Deck the halls with boughs of catnip, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la (Part I)
“The Magical Christmas Cat” - Lora Leigh, Erin McCarty, Nalini Singh, and Linda Winstead Jones
Let’s be clear. The anthology book entitled “The Magical Christmas Cat” does not feature heroines/heroes with pet cats that lead them to their true mates, or kitty kats that scratch the eyes out of baddies while the hero and heroine make their escape. Nay! It is even better! Because in one book, you have not 1, but 2, that’s right! TWO stories about shapeshifting felines. Well strip me naked and spank me down! Christmas is coming after all!
The first short story is “Stroke of Enticement” by Nalini Singh and all I can is: Zach, darling, my love, my pet. Where have you been all my life? No like seriously. Though Lucas and Sasha show up now and again (along with Tammy and Nate’s always adorable rugrats), the only connection Zach has with the changeling world (seeing as how we’ve never heard him being mentioned before) is through Joe the Bartender. Oh yeah and Mercy the DarkRiver sentinel shows up and gives Zach the much needed smack on the head that allowed Nalini Singh to make her wordcount. But enough about that, let us talk about Zach. Ladies, if you like your men dark haired, muscular, teasing, charming, seductive, sexy, playful, good with children, sensual, passionate, possessive and who is more than happy to dedicate his life and life’s purpose to your happiness, safety and sexual satisfaction, TOO BAD ZACH IS MINE! MINEMINEMINEMINEMINE. Because wow. Really all I can say is wow. There really wasn’t a moment I didn’t have a stupid grin plastered on my face because of Zach’s teasing and charm, and when his possessive nature kicked at Annie’s mention of a blind date, “mew”. (That is how we cats whimper). From Zach’s VERY adorable interaction with his equally adorable nephew whom he calls “Jumping Bean” to his slow and sexy drawl when he talks to Annie, say it with me guys, “mew”.
The minute Zach meets Annie he is completely smitten and throws himself into courting her and accepting their bond. Annie, who must have hurt her head along with her leg when that train derailed however, holds a part of herself back at every turn, hurting the man and the leopard. Again, what is it with the changeling men and the women that don’t deserve them? Though to be fair to the very human Annie, she’s the product of a rather dysfunctional parental relationship so she, like the rest of us, have incredible baggage but really. Snap out of it woman! Cherish the man! Hold him tight to your bosom! Join the Facebook Group “Harden the F*ck Up”! Anyhoo, I loved the story (but I love Zach more) and thought it an incredibly refreshing change to not have Annie be in some sort of Psy danger, and to see the DarkRiver pack just chillin’ and kicking it back at their winter picnic. So for those of you keeping score (you know who you are. *ahemLolaahem*), the leader of the pack on the top of Sheridan’s Changeling wishlist is now Zach. Hmm. But then again, Lucas *IS* the Alpha. But then there’s Zach and his very able tongue. Oh …hmm. I guess it looks like I’ll get back to you on that one guys.
Next up, “Christmas Bree” by Erin McCarthy. Now this one’s a little strange. Bree and her two sisters Charlotte and Abby are witches and the story opens with Abby attempting to read Bree’s tarot. Except because Abby’s gifted with magick, she gets a premonition of a man wearing a pink shirt ringing their doorbell who just happens to be the love of Bree’s life and who wants to have wild monkey sex with her. Naturally sceptical, Bree’s like “I’d never go for a corporate dude in a pink shirt cos I’m goth baby!”. Honey, there ain’t nothing wrong with a corporate raider let me tell you that. Also, I’d very much like to hire Abby as my personal psychic because the one I have, SUCKS. And oh yeah Mimi’s not that good either. Ian shows up almost immediately after Abby’s proclamation and because Bree can read a person’s aura, ascertains for herself that indeed Ian wants to have wild monkey sex with her. She might have also been clued in by his massive erection but that’s just me. Taking a wild stab in the dark. Ian’s all nervous because he’s come to see Bree to try and either bang her to get her out of his sytem, or, get her out of his system without a little wham bang action because apparently, Ian’s been lusting over Bree for about a year since they first met, and having vividly erotic dreams about her and her black nail polish.
Little does he know, that Bree has been having the exact same recurring dream that Ian has had and they proceed to get it on by the fireplace the next day. Though nowhere near as charming as my Zach, Ian had his moment when he “called” Bree up for a date, and when he teases her into letting him catch his breath after all that hardwood action. The bit of conflict (which seemed really unecessary and which then ended rather abruptly (which I suppose is the main problem with anthologies)) soon ensues to cause heartache to the two young lovers and Bree ends up throwing Zach’s jeans in his face and telling him to get out. But, alls well that ends well with the help of some mystical mistletoe, a magical cat and another common dream. Can you tell this one didn’t really do it for me?
I almost feel sorry for Ian and the Professor (the male lead in Linda Winstead Jones’ “Sweet Dreams”, and whose story is featured in the continuing post). Really how can a lawyer (and a real estate one at that) and a Professor by day, secret fighter for the Brotherhood (now slow down ladies, it ain’t the Brotherhood you and I know. Nuh-uh) think to compete with a Changeling Warrior (*gusty sigh*) and a Breed Warrior? (*gusty sigh*). And so, with Christmas just over the horizon, have you sent off your secret Alpha wishlist to Santa yet? The girls and I will be sending ours off real soon, along with assorted bribes to sweeten the deal. And once Santa brings us our Alpha Males, there’s no such thing as “share time” here in the RMB household!
Ana said,
December 3, 2008 @ 10:38 pm
Wasn’t Zach a dear? Nalini writes some of the best heroes out there. You can have Zach AND Lucas. As long as we are clear that Judd is MINE MINE MINE
Alice said,
December 4, 2008 @ 1:32 am
I second Ana, Nalini writes some great heroes and heroines.
Have them all as long as you stay away from my Riley and Vasic. Stay. Away. From. Mine. :p
Ana said,
December 4, 2008 @ 6:30 am
are we allowed two then? HAWKE please! : D
Alice, Riley and Vasic - man, she HAS to write Vasic’s story, this is one character begging “write me” next. well, after Riley, Andrew and Hawke of course.
Alice said,
December 4, 2008 @ 7:44 am
Ana- I have to have two, I need to share with Amy so we swap. Teehee.
Well, Riley’s coming up. I have been looking forward to this one since I met Mercy. It’s all about Mercy, baby.
I know! He’s basically screaming “give me my woman, now!” Meaning me, of course. *cough* I think he’ll come after Hawke. I don’t even know if Andrew is ready. He too cute.
Sheridan Sakura Carlotta said,
December 4, 2008 @ 10:20 am
*spits on palm and shakes Ana’s then Alice’s hand* DONE! Each of you are free to lay all sorts of claims on Judd, Riley and Vasic (without the need to pee on any of the aforementioned to mark your territory) and in exchange, I may lay in the arms of Lucas & Zach! Whee!!! This is the best deal ever!
Ana: Zach was SUCH a sweetheart. I loved how he managed to charm Annie’s mother into accepting him into the family and how it wasn’t so much his manners or the fact that he had a PhD, but it was the way he looked at her. *gusty sigh*
lauren said,
December 4, 2008 @ 10:25 am
I seem to remember laying original claim to my panther Lucas.
Sheridan Sakura Carlotta said,
December 4, 2008 @ 10:28 am
*throws Lauren a wide-eyed innocent look* Hmmm…I have no memory of such a prior claim. *looks up at ceiling and shuffles feet*
Sayuri said,
December 4, 2008 @ 7:52 pm
Hawke is mine! Hands off……although I could be persuaded to paly swapsies from time to time!
Sheridan Sakura Carlotta said,
December 4, 2008 @ 8:06 pm
Haha! You’re on Sayuri. Never it be said that I do not embody the very spirit of Christmas what with the sharing and all.
Tracy said,
December 6, 2008 @ 3:23 am
Love Zach soooo much. He is wonderful and I, like you, had that silly grin plastered on my face while I was ready.
Nalini did say that she had mentioned in one of the books (either Clay’s or Dorian’s) that they were going to Zach’s mating ceremony. That’s what gave her the idea - to let everyone know who the heck Zach is. Nicely done!
And I’m still working on my Alpha wishlist.
Aliciel said,
December 6, 2008 @ 9:32 am
“There really wasn’t a moment I didn’t have a stupid grin plastered on my face because of Zach’s teasing and charm…”
Ditto. Where can I find me a DarkRiver male, seriously?
Sheridan Sakura Carlotta said,
December 7, 2008 @ 12:10 pm
Zach is *such* a sweetheart. Love him!
Tracy: I vaguely remember that now that you had mentioned it. I’m so glad this short story didn’t have any creepy Psy undertones or some super serial killer out on the loose. It was refreshing to see the DarkRiver males all relaxed and in love their mates. *Sheridan stares wistfully into the bottom of her whisky sour*
Aliciel, to your question, I don’t know. I ask myself that every single day (and most strangers I meet. You never know…someone may know somebody who may know somebody!).