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Vampire Sorority Sisters #1.5
Women of the Dark Streets
Enter a midnight world of the supernatural—a world of vampires, werewolves, witches, ghosts, and demons. A seductive world limited only by your imagination, full of dark fantasies, hidden desires, and sexy women who rule the night. Edited by award-winning editors Radclyffe and Stacia Seaman, Women of the Dark Streets presents all new tales of the paranormal from your favorite Bold Strokes authors.
264 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2012
22 people are currently reading
842 people want to read
About the author
Radclyffe
142 books1,673 followersRadclyffe has written over forty-five romance and romantic intrigue novels, dozens of short stories, and, writing as L.L. Raand, has authored a paranormal romance series, The Midnight Hunters. She has also edited Best Lesbian Romance 2009 through 2015 as well as multiple other anthologies. She is an eight-time Lambda Literary Award finalist in romance, mystery, and erotica—winning in both romance and erotica. A member of the Saints and Sinners Literary Hall of Fame, she is also an RWA Prism, Lories, Beanpot, Aspen Gold, and Laurel Wreath winner in multiple mainstream romance categories. In 2014, she received the Dr. James Duggins Outstanding Mid-Career Novelist award from the Lambda Literary Foundation. In 2004, she founded Bold Strokes Books, an independent LGBTQ publishing company, and in 2013, she founded the Flax Mill Creek Writers Retreat offering writing workshops to authors in all stages of their careers.
She states, “I began reading lesbian fiction at the age of twelve when I found a copy of Ann Bannon’s Beebo Brinker. That book and others like it convinced me that I was not alone, that there were other women who felt like I did. Our literature provides support and validation and very often, a lifeline, for members of our community throughout the world. I am proud and honored to be able to publish the many fine authors at Bold Strokes Books and to contribute in some small way to the words that celebrate the LGBTQ experience.”
Radclyffe lives with her partner, Lee, in New York state.
She states, “I began reading lesbian fiction at the age of twelve when I found a copy of Ann Bannon’s Beebo Brinker. That book and others like it convinced me that I was not alone, that there were other women who felt like I did. Our literature provides support and validation and very often, a lifeline, for members of our community throughout the world. I am proud and honored to be able to publish the many fine authors at Bold Strokes Books and to contribute in some small way to the words that celebrate the LGBTQ experience.”
Radclyffe lives with her partner, Lee, in New York state.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 15, 2017
Interesting how many authors in this collection I've already read/sampled before.
Things are not as they seem. About the fifth time I was about to write that for a story section, I realized I should just put that up here. I'm sure there's some story where this phrase doesn't work, but so many of the stories use it as bedrock - as foundation.
A ghost that doesn't realize they are a ghost. A mortal human not realizing she's talking to a ghost (different story from that first sentence). Werewolves, vampires, fairies, insane women, and the one story I can think of off the top of my head where people go into it knowing about 'the creatures of the night', the 'not as they seem' would be the human mortal human who is 'not as she seems' - human and mortal, yes, but she's also undercover trying to 'bust' the 'bad people'.
Several occasions we have people who suddenly realize they knew the other(s) from some past life (or lives). Mixed in with two travel related stories (well, the first two stories in this volume are travel related) - one involving a train accident and the search for terrorists; other involves the TSA and how, while it appears they are really really incompetent, there's a reason for that.
I suppose 'Full Moon Weekend' wouldn't fall into the 'not what they seem' - since it involves two women, a shifter and a human, but both know of and intimately know each other. And nothing 'surprising' pops up - other than just what one of the women can shift into. Which is neat in and of itself, but not really the type of 'surprising' indicated by 'not what they seem'.
Several historical fictions mixed with fantasy - like Faraday's 'The Trickster Codex' set in, I believe, the 1940s and having a noir vibe; and Buck's 'Forget Me Not' set in the 1890s - and one of those ghost stories.
Devils, vampires, wolves, cheetahs, dolphins, turtles, several horsies (one story has that woman who can shift into basically anything, so she shifts into a horse, another has two 'skin walkers' who can 'control from a distance' animal familars, like horses), succubus (succubi?), demons and a whole host of ghosts wandering in and out of these . . . what is it, 16? stories (23). Many of which touch on death and grief; many of which touch on immortal lives.
The Stories
Merry Shannon: Lucky Number Seven
FBI Agent; terrorism
Hard to say exactly what's going on in ths one without giving everything away immediately. Though it is fairly obvious from the beginning what's going on.
A bombing occurs on a train. An FBI agent and a rider from that train try to track down the terrorists. Then reports come in regarding another attack that will occur shortly.
Rating: 4.33
March 11 2017
Sam Cameron: Come to Me
TSA; Demons (angels?); lawyers
Apparently there's a reason the TSA seems so incompetent - it's on purpose, because they are actually screening for more than they said they were - for demons and the like. Main character works as an agent collecting the 'captured' creatures. Not everything is as it seems, though, perhaps - including that attractive woman who shows interest in main character.
Rating: 3.30
March 11 2017
Meghan O'Brien: Full Moon Weekend
Shifters; Fantasy; vacation; public nudity
Eve Thomas and Selene Rhodes from Wild are back for some more action.
Eve and Selene head into the woods for a weekend of, as it is put in the story, nakedness and fucking. Eve wishes to prove/show to Selene that she no longer needs to be locked down/restrained when the moon is full.
Interesting little story. Certain amount of graphicness to the story, but a certain bit less than expected considering author (and how erotic some of her stories can be) and expressed nature of the weekend (a fuck weekend).
Rating: 3.75
March 10 2017
Jane Fletcher: Tempora Mutantur
doctor; professor
A woman almost dies from swine flu. Ever since then, ever since that occasion when 'she should have died', she can't stop obsessing over the doctor. She keeps having this odd dreams, involving volcanoes, large ships, etc. And doing everything to catch glimpses of said doctor.
There's more than meets the eye.
Rating: 4.99
March 10 2017
Jess Faraday: The Trickster Codex
Private Investigator, Los Angeles, 1930s (or 1940s), Noir
Amelia 'Amy' or 'Mel' Archer - private investigator. Poor. Gives only food of day to dog spotted on street. Very skinny - more because can't afford food than for fashion reasons. Doesn't get much work because of 'that bastard Philip Marlowe hanging around' (apparently Marlowe had worked for her, then left and stole all her clients and contacts). Former WASP fighter pilot - shot down over enemy lines. Had been best in code class, but kicked out for lack of balls and dick.
Gets a case from Lorena Claw ('five and a half feet of gorgeous, with shoulders like a general, black hair and eyes, and skin like red desert clay'), a 'civilian consultant currently overseeing a project involving a new kind of code' ('Dr. Lorena Claw, Adjunct Instructor of Navajo Language at USC.') Claw has some transmissions using the code, but can't determine what is being said so wants Archer's help. The Feds get involved.
And then . . . um, what?
Interesting, intriguing story. Didn't go anywhere then fizzled away like a cloud of cats.
Rating: 3.79
March 10 2017
Victoria Oldham: For all Eternity
Professor; Demons ; Italy
An american professor teaches at a university in Italy while living on a houseboat. Nightly she dreams of a woman ravishing her. She wakes up covered in evidence of her dreams.
At the university, her class is about how women are treated and myths and the like - badly.
This story here doesn't exactly help in that specific situation.
Rating: 2.15
March 12 2017
Karis Walsh: Solstice
Shiters/Werewolves; Soldiers/Resistance; War
A young werewolf woman, an alpha, is tasked by her General to go to a specific location and kill Leo - the hated leader of the other side.
She seduces a young female guard to try to help her get inside. Though she finds more than she expected.
Rating: 4.25
March 12 2017
Valerie Bronwen: The Other Side of the Mirror
Death; Grief; Alternate Worlds
A woman finds herself in the unfortunate circumstance of having her life utterly shattered by a young college student who was driving while texting. Because of the accident she: lost her wife; lost her baby; gained hallucinations.
One of the hallucinations is associated with a hated mirror - but one that had also been beloved by her wife - so she can't get rid of it.
Rating: 4.89
March 12 2017
D. Jackson Leigh: Skin Walkers
Skinwalkers; Natives
A professor has gained certain fame as a myth-buster - best-selling book; grant money; etc. She has been hired to try to figure out what is going on with a 'gathering of wild horses' event conducted by the government.
Another 'more than meets the eye'; and another 'lives entertwinned through more than one moment alive'.
Rating: 3.89
March 12 2017
Rebecca S. Buck: Forget Me Not
Historical Fiction (1890),
A woman wanders she knows where not, for she's distracted by 'needing to breath' and eventually drunk. She winds up hiding in a church graveyard when she hears a voice. Telling her 'you are like me'. She has a conversation with that woman that goes along with the voice.
There's this hypnotic pull to the story that I'm not sure I'd feel any other time, so my feelings for the story and my rating are probably slightly dislodged from the norm.
Rating: 4.69
March 12 2017
Nell Stark and Trinity Tam: The Others
Werecheetah, shifters, vampires, BDSM, undercover
A side story to the Stark & Tam series - as in it follows two side characters instead of the main characters in the series. Judging by copyright dates, and the actions in this here story, this is probably something like a 3.5 story. And instead of starring Valentine Darrow & Alexa Newland, it stars Olivia (human) and Abby (werecheeteh). Well, more stars Olivia.
Story shows Olivia going undercover to try to 'take down' a presidential candidate. Goes to that fight club that appears in the Everafter series. If any other characters from that series pops up, I didn't recognize them.
For what it is - interesting snippet that I want to see concluded, see more of. And I have a vague recollection that while 'something' turns up in book four that is vaguely connected, the story line itself - with Olivia 'doing stuff' didn't really go anywhere in book 4. But I can't really go by memory - right or wrong memory, but what's going on in this here story. And, for what it's worth, I'd give this somewhat incomplete story a rating of 3.78.
Rating: 3.78
March 13 2017
Ronica Black: Emily
Horror; Psychological; Psychologist
A messed up young woman does evil things so that she can 'see Emily' again. Unleashes bad stuff. Sees psychologist. May or may not rape herself, depending on how you interpret the story.
Rating: 3.50
March 13 2017
Rebekah Weatherspoon: Study Break
Vampires, college students, dominance/submission, rape (at best I could call it 'dubious consent', though I'm not sure I could go so far as to call it 'consent while unable to actually be of sound mind to give consent' since consent wasn't given - more lack of any kind of safe word (if such a thing exists in their relationship, fuck, this is supposed to be my genre/tags section, not me writing shit section).
I've liked everything I've read by Weatherspoon, but know/knew that 90% of what she puts out were the kind of thing I didn't want to read. Like that vampire series. I assume that this short story here is somehow connected to that series (sorority, vampires, d/s), but no idea how connected. Nor do I care.
I knew I wouldn't want anything to do with that series, but because this short story was in a book I already owned, and because I've liked everything I have in fact read by Weatherspoon, I figured I'd go ahead and read this very short story.
And now I feel ill.
I do not like mixing dominance/submission games with paranormal creatures (which themselves have 'erotic' features associated with them - like here wherein being feed upon by a vampire causes instant and multiple orgasms).
I assume I would understand the story more if I had read at least the first vampire book. As is - it is confusing. The main character's father is the ultimate demon? Something like that? Yet she is human? And has been given by him to his 'most powerful' . . . something. Subordinate? Who happens to be a vampire. Who feeds on her. And one other (at least) - people who have been 'trained' to be feed upon. Apparently 'allowing a creature to bite you and suck on your blood while you experience multiple orgasms' is something that you need to be trained for.
Meanwhile the main character, a freshman, has apparently found a junior to be her 'mistress' who 'controls' Benny as 'Bunny', her pet bunny.
Benny is quite shy and doesn't want to have anyone there when she is feed upon, and doesn't want to be there when her mistress is feed upon. But she doesn't get a choice. Because. You know, Mistress and shit. Then, after being forced to watch, she's basically raped by the Mistress (the concept of consent flew out the window before this story evern began - really, the father gave her to a vampire? Fuck that. And fuck this series; then, by her own choice, she 'takes on' a Mistress, a human, who has her do things that blow far past her limits, then fucks her when her limits are blown and she is not of sound mind to consent or not consent, hence my 'rape' comment above - and my 'I don't like mixing dominance/submission with paranormal creatures' comment - too much fucking 'magical compulsion' floating around to keep anyone sane).
ETA: same sorority, I believe, different characters. Though 'Ginger' mentioned but not seen in the story here might be dating the vampire in this story - and Ginger is the main character in the first book. Ah - Cleo and Benny of this short story star in book two of the series, so this is something like 1.5 in that series.
Rating: 0.75
March 10 2017
Lesley Davis: Away with the Fairies
Vampires, Werewolves, Shifters, Fae, Tavern
This is the story wherein I decided to go back to the beginning of the review and add that 'things are not what they seem'. For here we have yet another 'things are not what they seem.' And it is also one of those where humans do not factor. Everyone in it is a vampire, werewolf, or fairy (as in the fae kind). There's a bit of misdirect, though, that allows that 'things' line to be stated yet again.
There's this tavern, see, which is on something like neutral ground. Three factions can and do meet there - though mostly the werewolves and the vampires visit. There's a reason the fae tend not to do so - and it is indirectly revealed in the story.
The werewolves and vampires are the more aggressive of the three, though it is currently mostly a time of peace. Though news of a possible invasion surfaces. So the fae visit the tavern.
Good interesting solid story.
Rating: 3.77
March 13 2017
M.J. Williamz: In the Bell Tower
New Orleans, Vampire, Erotica
A woman from Spokane visits New Orleans. And a vampire drops onto her. They hump. The end.
Rating: 3.63
March 13 2017
Sheri Lewis Wohl: Bloodstone
Magic; Parallel worlds; wizards
A woman finds out she wasn't actually born in New Haven CT, but on some other planet. And her parents guarded against the rising of an evil wizard like dude. And now she's in danger and has to fight evil wizard like dude.
A story with a strong feeling of being a full story - beginning middle end. Even prologue. With touches indicating it is connected to some wider universe/series. Still, 'only' a 3.83 or so story.
Rating: 3.83
March 13 2017
L.T. Marie: Plagued by Darkness
Blind; Vampire
Would have been close to 5 stars if it hadn't ended abruptly. Seemingly mid=story.
Rating: 4.29
March 13 2017
Joey Bass: Recyclables
Professor; Police; Vampires; Mystery
Would have been close to 5 stars if it hadn't ended abruptly. Seemingly mid=story.
Rating: 4.29
March 13 2017
Shelley Thrasher: The Orient Express
Travel; Vampires?; Europe
A woman takes a ride on the Orient Express some time while the Vietnam War was in progress.
She fantasies about all the people around her while she rides along.
Then an event occurs while she attempts to sleep that may or may not have happened. Though it left visible scars in the morning.
Rating: 3.99
March 13 2017
Winter Pennington: Eris
Vampire; Fae; BDSM
A vampire that feeds on lust and sex and the like beats up a woman who just wants to be touched. Then fucks a fairy.
This story is connected to that Kassandra PI series.
Rating: 3.00
March 13 2017
Yolanda Wallace: Blood Moon
Vampires, Vampire hunter, Savannah Georgia, Halloween
A vampire hunter, who immediately lets you know she's no Buffy (scrawny thing - Buffy), nor a Bella type. No, she's a cold blooded killing machine of vampires.
It's Halloween in Savannah and she goes hunting.
Rating: 3.63
March 10 2017
Mel Bossa: Contrition
Mental Illness
A mentally ill woman masturbates while reliving her time [with] her girlfriend.
I was being somewhat flippant because I didn't know why the story was in the book.
And, did you know there's a character limit to reviews? I ran out of characters. See below.
Rating: 0.01
March 13 2017
L.L. Raand: Deadly Glamour
Another story which appeared solid until ending abruptly and therefore losing major rating point.
A fairy princess, heir to the throne, has done a runner. A hunter is sent out to retrieve her.
Rating: 3.62
March 14 2017
Clara Nipper: Fresh Meat
Roller Derby, obsession, sex, nurse
A nurse patches up a woman who is badly bruised. The nurse assumes that the woman is an abuse victim and tries to help. Become bitchy when the woman refuses help. Turns out that woman wasn't abused - she got the injuries from roller derby.
Nurse develops this odd obsession for roller derby. Specifically the team that woman was from. Though she's not specifically interested in that woman.
A story that annoyed me - to a certain extent. That obsession with roller derby. The way that woman was acting - the way others in the story were acting. Then sex occurred and my brain imploded. So, whatever.
Rating: 4.78
March 10 2017
Overall
Merry Shannon: Lucky Number Seven: 4.34
Sam Cameron: Come to Me: 3.30
Meghan O'Brien: Full Moon Weekend: 3.75
Jane Fletcher: Tempora Mutantur: 4.99
Jess Faraday: The Trickster Codex: 3.79
Victoria Oldham: For all Eternity: 2.15
Karis Walsh: Solstice: 4.25
Valerie Bronwen: The Other Side of the Mirror: 4.79
D. Jackson Leigh: Skin Walkers: 3.89
Rebecca S. Buck: Forget Me Not: 4.69
Nell Stark and Trinity Tam: The Others: 3.78
Ronica Black: Emily: 3.50
Rebekah Weatherspoon: Study Break: 0.75
Lesley Davis: Away with the Fairies: 3.77
M.J. Williamz: In the Bell Tower: 3.63
Sheri Lewis Wohl: Bloodstone: 3.83
L.T. Marie: Plagued by Darkness: 4.29
Joey Bass: Recyclables: 4.29
Shelley Thrasher: The Orient Express: 3.99
Winter Pennington: Eris: 3.00
Yolanda Wallace: Blood Moon: 3.63
Mel Bossa: Contrition: 0.01
L.L. Raand: Deadly Glamour: 3.62
Clara Nipper: Fresh Meat: 4.78
Overall Rating: --------------- 3.77435
Things are not as they seem. About the fifth time I was about to write that for a story section, I realized I should just put that up here. I'm sure there's some story where this phrase doesn't work, but so many of the stories use it as bedrock - as foundation.
A ghost that doesn't realize they are a ghost. A mortal human not realizing she's talking to a ghost (different story from that first sentence). Werewolves, vampires, fairies, insane women, and the one story I can think of off the top of my head where people go into it knowing about 'the creatures of the night', the 'not as they seem' would be the human mortal human who is 'not as she seems' - human and mortal, yes, but she's also undercover trying to 'bust' the 'bad people'.
Several occasions we have people who suddenly realize they knew the other(s) from some past life (or lives). Mixed in with two travel related stories (well, the first two stories in this volume are travel related) - one involving a train accident and the search for terrorists; other involves the TSA and how, while it appears they are really really incompetent, there's a reason for that.
I suppose 'Full Moon Weekend' wouldn't fall into the 'not what they seem' - since it involves two women, a shifter and a human, but both know of and intimately know each other. And nothing 'surprising' pops up - other than just what one of the women can shift into. Which is neat in and of itself, but not really the type of 'surprising' indicated by 'not what they seem'.
Several historical fictions mixed with fantasy - like Faraday's 'The Trickster Codex' set in, I believe, the 1940s and having a noir vibe; and Buck's 'Forget Me Not' set in the 1890s - and one of those ghost stories.
Devils, vampires, wolves, cheetahs, dolphins, turtles, several horsies (one story has that woman who can shift into basically anything, so she shifts into a horse, another has two 'skin walkers' who can 'control from a distance' animal familars, like horses), succubus (succubi?), demons and a whole host of ghosts wandering in and out of these . . . what is it, 16? stories (23). Many of which touch on death and grief; many of which touch on immortal lives.
The Stories
Merry Shannon: Lucky Number Seven
FBI Agent; terrorism
Hard to say exactly what's going on in ths one without giving everything away immediately. Though it is fairly obvious from the beginning what's going on.
A bombing occurs on a train. An FBI agent and a rider from that train try to track down the terrorists. Then reports come in regarding another attack that will occur shortly.
Rating: 4.33
March 11 2017
Sam Cameron: Come to Me
TSA; Demons (angels?); lawyers
Apparently there's a reason the TSA seems so incompetent - it's on purpose, because they are actually screening for more than they said they were - for demons and the like. Main character works as an agent collecting the 'captured' creatures. Not everything is as it seems, though, perhaps - including that attractive woman who shows interest in main character.
Rating: 3.30
March 11 2017
Meghan O'Brien: Full Moon Weekend
Shifters; Fantasy; vacation; public nudity
Eve Thomas and Selene Rhodes from Wild are back for some more action.
Eve and Selene head into the woods for a weekend of, as it is put in the story, nakedness and fucking. Eve wishes to prove/show to Selene that she no longer needs to be locked down/restrained when the moon is full.
Interesting little story. Certain amount of graphicness to the story, but a certain bit less than expected considering author (and how erotic some of her stories can be) and expressed nature of the weekend (a fuck weekend).
Rating: 3.75
March 10 2017
Jane Fletcher: Tempora Mutantur
doctor; professor
A woman almost dies from swine flu. Ever since then, ever since that occasion when 'she should have died', she can't stop obsessing over the doctor. She keeps having this odd dreams, involving volcanoes, large ships, etc. And doing everything to catch glimpses of said doctor.
There's more than meets the eye.
Rating: 4.99
March 10 2017
Jess Faraday: The Trickster Codex
Private Investigator, Los Angeles, 1930s (or 1940s), Noir
Amelia 'Amy' or 'Mel' Archer - private investigator. Poor. Gives only food of day to dog spotted on street. Very skinny - more because can't afford food than for fashion reasons. Doesn't get much work because of 'that bastard Philip Marlowe hanging around' (apparently Marlowe had worked for her, then left and stole all her clients and contacts). Former WASP fighter pilot - shot down over enemy lines. Had been best in code class, but kicked out for lack of balls and dick.
Gets a case from Lorena Claw ('five and a half feet of gorgeous, with shoulders like a general, black hair and eyes, and skin like red desert clay'), a 'civilian consultant currently overseeing a project involving a new kind of code' ('Dr. Lorena Claw, Adjunct Instructor of Navajo Language at USC.') Claw has some transmissions using the code, but can't determine what is being said so wants Archer's help. The Feds get involved.
And then . . . um, what?
Interesting, intriguing story. Didn't go anywhere then fizzled away like a cloud of cats.
Rating: 3.79
March 10 2017
Victoria Oldham: For all Eternity
Professor; Demons ; Italy
An american professor teaches at a university in Italy while living on a houseboat. Nightly she dreams of a woman ravishing her. She wakes up covered in evidence of her dreams.
At the university, her class is about how women are treated and myths and the like - badly.
This story here doesn't exactly help in that specific situation.
Rating: 2.15
March 12 2017
Karis Walsh: Solstice
Shiters/Werewolves; Soldiers/Resistance; War
A young werewolf woman, an alpha, is tasked by her General to go to a specific location and kill Leo - the hated leader of the other side.
She seduces a young female guard to try to help her get inside. Though she finds more than she expected.
Rating: 4.25
March 12 2017
Valerie Bronwen: The Other Side of the Mirror
Death; Grief; Alternate Worlds
A woman finds herself in the unfortunate circumstance of having her life utterly shattered by a young college student who was driving while texting. Because of the accident she: lost her wife; lost her baby; gained hallucinations.
One of the hallucinations is associated with a hated mirror - but one that had also been beloved by her wife - so she can't get rid of it.
Rating: 4.89
March 12 2017
D. Jackson Leigh: Skin Walkers
Skinwalkers; Natives
A professor has gained certain fame as a myth-buster - best-selling book; grant money; etc. She has been hired to try to figure out what is going on with a 'gathering of wild horses' event conducted by the government.
Another 'more than meets the eye'; and another 'lives entertwinned through more than one moment alive'.
Rating: 3.89
March 12 2017
Rebecca S. Buck: Forget Me Not
Historical Fiction (1890),
A woman wanders she knows where not, for she's distracted by 'needing to breath' and eventually drunk. She winds up hiding in a church graveyard when she hears a voice. Telling her 'you are like me'. She has a conversation with that woman that goes along with the voice.
There's this hypnotic pull to the story that I'm not sure I'd feel any other time, so my feelings for the story and my rating are probably slightly dislodged from the norm.
Rating: 4.69
March 12 2017
Nell Stark and Trinity Tam: The Others
Werecheetah, shifters, vampires, BDSM, undercover
A side story to the Stark & Tam series - as in it follows two side characters instead of the main characters in the series. Judging by copyright dates, and the actions in this here story, this is probably something like a 3.5 story. And instead of starring Valentine Darrow & Alexa Newland, it stars Olivia (human) and Abby (werecheeteh). Well, more stars Olivia.
Story shows Olivia going undercover to try to 'take down' a presidential candidate. Goes to that fight club that appears in the Everafter series. If any other characters from that series pops up, I didn't recognize them.
For what it is - interesting snippet that I want to see concluded, see more of. And I have a vague recollection that while 'something' turns up in book four that is vaguely connected, the story line itself - with Olivia 'doing stuff' didn't really go anywhere in book 4. But I can't really go by memory - right or wrong memory, but what's going on in this here story. And, for what it's worth, I'd give this somewhat incomplete story a rating of 3.78.
Rating: 3.78
March 13 2017
Ronica Black: Emily
Horror; Psychological; Psychologist
A messed up young woman does evil things so that she can 'see Emily' again. Unleashes bad stuff. Sees psychologist. May or may not rape herself, depending on how you interpret the story.
Rating: 3.50
March 13 2017
Rebekah Weatherspoon: Study Break
Vampires, college students, dominance/submission, rape (at best I could call it 'dubious consent', though I'm not sure I could go so far as to call it 'consent while unable to actually be of sound mind to give consent' since consent wasn't given - more lack of any kind of safe word (if such a thing exists in their relationship, fuck, this is supposed to be my genre/tags section, not me writing shit section).
I've liked everything I've read by Weatherspoon, but know/knew that 90% of what she puts out were the kind of thing I didn't want to read. Like that vampire series. I assume that this short story here is somehow connected to that series (sorority, vampires, d/s), but no idea how connected. Nor do I care.
I knew I wouldn't want anything to do with that series, but because this short story was in a book I already owned, and because I've liked everything I have in fact read by Weatherspoon, I figured I'd go ahead and read this very short story.
And now I feel ill.
I do not like mixing dominance/submission games with paranormal creatures (which themselves have 'erotic' features associated with them - like here wherein being feed upon by a vampire causes instant and multiple orgasms).
I assume I would understand the story more if I had read at least the first vampire book. As is - it is confusing. The main character's father is the ultimate demon? Something like that? Yet she is human? And has been given by him to his 'most powerful' . . . something. Subordinate? Who happens to be a vampire. Who feeds on her. And one other (at least) - people who have been 'trained' to be feed upon. Apparently 'allowing a creature to bite you and suck on your blood while you experience multiple orgasms' is something that you need to be trained for.
Meanwhile the main character, a freshman, has apparently found a junior to be her 'mistress' who 'controls' Benny as 'Bunny', her pet bunny.
Benny is quite shy and doesn't want to have anyone there when she is feed upon, and doesn't want to be there when her mistress is feed upon. But she doesn't get a choice. Because. You know, Mistress and shit. Then, after being forced to watch, she's basically raped by the Mistress (the concept of consent flew out the window before this story evern began - really, the father gave her to a vampire? Fuck that. And fuck this series; then, by her own choice, she 'takes on' a Mistress, a human, who has her do things that blow far past her limits, then fucks her when her limits are blown and she is not of sound mind to consent or not consent, hence my 'rape' comment above - and my 'I don't like mixing dominance/submission with paranormal creatures' comment - too much fucking 'magical compulsion' floating around to keep anyone sane).
ETA: same sorority, I believe, different characters. Though 'Ginger' mentioned but not seen in the story here might be dating the vampire in this story - and Ginger is the main character in the first book. Ah - Cleo and Benny of this short story star in book two of the series, so this is something like 1.5 in that series.
Rating: 0.75
March 10 2017
Lesley Davis: Away with the Fairies
Vampires, Werewolves, Shifters, Fae, Tavern
This is the story wherein I decided to go back to the beginning of the review and add that 'things are not what they seem'. For here we have yet another 'things are not what they seem.' And it is also one of those where humans do not factor. Everyone in it is a vampire, werewolf, or fairy (as in the fae kind). There's a bit of misdirect, though, that allows that 'things' line to be stated yet again.
There's this tavern, see, which is on something like neutral ground. Three factions can and do meet there - though mostly the werewolves and the vampires visit. There's a reason the fae tend not to do so - and it is indirectly revealed in the story.
The werewolves and vampires are the more aggressive of the three, though it is currently mostly a time of peace. Though news of a possible invasion surfaces. So the fae visit the tavern.
Good interesting solid story.
Rating: 3.77
March 13 2017
M.J. Williamz: In the Bell Tower
New Orleans, Vampire, Erotica
A woman from Spokane visits New Orleans. And a vampire drops onto her. They hump. The end.
Rating: 3.63
March 13 2017
Sheri Lewis Wohl: Bloodstone
Magic; Parallel worlds; wizards
A woman finds out she wasn't actually born in New Haven CT, but on some other planet. And her parents guarded against the rising of an evil wizard like dude. And now she's in danger and has to fight evil wizard like dude.
A story with a strong feeling of being a full story - beginning middle end. Even prologue. With touches indicating it is connected to some wider universe/series. Still, 'only' a 3.83 or so story.
Rating: 3.83
March 13 2017
L.T. Marie: Plagued by Darkness
Blind; Vampire
Would have been close to 5 stars if it hadn't ended abruptly. Seemingly mid=story.
Rating: 4.29
March 13 2017
Joey Bass: Recyclables
Professor; Police; Vampires; Mystery
Would have been close to 5 stars if it hadn't ended abruptly. Seemingly mid=story.
Rating: 4.29
March 13 2017
Shelley Thrasher: The Orient Express
Travel; Vampires?; Europe
A woman takes a ride on the Orient Express some time while the Vietnam War was in progress.
She fantasies about all the people around her while she rides along.
Then an event occurs while she attempts to sleep that may or may not have happened. Though it left visible scars in the morning.
Rating: 3.99
March 13 2017
Winter Pennington: Eris
Vampire; Fae; BDSM
A vampire that feeds on lust and sex and the like beats up a woman who just wants to be touched. Then fucks a fairy.
This story is connected to that Kassandra PI series.
Rating: 3.00
March 13 2017
Yolanda Wallace: Blood Moon
Vampires, Vampire hunter, Savannah Georgia, Halloween
A vampire hunter, who immediately lets you know she's no Buffy (scrawny thing - Buffy), nor a Bella type. No, she's a cold blooded killing machine of vampires.
It's Halloween in Savannah and she goes hunting.
Rating: 3.63
March 10 2017
Mel Bossa: Contrition
Mental Illness
A mentally ill woman masturbates while reliving her time [with] her girlfriend.
I was being somewhat flippant because I didn't know why the story was in the book.
And, did you know there's a character limit to reviews? I ran out of characters. See below.
Rating: 0.01
March 13 2017
L.L. Raand: Deadly Glamour
Another story which appeared solid until ending abruptly and therefore losing major rating point.
A fairy princess, heir to the throne, has done a runner. A hunter is sent out to retrieve her.
Rating: 3.62
March 14 2017
Clara Nipper: Fresh Meat
Roller Derby, obsession, sex, nurse
A nurse patches up a woman who is badly bruised. The nurse assumes that the woman is an abuse victim and tries to help. Become bitchy when the woman refuses help. Turns out that woman wasn't abused - she got the injuries from roller derby.
Nurse develops this odd obsession for roller derby. Specifically the team that woman was from. Though she's not specifically interested in that woman.
A story that annoyed me - to a certain extent. That obsession with roller derby. The way that woman was acting - the way others in the story were acting. Then sex occurred and my brain imploded. So, whatever.
Rating: 4.78
March 10 2017
Overall
Merry Shannon: Lucky Number Seven: 4.34
Sam Cameron: Come to Me: 3.30
Meghan O'Brien: Full Moon Weekend: 3.75
Jane Fletcher: Tempora Mutantur: 4.99
Jess Faraday: The Trickster Codex: 3.79
Victoria Oldham: For all Eternity: 2.15
Karis Walsh: Solstice: 4.25
Valerie Bronwen: The Other Side of the Mirror: 4.79
D. Jackson Leigh: Skin Walkers: 3.89
Rebecca S. Buck: Forget Me Not: 4.69
Nell Stark and Trinity Tam: The Others: 3.78
Ronica Black: Emily: 3.50
Rebekah Weatherspoon: Study Break: 0.75
Lesley Davis: Away with the Fairies: 3.77
M.J. Williamz: In the Bell Tower: 3.63
Sheri Lewis Wohl: Bloodstone: 3.83
L.T. Marie: Plagued by Darkness: 4.29
Joey Bass: Recyclables: 4.29
Shelley Thrasher: The Orient Express: 3.99
Winter Pennington: Eris: 3.00
Yolanda Wallace: Blood Moon: 3.63
Mel Bossa: Contrition: 0.01
L.L. Raand: Deadly Glamour: 3.62
Clara Nipper: Fresh Meat: 4.78
Overall Rating: --------------- 3.77435
March 18, 2017
I bought it mainly to read a short by Meghan O'Brien with the characters from her book Wild. (story: 4 stars). I enjoyed some of the other stories but couldn't get into others. I think because they are continuations from other books that I haven't read.
April 3, 2017
Overall, this is a good read. Some of the stories are better than others but it's a good mix of authors with different paranormal tales. Reading this exposed me to new authors that I'm now very interested in reading. Definitely worth a read.
March 20, 2014
This short story collection of paranormal tales with a lesbian base was by and large eye-opening, thrilling, and a stunning sampling of “off the beaten path” vignettes. It is hard to imagine anyone with even only a little bit of interest in psychic phenomena not finding multiple winners within this collection. I totally recommend it.
Lucky Number Seven by Merry Shannon
Two gifted people work together to find the connections to an existing bomb that wrecked a train and additional important data. A brilliant and stunning ending, what an opener!
Come to Me by Sam Cameron
A hardworking technician and mysterious stalker of sorts are more than enlightened about unimaginable entities hiding out in airport scanning equipment of all places! I was delightfully surprised at the unexpected ending. Astounding!
Full Moon Weekend by Meghan O'Brien
A loving female pair set out to a remote cabin location to experience the intensity of the full moon. One member of this couple is a super extraordinary shape shifter, but she is haunted and fearful of her internal wolf. This is a truly beautiful and loving episode with love as the most powerful healing element. Beautiful!
Tempura Mutantur by Jane Fletcher
This is certainly a haunting and love intensive story. A darkly and overpowering obsession morphs into a reunion that knocked my socks off. Splendiferous!
The Trickster Codex by Jess Faraday
With a delightful tongue-in-cheek quality, a provocative story unfolds with world shattering implications. The female gumshoe and the classy professor link up on more than one level. Distinctly funny, certainly thought provoking, with lots of great action. Fantastic!
For All Eternity by Victoria Oldham
A stunning ending reverberated from my head to my toes. The dream lover who turns in a real entity attempts to seduce the dreamer as she believes that is what she wants. A professor of mythology finds herself more than wrapped up in her educational specialty. Stunning!
Solstice by Karis Walsh
Delightful action-packed confluence on the eve of a solstice celebration. Lycans, love, and sacrifice. Beautiful!
The Other Side of the Mirror by Valerie Bronwen
Brilliant and irresistible combination brought together by an ungainly, ugly even, object dear to the heart of a deceased lover. Magical!
Skin Walkers by D. Jackson Leigh
When love persists through many lifetimes, there is always the potential magic of reunion. Climactically resplendent!
Forget Me Not by Rebecca S. Buck
There have been times and places where a woman's love for another woman was a dangerous thing. An otherworldly encounter infused hope and determination to live and love as one desires. Sublime!
The Others by Nell Stark and Trinity Tam
A bit of a complex and multi-layer storyline that still nevertheless has a heartwarming reunion. Interesting!
Emily by Ronica Black
A darkly disturbing brush with questionable magic that leads to an astounding one-eighty-degree turnaround after an apparent attempt at suicide. Mindboggling!
Study Break by Rebekah Weatherspoon
Two fellow students and sorority sisters share a particular personal closeness. One sister, the dominant student, is mutually agreeable to her regularly scheduled vampire feeding if it is witnessed by her submissive sister. The observing sister is filled with visions of a hoped for future yet crumples to the will of dominant. Mesmerizing!
Away with the Faeries by Lesley Davis
Wondrous three-way duel between vampires, werewolves and faeries. The ending had me bowled over and howling with laughter. Grandiose!
In the Bell Tower by MJ Williamz
New Orleans and a sexy female vampire helps an awkward visitor blossom and make sweet, sweet love all night long. Delicious!
Bloodstone by Sheri Lewis Wohl
Wonderful historical tale, that deliciously has the evil guy at the heart of the battle bested by some super sexy keepers of the flame. Marvelous!
Plagued by Darkness by L.T. Marie
Three hundred year old female vampire finds a love that may banish all loneliness and wanting forever. Powerfully fantastic.
Recyclables by Joey Bass
Delicious view of things from the police detective's perspective. Followed up with the over-the-top lusting viewpoint of the consultant for the police ex-FBI turned professor's viewpoint. Coitus interruptus...splendiferous!
The Orient Express by Shelley Thrasher
Fantasy and dreamlike story aboard the Orient Express, is imaginative and super sexy. Bon voyage!
Eris by William Pennington
Confusing yet extremely seductive coupling of an Eros vampire and her companion. It felt like a chapter within a larger book. Nevertheless, it was satisfying and hot within the length of a chapter. Intense!
Blood Moon by Yolanda Wallace
A curious vampire hunter, Alexandra, who claims to be completely unlike popularized fiction heroes falls in love with a vampire. That has made Alex into a much more selective hunter and as lovers, they are exquisite. Very fascinating!
Contrition by Mel Bossa
Utterly confusing, rather depressing, and not understandable for me. This is the only story I cannot in all honesty recommend. That does leave twenty-three good selections to choose from in my perspective.
Deadly Glamour by L.L. Raand
Thoroughly captivating and sophisticated look at a world within the Terran confines that is not Terran by any stretch of the imagination. Intriguing conclusion that brings a whole new perspective to long-term incarceration. Superb!
Fresh Meat by Clara Nipper
Positively delightful romp in and around the world of Roller Derby and a special breed of vampires. This is an enthralling and enjoyable conclusion to Women of the Dark Streets. Definitively admirable!
NOTE: This book was provided by bold Strokes Books for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Lucky Number Seven by Merry Shannon
Two gifted people work together to find the connections to an existing bomb that wrecked a train and additional important data. A brilliant and stunning ending, what an opener!
Come to Me by Sam Cameron
A hardworking technician and mysterious stalker of sorts are more than enlightened about unimaginable entities hiding out in airport scanning equipment of all places! I was delightfully surprised at the unexpected ending. Astounding!
Full Moon Weekend by Meghan O'Brien
A loving female pair set out to a remote cabin location to experience the intensity of the full moon. One member of this couple is a super extraordinary shape shifter, but she is haunted and fearful of her internal wolf. This is a truly beautiful and loving episode with love as the most powerful healing element. Beautiful!
Tempura Mutantur by Jane Fletcher
This is certainly a haunting and love intensive story. A darkly and overpowering obsession morphs into a reunion that knocked my socks off. Splendiferous!
The Trickster Codex by Jess Faraday
With a delightful tongue-in-cheek quality, a provocative story unfolds with world shattering implications. The female gumshoe and the classy professor link up on more than one level. Distinctly funny, certainly thought provoking, with lots of great action. Fantastic!
For All Eternity by Victoria Oldham
A stunning ending reverberated from my head to my toes. The dream lover who turns in a real entity attempts to seduce the dreamer as she believes that is what she wants. A professor of mythology finds herself more than wrapped up in her educational specialty. Stunning!
Solstice by Karis Walsh
Delightful action-packed confluence on the eve of a solstice celebration. Lycans, love, and sacrifice. Beautiful!
The Other Side of the Mirror by Valerie Bronwen
Brilliant and irresistible combination brought together by an ungainly, ugly even, object dear to the heart of a deceased lover. Magical!
Skin Walkers by D. Jackson Leigh
When love persists through many lifetimes, there is always the potential magic of reunion. Climactically resplendent!
Forget Me Not by Rebecca S. Buck
There have been times and places where a woman's love for another woman was a dangerous thing. An otherworldly encounter infused hope and determination to live and love as one desires. Sublime!
The Others by Nell Stark and Trinity Tam
A bit of a complex and multi-layer storyline that still nevertheless has a heartwarming reunion. Interesting!
Emily by Ronica Black
A darkly disturbing brush with questionable magic that leads to an astounding one-eighty-degree turnaround after an apparent attempt at suicide. Mindboggling!
Study Break by Rebekah Weatherspoon
Two fellow students and sorority sisters share a particular personal closeness. One sister, the dominant student, is mutually agreeable to her regularly scheduled vampire feeding if it is witnessed by her submissive sister. The observing sister is filled with visions of a hoped for future yet crumples to the will of dominant. Mesmerizing!
Away with the Faeries by Lesley Davis
Wondrous three-way duel between vampires, werewolves and faeries. The ending had me bowled over and howling with laughter. Grandiose!
In the Bell Tower by MJ Williamz
New Orleans and a sexy female vampire helps an awkward visitor blossom and make sweet, sweet love all night long. Delicious!
Bloodstone by Sheri Lewis Wohl
Wonderful historical tale, that deliciously has the evil guy at the heart of the battle bested by some super sexy keepers of the flame. Marvelous!
Plagued by Darkness by L.T. Marie
Three hundred year old female vampire finds a love that may banish all loneliness and wanting forever. Powerfully fantastic.
Recyclables by Joey Bass
Delicious view of things from the police detective's perspective. Followed up with the over-the-top lusting viewpoint of the consultant for the police ex-FBI turned professor's viewpoint. Coitus interruptus...splendiferous!
The Orient Express by Shelley Thrasher
Fantasy and dreamlike story aboard the Orient Express, is imaginative and super sexy. Bon voyage!
Eris by William Pennington
Confusing yet extremely seductive coupling of an Eros vampire and her companion. It felt like a chapter within a larger book. Nevertheless, it was satisfying and hot within the length of a chapter. Intense!
Blood Moon by Yolanda Wallace
A curious vampire hunter, Alexandra, who claims to be completely unlike popularized fiction heroes falls in love with a vampire. That has made Alex into a much more selective hunter and as lovers, they are exquisite. Very fascinating!
Contrition by Mel Bossa
Utterly confusing, rather depressing, and not understandable for me. This is the only story I cannot in all honesty recommend. That does leave twenty-three good selections to choose from in my perspective.
Deadly Glamour by L.L. Raand
Thoroughly captivating and sophisticated look at a world within the Terran confines that is not Terran by any stretch of the imagination. Intriguing conclusion that brings a whole new perspective to long-term incarceration. Superb!
Fresh Meat by Clara Nipper
Positively delightful romp in and around the world of Roller Derby and a special breed of vampires. This is an enthralling and enjoyable conclusion to Women of the Dark Streets. Definitively admirable!
NOTE: This book was provided by bold Strokes Books for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
April 16, 2017
Some of the stories were okay. I am not a fan of paranormal anything, glad I chose this book for my reading challenge. I might have to comeback and give it another try, when my brain is not to foggy from erotic fiction that I love. Please take my review with a grain of salt, there are better reviews out there...believe me.
April 7, 2015
It took me a really long time to read this anthology. I was really digging on it in the beginning and Come to Me is this my favorite story in the anthology. Lucky Number Seven was both tragic and sweet. I think Full Moon Weekend surprised me because it wasn't my favorite story and it took me a while to get into it but I appreciate that it's a different and somewhat emotional take on a shapeshifter accepting herself.
Some of the stories are solidly grounded in paranormal elements while others use the tropes of the genre to tell a non-paranomormal tale. I'm glad that I read the anthology and most of the stories kept my attention though the last three stories weren't in my area of interest. Theoretically roller derby vampires and shapeshifting mixed race fae should be an intriguing opening line but I have a hard time with stories of people being used and others who willing accept punishment on behalf of someone else's wrongs.
I did read the whole anthology. Some other stories worth reading are Tempora Mutantur and The Other Side of the Mirror, both stories are about obsession and love. The first one is about someone who becomes stalker like after a traumatic life event. The second story is about someone who loses a loved one and can't find a way to move forward. I think that what I liked most about this anthology is the different life stories and emotional experiences. There were a sprinkling of stories that focused on non-white people. I would have liked more stories that mixed white people and people of color together more in terms of story lines. It's a worthy read but not every story is a pageturner.
Some of the stories are solidly grounded in paranormal elements while others use the tropes of the genre to tell a non-paranomormal tale. I'm glad that I read the anthology and most of the stories kept my attention though the last three stories weren't in my area of interest. Theoretically roller derby vampires and shapeshifting mixed race fae should be an intriguing opening line but I have a hard time with stories of people being used and others who willing accept punishment on behalf of someone else's wrongs.
I did read the whole anthology. Some other stories worth reading are Tempora Mutantur and The Other Side of the Mirror, both stories are about obsession and love. The first one is about someone who becomes stalker like after a traumatic life event. The second story is about someone who loses a loved one and can't find a way to move forward. I think that what I liked most about this anthology is the different life stories and emotional experiences. There were a sprinkling of stories that focused on non-white people. I would have liked more stories that mixed white people and people of color together more in terms of story lines. It's a worthy read but not every story is a pageturner.
March 20, 2020
Lucky Number Seven by Merry Shannon: 5/5
Come to Me by Sam Cameron: 1/5
Full Moon Weekend by Meghan O’Brien: 5/5
Tempora Mutantur by Jane Fletcher: 5/5
The Trickster Codex by Jess Faraday: 1/5
For All Eternity by Victoria Oldham: 1/5
Solstice by Karis Walsh: 2/5
The Other Side of the Mirror by Valerie Bronwen: 3/5
Skin Walkers by D. Jackson Leigh: 1/5
Forget Me Not by Rebecca S. Buck: 5/5
The Others by Nell Stark and Trinity Tam: 4/5
Emily by Ronica Black: 5/5
Study Break by Rebekah Weatherspoon: 2/5
Away with the Fairies by Lesley Davis: 4/5
In the Bell Tower by MJ Williamz 5/5
Bloodstone by Sheri Lewis Wohl: 3/5
Plagued by Darkness by L.T. Marie: 4/5
Recyclables by Joey Bass: 3/5
The Orient Express by Shelley Thrasher: 2/5
Eris by Winter Pennington: 1/5
Blood Moon by Yolanda Wallace: 5/5
Contrition by Mel Bossa: 2/5
Deadly Glamour by L.L. Raan: 2/5
Fresh Meat by Clara Nipper: 2/5
Come to Me by Sam Cameron: 1/5
Full Moon Weekend by Meghan O’Brien: 5/5
Tempora Mutantur by Jane Fletcher: 5/5
The Trickster Codex by Jess Faraday: 1/5
For All Eternity by Victoria Oldham: 1/5
Solstice by Karis Walsh: 2/5
The Other Side of the Mirror by Valerie Bronwen: 3/5
Skin Walkers by D. Jackson Leigh: 1/5
Forget Me Not by Rebecca S. Buck: 5/5
The Others by Nell Stark and Trinity Tam: 4/5
Emily by Ronica Black: 5/5
Study Break by Rebekah Weatherspoon: 2/5
Away with the Fairies by Lesley Davis: 4/5
In the Bell Tower by MJ Williamz 5/5
Bloodstone by Sheri Lewis Wohl: 3/5
Plagued by Darkness by L.T. Marie: 4/5
Recyclables by Joey Bass: 3/5
The Orient Express by Shelley Thrasher: 2/5
Eris by Winter Pennington: 1/5
Blood Moon by Yolanda Wallace: 5/5
Contrition by Mel Bossa: 2/5
Deadly Glamour by L.L. Raan: 2/5
Fresh Meat by Clara Nipper: 2/5
March 11, 2012
I enjoyed the different stories very much, so much that I put all the books in my to-read shelf by these authors to the front of the line, so I'm ready to relax and enjoy!
September 17, 2012
Some of the stories were very good, some not very good and some in between. Therefore 3 of 5 stars
February 4, 2021
Like with most short story collections, some stories were better than others, but still worth reading. I just wish many of these were not short stories, meaning they often just whet the appetite for what could have been a much better, longer story or even book rather than being a pretty good, complete read all on their own.
September 12, 2025
There’s an extra short story/epilogue chapter for Meghan O’Briens Wild in here that I really enjoyed! I love when we’re given extra content 🎶
November 30, 2021
Some really good short stories in here with favourite characters, but others I had no idea what was going on!
February 11, 2016
Keep in mind these are thoughts I posted on a separate deleted blog a few years ago.
I liked this compilation a lot! Obviously all of the stories contain lesbian love and sex scenes, and there is some sort of paranormal aspect to each story. There are stories about everything from vampires and vampire hunters to FBI agents and private investigators to ghosts and skin walkers. This compilation is very diverse with only the lesbian love remaining a constant. I loved Jess Faraday's short story The Trickster Codex. It was one of the better short stories in this compilation. It is about a female PI, who does not have a lot of business due to her ex-partner. He is able to steal her clients/potential clients just because he is a man. She is contacted by a woman about deciphering a codex, and receives cash up front for the job. She is elated with the prospect of money and intrigued by the woman, but that quickly turns sour when feds turn up and roughly request she drop the case. I don't want to give away anything else, because even the paranormal aspect is unusual. Overall liked the book, and this short story. It reminded me of old black and white detective movies. VERDICT I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good paranormal romance. It is a great selection of short stories with something for everyone. Well, every adult.
I liked this compilation a lot! Obviously all of the stories contain lesbian love and sex scenes, and there is some sort of paranormal aspect to each story. There are stories about everything from vampires and vampire hunters to FBI agents and private investigators to ghosts and skin walkers. This compilation is very diverse with only the lesbian love remaining a constant. I loved Jess Faraday's short story The Trickster Codex. It was one of the better short stories in this compilation. It is about a female PI, who does not have a lot of business due to her ex-partner. He is able to steal her clients/potential clients just because he is a man. She is contacted by a woman about deciphering a codex, and receives cash up front for the job. She is elated with the prospect of money and intrigued by the woman, but that quickly turns sour when feds turn up and roughly request she drop the case. I don't want to give away anything else, because even the paranormal aspect is unusual. Overall liked the book, and this short story. It reminded me of old black and white detective movies. VERDICT I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good paranormal romance. It is a great selection of short stories with something for everyone. Well, every adult.
August 31, 2015
I couldn't help but compare this Bold Strokes Books anthology to its similarly-themed YLVA publishing counterpart Wicked Things: Lesbian Halloween Short Stories --and finding it lacking in every way.
Anthologies are, by their very nature, a mixed bag and, as such it is rare that there is not at least one story that has me madly searching Goodreads for the author's other works. But there was not one that had me scrambling after reading this anthology. There was little sweetness, little romance and those that leaned more towards erotica were aggressive and unappealing. About the only one a vaguely was Full Moon Weekend by Meghan O'Brien where we catch up with Eve and Selene from Wild - but even this was one-dimensional and fell flat.
In the past I would have written off these sentiments as 'paranormal tales aren't for me'. But having not just read Wicked Things, but enjoyed it so immensely and connected so deeply with some of the stories, that theory doesn't fly any more.
I'm sorry to say this anthology left me cold (or maybe there's just a vampire in my midst that I'm unaware of ;) )
Anthologies are, by their very nature, a mixed bag and, as such it is rare that there is not at least one story that has me madly searching Goodreads for the author's other works. But there was not one that had me scrambling after reading this anthology. There was little sweetness, little romance and those that leaned more towards erotica were aggressive and unappealing. About the only one a vaguely was Full Moon Weekend by Meghan O'Brien where we catch up with Eve and Selene from Wild - but even this was one-dimensional and fell flat.
In the past I would have written off these sentiments as 'paranormal tales aren't for me'. But having not just read Wicked Things, but enjoyed it so immensely and connected so deeply with some of the stories, that theory doesn't fly any more.
I'm sorry to say this anthology left me cold (or maybe there's just a vampire in my midst that I'm unaware of ;) )
January 11, 2017
ehhhhhh. i felt the stories were uneven in terms of quality - some good, some ok, some bad. i would have liked more stories set in historical or fantasy settings BC paranormal stories set in modern au always feels cheesy pie to me.
November 15, 2015
This was absolutely brilliant from start to finish. Each one of this short stories was impactful, unique, a surprising wonderful. I will be acquiring this book for my collection.
April 10, 2016
Read for book club. Was not good. Gave it an extra star for the ironically hilarious Evanescence story.
Read
January 26, 2018Read this for Selene and Eve!!
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