Think I've mentioned before how much I love anthologies. I've discovered several new authors this way, and don't feel cheated if I don't like a particular author, as there's several more to choose from.

The first story in this collection is The Devil's Bargain by Christine Warren. Lilli Corbin made a deal with a devil and all she has to do to finally fulfill the bargain is retrieve an old book. Too bad it's a book of prophecies that will bring about the Apocalypse. This story was just okay for me, and my least favorite. Didn't really warm up to either Lilli or Aaron, the current owner of the book. And while this book is classified as a romance, I thought the sex scene was a little unnecessary.

Next up is The Robber Bride by Marjorie M. Liu. Maggie runs a junkyard in a post-apocalyptic world, on the outskirts of a small settlement of other survivors. Maggie's world is turned upside down when a strange gang of bikers invade her town and make off with several of her neighbors. Concerned for an old friend when she sees one of the bikers with Trace's necklace, she sets off in pursuit. Think this was my second favorite story, as it had interesting characters with a good plot. Loved the twist towards the end, and think Maggie deserves to have a full length novel of her very own!

Third story is Down In The Ground Where The Dead Men Go by Caitlin Kittredge. This one features Jack Winter, the bad boy mage we all know and love. Jack is tricked into helping a sexy demon slayer seek revenge against a demon in the underworld. While I usually like Jack, I didn't really care for this story. Couldn't really get into it, and wasn't really invested in the outcome.

Last but not least is the final story, Sin Slayer by Jenna Maclaine. Think this one was my favorite and I'm looking forward to reading more by Jenna, as she's a new discovery for me. Cin Craven is a vampire witch and a member of The Righteous, a group of vampires who police the vampire world and answer to no one but the High King. Jack the Ripper has started targeting vampires, and it's up to Cin to stop him. And oh yeah, Jack just happens to be a demon who's possessed Cin's husband, Michael. This was a great story with all the action you could possibly want, plus well developed characters that left you wanting more! Very happy to discover that Cin has her own series, as I'm now a fan!

Gave this collection a 4 out of 5, as thought that two of the stories were really, really good, and the remaining two were okay. Definitely worth buying! ( )

Ok read ( )

Once again, how to rate an anthology? "Huntress" is a four-story, four-author anthology from St. Martin's. Two of the stories were set in the worlds of ongoing series from two of the authors, the other two were not. The stories I liked, I really liked; but there was one story that just wasn't my cuppa...it wasn't bad, just not my flavor. So how to rate it?

"Devil's Bargain" by Christine Warren isn't set (as far as I know) in any of her 'worlds'. It's the story of a half-human bounty hunter who made a deal with a devil to capture a killer. Just as she's set to finish the terms of her bargain, she's put into a situation that will cost her either her life, or the life of her new love. ***Well-written, pretty darn hot, and well-played.

Marjorie M. Liu penned "The Robber Bride" in a brand new world of the future, after a horrible virus kills off most of the population. Our heroine is a 'fixer' and she finds herself in a scenario with creatures from the 'horror' books she's managed to scavenge. Off to save a friend, her only ally is a crow...or is it? *** Possibly my favorite even without any sex! That should say it all.

A hard-edged, hard-rocking hero is trapped by a bodacious, sexy blonde in "Down in the Ground Where the Dead Men Go" by Caitlin Kittredge. A very dark urban fantasy with sex magic, zombies, and demons; oh my. When the hero escapes, will he rescue the sexy blonde who put the sex whammy collar on him? ***I guess I'm too old for this one. It's well-written and well-scripted, and has some hot sex, but just isn't my flavor. A little too 'hard' (-edged, -boiled) for me.

Finally "Sin Slayer" is a return to Jenna Maclaine's world of Cin Craven. There's a demon on the loose in London and his name is Jack the Ripper; but humans are easy prey so now he's turned to vampires. Finding out where he came from and why turns into a test of love and resolve for Cin and friends. ***Love the series, loved this story about 'keeping the faith' no matter how bad the situation.

So, three out of four makes this one a winner for me. A mix of new worlds and old, and new characters and old...some hot sex, some mystery, some action...what's not to like? ( )