Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Predatory by Alexandra Ivy, Nina Bangs, Dianne Duvall, Hannah Jayne

Four of today's most exciting paranormal authors take readers into the thrilling realm of vampires, immortals, and other supernatural beings with a thirst for illicit desire...
Out Of Control by Alexandra IvyPh.D 
Student Angela Locke has a crush on her sexy professor, Dr. Nikolo Bartrev. When she learns he's actually a Sentinel with extraordinary powers, she joins forces with him to catch a psychopath. But soon, their hottest pursuit is of each other...

Ties That Bind by Nina Bangs 
Cassie Tyler agrees to sub for her friend at the funeral home where she works. But she gets more than she bargained for when a group of men attack her and a vampire comes to her rescue. . .

In Still Darkness by Dianne Duvall (Immortal Guardians #3.5)   
Immortal Richart d'Alençon can't forget the woman who rewarded him with a sensuous kiss after he saved her from a trio of vampires. While Richart knows that loving a human can only bring trouble, the taste of forbidden lust is too great to resist...
High Stakes by Hannah Jayne 
When vampire fashionista Nina LaShay's design contest rival is found dead, she's the prime suspect. Sexy photographer Pike is number two. He's the kind of man who makes Nina salivate. But will she have to reveal herself to have him--and to save them both? Or does Pike have a secret of his own?​
I know that some people enjoy anthologies and some don't. I admit, I fall into the former category. I like introductions to new worlds that I want to visit because it is part of a series I want to read or just visiting worlds just invented for the short story. I also think that short stories are very hard to write. You have to develop a connection and a world in a very short time. So when it works, I really enjoy it.

In this anthology 2 of the 4 stories was an introduction to a new series and another one was part of an already established series. These were my favorites. Out of Control brings us an interesting world where people develop paranormal abilities and are separated from the "norms". It's a great start to the series and has me interested in further stories. In some way the romance felt a bit forced due to the length, but yet still kept my interest. I'm very curious as to how this world evolves within the series. I'm looking forward to reading it.

In Ties That Bind, I think this one isn't an introduction to a new series. I thought it really started off with a bang and was very gritty and gothic. Much darker than most PNR you read. However, it sort of got a bit funny to me when what kills others is the beauty of the vampire. Some may eye roll at this and some may actually love the creativity within. I did both, but was entertained no matter what my eyes were doing.

In Still Darkness is a part of an established series (Immortal Guardians) which I have read and reviewed. I love this world and the stories and this one was just so much fun going back to that world and learning about another character. You don't have to have read the others to get it, but it makes it just that much more fun if you had. If you love this series (like me) then you will really love this short.

High Stakes is a fun PNR with a lot of tongue in cheek. I suspect I will like this series much better when there is more time to really explore the mysteries surrounding the main character Nina. I also think I will have more fun with a longer novel as it should really bring out Nina's snark. I can see the beginnings of excellent snark... can't wait to see how it is even better pulled off.

All in all I give this anthology 4 stars. Like other anthologies you will enjoy some more than others, but in all, it was an entertaining book. Great for introductions to other PNR worlds which is what I think this book was all about. It pulled it off nicely. :)
I received this eARC from the publisher and NetGalley and no compensation for my review was given.

Bloggy note:
Come back tomorrow for a blog post and a great giveaway from Dianne Duvall!

25 comments:

  1. I want this just for Richarts story :) I will admit that it will end up on my shelf for that reason alone at some point :)

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  2. Ties That Bind sounds interesting!!!!! I love dark and gritty!!!!! AND it manages to be funny TOO? Win/Win!!!

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    1. LOL! I think you'll have fun with that one. Wasn't so much funny as unusual... :D

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  3. Not normally a fan of anthologies but there are always exceptions and I think this collection could be one of them if only because I love the sound of Out Of Control

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    1. It was interesting and I think a start of a new series.

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  4. High Stakes sounds right up my alley -- I'm needing something a bit more fun and silly lately. You're so right about anthologies and short stories! Some I adore, some just don't give me enough satisfaction. Depends not so much on the author but the story they're telling.

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    1. I still like anthologies. I like getting to see others writing.

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  5. I don't usually read anthologies if I can avoid them (which I almost always can), but the vampire that kills with beauty is too ridiculous to pass. I MUST see how that works.
    Great review as always, Melissa.

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  6. All in all this sounds good even though I don't usually read anthologies.

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    1. Not everyone enjoys them. I like to see what people do with them.

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  8. Oh nice some great authors is this one. I didn't know it but it sounds fun. thanks!

    (sorry I did something on Inessa address but it was me)

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  9. Hm I am not happy about introductions to a new series. Cos then when you have not read the intros, arghh yeah

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  10. These are usually hit and miss with me as well, i do like getting to try new authors, but some can write short stories that leave me fulfilled and others meh. Great review!

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  11. I have to confess I usually pick up an anthology cos I want to read a story by one author particularly but as introductions to new series it's an easy entry. Glad you liked it! :-)

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  12. I aam so so with anthologies. Sometimes I love them and others it is just meh... I like the idea of the vampire killing with its beauty that is too funny. I will be back tomorrow because I am a giveaway whore!

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  13. I'm not big on anthologies but I think that it's a great way to be introduced to series if the story works well enough on it's own (like a side character from the series). I'm glad you enjoyed this one!

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  14. A few years ago I didn't like anthologies or novellas but I now I really enjoy them. Especially if I'm in a bit of a slump. They're a quick read without me investing too much time.

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  15. Ahhhhh Melissa! How didn't I know Richart's story was in this anthology! I love the Immortal Guardians series so much, I'm DYING for Seth's story. And the new guy (Seth's brother?) that was hanging out with Ami in the last book. I would read buy this anthology just for that story, but the others sound good as well.

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  16. 4 authors from my wishlist in one book. Thanks for the review Melissa!

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  17. Ties That Bind sounds interesting! I dont' think I've ever heard of a vampire's killer beauty. You're right, it's kind of creative and eyeroll worthy. :-) Great review!

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  18. I love anthologies because you can sample an author's work without buying the whole shebang. Usually, they put their best work in an anthology. I've got so many with so many great authors, but sometimes, they do miss the mark. I think my favorite is In His Eyes by a lot of Indie Authors.
    I have heard of and read a lot of Alyxandra Ivy's books but I haven't read the other's.

    I think I'd have to do the snicker and eye roll at beauty of a vampire killing people. Just a little much. Although we did buy the sparkly vampires!!!

    Heather

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  19. I love anthologies. They always introduce me to new authors I never heard before. Nice review.

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