First Love

by J.E. Feldman (Editor)

Everyone has had a first love. The one they had new experiences with and the one they can’t forget. Whether it be the boy next door, a loyal princess, or a supernatural being, all of these stories have two things in common: love at first sight and elements of fantasy.

Featuring stories by Meg Boepple, Sofi Laporte, Kathryn St. John, Zoey Xolton, Melinda Kucsera, A.R. Johnston, Simon Dillon, A.M. Cummins, Edeline Wrigh, D.S. Durden, A.D. Carter, and Galina Trefil.

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 28, 2019

About the author

When not penning the next novel, J.E. Feldman focuses on mentoring authors and raising money for charity. The literature world is merely one facet of her life. Feldman haunts car shows, anime conventions, medieval fairs, and whatever else catches her attention.

She enjoys road trips ripe with history, crocheting blankets for the homeless, and can be found reading in cramped bookstores.

Website: www.jefeldman.com
Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/dragonqueen321
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/jefeldman
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dragon_queen321

Author of more than 200 titles.

Reviews

[Eugenia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though not much of a short story farm, I had a fantastic time reading the anthology. My absolute favorite stories were A Season’s Time, Papercut, and The Rusalka of the Murashka. Mayhap I’m biased because i like stories with a folk and fairy tale twist , or it may be that I love stories set in nature, or perhaps I simply loved the strong and surprisingly well fleshed out female characters in each story and wanted them to get everything they wanted. But either way, my reading time was well spent with Shargorod’s little river, Chimney’s dreamscape and a nyad’s forest.

[Seraphia Bunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Love: Epic Romance Anthologies is a beautiful collection of first love romance stories. This anthology is chock full of a variety of sweet romance novels by twelve different authors. Most of these stories presented by these authors are sweet, romantic and have a happy ending, but I will warn you that there is some heartbreak scattered throughout. While some might frown on this I find it refreshing, because at the end of the day…no matter how sweet the romance…not every story has a happy ending.
Message in a Bottle by Meg Boepple is the first story in this anthology and this story is short, sweet, but an enjoyable story. The author takes the reader to the beach on a clean-up job. Moira is the main character in this story, and she is just another volunteer helping to get the beach clean. She makes an unexpected discovery, and in doing so…it ends up being the key to revealing a secret about herself and leading her to the path of her future. This story is sweet, romantic and unexpected. I truly enjoyed the surprises that the author packs in this short story.
Chestnut Woman by Sofi Laporte is another delightful short story, but it is one that I’m sure many can relate to in some form or another. You’re on the subway/bus/etc. and you glimpse that handsome stranger. You want so to speak, but you’re too shy…well, that is exactly Pamela’s story. I truly enjoyed Pamela’s story because of how well I could relate to her story. The fantasy twist is wonderfully done in this story and in a fun expected way. I can easily and happily say that this story has a happy ending and I appreciate that the author gives the reader some follow-up with what happens years later with Pamela.
A Season’s Time by Kathryn St. John is a beautiful story about a young man who has close family ties, but due to life he goes off to college and distance comes between them. When the opportunity arises though he goes back to help out his grandparents at their bed and breakfast. I love the family ties in this story, it’s heartwarming and sweet. A legend comes to life when Bastian meets a mysterious young woman in the woods. He makes small discoveries about her, but it’s when he is told the legend of the woods that things begin to come together for him as to who/what she really is. This story is beautiful, but sadly…it is tragic as well. Love blooms and grows only to be tragically cut short. Grab some tissues. You’re going to need them.
Once in a Blue Moon by Zoey Xolton is a whirlwind fantasy/paranormal romance. Young Faith is a librarian who one night at closing time hears a conversation that leads to her whole life is changed. She discovers that vampires are real, receives an invitation to a ball, and her entire future is changed. This story is short, fast-paced. I will admit that I would love to know more that happens after this short story ends. It’s easy to say that I devoured this story.
Caught in a Glance by Melinda Kucsera is a unique fantasy novel, but for me, it’s also the oddest one. We don’t get a lot of information about one of the main characters, Shade. The story is both engaging and vague at the same time. There is the love at first sight, but this story leads me to believe that it turns into unrequited love for Shade. This story is unique, strange and in my opinion, ends with a bit of a cliffhanger. The author leaves me curious as to what has transpired between the characters and what is possibly going to happen next.
Twin Flames by A.R. Johnston is a fantasy romance with dragon shifters. They’ve been cursed by a daemon, and they fear that the current generation will never have their connection to their dragons and that the next will never hatch. The dragon prince can feel that his fated one is near, but his love must be reciprocated in order for the curse to be broken. This is an engaging story, with a couple of moments of where you wonder…will things work out? For me, the story gets a little confusing in a couple of places, but I enjoyed it from beginning to end.
Papercut by Simon Dillon is a beautiful fantasy romance that while not as engaging as the others are still well done. Gabriel is a young boy who is a Jehovah’s Witness. His life is very strict and ruled by his mother. Gabriel dreams of a paper girl, but is never able to communicate with her, until one day he takes a chance and in doing so gets a papercut. Then things change. I like the blending that the author takes with this story. The author takes fantasy and has the fantasy blend over into the real world. While there are tragic consequences this story does have a happier ending.
Savage by A.M. Cummins takes us back in time to the settler days when white men and Indians weren’t on the best of terms. The main character Drew is out to prove himself to his family that he’s good for something. Things take an unexpected twist when in a moment of fear of weakness he takes a life. He quickly discovers the mistake he has committed and decides to take responsibility for his action. This is an interesting romance novel, but one with not a lot of fantasy written into it. For me, this story felt more like a regular romance with an odd ending.
Of Seals and Storms by Edeline Wrigh is a short story that gives the reader a unique fantasy creature that isn’t seen often. The author starts this story off intense…a storm is brewing and a young woman wishes to save those whom she can. Mairi isn’t what she seems and she knows that the ocean is angry. Something was taken from the ocean and something was taken from her, and she is the only one who can stop it all. This story is fast-paced, engaging and with just a hint of romance. I have to say that this story’s ending has yet another bittersweet ending, but for me…a hint of hope as well.
Lonely Oni by D.S. Durden takes on a more futuristic turn in this story. The world has changed and the rich have gotten richer and the poor poorer. Night is falling and Karlyle is awoken by a robotic voice. She’s living on the streets and “loitering” is unacceptable. She’s far from slums she calls home and decides to take a “shortcut.” Things go a bit south, and she ends up in serious danger. An Oni or Mohrakine finds her, and so begins Karlyle’s new life. This is an interesting short story. There isn’t a lot of detail and background in the story, but it kept me engaged.
A Forbidden Union by A.D. Carter is an engaging story full of fantasy, surprises and twists. A prince is on a mission with his father to secure trade routes during times of war. A young woman is a prisoner catches his eye, and he steps in to stop her abuse. When he gains the opportunity to learn her story, he does so and decides to step in when the opportunity presents itself. This story is fast paced and engaging. The twists kept me engaged and it was an enjoyable read.
The Rusalka of the Murashka by Galina Trefil is probably the darkest and eerily maybe my favorite of the first love fantasy stories. The author starts the story off with a life being taken, and a young woman finding that her life is at an end. Trust is what did her in, but there is more to come. The twist that the author throws in is one that I never could have seen coming and I truly enjoyed how this story came together.
I am rating this anthology 5 out of 5 stars. Each of the stories the authors give their readers is unique provides us with romance (some more, others less) but each are enjoyable.

[Anna Schoenbach · Rating 4 out of 5]

"First Love" is a well put-together anthology by Dragon Soul Press. It has a broad selection of characters, romance, mystical creatures, and... even diverse endings.

There is a semi-intentional theme of water - a lot of water creatures make an appearance - but its more than just mermaids and selkie (though they are there.) From the black-hearted Rusalka to the passionate dragon shifter to the nocturnal sinisterness of the vampire, and even the grace and innocence of a dryad, it draws inspiration from all of the elements and from many different mythological traditions.

Of romance, too: You have the more traditional story of "Message in a Bottle," where fate draws the two lovers together, and they must overcome their own hang-ups to be together. You also have "Once in a Blue Moon," where the beautiful but shy heroine is swept off her feet into a new world of opulence and night.

You have the sweet heartbreak of "A Season's Time" and "Of Seals and Storms," where the ending is not so happy but still warms the soul with its poignancy.

But then you also have the darker "Caught in a Glance" and "The Rusalka of the Murashka," where the future is not so rosy, and the endings leave you uneasy about what will happen next.

My favorite stories from "First Love" are "Papercut" by Melinda Kucsera and "Chestnut Woman" by Sofi Laporte, and they definitely share a theme: In both, the protagonists aren't brought together by fate, magic, irresistible hotness, or any other supernatural pull. Instead, the supernatural element is just a tool to help them do it themselves. The magic becomes a sort of "dumbos feather," giving the characters the boost that they need to be their best selves... and then, it's up to them to live their lives, be that finding romance or a new and fulfilling job. I appreciate that the characters are imperfect and human, that the magic really only jumpstarts them and gets them over the first few hurdles, and that the rest of their lives are up to them. It's very inspiring -- coming out of both stories, I felt strongly inspired to take my life by the horns and make it better myself. No more cowering in the corner. No more excuses. Few stories really inspire me, but these... did.

So, why did I rate it 4 stars out of 5? Honestly, I wish I could rate it 4.5 stars.

I really enjoyed this anthology, but some of the stories used tropes that were not to my taste. I'm not a fan of protagonists who are complete blank-slates or who turn into the perfect man or woman the moment the relationship is secured. I'm not a fan of completely helpless protagonists, either, and want some consistency and coherence in my magic systems. Some of the stories did have these problems.

However, this is such a personal and picky reference that I'm not going to name them outright. They may be your cup of tea, and, overall, I felt that these were a good set of stories, and they definitely fed my romance and fantasy needs. I'm very likely to pick up this anthology again and read it through end to end.

[CoffeeMom H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This anthology is about first love and experiences. All the authors in this selection are wonderful but my favorite was Twin Flames by AR Johnston. was amazing. This is the first story I have read of hers and I can't wait to read more! The characters, Dominique and Josh, are so well written and complex that in a page or two you will have a strong connection with them. You will laugh and cry with them as the twists and turns will not let you put it down until you have read the last page. AR Johnston has a way of sucking you into the story and keeping you entertained the whole time you are reading. Now I am not into spoilers but if you love Dragon shifters this is a must read.

[Kelli Pizarro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not your average love stories

A wonderful blend of writing in this anthology.
I want to comment specifically on Galina Trefil's piece, The Rusalka of the Murashka.
This tale was one of tragedy and misplaced trust, woven together by strings of cultural appreciation and polished by the hand of a skilled writer.
Trefil tells the tale of a girl whose first love blooms in the town of Sharhorod. The story in its entirety is told from the waters of the Murashka River, and is a by hauntingly great read. I had never heard of the rusalki before, and am intrigued to know more.
The book is worth the buy for that story alone.
However, I would recommend grabbing a warm blanket, a beverage of choice, and reading all the stories. Who doesn't love tales of first love?

[Celena Janton · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first started reading the First Love Anthology, I meant to only peruse for a bit but I started with the last story and couldn't put it down! I read them from last to first and was pretty blown away by the talent and variety of so many authors I hadn't heard of before. My favorite stories were Chestnut Woman by Sofi Laporte, A Season's Time by Kathryn St. John, and Papercut by Simon Dillon. Most of them were contemporary with a fantasy twist, which I LOVE. I really like being able to just pick up a book and read a gripping story in one sitting. I can't wait for more anthologies from Dragon Soul Press! This one was my first and I am hereby hooked!

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great! I especially loved the story by A.R. Johnston, I can’t wait to read more of her work!