I am giving up, I am just not going to finish this... the 3 stars are completely, entirely for the Meljean Brook novella in here, which is a prequel to Demon Angel, and was the reason I picked this up at all. I did read the first 2 stories in the book, but I was not left with a meaningful impression of them, other than just general raunchiness for the sake of raunchiness. I really did enjoy the Brook novella though! Actually it alone may have been worth more than 3 stars for me but the others are probably dragging it down by their proximity. :)

Why I liked it: well, I knew I was going to get the backstory of Colin's turning to vampire, a pivotal point in the saga of Hugh and Lilith from Demon Angel. So that is why I read it at all. I wondered what kind of a lovestory could possibly be thrown in there, since this is that kind of anthology after all... and I was pleasantly surprised. After the intensity of Demon Angel, I wasn't sure Brook could pull off something short, less complicated, hot, and maintain the level of intensity... but she did! The love story here was intense, it was practically smoking! What's more remarkable, it was easily and quickly resolved in a way that felt genuine. I actually spent less time confused here than I did in Demon Angel. Maybe Brook should write novellas about this world? Anyway, I enjoyed that story and plan to continue with her Demon series.. eventually.