Four fabulous authors from the paranormal romance and urban fantasy genres share tales of darkness, desire and wonderful wings.
**Angel's Wolf - Nalini Singh**
Once beaten and broken in a brutal attack, vampire Noel doubts he will ever be the man he once was. So when Archangel Raphael assigns him to the court of the beautiful Nimra, he has no doubt it'll be an easy job, since he isn't much good for anything else. Except nothing in this angel's territory is quite as he expects. Especially the fragile looking beauty whose reputation is enough to instil fear into even the cruellest of angel hearts. While stirring forgotten feelings in his own.
After his brief, unhappy appearance in Archangel's Kiss, it's good to finally get to know Noel as more than a victim. Fans of the Guild Hunter series should also enjoy this glimpse into another corner of this fascinating world. Newcomers will also receive a taste of what this series has to offer - strong characters, fearsome powers, unexpected emotion and gorgeous romance.
**Alphas: Origins - Ilona Andrews**
This story defies description but it is complicated, clever, brutal and brilliant. With a hefty dose of sci-fi this is yet another new direction for the Andrews team, who have so many wonderful ideas that are refreshingly different.
Fans of strong heroines should fully appreciate Karina as she fights hard to create a good life for her daughter, even before she gets flattened beneath a ton of supernatural activity. It may not be to everyone's taste, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
**Nocturne - Sharon Shinn**
Moriah has never been good at following rules, so when she's told to stay away from a dark and dingy mansion she simply has to find her way inside. Even if it means she'll come face to face with an angel.
Of all the stories I think this was the most romantic, because there was nothing else going on in the plot beyond the growing relationship between these two. The change in the mistrustful, secretive Moriah as she coaxed the proud, arrogant, despairing Corban back into the skies again was wonderful.
**Ascension - Meljean Brook**
Marc hasn't spoken to fellow Guardian Radha for one-hundred-and-forty years, since he succumbed to temptation and crossed the line between friendship and lovers. But he's never forgotten that night. So when she shows up unannounced in his territory he'll do anything he can to help her. Especially if it means she'll stay. And not just because he needs help hunting down a vampire-killing demon.
I'm a huge fan of the Guardian series, so I really enjoyed this one. It gives newcomers an insight into this wonderful world, without making things too complicated or giving too much away. For fans this tells a tale of two Guardians that have been glimpsed in earlier books, while adding further depth to the Guardian ranks. It's pretty hot too.
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With four wonderful and nicely different stories, I can't actually pick a favourite here. Fans of any of these authors, of winged beings, romance, intelligent fantasy and good story telling should all find something to enjoy here - and may even come across something new. This is the best anthology I've read in ages.