Review: On the Hunt (anthology)

On the Hunt (The Sentinels #2.5)

by Alexandra Ivy, Rebecca Zanetti, Dianne Duvall, Hannah Jayne

 

Blurb:

 Four of today’s most intriguing paranormal authors entice readers deep into the shadows, where vampires, immortals, and other supernatural creatures heat up the night...

On The Hunt by Alexandra Ivy

Mika Tanner has loved Bailey Morrell, a beautiful Healer, since childhood. But his duty as a Sentinel, a supernatural guardian of an ancient race, clashed with her rebellious spirit. Now a dangerous new anarchist group not only threatens life as they know it—but any chance of their being together again...

Scorpius Rising by Rebecca Zanetti

With a deadly disease spreading like wildfire across the country, microbiologist Nora Medina needs to focus all her energy on stopping the pandemic. Playing with dynamite—in the form of her way-too-hot ex—is the last thing she should be doing. ​But forced to work with Deacan McDougall against unexpected enemies with the seconds ticking by, she knows the explosion is coming...

Phantom Embrace by Dianne Duvall

Immortal Yuri Sokolov was born with the ability to see spirits, yet he's never seen one as lovely as Cat Seddon, the woman who haunts his home and his dreams. But amid their star-crossed love, a new danger may have Yuri facing a different kind of eternity.

Stake Out by Hannah Jayne

Vampire fashion designer Nina LaShay has a lot on her plate—just two days until fashion week and the model who was flirting with her photographer boyfriend is now a corpse in her studio. But when dead turns into undead and dangerous, Nina must find out who’s responsible…before the beautiful baby vamp takes too many bites out of the Big Apple.

Themes:  paranormal, anthology

Rating: 4 stars (overall)
Heat Rating:
Review:

On The Hunt by Alexandra Ivy

Rating: 4 stars
Heat Rating:

Well the amazing and talented Alexandra Ivy strikes again with her heartfelt love story and sensual reunion of two characters that have been separated by their own insecurities for far too long.  I have enjoyed learning about the world Ivy has created with the Sentinels series and meeting each new and exciting couple.  Mika and Bailey’s story was intense and touched on a lot of subjects, not the least of which was that sometimes you just have to trust in your heart even though your head tells you something different.  Bailey was an intriguing mix of vulnerability and strength, believing wholeheartedly in her mission to protect and heal all who need her gift, but at the same time not understanding how special she is to Mika, even though she drives him crazy.  Mika was the perfect alpha hero, one that can kick ass and get shit done, but at the same time woo and romance his woman.  I loved seeing these two find their way back to each other and find a way to handle their differences and goals.  I cannot wait for the next book in the series and if it’s not Wolfe’s book I demand that happen soon. ;)

Scorpius Rising by Rebecca Zanetti

Rating: 4.5 stars
Heat Rating: 

Wow that was some serious scary all too real biological danger shoved into a romance novella!  Being a science major I often have issues with the science behind stories like this, but Zanetti has made it entirely believable that the world is coming to an end with a serious outbreak.  Deacan and Nora obviously have some serious issues going into this relatively short story, being ex-spouses and all, but it is apparent immediately that times they are a changing and Deacan is ready to get back the only woman he has ever loved. When she is swooped off the beach in Maui, Nora never realized that the world was about to come crashing down around her, but having Deacan at her side, though admittedly confusing at first, gives her the solid support she needs.  The love between them is one that can stand the test of just about anything and Rebecca definitely puts them through their paces with this story.  Deacan hasn’t always been the man that Nora needed in the past, but as the disease they are battling spreads rapidly around them and the danger to Nora increases exponentially, Deacan knows there is nothing he won’t do to keep her safe and healthy.  I must say that while Rebecca’s definitely skilled in writing her heroes, her villains are also a force of nature too; really who else could come up with the “villain” in this story.  I am looking forward greatly to seeing where this story leads and what the fallout from this one short week of deadly outbreak.

Phantom Embrace by Dianne Duvall

Rating: 4 stars
Heat Rating:

Ok so let’s get real here, there was no way Dianne was going to sell me on a romance story where one of the lovers was a ghost, so I went into this one with an amazing amount of skepticism, but being part of my favorite series I knew I couldn’t skip it.  And, wow, did she make an ass out of me for assuming that she couldn’t pull it off.  First I have to say that this series is one I have loved from the very beginning, mainly because of Dianne’s skill with writing her characters and making her plots so believably unrealistic.  The ways she brings her characters together against all odds, while still having them kicking ass against both vampires and immoral humans is a thing of beauty, so if you haven’t picked up the series I demand you do so NOW.  That being said Yuri and Cat’s story was one that had me crying a lot even as I fell in love right along with them.  Yuri was a sweet and unassuming kind of guy, obviously falling in love with Cat even though they weren’t able to have a truly physical relationship, bringing to mind the love stories of the 18^th century when lovers can together first in their minds.  Cat, being a ghost and all, never imagined she would find love with Yuri, but love always finds a way.  Cat was a sweet girl and a good match for Yuri with her intelligence and fierce protectiveness.  Though the ending was a bit sad, more than anything it was a poignant reminder that while there is sadness in life there can also be joy and love in the strongest of places if we just remember to look with our hearts.  I am dying to know what happens next for these warriors and see some new immortals fall under the blade of love.

Stake Out by Hannah Jayne

I did not read this portion of the anthology as it is a part of a long standing series that I have never read.  

*eARC provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.