Review: Of Fate and Fire by Rebecca Rhielle

In an ancient time of turmoil, Eleia finds herself restless. But as she exits her village, she meets a man. A dangerous man -- and a man she might just be able to give her heart to.

This seventh story of the Paramourtal anthology began beautifully, entrancing me with the beauty of Eleia's and Aurelius's love. The worldbuilding in this story is exquisite and the story spellbinding. But the ending... I won't give it away, but the ending did not uplift me in the same way the story did. While this author would undoubtedly make a wonderful fantasy author, I don't think I'll ever pick up another romance of hers again.

In a word, this story was

Disappointing.

Find Paramourtal here. Come back again tomorrow as I review the eighth story in the Paramourtal anthology.

Clara.

Review: His Familiar Touch by L. K. Below

When Rikki learns that her inability to shift into cougar form might be because she's a witch's familiar, she sets out to find her witch -- and along the way, meets the mouthwatering Derek. 

This story was lascivious from start to finish. L. K. Below definitely got the need and sexual tension of the two main characters across. Throughout the story, she layers in Rikkita's primal cougar nature with phrases like, "as enticing as the smell of raw meat." While that isn't an image which would usually invoke excitement in me, in this story, she makes it work! This and many other phrases work to tinge her desire with a primal aspect. Not to mention, the story is peppered with humour! I find it hilarious that she strolls around asking strangers to touch her. 

And Derek is definitely a man a girl can fall in love with. He's dominant, but thoughtful at the same time. He ensures that Rikkita continues to think about him -- but in the end, he lets her make the big choice (whether or not to stay with him) on her own. 

In a word, this story was

Lascivious.

Find Paramourtal here. Remember to return on Sunday, November 14th when I'll be interviewing L. K. Below!

Clara.

Review: The Flower of Hell by Noree Cosper

When Gabriella tries to corner and kill a demon, a vampire hunter gets in her way. Much to her annoyance...or maybe her pleasure.

For a story that should have held me enthralled, this seemed...over-told. Gabriella's voice seemed bored, like she'd done this a hundred times (which, from the context of the story, I gather she had). But it didn't hold me like it could have. Instead, I found my mind wandering, wishing to skip on to the next one. 

In a word, this story was

Over-told.

Find Paramourtal here. Join me tomorrow as I review the sixth story of the Paramourtal anthology!

Clara.

Review: The Prince and the Spoon by Kelly Wisdom

On a walk in the park, Summer is kidnapped by a band of pixies, taken before a fairy king dressed in a purple kimono, and thrown in a dungeon -- all for a spoon her companion, Hunter, happens to carry in his pocket. How is she supposed to get out of this one?

The ridiculous in the fourth story of Paramourtal starts with Hunter's costume and the three fairies who corner him and Summer in the park, and it just gets weirder from there. But I loved it! Summer's voice hooked me from the very beginning of the story. I only wish it hadn't ended so soon. The light tone of this story is sure to brighten anyone's day. 

In a word, this story was

Hooking.

Find Paramourtal here. Join me tomorrow as I review the fifth story in the Paramourtal anthology.

Clara.

Review: The Fisherman's Wife by K. Stoddard Hayes

When Sean's wife, Muireen, finds her seal's skin, the selkie leaves despite his pleas for her to stay. Devastated, Sean doesn't know whether her love for him and the children is enough to make her come back to him. 

This third story in the Paramourtal anthology was astounding! I felt Sean's grief and Muireen's longing. Their love was tangible and seemed to flow off the page. This brilliant story should have been first in the anthology, in my opinion. It is the best so far and would have been a great way to start the anthology off. 

In a word, this story was

Astounding.

Find Paramourtal here. Join me tomorrow as I read and review the fourth story in Paramourtal! 

Clara.