A review by mxphoebesviewpoint
Once Upon a Fairy Tale Night: A Collection of Retellings by Amber Draeger, Becky Murray, Ashley McLeo, Angela Kulig, Romy Lockhard, S.A. McClure, Cassie Leigh, Angela Sanders, Dee Stone, Anna K. Rose, Dara Fraser, Leigh Kelsey, Pepper Paris, Aria Starling, Eliza Grace, Michael W. Huard, Maggie Alabaster, Kelly N. Jane, Deb Christie, C.L. Cannon, Emma Cole, T.K. Barber, Bokerah Brumley, Skyler Andra, L.A. Fox, C.J. Laurence, Dana Lyons, Lacey Carter Andersen, Delilah Rose, Lesley Ann, Edeline Wrigh, C.L. Riley, Eli Constant, Debra-Ann Kummoung, Sheena Austin, Laura Greenwood, Mara Dane, Nova Blake, Ivy Hearne, Margo Bond Collins, Tabitha Barret, L.A. Boruff, Kate Richards, Joanna Mazurkiewicz

5.0

Mercy’s End is what happens after true love and happily-ever-after. May Dawson and Lacey Carter Andersen write such an incredible character in Mercy that when the story ended I was left hungry for more. I love the background, premise, and how it ended. Mind you the ending is messed up and I cannot wait to see how Dawson and Andersen continue Mercy’s story in their new series: Guild of Assassins. Apparently though, we can read more about Mercy in Magic For Dummies (I love that title!).

Anybody who dedicates their story to the “Star-Lord” automatically gets a read! Just saying. I love a headstrong woman who knows what she wants and what she doesn’t want and that is exactly who S.A. McClure has created in The Dark Masquerade. Though let me tell you the tea at this masquerade had my head whirling. Someone should have made a vat of popcorn, sat down, and ran a commentary. Holy sugar! Murder, betrayals, conspiracies, and of course secret kisses. McClure makes this dance one you want to watch.

The inside cover for Fairest: A Snow White Retelling is absolutely amazing. Margo Bond Collins and KM McKenna deliver a fairy-tale retelling like I have not read since Anne Rice wrote the Beauty series. While Snow White sleeps, the Queen and King will play and I do mean that literally. Collins and McKenna provide us with a little BDSM in this fairy-tale along with some intrigue. I loved it!

Collins also pens Ella And The Alien Prince and brings aliens to Earth to save us. What do they want in return? Human women of course! In a love at first sight meeting, Ella and Khai have the chance to make history. They also manage to seal the mating bond in a very sexy way. Diplomacy never went this smoothly when only humans were involved.

I have seen a lot of Robin Hood of Loxley redone this year and Laura Greenwood and L.A. Boruff have still managed to keep this fairy-tale retelling fresh in Outlaw of Ladies. The fight scene is a lot of fun. Great detail in the dress to pants switcheroo, I could visualize perfectly. I have to say that I am most intrigued by a secondary character. I have my guesses and I will have to read on to find out more in Greenwood and Boruff’s new series “Tales of Clan Robbins!”