Gwen’s review of Eternal Lover by Hannah Howell, Lynsay Sands, Jackie Kessler, and Richelle Mead
Historical and contemporary paranormal romance anthology released by Kensington 1 Apr 08
This antho landed in my hands and I went, “Oooooo! Looks positively yummy!” I love a good paranormal antho – the plot moves along so quickly in those stories. This one was no disappointment, even if I wasn’t a huge fan of all the stories. Read on to find out the whole skinny…
The Yearning by Hannah Howell
This short historical paranormal is very typical of Howell: upstanding, courageous, practical young Miss meets dark, damaged older hunk. They fall in love, overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles to be together, live happily ever after. I suppose I just summarized most of the historical romances out there, but this is Howell. The paranormal elements are light – as is normal in her books – and the romance is very sweet with just enough heat to please. I like her writing, though sometimes it’s a bit light even for me. Read an excerpt.
Grade: B-
A Hell of a Time by Jackie Kessler
I really liked this contemporary paranormal story. It’s the first Kessler I’ve ever read, so if this is a repeat character, then I’ve missed some good reads. A succubus, who has recently been turned human, and her boyfriend go to a cabin in the woods for some one-on-one time. Little does she know that the cabin and the surrounding woods are possessed. There is some laugh-out-loud moments – all nicely misanthropic, so they appealed to me (I hate silly-funny dialogue) – and some seriously tense moments with heat sprinkled throughout. Very good story. Read an excerpt.
Grade: A
City of Demons by Richelle Mead
This contemporary/urban paranormal is 75% miss, 25% hit for me. I like the relationships – except for the one between the heroine and her boyfriend (can’t really call him the hero). I just don’t believe in it, even after the events in the story. I like the dynamics between the other characters and the predicament the heroine finds herself in. What I don’t like is the utter banality of the “corporate” dynamics of Mead’s world – demons talked about getting transfers to a new boss or territory, and they had meetings in hotel conference rooms, for heaven’s sake. And that is just a small example. Didn’t really like it, though I read the whole thing. No excerpt to be found.
Grade: C-
Bitten by Lynsay Sands
This historical paranormal is a little more obviously paranormal than Howell’s, though it is in a largely similar vein. Pretty, courageous, young miss meets up with dark, damaged hero (who is also a vampire), they fall in love, overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles, and have a happily ever after. This one is a bit darker than Howell’s, and I liked it more. It is a good short story. I think I’d have gotten really tired of these characters if I had had to read more of it. No excerpt found.
Grade: B+
Overall grade: B
Blurb:
Theirs is a world of ancient desires and forbidden pleasures. They are men of mystery and women of seduction, wild creatures with the power to entrance and enchant, tease and tantalize. Enter their secret world, if you dare.
The Yearning by Hannah Howell Alpin has lived for centuries with a lust that can never be quenched with mere physical pleasure. And then he meets Sophie whose own search for lasting love binds them together in a cloak of shimmering sensuality.
A Hell of a Time by Jackie Kessler Jesse’s immortal life as a soul-stealing succubus is over. And now that she is human, she longs to tempt her lover with all her persuasive powers of total sexual seduction.
City of Demons by Richelle Mead Seth cannot resist the intense sexual allure of his demon lover Georgina. Yet their love reaches beyond the physical, into a place of complete untamed surrender.
Bitten by Lynsay Sands Keeran’s existence as a vampire has taught him to accept a life without love.until he saves Emily from certain death. And suddenly he discovers the soul-searing passion he thought he’d lost forever.
