Publisher's Blurb: Three short stories of paranormal romance: "Pack" brings you a tale of a lost hiker and her encounter with some very frightening--and sexy--wolves. A female werewolf helps a sheriff track down a killer "In Sheep's Clothing." A woman must repay her family's debt to a shapeshifting magician in "Grace of Small Magics." These stories previously appeared in print in Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance
Review: This was a fantastic 99 cent deal. At 236 pages it was as long as a full length book, and I enjoyed all 3 short stories. All 3 stories were originally published in 2009's The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance. But did we really need a teenager on the cover of this collection?
The first story, Pack by Jeaniene Frost, is 88 pages long and the story of Marlee, a paralegal who is fulfilling her dream of hiking in Yellowstone National Park. After her hiking companions become injured and leave, she determinedly sets out on her own, only to be chased down and attacked by an angry pack of werewolves. Rescued by the pack enforcer, Daniel, Marlee is brought to their town for treatment and to wait and see if she will turn into a werewolf. Held against her will, she waits, fighting her attraction to Daniel. Marlee is a great character, and a realistic woman who finds herself in an impossible situation. Although hurt, angry, shocked and grieving the loss of the life she had, she retains her sense of determination and humor. The slow realization that she and Daniel are mates is sexy and believable.
In Sheep's Clothing by Meljean Brook is the shortest story at 53 pages. Although I liked the premise this story felt too short and the ending was forcibly happy. It's got an exciting opening though - Emma is returning home after 5 years away, when she is attacked by a serial killer. Before he can reach her she is able to call her former lover, Nathan, for help. But it turns out Emma is a capable werewolf, and she bites her attacker, unintentionally turning him into a stronger predator. So now she needs to tell Nathan she's a werewolf, rekindle their romance, and track a killer who's going through a change. The story idea felt fresh and I liked the characters, but the all-around perfectly happy ending happened too soon and left me unsatisfied.
Grace of Small Magics by Ilona Andrews is 89 pages long and entirely charming. Grace is a (mostly) human corporate headhunter who has always possessed small magical abilities. But she has just learned that her family is actually a very magical family in permanent servitude to a more powerful clan. When they are called, they must answer - and they are asking for Grace's help. Told by her uncle that she must perform a task for this powerful clan, Grace flies across country and is met by the powerful and very sexy Nassar. As she is absorbing her family's true heritage, horrific past, and her current situation, Nassar tells her that she must help him survive a 'Running Man' scenario. The two of them must run a deadly, magical gauntlet against another team to save the lives of Nassar's nephew and nieces. Grace has 3 days to learn to use her magic, adjust to being a servant, and deal with the extremely sexy and unsettling Nassar. I loved this story - it was a great blend of romance, unique paranormal world building, and really interesting characters.
For more information about the author's, visit their websites at:
http://jeanienefrost.com/
http://meljeanbrook.com/
http://www.ilona-andrews.com/
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