SHARDS OF CRIMSON

Author: Liz Maverick, Patti O'Shea, Carolyn Jewel, and Jade Lee ISBN: 0505527103 1/2007 FUTURISTIC Publisher: DORCHESTER

It's been said there's no such thing as quiet here. Ever since the metropolis first became home to paranormals, discord was named queen. But who will be her king—vampires, werewolves, demons or men? Pacts have come and gone, all in secret. But one thing remains sure: From the soaring vampire high-rises to the werewolves' labyrinth, and even on the infernal plane of Orcus, this land is a battleground and conflict is eternal. Yet there are those who join together—strangers, enemies, lovers. Here, one silken caress can be deadlier than a bullet, but some still know joy. For darkness can become light, and in one sharp instant pain can become ecstasy and hatred, love. Welcome back to Crimson City.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Neat idea, but premature and not fully developed. That is the best way I have to describe this collaboration by the authors that bring us the Crimson City stories.

It's my same gripe with other anthologies: Either I am just getting into a story when it's over, or I don't get into it all because something is missing or glossed over. If the focus is mainly on the hero and heroine, the plot suffers. If the focus is mainly on the plot, then the characters suffer. There just is not enough time in the short stories for me to really get a connection to it all.

Also, SHARDS OF CRIMSON is premature for me because it makes me feel like the Crimson City series is over. I know that isn't true because there is no way Jill and Marius will not have their own book!!! But, these shards seem like a haphazardly put together work to keep me in the series. Despite the fact that it is my least favorite book, I guess it still worked.

Shannon Johnson