HARVEST MOON ANTHOLOGY by Mercedes Lackey, Michelle Sagara & Cameron Haley

Publisher: LUNA/Harlequin Books
Date published: October 1st, 2010
ISBN: 978-0373803224
Fantasy/Magic/Series
Paperback
Reviewed by Dawn
Obtained by Publisher


Three novellas from three authors who will captivate you from beginning to end. Get ready for a little HARVEST MOON. One story will take the reader on a trip to the underworld, full of gods/goddesses and a little kidnapping. Another story will show how a thief becomes a protector in Elantra and finally, a retribution killing will have one woman finding out the dark elements in a world of magic, mobsters and consequences.

A Tangled Web by Mercedes Lackey

This is a retelling of the Persephone and Hades mythology told from Persephone's point of view. She is determined to get away from her overprotective mother and she wants to be with Hades, a misunderstood man/god who makes her heart beat fast and who she loves very much. Set in the five hundred kingdoms series, a fake kidnapping has a mix up and the wrong goddess is taken. Can Persephone and Hades find a way to be together and fix the problem of the wrong goddess being kidnapped?

I have to admit, I have never read one of this author's Five Hundred Kingdom's books before and found myself a little confused as to why I should care if one god/goddess was kidnapped or not. It felt like there was a back story of one set of characters I was missing and it had me scratching my head at times as I tried to puzzle out some of the storylines. Overall, this was a well written story but one I freely admit not enjoying too much in the end.

Cast In Moonlight by Michelle Sagara

Kaylin Neya is a thief and an assassin. She also has a smart mouth, covered in mysterious markings and has street smarts. The Hawklord thinks she is a perfect bait for a child prostitution sting...that is if Kaylin can keep her mouth shut for five seconds to do the job.

This is a perfect way to be introduced into the world of Elantra. I love this series and found this prequel to be a wonderful icing on the cake so to speak in this anthology. Ms. Sagara delivers a stirring story that shows how Kaylin met the Hawklord and her introduction into the world of the Hawks. The writing was slow and steady and kept me on the edge of the seat, waiting to see what would happen next for Kaylin. Would it be death for trying to assassinate the Hawklord or life serving him? This is a perfect story to be introduced into the world of Elantra and one that had me dragging out the books in the series to read again.

Retribution by Cameron Haley

A contract is put out on Dominca Riley and she has something to say about it. An attempt on her life has Dominica racing against the clock to find out who wants her down and out for the count. Retribution is best served cold!

I freely admit, I read MOB RULES, the kick off to this new series on gangsters and magic and didn't care too much for it. It could have been the mood I was in at the time but after reading this short story, I am picking it up again. This was a fantastic story and though if you haven't read MOB RULES yet, you should read that one first before reading this one. A dark tale of violence, magic and self-discovery, Cameron Haley delivers a pulse pounding ride from start to finish. A gritty tale to keep you entertained and one that had me eager to see what else is coming from this talented author.

HARVEST MOON is an anthology that had two wonderful stories and one lackluster one. The writing in all three was tight and the authors did their best in keeping my attention with their novellas. I look forward to another anthology with these three talented storytellers in the future.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

THE SLEEPING BEAUTY by Mercedes Lackey

Publisher: Luna
Publication Date: July 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-0373803156
Historical Fantasy Romance
Hardcover
Reviewed by Penny
Obtained via: Library


The rich Kingdom of Eltaria has just its king and even a Godmother, as talented and full of magic Lily will not be able to keep the neighboring Kingdoms from invading. Lily has already been kept busy keeping Princess Rosamund safe from The Tradition, a magical force that manipulates people to its will. Rosamund has already had to escape a Royal Huntsman only to find herself being held captive by Seven Dwarves, upon drinking a potion, falls into a deep sleep, only to be awakened and rescued by Hero Siegfried. Now Lily has found a way to use The Traditions to help save Eltaria.

I must first admit that I am not a big reader of the fantasy genre. I grabbed this book at my local library strictly because of the cover. I adore historical romances! But this book is AWESOME! Of course as a child I read the fairy tales such as Hansel and Gretel," "The Frog Prince," and of course “Sleeping Beauty”. Author Mercedes Lackey has penned a retelling of this favorite childhood fable.

All aspects of this book thoroughly delighted and enthralled me. I have not read any of the other works by Ms. Lackey but if they are much like THE SLEEPING BEAUTY then she indeed possesses a most talented pen. This tale had two very likable men among many who were vying for the hand of our beautiful Princess Rosamund. It has been quite a long time since I have read a book where the reader is unsure just which champion should win the fair maiden! All of the characters, even the evil ones, are well thought out, and multi-dimensional.

THE SLEEPING BEAUTY will not be the first and last fantasy book that I read. And not the last one penned by this author!

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

WALKING DEAD Book 4 in the Walker Papers by C. E. Murphy

Publisher: Luna/Harlequin
Date published: September 2009
ISBN: 978-0-373-80301-9
Urban Fantasy/Series
Paperback
Obtained by: Library Copy
Reviewed by Dawn




Joanne Walker was thrilled that she wasn’t out to save the world again. She could enjoy Halloween and finally have a life again complete with shaman powers, a hot boyfriend and friends to enjoy. Well that was the theory anyways until a murder happens that turns all of Joanne’s plans inside out and she is in a race to save the world yet again as the undead become alive, ghosts keep trying to kill her and the wild hunt is called too early. Can Joanne find a way to save everything she holds dear without destroying herself in the process?

I have to admit C. E. Murphy’s Walker Papers series is a phenomenal series. It delivers everything from magic, mysticism, gods and more all wrapped up in a bow, waiting for you to unwrap it. This is an author who is a masterful storyteller, who creates characters that leave you laughing one minute and on the edge of your seat biting your nails the next. I fell in love with spunky former mechanic turned homicide cop Joanne Walker and loved at how she always jumps in first then asks questions last when trouble erupts. Ms. Murphy keeps the reader glued to the pages as Joanne and her friends try to stop another ‘end of the world’ from happening while in the same breath keeping zombies from eating them, ghosts from harming them and more. Tight writing, fast paced storyline and beloved characters that are back for another round with magical forces will keep you highly entertained from start to finish.

WALKING DEAD is the fourth book in the Walker Papers series and though you can read them as a stand alone, I highly recommend reading them in order (Urban Shaman, Thunderbird Falls, and Coyote Dreams) to get the full effect of Joanne’s acceptance of her powers and her growth with each book. Ms. Murphy definitely keeps you on the edge as you race with Joanne for a way to stop an ancient evil from being released into this world as magic, shamanism and more all wrap up to a thrilling climax. With each book, this author delves a bit deeper into the soul that makes up Joanne Walker and the reader is along for the journey as well. Add in secondary characters that keep the story flowing smoothly and make you laugh at the right times, Ms. Murphy delivers a story that literally had me up till the wee hours of the morning, trying to see what happens next for Joanne and her friends. WALKING DEAD is a pure gem and one of those “keepers” that you can read over again and again with the same enjoyment as before. If you haven’t picked up any of these books, run, don’t walk to grab them. Ms. Murphy does it again with a story that will resonate with the reader and capture their heart.

"This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book."

THE REAWAKENING: Book 3 in Aspect of the Crow series by Jeri Smith-Ready

Publisher LUNA Books
Date published November 2008
ISBN 978-0-373-80271-5
Fantasy series
Trade Paperback
Reviewed by Dawn



Rhia, bound to the Crow Spirit, has spent many years fighting for her people’s independence; conflicts are escalating and the time for the final battle or as they call it, the Reawakened, has Rhia wondering how much more her people can afford to lose in the face of the Descendants mighty army. An ancient prophecy drives her people and Rhia herself but with magic comes a price…one that may have her family’s blood on it.

THE REAWAKENED is the final book in Ms. Smith-Ready’s marvelous Aspect of the Crow series. Full of magic, war, bloodshed and loss, Rhia finds herself trying to keep the faith as she watches friends, family and others die as the fight continues to free their land from the Descendants rule. Can the world of the spirits live on to fight for the land that Rhia’s people love and work? Will the Descendants crush them in one fell swoop? Rhia learns what the prophecy is all about and also mourns as death comes calling on her door time and again. Will she be able to lead her people when the Reawakened comes? All the questions are answered when you read THE REAWAKENED.

I found the final book of Ms. Smith-Ready’s Aspect of the Crow series to be a fast paced and wild ride. The last two books, Eye of the Crow and Voice of the Crow, lead up to this final battle-the one to end all wars. With martial law in effect and magic outlawed, Rhia with a network of family and friends find themselves pushed to the brink as they fight for not just themselves but for their spirit animals as well. This is an author who delves deep into Rhia’s story and delivers a wild ride complete with so many twists and turns, you get dizzy from it all. THE REAWAKENED is a completed journey that Rhia finds herself making, with wars, battles, loss and love playing about on the pages. I found the characters to be multidimensional and very intricate, especially as the climatic ending came and I found myself wondering if it will turn out the way I hoped it would. Ms. Smith-Ready definitely delivers a series that will keep you on the edge of your toes and anxiously awaiting what happens next.

If you enjoy a series that has magic, romance, love and battles, then you will enjoy this charming author’s Aspect of the Crow Series. I do recommend reading the first two books first before THE REAWAKENED as you will get a complete picture of all the central characters and what brought them to this point. I am sad to see that this author is done with the series but have high hopes that Ms. Smith-Ready delivers another wonderful book soon for us to devour.

ECHOES IN THE DARK *Book 5 in the Summoning Series* by Robin D. Owens

Publisher: LUNA
Date published: January 2009
ISBN: 978-0-373-80293-7
Fantasy
Paperback

Reviewed by Dawn



Lladrana is dying and the final summoning is at hand. Jikata is Lladrana’s last hope and with an untapped magical talent deep inside her, she will have to make difficult choices even as she faces the hardest test of her life. She is the sixth and final Exotique summoned and this time it is a make or break for all of the summoned Exotiques’. Can one singer make the difference to save a planet unknown to her or will the dark destroy all the Exotiques’ summoned in the last few years? It will be a battle like no other and all six Exotique women will wage it until they either defeat the dark or die trying.

Robin D. Owens’s Summoning series has been a force that grips you from the very first page to the last. Now with her final installment in the Summoning saga, she delivers a story so powerful, it brings tears to your eyes and makes you wonder what happens next.

ECHOES IN THE DARK is the story of the final summoning…..of the prophetic singer who will lead them all to the final battle against the deadly dark that is siphoning the planet Lladrana. I have been enthralled with this series since the first book, Guardian of Honor, and have been eager for the next installment from this talented storyteller. Each book was like a movie, each player becoming more intricate and growing amid the pages. You have love, passion, lust, battles, fear and shining out of it all is hope. Ms. Owens delivers a climatic ending to a sensational series that will keep you entertained and enthralled from the first book to the last.

In ECHOES IN THE DARK, you meet Jikata, an uncertain singer who is unknowing of her magic. She will have to face her fears and learn to have hope that all that she has come to hold dear will survive and live on for another day. Ms. Owens weaves a story with captivating characters that settle into your heart and mind, bringing to you a story that is like a movie on pages. Rich in love, passionate in fighting an evil that destroys and full of magic, this is an author who delivers something much more that just a simple story, she delivers a story that makes you feel everything the characters feel, the losses, the loves and the faith they will survive amid the fears of defeat. With each breath as I read ECHOES IN THE DARK, I was driven to find out what happens next to the beloved characters I have grown to enjoy and love. Ms. Owens doesn’t disappoint when she delves deep into Jikata’s story and you find yourself lost within the pages.

I highly recommend you read the other four books (Guardian of Honor, Sorceress of Faith, Protector of Flight and Keepers of the Flame) before ECHOES IN THE DARK to get a sense of what happens to many of the characters that are mentioned in this last book. Ms. Owens does a fabulous job in creating a story that weaves its magical spell around you and you will find yourself falling in love with Alexa, Marian, Calli, Brigrid, Raine, Jikata and their lovers and friends. These are books that you should have on your keeper shelf and read over and over again. I know I will revisit Llandrana and hope one day that Ms. Owens will revisit the wonderful people of Llandrana again.

Dawn@Loveromancesandmore.com