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Into the Mystic, Volume Three

(Into the Mystic)

Ava Kelly (Goodreads Author),

Bru Baker (Goodreads Author),

Lis Valentine,

Michelle Frost (Goodreads Author),

L.J. Hamlin (Goodreads Author),

K. Parr (Goodreads Author),

Artemis Savory,

M. Hollis (Goodreads Author),

more…

3.70 · Rating details · 23 ratings · 18 reviews

Nine lesbian/bisexual paranormal short stories…

It Started Before Noon – All stories must begin somewhere.

Heart’s Thaw – A frozen heart is no match for ignited passions.

Fire and Brine – Of all the bars in all the world, Alice had to wander into Cassandra’s. Are either of them ready for what comes next?

Dance with Me – Can a werewolf and a vampire put aside their differences ...more

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Paperback, 197 pages

Published May 7th 2018 by Ninestar Press

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· 23 ratings · 18 reviews

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May 10, 2018 Lex Kent rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: f-f-adventure-fantasy, f-f-ninestar-press, f-f-paranormal, short-or-novella-collection, romance

3.75 Stars. This is a good collection of paranormal and fantasy short stories. While a few feature bisexual characters, all the stories are about f/f relationships. I have been dealing with a book slump the past few days. Every book I tried starting, just wasn’t working. Then I suddenly got the idea to try reading this short story collection. I figured if I didn’t like one story, chances are I would like the next one. Well, I think it actually worked. Maybe it helped that there wasn’t a single s 3.75 Stars. This is a good collection of paranormal and fantasy short stories. While a few feature bisexual characters, all the stories are about f/f relationships. I have been dealing with a book slump the past few days. Every book I tried starting, just wasn’t working. Then I suddenly got the idea to try reading this short story collection. I figured if I didn’t like one story, chances are I would like the next one. Well, I think it actually worked. Maybe it helped that there wasn’t a single story in this collection that I didn’t like. Or course some were better than others, but there were no stories below 3 stars. This definitely was a good quality collection.

What really impressed me was that quite a few stories had such impressive imagination. There were ideas never heard of before and supernatural beings that I have never read of before. Of course you had your vamps and werewolves, but it was a great balance of old favorites mixed with new ideas.

There are nine stories so I am not going to mention them all, but I will talk about a few that stood out to me.

It Started Before Noon by Ava Kelly 3.75 Stars. This is one of two shorts I would put more in the fantasy category. This actually had a little steampunk feel. This story is very unusual and like nothing I have ever read before. This idea felt completely new to me. I didn’t think “oh I loved this” when I was done reading, but I found I could not stop thinking about this short. The imagination was just impressive. I wish Kelly would write a book or novella in this world. It was so darn interesting and unique that only a short story feels like the idea is a little wasted.

Fire and Brine by Lis Valentine 3.5 stars. This story stuck with me since it was on the steamy side. This really was a story just for the sake of a hot sex scene. But it was plenty hot and steamy which I expect most people will enjoy. I did.

Dance With Me by Michelle Frost 4 Stars. I really enjoyed this. This is vamps and weres and the kind of paranormal story I look to buy. The premise is not really unique, but it’s what I want to read about. A vampire in trouble seeks out a werewolf private investigator, yes please. I want to read this book. Heck, I like this paranormal world enough it could make an entertaining series. Frost if you are somehow reading this, please, please make this into a book!

Swoon by Artemis Savory 4 Stars. This was the second short that felt more fantasy to me than paranormal, though there are some sort of supernatural beings in this. This was another example of a very unique story. While the supernatural creatures reminded me a bit of sirens or mermaids, they really were not. They were something new. I love when authors use their imaginations so this story really stuck with me.

By Candlelight by Ziggy Schute. 4.5 Stars. I thought this story was the best written of the whole collection. It is more somber, but just really well done. This had a take on a ghost that once again, I have never read about before. I have read a ton of paranormal stories in my life so when I still find new ideas, it makes me happy. Schute was able to change the job of a ghost and she did it well.

If you are a paranormal lesfic fan, I think you will enjoy this collection. I must admit I’m impressed at the ideas and imagination in this group of shorts. I think it truly has something for every paranormal fan. Not all of the stories were great, but there were no poor ones. I enjoyed this enough that I will be going to purchase some of the earlier volumes in this series.

An ARC was given to me by NineStar Press, for a honest review. ...more

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May 12, 2018 Annemieke / A Dance with Books rated it really liked it

Shelves: anthology, 2018, 3-and-a-half-star, fantasy, supernatural-paranormal, romance

3,5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the review copy in exchange for an honest review.

After finishing Bones and Bourbon I immediately went to see what else NineStar Press had because my curiosity was certainly piqued. I found this anthology that focuses on lesbian/bisexual paranormal short stories. This of course interested me as I don’t often get the chance to read fantasy and paranormal with lesbian or bisexual characters. We need more of those.

As this is an anthology and th ...more

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May 07, 2018 Jess rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc-lovebytes, disability-physical, format-kindle, genre-fantasy, genre-fantasy-ghosts, genre-fantasy-magic, genre-fantasy-paranormal, genre-fantasy-vampires, genre-fantasy-werewolves, genre-romance

This book was provided for free by the publisher and Love Bytes in exchange for an honest review.

This review was first posted to Love Bytes: LGBTQ Book Reviews. It has been slightly edited here for content.

I’m so happy to review a NineStar Press anthology dedicated solely to female characters and bisexual/lesbian romances. This anthology is definitely a case of “something for everyone.” It gets spicy, sweet, dreamy, and even a little creepy. Here are my separate story reviews.

“It Started Before ...more

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May 17, 2018 Louise rated it liked it

Shelves: arc, anthologies, queer, sapphic, urban-fantasy

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

There was a good range of different paranormal types and tropes in this volume of Into the Mystic -- from whimsical to urban fantasy, werewolves, vampires and sirens. There was also a good range of ... explicitness? Some had little more than hand-holding, some had full-on sex scenes. That might be something some reader will want to look out for. Personally, I wasn't that keen on the raunchier stories (Heart’s Thaw and Dance wit ...more

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Jun 26, 2018 Suzanne rated it really liked it

Overall, the book is exactly what I've needed these last few weeks. As with any anthology, some of the stories worked better than others, but it's a really strong addition to the small subgenre of f/f paranormal romance. If it helps you to know, I immediately bought volumes 1 and 2 upon finishing this one.

One of the things that worked well for me while reading the volume over a period of weeks was the variety among these nine stories. Some are close to erotica, some leave it at a kiss. Some are ...more

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Jan 02, 2021 ☙ nemo ❧ (pagesandprozac) rated it liked it

Shelves: netgalley, minority-ethnic-leads, romance, romance-erotica-ff, erotica, historical-fiction, paranormal, parallel-world, therianthropes, vampires

overall rating: 3 stars
this was a reasonably enjoyable anthology, but there were only a couple of stories that i really liked. most of them had mediocre writing and little in the way of plot/characters/worldbuilding, even for a short story.

it started before noon - 4 stars.
whimsical, charming, and inventive! a wonderful opening story.

heart's thaw - 4 stars.
this one was a historical regency-esque about a girl who snubs an incubus, who puts a... very interesting curse on her. very steamy and very ...more

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Nov 27, 2018 K. rated it really liked it · (Review from the author)

I won't comment on my own story, but boy did I enjoy the others! Creative, clever, fun, sexy, cute, and more, these stories were lovely to read! ...more

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Jun 01, 2018 Alex rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: c-vampire, c-werewolf, lgbt-main, lgbt-lesbian-main, lgbt-bi-main, rated-4-stars, read-in-2018, bipoc-mc, ship-ff-main, g-classic-fantasy

I chose this book to review for The Lesbrary this month, so I'll post my review here after it goes up there. ...more

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May 30, 2018 Rachel Simson rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley, kindle, blog-requests, racheleanne-reviews

I requested this book on Netgallery as I really enjoy paranormal short story collections, but this is my first experience reading lesbian/bisexual fiction. I realise that is pretty bad, but I just haven’t really came across any before, which tell you a lot about the steps the literature world still needs to come in becoming more modern and having more variety of sexual orientations in their protagonists. As a LGBTQ+ supporter, I am glad Ninestar Press helped me to broaden my horizons by acceptin ...more

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May 26, 2018 anna (½ of readsrainbow) rated it it was ok

Shelves: 1-fantasy, 2-lgbt, 2-sapphic, 2-lgbt-authors, 2-ownvoices, anthologies, arcs, 4-mermaids, pub-2018

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

2.5 ☆

I actually hate reviewing anthologies by different authors because it's always so hard to make some general points about the book as a whole. All I can tell you this time, is that it's very much a hit-and-miss. More of a miss, if you're like me...

So we have 9 sapphic short stories, all with supernatural elements. We get vampires, werewolves, sirens, muses, ghosts... The diversity in that department is gr ...more

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May 27, 2018 Ashley rated it really liked it

Shelves: bb-review, netgalley-arcs

Not having previously read the last two volumes of the Into the Mystic collection, I wasn’t expecting what I actually go. The cover had me thinking, like time travel, witches, Scottish highlands but that’s not what I got. Now I can say each of these stories were great in their own ways. Some of the authors are now on my list to watch for future work or previous publications.

I have come to realize that there are going to be stories I absolutely love and need an entire novel written about the cha Not having previously read the last two volumes of the Into the Mystic collection, I wasn’t expecting what I actually go. The cover had me thinking, like time travel, witches, Scottish highlands but that’s not what I got. Now I can say each of these stories were great in their own ways. Some of the authors are now on my list to watch for future work or previous publications.

I have come to realize that there are going to be stories I absolutely love and need an entire novel written about the characters, and then one or two that I’m not fond of. It’s just personal preference. If you’re looking for erotica, that’s not what you’re going to get in this collection. There’s one story, Fire and Brine by Lis Valentine would be the one that went more in that direction. The rest have a gentle, kind romance about them.

It Stated Before Noon by Ava Kelly is probably one of the three stories I wish there was more of. That’s how much I loved it. The concept wasn’t one that I had seen before. A muse planting and cultivating inspiration (comedies, tragedies, dramas, but never romances) tickled me. A romantic and a scientist working together, learning about life and falling in love? I was smiling the entire time.

Home by K. Parr hit my weak spot. I love a good werewolf story, and then you’ve got a little bit of an age difference. Yeah, buddy. A young bitten wolf is trying to figure her way out in the world and she ends up in the backyard of an alpha who makes her feels whole. And that ending *sigh* it was perfect.

Swoon by Artemis Savery was completely unexpected. Sirens, they aren’t my thing. But a lesbian siren who is morally conflicted with taking the voice of a woman she loves? It was beautiful, crushing and hopefully all at the same time.

The Hunt by M. Hollis and By Candlelight by Ziggy Schultz were YA stories. The Hunt had a vampire youth going on her first hunt and I squealed with how adorable she was. By Candlelight, it was a bit darker but the thing is it’s what anyone would hope for when they pass. The communication between the ghosts and the ending left me feeling warm.

Fire and Brine by Lis Valentine, is a steamy quick read.

My Cup of Pos by L.J. Hamlin, the title is a little unfortunate until you actually read the story and understand what it means. I think it was intriguing to see a disabled vampire and an explanation of the disability was extremely important because you don’t get that very often in books.

Dance With Me by Michelle Frost was okay. I think it would have made an excellent full-length novel. A PI werewolf with a vampire client. The two don’t mix or do they?

Overall, this is a great collection of stories. I would definitely recommend checking into these collections to find new authors to read because that’s exactly how I’ve been finding a bunch of my new TBR list.
...more

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May 15, 2018 Kendra T rated it really liked it

Shelves: anthology, medical-professionals, fantasy, ff, ghosts, historical, magic, own-review, paranormal, vampires

This was a collection of lesbian paranormal/fantasy stories. As an overall collection, it was pretty good. I loved some and wasn't overly fond of some, but it was a nice mix. There was some fantasy world vibes in two of the stories, a slight historical feel for a couple of them, and some werewolves and vampires. These were all short stories, and pretty much every story was an HFN with no real feeling of an HEA. As an overall collection, I would give this 3.5 stars, but I'll round up for GR sake. This was a collection of lesbian paranormal/fantasy stories. As an overall collection, it was pretty good. I loved some and wasn't overly fond of some, but it was a nice mix. There was some fantasy world vibes in two of the stories, a slight historical feel for a couple of them, and some werewolves and vampires. These were all short stories, and pretty much every story was an HFN with no real feeling of an HEA. As an overall collection, I would give this 3.5 stars, but I'll round up for GR sake.

It Started Before Noon – This had a historical fantasy vibe, and that isn't my ordinary cup of tea. This was a sweet story, though.

Heart’s Thaw – I liked the premise. The curse allowed the two women to finally open up regarding their feelings. I would've been interested in knowing how/if they could make it work.

Fire and Brine – A succubus and a siren. Interesting combination, and super hot, steamy story.

Dance with Me – A private eye werewolf is hired by a princess vampire. No real heat to this, but it had good character development and a great story. I really enjoyed this one.

My Cup of O Pos – A vampire patient gets treated in the ER by a human doctor. It was a sweet story, and it had some great elements of focus on disabilities and privilege. Didn't understand the title, though (other than it references blood and one character is a vampire).

Home – Newly transformed werewolf is learning how to navigate the transitions and new life. It was an interesting story, and I liked the interactions between the new wolf and the alpha.

Swoon – Definitely not my cuppa. I don't love pirate stories, and this almost went down a non-con path (thankfully it stopped). The story almost worked out too perfectly at the end, which should make me happy because I like happy endings, but it seemed a little too pat for my liking.

The Hunt – Sweet coming of age (at age 42...lol) for a vampire who is engaging in her first bite. I loved the moms.

By Candlelight - A girl dies and meets the reaper, who looks like her. It was a bit weird and confusing at times. I still don't know how and why everything happened at the end.

I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC received by IndiGo Marketing & Design ...more

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May 18, 2018 Nicole Diskin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: may-2018, 2018-reads

I received this book as an advanced copy from NetGalley and Nine Star press in exchange for and honest review. So here it goes!
Into the Mystic volume three is a compilation of nine Fantasy short stories featuring F/F romances that made my little Bi heart so happy!
Although this is the third volume of such tales because the plots of each story at its core where in no way connected i never felt in the least bit lost and in fact the writting was so well done and the collection so well put together I received this book as an advanced copy from NetGalley and Nine Star press in exchange for and honest review. So here it goes!
Into the Mystic volume three is a compilation of nine Fantasy short stories featuring F/F romances that made my little Bi heart so happy!
Although this is the third volume of such tales because the plots of each story at its core where in no way connected i never felt in the least bit lost and in fact the writting was so well done and the collection so well put together that i was easily pulled in and could not put the book down!
the first story Its started before noon is a sweet and inventive tale of stories and where they come from inspiration! I especially loved how Science creativity and romance where linked!
the second story Hearts thaw about an Incubus' curse and how the power of love and being your tre seld has the power to break such a curse was truly inspiring!
the third story Fire and Brine about a siren and a Succubus was full of passion and when i say passion I mean fogging up the windows kinda passion that I could not put down!
the fourth story about a female werewolf and a female vampire was unlike anything I have seen before, Well done!
the Fifth story about a vampire with a disability and the doctor who falls in love with her is both heartwarming and perfectly done.
the sixth story Home about a Female another female werewolf and the all female pack that she calls home was unique! especially the female alpha! and although the "Romance" seemed out of place to be I still loved the story overall!
The seventh story about supernatural being that needs to steal a voice to live and falls in love along the way was Great! and the ending? Perfect!
The eighth story about a young vampire and her first bite although my least favorite in the collection was still a cute addition.
The Last but certainly not least tale about a girl falling in love with Death was so good I had to read it twice!
Over all I Loved this collection so much I can't wait to add it to my shelves to read over and over again and go and get volumes one and two as well!
thank you NetGalley and Nine Star Press! ...more

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Jul 01, 2018 Pippa D rated it really liked it

Shelves: lesbian-fiction, scifi-fantasy, short-stories

4 - 4.5 stars

Well-written and creative lesbian paranormal short stories.

This is a wonderful and creative set of paranormal romances with a decidedly lesbian and queer bent. The range of stories was great; there really is something for everyone in here, and yet each one had something to offer.

I loved jumping into one of these tales each day, with no idea where I’d be taken, and what story I’d land in. It was a joy to read each one of the tales, some quite scary, and some moving, and some with g ...more

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May 15, 2018 Liliyana Shadowlyn rated it it was amazing

I LOVE this collection. The mix of fantasy and paranormal and magic and steampunk and love is just beautiful. There's just enough sex to keep it spicy, but not so much that you need some...me time...between stories. The ideas are original and don't follow all the old expected tropes. Yes, there are some classics like vampires and werewolves, but there's a lot of new ground explored too. If you love magic and don't want just another paranormal romance, you'll love this collection too.

received as ...more

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Sep 18, 2018 Tessa rated it really liked it

I really like how knowing authors makes you read books that you otherwise probably wouldn't have found or chosen to read. I generally prefer novels instead of short story collections like these, but I enjoyed reading this all the same. Especially 'It Started Before Noon' and 'By Candlelight' because the settings were so original. ...more

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Jun 28, 2018 Beth Younge rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: net-galley-books-for-review, summer-2018-goodreads-challenge, lgbtq, a-to-z-2018

This was a really hit and miss collection of lesbian and bi-sexual short stories. The ones that stood out for me were "Fire and Brine" and "It Started Before Noon". These two were my favorites and the rest i either read and didn't take in the story or i ended up skipping them all together.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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May 03, 2018 M. Hollis added it · (Review from the author)

I have a vamp/human lesbian short story coming out in INTO THE MYSTIC Volume 3 this month!

Pre-order: https://ninestarpress.com/product/int...
Request ARC: https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/boo... ...more

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About Ava Kelly

Ava Kelly

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Ava Kelly is an engineer with a deep passion for stories. Whether reading, watching, or writing them, Ava has always been surrounded by tales of all genres. Their goal is to bring more stories to life, especially those of friendship and compassion, those dedicated to trope subversion, those that give the void a voice, and those that spawn worlds of their own.