Review: Songs of Love & Death Anthology (Blog Tour)

Title: Songs of Love & Death
Available: Now
Reading Level: Adult
# of pages: 480


4 out of 5 Stars












Authors: Neil Gaiman, Diana Gabaldon, Jim Butcher, Marjorie M. Liu, Jacqueline Carey, Carrie Vaughn, Jo Beverly, M. L. N. Hanover, Cecelia Holland, Melinda M. Snodgrass, Robin Hobb, Lisa Tuttle, Linnea Sinclair, Mary Jo Putney, Tanith Lee, Peter S. Beagle, & Yasmine Galenorn


Description from Goodreads:


IN this star-studded cross-genre anthology, seventeen of the greatest modern authors of fantasy, science fiction, and romance explore the borderlands of their genres with brand-new tales of ill-fated love. From zombie-infested woods in a postapocalyptic America to faery-haunted rural fields in eighteenth- century England, from the kingdoms of high fantasy to the alien world of a galaxy-spanning empire, these are stories of lovers who must struggle against the forces of magic and fate.

Award-winning, bestselling author Neil Gaiman demonstrates why he’s one of the hottest stars in literature today with “The Thing About Cassandra,” a subtle but chilling story of a man who meets an old girlfriend he had never expected to see.

International blockbuster bestselling author Diana Gabaldon sends a World War II RAF pilot through a stone circle to the time of her Outlander series in “A Leaf on the Winds of All Hallows.” Torn from all he knows, Jerry MacKenzie determinedly survives hardship and danger, intent on his goal of returning home to his wife and baby—no matter the cost.

New York Times bestselling author Jim Butcher presents “Love Hurts,” in which Harry Dresden takes on one of his deadliest adversaries and in the process is forced to confront the secret desires of his own heart.

Just the smallest sampling promises unearthly delights, but look also for stories by New York Times bestselling romance authors Jo Beverley and Mary Jo Putney, and by such legends of the fantasy genre as Peter S. Beagle and Tanith Lee, as well as many other popular and beloved writers, including Marjorie M. Liu, Jacqueline Carey, Carrie Vaughn, and Robin Hobb. This exquisite anthology, crafted by the peerless editing team of George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois, is sure to leave you under its spell.

My thoughts:

This was a nice variety of stories, from many well known authors. Stories starring everything from superheroes to faeries to wizards to haunted houses, and even a zombiefied post-apocalyptic setting. A little something for everyone! 

My favorites include Neil Gaiman’s The Thing About Cassandra, Jo Beverley’s The Marrying Maid, and Marjorie M. Liu’s After the Blood. All of the authors were new to me with the exception of Neil Gaiman. Gaiman’s story is reason enough to pick this one up, and the reason this made it onto my to be read pile in the first place. He is such an amazing writer. Jim Butcher’s story was also very good. Fans of Harry Dresden will love it. I can’t believe I haven’t started that series yet, but maybe this story will be the push I need.


A few were a little dark and twisty. M. L. N. Hanover’s Hurt Me gave me chills. Super creepy and super awesome! A couple were a little bit too sci-fi for me, and I wasn’t as into them as I would have liked. Still a nice variety of solid short stories. I’d definitely recommend it especially if you’re a fan of the authors featured.

Source: Publisher

Review: And One Last Thing by Molly Harper (Blog Tour)

Title: And One Last Thing
Author: Molly Harper
Available: Now
Publisher: Gallery
Number of Pages: 310
Reading Level: Adult




4.5 out of 5 Stars










Description from Goodreads:


"If Singletree’s only florist didn’t deliver her posies half-drunk, I might still be married to that floor-licking, scum-sucking, receptionist-nailing hack-accountant, Mike Terwilliger.”

Lacey Terwilliger’s shock and humiliation over her husband’s philandering prompt her to add some bonus material to Mike’s company newsletter: stunning Technicolor descriptions of the special brand of "administrative support" his receptionist gives him. The detailed mass e-mail to Mike’s family, friends, and clients blows up in her face, and before one can say "instant urban legend," Lacey has become the pariah of her small Kentucky town, a media punch line, and the defendant in Mike’s defamation lawsuit.

Her seemingly perfect life up in flames, Lacey retreats to her family’s lakeside cabin, only to encounter an aggravating neighbor named Monroe. A hunky crime novelist with a low tolerance for drama, Monroe is not thrilled about a newly divorced woman moving in next door. But with time, beer, and a screen door to the nose, a cautious friendship develops into something infinitely more satisfying.

Lacey has to make a decision about her long-term living arrangements, though. Should she take a job writing caustic divorce newsletters for paying clients, or move on with her own life, pursuing more literary aspirations? Can she find happiness with a man who tells her what he thinks and not what she wants to hear? And will she ever be able to resist saying one . . . last . . . thing?

My thoughts:

Poor Lacey discovers her husband is cheating when flowers he ordered for his mistress are accidentally delivered to her. She drives to his office to confront him, and catches him being extra friendly with his secretary/girlfriend. Devastated and itching for revenge, she sends out an electronic newsletter that goes into detail about Mike’s indiscretions. Unfortunately it backfires, and Lacey is slapped with a defamation lawsuit. She heads to her grandmother’s cabin so she can hide out and recover from the drama that is her life. Then she meets her grumpy, but sexy neighbor and things get much more interesting.

This book was so much fun to read. Who would think a book about a cheating husband could be so hilarious! I had such a good time reading about Lacey’s adventures. She may be a woman scorned by a cheating man, but she was going to do her best not to wallow in self-pity.  Full of hilarious and snarky dialogue, as well as a cast of truly unique characters. I loved the interaction between Lacey and her Wolverine look alike neighbor, Lefty Monroe. I can be a little hard to please when it comes to chick-lit, but this one gets my utmost approval.

Molly Harper on the web:

Website | Blog | Twitter

*Received from Gallery Books in exchange for my review and participation in the And One Last Thing blog tour.