SHIFTER
Angela Knight, Lora Leigh, Alyssa Day, Virginia Kantra
Berkley Sensation
ISBN: 978-0-425-22035-1
March 2008
Paranormal Romance

With two of my favorite authors, Angela Knight and Lora Leigh, headlining this book, how could I go wrong? I couldn’t! SHIFTER might just be the best anthology I have read to date. I am not a fan of anthologies since I usually feel that more times than not the stories are too short, underdeveloped and poorly done, but this one is definitely an exception to the rule. I had never read a story by either Alyssa Day or Virginia Kantra, but I can guarantee that I will now.

The first offering in this book is Angela Knight’s MAD DOG LOVE. In the past, the books that I have read by this author have been steamy, quirky and interesting. This story is no different. Zarifa is a royal princess who is running for her life. Treachery surrounds her, and she is just able to escape after years of being used as a puppet to the empire’s ruling regent (in her stead). Rance is a werewolf who was betrayed into slavery. In a futuristic world where bodies are infused with nanobots, it is relatively easy to manipulate and betray others. Zarifa buys Rance as a bodyguard to protect her and in a quirk of fate these two become allies and lovers. Great read!

I have been reading Lora Leigh’s Breed books long before they came to the mainstream. This is a world of sexy alpha men and their (usually not helpless) mates. Lora Leigh is a master of the written romantica/erotica world. There are few authors out there who I would say come close to the talent and way with words that she does. This is Saban’s story. A jaguar Breed, he knows his mate is coming and has been preparing for her. What he doesn’t count on is the stubborn, strong-headedness of Natalie. She just got rid of one domineering man in her life, the last thing she needs is another one. While these two dance around the Breed mating frenzy, they also must reconcile their relationship. In a continuing story of the Breed saga, this story is fine to read on its own, but also moves the larger story along. Perfect blend of the two!

The third offering in this anthology is by a new to me author, Alyssa Day. SHIFTER’S LADY is the third book in the Warriors of Poseiden series. I had not read the previous stories in this series, but that did not detract in any way of my enjoyment of Ethan and Marie’s story. He is a panther shifter living in Florida, the alpha of his pack. His packmate's sister is coming from Atlantis for a visit and while Ethan is interested in keeping the alliance with the Atlantians, he is in no way prepared for the response he gets when meeting Marie. Marie is powerful in her own right, though in the 4 centuries she has been alive, she has never left Atlantis. She is looking forward to this vacation to visit with her brother. My biggest complaint of this story is the ending…which really did not end. I wonder if their story will continue in another book? While these two fall in love, there is no resolution to their relationship.

The final story in this anthology is also by a new-to-me author (apparently not a new author though, her backlist is quite extensive). Virginia Kantra’s SEA CROSSING is a very interesting tale of a selkie and his lady. Griff is the warden of the juvenile selkies and with his king, it is their responsibility to look over the human children until they undergo their transformation. On his isolated island called Sanctuary, he has been tasked to find a teacher to help with the children. He finds Emma: a disgraced teacher who had been hurt and betrayed in love, she just wants to teach and maybe have a family of her own. Shunned by her peers and family, she leaves as an indentured servant to Canada. When her boat sinks she is saved by a seal, but awakens in a cold and drafty castle. Their story is well laid out and well written in such a short space. There is a back story, emotions, and depth in this story which is well developed and
enjoyable to read.

Don’t miss this anthology. If you like shape-shifters and good writing, pick up SHIFTERS.

Reviewed by Sarah Silversmith
Rating 4