Eternal Lover [Mass Market Paperback]

The stories in this anthology were very interesting and entertaining to read. I really looked forward to it because of Lynsay Sands, and I was not disappointed. Hannah Howell's story was also very good. It should be pointed out, though, that Sands's and Howell's stories were previously published in the anthology "His Immortal Embrace" with two stories different from "Eternal Lover."

Jackie Kessler's and Richelle Mead's stories are both continuations of previous major releases. I never read these previous stories, and I felt that it would have probably helped to read them before reading the short continuations. Kessler's "A Hell of a Time" is the continuation of "Hell's Bells." Mead's "City of Demons" is the continuation of "Succubus Blues." So, I would suggest that you might get more out of these continuations if you read their prequels first and it would have probably made me appreciate the stories more too.

Overall these stories were enjoyable reads, but after finding out that 2 of the 4 stories were previously published I have become curious to read their first anthology for the other stories they were published with.

Hanna Howell- "The Yearning" This story starts out in Scotland, year 1000 A.D. when a scorned witch named Rona is so deeply angered that her love has chosen someone else to marry and leaves her w/ child. She puts a curse on his descendants and inadvertently damns her own bloodline as well. Fast forward to 1430 B.C. a descendant of Rona, Sophie, has discovered the curse and tries to undo it. For her to be successful, she needs to find and convince one of the remaining bloodline of the cursed to risk everything he believes in and to trust her. Only then will his curse (and hers) be lifted. This story was a cute but predictable and I enjoyed it very much.

Jackie Kessler' "A Hell of a Time" I was a bit disappointed by this short story. It was good but Jezzie seems to be so dependent on Paul and at times seems a little desperate. It's not just that she is flaky but she's an ex-succubus who seems so one dimensional, needy and dense. For someone to have survived for millennias, you'd think she would be a little less bratty. In this story Jezzie and Paul are on a romantic get away and are attacked by a nymph damned to remain in that forest by the King.

Richelle Mead- "City of Demons" This story was the best out of the bunch. Richelle always delivers and never disappoints. Georgina and Seth are off on a little get-a-way weekend until Georgie's boss, Jerome, dumps his obligation on her. Georgie fills in Jerome's duty as a juror in the murder trial of one demon accused of killing another. I love the world Richelle builds. The idea that demons were once angels that had fallen really appeals to me. Georgie gets a once in a lifetime opportunity to sleep w/ Seth w/ no soul sucking repercussions but to get that wish she must do something vile first. Will she risk her hidden goodness to have one night w/ Seth?

Lynsay Sands- "Bitter" In this story Keeran has been bitten by a vampire trying to save his father's life and avenging the death of his mother and sister. He is damned to hell, rejected by his small village and left to walk the earth alone. Two lonely centuries pass before he comes in contact w/ his love-to-be Emily. To finally be free of his loneliness he will have to gain the strength and bravery to let love him. I really enjoyed this little story.

I like the four short stories in this book because they dealt with the "juice" part of the story line and not all the other fluff that usually comes with a full book. Each story had its own view on love and romance and that was refreshing. Overall, a good read. My daughter enjoyed it too.