This post first appeared in the Roswell Daily Record…
It’s that time of the year again when I talk about recent anthologies in science fiction/ fantasy/paranormal romance. A collection of this type, typically but not always showcasing novellas, provides an excellent opportunity to sample new-to-you authors in the genres and enjoy a few hours of fun reading.
This is the tenth anniversary for the Pets in Space® scifi romance anthology. Pauline B. Jones and I started this concept, which we used to refer to as “Lassie in space” because the pets are integral characters in the stories and may save the day on occasion, although the romance is between the main characters. After five years we turned the effort over to Carol Van Natta and she invited us both back for the special tenth anniversary. There are nine stories in the volume in all and mine is Star Cruise Lucky Charm, about a woman who may or may not be Lady Luck personified and who has an unusual alien pet whose scales seem to be lucky charms. The setting is the casino on my luxurious interstellar cruise liner. The anthology makes a donation to Hero Dogs, a charity that raises and trains service dogs for disabled veterans and first-responders.
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Tempted by Monstrous Lovers: A Monster and Paranormal Romance Anthology by various authors provides ten original stories. The blurb invites you to “Escape into the shadows with this collection of ten stories and novellas featuring mesmerizing monsters and paranormal paramours. In these magical tales, destiny steps in and romance blossoms in unexpected places. Each story includes gorgeous original character art.” Tropes include retellings, myths, why choose, witches and more. A good sampler of monster romance.
Earth Girls Are Easy…To Dominate: An Alien Romance Anthology by various authors. The starting point for these stories is the concept that we women of Earth are “irresistible, unpredictable, and utterly confusing. From misread signals to out-of-this-world seductions, every story features sizzling heat, possessive aliens, and the delicious tension of two worlds colliding.” The aliens are in for more than a few surprises in these spicy tales. AmazonKU
This one is hard to resist – Monsters in Love: Lost in the Swamp: A Paranormal Monster Romance Anthology. They had me at the blurb, frankly: “Welcome to Monsters in Love…Mist coils through moss-draped cypress trees as something stirs in the murky water. In the swamps, monsters don’t just lurk…they long. Whether it’s seductive will-o’-the-wisps, brooding bog beasts, or ancient gods rising from the muck, these creatures hunger for you. Featuring sultry and steamy tales of swamp love.” Reviewers emphasized the variety of the stories, the complexity of the themes and the need to read the content warnings first. Always a good idea! AmazonKU
These Dreaming Spires: A Dark Academia Anthology explores the top tropes in this subgrenre: “…imagine darkened libraries, exclusive elite schools, looming Gothic towers, charismatic professors, illicit affairs, the tang of autumn in the air… and the rivalries and obsessions that lead to murder.” Good reading for the spooky season and contains twelve tales, including several LGBTQ stories. The authors worked hard to find fresh takes on the classic academy romance elements.
This next one is a little different but since so many romantasy stories draw from Celtic elements, I decided to include it. Uncanny Ireland: Otherworldly Tales of the Strange and Sublime (British Library Hardback Classics), available only in hardback a far as I can tell, offers twenty short stories by twenty different authors. There’s quite an element of dark fantasy here and a wide variety of offerings. Amazon Hard Cover Only
I was completely delighted by the idea of Starship Librarians by a collection of 19 science fiction authors. ”Humanity needs them still, always,” states the book’s blurb. I totally agree!
Lesbians In Space: Where No Man Has Gone Before offers a wide range of science fiction themes. As the blurb states: “…a host of intrepid explorers heading to the outer reaches of the galaxy, exploring planets, space stations, strange new worlds and interesting aliens…blending the best of sapphic literature with modern sci-fi and space opera tropes.” AmazonKU
Who doesn’t love the idea of a gargoyle coming to life and falling in love? Heart of Stone: A Gargoyle Romance Anthology gives the readers tales of beings “Cursed to remain cold and unmoving… until she touches them. Each story delivers a wicked blend of dominance, devotion, and desire—where the monsters don’t just crave you, they claim you. Because when a gargoyle falls, he doesn’t fall halfway. He falls hard. And he doesn’t let go.” Sounds good to me as I now look around for a handsome gargoyle statue to touch. AmazonKU
Claimed by Aliens, from 10 scifi romance authors (including yours truly) is more of a boxed set, offering previously published novels in existing SFR series. The novels chosen give the reader a chance to: “Dive into worlds where alien warriors ignite unquenchable desires and cyborg cowboys prove even the toughest hearts can be tamed. Experience forbidden love, second chances, and fiery chemistry as humans and aliens alike battle for freedom, survival, and the ultimate prize: each other. From naked survival on dangerous alien planets to a charity auction that turns into a cosmic connection, each story is brimming with pulse-pounding action, tender moments, and twists that will keep you turning the pages.”
A trend I’m seeing more and more of these days, especially in romantasy is a group of authors coming together over one story prompt but instead of combining novellas into an anthology, each author releases their own story. A currently ongoing venture of this type is the Bewitching Hour series, which offers 11 tales ranging from Bewitched by the Headless Horseman to Bewitched by the Fruit Bat King to Bewitched by the Sea Monster. The series blurb promises to provide magic, spice and clever banter in these romances. Series Page on Amazon (11 books, all AmazonKU)
The Filthy Fairy-Tales Series is a similar idea, offering new takes on old classics, with curvy heroines and alpha monsters. The nine titles range from Rapunzel’s Outlaw Orc to Rose’s Untamed Bear. Series page on Amazon, 8 are in AmazonKU VS NOTE: There’s another series with a similiar name that is erotica.
The All That Glitters Series authors combined the concepts of treasure and true love to write 12 swoony fairy tale retelling mashups. Titles range from Tainted Beauty to Amphibian’s Kiss to Golden Goose. Series page on Amazon, all 12 are in AmazonKU
Time to fill the e-reader! Happy reading!
VS: And a few more anthologies and collections which didn’t make it into my limited space in the newspaper column but which I did want to mention!
MOIST! AN ODE RO MONSTER ROMANCE AND THE WORLD’S MOST HATED WORD by Various
VS Note: Yup, I don’t care for that word either!
Dive into this Monstrously steamy multi-author anthology that reclaims the world’s most cringeworthy word—One tentacle, claw and slime trail at a time. These monsters know how to keep things juicy. AmazonKU
FALLEN: DARKNESS ASCENDING VOL 1: A FALLEN ANGEL ANTHOLOGY by Various
Dark pacts. Those fallen from grace now roam the shadows. The line between salvation and damnation blurs as the wicked are cursed to roam. In this bleak world, redemption is a mere illusion. Fear guides each step as they confront the retribution of a world that has forsaken them. Salvation has become obsolete for the fallen, and the only path left leads into the abyss. This anthology contains chilling stories that plummets you into your darkest nightmares. Fallen angels and wicked deeds intertwine in a dance of terror and temptation. These tales may just reveal the sinister nature of those once touched by grace. AmazonKU
HARMONY GLEN SERIES by Various
VS Note: 25 books, so far, 24 of which are in KU.
Though they once lived in secret, “monsters” have inhabited the earth as long as humans. As technology advanced by leaps and bounds, the ability to remain hidden dwindled. Earth’s nonhuman creatures faced a choice: allow themselves to be discovered, or step forward and introduce themselves. Either option could have ended badly for monsters and humans alike—and in some places, it did. But not in Harmony Glen. After The Great Revelation, Harmony Glen welcomed monsters with open arms. This small, lakeside town in Upstate New York is now home to humans and nonhumans! Integration has been so successful in Harmony Glen, the town even changed its motto to “Come for the harmony, stay for the happily ever after.” Welcome to Harmony Glen. We know you’re going to love it here. Each book in the Harmony Glen multi-author series is a standalone cozy romance with a happily ever after! The books can be enjoyed in any order. Series Page on Amazon
MONSTERS IN THE WOODS SERIES by Various
VS Note: 18 books, AmazonKU
Leave civilization, and your inhibitions, behind – Venture off the grid with our human heroines for a back woods trip that turns into a wild erotic adventure. Deep in the woods the noises you hear might be a monster capturing its prey or wooing its mate. Which one do you desire? Series Page on Amazon
K!NKTOBER by Various
VS Note: Some of these K!NKTOBER books are so kinky I didn’t put them in my New Releases Report (too scorching). A mix of MF, MM, FF. Varying levels of darkness as far as the romance. 34 Books. There’s not really a series description that I could find but the title signals what the premise prompt is, right? Most but not all are in AmazonKU. Series Page on Amazon
HAUNTED HEARTS: SEASON OF THE WITCH by Various
VS Note: 9 are in AmazonKU.
Haunted Hearts: Season of the Witch is an Ownvoices MM Paranormal Romance Series. Join us on our romantic journeys from some of your favorite authors! Be sure to read the entire 11-book series so you don’t miss a moment of falling in love, or sometimes falling into a charmed and bespelled lovelife! Each book is a standalone, but why not read them all? Come be enchanted. Everyone deserves the HEA! Series Page on Amazon