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Beginnings: A Samhain Anthology
Celebrating Beginnings, a salute to the first day of the new Celtic year, the first anniversary of Samhain Publishing, we begin with the first annual Samhain Anthology. Inside you'll discover wonderful romantic stories in a wide range of genres from six talented authors. Charlene Teglia brings us a tale of vampires and a chance to start over, Jennie Andrus offers a paranormal showing what might happen when a woman's death is predicted. From Cassandra Kane, an out-of-this world futuristic story of the planet Samhain. Mackenzie McKade lends her talent to a historical quickie, where witch and Beserka unite. Kate Davies explores what might happen when two people from separate times meet and Lorelei James gives us humor and passion in her contemporary story of two strangers who must depend on each other.
283 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2006
2 people are currently reading
174 people want to read
About the author
Mackenzie McKade
48 books228 followersBorn and raised in Arizona, I guess you'd call me a desert rat. Well, actually, I'd be a desert rat that loves the mountains and lakes. Arizona gives me great pleasure, because if I'm not at the computer writing or buried nose deep in a book you'll find me on a four-wheeler, or a jet ski, or being pulled behind my 26’ Monterey boat on an oblong tube called a ‘hot dog’ laughing my ass off. In fact, my family says I have an unnerving cackle cutting through the waves--similar to a witch!
Yes, that's right this witch has a family... Bill is my wonderful husband of twenty-two years. Tia, Samantha and Ashley are my three beautiful girls and my greatest accomplishments to date. And the light of my life is a devilishly handsome grandson, Dusty.
As writing is a passion with many—it’s an obsession with me. Who knew that the wild things going on in my head someone would actually read? But I'm thankful you do and I hope you find joy and entertainment in my sometimes—okay most of the time—risqué ramblings.
Yes, that's right this witch has a family... Bill is my wonderful husband of twenty-two years. Tia, Samantha and Ashley are my three beautiful girls and my greatest accomplishments to date. And the light of my life is a devilishly handsome grandson, Dusty.
As writing is a passion with many—it’s an obsession with me. Who knew that the wild things going on in my head someone would actually read? But I'm thankful you do and I hope you find joy and entertainment in my sometimes—okay most of the time—risqué ramblings.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 21, 2011
Since these are short stories, I'm going to try to give a short individual review for each one.
The Last Prophecy - Jennie Andrus
4 Stars
This one was a pretty fun PNR/thriller. It's gets an extra star just because the sexy hero is also a shape-shifting moose! Who thinks up stuff like that? Evidently Jennie Andrus.
Ritual Love - Kate Davies
2.5 Stars
Well, it was short. I don't know if it was so short that it didn't have enough time to develop any kind of relationship between the two characters, or if it's only saving grace was that it was mercifully short. I really couldn't understand how she could make such a huge decision to say with him (I should probably add that she went back in time to 592 AD) after only one night with the guy.
Babe In The Woods - Lorelei James
5 Stars
This one was soooo good! I loved the chemistry between Becker and Lacy! I wasn't really expecting it to be as funny as it was, either. I had a stupid grin on my face the entire time I was reading. I may have even giggled out loud a few times. So far, this is my favorite, and I will definitely be checking out this author in the near future.
A Touch Of Magic - Cassandra Kane
3 Stars
It's an ok sci-fi romance. Didn't love it, didn't hate it. I thought parts of it seemed kinda cheesy and forced. I think the actual plot could have been interesting if it hadn't been shoved into a short story.
A Warrior's Witch - Mackenzie McKade
4.5 Stars
This one was really fun! It had witches, shape-shifters, an evil cousin, and some sexy men in kilts. What more could a girl ask for? My only complaint is that I would have liked to have seen a few things a teeny bit more resolved in the end. Maybe just an epilogue? Still, it was a great story!
Night Music - Charlene Teglia
3.5 Stars
This one was a solid read, even if it was pretty predictable. I'm kind of vampired out, if you know what I mean, so this didn't hold too much attraction in that respect. It wasn't bad at all, though, and it had a cute little twist at the end.
Ok. Overall, I'd give this collection 4 stars. It's definitely worth the read!
The Last Prophecy - Jennie Andrus
4 Stars
This one was a pretty fun PNR/thriller. It's gets an extra star just because the sexy hero is also a shape-shifting moose! Who thinks up stuff like that? Evidently Jennie Andrus.
Ritual Love - Kate Davies
2.5 Stars
Well, it was short. I don't know if it was so short that it didn't have enough time to develop any kind of relationship between the two characters, or if it's only saving grace was that it was mercifully short. I really couldn't understand how she could make such a huge decision to say with him (I should probably add that she went back in time to 592 AD) after only one night with the guy.
Babe In The Woods - Lorelei James
5 Stars
This one was soooo good! I loved the chemistry between Becker and Lacy! I wasn't really expecting it to be as funny as it was, either. I had a stupid grin on my face the entire time I was reading. I may have even giggled out loud a few times. So far, this is my favorite, and I will definitely be checking out this author in the near future.
A Touch Of Magic - Cassandra Kane
3 Stars
It's an ok sci-fi romance. Didn't love it, didn't hate it. I thought parts of it seemed kinda cheesy and forced. I think the actual plot could have been interesting if it hadn't been shoved into a short story.
A Warrior's Witch - Mackenzie McKade
4.5 Stars
This one was really fun! It had witches, shape-shifters, an evil cousin, and some sexy men in kilts. What more could a girl ask for? My only complaint is that I would have liked to have seen a few things a teeny bit more resolved in the end. Maybe just an epilogue? Still, it was a great story!
Night Music - Charlene Teglia
3.5 Stars
This one was a solid read, even if it was pretty predictable. I'm kind of vampired out, if you know what I mean, so this didn't hold too much attraction in that respect. It wasn't bad at all, though, and it had a cute little twist at the end.
Ok. Overall, I'd give this collection 4 stars. It's definitely worth the read!
May 3, 2008
There are six stories in this 283-page anthology by Mackenzie McKade, Jennie Andrus, Charlene Teglia, Kate Davies, Cassandra Kane, and Lorelei James. My two favorites were the stories by McKande and Teglia. All the stories center around Samhain (Halloween) and involve magic, mayhem, hot sex, and love. Genres range from historical to s/f to contemporary. Definately worth the read!
March 3, 2015
All I will say on this anthology is that all the stories (50 pages each) were entertaining but had no character development or details.
If you like your stories short, to the point and leave the thinking up to the reader, then this is the book for you.
I did enjoy the moose shifter story. You certainly don't see that very often.
If you like your stories short, to the point and leave the thinking up to the reader, then this is the book for you.
I did enjoy the moose shifter story. You certainly don't see that very often.
Read
February 10, 2009I thought this book had some great mystical stories in it. All of the stories were really steamy and well written. My favorites were "The Last Prophecy" and "Ritual Love"
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November 5, 2008Beginnings: A Samhain Anthology by MacKenzie McKade (2006)
October 10, 2009
I have read this twice - what more can I say!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews