Christmas Cocoa Murder, by Carlene O'Connor, Maddie Day and Alex Erickson

Christmas Cocoa Murder by Carlene O'Connor

My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

I honestly got this book for the Maddie Day story. I enjoyed it very much. It's always fun to visit South Lick, IN and Robbie's Country Store.

The Carlene O'Connor story actually made me want to go back and read some more of her series. I'd only read the first few before this short story. Now I want to know more about Siobhán and her family, though the whole Macdara thing at the end was slightly baffling.

The most surprising story was Alex Erickson's. I've not been able to really get into his series, so the fact that I really liked this literally locked room mystery was a bonus, since I almost didn't even bother to read it!

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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Urban Enemies

Urban Enemies edited by Joseph Nassise

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I saw this book on NetGalley and eagerly requested it, since I like a lot of the authors with stories in it.

I admit to being somewhat disappointed. As others have said, the Butcher story is not new. I'd read it in another anthology, though I did like it. And while I normally love everything from Seanan McGuire, this story from the POV of a cuckoo just wasn't what I was hoping for. I'd rather have seen a story from the POV of the Covenant, but that's just me.

All in all, they were good stories, and it was interesting to see things from the other side, but I still prefer the main characters I know and love. I did get a few new to me authors to look into, and that's always great.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley.*


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The Best of Subterranean

The Best of Subterranean by William Schafer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

I like to read anthologies, because I always find new authors to try. But like most anthologies, not every story appealed to me. Some were excellent, and I will be searching out work by the author. Some, not so much.

But if you enjoy sci-fi/fantasy, you will find something in here for you. The stories are diverse, from horror to urban fantasy. Find what appeals to you and read it! As a result, some stories hit, some missed.

Almost all of these authors were new to me, with Kelley Armstrong being the only one I had read anything (everything!) by. Yes, that also means I am one of the few folks on the planet who has not read or watched Game of Thrones. I stick pretty much to urban fantasy, so some of these stories were certainly out of my comfort zone. But that's a good thing. Now I have more authors to look for and a wider range to read!

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley.*

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