Liz Maverick' s "A Time To Howl", is the first story presented and it has the Rogues, a separate group from the main power structures of the city mainly consisting of a werewolf , Tajo, a Vampire, Hayden and two human females, Jill and Bridget. While working as mercenaries they figure out that they have been tricked during a job when someone attempts to kill Gia, a princess of the Werewolves. Gia is soon to become the wife of one of the vampires. In order to keep Gia safe and figure out who is trying to kill her, Tajo kidnaps her. Soon nature takes over as Tajo and Gia realize they are meant for one another. Not only do Tajo and Gia have to deal with the danger surrounding them, but the vampires too.

This is a good, light read with great main characters. It might benefit the reader to have read Crimson Rogue by Maverick to understand all the characters involved here. Gia and Tajo's story is sprinkled with action and steamy scenes. They go well together and make for a nice, quick read.

Carolyn Jewel's "DX" is the second story in this novel. It focuses on Hell Marshall, who has recently been fired from her job at I-Op, or Internal Operations, in Crimson City, as a result of her relationship with a vampire named Tuan Ng. Hell is given a chance to get her security clearance back when she is called back to help investigate a demon killing. Tuan almost died as a result of tangling with the most dangerous demon, Bak-Faru. It's not easy taking out a demon such as this one, even with the assistance of the special forces at her back and Hell knows this. Put with Agent Jaden Lightfeather, it isn't long before their hormones are in overdrive. Confusion reigns and Hell is forced to decide who to trust, a demon or a friend.

This story offers many sub-themes as well as many events. The thread of trust, good versus evil, and the background of the prior Crimson City novel by Jewel are wonderfully woven in this story. Hell knows the hero has both good and evil in him, but at the same time senses she can trust him. The tensions throughout the whole story make for a page turning read.

Jade Lee writes the third story with "School Bites". This is a well-written, enjoyable addition. Schoolteacher Toni Freedman's life is changed when she attempts to break up a fight between students. She is bitten by a young werewolf and although she applies an antidote in time, it soon becomes obvious it hasn't worked. John Wong, the school principal, takes Toni home with him to try to teach her the ways of the werewolf she has become. Little does John know that he has gotten himself into more with Toni than he thought. John is a Druid and has the ability to help werewolves cope with keeping control of their natures. If Toni doesn't come to work on Monday, everyone will know she has turned werewolf and she will be fired. When Toni returns to school she learns more about it's student body and her colleagues than she ever thought she'd know.

School Bites is a story about how different species relate to one another and learn to live in the world. All of the fears of being outcast are explored. Fears of being different, lonliness, and exclusion are just some of those themes presented. Toni's has doubts about her ability to handle what she has become and Ms. Lee does a wonderful job exploring it in this story. The only down side was when I reached the last page! It's a story you won't want to end.

Patti O'Shea has the last story with "Dark Awakening". Kimi Noguchi has a crush on Nic who is a demon and the half-brother of her cousin Mika. Nic avoids Kimi at all costs. Kimi has recently become aware of her family's connection to demons and that she is a kijo, a special type of human. She can gain some extra powers through special training, but what she doesn't know is that being a kijo is dangerous. A demon could take away her powers and Augustin, a Bak-Faru demon, is going to try. Kimi asks Nic to help her deal with Augustin, but Nic has a problem with doing this because Augustin killed Nic's father.

This is the shortest of the four stories and Ms. O'Shea does a great job drawing the reader in. The exploration of differences between humans and demons is well done. Nic is cautious with Kimi because he knows she is his soulmate and has been trying to protect her from the danger he can bring her. Nic means well, but ends up breaking his own promise regarding Kimi. Kimi begins to really grow and understand the meaning of what being kijo really is through this story. The resolution between Kimi, Nic and Augustin is over fairly quickly in the end, but doesn't take away from the story as a whole.

All of these four stories are a great way to get a taste of the Crimson City series. They will draw the reader in with good storylines and strong, well rounded characters. Fans who have enjoyed the Crimson City series will like reading this book as well as those who may not have read the series yet. It's a good sample of four great writers.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Very sensual

Reviewer: Tj
May 31, 2007