Camilla N. (1craftylady) - , reviewed Midnight Pleasures: Darkfest / Phantom Lover / Under Her Spell / A Wulf's Curse on + 7 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 12
Originally, I got this for Kenyon's short novel, "Phantom Lover", which fits into the Dark-Hunter series, technically after Night Embrace. It serves as an introduction to Dream-Hunters, but I found it lacked something. There are no spoilers, and reading it out of order didn't seem to matter too much. Mainly, it's interesting as a sort of early concept-piece. The Dream-Hunter concept is developed further, and with more consistency, in later novels, especially The Dream-Hunter.
I found Amanda Ashley's "Darkfest" drew me in more, with its blend of fantasy and romance, but the ending was a little anticlimactic. It was almost as if it wanted to be much longer, but an axe-wielding editor chopped it to fit the anthology.
Maggie Shayne's entry, "Under Her Spell", was a bit didactic on Wiccan ritual in places, but still provided adequate interest, and there is plenty of action at the climax of the story.
I thought the best entry in this anthology was Ronda Thompson's "A Wulf's Curse", part of the Wulfs of London series (which I am now going to have to read). This was the only story I literally did not want to put down.
All in all, it's interesting for the series tie-ins, but not stellar. Fans of each author will probably want to read it, if for no other reason than to "complete" the series.
I found Amanda Ashley's "Darkfest" drew me in more, with its blend of fantasy and romance, but the ending was a little anticlimactic. It was almost as if it wanted to be much longer, but an axe-wielding editor chopped it to fit the anthology.
Maggie Shayne's entry, "Under Her Spell", was a bit didactic on Wiccan ritual in places, but still provided adequate interest, and there is plenty of action at the climax of the story.
I thought the best entry in this anthology was Ronda Thompson's "A Wulf's Curse", part of the Wulfs of London series (which I am now going to have to read). This was the only story I literally did not want to put down.
All in all, it's interesting for the series tie-ins, but not stellar. Fans of each author will probably want to read it, if for no other reason than to "complete" the series.
Lisa G. (wndrngrl) -
Helpful Score: 3
Inside Flap Copy
Darkfest by Amanda Ashley
The price of saving her dying mother is Channa's promise to spend a year at the castle of tormented nobleman, Lord Darkfest...to obey him as his servant or, as his secrets are revealed, to become his salvation. And her own.
Phantom Lover by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Haunted by recurring nightmares of terrifying beasts, Erin McDaniels is afraid to sleep-until a hero arrives in her dreams to save her...and makes erotic, incredible love to her. But can she find him again when she is awake?
Under Her Spell by Maggie Shayne
A consultant for a TV series about one gorgeous witch, "white witch" Melissa St. Cloud plans to make the show authentic. But once on the set she is pulled into the arms of a man who opens up a doorway to the darkside and chilling peril.
A Wulf's Curse by Ronda Thompson
Running away from an arranged marriage, Elise steals aboard a wagon in a traveling circus and finds herself in the bed of the Beast Master, Sterling Wulf, who is something other than he seems...and suddenly all Elise desires.
Darkfest by Amanda Ashley
The price of saving her dying mother is Channa's promise to spend a year at the castle of tormented nobleman, Lord Darkfest...to obey him as his servant or, as his secrets are revealed, to become his salvation. And her own.
Phantom Lover by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Haunted by recurring nightmares of terrifying beasts, Erin McDaniels is afraid to sleep-until a hero arrives in her dreams to save her...and makes erotic, incredible love to her. But can she find him again when she is awake?
Under Her Spell by Maggie Shayne
A consultant for a TV series about one gorgeous witch, "white witch" Melissa St. Cloud plans to make the show authentic. But once on the set she is pulled into the arms of a man who opens up a doorway to the darkside and chilling peril.
A Wulf's Curse by Ronda Thompson
Running away from an arranged marriage, Elise steals aboard a wagon in a traveling circus and finds herself in the bed of the Beast Master, Sterling Wulf, who is something other than he seems...and suddenly all Elise desires.
Ashlea B. (ally) reviewed Midnight Pleasures: Darkfest / Phantom Lover / Under Her Spell / A Wulf's Curse on + 83 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
An absolutely fabulous collection of stories! Includes Phantom Lover by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Darkfest by Amanda Ashley, Under Her Spell by Maggie Shayne, and A Wulf's Curse by Ronda Thompson.
Crystal W. (Greeneyedgoddess) - , reviewed Midnight Pleasures: Darkfest / Phantom Lover / Under Her Spell / A Wulf's Curse on + 41 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Sherrilyn's was the best! I didn't really care for the others. The last story was ok. It was my first time reading short stories. I guess I prefer regular books.
Patricia A. (armstrongpaw1) reviewed Midnight Pleasures: Darkfest / Phantom Lover / Under Her Spell / A Wulf's Curse on + 101 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Anthology by Amanda Ashley, Maggie Shayne, Sherrilyn Kenyon and Ronda Thompson. Kenyon's story fits in with the Dream Hunter/Dark Hunter series. Rhonda Thompson's is part of the Wulf's of London series. All good stories.
