by Rhonda Parrish

I like the idea of theme anthologies and the concept of this one really appealed to me. All the stories involve some sort of creatures of fire.

I hadn't heard of any of the authors so it was a bit of a gamble, and like most anthologies with a collection of unfamiliar authors, some stories appealed to me more than others.

We had an Ifrit, a fire sprite, demons, including one who fought an Angel, dragons, gryphons, genies, an elemental magician, a tribute to Jim Morrison (though the author didn't seem aware that he didn't write Light My Fire), a host of mythological fire gods, Phoenixes and an Aitvara.

Unfortunately five and a half of the twenty-one stories were written in present tense, which I detest and find difficult to read (one kept switching between past and present tense).

Four of the stories stood out as particularly good. These were:

The Second Great Fire by Laura VanArendonk Baugh, Breath of the Caldera by Wendy Nikel, The Midwife and the Phoenix by J.G. Formato and especially Double or Nothing by Mara Malins, which involved a game of cards that brought to mind Magic the Gathering, but with real creatures. This one made the book worthwhile on its own.

While I can only give the collection as a whole three stars, these authors I'll be looking to see what else they've written.

This novella takes place in Cairo in 1912. Agent Hamed Nasr and his new partner, Agent Onsi Youssef, work for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments, and Supernatural Entities. Their newest case appears, initially, to involve a haunted tram car. However, they soon realize that there's something else going on. Unfortunately, knowing what they're dealing with isn't the same as actually solving the problem, considering the shoestring budget the Ministry has given them. The agents find themselves having to get a bit creative, with the assistance of some local women.

This was decent, and featured a few aspects that made me want to read more by this author. It's steampunk that, for once, isn't set in London. In fact, London didn't even come across as being particularly important - magic first entered this world via the work of a Sudanese man, who used a combination of alchemy and machinery to open a doorway to the world of the djinn. And although the book starred two male agents, women's suffrage was constantly in the background, and women played an important part in dealing with the being in the tram car. The few appearances of "boilerplate eunuchs" (robots) also fascinated me - some appeared to possess this world's version of artificial intelligence.

I'd happily read more stories starring Hamed, the experienced and somewhat grumpy agent, and Onsi, his shinier and more cheerful new partner, although I'd really love to read a full novel set in this world. From what I can tell, there's currently just one other story, "A Dead Djinn in Cairo," which stars Fatma el'Sha'arawi, the one female agent in the Ministry.

(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.)

Title: Jinn
Author: Jessica Cage
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Cover Designer: Kiff Shaik
Editor: There For You Editing Services
Publisher: Caged Fantasies Publications
Publication Date: June 15th, 2018
Hosted by: Lady Amber's PR

Magical creatures rule the lands, and the strongest are about to be challenged.

For centuries, Jinn has watched from afar as dragons, fairies, vampires, and witches, fought to claim a part of the world as their own. Afraid that he would join with an opposing force, no one disputed his neutral stance.

An old friend presents Jinn with an offer he can’t refuse. The love he thought he’d lost forever is still alive, and he has the map to her location.

Mike wants his people freed from the slums and Jinn has the power to make that happen. In return for his aid, Mike will lead the quest into the darkest corner of the earth to find her.

With a new player on the field, everyone is on edge and for good reason. Jinn will go to hell and back for the woman he loves, and he’ll destroy anyone who gets in his way.

The strongest about to be challenged in this rousing and magical new series. The story is full of wonderfully strong, bold characters that make readers sit up and take notice and each of them have their own quirks in this story which makes them quite entertaining. The first book’s main hero is Jinn who has been cursed and has interest in pick a side in the battles and wars being fought between the all the magical creatures who now rule the land until an old friend presents him with an offer he can’t refuse. This fast paced plot keeps reader glued to the pages as Jinn rounds up some friends to save his wife whom he thought was dead but there is a new player on the field and it won’t be easy. Surprising twists and lots of thrilling action ensure that there is never a dull moment and the author has brought the story to vivid life which it makes it easy for the readers to become completely caught up in the story. Although this does mean the story does end of a bit of a cliffhanger, the ending is quite climatic and is a rather unexpected twist that ensures readers will want to find out what happens in the next book,. This post-apocalyptic world is intriguing with some unique and creative elements that make for a very entertaining read that readers will have a hard time putting down once they begin.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40196968-jinn

Title: Nitara
Author: Jessica Cage
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Cover Designer: Kiff Shaik
Editor: There For You Editing Services
Publisher: Caged Fantasies Publications
Publication Date: August 17th, 2018
Hosted by: Lady Amber's PR

He risked it all to save her from the clutches of evil.

She crushed his heart and walked away.

Nitara has spent her life waiting for Jinn to return to her, but when he finally does, it's far too late. Daegal, the evil warlock who cursed the pair and turned them to djinn, has been defeated, but the effects of his dirty work are far from gone.

Now she has to return to a place that holds her heart hostage. Things aren't what they seem. Her time away has weakened her position and now she is faced with a choice: fight or flee. However, fleeing just isn't an option.

Tyrellis is the unrightful ruler of Reverie, land of the vampires, and because of Daegal, he now possesses control over Nitara. As long as she is by his side, his rule will last unchallenged. While she is away his enemies act to stand against him.

Will Nitara save Tyrellis from the vampires who seek to dethrone him or will she let him fall in hopes of her gaining own freedom? Will Jinn forgive her for breaking his heart?

Find out what happens next in the second installment of the Djinn Rebellion Series from USA Today Bestselling Author, Jessica Cage!

All the wonderfully, strong and bold characters from the previous book is back along with some new ones and they have not pulled any punches as they discover that they have to embark on another rescue mission only there is a bit of problem…they have to convince Jinn to help. This emotionally gripping story is about Nitara whom the gang rescued from Daegal in the first book and who crushed Jinn’s heart, is in the clutches of the King of Reverie, the land of vampires. Readers can’t help but get caught up in all the intrigue, twists and thrills that take place throughout the story as everyone realizes that not everything is as it seems. The fast paced plot keeps readers on the edge of their seat as multiple plots takes place which guarantees that readers won’t find a dull moment, especially as enemies come from unexpected directions. The dialogue is witty and adds to the entertainment of this story immensely as all of the characters are once again fighting together. To add sweetness to the story, several of the characters are involved in romances or trying to at least and there is also some red hot passion to heat up the pages. But the relationship between Nitara and Jinn will tug at heart strings as Jinn tries not to let his broken heart get in the way of their mission. Once again the author has brought her story to vivid life that sparks the imagination and draws readers in and enthralls until the very end.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41046738-nitara

Jinn and Nitara are books # 1 & 2 in the Djinn Rebellion series!

AVAILABLE in print or ebook

Jinn: https://amzn.to/2y8zmiV

Nitara: https://amzn.to/2P9l9Xf

The city of Vilar was one of the most beautiful that existed. Surrounded by lands devastated by war, it retained a beauty that seemed alien. The fairies used their magic to retain the life of their home through the war. None of the toxic flames ever made it through their shields. Gone were the iron structures made by men, the buildings that scraped the sky had been torn down. Every building grew from the ground, having its own pulse as life still coursed through limbs of trees and magically reinforced vines that were woven together to craft structures of strength.

It wasn't just the buildings, or the few skyscrapers that stood tall and proud; it was the minor things, the plants and flowers lining every path. It was the wildlife that roamed the streets and lived in perfect harmony with the fairies. This was what the world imagined it would be like after the humans lost control. Only, Vilar was an anomaly in the new world order. A family of langur monkeys swung above him as his bike rolled along that pathway, the engine disturbing the tranquil atmosphere as he passed.

“Are you sure you want to go there?” Praia asked, joining him after he’d parked his bike. They walked down the street headed to Vilar, the epicenter of the fairies’ territory. Jinn had asked her to meet him so he could give her an update on everything that was happening. She knew it meant he needed to vent before doing something really stupid. Never one to say no to the man who conjured her steaks, she agreed. “Nothing good can come of this.”

“If they have the information I need, then yeah, I’m sure.” As usual, every person they passed by looked at them with questioning gazes. It was no secret that Praia was friends with Jinn, but it wasn’t often that they were seen together in public. Hell, it wasn’t often that Praia was seen amongst the fairies at all, and Jinn … well, he was nothing more than an apparition.

“What exactly are you willing to give them in return? These aren’t the same fairies you may remember, they’ve changed. You know that. Anything you have to request from them, they are going to want a trade, they’re going to want to bargain with you. You gotta think about that, Jinn.” The short fae struggled to keep up with his long strides, but succeeded in not falling behind.

“Yes, I’m well aware. I also know that they lied to me. In exchange for my help they were supposed to provide validation of what happened to Nitara. They were the ones who told me she had passed.” He marched forward as he spoke, his temper rising. “They were the ones who fed me false information! All these years, she has been out there and I haven’t been looking for her. She is trapped in a cage somewhere and I just allowed it! I held up my end of the bargain, it's time that they did.”

“I’m just saying, you may want to rethink things, sleep on it for a bit.” Praia skid to a halt as Jinn turned on her. They stood, statues on display for the fairies to gawk at.

“Look, Praia, I didn’t tell you about this so that you would feel a need to come with me. I understand if you don’t want to do this, but I need you to understand that I have to go in there. You can’t expect me to turn away from this. All this time, I thought she was gone, I thought she was dead. Now I find out that it was a lie.

Hell, I don’t even know if this photo is real.” He took the picture from his pocket, and held it up. “I need to do this. I have to find out, regardless of what fucked up fox trap I may be walking into right now. I have to know the truth.”

“Nitara, she meant that much to you?” Yeah, she knew about Nitara, but Jinn had never spoken to her in depth about his love for the woman, or how much he would put on the line to save her. Jinn would walk through fire for his wife, and for the first time he was really allowing the world to see what his love for her meant.

He turned back toward the path that led to the city’s center, pulled his hair up into a loose bun, and took a deep breath. How could he put it to words so the fae, who was still in many senses a young girl, could understand how he felt? His gaze swept over his shoulder to the short woman who waited for his explanation, the thoughts came as best he could phrase them. “She meant more to me than the earth, the sky, and the endless universe beyond. She was my world, my air, so much so that my lungs refused to expand without her. Every fiber of my being is hers to command. If there is any chance that I get to have that back, that I get to love her and feel her life beside me, fueling my own, there is no way that I’m going to let that go.”

“Wow, Jinn. I had no idea.” She smiled at him, tears on the brink of her eyes. “Well hell, I hope someone cares about me as much as you do for her. You know that I’m by your side.”

“As long as I keep you fed with steak.” He smiled and winked at his friend. He knew that she would support him, no matter how insane the cause. She always had.

“See, we have an understanding!” Her laughter trailed behind her as she hurried to keep up with him.

Award winning and USA Today Bestselling author, Jessica Cage was born and raised in Chicago, IL. Writing has always been a passion for her. She dabbles in artistic creations of all sorts but at the end of the day, it's the pen that her hand itches to hold. Jessica had never considered following her dream to be a writer because she was told far too often "There is no money in writing." So she chose the path most often traveled. During pregnancy, she asked herself an important question. How would she be able to inspire her unborn son to follow his dreams and reach for the stars, if she never had the guts to do it herself? Jessica decided to take a risk and unleash the plethora of characters and their crazy adventurous worlds that had previously existed only in her mind, into the realm of readers. She did this with hopes to inspire not only her son but herself. Inviting the world to tag along on her journey to become the writer she has always wanted to be. She hopes to continue writing and bringing her signature Caged Fantasies to readers everywhere.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2qGRcDw

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4574000.Jessica_Cage

Twitter: https://twitter.com/writa_jlodi

Web: http://www.jessicacage.com/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jcageauthor

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Tales of the Djinn: Sultan's Choice - Em...

This novella is the fifth story in the Tales of the Djinn series. It features Iksander, and his return to the Glorious City, along with his companions Connor and Georgie. There isn't a lot of conflict, but there's a lot of heat. It's a sweet, sexy menage with touches of resistance romance too. ;) Enjoy!

The City of Endless Night is the fourth book in Emma Holly's Tales of the Djinn paranormal romance series. It was great: sexy, fun, interesting world-building, with more of a slow-burn for the romance between Georgie, Connor, and Iksander. Georgie and Connor became a couple in the last book, with Iksander longing for (lusting for?) Georgie from afar. I thought the development of their relationship from a couple to a throuple worked well. 

It took unexpected turns, which I enjoyed. There were also a few nods to current politics: notably, comments on fake news and crowd size, among others. These were subtle, but each time I saw one I cheered. 

I adore Emma Holly. Reading her stories, even new ones, are total comfort-reading. While this book has a complete story, I think it would be most enjoyable if read at least after book three. Looking forward to the next one in the series. :)