Lana Elanor Elanor itibaren Ranpar, Gujarat, 印度 itibaren Ranpar, Gujarat, 印度

Since Urban Fantasy is my favorite series, it's impossible for me not to be drawn into a themed anthology featuring some characters I already follow and some characters I haven't met yet. The stories are mainly cozy, quaint, and humorous, but there is a serious shadow in a few of them. The cover is adorable with the cake and decorations befitting the genre - and of course with this kind of mixture you can expect all sorts of supernatural beings (vamps, shapeshifters, demons, witches, the undead.) As with any anthology, the offering is a mixed bag, but I'm happy to report that overall the offerings make the bag pretty. The first short story, Spellbound, is a cute thing that succeeds at being humorous. From the spoof play of the old rival between Hatfields and the McCoys, to the lust induced cravings of young couples holding off till the wedding, to disasters that befall best men and maids of honor, it's a riot. Not perfect (the field melodrama carries on too much at times and there's not wrap-up explanation about the very beginning), but some fun stuff. I'll always miss L.A. Banks, RIP. Something Borrowed was yet another reminder to myself that I need to majorly catch up with the Harry Dresden series. Although choppy, it's fun and cute. Harry is a fill-in best man for a were friend about to tie the knot, but when he finds the missing bride, he also finds trouble. Bob makes a needed appearance with his corny tradmark lines. Worthy if you're a fan of the series, fast paced. The third story, Dead Man's Chest by Rachel Caine, is easily my favorite. Pirates, betrayal, surprise twists, a little romance thrown in, humor, enjoyable characters- both heroes and villains - there's not much more I can ask for. I do need to find more of this author - fast. All Shook Up - I did enjoy the Elvis wedding story - it was more about the magic of Elvis than anything. How the paranormal came into play was decent. Not my favorite story, but a decent one. Would be great for Elvis fans. Charmed by the moon by Lori Handeland was well written and I like the author's technique with words. I can tell the main character would get on my nerves quick with attitude in a series, though. The story is a good one, sweet, and blending in Indian lore for Will - her intended's - sake. Tacky - The Charlaine Harris story is set in Sookieverse with Dahlia but without Sookie or any of the main book characters. Not the best story but cute and amusing. Light in structure but it's fun enough. A Hard Day's Night Searcher - I'm not familiar with the world and the legends that go along with it, but it wasn't really necessary. Jeff was especially funny as the teenage squire who keeps screwing things up. Raphael wasn't the most dimensional but he was amusing as well. Not the best story but one of them. Sherrilyn Kennon writes humor with ease. ...Or Forever Hold Your Peace - The last story seemed well constructed with several deep layers of twists, but it was one of those where you really need to know the overlying story, series, etc., to get into it and understand it enough to care. The writing isn't back but it's a little old fashioned for an Urban Fantasy series I haven't read. Think it's more for already established fans.