Winter Magic – where warmth and cheer and all good things associated with the festivities of this magical season are set to make your hearts glow. The Winter Magic anthology features six shifter stories from some of your favorite eXtasy Book authors. Let romance work its magic for you this winter.
Alpha Challenge by Liz Kay 4.5 Hearts I’m not a huge enemies-to-lovers-trope fan, but this one I could totally get with. Probably because only one of the MC’s saw an enemy, while the other was just plain fascinated. It made for a fun dynamic between Juri and Phoenix. Plus, bears. Juri believes he’s destined to take over the clan his father has been alpha of for years and I had to respect his belief because he wasn’t just some overbearing alpha dickhead, it was obvious he loved his clan and his family so he wanted to honor them by leading. Buuuut, he didn’t expect Phoenix to come along and challenge him. The author did a great job of making two alphas work especially given the outcome of the challenge. I’ll be down for reading more of this author’s shifter stories after meeting Yuri and Phoenix.
Challenge the Sun by Deja Black 3.5 Hearts Dimitri and Eric are an interesting couple. Dimitri is a goblin and a bit of a prick. Eric is ex-military who’s moving on with his life after recovering from an injury received while serving. Dimitri has some misconceptions about what strength and courage are and we’re given enough backstory about him to understand his thinking organically. So, while he’s incredibly frustrating, he has an undeniable appeal. Eric is frankly too good for Dimitri for much of the story, but he’s seriously attracted to the dumbass so figures a one time thing will be fine and then he can move on. Thing is, neither of them can move on and it takes some external action for the two of them to come together again and for Dimitri to finally get some awareness. It’s too bad he had to figure it out by seeing Eric be a badass rather than just getting to know him and recognizing his strength, but I’m guessing that’s not a goblin thing. The sparks between these two were awesome and when two kinks align you know you’re going to get a good story.
Liam by Suede Delray 3.5 Hearts While I loved the unique premise of Liam, I did kind of feel like I missed a good chunk of story. I wasn’t lost in what was happening at all, but it did read like I was dropped in well after the story started. I inferred a lot of things, but it wasn’t too tough to figure out, but I would have liked a more well rounded beginning. All that being said, the meat of the story was great and I would love to read this as a novella at least. We scratched the surface of some great characters and I would love to just get a whole lot more of everything.
Melting His Fiery Heart by Charlie Richards 3 Hearts I haven’t read any of the Wolves of Stone Ridge stories and so I went into Melting His Fiery Heart blind. It’s a fated mate stories that hits all the nails that make those stories fly. Instant attraction, instant boners, instant boning; it’s all there. I liked that I got a little bit of Riley’s personality before he met Dagskon because after that it was all mating all the time. They did have some activities with the rest of Dagskon’s family and their friends and an obligatory villian to keep things moving, but I could have done without the action and would have preferred to spend time getting to know Riley and Dagskon separately and together. I think I would have really liked both of them and they would have been fun to watch as they got to know one another.
Red Run Rescue by Lynn Michaels 3 Hearts Again, I loved the setup of this one, but felt like I was missing out on a chunk of the story. Rory and Donner have two new fawns and it’s apparent they are a relatively new couple, so there should be a lot for me to learn as not too far into the story Donner is leaving to rescue another deer shifter (and it’s obviously a trap set by wolves) and Rory stays behind to watch their two little ones and prepare for the Yule celebration. I was told enough about the council and wolves in passing, so I get that the former is clueless and the latter is evil, but that’s pretty much it. Which was fine for a short story, but I would have liked more dynamics between Rory and Donner when they were not in stress mode. I liked them both very much and it was obvious they loved each other deerly (See what I did there? That started out as a typo). Anywho, I loved the little snippets of the Yule tradition and how loving Rory and Donner were towards one another, a full story of that would be lovely.
The Vacation From Hell by Catherine Lievens 2.5 Hearts Much like Melting His Fiery Heart, The Vacation From Hell is part of a much larger universe so I didn’t have a lot to go on when I started. There are six MCs and frankly, that’s a lot to wrap my brain around for a short story. I stopped trying to keep it all together and just let the banter and action flow. One half of each mated pair has some sort of paranormal ability and works for some sort of assassin agency or something or other. My apologies for butchering the setup and dynamics, but honestly, going in blind, this is all I had to work with. Basically the three couples decide to take a much needed vacation to a luxury cabin that turns out to be anything but and they get an unwelcome visitor who causes shenanigans and gives the assassin dudes a chance to do covert things. I may not have known what was really going on most of the time, but I do know the story had a happy ending, so, yay happy ending!
I really wish it had said in the description that these are continuing stories from previous anthologies. Stories in anthologies usually fall under one of there times. Stand-alone stories with a similar theme, side stories or extra snippets from established series, or introductory stories to a series soon to be released. What I thought I was getting based on the description was stand-alone shifter stories with the theme of winter. I hadn't read any previous work by any of these authors and was hoping to get a taste of their writing style and hopefully find a new author or two to start following. I quickly realized that these were ongoing stories from previous series (a second couple getting together in an already established world, an established couple having another adventure, etc). So before even finishing the anthology I was off researching the series I wanted to continue to order more books from that series. I can't express how annoyed I was to figure out that there were no actual books in the series, the previous parts in the series were in the other season-type anthologies. So now, to continue the two series I really liked, instead of just buying the books from those two authors, I have I buy the anthologies with the works of all 6 authors just to get tiny 50 page snippets of the stories I really want. I'm just not sure at this point that I can invest my limited money into only getting 50 pages of the stories I really want at a time. It's a brilliant money making strategy of the authors, the other authors can ride the coattails of the author the reader really wants to read, but it sucks for the reader who really just wants more of the one or two stories they really liked.
Of the 6 stories the two that I really liked and would like to follow are:
Red Run Rescue by Lynn Michaels The characters came out really realistic and multi-dimensional. I'm totally rooting for them and want to see more.
The Vacation from Hell by Catherine Lievens Not only are these guys shifters, some of them are assassins working for the Counsel that only send them out to take out really bad guys. The characters and the premise were really fun and again I'd love to see more.
The other stories were just too flat for me. Not enough character depth, not enough of an engaging story line. I never expect all of the stories to really speak to me and 2 out of 6 is a good ratio. I just don't think I have the money to invest in so many more anthologies just to get the few pieces of these stories that I want.
This is a sweet bear shifter romance. It's kind of the enemies to lovers trope. Both MCs are alphas and the story sizzles.
Challenge the Sun
This is a story of a strong goblin warrior who underestimates his human mate based on his physical limitations. It shows that everyone has the potential to be strong enough to belong.
Liam
This is a story about an angel and a mortal man. Of course, the battle between good and evil continues, but the mortal never loses faith. A short, sweet love story.
Melting His Fiery Heart
This is a story of dragon shifters and their fated mates. The story starts off with some serious sexy times. Then there is some action to the story line. Of course, in the end, we get a HEA.
Red Run Rescue
The MCs of this story are red deer shifters. They have a new family, but a distress call puts them all in danger. The birthing MC proves capable, and the herd is increased by a rescue. It is obvious the MCs are a new couple, but a happy Yule is had by all.
The Vacation From Hell
As this anthology is a sequel, I'm not sure if I'm missing important information about the characters in this story or not. It's obvious that at least three of the MCs are shifters of some sort with powers, but I can't tell you what they are. The rental for a weekend getaway is not what is expected, and they have an uninvited guest.
All in all, the anthology is a fun read. I did not feel lost due to it being a sequel, even though at times I felt that there was a back story to some of the secondary characters. But, for several short stories, I thought it was done well.
Happy reading!
* I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. *
Alpha Challenge by Liz Kay (5 Stars) Juri and Phoenix are two alphas bears battling to be The Alpha, but Phoenix also has to battle his attraction to Juri. I loved this sweet and tender story.
Challenge the Sun by Deja Black (5 Stars) This one touched my heart over two words, “You’re broken.” Dimitri has expectations of what his mate is supposed to be, Eric is not only human but uses a cane to walk. Can the two open up and show the other that they are worthy, because neither are perfect.
Liam by Suede Delray (4.5 Stars) A wonderful action story of Liam and Amish. I thoroughly enjoyed this one, but I felt like I was missing something. As if this is already a larger story and I am just reading a part or extension of it.
Melting his Fiery Heart by Charlie Richards (5 Stars) Loved this super quick romance about Riley and Dragskon. I enjoyed that even though it was a quick story that the two seemed to take the mating more seriously, instead of instantly falling in love.
Red Run Rescue by Lynn Michaels (4.5 Stars) I enjoyed this story as I am not use to reading about deer shifters.
The Vacation from Hell by Catherine Lievens (4 Stars) This story started out good and just sort of confused me towards the end? I think there is way more to this story that I’m missing. Again, it’s like this one is apart of another story and I am not understanding all the characters and what they are.
Alpha Challenge: by Liza Kay Juri and Phoenix story was a very good read. Bears
Challenge the Sun: by Deja Black Dimitri and Eric story was a very good read. Goblins
Liam: by Suede Delray Liam and Amish story was a good read. Angel or Demon
Melting His Fiery Heart: by Charlie Richards Riley and Dagskon story was a very good. Dragon
Red Run Rescue: by Lynn Michaels Rory and Donnor story was a very good. Stag
The Vacation from Hell: by Catherine Lievens North and Milo, Roark and Noel, Armand and Beck story was a good read. Assassin
All six stories were good and had steady paces. They kept my interest till the end and hope to read more from the authors. “I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book and was not required to leave a review.” Thank you for sharing your book with us.
Alpha Challenge- Liza Kay 5 stars. Vasiliev family. We have meet the Vasiliev family before in previous shorts such as the book in the Spring Fever Anthology -Catching Kirill, and a Bears Christmas. This time ewe meet Juri Vasiliev and his Mate Phoenix both are Alphas.
Challenge the sun- Deja Black 3 stars Dimitri -Tengu Demon, Eric -Human
Liam - Suede Delray 3 stars Liam and Amish story. Amish is a Angel
Melting his fiery heart WOSR - Charlie Richards 5 stars Riley and Dagkon
Red Run Rescue - Lynn Michaels 4 stars Rory and Donner story.
The Vacation From Hell Wyoming Shifters short stories bk 1- Catherine Lievens 5 stars. Has Roark and Noel, Armand and Beck , Milo and North. short quick story of them having a Vacation!!
All the books were good enjoyable entertaining reads.
This is a fun and entertaining group of stories that I really enjoyed. Two of my favorite authors, Catherine Lievens and Charlie Richards, did an amazing job with their stories and it was great to read something from some new to me authors as well. All of them have intriguing storylines, great characters and are well-written. I look forward to reading more books by all of these authors.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
wow.. this was so many amazing stories and authors.. i loved it.. was every single story amazing? no but most of them were and they were all well written and fun.. well worth the price of this set and i loved it
These were a good mix of fun, well written, nicely paced short stories. There was a lot of heat, with some danger and lots of heart warming love. I'd definitely recommend this book. =)
March 11 Only reading Charlie Richards - Melting His Fiery Heart Continuing the story of the four friends who went on a ski trip. This time it's Riley's turn to meet his dragon mate. Everything happens very quickly from meeting to bonding. Then there is a little time for some snow fields fun before the trouble following Dagskon arrives. We even get a hint at a mate for Kristof. Short, fun and entertaining.
March 17 Liza Kay - Alpha Challenge The continuing story of the Vasiliev brothers. Not at all what I expected. A challenge fight with a reluctant alpha followed by an unwelcome visitor to Juri's room. I didn't enjoy it as much as the previous 2 stories in Bears of Hazel Woods.
I didn't care for this one as much. For a short story it was alright, but there was a lot missing. It was over too fast. Kind of disappointing. Dimitri spent time with his brother and brother in law out of the mountains for a bit. With his brother recently mating with his mate, Dimitri was feeling more like he needed his. And he finally found him. He couldn't hold back and rushed forward to meet Eric as he was coming out of the shop. But his next words made things very awkward. Eric was used to being overlooked or eyed wrong. His injury from the military made things tough. And Dimitri didn't help from the beginning. But he gave him a shot anyway. But Dimitri's actions keep digging at Eric and Eric has had enough. Now Dimitri needs to learn to control his mouth and be considerate or lose his mate forever. Dimitri was so out of whack, bless his heart. He couldn't seem to say the right thing no matter what he did. Every word out of his mouth was another insult. He tried so hard though. He just wanted to be with Eric. And the one night they spent together was everything Dimitri needed. And he couldn't believe Eric knew just what he needed. The chemistry was there. He just had to figure out how to express himself correctly. I liked Eric. He didn't back down from anything. Just because he got injured in the military didn't mean he was incapable of taking care of himself. And he proved himself more than once. He just needed Dimitri to believe in him for anything to work.