smith actually deliver four very unique and incredible tales.

I have never read anything by Maggie Shayne or Terri Garey, but after Weddings from Hell, I intend to!

Jeaniene Frost and Kathryn Smith are two of my favorite series writers. They both do an excellent job by creating a new story line and characters never before seen in their series. And yes, for their die hard series fans, they even sneak a few of our favorite characters in for a scene or two. There is not a lot of focus on them but just enough to make you grin.

Four new short stories all revolving loosely around a 'wedding' theme from some hot paranormal authors: some old (long established) some new - now all we need is something borrowed and something blue and we're set to go.

Maggie Shayne's story centers around an ancient Scottish family curse - their spouses' infidelity is deadly for the MacLellan brides. Shayne's a long time favorite of mine (love her vamps) but while the premise and the chemistry between the leads was good, the lightspeed dating was just a bit too fast to be satisfying. There were hints of reincarnation or soul mates but not tied together well enough to make the story really work for me. (3 stars)

Jeaniene Frost's contribution is set in the world of her Night Huntress series and has several brief pop-ins by that series' hero Bones. But the hero vampire Chance is an almost as luscious. As a favor to his sire (Bones), Chance steps in to save the lovely Isabella from a coerced marriage to a would-be B-movie type mafia boss and Chance finds himself attracted to her with an intensity he's never felt before in his very long life. Isabella and Chance are every bit as good as Bones and Cat, Frost does great heroes and competent intelligent heroines well. This was fun but trying to pull Bones in felt forced and a bit hokey to me. (4 stars)

Kathryn Smith's entry gives us a vampire romance which is spin off from her regency era Templar series, Brotherhood of the Blood. Smith did a good job with her commitment phobic immortal and the forthright young woman who is deterimined to convince him that living in fear of love is really not living at all. Smith fit alot of steamy stuff into her short space, but this one lost some points for me for a crude word or two. I hate the 'P'word - my problem I know, but it really pulled me out of the scene and since this was a short story there wasn't really time to get back into it. (3.5 stars)

My favorite of the four, terri Garey gives us a little vignette with her series' heroine ghostwhisperer Nicki Styx. Here Nicki's a last minute fill-in for her cousin's wedding - someone has to wear the bridesmaids' dress from hell and Nicki's 'it'. If the banana yellow Carmen Miranda dress isn't bad enough, Nicki ends up having to deal with the ghost of the dead bridesmaid. This one wasn't a romance, even though Nicki's boyfriend is on hand to provide some sweet talking and moral support. Garey's first Nicki Styx book is sitting in my TBR pile, but this story was a well done standalone so that I still enjoyed it even with no knowledge of the series. For you fans, I am sure that it would be even more fun. (4.5 stars)

If you enjoyed these shorts, you'll definitely want to check out the authors' full length novels -- which are even better. Here's a few to get you started.

Jeaniene Frost
Halfway to the Grave (Night Huntress, Book 1)
One Foot in the Grave (Night Huntress, Book 2)

Kathryn Smith (Brotherhood of the Blood - Templar vampires)
Be Mine Tonight (The Brotherhood of Blood, Book 1)
Night of the Huntress (The Brotherhood of Blood, Book 2)
Taken by the Night (The Brotherhood of Blood, Book 3)
Let the Night Begin (The Brotherhood of Blood, Book 4)

Terri Garey
Dead Girls Are Easy (Nicki Styx, Book 1)
A Match Made in Hell

Maggie Shayne
Immortal Desire
Eternal Love (Berkley Sensation)
Demon's Kiss (Wings in the Night, Book 1)

I have read at least 3 or 4 other anthology books and was about to give up on ever reading an anthology ever again when I read this one. Dates from Hell had been so boring that I was hesitant to try this one since the title was so close.
This was a lot more fun, inventive and surprising.
I agree with the other reviewers that the last one was probably the weakest, but the first three by Shayne, Frost and Garey are so good that the last one was good enough to finish it.
If you have never read these authors before, this book is a great introduction to their work and styles. Frost remains my favorite author. Nobody does vampires as well as she does. Nobody.

Maggie Shayne "Till Death" I've never read anything from this author but I found her story extremely predictable. Kira Monroe aka Kira McLellan has been notified that her maternal family in Scotland that she had no idea existed, has had a death in the family and she stands to inherit a sizable inheritance. However, there are some stipulations to the will that may either cost Kira her life or end the family curse once and for all. Most of the McLellan women die way before their time, due to a curse put on them by a scorn ancestor. 2.5/5

Jeaniene Frost "Happily Never After" I loved this story. I got this book soley for Jeaniene's short story and I was not disappointed. Greta, an old friend of Bones has contacted him and asked that he help out her grandkids who are having a bit of trouble with the local mob. Bones delegates the request to his trustworthy friend Chance. Isabella, Greta's granddaughter, is being bullied by a local mobster into marrying him and using her brother, Frazier's safety as leverage. This was a great story; Chance and Isa have great chemistry. Jeaniene was able to build this story w/ a bit of background, action, mystery and touch of romance, I was pretty impressed. Cat wasn't in this one but it was still nice to get a little taste of Bone's twisted sense of humor. 5/5

Terri Garey "Ghoul's Night Out" This was another good story. Nicki Styx, has the ability to see dead people. Nicki has been roped into being a bridesmaid for her cousin. Not only is she forced to where the world's fuglist dress, but now she's being stalked by a dead girl. Nicki puts two and two together and realizes that this ghost was the original bridesmaid she's filling in for. After hearing about the ghost's untimely demise, Nicki sets out to help her solve her own murder. I've never read anything from this author but I enjoyed this story so much, that I will definitely read her Nicki Styx series. 5/5

Kathryn Smith "Wedding Knight by Kathryn Smith" This story was my least favorite. I had a very hard time getting into it. It was completely boring and the epitome of dull. I've never read anything from this author and probably won't again in the future. 1/5

As far as anthologies go, this one was successful. There were two duds but overall I enjoyed myself. I recommend this anthology and Jeaniene's entire Night Huntress series.

I also recommend:
Halfway to the Grave (Night Huntress, Book 1)
Holidays Are Hell
Hotter Than Hell
Darkling (Sisters of the Moon, Book 3)
Grave Illusions

The most recent offering in the "... From Hell" series of paranormal romance anthologies reminds me a lot of P.N. Elrod's "My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding", only in this case, the offerings are four novellas. I'm a sucker for anthologies, since it's like getting a mini-library in one volume, though they often tend to be mixed bags of good and okay stories.

The book starts off on a bang, with Maggie Shayne's "Till Death", in which the heroine of Scottish descent must find a way to break a curse cast on the brides of her clan and save both herself and the man she loves from being the next victims. Wonderfully evocative writing and the heroine is a strong but considerate young lady who values family and seeks its healing for the sake of her kin above all.

The second selection, Jeaniene Frost's "Happily Never After" is my favorite of the lot: on the eve of her unwelcome wedding to a wannabe Mob boss, the unwilling bride finds help from a vampire friend of her plucky Italian grandma. The story deliberately sends up the tropes of Mob literature; it made me giggle out loud in not a few places!

Terri Garey's "Ghouls Night Out" brings us a heroine I'd love to see more of: Nicki Styx (great name!) gets roped into filling in for a missing bridesmaid at her cousin's wedding, but when she gets fitted for the gown that needs a gal in it, she finds herself face to face with the desperate ghost of the former wearer. The story reads a little like a "Ghost Whisperer" fanfiction with the serial numbers carefully filed off, but I'm a big fan of "Ghost Whisperer" and of fanfiction.

The last offering, Kathryn Smith's "The Wedding Knight" features a Victorian vampiric Templar Knight who steps in to prevent the marriage of his ladylove to a craven Knight of a rival order. Of the four stories, this one is the weakest: the dialogue was too modern for its setting (even a headstrong Victorian woman wouldn't have used the term "knocking boots") and the story could have been tightened if one of the love scenes had been edited out.

All in all, this is a fun, airy collection of tales: and isn't the perfect wedding supposed to be delightful and decorous?

There are several short stories in this book for various authors. If you like vampires, werewolves, and other paranormal things, you will love this book. It also gives you a chance to find a new author if you are looking for one. Several of these authors have series of their own.

I actually read this last year and I am rereading now that I bought it. Of course, Jeaneine Frost has a good story. It's nice for a laugh. The other stories are not bad and I will be rereading them too. I am going to be looking up more books from Maggie Shayne, Terri Garey, and Kathryn Smith.

Once I am done reading it again to refresh my memory, then I might even have to give it more stars.

I swore I wouldn't read any more anthologies since I am usually disappointed with a couple of the stories in each one, but this one had strong, stand-alone novellas. I don't think anyone will be disappointed with anything here. I especially enjoyed Terri Garey's story about Nicki.