“Dead after Dark” - Sherrilyn Kenyon, JR Ward, Susan Squires and Dianna Love

Besides the story of a love starved chained up dormant sex god of a vampire, the “Dead after Dark” anthology also tells the story of an angry wolf who should really have drowned his mate in a bathtub as opposed to sacrificing his life for her, an angry stable boy denied the love of his master’s daughter now turned vampire lover, and a sexy Belador warrior whose mission in life is to protect the world from weird Hindu mystical demons. Having finally read all four stories in the book and coming to a fair decision by way of objective and carefully researched out criteria (I flipped a coin), I declare JR Ward’s short story the best in this anthology. Dear Ms. Ward, if you are reading this, you made me sad with Phury’s book but now, now I am filled with hope and will be looking forward to Rehvenge’s book like a hungry bear just out of hibernation and Rehv is a piece of rump steak coated in honey. Except then I found out about the incest thing and the whole urban fantasy less romance direction that you are now embarking on. Seriously JR. Just because you still think it is Romance doesn’t make it so. Trust me. I know this very well. Love, Sheridan.

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“The Story of Son” by JR Ward - Dead after Dark Anthology

First up, Sayuri, you are da bomb sister! *thumps chest twice and throws down the peace sign*. Second of all, JR Ward’s “The Story of Son” goes a mighty long way in erasing the pain in my heart as a result of Phury’s book. Which kinda makes you wonder - if JR Ward was more than capable of making one fall in love with a virgin vampire, why she couldn’t do the same for Phury because…Michael Leeds is one sexy ass vampire who needs to be chained to my basement STAT!

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“The Magical Christmas Cat” - Lora Leigh, Erin McCarty, Nalini Singh, and Linda Winstead Jones

Unlike the other stories in “The Magical Christmas Cat“, having a kitty cat of your very own in “Sweet Dreams” by Linda Winstead Jones is not a good thing (unless said kitty cat is a changeling or breed lover then I retract my earlier statement). In the third story of this christmas anthology, the cat in question is an innocuous jade cat statute that comes to life when the moon is full and sucks the soul out of women in order to attain corporeal form and reign on earth. If, like me, you think this sounds like a plot out of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, high 5 b*tches!

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“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!

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“Overtime, Under Him” by by N. J. Walters, Susie Charles, and Jan Springer
With a title like “Overtime, Under Him,” tell me, how could I resist picking up this book? Sure, I was hoping for more of a conventional CEO-type thing, but hey, if it’s published by Ellora’s Cave, the nookie should be good right?

Yes and no. Yes, the nookie was scorch up the sheets hawt, but there were lots of moments when I exclaimed in my most genteel tone, “F*ck a duck!” Read on chickies, read on.
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“Baddest Bad Boys” by Shannon McKenna, EC Sheedy & Cate Noble
“Deal with the Devil” by Cate Noble

From the RMB Enquirer
Guess who was seen engaged in a little summer lovin’ on his very own private island? Max “Devil” DeLuca, Italian Stallion and billionaire owner of his shipping conglomerate. The world’s most eligible bachelor, Max arrived at the island a few days ago, only to be joined by a mysterious lady. Who’s the new flavour of gelato this month you might ask? Is it a certain young heiress that he’s been seen keeping company with and who’s had her manicured claws dug deep into him? We have it on good authority that it’s none other than the young, beautiful widow of Max’s estranged cousin, Ellie DeLuca. That’s right! You read it here first! The very one and the same who, according to a very well dressed little birdie, Max had a tryst with before she vowed to honor and love his cousin. Scandalous you say? Want to know more? Sure you do.

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“Baddest Bad Boys” by Shannon McKenna, EC Sheedy and Cate Noble
“Mimi, where are the wieners?” Sheridan hollered, hands on her hips as she supervised the powering up of the grill by Sven and Juan.

“There aren’t any, it’s Sven and Juan remember?” trilled Mimi in reply.

“I meant the sausages! Honestly Mi, your mind would be homeless if it weren’t for the gutter.”
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“Baddest Bad Boys” by Shannon McKenna, EC Sheedy & Cate Noble
“So Sheridan, is there any word on when the mutant fire ant situation which has taken over our offices and computers will be resolved? Coz don’t get me wrong, lying by the pool with our laptops is great and all, but in case you haven’t noticed, we’re kinda surrounded by every shoe we ever bought. Which pretty much means we have enough shoes here to supply the good people of Ohio,” said Lola, munching on a French fry and looking at Sheridan over her aviator shades.
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“Playing Easy to Get” - “The Warlord Wants Forever” by Kresley Cole
*walks into Lola’s office* “HOT DAMN Kresley Cole’s story was hot. Truly Lola I think we should bundle off some sort of RMB hamper to Supervixen for introducing us to the magic that is Kresley Cole. Hey where are you?”

“(muffled) I’m here”

“Where? I don’t see you! Hey why is there a mountain of blankets in the middle of your office? Don’t you know that it’s a fire hazard?”

“(muffled) I AM the mountain of blankets”
“Oh. Heh. Not still mad are you? Come on I’ve just finished reading the “Playing Hard to Get” anthology series and I’m now ready to discuss it with you! I especially want to discuss Wroth with you. Wroth. The mere mention of his name brings a special tingle up and down my spine. I want to lick him all over like a Christmas lollipop that has been dusted with icing sugar!!”

“(muffled) Sheridan Sakura Carlotta! What did I tell you about sharing too much information?!”

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“All About Men” by Shannon McKenna
So anthologies are a bit like boxes of chocolate. Yes I know, old and rehashed lines from Tom Hanks aside, anthologies are always filled with delightful possibilities La Lola thinks. You know, that sense of heady anticipation you get when you open the lid of a box of particularly expensive, scrumptious chocolates. If you’re lucky, all the chocolates are good choices. If not, you have to hope that you don’t bite into some crappy piece with liquorice in it.

When Bedelia recommended Shannon McKenna to us, I didn’t know what to expect. I mean, I was assured of hot sex, which was good enough for me. (Sue me. I’m easy that way) But fortunately for La Lola, Shannon McKenna’s anthology is a good box of chocolates, with nary a piece of liquorice filled chocolate among them.
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