angie_stl's review
5.0
Mercy and her world jumped into my top five favorite series as soon as I read Moon Called. This book of short stories is an amazing compliment to all the Mercy books, in a way that I never knew was missing before. Strangely enough, my least favorite part of the book was the Mercy short, though it was still very good. I almost skipped the couple stories I'd already read, but I'm very glad that I had that bit of a refresher, especially when it reminded me how much I love Charles and Anna. I believe my favorite, though it's very hard to decide, was Roses in Winter. Asil has been an Alpha ans Omega favorite character since he started picking at Charles' nerves over courting Anna. I can't say enough good things about this book and the variety of stories and characters included in it.
The only down side was a tiny bit of editing issues in the Kindle version. I have no way of knowing if they appear in the hard copy without buying it, but the mistakes were so few and far between that it wasn't a major issue.
The only down side was a tiny bit of editing issues in the Kindle version. I have no way of knowing if they appear in the hard copy without buying it, but the mistakes were so few and far between that it wasn't a major issue.
alisonb's review against another edition
5.0
This was a fantastic collection! If you are a fan, there are some great stories related to the Mercy and the Alpha and Omega domains. There are some spoilers, but Brigg’s writes an intro to each story detailing her inspiration, the outline of what you will read, and if there will be spoilers.
I have to say that the story about Charles and Anna meeting for the first time was one of my favorites. Overall, each story has something to lend towards expanding our knowledge of some of the main and secondary characters in both series.
As per usual, the writing is fantastic and this is a great book to have on hand when you don’t have a lot of a lot of free reading time and want to get a small dose of these worlds without having to delve into a novel length yarn.
Highly, highly recommend!
I have to say that the story about Charles and Anna meeting for the first time was one of my favorites. Overall, each story has something to lend towards expanding our knowledge of some of the main and secondary characters in both series.
As per usual, the writing is fantastic and this is a great book to have on hand when you don’t have a lot of a lot of free reading time and want to get a small dose of these worlds without having to delve into a novel length yarn.
Highly, highly recommend!
especbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Love this universe
Patricia Briggs is a master storyteller. Even these short glimpses into the Mercy Thompson world were rich and detailed and consistent with the overarching storyline. Thank you for creating characters I can care about and giving them such rich, if at times tortured tales.
Patricia Briggs is a master storyteller. Even these short glimpses into the Mercy Thompson world were rich and detailed and consistent with the overarching storyline. Thank you for creating characters I can care about and giving them such rich, if at times tortured tales.
sten89's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
thebigq's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Good short story mix that stands up to rereading.
danie11e's review
4.0
Silver: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fairy Gifts: ⭐⭐⭐
Gray: ⭐⭐⭐
Seeing Eye: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Alpha and Omega: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Star of David: ⭐⭐⭐
Roses in Winter: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
In Red, with Pearls: ⭐⭐⭐
Redemption: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hollow: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fairy Gifts: ⭐⭐⭐
Gray: ⭐⭐⭐
Seeing Eye: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Alpha and Omega: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Star of David: ⭐⭐⭐
Roses in Winter: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
In Red, with Pearls: ⭐⭐⭐
Redemption: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hollow: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
sbbrown25477's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
starknits13's review
5.0
This book is the kind you read on a rainy day and spend time with your favorite characters. Some of the vampires I didn't remember but the other stories were a amazing! I'd already read alpha and omega but the others were new.
I really enjoyed the outtakes at the end.
I really enjoyed the outtakes at the end.
marimoose's review
5.0
Provided to me by Goodreads First Reads
Full ARC Review found at Story and Somnomancy.
Mercy Thompson fans will want this book for two main reasons:
1) Damn, that is one mighty fine cover.
and
2) Short stories in Mercyverse including stories that haven't been put in anthologies yet whaaaaat??!@!!omg111!!!!
This has only been my second exposure to the Mercy Thompson universe, and previous to this, the only actual novel of this universe that I’d read was Moon Called. But while I am still just starting my journey on the Patricia Briggs bandwagon, I will say now that I thought the anthology was superb.
I read all 400 pages of Shifting Shadows and enjoyed each story. Wait, what’s that, you say? “But there are over 460 pages’ worth of stories in Shifting Shadows!” Yes, I am aware of that. While I was open to some spoilery things in later books, I drew the line somewhere. It’s a really thin line, but I intend to go back to these stories once I’ve read more of the actual series, so there’s that.
---------
“Silver” is meant to be a romantic tragedy and an origin story of Samuel and Bran, though mostly of Samuel, as well as Samuel and Ariana. I swear there were onions hidden in the pages, because I might have teared a bit reading the short. If I didn’t already adore Bran and Sam when I read of them in Moon Called, this story would have clinched their characters for me. Also, Bran is frelling badass.
“Fairy Gifts” is a Montana-based story about a vampire returning to his hometown after receiving a plea from a fae. It was short and sweet, though it was a little more difficult to empathize with the character, since I’m not particularly keen on Mercyverse vampires as of yet.
“Gray” is another vampire story, this time taking place in Chicago, where Elyna returns to her husband’s home. This one I liked better than “Fairy Gifts,” but I think that’s a mixture of the fact that there’s a female vampire who kicks ass and the presence of a ghost watching her back. Kind of romantic, I think.
“Seeing Eye” is fantastic. After the introduction of Elizaveta Arkadyevna in Moon Called, I’ve been curious as to the inner workings of the witches in Mercyverse. Getting to read about a blind white witch was cool, but putting a werewolf in there as well was even better. Talk about a blind woman with her guide dog–or, in this case, wolf.
“Alpha and Omega” is certainly the start of what I think will be a beautiful series–and in conjunction, a beautiful series relationship. This was a story where I sat back and thought: “Dammit, this is another Briggs series I have to pick up, isn’t it?” I can see why it could easily be a favorite short story among fans, because it was one of mine in this collection. Also, apparently Briggs describes the Anna/Charles relationship as “sweet”, not “steamy.” Um. I’m not sure I agree. This short story was plenty steamy to me.
“The Star of David” is a cute Christmas short story about reuniting with loved ones. David Christiansen was talked of and eventually became kind of important in Moon Called, so a short story with him during the events after with his estranged daughter was nice.
“Roses in Winter” is not particularly endearing for me, because I’ve yet to read about any of the characters in the short besides Bran and Charles. Asil’s role as an old wolf waiting to die is interesting, though, and I’m thinking Kara’s got one hell of a sad, sad backstory.
“In Red, With Pearls” features my favorite gay werewolf! Okay, probably the only gay werewolf in the series, but I don’t care. Warren’s awesome, and so’s his main squeeze. This short plays out as a mini-detective story, and includes zombies and witches. Yeah.
“Redemption” features Ben, who plays a slight role in Moon Called. I admit I haven’t warmed up to Ben just yet, though this particular short story did leave me quite amused.
“Hollow” is Mercy-related, and the two outtakes happen to be Sam and Adam’s points of view (which, IMO, is AWESOME), respectively. Again, I will have to read them at a later time, because they occur way too far into the series and I do have some sort of spoiler-line that I don’t want to cross.
Full ARC Review found at Story and Somnomancy.
Mercy Thompson fans will want this book for two main reasons:
1) Damn, that is one mighty fine cover.
and
2) Short stories in Mercyverse including stories that haven't been put in anthologies yet whaaaaat??!@!!omg111!!!!
This has only been my second exposure to the Mercy Thompson universe, and previous to this, the only actual novel of this universe that I’d read was Moon Called. But while I am still just starting my journey on the Patricia Briggs bandwagon, I will say now that I thought the anthology was superb.
I read all 400 pages of Shifting Shadows and enjoyed each story. Wait, what’s that, you say? “But there are over 460 pages’ worth of stories in Shifting Shadows!” Yes, I am aware of that. While I was open to some spoilery things in later books, I drew the line somewhere. It’s a really thin line, but I intend to go back to these stories once I’ve read more of the actual series, so there’s that.
---------
“Silver” is meant to be a romantic tragedy and an origin story of Samuel and Bran, though mostly of Samuel, as well as Samuel and Ariana. I swear there were onions hidden in the pages, because I might have teared a bit reading the short. If I didn’t already adore Bran and Sam when I read of them in Moon Called, this story would have clinched their characters for me. Also, Bran is frelling badass.
“Fairy Gifts” is a Montana-based story about a vampire returning to his hometown after receiving a plea from a fae. It was short and sweet, though it was a little more difficult to empathize with the character, since I’m not particularly keen on Mercyverse vampires as of yet.
“Gray” is another vampire story, this time taking place in Chicago, where Elyna returns to her husband’s home. This one I liked better than “Fairy Gifts,” but I think that’s a mixture of the fact that there’s a female vampire who kicks ass and the presence of a ghost watching her back. Kind of romantic, I think.
“Seeing Eye” is fantastic. After the introduction of Elizaveta Arkadyevna in Moon Called, I’ve been curious as to the inner workings of the witches in Mercyverse. Getting to read about a blind white witch was cool, but putting a werewolf in there as well was even better. Talk about a blind woman with her guide dog–or, in this case, wolf.
“Alpha and Omega” is certainly the start of what I think will be a beautiful series–and in conjunction, a beautiful series relationship. This was a story where I sat back and thought: “Dammit, this is another Briggs series I have to pick up, isn’t it?” I can see why it could easily be a favorite short story among fans, because it was one of mine in this collection. Also, apparently Briggs describes the Anna/Charles relationship as “sweet”, not “steamy.” Um. I’m not sure I agree. This short story was plenty steamy to me.
“The Star of David” is a cute Christmas short story about reuniting with loved ones. David Christiansen was talked of and eventually became kind of important in Moon Called, so a short story with him during the events after with his estranged daughter was nice.
“Roses in Winter” is not particularly endearing for me, because I’ve yet to read about any of the characters in the short besides Bran and Charles. Asil’s role as an old wolf waiting to die is interesting, though, and I’m thinking Kara’s got one hell of a sad, sad backstory.
“In Red, With Pearls” features my favorite gay werewolf! Okay, probably the only gay werewolf in the series, but I don’t care. Warren’s awesome, and so’s his main squeeze. This short plays out as a mini-detective story, and includes zombies and witches. Yeah.
“Redemption” features Ben, who plays a slight role in Moon Called. I admit I haven’t warmed up to Ben just yet, though this particular short story did leave me quite amused.
“Hollow” is Mercy-related, and the two outtakes happen to be Sam and Adam’s points of view (which, IMO, is AWESOME), respectively. Again, I will have to read them at a later time, because they occur way too far into the series and I do have some sort of spoiler-line that I don’t want to cross.
katleap's review
5.0
5 stars
This is a collection of short stories from the Mercy Thompson world. Some have been previously published and some are brand new, plus two outtakes. I LOVED this book. Totally worth it.
One of my favorite things is that Patricia Briggs gives an intro to every story. They are in chronological order (YAY) and she gives us some tidbits about it and where/why it falls in the story line.
Silver : Takes place years (At least 1000) before the events in [b:Moon Called|71811|Moon Called (Mercy Thompson, #1)|Patricia Briggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1272070347l/71811._SY75_.jpg|69530].
This is the story of Bran and Samuel and Arianna. We got the brief version in Silver Borne. It has the details of the Witch that turned Bran and Samuel. It delves into Bran's family (a little bit), and Arianna's father with his want to be more powerful than her. We also learn why Samuel and Arianna parted ways.
I adored this story. Sad though it was, the backstory was wonderful and seeing it through Samuel's eyes as opposed the Bran's made it hopeful.
Fairy Gifts : Takes place before Moon Called.
This is story of Thomas Hao, a vampire who is revisiting his home town. He finds that some of the Fae want him to find and kill an old friend who has gone "crazy". We also learn how Thomas became a vampire and how he can stand in the sun.
Oh my Goodness! Oh my Goodness! I read this story after it was published but it has importance for [b:Frost Burned|13413589|Frost Burned (Mercy Thompson, #7)|Patricia Briggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1344299919l/13413589._SY75_.jpg|15955708]. I was so excited when I put it together plus it explains stuff.
Gray : Takes place anytime before Moon Called.
Elyna is a vampire who is moving back into the apartment she lived in as a human with her husband. There are rumors that the apartment is haunted and because Elyna accidentally killed her husband when she was turned, she hopes that it might be him.
I read this story in the [b:Home Improvement: Undead Edition|9450406|Home Improvement Undead Edition|Charlaine Harris|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1288068876l/9450406._SY75_.jpg|14335169] and it was one of my favorites!!! I wouldn't mind seeing these characters again.
Seeing Eye : Takes place one year before Moon Called.
This is the story of how Tom and Moira, who are awesome side characters in [b:Hunting Ground|5292853|Hunting Ground (Alpha & Omega, #2)|Patricia Briggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1375461295l/5292853._SY75_.jpg|5360280], meet. She's a blind witch and he's a werewolf who needs her to find his missing brother.
I've never read this story. I liked it but I actually would have liked a little more. It ended really abruptly. Plus I want to see Tom's brother some more. *grin*
Alpha and Omega : Takes place during Moon Called.
This is the novella that started Anna and Charles story. Due to the events in Moon Called, Charles is sent Chicago to investigate and ends up meeting Anna. Their story continues in [b:Cry Wolf|2355575|Cry Wolf (Alpha & Omega, #1)|Patricia Briggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1310494063l/2355575._SY75_.jpg|2362332].
I love these two. I was so excited when I originally read this novella that there would be a continuation of their story. These two fit together so interestingly. Plus it gives us a different look at characters in the Mercy verse. (and more time with Bran and Asil). I still really want to see Mercy and Anna meet.
The Star of David : Takes place the Christmas after "most" of the events in Moon Called.
David Christiansen makes a brief, but pivotal, appearance in Moon Called. We don't get much of his story except to know that his history was tragic and he'd created his own future out of it. I liked him for it and I was happy to see him again.
David's estranged daughter calls him when she needs his help with one of her foster kids. This gives him a chance to reconnect with his family. I loved meeting Devonte. We hear, in the books, about how there are more than just witches, wolves, and vampires in this world....it's interesting to see wizards make appearance, too.
Roses in Winter : Takes place between Bone Crossed and Silver Borne.
Told from Asil's point-of-view this story gives us an update on Kara, the little girl that Mercy sends to the Bran in [b:Blood Bound|285205|Blood Bound (Mercy Thompson, #2)|Patricia Briggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1358229157l/285205._SY75_.jpg|2577848]. So Kara is in Montana with the Marrok pack and she is having problems with her transition from wolf to human. She gets stuck. However its time for the annual changing and an alpha is making trouble for Bran. Kara is targeted because she is breaking the rules.
I adore Asil. I've been wanting an update on Kara ever since she was first mentioned. I knew that Bran would take care of her but I was so happy to see her worming her way into Asil's heart. I want that old wolf happy and I think that he has a chance. Kara is good. Sage is good.
In Red, with Pearls : Takes place between Silver Borne and River Marked.
This is about Warren and Kyle. Warren works for Kyle and a zombie is sent to try and kill Kyle. Warren does some real detective work and figures out who has it in for his boyfriend.
I like Warren and Kyle is fun. I wish that there was some pack interaction or more Kyle-Warren interaction.
Redemption : Takes place between Frost Burned and [b:Night Broken|17562900|Night Broken (Mercy Thompson, #8)|Patricia Briggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1379437095l/17562900._SY75_.jpg|24495112].
It's about Ben!!!!
Ben is a new transfer to Adam's pack in Moon Called. He hates women. And is one of the lowest dominants in the pack. As the series continues Ben proves himself and hints at some sort of tragic history. He and Mercy start to connect. He has become one of my favorite characters.
Ben works with databases and he likes to keep his distance from his coworkers. He is particularly mean to the secretary, who is continually being hit on by one of the supervisors. Ben isn't sure why he constantly makes moves to intervene. He doesn't do it nicely, in true Ben fashion, but he does it. His confusion, the ensuing discussion with Adam, reveals that Ben is a low dominate because the other dominates don't trust him to protect them. But Ben is changing. His coworkers are ones he is starting to protect. We also get a bit of Ben's history, why he came to Adam's pack. Plus Mercy comes to pick him up. It's sweet.
Hollow : Takes place after [b:Night Broken|17562900|Night Broken (Mercy Thompson, #8)|Patricia Briggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1379437095l/17562900._SY75_.jpg|24495112].
This is the Mercy story in the collection. She goes to deal with a ghost taking Zack (the new submissive) with her. She is making decisions about her garage and we get to see both Sam & Arianna and Gary. It was awesome.
Outtakes : I wasn't expecting to get some deleted/outtake scenes from the Mercy Thompson books, so this was a nice treat when I got to the end of the stories!
From Silver Borne, it takes place near the end of this novel and is from Arianna's point-of-view. Patricia Briggs notes that her husband thought, since she included the beginning of Samuel and Arianna's relationship in "Silver" and that it ends on a rather sad note, she should include something to remind readers that they do get their happily-ever-after. A sweet scene that shows them reconnecting, and gives even more history between them. It was perfect and just added to Silver Borne.
From [b:Night Broken|17562900|Night Broken (Mercy Thompson, #8)|Patricia Briggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1379437095l/17562900._SY75_.jpg|24495112], again it takes place near the end when Mercy's recovering and is from Adam's point-of-view. I really loved seeing how Adam thinks of her, and how in love with her he is. I really thought that this was the perfect way to end the book. I wish so hard that this had been the way [b:Night Broken|17562900|Night Broken (Mercy Thompson, #8)|Patricia Briggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1379437095l/17562900._SY75_.jpg|24495112] had ended.
Just loved the whole thing!!!!
This is a collection of short stories from the Mercy Thompson world. Some have been previously published and some are brand new, plus two outtakes. I LOVED this book. Totally worth it.
One of my favorite things is that Patricia Briggs gives an intro to every story. They are in chronological order (YAY) and she gives us some tidbits about it and where/why it falls in the story line.
Silver : Takes place years (At least 1000) before the events in [b:Moon Called|71811|Moon Called (Mercy Thompson, #1)|Patricia Briggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1272070347l/71811._SY75_.jpg|69530].
This is the story of Bran and Samuel and Arianna. We got the brief version in Silver Borne. It has the details of the Witch that turned Bran and Samuel. It delves into Bran's family (a little bit), and Arianna's father with his want to be more powerful than her. We also learn why Samuel and Arianna parted ways.
I adored this story. Sad though it was, the backstory was wonderful and seeing it through Samuel's eyes as opposed the Bran's made it hopeful.
Fairy Gifts : Takes place before Moon Called.
This is story of Thomas Hao, a vampire who is revisiting his home town. He finds that some of the Fae want him to find and kill an old friend who has gone "crazy". We also learn how Thomas became a vampire and how he can stand in the sun.
Oh my Goodness! Oh my Goodness! I read this story after it was published but it has importance for [b:Frost Burned|13413589|Frost Burned (Mercy Thompson, #7)|Patricia Briggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1344299919l/13413589._SY75_.jpg|15955708]. I was so excited when I put it together plus it explains stuff.
Gray : Takes place anytime before Moon Called.
Elyna is a vampire who is moving back into the apartment she lived in as a human with her husband. There are rumors that the apartment is haunted and because Elyna accidentally killed her husband when she was turned, she hopes that it might be him.
I read this story in the [b:Home Improvement: Undead Edition|9450406|Home Improvement Undead Edition|Charlaine Harris|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1288068876l/9450406._SY75_.jpg|14335169] and it was one of my favorites!!! I wouldn't mind seeing these characters again.
Seeing Eye : Takes place one year before Moon Called.
This is the story of how Tom and Moira, who are awesome side characters in [b:Hunting Ground|5292853|Hunting Ground (Alpha & Omega, #2)|Patricia Briggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1375461295l/5292853._SY75_.jpg|5360280], meet. She's a blind witch and he's a werewolf who needs her to find his missing brother.
I've never read this story. I liked it but I actually would have liked a little more. It ended really abruptly. Plus I want to see Tom's brother some more. *grin*
Alpha and Omega : Takes place during Moon Called.
This is the novella that started Anna and Charles story. Due to the events in Moon Called, Charles is sent Chicago to investigate and ends up meeting Anna. Their story continues in [b:Cry Wolf|2355575|Cry Wolf (Alpha & Omega, #1)|Patricia Briggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1310494063l/2355575._SY75_.jpg|2362332].
I love these two. I was so excited when I originally read this novella that there would be a continuation of their story. These two fit together so interestingly. Plus it gives us a different look at characters in the Mercy verse. (and more time with Bran and Asil). I still really want to see Mercy and Anna meet.
The Star of David : Takes place the Christmas after "most" of the events in Moon Called.
David Christiansen makes a brief, but pivotal, appearance in Moon Called. We don't get much of his story except to know that his history was tragic and he'd created his own future out of it. I liked him for it and I was happy to see him again.
David's estranged daughter calls him when she needs his help with one of her foster kids. This gives him a chance to reconnect with his family. I loved meeting Devonte. We hear, in the books, about how there are more than just witches, wolves, and vampires in this world....it's interesting to see wizards make appearance, too.
Roses in Winter : Takes place between Bone Crossed and Silver Borne.
Told from Asil's point-of-view this story gives us an update on Kara, the little girl that Mercy sends to the Bran in [b:Blood Bound|285205|Blood Bound (Mercy Thompson, #2)|Patricia Briggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1358229157l/285205._SY75_.jpg|2577848]. So Kara is in Montana with the Marrok pack and she is having problems with her transition from wolf to human. She gets stuck. However its time for the annual changing and an alpha is making trouble for Bran. Kara is targeted because she is breaking the rules.
I adore Asil. I've been wanting an update on Kara ever since she was first mentioned. I knew that Bran would take care of her but I was so happy to see her worming her way into Asil's heart. I want that old wolf happy and I think that he has a chance. Kara is good. Sage is good.
In Red, with Pearls : Takes place between Silver Borne and River Marked.
This is about Warren and Kyle. Warren works for Kyle and a zombie is sent to try and kill Kyle. Warren does some real detective work and figures out who has it in for his boyfriend.
I like Warren and Kyle is fun. I wish that there was some pack interaction or more Kyle-Warren interaction.
Redemption : Takes place between Frost Burned and [b:Night Broken|17562900|Night Broken (Mercy Thompson, #8)|Patricia Briggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1379437095l/17562900._SY75_.jpg|24495112].
It's about Ben!!!!
Ben is a new transfer to Adam's pack in Moon Called. He hates women. And is one of the lowest dominants in the pack. As the series continues Ben proves himself and hints at some sort of tragic history. He and Mercy start to connect. He has become one of my favorite characters.
Ben works with databases and he likes to keep his distance from his coworkers. He is particularly mean to the secretary, who is continually being hit on by one of the supervisors. Ben isn't sure why he constantly makes moves to intervene. He doesn't do it nicely, in true Ben fashion, but he does it. His confusion, the ensuing discussion with Adam, reveals that Ben is a low dominate because the other dominates don't trust him to protect them. But Ben is changing. His coworkers are ones he is starting to protect. We also get a bit of Ben's history, why he came to Adam's pack. Plus Mercy comes to pick him up. It's sweet.
Hollow : Takes place after [b:Night Broken|17562900|Night Broken (Mercy Thompson, #8)|Patricia Briggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1379437095l/17562900._SY75_.jpg|24495112].
This is the Mercy story in the collection. She goes to deal with a ghost taking Zack (the new submissive) with her. She is making decisions about her garage and we get to see both Sam & Arianna and Gary. It was awesome.
Outtakes : I wasn't expecting to get some deleted/outtake scenes from the Mercy Thompson books, so this was a nice treat when I got to the end of the stories!
From Silver Borne, it takes place near the end of this novel and is from Arianna's point-of-view. Patricia Briggs notes that her husband thought, since she included the beginning of Samuel and Arianna's relationship in "Silver" and that it ends on a rather sad note, she should include something to remind readers that they do get their happily-ever-after. A sweet scene that shows them reconnecting, and gives even more history between them. It was perfect and just added to Silver Borne.
From [b:Night Broken|17562900|Night Broken (Mercy Thompson, #8)|Patricia Briggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1379437095l/17562900._SY75_.jpg|24495112], again it takes place near the end when Mercy's recovering and is from Adam's point-of-view. I really loved seeing how Adam thinks of her, and how in love with her he is. I really thought that this was the perfect way to end the book. I wish so hard that this had been the way [b:Night Broken|17562900|Night Broken (Mercy Thompson, #8)|Patricia Briggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1379437095l/17562900._SY75_.jpg|24495112] had ended.
Just loved the whole thing!!!!