This post first appeared in the Roswell Daily Record…
I like to do a post around this time of the year talking about recent anthologies in my favorite genres. I always think an anthology is the best way to sample new-to-me authors and discover whole new backlists of books to put on my To Be Read list (which is way too long but I can’t resist adding more).
One of absolute annual favorites is Pets in Space 9 (on preorder now, releasing October 8), not merely because I was one of the original co-founders but also because the collection of scifi romance stories is always so much fun and the pets and the way they interact with the other characters makes the collection unique. This year’s volume has ten original stories from well known SFR authors and as usual a portion of the proceeds is going to Hero Dogs, a charity which provides trained service dogs to veterans and first responders in need. This year’s anthology promises “heart-pounding sci-fi with swoon-worthy romance!”. And a full complement of unique and amazing alien pets, no doubt.
Tempest: A Hydroverse Anthology has narrowed its theme to romance in and around alien oceans. The six authors offer stories involving: “…a galaxy teeming with water-dominant planets, sentient sea life, and amorous tentacle monsters. From oceanic kingdoms and lakes to swamps and marshes, discover humanoid fish, bioengineered amphibians, and reptile overlords.” Quite the variety of experiences in one volume. Reviewers approvingly cite the fact the stories are quite spicy, wish the stories were longer (which is a good thing for an author to hear) and really hope the authors might write more in the worlds they’ve created for this effort.
New Adventures in Space Opera might not be romance-based but the anthology is full of excellent science fiction. The blurb offers: “Take a faster-than-light trip to the future. Discover where memes rise and fall in moments. Here are the new and adventurous takes on interplanetary battles, sentient starships, and galactic intrigue. This must-read volume gathers fifteen dramatic, newly classic stories from some of the most highly acclaimed speculative authors.” The stories have appeared elsewhere previously but offer a really good range of reading experiences in current scifi, which could very well lead the reader to explore other, longer works by the selected authors.
Something wildly different this year is Shifting Love: A Paranormal Shifter Reality TV Collection (Romance Café Collection Book 40) which presents twelve authors whose imaginations have taken them and their characters into a whole new world. The blurb promises “Lights, Camera, Shift. Oh, you sexy beast. Sparks (and maybe fur) fly when you mix the drama and competition of reality television with sexy shifters. Whether they are racing toward love, baking their hearts out, or surviving being stuck with the competition, you’re going to want to tune in and watch what happens!” I guess it figures, if you were a paranormal person living in your version of the world, you’d have crazy reality TV shows too. I mean, why not? Each story stands alone and there’s a range of matchups from F/F to M/F to M/F/M in the romance department. Although the stories are quick reads, at 500+ pages the anthology will keep you entertained for a while. I admit I one-clicked! AmazonKU
The Spirit of Love: a Hearts Through History Halloween anthology offers 13 stories suitable for the spooky season and taking place in various times ranging from 1126 AD to 1926. As the blurb states: “Whispered promises, forever kept… when love’s pledge endures beyond the grave. Join us on an eerie journey back through time…” The stories have everything from hauntings to curse breaking to matchmaking ghosts in locations from the high seas to England to New York and even Yellowstone. Perfect for curling up with on those dark Fall nights when the wind howls around your eaves. AmazonKU
Foes to Flames: An Enemies to Lovers Autumn Anthology uses the season itself to inspire six novellas. “Follow witches, fae, and shadow princes as they journey through whimsical worlds or hunt enchanted urban streets. With magic sparking on every page…” I wish my own autumn was going to be so adventurous but I’ll happily read spicy romance tales while cozy in my chair with a cup of cocoa. Reviewers appreciated the way each author made her own tale unique and craved either longer versions of the stories or more romances set in the worlds created. AmazonKU
Twisted PRIDE: A MM, LGBTQ Fairy tale and fable retelling collection (Twisted Tales Anthology Series) comes at fairytales from a completely different angle. The six authors involved obviously had fun with the concept of: “Once upon a time, the prince realized he didn’t want the princess. He wanted his own Prince Charming. From princes falling in love to the Snow Queen’s heart finally melting for her princess, in these six smoking hot tales, happily ever after comes in every color of the rainbow.” I’ll note the book is listed in Erotica on a major ebook seller’s platform so the spice and steam factor is obviously pretty high here. AmazonKU
The Love Archives: Bonus Scenes & Excerpts for Palestine (The Love Archives Volumes Book 1) collects 100 “bonus scenes, excerpts, extended epilogues, and alternate POVs” from the many authors involved. This is a fun idea because as an author I can tell you there are usually deleted scenes I could share from my published works. Sometimes they are scenes which just didn’t work out in the context of the larger story or they ended up not fitting the way the plot eventually unspooled. It’s also fun to take a story and retell it from the point of view of a different character than the one you originally wrote the story about. I mean sure, the Main Male Character (MMC) thought this and that about his actions but what did the Female Main Character have to say? I do try to provide more than one POV in each book I write but I don’t usually go over the same scene. I like to keep things moving ahead fairly briskly. I’m sitting here now though thinking of a few of the books I’ve written and imagining retelling the events from the other characters’ POVs. Fun! Reviewers loved the concept and thought there was something for every romance reader in the 1400 pages.
New anthologies are being released every week but this assortment should be sufficient to fill your reading hours for a while. Happy reading!
VS: And a few new ones which weren’t out in time for me to add to the column:
THINGS GET DARK: A HALLOWEEN CHARITY ANTHOLOGY by Various
Dive into the eerie embrace of the night with a spine-chilling Halloween romance anthology. As the sun sets and the pumpkin’s eyes ignite, prepare for fifteen tales where love and fear intertwine. From ghostly encounters to witchy rendezvous, each story promises a heart-pounding twist under the moonlit sky. So, keep your doors locked tight, or dare to leave them ajar—either way, be ready for the unexpected. Are you brave enough to embrace the haunting passion of Halloween night? All proceeds of this limited anthology will be donated to No Panic, who helps people who suffer from Panic Attacks, Phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders and other related anxiety disorders. AmazonKU
MONSTERS IN LOVE: LOST IN THE UNDERWORLD: A PARANORMAL ROMANCE ANTHOLOGY by Various
With souls and spirits, wraiths and reapers, the Underworld comes calling. Take care how you answer, lest you find yourself sucked into the depths of oblivion, where monsters both fair and foul lurk, waiting to snatch away their true loves…forever. AmazonKU
MYTHS OF THE FAEWORLDS: A COLLECTION OF FAERIE SHORT STORIES by Various
Enjoy captivating fantasy, paranormal romance, and urban fantasy stories from some of your favorite authors. Get these amazing worlds at your fingerprints for a limited time only. Death’s Heir by Thia Mackin – They worshipped me as a goddess, a fae Gifted with Death, and I rewarded them with life. Their emotions graced me with humanity. Now all I feel is rage at betrayal by one of my own people…By Marie Judson Sophie is caught between worlds as the ethereal sylphs draw her into the past. Her only way back is to meld, body and soul, with the one man she can’t be with. At stake is her life’s dream…(more story details on ebook seller’s page)
FAERIES NEVER LIE: TALES TO REVEL IN (UNTOLD LEGENDS BOOK THREE) by Various
There’s something to be said for starting your first day in faerie boarding school, for chasing a faerie through Chang’an during the Tang Dynasty, for searching for the missing part of your throuple who may have run away with a faerie prince, for descending into madness after spending countless nights plagued by the same faerie dream—and much more.
Fly into this revelry filled with tricksters, lovers, monsters, and the like, in this exciting collection for those who love faeries and those who are experiencing them for the first time!
CELESTIAL SEDUCTIONS by Various
VS Note: FREE! I have a short story in this collection, STAR CRUISE CHEF’S KISS. I don’t normally list books that aren’t on ebook seller platforms but this is something different and there’s a giveaway. Here’s the blurb:
Prepare for an otherworldly journey this Halloween! We are thrilled to present Celestial Seductions, a unique collaboration from 14 of the biggest names in science fiction romance. Entering this giveaway signs you up for all of our newsletters, in exchange you’ll receive 14 ebooks with spooky stories about hunky aliens. In addition, Grand Prize Winner will receive a Kindle! 1 Runner Up will receive a tablet pillow, and 1 Runner Up will receive a page-turner. Happy Reading and Good Luck! By entering, you will sign up for the newsletters of the 14 authors whose books you will be receiving. They are Alana Khan , Lea Kirk, Kassie Keegan, Vicky L. Holt, Ava York, Veronica Scott, Leslie Chase, Bella Blair, Kate Rudolph, Julie K Cohen, Miranda Martin, Margo Bond Collins, Etta Pierce, Dare O’Dell.
LINK TO ENTER GIVEAWAY AND DOWNLOAD THE BOOK
I’m on the 21th story in Celestial Seductions and loving it. Chef’s Kiss was fantastic!
Thanks for getting the anthology and I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed my CHEF’S KISS!