Limecello’s review of Playing Easy to Get by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Jaid Black, and Kresley Cole
Paranormal romance anthology released by Pocket 7 Feb 06
I read this book, because TGTBTU offered a contest about it, and I discovered that Kresley Cole had her introductory story of the Immortals After Dark series published in the anthology. I’ve been following the series, and knew I had to get my hands on the story that “started it all.”
Turn Up the Heat by Sherrilyn Kenyon
This is a contemporary romance, and part of the Bureau of American Defense (B.A.D.) series. Allison George is an average heroine, whose life changes when she wins a sweepstakes to be a heroine in a book. Her friend happens to work for the company and pulls a few strings. There’s a lot of action, because the hero Vince Cappelleti is an ex-mob hit man, but the family isn’t willing to give him up. This story wasn’t entirely believable, and I found myself most interested in a secondary character, “Z” – Wulfgar Zimmerman. For once, I didn’t mind the story was so short. In fact, it would have worked just as well if it were shorter.
Grade: D +
Read an excerpt here.
Hunter’s Oath by Jaid Black
A paranormal romance dealing with modern day Vikings who live underground, the story isn’t quite what you expect. We’re introduced to Sofia Rowley when she’s in a cab going back to Fairbanks, AK after attending her brother’s funeral. What happens is she’s kidnapped by bride hunters, who provide the underground Vikings with women, because a prophecy says some day women will be near extinction above ground.
It’s cute because the Viking men are taught that their brides are the best thing since sliced bread and that they’ll love them – even though they’re told the brides might give them trouble and try to run away and hate them for a while, because, you know, they were kidnapped! Interesting, because the women are stripped naked, oiled up, some are drugged, and they’re auctioned off like chattel.
A creative idea, but I didn’t really get into this story. I found it too unbelievable, and that the relationship between Sofia and Johen depended too much on his indoctrinated belief that he’s to love his bride. And the sex they have. Lots and lots of sex.
Grade: D-
The Warlord Wants Forever by Kresley Cole
This novella starts of the Immortals After Dark series, and tells the story of Nikolai Wroth and Myst, the Valkyrie. This book like many of Ms. Cole’s others includes a reversal or roles. The woman holds all the power and knowledge. Wroth is a vampire, but he doesn’t really know much about vampires, or any of the other creatures in the Lore (paranormal beings). Myst is Wroth’s Bride, but after she bloods him, leaves him, and he hunts her for five years, in a very, um, ready state. (When a vampire is blooded, his heart begins to beat again, among various other changes.) Five years makes the Viagra cautionary message seem like a joke. Wroth is displeased, to say the least, and has a violent reunion with Myst.
Myst hates vampires, but finds herself attracted to Wroth. He’s different from all the others, and might just be the one to show not all vampires are pure evil. He kidnaps Myst, and ends up able to control her through a spell. Their relationship is troubled and dysfunctional, but it works with their personalities.
I really enjoyed this story and recommend reading it because it’s very well written, and provides helpful background for the IAD series.
Grade: B
Read an excerpt here.
A quick anthology that was overall enjoyable, but not outstanding. I’d recommend this to Sherrilyn Kenyon fans, and would go far as saying it’s a must read for Kresley Cole’s IAD fans.
Grade: C
New York Times bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon and rising stars Jaid Black and Kresley Cole unlock the pleasures and perils of embracing the boldest and most powerful of lovers — 100% alpha males — in three sensually erotic tales. Discover the physical rapture of his muscular arms…. Become a prisoner of passion, swept away by an encounter with his primal side…. And get lost in the all-consuming thrill of white-hot pursuit by a relentless stranger who may be your most dangerous foe, the best lover you’ve ever had — or both.
Let your fantasies run wild with these unforgettable novellas where bigger is most definitely better — and playing easy-to-get is the only way to go!
I’ve been trying to get my hands on a copy of this anthology.
5 years? Oh my.
Liv, I got my copy from the library :). The library is my good good friend. And, yeah. Five years. Something you don’t really want to think about. At all.
Hmm, I just went to my library but they didn’t have a copy. At least not on the pb romance rack and I didn’t have time to do reserves.
Maybe my local library? I don’t go there very often. (I usually drive to the closest Fort Worth branch for the selection. My lucky mom goes to the downtown FW location because it’s right by where she works.)
Y’know, I ought to check what the PCL has for when I move back to Austin.
My fav story was actually the Sherrilyn Kenyon :). Short isn’t her best format and it was a far cry from the Dark-Hunters, but the others didn’t do it for me. The Kresley Cole left me cold and the Jaid Black was so over-the-top I just skimmed through it. I’m actually wondering why I kept the book. Probably I was hoping Sherri would write “Z”‘s story someday.
I think that’s her next BAD book, MaryM. If I remember the blurb I read on her site… And it’s entirely possible I don’t.
Liv – I go to a few libraries – and my state has this “link” program – and my local one does interlibrary loans all across the US. It’s nice. I just do everything online. So you got to UT?
Mary – You know, I haven’t read much by Ms. Kenyon – I wanted a lot more from the novella – I was so interested in Vince’s story, and definitely want to look into Z’s – I hope it is written. (Haven’t kept up with it.)
I think I like Ms. Cole’s as an intro to IAD – otherwise, I didn’t particularly care for Myst. Or Nickolai – I think I liked him more in AHLNO.
All my libraries will order stuff if I can find it somewhere in Texas (not hard) but I don’t like waiting for orders. I usually go to the library to let random things leap out at me.
Yeah, I go to UT . . . which has tons of libraries on campus. I’ve only been in the PCL (main library, a repository, SIX floors of books), HRC (humanities research library, world class), and the Joynes (non-circulating, honors quad, lots of author visits).
I got this anthology for Kresley Cole’s story, which I enjoyed; the other two I can’t even remember reading your review, guess that means I agree with your grades.
Hehe – Pam, good to know, thanks :). And that’s the exact reason why I got the book too!