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the_novel_approach's review
4.0
3.5 Stars ~ Some people may not care for anthologies, but I love ‘em! I mean, what better way to sample so many new authors out there, or even ones that are established, without bottoming out your pocketbook. The only thing about anthologies is once you start to get into a story, it’s over before you know it! Which can be a bit frustrating.
In Haunted Hotties, I mainly wanted to read it for the spook value, and there were quite a few that didn’t disappoint me. These are the stories that, after reading, I’d be more than willing to try the author again. The characters were intriguing and the plots engaged my interest, as well as surprising me with their endings. I would describe more, but I’m afraid I’d spoil the buildup. A couple of them actually had me looking over my shoulder!
The Fisher Lot by Jessica Chase
It turns out being dared to spend the night in the local “haunted house” might be the best thing that’s ever happened to Barney. 4 stars
A Friendly Ghostbusting by Charles Payseur
An old rival who once humiliated him is not what Cas needs as he sets out to explore an old psychiatric prison. 4 stars
Darkling by Helena Maeve
Eugene tried to warn Caleb and his friends away from Ledwich University, and soon enough they’ll learn… they really should have listened. 4 stars
The Devil’s in the Details by Avery Dawes
Since they died during the Civil War, Oliver and Francis get one night a year together. But they have to be careful or they’ll never get another one. 4 stars
§§§§§§
I like these two stories because of the lighter side they represented. I’ve also read previous works by the two authors. Sadly, they frustrated me because the endings felt rushed.
Everything a Big Bad Wolf Could Want by McKay
This one was a quick, light read. I enjoyed the MCs and especially Whimsy and the ghostly family member, Restraint. Restraint added to the story by bringing these two together with his mischievous pranks. I just wished it had been fleshed out a bit more since it was an interesting plot that felt rushed in the end. 3.5 stars
Casper the Horny Ghost by Rob Rosen
Chris inherits a house that no one in his immediate or distant family wants and upon arriving at his future home, he meets his spectral distant cousin, Casper. I’m not sure if I liked the relationship that followed after these two get together since the outcome seems a bit sad. But I like the light-heartedness the author threw into the writing of the story. 3.5 stars
§§§§§§
Now, the next two stories had plots that would have had a higher rating if they’d been more fleshed out in detail.
Necromantic by Dakota Caudill
This is my first F/F story and not knowing what to expect, I found that it was quite interesting. I was surprised how the plot drew me in, and loved the part when Emily proved to Kaitlyn that she was a Necromancer by bringing Kaitlyn’s beloved pug, Samp, back from the grave. I thought it was strange but cute that Samp was just a pile of bones shaped like a dog that eventually filled out more with flesh. The ending was a bit weird with Kaitlyn’s mother being a witch hunter, and what happened to Emily. 3 stars
The Man in Green by Elizabeth Caldwell
Richard Harmison plans to turn his newly acquired property into a spa hotel with an 18-hole golf course for his guests. The only problem is the location of the planned golf course is loaded with a bunch of old trees. While visiting the local pub, he learns of the legend of the Man in Green who dwells in that particular forest of trees, and it’s not long after that he starts to have erotic dreams of him… Yes, the Man in Green had other ideas, like seducing Richard, and it was no surprise who Jay really was when the two first met. 3 stars
§§§§§§
As for the rest… They ended up not being my cup of tea. The plots and the characters just didn’t do it for me.
Haunts Old and New by Jessica Payseur
Rosalie doesn’t like the new ghost that’s in her house and yet, she can’t seem to stay away from her. 1 star
Open by Louisa Bacio
Martina keeps trying to pretend that everything is fine, but the ghosts in her new B&B are just as determined to get her attention. 1 star
§§§§§§
The majority of the stories in Haunted Hotties didn’t disappoint me, and I wouldn’t mind reading a couple of the stories again around Halloween, just for the scare value.
Reviewed by Kim for The Novel Approach Reviews
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.com/review-haunted-hotties-volume-two-from-torquere-press/
In Haunted Hotties, I mainly wanted to read it for the spook value, and there were quite a few that didn’t disappoint me. These are the stories that, after reading, I’d be more than willing to try the author again. The characters were intriguing and the plots engaged my interest, as well as surprising me with their endings. I would describe more, but I’m afraid I’d spoil the buildup. A couple of them actually had me looking over my shoulder!
The Fisher Lot by Jessica Chase
It turns out being dared to spend the night in the local “haunted house” might be the best thing that’s ever happened to Barney. 4 stars
A Friendly Ghostbusting by Charles Payseur
An old rival who once humiliated him is not what Cas needs as he sets out to explore an old psychiatric prison. 4 stars
Darkling by Helena Maeve
Eugene tried to warn Caleb and his friends away from Ledwich University, and soon enough they’ll learn… they really should have listened. 4 stars
The Devil’s in the Details by Avery Dawes
Since they died during the Civil War, Oliver and Francis get one night a year together. But they have to be careful or they’ll never get another one. 4 stars
§§§§§§
I like these two stories because of the lighter side they represented. I’ve also read previous works by the two authors. Sadly, they frustrated me because the endings felt rushed.
Everything a Big Bad Wolf Could Want by McKay
This one was a quick, light read. I enjoyed the MCs and especially Whimsy and the ghostly family member, Restraint. Restraint added to the story by bringing these two together with his mischievous pranks. I just wished it had been fleshed out a bit more since it was an interesting plot that felt rushed in the end. 3.5 stars
Casper the Horny Ghost by Rob Rosen
Chris inherits a house that no one in his immediate or distant family wants and upon arriving at his future home, he meets his spectral distant cousin, Casper. I’m not sure if I liked the relationship that followed after these two get together since the outcome seems a bit sad. But I like the light-heartedness the author threw into the writing of the story. 3.5 stars
§§§§§§
Now, the next two stories had plots that would have had a higher rating if they’d been more fleshed out in detail.
Necromantic by Dakota Caudill
This is my first F/F story and not knowing what to expect, I found that it was quite interesting. I was surprised how the plot drew me in, and loved the part when Emily proved to Kaitlyn that she was a Necromancer by bringing Kaitlyn’s beloved pug, Samp, back from the grave. I thought it was strange but cute that Samp was just a pile of bones shaped like a dog that eventually filled out more with flesh. The ending was a bit weird with Kaitlyn’s mother being a witch hunter, and what happened to Emily. 3 stars
The Man in Green by Elizabeth Caldwell
Richard Harmison plans to turn his newly acquired property into a spa hotel with an 18-hole golf course for his guests. The only problem is the location of the planned golf course is loaded with a bunch of old trees. While visiting the local pub, he learns of the legend of the Man in Green who dwells in that particular forest of trees, and it’s not long after that he starts to have erotic dreams of him… Yes, the Man in Green had other ideas, like seducing Richard, and it was no surprise who Jay really was when the two first met. 3 stars
§§§§§§
As for the rest… They ended up not being my cup of tea. The plots and the characters just didn’t do it for me.
Haunts Old and New by Jessica Payseur
Rosalie doesn’t like the new ghost that’s in her house and yet, she can’t seem to stay away from her. 1 star
Open by Louisa Bacio
Martina keeps trying to pretend that everything is fine, but the ghosts in her new B&B are just as determined to get her attention. 1 star
§§§§§§
The majority of the stories in Haunted Hotties didn’t disappoint me, and I wouldn’t mind reading a couple of the stories again around Halloween, just for the scare value.
Reviewed by Kim for The Novel Approach Reviews
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.com/review-haunted-hotties-volume-two-from-torquere-press/
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