A review by mountie9
Death's Excellent Vacation, by Charlaine Harris, Christopher Golden, Toni L.P. Kelner, Daniel Stashower, Sarah Smith, Chris Grabenstein, Jeaniene Frost, Lilith Saintcrow, L.A. Banks, Sharan Newman, A. Lee Martinez, Katie MacAlister, Jeff Abbott
4.0
Two Blondes by Charlaine Harris -4/5: Fun story with Sookie and my favorite character Pam. As soon as I knew Pam was going to be in story, knew I would like it. One character that is awesome in both the books and the TV show.
"Somehow, I got the feeling you really didn't think enough of humans to want to claim one as a friend." (Sookie)
"You're not as intolerable as most," Pam said Lightly
The Boys Go Fishing by Sarah Smith - 3/5: This one didn't do it for me. Found myself confused with what was going on. Good writer, really can set a mood, but the story was so so
"Robin grew up, came out, moved to San Fransico, he's in politics now. The Bat retreated into "scientific experiments."
One for the Money by Jeaniene Frost -5/5 Frickin awesome as usual. Outstanding, especially for a short story. I adore Cat and Bones. Loved the scenes between Bones and Cat's Mom.
"Of course, Bones always looked good enough to eat. Whoever said don't play with your food sure hadn't been a vampire."
Meanwhile, Far Across the Caspian Sea... by Daniel Stashower -5/5 I absolutely loved this story and was extremely disappointed when it ended, because I just wanted to know more. Must go find out more about this author. This one grabbed your attention from the first line and never let go. This story alone is worth the price of the book
"he radiated a sense of wary befuddlement, as though someone kept hiding his stapler."
The Innsmouth Nook by A Lee Martinez - 4/5 Delightful story, reminded me a little of some of Stephen King's short fiction (the good stuff). Awesome beginning and nice light dry humor. Loved the two main mail characters and the dialogue between the two.
"It was just a tentacle, reaching out from the great unknown, from that horrible place where credit card bills, junk mail and despair were spawned."
"They've made some terrific advances in gaydar, dude."
Safe and Sound by Jeff Abbott - 3.5/5: Good story, drags a little and some of story doesn't make sense, but still enjoyed it. Great characters and author great at setting mood
"Someone went shopping at the unsolicited opinion store"
Seeing is Believing by L A Banks - 3/5: Not bad, was sorta of irritated with the manner of speaking of some of the characters and was a little confused at times on who was being discussed. Author has incredible talent with setting a scene and the mood of the setting. Loved the characters though
"Boy, I used to change your diapers, so don't sass me."
The Perils of Effrijim by Katie MacAlister - 3.5/5: Loved this authors writing and her wit, but found myself lost in the world she was creating. I think I would have given this a higher rating if I had read one of her novels first. Natasha agrees with me on this point. Must say I really enjoyed her dialogue though and will be checking out some of her other works. Loved the part about My Humps -- funny stuff!
"It's just not a good idea for me to take on girl form. 'Cause if I did, all I'd do is jump up and down and watch by boobs bounce."
Thin Walls by Christopher Golden - 3/5: Old fashioned horror sort of story. Author quite exceptional at setting mood of story quite quickly. Very sexual.
"Honey, trust me, I'll make you forget your own name."
The Heart is Always Right by Lilith Saintcrow -4/5: Interesting and quite different. Never read a story about gargoyles before. Main character is quite sweet and the story was just really enjoyable.
"And the shell shocked look in her swollen red-rimmed eyes was enough to make me feel as if I'd stepped on a fluffy helpless kitten."
The Demon in the Dunes by Chris Grabenstein -4/5: Good old fashioned nostalgic "horror" story, really enjoyed it and the ending was unexpected. Again another author who really knows how to set the mood and landscape for his story.
"The critics always label my impossibly busty Amazon in her tight, revealing costume as "nothing more than an adolescent sexual fantasy."
Home from America by Sharan Newman - 2/5: Just couldn't get into this one and really didn't like the ending. Also didn't like the main character, which probably really affected my enjoyment of the story.
"What the hell..?" he said, reading the titles of the seminars. "How to keep your pot of gold in trying times." "Invisibility, the best defense." "Which end of the rainbow." "To jig or not to jig, fighting the stereotypes."
Pirate Dave's Haunted Amusement Park by Toni L P Kelner - 4/5: Delightful and fun. Excellent dialogue. Looking forward to reading some of the authors' other works.
"After all the diets I'd endured and the exercise regimens I'd abandoned, it had taken being turned into a werewolf to give me the figure I'd always wanted."
4/5 Dewey's - Worth the price, just for the Jeaniene Frost and Daniel Stashower stories!
I received this from Penguin in return for an honest review
"Somehow, I got the feeling you really didn't think enough of humans to want to claim one as a friend." (Sookie)
"You're not as intolerable as most," Pam said Lightly
The Boys Go Fishing by Sarah Smith - 3/5: This one didn't do it for me. Found myself confused with what was going on. Good writer, really can set a mood, but the story was so so
"Robin grew up, came out, moved to San Fransico, he's in politics now. The Bat retreated into "scientific experiments."
One for the Money by Jeaniene Frost -5/5 Frickin awesome as usual. Outstanding, especially for a short story. I adore Cat and Bones. Loved the scenes between Bones and Cat's Mom.
"Of course, Bones always looked good enough to eat. Whoever said don't play with your food sure hadn't been a vampire."
Meanwhile, Far Across the Caspian Sea... by Daniel Stashower -5/5 I absolutely loved this story and was extremely disappointed when it ended, because I just wanted to know more. Must go find out more about this author. This one grabbed your attention from the first line and never let go. This story alone is worth the price of the book
"he radiated a sense of wary befuddlement, as though someone kept hiding his stapler."
The Innsmouth Nook by A Lee Martinez - 4/5 Delightful story, reminded me a little of some of Stephen King's short fiction (the good stuff). Awesome beginning and nice light dry humor. Loved the two main mail characters and the dialogue between the two.
"It was just a tentacle, reaching out from the great unknown, from that horrible place where credit card bills, junk mail and despair were spawned."
"They've made some terrific advances in gaydar, dude."
Safe and Sound by Jeff Abbott - 3.5/5: Good story, drags a little and some of story doesn't make sense, but still enjoyed it. Great characters and author great at setting mood
"Someone went shopping at the unsolicited opinion store"
Seeing is Believing by L A Banks - 3/5: Not bad, was sorta of irritated with the manner of speaking of some of the characters and was a little confused at times on who was being discussed. Author has incredible talent with setting a scene and the mood of the setting. Loved the characters though
"Boy, I used to change your diapers, so don't sass me."
The Perils of Effrijim by Katie MacAlister - 3.5/5: Loved this authors writing and her wit, but found myself lost in the world she was creating. I think I would have given this a higher rating if I had read one of her novels first. Natasha agrees with me on this point. Must say I really enjoyed her dialogue though and will be checking out some of her other works. Loved the part about My Humps -- funny stuff!
"It's just not a good idea for me to take on girl form. 'Cause if I did, all I'd do is jump up and down and watch by boobs bounce."
Thin Walls by Christopher Golden - 3/5: Old fashioned horror sort of story. Author quite exceptional at setting mood of story quite quickly. Very sexual.
"Honey, trust me, I'll make you forget your own name."
The Heart is Always Right by Lilith Saintcrow -4/5: Interesting and quite different. Never read a story about gargoyles before. Main character is quite sweet and the story was just really enjoyable.
"And the shell shocked look in her swollen red-rimmed eyes was enough to make me feel as if I'd stepped on a fluffy helpless kitten."
The Demon in the Dunes by Chris Grabenstein -4/5: Good old fashioned nostalgic "horror" story, really enjoyed it and the ending was unexpected. Again another author who really knows how to set the mood and landscape for his story.
"The critics always label my impossibly busty Amazon in her tight, revealing costume as "nothing more than an adolescent sexual fantasy."
Home from America by Sharan Newman - 2/5: Just couldn't get into this one and really didn't like the ending. Also didn't like the main character, which probably really affected my enjoyment of the story.
"What the hell..?" he said, reading the titles of the seminars. "How to keep your pot of gold in trying times." "Invisibility, the best defense." "Which end of the rainbow." "To jig or not to jig, fighting the stereotypes."
Pirate Dave's Haunted Amusement Park by Toni L P Kelner - 4/5: Delightful and fun. Excellent dialogue. Looking forward to reading some of the authors' other works.
"After all the diets I'd endured and the exercise regimens I'd abandoned, it had taken being turned into a werewolf to give me the figure I'd always wanted."
4/5 Dewey's - Worth the price, just for the Jeaniene Frost and Daniel Stashower stories!
I received this from Penguin in return for an honest review