MUST LOVE HELLHOUNDS
Charlaine Harris, Nalini Singh, Meljean Brook, Ilona Andrews
Berkley Trade
ISBN 978-0425229590
September 2009
Paranormal Romance



This new anthology brings together some of the best authors in the paranormal genre. MUST LOVE HELLHOUNDS is an interesting mix of stories revolving around Lucifer’s pet dog, the hellhound. Cute and cuddly….well maybe not, but big, ferocious and depending who you are, loyal. Three of the four stories in this anthology are part of a series, and while you can read these short stories as stand alone, I think the reader would enjoy them more if they had read the previous stories. Like all anthologies, some of the stories are stronger offerings than others, but all in all, I enjoyed this compilation.

Charlaine Harris writes the first story, THE BRITLINGENS GO TO HELL, about a pair of bodyguards, Clovache and Batanya who are hired to travel into Lucifer's realm to pick up a “misplaced item”.  These two women have to follow the dictates of their employer, and find themselves in some pretty sticky situations, including trying to maneuver around hellhound guard dogs.  This was an interesting story, written by the well known
author of the Southern Vampire Series. It is an original story, not related to any of Ms. Harris’s series, and once I realized that I enjoyed this plot a lot more.   

Rating:  4


Nalini Singh’s ANGELS’ JUDGMENT is the prequel to ANGELS’ BLOOD.  This story is Ellie’s friend Sarah’s story.  Tough as nails vampire hunter, Sarah is up for the directorship of the North  American Guild.  It is a huge responsibility and she is not sure whether or not she’s taking the position yet…though everyone else seems pretty sure she is.  There is a rogue serial killer out there and a hot hunk out to protect her and find the killer.  I really loved this story and thought it well done, especially in the space provided in an anthology.  That being said, I am not so sure if the reader will like this story if they have not read the other book.  Also, while I understand why this was written as a short story, I would have loved to have seen this one as a full length novel.

Rating:  4 1/2



Ilona Andrews contribution to this anthology, MAGIC MOURNS was an interesting story. It took me a while to figure out the world that was set up.  A time in the future where magic is awakened and is running amuck in the world.  The “rules” have changed and life is not easy, especially for a shapeshifter with a secret. Andrea and Raphael have apparently been seen in previous books in this series.  Since I had not read those other books, I have to say that I was fine with this story as a stand alone, though I am sure I would probably have appreciated this story more if I knew the set up.  The characters were both interesting and fun to read. Andrea has a mountain of hurts and baggage behind her, and Raphael is a
bit too much fun and light, but they work together.

Rating:  4 



Meljean Brook’s BLIND SPOT takes place in the Guardian world set up in seven previous books in this series. Maggie Wren is sent to rescue and protect Geoffrey Blake.  What she has not been told is that he is blind, and is hiding some pretty serious secrets. Maggie has made some difficult decisions in her life, and one in particular is coming back to haunt her. Can she help her employers’ nephew and keep herself out of harms way? To help her along is the family pet hellhound. I liked Maggie and Geoffrey’s characters and the comic relief, in the form of a three headed dog, added just the right amount of spice.  They were interesting to read, and fun to follow.  Enjoy the next book in this
series.


Rating: 4 1/2