Published by Zebra Books
Released on August 25, 2015
Pages: 384
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
Everything about this book was an alluring hook for me, title, cover, authors, blurb…yeah, all of it. I was very excited to pick this one up and dive in.
As it is an anthology, I’ll post up ‘mini’ reviews as I go for each story. Two are authors I’ve read and two are authors that are new to me so looking forward to this nice blend of cozy familiar and shiny new.
Like the title says, Mika, a fierce Sentinel hunter is on the hunt for a missing boy who is a Sentinel in training at the New Orleans monastery. The hunt turns personal when he encounters the woman he loved and who inexplicably left him ten years before. She wanted to be a ‘free spirit’ and apparently his life had too many stifling rules. The priority is the boy, but then he is turning his hunting skills on Bailey and she won’t get away from him this time.
Mika and Bailey’s love story wasn’t a draw for me because ten years have gone by and neither did a thing particularly Bailey whose idea it was to break it off by doing a runner with no explanation. I waited to see if she had a legit reason to flake out, stay gone, and get snarky when they next encountered…nope, not really. Fortunately, the rest of the story was engaging with gritty action. I like the Sentinels series and can’t wait for more.
A bacteria on a space rock becomes an infection that kills, that nearly kills, and even more chilling, it changes and alters the survivors. Nora, one of the country’s top scientists in the field is brought in and she is brought in by none other than her ex, a big modern warrior highlander. They are so different, but she can’t deny the chemistry. Deke lost her once, but now faced with this grave crisis, he will take his second chance and not let go.
This sci-fi thriller grabbed me from the opening pages and kept me enthrall to the end. I’m pretty sure I didn’t breathe a few times. Deke and Nora are sold gold and their hard, no holds barred moments as a couple were as captivating as the moments when they are fighting for their very lives. I need the next book in this series pronto.
Well, that one was a bitter-sweet, needed a tissue yet happy ending. My first time with this series so starting in the middle was a bit rough, but there was enough there to get me sorta up to speed. I had no trouble getting into the story.
I don’t want to spoil this one, but it is essentially about an Immortal Hunter whose job is to take down the bad vampires feeding on and killing humans who falls for an unattainable woman because she is a ghost that only one with his gifts can see and hear. But he is living and she is not so how could it ever work? And his job has become more dangerous with the increase of trouble from one of their own creating supersoldier vampires.
New to me author and series. I had no trouble getting up to speed on the worldbuilding due to the author filling that in, but it did take a bit for me to realize that the tone was lighter and laced with snarky humor. The heroine wasn’t that appealing to me, but I had a good time with the overall romp and mayhem feel to the story.
Nina is a vampire clothing designer. She has her nephew with her and her special guy along as she sets out to take the NYC fashion world by storm. Unfortunately, someone is turning her models into vamps and furthermore and more ominous, there is a new mysterious designer out to snatch her place.
So, all in all, this anthology really hit the spot. I enjoyed the sampling of paranormal worlds, the variety of situations and tones of story, and I really liked that now I have a few more series that I must return to. As anthologies go, this was a strong one and I can recommend it to the paranormal romance fan who either has a series to keep up with or would like to sample the wares of other writers. Be warned, most stories are part of an ongoing series and would work better in series order though in a pinch, the reader would probably be alright since I managed without having read some of the series.
My thanks to Kensington Group for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Romance Roundabout #286 PNR
Cliché Klatch #174 ‘he had an agenda’
New to Me #144 author/series
Interracial #39
Curvy Woman #16
About Rebecca Zanetti
New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti has worked as an art curator, Senate aide, lawyer, college professor, and a hearing examiner – only to culminate it all in stories about Alpha males and the women who claim them. She is a member of RWA, has won awards for her works throughout the industry, and has a journalism degree with a poly sci emphasis from Pepperdine University as well as a Juris Doctorate from the University of Idaho.
Growing up amid the glorious backdrops and winter wonderlands of the Pacific Northwest has given Rebecca fantastic scenery and adventures to weave into her stories. She resides in the wild north with her husband, children, and extended family who inspire her every day-or at the very least give her plenty of characters to write about.
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Oh this sounds really good. I’ve read all the authors except the last one. Will have to check this book out. Has all the elements I like. Thanks for the great review.
It really hit a lot of my likes, too, Mary. Enjoy!
Series can be tough–you build so many expectations as an author and hope you can follow through. It’s all complicated! Plus…keeping track of all of the facts from previous books…yikes!
Stephanie
http://stephie5741.blogspot.com
I am always impressed when an author gets a series into double digits and has to keep track of all sorts of details like ongoing character development, plot threads, descriptions..Definitely complicated, Stephanie!
Such blue eyes
i know, I sat there and just stared back when I first got this book. 🙂
Sounds like a solid anthology, although I would’ve wanted an explanation from the first book. Why did she take off? To sow her wild oats?
There is an explanation. It’s just a pretty feeble and childish one for claiming to love someone and for an adult to hang onto.
Whoa Zanetti’s sounds AMAZING! I eyed this one but ended up passing on it. Darn and blast.
Whew, yeah, A-May-Zing! Don’t pass up the full-length book when it comes out. Based on this prequel, stuffs gonna get real.
I hear you. It’s so hard when so many releases look good and you have to pick and choose.
I am so excited to read this one soon!! and I adore Rebecca Zanetti, she writes darn good stuff.
Hear! Hear! I think you’ll love this antho, Renee.
I still need to read an Alexandra Ivy book and a Dianne Duvall for that matter. I love Zanetti, but I’m in the middle of her series now. I don’t want to add another series from her right now, until I finish what I have, but it does sound interesting.
I’ve enjoyed Alexandra’s books. This was my first brush with Dianne Duvall and I want more. Oh yeah, Zanetti’s books are great. Like you, I’ve forced myself to catch up a few series before I can start something new. So hard….
Series can be tough–you build so many expectations as an author and hope you can follow through. It’s all complicated! Plus…keeping track of all of the facts from previous books…yikes!
Stephanie
http://stephie5741.blogspot.com