INTO THE WOODS KIM HARRISON

Into the Woods by Kim Harrison ~V^^^V

BLURB:  For centuries, the woods have been a pivotal part of the wonder and danger of fairy tales, for once you enter anything can happen. Elves, druids, fairies - who knows what you will find once you dare step into the forest?
And now, New York Times bestselling author Kim Harrison ventures into these mysterious, hidden lands of magic and mystery in her first short-story collection. Into the Woods brings together an enchanting mix of brand-new, never-before-published stories and tales from Harrison's beloved, bestselling Hollows series.
The tales her include an original Hollows novella, Million-Dollar Baby, about Trent Kalamack's secret elven quest in Pale Demon; two original short stories, "Pet Shop Boys" and "Temson Woods," that explore just what happens when humanity and the supernatural collide; and two novelettes, "Spider Silk" and "Grace," set in new worlds of imagination and adventure. Into the Woods also contains all of the previously published Hollows short stories - together in one volume for the very first time.
Step into the woods and discover the magic for yourself. Original.

MY THOUGHTS:  I read some of these anthologies in their previous releases and some I read for the first time. I am going to give a review of all the Hollows stories old and new but I am skipping the other stories for now. 

The Bespelled- This was the story of how Ceri came to be in Algaliarept's keeping for such a long time. I enjoy a peek into Al's mind as well as the little glimpse as to how it all went down. This was quite short and still enjoyable. 

Two Ghosts for Sister Rachel (Holidays are Hell)- This story gives us insight into young Rachel's family relationship. We see how she interacted with her brother and mother. We are also first introduced to Pierce, who has many appearances in later stories. The setting is Christmas and a bit whimsical and light for Rachel Morgan really. I liked this one.

Undead in the Garden of Good & Evil (Dates from Hell)- This story is an Ivy story, her life as an investigator with the I.S before she left with Rachel. Though I really am easily confused by the vampires in this series, I liked this story. The glimpse into Ivy's life and with her voice was very interesting, it really opens up a new level of understanding in her and Rachel's relationship. 

Dirty Magic (Hotter Than Hell)
This is the first introduction to the Mia, the banshee. She is struggling to raise her baby, Holly. Its really a rather sad story and to be honest it really didn't do to much for me. 

The Bridges of Eden Park (For a Few Demons More)- This was just a little side story of Kisten and Rachel together. They try to help Kisten's sister with an ex-boyfriend who is trying to get custody of their son. There really wasn't a whole lot to this story, just felt like a side note. 

Ley Line Drifter (Unbound)- Who doesn't love a Jenks story? This is merely a side story with some insight into Jenks beyond Rachel and Ivy. It was a fun story.

Million Dollar Baby (Pale Demon)- This is the story of Jenks and Trent going to recover Trent's daughter. The story takes place along side Pale Demon and is really more of a deleted scene. Nonetheless I felt that this story really added depth to Trent's character and was very heartfelt. I would almost say it is a must read. ~ MICHELLE 

Lord's Fall

Lord's Fall (Elder Races #5) by Thea Harrison ~V^^V

BLURB:  In the latest Novel of the Elder Races, two mates find themselves on different paths, torn between their duty to the Wyr and the passion that binds them…

Before she met Dragos, half-human/half-Wyr Pia Giovanni was alone and on the run. Now she’s mated, pregnant and heading south to repair the Wyrs’ frayed relationship with the Elves. Being separated from Dragos is painful, but for the good of the Wyr demesne they need to figure out how to be partners—in more places than just the bedroom.

In New York to preside over the Sentinel Games, Dragos is worried about his mate, but knows that finding two replacement sentinels is essential to show the rest of the Elder Races just how strong and brutal the Wyr demesne can be. But as the Games heat up, Pia’s negotiations with the Elves take a turn for the dangerous, straining her bond with Dragos and threatening everything they hold dear.


MY THOUGHTS:  This book has REALLY high ratings and almost all the reviews are gushing but I have to say I am not seeing it.


Well after completion I can say that I found it disappointing. Pia and Dragos are not together for the first half of the book and then after that it was really just blah. There were two different stories happening and it was just not working. I could have really cared less about either. I really would rather have had more Pia and Dragos living life together, not dealing with everyone else. I also found the birth of "peanut" to be very short and not as good as it could have been. 2 stars at best. ~MICHELLE 

Kate Daniels World by Ilona Andrews

Magic Gifts (Kate Daniels #5.4) by Ilona Andrews ~V^^^V

I liked this quite a bit. Kate and Curran are awesome together. Seriously they crack me up. Anyway the mystery and action was quick and intense. The novella is not too short and the introduction of Ascanio Ferara was very cool. I expect good things from him.







Gunmetal Magic (Kate Daniels World #1) by Ilona Andrews ~V^^V

I went into this totally unaware. I thought this was going to be another Kate story. Took me a couple pages to figure it out. LOL OK so that said it really started out great. THEN, it went flat. The story dragged and the whole thing was a bit long for me. Don't get me wrong I love Andrea, I think she kicks ass, literally. So in my opinion this read like an early Kate Daniels story and I had a bit of trouble getting into the series early. I was just bored, sad to say. =( ~Michelle 

Master of Darkness by Angela Knight

Master of Darkness (Mageverse #9) by Angela Knight ~V^^^V 

This was OK but not great. I was highly anticipating Miranda's story and while many parts of this story pleased me it felt slow. Maybe it was lacking something, I had a longer time getting hooked and staying hooked than usual. Justice and Miranda are awesome together and the story was rewarding, the sex was very hot. This just was not my favorite in the series, I really thought it was going to be. ~Michelle 

Elder Races by Thea Harrison

Elder Races Series by Thea Harrison ~V^^^^V


Dragon Bound ~V^^^^V
Fabulous book! Pia is so personable, I love how she says there is a lunatic living inside her body. She tends to run her mouth without thinking often and the results tend to be extremely funny. Dragos, oh what to say? He is an overbearing, bossy, super alpha. But God is he hot and so enticingly Alpha. The whole book you are left in the dark as to what Pia is (don't worry you will find out) and it is quite the suprise. Dragos being a dragon, can he handle it? I can say that this was an excellent introduction to a new series. I can't wait to continue.








Storm's Heart ~V^^^^^V
Tricks is awesome! I love her, she is all about having fun but she isn't an air head. Tiago is SUPER hot and the sexual tension is instantaneous. I really can't tell you how much I enjoyed this book. Suffice it to say it was fabulous from start to finish. Tricks has to take reprehensibility for the Dark Fae, as the heir she has her work cut out for her. Tiago and Tricks make an incredible team, TEAM being the optimal word there. Wonderful, just wonderful. I am loving this series. 






Serpent's Kiss ~V^^^V
Wasn't quite as good as the first two in the series but nontheless it was enjoyable. The concept of time travel is rather confusing in books but I do enjoy it. The passion between the two main characters is intense and highly enjoyable. The whole time I couldn't imagine how Carling was going to manage to escape her death sentence. Hell at one point I was convinced that this would be the first romance I read that would end with the couple dieing together. Never fear though they get their HEA. I am going to keep going with this series.

True Colors ~V^^^V

Too short! That is my only complaint. I felt like it was a little rushed just because of the length. The story had all the things I have come to expect from this series. Mystery, tension, romance and action. Everything was in a shorter form but it was still there. I am really enjoying this series. I am actually going to start Oracle's Moon as soon as I finish this review. So... In short I recommend this series, check it out.

Oracle's Moon ~V^^^V

I really liked Grace and Khalil. The whole story with the young children was wonderful as well. I think any mother can relate to a lot of that story. The things that kept this book from being a four or five star for me were... I didn't like how Grace and Khalil hated each other at first. I don't think there really was significant background to support it. The other problem is that the story tended toward dragging on for too long. Once there was a some action it, the book was nearly over and the action was very quick. This is a fun series though, it will be interesting to see what happens next.

Natural Evil ~V^^^V

I don't know why I read these novellas. This one was again too short. I wish the story had been a little longer. I felt like I was rushed the whole time. Claudia is retired military, just wondering the country until she comes upon a lump on the interstate. Turns out to be a large "dog" that is badly injured. She takes him to a vet and things develop from there. Initially this story didn't really pop for me, just seemed slow at the start. Then all of the sudden the whole case opens up and the action occurs rather quickly, only to slow way down again. Overall I liked the characters and I can say that there was plenty of steam when it was needed. I just felt like the pace was all wrong. I will see what I think of the next novella though and soon enough one more full length book. ~Michelle 


I haven't read Devil's Gate yet, I am hoping the ebook price comes down. In the interim I can wait for Hunter's Season which is expected to be released September 18, 2012. The next full length book is Lord's Fall, with expected publication November 6, 2012. I suspect that one will be exceptional.