Mysteria Lane [Paperback]

I waffled between three and four stars for this anthology of four stories by four pretty big-name paranormal romance authors. "Mysteria Lane" is a sequel to "Mysteria", a 2006 book by the same four authors about a town filled with magic and paranormal beings snuggled in the mountains of Colorado. Because it's an anthology, it's one that's hard to rate as I enjoyed some stories more than others and overall I think this book is not as good as the first one.

"Disdaining Trouble" by MaryJanice Davidson is about one of a set of troublesome and trouble-making witchy triplets. When the oldest triplet is accidentally knocked into the magic wishing well by the latest victim of the triplet's magic, her mother's wish for her to 'grow up' ends up transporting her to a very different and very dangerous world. When she magically returns, only a few minutes have passed in Mysteria while she herself has spent twelve years fighting for her life. Now the new, grown up triplet isn't sure where she belongs, but wherever it is she hopes the handsome Thad will be with her. ***My least liked of the four which bummed me out as I'm a big MJ Davidson fan. I just found the heroine irksome and the plot silly.

"The Nanny from Hell" by Susan Grant about a demon sent by Satan to take revenge on a hero and heroine from the first book. When a car accident dumps her in the wishing well, Shay's wish to be human is granted. Unfortunately, Satan hasn't forgotten about her...or her task. Good thing her new best buddy is a wickedly handsome demon hunter. ***Pretty hot story that made me wish for a demon hunter of my own.

"A Tawdry Affair" by Gena Showalter regarding what happens when low self-esteem meets witchcraft. Glory is a love witch who's had the hots for Falon for what seems like forever. When he rejects her advance, she's sure it's because she's a bit pudgy since he'll apparently 'do' just about any other girl. Her resentment and hurt grow until a magic pen enables her to take revenge on Falon. But the difference between what Glory 'thinks' and the real reason for Falon's refusal may just make her revenge rebound. ***If I'd liked Glory better, this would have been my favorite. If it wasn't for the hot sex, I'd have thought this was a young adult story because of Glory's pettiness.

"It's In His Kiss" by PC Cast. A woman tries to control her very strange 'opposite magic' by living in perpetual control over everything in her life. What happens when she discovers what she thought she wanted isn't what's right for her? ***My favorite of the three, yet probably lowest on the heat meter. Very excellent short story with engaging characters and a well-hidden life lesson.

I'd certainly buy another anthology set in Mysteria, but I wouldn't put it on my 'must buy' list.

I had thought about reading the original Mysteria anthology but never got around to picking it up. I'm very glad I decided not to wait to read this new book! These authors worked together incredible well to produce 4 very entertaining, interconnected tales.

"Disdaining Troubles" by Mary Janice Davidson
Kicking off this book we have the birth and subsequent mischief of the Desdaine Triplets, Mysteria's three most scarily mischievious little girls...until a lazy afternoon of tormenting the mailman has accidental consequences when one of the triplets falls into the local wishing well only to pop out a minute later in her twenties. All grown up and used to a different, more demonic world Withering suddenly finds herself with two much younger siblings, no clothes that fit, and a pizza shop owner who finds the grown up Desdaine triplet very interesting. An interesting premise but this one was probably the weakest of the bunch for me.

"The Nanny From Hell" by Susan Grant
Shay has been seducung mortals and living on the wild side for millenia as an important demon for Satan. But now the boss has discovered her secret, that she yearns to be human and she fears death. Threatening to end her entire existance he sends her into Mysteria to kill the child of Damon another former demon. But a crash into the towns wishing well has her turning mortal and gaining complicated things like a soul and morals as well as the hots for the towns demon hunter!

"A Tawdry Affair" by Gena Showalter
My Favorite! This story was fantastic! Apparently the three sister witches of Mysteria are no strangers to love, having had a story in the first book. Now Glory is calling in the favor her Revenge witch sister owes her. She wants revenge against Falon, the local barkeep, whom she offered herself naked to...and the jerk laughed at her! Given a pen that makes anything she writes come true Glory, who happens to be a love witch, decides to have a little fun with Falon both sexually and mischieviously. Falon, who thought he was protecting himself from another sadistic witch instead finds himself battling for her heart. This was both beautiful and hot!

"It's In His Kiss" by P.C. Cast
Very good tale of a new Mystetia high school teacher who after years of pining away for a handsome if insipid local fairy finds herself unexpectedly falling for a vampire while on a fieldtrip. With unpredictable magic powers she accidentally ends up in a painting of Romeo and Juliet with the exciting vampire and one kiss from him rocks her world and her future.

The stories in this series set in Mysteria are, as always, deliciously disturbing. Romantic and luscious - but with the odd edge that makes them part of the Mysteria world.

Mysteria is a town where everything paranormal becomes the norm - and romance becomes an oddity that we enjoy reading about. We are not shocked by wishing wells that change time or give demons souls - instead we are surprised into cheering on the love that springs from such changes and the characters' reactions to them.

The stories in this book are masterful and amusing. Not for the sceptic to dissect, but rather for the hopeful to rejoice in.

Another great collection of entertaining and memorable stories.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 13 reviews  3.8 out of 5 stars