I started this anthology for the Mercy Thompson story of course, but I am enjoying the others as well.
It had come from a pay phone. There weren’t many of those left, now that cell phones had made it less profitable for the phone companies to keep repairing the damage of vandals.
Reading Smoke Bitten - Patricia Briggs way too fast made me go looking for more stories set in Mercy's world.
So far, I love all these stories. I think I've found a few new series to try and some new to me authors.
I haven't been in a reading slump, exactly. Just not necessarily wanting to think too hard or concentrate on some of my TBR. And I have a few new releases I'm hesitant to start because then they will be finished.
I've also been more on cell phone and mobile devices than sitting at a computer. I'm a homebody and a bookworm, but sick of just sitting. Otherwise this would have been a great time to catch up on reviews, organizing the shelves, etc.
Oh well, things will either return to normal or none of it will matter. I was cheered up that grocery stores around here were getting restocked with things like toilet paper, ground beef, microwave popcorn ... I was ready to mouth off at anyone complaining there were limits or that were rude to employees but today everyone seemed nice.
by P.N. Elrod, Patricia Briggs, Jim Butcher, Rachel Caine, Karen Chance, Charlaine Harris, Faith Hunter, Caitlin Kittredge, Jenna Maclaine
Source: Borrowed from Library!
Book Description:
Today’s hottest urban fantasy authors come together in this delicious brew that crackles and boils over with tales of powerful witches and dark magic!
In Charlaine Harris’ “Bacon,” a beautiful vampire joins forces with a witch from an ancient line to find out who killed her beloved husband. In “Seeing Eye” by Patricia Briggs, a blind witch helps sexy werewolf Tom Franklin find his missing brother—and helps him in more ways than either of them ever suspected. And in Jim Butcher’s “Last Call,” wizard Harry Dresden takes on the darkest of dark powers—the ones who dare to mess with this favorite beer.
For anyone who’s ever wondered what lies beyond the limits of reality, who’s imagined the secret spaces where witches wield fearsome magic, come and drink deep. Let yourself fall under the spell of this bewitching collection of short stories!
~ 4 Strange Brew Stars ~
I picked this book up just to read Patria Briggs story Seeing Eye, but found myself reading the rest of these quick interesting short story’s. I am now going to be checking out several of these authors and who knows I might find my next great read!
My Review On Each Short Story
Seeing Eye by Patria Briggs
- 5 Stars – Magic – Werewolves – Witches
A very nice quick read in Patricia Briggs Mercy Thompson & Alpha and Omega series world. Wendy a witch & Tom a werewolf. Wendy does not let her disability affect her, strong women. Tom is very dedicated to protecting his family and what is his. I enjoyed both characters. I like how strong Wendy is and how Tom did not coddle her. I hope we get to see these two again.
Last Call by Jim Butcher
- 4 Stars – Magic – Wizard – Crime
A nice enjoyable quick read in Jim Butcher The Dresden Files series. Harry is a wizard investigator. He goes out for a drink, ends up investigating what happened at the bar, and learning that the mythical gods want to come back and remind humans who is in charge. This picked my interest and I plan to check out this series. I enjoyed the crime/investigation aspect along with magic added into the world.
Death Warmed Over by Rachel Caine
- 5 Stars – Witches – Raising the Dead
I’m not big on resurrection or zombie type books, but this short story was interesting. Holly, licensed seventh-generation witch, with a specialty for raising the dead. Resection witches are ending up dead & Holly has to bring back someone whom she clearly cares about to figure out what is happening. This was an emotional read, I felt for Holly and her situation. The ending I did not see coming, so it was a surprise and I’m curious to know if this is a series or might become one.
Vegas Odds by Karen Chance
- 5 Stars – Magic – Werewolves – Half-breeds
I liked how this one started off with lots of action and it does not stop. Loa is half-were/half-magic user. I felt connected to Loa and could feel her dilemma. She feels like she is not good enough for the Corps and not Were enough for her Were lover. Lia’s students for some reason are trying to kill her. Why? You will have to read to find out.
Hecate’s Golden Eye by P.N. Elrod
- 4 Stars – Vampires – History – Curses
We are taking into the 1937 where Charles and Jack are detectives/retrieval of items. A neckless has been stollen and they have been hired to get it back. This neckless has a curse on it, which is quit interesting to read about. Jack and Charles work well together and the story is fun to read.
Bacon by Charlaine Harris
- 3 Stars – Vampires – Werewolves – Witches
This was an ok read. We have an interesting concept of vampires who marry werewolves. Dahlia, a vampire and widower was married to a werewolf who was murdered. She wants revenge and has enlisted her vampire friend and one of the pack werwolves to help find those involved in taking out her husband. She concocts a very interesting pay back.
Signature Of The Dead By Faith Hunter
- 4 Stars – Witches – Magic – Sorcerers – Skin walkers
This short story is a prequel in the Jane Yellowrock series. Jane Yellowrock is a skin-walker and only Molly her friend, an earth witch knows about Jane and her special abilities. It was nice seeing what Molly can do. They end up taking out a nest of rouge vampires in this story. We get magic, action and an in-site into the series. I’m curious to check out the series even more now then I was before.
Ginger: A Nocturne City Story by Caitlin Kittredge
- 3.5 Stars – Witch – Magic – Werewolves
This was interesting with its Magical conspiracy storyline. Lina is Rhoda’s sister and somehow she became a werewolf plus she’s a detective. Rhoda Swann, is sister to Lina, a witch who is not very competent in her ablates, ends up going undercover to stop some black magic users. I enjoyed this story and I believe it is part of the Nocturne City series.
Dark Sins by Jenna MacLaine
- 5 Stars – Vampires – Witches – History
I really enjoyed this story. It’s part of the Cin Craven series and I am most decently going to be checking this out. I enjoyed the aspect of the world, war goddess Morgan, vampires, witches, and dark forces all at work. One witch turned vampire must learn how to harness her powers too one day save millions.
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