In the Lair: A Fantasy Bridge Anthology

by Jaime Castle, Patty Jansen, D.K. Holmberg

Fantasy Bridge is thrilled to present its first collection from bestselling authors and newly emerging writers. These stories transport you to new and wondrous worlds. Places where dragons roam free and where magic is as natural as blood. From epic battles to the temptations, the exciting stories in In the Lair will thrill, inspire, and keep you up all night wondering what will happen next.

Foreword by Dan Koboldt
"The Song Her Heart Sang" by Steven Savile
"Swordmarked" by David Estes
"Ella Dethroned " by Brandon Barr
"Pickaxe" by Jaime Castle
"Grey" by Chris Pourteau
"Goblin in Love" by Anthea Sharp
"The Broken Jar" by D.K. Holmberg
"Pilgrim" by Benjamin Wallace
"The Grasses of Hazma-Din" Jean Lowe Carlson
"Brutal Beginnings" by Craig Halloran
"The Bone Orcs" by Jonathan Moeller
"The Hawk's Shadow" by M.S. Verish
"Whispering Willows" by Patty Jansen
"The Sword that Spoke" by Robert Jeschonek
"Ranger's Folly" by J.T. Williams
"The Storymaster" by Vincent Trigili

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Genres: Fantasy, Anthologies, Short Stories, Ebooks

379 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 13, 2017

About the author

Jaime Castle hails from the great nation of Texas where he lives with his wife and two children and enjoys anything creative. A self-proclaimed comic book nerd and artist, he spends what little free time he can muster with his art tablet.

Jaime is a #1 Audible Bestseller, Audible Originals author (The Luna Missile Crisis) and co-created and co-authored The Buried Goddess Saga, which includes the IPPY award-winning Web of Eyes.

Fantasy:

The Buried Goddess Saga:
Web of Eyes
Winds of War
Will of Fire
Way of Gods
War of Men
Word of Truth

Dragonblood Assassin:
Black Talon
Red Claw
Silver Spines
Golden Flames (2023/2024)

RAPTORS:
Sidekick
Superteam
Scions
Baron Steele

HARRIER (Raptors)
Justice
The Trench
Invasion

The Black Badge:
Dead Acre
Cold as Hell
Vein Pursuits
Ace in the Hole (2024)

Jeff the Game Master:
Manufacturing Magic
Manipulating Magic
Mastering Magic

Science Fiction:

This Long Vigil
The Luna Missile Crisis

ROGUE STARS:
Purgatory (2024)
Divine Intervention (2024)
Reclamation (2024)

Find out more at www.jaimecastle.com

Reviews

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book of short novels on the recommendation of Jean Lowe Carlson who is a great favourite of mine and whose books I always make sure to read. In fact her short story in this book I had already read and reviewed, however I was pleasantly surprised by all the other short stories some of which I really loved. The reader gets to read about magic, dragons, dwarfs, orcs, fairies, wizards and so much more including a talking sword! I particularly enjoyed the novel Grey by Chris Porteau as he writes about an elderly dragon but with so much respect it was an awesome read as was also the Storymaster by Vincent Trigili who also treated the dragons in his novel with respect. I really hate stories about dragon hunters as I love dragons. The Hawk’s Shadow by M. S. Verish I would like to continue reading as the tale really gripped me, as did also The Sword That Spoke by Robert Jeschonek. Ella Dethroned I had read as a stand-alone book too and reviewed on its own. All in all it’s a great set of novels and really worth the buy as so many good authors are available in one book.

[Georganne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great collection! I loved each story and the group of authors. Each story was full of adventure and suspense. Such a diversion of fantasy stories that made reading them a pleasure. For those who love fantasies some with demons others with dragons, this is the book for you. A great way to learn more about fantasy writers that you may not be familiar. I know I'll be adding to my list of new authors. I received this as an ARC for free, but this has in no way affected my opinion of this book.

[Jaime K]

"The Song Her Heart Sang" by Steven Savile
2 stars
I don't even know what happened. I wasn't interested but could tell it was written well.

"Swordmarked" by David Estes
5 stars
Really intriguing story about a young man marked with a birthmark granting him abilities, and a quest to kill a king. It made me want more and introduced a new series for me.

"Ella Dethroned " by Brandon Barr
4 stars
I had too many questions at the start and the random sex with someone who didn't 100% want it in a secret compartment was bloody weird. It was a long and solid story though.

"Pickaxe" by Jaime Castle
3.9 stars
I don't even know. It was odd but well written about a dragon orb.

"Grey" by Chris Pourteau
2 stars
The convo from the start is obviously old and their friendship means a dragon saves a village, but it was a bit boring.

"Goblin in Love" by Anthea Sharp
1 star
What was that? Super dark with redcap killing but one who doesn't want to kill anymore

"The Broken Jar" by D.K. Holmberg
2.5 stars
It was dark and I'm sad I didn't like this more since I've liked other things by Holmberg.

"Pilgrim" by Benjamin Wallace
5 stars
This was a beautiful historical fantasy with Croatoans, a priest, and indigenous people against a demon.

"The Grasses of Hazma-Din" Jean Lowe Carlson
0 stars
odd and uncomfortable sex story

"Brutal Beginnings" by Craig Halloran
2.5 stars
It took to long for me to realize the MC was hunting something and I didn't care about the world

"The Bone Orcs" by Jonathan Moeller
4.75
This was a really good historical fantasy with some pleasant creepy factors regarding orc's omens

"The Hawk's Shadow" by M.S. Verish
3 stars
This started out strong with brothers with different fathers but then got convoluted, especially since the "Demon" brother had tough to read speech.

"Whispering Willows" by Patty Jansen
2 stars
This has a neat premise but I could not stand the way the people talked or thought.

"The Sword that Spoke" by Robert Jeschonek
4.5 stars
This was interesting and yet a believable look on the evils war brings out in people.

"Ranger's Folly" by J.T. Williams
4.5 stars
This was not the best written thing I've read but has some really great gut punches and an intriguing redemption arc. I'm putting the first of the series on my TBR.

"The Storymaster" by Vincent Trigili
2.75 stars
It was a good story about dragon riders but the prose was overly simplistic and told too much.

[Seraphia Bunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the Lair is an anthology of fantasy short stories. Each author introduces us to a different and unique world with a unique and engaging story. The stories are short but the worlds are engaging and memorable.
The Song Her Heart Sang by Steven Savile is an interesting and engaging short story. This story focuses on, Lukas Meya. Lukas is heartbroken because of a love he believes he has lost and is looking to try and reclaim. Lukas fell in love with a woman who was blind and he asked for a miracle for her. Things change for the both of them when she is healed. Lukas looks for a way to reconnect them and so he goes to seek out the stone called The Song Her Heart Sang. The stone has a unique gift but that’s not the only thing that he finds while on his search.
This story is engaging from start to finish. I was left wanting to know and read more about these characters and the elements of this story. The story is short but to the point and I enjoyed it every step of the way.
The Grasses of Hazma-Din by Jean Lowe Carlson is a unique fantasy scifi story. We’re taken to a distant world where the grasses are sentient. They protect the people who live on the planet and they do so much more. They provide knowledge of the world around them. The main character, Juliette, is being able to experience a once in a lifetime phenomenon, The Night of Black Sun. She has been chosen as one of the ones to participate in it as a Sacrifice.
This story was so well written I wanted to know more about the world that we found ourselves transported to. The uniqueness of the whole planet, the grasses and the beings that inhabit the world all drew me in. There were some confusing elements at times for me but the story was very hard to put down.
These stories are a mix of science fiction and fantasy. I found them to be very enjoyable. All of the authors bring such unique and dynamic characters. There is something for everyone in this anthology of fantasy and science fiction. I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars. I look forward to reading more from these authors in the future.

[Myriam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review for Ella Dethroned by Brandon Barr
This is an incredibly interesting, original, and fast-paced adventure, so full of action that it keeps the reader glued to the pages. This is an origin story of the world of Heart and it occurs quite a while before the beginning of the series.
The main character Ella is a strong believer in the prophecies of the Makers and she will do anything and sacrifice anything, including her life and her throne, to fulfill her role. Rathan, a dedicated soldier, stands by her and protects her with his life, even when it means going against everything he beliefs in, because his belief in Ella is stronger than anything. Quite fascinating really.
The author's writing is beautiful and poetic, even when he describes fights, gore, and death. This was an amazing story and I dived into the series immediately.
The reading order is: Ella Dethroned (Song of the Worlds, #0.5), Rise of the Seer (Song of the Worlds Book 1) (previously published as Her Dangerous Visions, which is not available for purchase any longer), The Bridge Beyond Her World (Song of the Worlds Book 2), and Her Father's Fugitive Throne (Song of the Worlds Book 3), latter two coming soon.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

In The Lair is a collection of 15 short stories from various different fantasy authors, ranging from tales of war or romance, to dragons, elves and even orcs.

I am not normally a fan of short story collections and rarely leave reviews for those that I do read, however I received a free advanced copy of In The Lair in exchange for an honest review.

There were three stories that I particularly enjoyed, those by Jean Lowe Carlson, Jonathan Moeller and Steven Savile, however while some were fairly average, there were also quite a number that weren’t to my taste or needed some better proofreading.

Most of the stories were fairly well-written and intriguing, keeping the reader both invested and amused by the story within.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for free in return for an honest review.
This was an enjoyable book of fantasy short stories. It was written by some very good authors. Most I was familiar with and some were new to me. They covered about all of the fantasy areas from magic to dragons I enjoyed all the stories.
They were well written, the characters well developed, and they kept my interest from the beginning.
Short stories are not my favorite, but these were very well done. I would definitely recommend this to anyone that enjoys
fantasy and short stories.

[The Mysterious Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful collection of books, half by authors I know (all of whom I really enjoy). They include both books that I’d previously purchased in standalone (such as the excellent “Ella Dethroned " by Brandon Bar) and novels totally new to me )(so far the best being "Goblin in Love" by Anthea Sharp, “The Broken Jar" by D.K. Holmberg, “Whispering Willows" by Patty Jansen and “The Grasses of Hazma-Din” by Jean Lowe Carlson). Based on the quality of what I’ve already read and am sure that the rest of the stories will be equally fabulous.

Highly recommended.

[Stephen Levesque · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have read everyone's reviews and I still did not like them. I really don't like short stories and I didn't pay attention when I bought this. I find short stories a waist of my time and there is not enough pages to tell the story properly. I say don't waist your time, get full novels and then you will truly enjoy the stories. I have read a lot of the authors full novels that are found in this set. I have a question: why waist your time writing this junk (meaning short stories)?

[Liza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, it's a collection of short stories. A short story is limited by definition.

The stories involve a range of magical creatures and, sometimes, humans. Some of the stories are complete and some are just asking for another 300 pages.

I admit that I don't read many short stories but these are great stories and well worth reading.

[Lisa Maughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific

What a great little treasure of short reads in this book. Some stories start out slowly then BAM!! Others start out strong and stay that way the entire way through. Some new authors here I haven’t had the pleasure to read before.

[John Walkenford · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great collection

I got this book already a fan of Vince Trigili. I've added four more authors to my reading list because of this collection.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding stories to keep you reading until the early hours of the morning. Who doesn’t love magic and dragons. Don’t miss out. Received a free copy.

[Lisa Maughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little treasure this book is. Some stories start of slow then build to an epic ending. Some start at a heart beating pace and finish at the same pace.