Hot Spell (Berkley Sensation) [Mass Market Paperback]

Exploring the myriad pathways of paranormal romance, these four novellas of demons, beasts, vampires, werewolves and humans range from night to day, and all the dark pleasures in between.

** The Countess' Pleasure - Emma Holly **
In an alternative British Imperial India a disappointed widow is taking tentative steps to find her own pleasure. But when Georgiana, Countess of Ware, goes to see a Yama demon dance, she knows her life will never be the same again.

Be prepared because this story is intensely hot from the off. Yet amidst this fury the relationship between Georgiana and Iyan is surprisingly tender. Skilfully done. 5 STARS.

** The Breed Next Door - Lora Leigh **
Having fought his way free from the labs where he was created, trained and tortured, Lion Breed Tarek has spent the last six months living next to Lyra, trying to fit in. But it isn't just the scents of coffee and freshly baked bread that keep attracting this kitty to her door.

Part of the extensive Breed series, this tale had the confident feel of a well-established world, though for someone new to it (like me) it's an easy read. Lyra could have had a bit more personality, and I'm not sure about the whole Mating Heat thing, but Tarek was cute. Good, but nothing special. 3.5 STARS.

** Falling for Anthony - Meljean Brook **
Having been in love with Lady Emily Ames-Beaumont for years, Anthony Ramsdell is devastated to be sent to serve as a doctor in the Peninsular War. But he promises to return to her, and Anthony is a man who keeps his promises - even after death.

As a huge fan of the Guardian series, it was nice to go back and read the novella that came first. However, this is probably my least favourite of Brook's work. I didn't like Emily, but I did appreciate the changes in Anthony after he became a Guardian - and it's always fun to see Lilith winding up Hugh. Not to mention see Michael admitting to his mistakes. A tantalising glimpse for newcomers, and a missing piece for existing fans. Check out the series, it's even better. 4 STARS.

** The Blood Kiss - Shiloh Walker **
When the younger brother of Roman, king of Wolfclan Montgomery, is imprisoned by vampires, Roman will do anything to get him back. Luckily for him then that the daughter of the House of Capiet is so very appealing...

Hmm... Roman, Julietta, Montgomery and Capiet, old enemies and young lovers... Huh. Well, in spite of that, this is a fairly solid tale of family loyalty and escaping a monstrous father. 4 Stars.

** With some standard offerings, Emma Holly's is undoubtedly the best of the bunch. Enjoyable.

I got this because of the Emma Holly story which continues exploring her Yamish Demon World, however all the stories are entertaining. Which ones are your favourites is likely to be influenced more if you know the authors' work already.

Emma Holly - The Countess's Pleasure
Set in the anything goes human city of Bhamjran, a widowed Countess decides to investigate the performance in The Ladies Lotus and discovers a whole lot more than she bargained for. She's immediately drawn to the Yama who is performing, to such an extent that she offers him a proposition. In their own ways these two are looking for freedom. She from a life and a secret that she has left behind when she journeyed to Bhamjran, he from paying restitution for a crime his mother's been convicted of. This is both a really sweet romance, and very sexy too. Even in the shorter length of a novella, you get to know and care about the characters.

Lora Leigh - The Breed Next Door
The title really says it all. This is part of a series which I confess I've no familiarity with, and I can't say that I feel compelled to investigate further - it was ok but not that great for me. Tarek is a Breed assassin, who has moved into a neighbourhood to complete his assignment. Lyra is his next door neighbour. They are attracted to each other, and we meet them when she's raking him down for butchering her roses. A perilous situation forces him to protect her, at which point he discovers that she's his mate. Despite already being attracted, he's secreting an aphrodisiac from glands under his tongue which will make her completely mad for him. Needless to say there's a lot of sex in this story, as well as a deadly showdown.

Meljean Brook - Falling For Anthony
Apparently this is the first story in a series about Guardians (think Guardian Angels). Like the Emma Holly story, this has a historical setting, during the Napoleonic Wars. Anthony is a doctor about to set off for the battle fields. Before he does, he has a surprising encounter with his best friend's sister, and makes her a promise to come back and marry her. There's a lot going on here: a Nosferatu attack which leads to Anthony becoming a Guardian; a Demon making trouble; an almost-Vampire. I found this very atmospheric, and romantic as well as sensual. I will definitely be looking out for other stories in this series.

Shiloh Walker - The Blood Kiss
Roman is a Werewolf King, who discovers that the neighbouring Vampires have imprisoned his brother for entering their territory. Roman has history with the Vampires, whose leader he holds responsible for the death of his father. He decides to rescue his brother, and joins a Vampire party where he spots a woman who he was attracted to earlier in the day. She only happens to be the Vampire leader's daughter, Julianna! It's clear to him, though, that this is not a happy lady. An encounter with her leads him to discover that she's being faced by her father with two equally unpalatable choices. Instead she chooses a third option - and helps Roman free his brother. Her decision unleashes a terrible punishment from her father, fortunately for her (though she doesn't like it), Roman has decided to take her prisoner and back to his own territory. There's plenty of crackling sexual tension in the dialogue between Roman and Julianna, before the two actually get together. If this is part of a series, I will be interested to investigate more.