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mom2three's review against another edition
5.0
Gifted to the Gladiator by L.V. Lane
I haven't had a chance to dive into all of the stories in this anthology, but it's on my list. I was lucky enough to get my hands on an early copy of L.V. Lane's contribution, and loved every second of it. This story is part of a larger series, Mate for the Alien Master, and mixes two of my favorite tropes - Monsters and Aliens. It's a fast paced story that's full of action, danger, surprises, and sexiness. I loved the characters and the pace of thte story, but I wouldn't be disappointed if it gets extended.
I haven't had a chance to dive into all of the stories in this anthology, but it's on my list. I was lucky enough to get my hands on an early copy of L.V. Lane's contribution, and loved every second of it. This story is part of a larger series, Mate for the Alien Master, and mixes two of my favorite tropes - Monsters and Aliens. It's a fast paced story that's full of action, danger, surprises, and sexiness. I loved the characters and the pace of thte story, but I wouldn't be disappointed if it gets extended.
carrie_e's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This is going to be a rolling review because that’s the way I seem to read anthologies (especially ginormous ones) nowadays.
The Orc Upstairs by C.M. Nascosta - 4 stars - Part of the Talons & Temptations series. This is the story of Lord Efraim Ellingboe (an orc) and Lillie (his human housekeeper) and their path to a situationship in which she agrees to be his mistress. There are some super hot bath times and a historically accurate dressing ring (aka cock piercing). So really, this was an educational text! (Read 03/11/23)
A Plum Job by Evangeline Priest - 3 stars - An orc and the human baker he loves embark on a fake dating relationship that gets very real very fast. The FMC’s parents are a hoot! (Read 04/01/23)
A Calling of Fur and Fate by Dee St Holm - 3 stars - A brief prologue to the beginning of a series. Human fmc with a beastly mmc have their first “encounter” in a goddess induced dream. A little lower on the steam scale than I would prefer, but I am intrigued. (Read 04/15/23)
Bespelled Brews by Elle Cross - 3.5 stars - A witch fmc and 3 orc mmc’s…sharing but sadly no swords cross. (Read 04/30/23)
Tempted: The Fallen by Vivienne Hart - 4 stars - Human fmc and a serpentine mmc with a forked tongue and two peens. This is a first…erm meeting…between the two and is the setup for a future book which I very much want to read. Sort of a wife of a bad man/mob-type meets a fixer/vigilante hero vibe. (Read 05/06/23)
Mastered by the Gladiator by LV Lane - 3 stars - A peen with tentacles, take all of it pet, breeding. Strange for me of all people to say…but I wanted a bit more story. (Read 05/20/23)
The Monster’s Mistaken Bride by Ursa Dax - 5 stars - A mail order bride for monsters? Sign me up! (Read 06/03/23)
You Can’t Get There From Here by C Rochelle - 4 stars - Promising start to a new series involving cryptids! I also love a well read heroine who enjoys the educational aspects of monster romance. (Read 6/10/23)
Dark by Atlas Rose - 3 stars - We’re kinda dropped in here without a lot of backstory. The hero is a Mothman-like creature who is maybe an alien or inter dimensional traveler? (Read 6/10/23)
Curse of the Cyclops by Clio Evans - 4.5 stars - A human woman meets her two Cyclops fated mates in a dragon’s cursed library. Truly living the dream! (Read 6/18/23)
Soul of the Beast by Sonia Nova - 3.75 stars - Kind of a beauty and the beast story although most would consider both MC’s beasts. I liked both MC’s and the story was good but there was a sad lack of boning. (Read 6/24/23)
The Monsters I Desire by Salem Cross - 3.5 stars - Triple demon dick! (Read 07/02/23)
The Clingy Summon by Daisy Shell - 2 stars - More of a story fragment than anything else. And no sexy times to make it worth it. (Read 08/06/23)
Within These Walls by Nova Blake - 4 stars - This is some top tier banana pants bonkersness. Monster house for the win! (Read 08/06/23)
Stone Heart Monster by Eden Ember - 3 stars - Alien gargoyle with double peen. A little too much religious mythology for my taste. (Read 09/04/23)
Orc Tested by Candy Austin - 5 stars - Am I… into pet play? Quite possibly, especially in relation to a why choose with three orcs. Very satisfyingly bloodthirsty. (Read 09/10/23)
The 13th Hour by YD La Mar - 3 stars - I enjoyed the heroine getting railed into the ground by the Jersey Devil because I’m me, but the background story needed fleshing out a little more. Bonus points for the monster dildo collection and sexy BFF times. (Read 09/16/23)
Tooth, Fang & Claw by Cassie Alexander- 4 stars - A vampire, werewolf, and double donged dragon shifter, oh my! This seems to be a connector between two series that I haven’t but would definitely read. Monster poly is a fave! (Read 09/24/23)
Yearning for the Dark by Alexa H Michaels - 3.75 stars - Kraken complete with tentacles and suckers! (Read 09/30/23)
The Demon’s Faerie Mate by Elizabeth Austin - 3 stars - Demon with 2 dongs/tail/knot and a Faerie princess with a magic 😻. More of a HFN with an abrupt ending. (Read 10/21/23)
Heart of a Satyr by Cara Wylde - 3.75 stars - A satyr-like alien finds his soulmate in a human woman. Slightly bittersweet in that to be together, one of them must be forever separated from their world and family. (Read 10/29/23)
Live, Laugh, Lurk by Elsie Winters - 5 stars - Charming mothman/elf romance with bonus knotting. (Read 11/25/23)
Shadow Monster by Karen Kincy - 4 stars - Bonus points for normalizing period sex! (Read 01/12/24)
The Orc Upstairs by C.M. Nascosta - 4 stars - Part of the Talons & Temptations series. This is the story of Lord Efraim Ellingboe (an orc) and Lillie (his human housekeeper) and their path to a situationship in which she agrees to be his mistress. There are some super hot bath times and a historically accurate dressing ring (aka cock piercing). So really, this was an educational text! (Read 03/11/23)
A Plum Job by Evangeline Priest - 3 stars - An orc and the human baker he loves embark on a fake dating relationship that gets very real very fast. The FMC’s parents are a hoot! (Read 04/01/23)
A Calling of Fur and Fate by Dee St Holm - 3 stars - A brief prologue to the beginning of a series. Human fmc with a beastly mmc have their first “encounter” in a goddess induced dream. A little lower on the steam scale than I would prefer, but I am intrigued. (Read 04/15/23)
Bespelled Brews by Elle Cross - 3.5 stars - A witch fmc and 3 orc mmc’s…sharing but sadly no swords cross. (Read 04/30/23)
Tempted: The Fallen by Vivienne Hart - 4 stars - Human fmc and a serpentine mmc with a forked tongue and two peens. This is a first…erm meeting…between the two and is the setup for a future book which I very much want to read. Sort of a wife of a bad man/mob-type meets a fixer/vigilante hero vibe. (Read 05/06/23)
Mastered by the Gladiator by LV Lane - 3 stars - A peen with tentacles, take all of it pet, breeding. Strange for me of all people to say…but I wanted a bit more story. (Read 05/20/23)
The Monster’s Mistaken Bride by Ursa Dax - 5 stars - A mail order bride for monsters? Sign me up! (Read 06/03/23)
You Can’t Get There From Here by C Rochelle - 4 stars - Promising start to a new series involving cryptids! I also love a well read heroine who enjoys the educational aspects of monster romance. (Read 6/10/23)
Dark by Atlas Rose - 3 stars - We’re kinda dropped in here without a lot of backstory. The hero is a Mothman-like creature who is maybe an alien or inter dimensional traveler? (Read 6/10/23)
Curse of the Cyclops by Clio Evans - 4.5 stars - A human woman meets her two Cyclops fated mates in a dragon’s cursed library. Truly living the dream! (Read 6/18/23)
Soul of the Beast by Sonia Nova - 3.75 stars - Kind of a beauty and the beast story although most would consider both MC’s beasts. I liked both MC’s and the story was good but there was a sad lack of boning. (Read 6/24/23)
The Monsters I Desire by Salem Cross - 3.5 stars - Triple demon dick! (Read 07/02/23)
The Clingy Summon by Daisy Shell - 2 stars - More of a story fragment than anything else. And no sexy times to make it worth it. (Read 08/06/23)
Within These Walls by Nova Blake - 4 stars - This is some top tier banana pants bonkersness. Monster house for the win! (Read 08/06/23)
Stone Heart Monster by Eden Ember - 3 stars - Alien gargoyle with double peen. A little too much religious mythology for my taste. (Read 09/04/23)
Orc Tested by Candy Austin - 5 stars - Am I… into pet play? Quite possibly, especially in relation to a why choose with three orcs. Very satisfyingly bloodthirsty. (Read 09/10/23)
The 13th Hour by YD La Mar - 3 stars - I enjoyed the heroine getting railed into the ground by the Jersey Devil because I’m me, but the background story needed fleshing out a little more. Bonus points for the monster dildo collection and sexy BFF times. (Read 09/16/23)
Tooth, Fang & Claw by Cassie Alexander- 4 stars - A vampire, werewolf, and double donged dragon shifter, oh my! This seems to be a connector between two series that I haven’t but would definitely read. Monster poly is a fave! (Read 09/24/23)
Yearning for the Dark by Alexa H Michaels - 3.75 stars - Kraken complete with tentacles and suckers! (Read 09/30/23)
The Demon’s Faerie Mate by Elizabeth Austin - 3 stars - Demon with 2 dongs/tail/knot and a Faerie princess with a magic 😻. More of a HFN with an abrupt ending. (Read 10/21/23)
Heart of a Satyr by Cara Wylde - 3.75 stars - A satyr-like alien finds his soulmate in a human woman. Slightly bittersweet in that to be together, one of them must be forever separated from their world and family. (Read 10/29/23)
Live, Laugh, Lurk by Elsie Winters - 5 stars - Charming mothman/elf romance with bonus knotting. (Read 11/25/23)
Shadow Monster by Karen Kincy - 4 stars - Bonus points for normalizing period sex! (Read 01/12/24)
A Briar Glenn Halloween by Ashley Bennett - 4 stars - I’m always here for Little Red Riding Hood play! (Read 01/12/24)
Devil’s Night by Sabrina Day - 4 stars - Poly romance between a gargoyle-like mmc, kitsune-like mmc, and a fmc with witch blood. I’m not quite clear on how the three of them bonding provides protection against the warlocks who hire the caretakers but whimsy whimsy whimsy. (Read 01/28/24)
Owned by the Alien Rogue by Krista Luna - 4 stars - Fated mate situation with an alien who has a vibrating tail and a knot. (Read 3/16/24)
Alien Tides by January Bell - 3.5 stars - sort of an IPB/Hunger Games/Dating Game mash up with aquatic aliens. (Read 4/6/24)
The Stone and the Star by Jillian Graves - 4 stars - Gargoyle with nubbed tail, forked tongue, and horns. Color me intrigued! (Read 04/13/24)
tj_darkreads's review against another edition
5.0
"Oh, honey, hold my beer."
I read C. Rochelle's story You Can't Get There From Here in this anthology it’s a prequel till the full version comes out. This snark this lady puts in her stories is just something else never a dull hot af moment.
This was a quick and spicy, snarky lil read that I cannot wait to read the full story.
Billie has come back to her family's cabin after 15 year's only to come across something that should make her scared, but oddly enough she's not afraid, because she knows him. That's all I'm saying, you'll just need to check out this antho for it and other stories in it.
I read C. Rochelle's story You Can't Get There From Here in this anthology it’s a prequel till the full version comes out. This snark this lady puts in her stories is just something else never a dull hot af moment.
This was a quick and spicy, snarky lil read that I cannot wait to read the full story.
Billie has come back to her family's cabin after 15 year's only to come across something that should make her scared, but oddly enough she's not afraid, because she knows him. That's all I'm saying, you'll just need to check out this antho for it and other stories in it.
williebenz's review against another edition
4.0
The Stone and the Star is around 15,000 words, featuring a lonely gargoyle, Colossus, and a potter with an exhibitionist streak, Astra. Prepare for gargoyle obsessed with curvaceous mid-size heroine, a super talented artist who needs to relax, and a big purple dildo!
This novelette is connected to the Strange Universe.
Colossus watches over Astra from afar. While watching over her, she’s almost gets attack and he chooses to reveal himself and save her.
Highly recommend reading if you want a hot, sweet and short gargoyle romance.
TW/Tropes
FMC in peril, minor injuries, violence, attempted robbery, explicit sex, monster sex, exhibitionism, voyeurism, gargoyle romance
This novelette is connected to the Strange Universe.
Colossus watches over Astra from afar. While watching over her, she’s almost gets attack and he chooses to reveal himself and save her.
Highly recommend reading if you want a hot, sweet and short gargoyle romance.
TW/Tropes
FMC in peril, minor injuries, violence, attempted robbery, explicit sex, monster sex, exhibitionism, voyeurism, gargoyle romance
spicybookswbb's review against another edition
5.0
I’m so obsessed with this anthology series!
These stories were so good!
There’s something for everyone who love nonhumans, both monsters and aliens.
From the sweet to the dark… all are pretty spicy but some are light spice and some are down right HOT.
Definitely grab this anthology and find you some new authors and series to love.
These stories were so good!
There’s something for everyone who love nonhumans, both monsters and aliens.
From the sweet to the dark… all are pretty spicy but some are light spice and some are down right HOT.
Definitely grab this anthology and find you some new authors and series to love.
kymagirl's review against another edition
5.0
Review for "Orc Tested" by Cady Austin
Alana (h) struggles with all that’s thrown her way from her father’s death, to her mother’s catatonic-like state, and now a lascivious lord with nefarious intentions towards her. Having heard that there’s a trio of orcs camped nearby, Alana seeks them out and tries to bargain with Taurin (H), Varl (H), and Brun (H) to get them to do her bidding. Instead of just getting what she wants, Alana gets what she needs and becomes something much greater through her relationship with her three orcs. Ultra-hot and steamy sexy action with a bit of danger and violence (murder, carnage, threatened sexual assault, and more).
Alana (h) struggles with all that’s thrown her way from her father’s death, to her mother’s catatonic-like state, and now a lascivious lord with nefarious intentions towards her. Having heard that there’s a trio of orcs camped nearby, Alana seeks them out and tries to bargain with Taurin (H), Varl (H), and Brun (H) to get them to do her bidding. Instead of just getting what she wants, Alana gets what she needs and becomes something much greater through her relationship with her three orcs. Ultra-hot and steamy sexy action with a bit of danger and violence (murder, carnage, threatened sexual assault, and more).
ree128's review against another edition
5.0
Monsters I Desire.... I want more...
This review is for Monsters I Desire by Salem Cross. This short story was a quick and spicy read. The FMC was a fitness trainer who was heartbroken and was taking it out on the people she was training. I loved how the author set up the entrance of the shadow demons, a cyclops. It was set up to seem as if something terrible was happening.
When the Cyclops appears and she knows it as Ogen and it calls her CinCin, she doesn't want to give it another chance to break her heart. They explain what happened to them, and the make-up s*x is intense.
This author has a way of making monsters very unique, and you always want more of the story.
This review is for Monsters I Desire by Salem Cross. This short story was a quick and spicy read. The FMC was a fitness trainer who was heartbroken and was taking it out on the people she was training. I loved how the author set up the entrance of the shadow demons, a cyclops. It was set up to seem as if something terrible was happening.
When the Cyclops appears and she knows it as Ogen and it calls her CinCin, she doesn't want to give it another chance to break her heart. They explain what happened to them, and the make-up s*x is intense.
This author has a way of making monsters very unique, and you always want more of the story.
opalescent4026's review against another edition
5.0
The Orc Upstairs by C.M. Nascosta
I can never get enough historical romance from CM! Every new thing I read, I fall more in love with her writing. This was a delightful short story, tied in superbly with How To Marry A Marble Marquis by giving a story to the Earl I was so curious about! I am salivating for more from the Talons & Temptations series, and can’t wait for those release days
I can never get enough historical romance from CM! Every new thing I read, I fall more in love with her writing. This was a delightful short story, tied in superbly with How To Marry A Marble Marquis by giving a story to the Earl I was so curious about! I am salivating for more from the Talons & Temptations series, and can’t wait for those release days
beastreader's review against another edition
4.0
Review for The Demons Faerie Mate by Elizabeth Austin.
This is the third story I have read that takes place in the author's A Step Between Realms world. If you are new to Elizabeth. It is ok if you have not read the other books. They can each by read as standalone stories.
What is nice about this story is that it does give a bit of a peak into the world. I felt that this one was focused more on expanding this world then just about the romance. Which did not happen until the last like twenty percent of the story.
Those scenes involving Enya and Sarkin were spicy. Want to know why you should read monster romances...monster tail = two eggplants.
This is the third story I have read that takes place in the author's A Step Between Realms world. If you are new to Elizabeth. It is ok if you have not read the other books. They can each by read as standalone stories.
What is nice about this story is that it does give a bit of a peak into the world. I felt that this one was focused more on expanding this world then just about the romance. Which did not happen until the last like twenty percent of the story.
Those scenes involving Enya and Sarkin were spicy. Want to know why you should read monster romances...monster tail = two eggplants.