"A Twisted Tale Anthology" by Elizabeth Lim et al.

Based on the title alone, it should be no surprise that this anthology features twisted fairy tales involving beloved, well-known Disney characters. Some authors have written more than one story. Some are veteran Twisted Tale authors, while others are new to the Twisted Tale franchise, but are also bestselling authors.
        What if Mulan became the emperor’s advisor? What if Mufasa survived the stampeding wildebeests? What if Prince Naveen arrived in New Orleans just to return to Maldonia right away?

A Twisted Tale Anthology (Oct. 3, 2023) Edited and with Stories by Elizabeth Lim.

   1. Cast Out by Livia Blackburne.

What if Snow White learned magic? Snow White is little more than a scullery maid. Her only friend is Dottie, a sparrow. She hears a voice calling to her, and when she stomps on her fear to investigate it, she’s led to the queen stepmother’s chambers. Here she finds the Magic Mirror, who tells her, “I am truth and honesty, the kernel of everything that is.” The Magic Mirror encourages Snow White to “harness magic to do your bidding.” She’ll have to practice hard and fast with a stepmother who wants to kill her.

   2. A First Mission by Elizabeth Lim.

What if Mulan became the emperor’s advisor? Fa Mulan did return to her family for a visit, and Li Shang did share a meal with her family. Now Mulan has returned to the city to take on the role of an Imperial Councilor of China. Chi Fu and the other advisors, all male, expect her to fail and want her to fail, as a woman. They are tasked with saving prized silkworms from flooding in Hongjing. Mulan and Shang stop to rescue villagers from the flooding with Chi Fu going on to retrieve the silkworms, anticipating that Chi Fu’s report won’t be good. He’s already been insufferable.

   3. Et Voilà by Liz Braswell.

What if Remy had met Colette first? As a woman, Colette has worked many times harder and for less pay than a male counterpart would as a rôtisseur chef at Gusteau’s, and she doesn’t feel fulfilled. She encounters a rat going through the garbage, carefully choosing discarded items, like the end of a pain couronne and a small bit of leftover brie. Remy has discerning tastes. Colette thinks herself crazy, but she takes a chance on Little Chef. Small portions emerge from the Midnight Kitchen. This might be the unexpected path she needs to make her mark. Linguini is around, but he’s a background character.

   4. The Envelope by Jen Calonita.

What if Anastasia had a change of heart? The truth is out. Cinderella and her prince are readying for marriage, as the Tremaines – Anastasia, Drizella and their mother – are shunned by the community for their maltreatment of Cinderella. When Footman Benoit brings them an invitation to the royal wedding, it’s Anastasia that greets him. Benoit understands what it’s like to be shunned and so doesn’t spurn her as others do. Anastasia’s taken on the role of maid, as Drizella and their mother are useless. When she finds a letter penned by their late father, Francis Tremaine, Anastasia feels prompted to visit his hometown of Lille. Benoit accompanies her. She meets Mathilde Boche, who may just have an offer Anastasia can’t refuse.

   5. A New Dawn by Farrah Rochon.

What if Mufasa gave up his throne? Mufasa survived the wildebeest stampede, but his body is far from mended. Simba rules the Pride Lands, but Mufasa struggles to relinquish his rule, though he was quick to forgive Scar. Simba has set patrols around the territory. The Wasaki (Evil Ones) are lions who’ve been cast out of their own prides, and they only seek destruction. Simba anticipates an attack, but Mufasa doesn’t trust Simba’s young instincts. Will Mufasa’s own pride cost them the Pride Lands?

   6. Rattle the Stars by M.K. England.

What if Jim Hawkins joined the pirates? As expected, Jim is aboard the flying ship with Captain Amelia and Dr. Doppler. Silver, the cyborg cook, is amongst them. Morph, Silver’s fist-sized pet blob of space goo, snatches Jim’s boot to get him to play, but it isn’t fun and games when he overhears Silver and crew members Scroop and Birdbrain Mary hatching a nefarious plan. They’re journeying to Treasure Planet, home to Nathaniel Flint’s legendary treasure trove. Jim doesn’t want Amelia and Dr. Doppler to be hurt. So, what does Jim think to do? Become a space pirate.

   7. A Royal Game of Chess by Liz Braswell.

What if history wasn’t quite right about the legend of Robin Hood? There’s a rumor going around that Robin Hood’s been captured, but that isn’t right, because Robin Hood is right there. Yes, I’m indicating Lady Marian. What, you thought Robin Hood was a male fox? *tsk, tsk* Lady Kluck knows the truth and encourages it. There’s an archery competition set by Prince John and Sir Hiss, thinking they’ll capture Hood for sure, or at least “his” Merry Men (like Little John). A kiss from Lady Marian is the prize, so who will be Robin Hood when Marian will clearly be in the limelight?

   8. The Secret Exchange by Elizabeth Lim.

What if Eric met Ariel after she rescued him? Staging one’s own meet-cutes sounds romantic, but when Ariel’s also sneaking around her father, King Triton, who disallows anyone going to the surface, especially his own daughters, it seems less rosy. Ariel has command of her voice, so it’s great fun to discuss the land and the sea, anything that comes to mind, with Eric. Ursula still manages to get wind of Ariel through Flotsam and Jetsam. What will happen when Ursula lets Triton know exactly what Ariel has been up to?

   9. Dust to Dust by Micol Ostow.

What if Tinker Bell was working for Captain Hook? When Tinker Bell abuses her pixie dust magic by using it to magically do her chores, she is reprimanded. In her hotheadedness, she storms away, packing a go-bag, as she doesn’t plan to return to Pixie Hollow anytime soon, if ever. She meets Captain Hook, and he gives her the encouragement she desires. Better yet, he wants her to use her magic. Against Peter Pan. She’s all for watching Peter and deducing the right moment for Hook to make his move. She’s got something of a crush on Peter, and it turns really bratty when Peter brings Wendy and her brothers. When Captain Hook and his crew attack, what will Tinker Bell’s move be?

   10. Gonna Take You There by Farrah Rochon.

What if Naveen had to get home to Maldonia? It’s early, but it’s already been a day for Tiana. Her dreams of opening her own restaurant feel stagnant. She’s saving all she can working two jobs, except now it’s one, because she just quit as Duke’s Café’s sole waitress. Her exit has her overhearing Prince Naveen and his valet, Lawrence, who’s also just quit, and right after bearing news that Naveen must return home for a family emergency. Naveen beseeches Tiana to take him to the ship at Mobile Bay, Alabama. They’ll need a chaperone, so her best friend, Charlotte “Lottie” LaBouff, accompanies them, and John, the LaBouff family driver, is their chauffeur. Their trek to Mobile Bay isn’t a straight course. Tiana knows her dream, but what is Naveen’s?

   11. Fates, Three by Jen Calonita.

What if the triplets visited the Witch? The triplets are now 16, and Merida is doing her own thing. Hamish is the planner/plotter, Hubert is the warrior-in-training who works out a lot, and Harris devotes his time and attention to his studies. Hamish is ever the mischief-maker, but his brothers aren’t as readily excited about plots anymore. He does get them to eat the stolen cranachan, and he has a plan to impress Clan MacGuffin when they come to feast with them. It involves massive butterflies, and it backfires. Desperate not to get sent to their great aunt, the triplets visit the Witch, who’s under her usual guise of a wood-carver. They want a wish that not only keeps them away from the relative, but also prevents them from turning into bears. What will the Witch brew up?

   12. A Dragon in the Snow by Kristina Pérez.

What if Madam Mim and Merlin went to school together? Madam Mim (Morrigan of Gurnard) is the Lyceum of Enchantment’s (on the Hidden Isle) star pupil. Her lilac-colored hair betrays her Shadow Magic, which is why she likes the Wildwood where there’s no one to judge her. Merlin (of Dalriada) is new to the Lyceum, his magic seems to come naturally to him, and he likes Mim. Taliesin is the Chief Mage there, teaching and advising. The Solstice Competition this year will be duels to become the next Royal Mage to Uther Pendragon and train under the inimitable, outgoing Royal Mage Niniame. If they must meet in the final duel, whose magic will prevail?

   13. The Journey Home by Farrah Rochon.

What if Belle had to take her father’s place at the fair? When Maurice is waylaid by an injury, Belle decides it’s on her shoulders to get her father’s latest invention to the fair at Annecy. It chops wood into clean logs. With trusted Philippe, their horse, with her, she is confident she can make it to Annecy and correctly demonstrate Maurice’s invention. Her father tells her to keep to the path, and she means to, until there’s a downed log across the path. She goes around and gets stuck. Gaston and LeFou cross her path. Gaston will help her, but only if she dines with him. Can Belle get herself out of this rut without resorting to Gaston’s muscular manpower?

   14. Call It a Hunch by Jen Calonita.

What if Hercules’s first day as a god didn’t go as planned? Prayers are coming Hercules’s way, but he doesn’t know how to hone in on one person’s voice, nor does he know how to grant their requests. Everyone’s too busy to help him: Zeus, Hera, Athena. Athena’s angry that her statues are being stolen from around the city, and she’s about to bring a terrible storm down on it. Hercules’s girlfriend, the mortal Meg (Megara), has been hired to find the perpetrator. She was hired to find one statue, but now several are missing! She needs this job. After all, it’s not easy finding work after you’ve been trapped in the Underworld. How will Hercules and Meg handle their respective first day?

   15. The Reluctant Prince by Liz Braswell.

What if Bambi didn’t want to be the next Great Prince of the Forest? The Great Prince of the Forest is decided. He’s passing on his mantle to Bambi, his son. Bambi doesn’t want to be the prince. He associates being the prince of the forest with being an aloof deer and an absent father. Bambi’s about to become a father, probably to twins!, and he wants to be present in their lives. He wants to stay by Faline’s side and remain best friends with Thumper and Flower. They will all encourage him to be the prince, but it’s Faline’s words that will resonate the most.

   16. The Rose and the Thorns by Elizabeth Lim.

What if Aurora knew the truth about her curse? For almost 16 years, Princess Aurora has been reminded daily that she must be so careful. Spindles in the kingdom have been outlawed since Maleficent spoke her curse upon the baby princess, but it isn’t only spindles that Aurora must avoid. They won’t even let her use so much as a butter knife. Flora, Fauna and Merryweather look over her well, and Merryweather relents her tight grip, so she can learn some defensive skills (like archery). Prince Phillip has been her betrothed since they were little, but they’ve grown up as best friends. Is Phillip her true love’s kiss? They might well find out when the confrontation with Maleficent comes about.

Concluding Thoughts: Overall, this is a well-spun fantasy anthology that will please many Disney fans. As one of those Disney fans who also loves twisted fairy tales, I enjoyed these short stories. There are elements of things familiar with twists of things new. Some stories take place after the canon and so don’t disrupt the original narratives, while others offer an expanded backstory. All showcase creative, new details. We all know that they do not replace the originals, but instead, give us fresh takes on familiar stories. When it comes to twisted tales, do you enjoy updated spins and perspectives, or do you adamantly prefer the originals?

"Targeted: Three Romantic Suspense Novellas" by Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn and Natalie Walters

Targeted: Three Romantic Suspense Novellas (Nov. 1, 2022).*

Three romantic suspense novelists are featured in this anthology from Revell. Prepare yourself for three strong women, three dynamic men, three unsuspecting targets and a bevy of bad guys. Novellas are listed in the order featured in the novel.

            1. On the Run by Lynette Eason. FBI agent Daria Nevsky is an IT Specialist and a whiz at what she can do when it comes to computers. She goes on the run when someone attempts to abduct her, saying that it’s her father’s plan. Thing is, her crooked, criminal, Russian mafia father has been dead for seven years. She’ll find out what’s going on, but Dr. Ryker Donahue refuses to let her go about it alone. Familiar faces from a previous series make an appearance to band together to save Daria and bring down the baddies who’ve lain dormant until now.

            2. Deadly Objective by Lynn H. Blackburn. Professionalism is key for Secret Service Special Agent Liam Harper and physical therapist Emily Dixon. Their duties are to the vice president’s son, Mason Lawson. He’s a 16-year-old who’s “like a Tasmanian devil in three-hundred-dollar khakis and four-hundred-dollar polo shirts.” Liam is the only agent that Mason listens to, and Emily has worked into a stable rapport with the teen, as she suspects Mason has a crush on her. When Mason enters the crosshairs of a killer, Liam’s protection is more vital than ever. Trouble finds them on a camping trip, and it includes Emily, who readily admits she’s not an outdoorsy gal. She is; however, good with a bow and arrow. Are the criminals truly after Mason? Or are they after Mason to reach the VP? Why?

            3. Caught in the Crosshairs by Natalie Walters. When CIA targeting officer Claudia Gallegos is implicated in the murder of a Saudi prince, she’s automatically on alert when the CIA’s PSYOPS officer, Ari Blackman, is sent to interview her. Ari’s reputation as a playboy (and “America’s James Bond”) due to his handsome features and fit physique precedes him, but Claudia - a.k.a. Martina a.k.a. novia de la agencia - has a reputation, too, but Claudia’s allegiance is to the U.S. After attempts are made on her life, Claudia lands somewhere she never expected: in a safe house in the U.S. She doesn’t want to be idle, so she delves into figuring out why Prince Mohamed bin Abdulaziz was murdered, which turns into preventing a coup that could cripple U.S.-Saudi relations. Claudia and Ari must find trust in each other.

            As fond as I am of novels, it is a nice change to switch it up with a collection of fast-paced novellas. I honed in on this collection as a fan of Eason’s (I’ve been reading her novels since her Elite Guardians series, publication years 2016 and 2017), but found myself drawn into the stories by Blackburn and Walters as well. It’s easy for the reader to know from the get-go who the antagonist is in Blackburn’s story, but I didn’t hold it against the short tale. These stories all represent romantic suspense well and are inspirational without being heavy-handed. I also like how novellas challenge the authors to write a full story in fewer words. Some readers might find that takes away from character development and/or world-building, but I did not find that to be the case. Each author is clearly a skilled storyteller, and it’s a worthwhile read for anyone who enjoys inspirational fiction and romantic suspense.

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are expressly my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"The Cursed Carnival and Other Calamities: New Stories About Mythic Heroes" by Rick Riordan, et al.

This solo book post features a middle-grade anthology from the Rick Riordan Presents imprint. It features nine stories from the imprint’s contributing authors with the tenth story contributed by Rick Riordan. Riordan also edited the anthology. As with my more recent solo anthology posts, I will give summaries of each of the short stories and wrap it all up with my concluding thoughts.

            Welcome to the Multiverse Mansion.

The Cursed Carnival and Other Calamities: New Stories About Mythic Heroes (Sept. 28, 2021) by Rick Riordan, et al.

   1. Calamity Juice by Carlos Hernandez.

            Rainbows smell like horse barf. Unicorns’ horns grow out of all parts of the body (leg, back, stomach, etc.). And Sal Vidón and Gabi Reál can travel amongst an infinite number of universes (or multiverses). This is a handy skill, as their universe’s Gladis is missing, but there’s also PrankGladis. They must retrieve both of them, but one’s on a unicorn, and how does one track a unicorn? Enter the gallant Norberto. But treat him with the proper respect. Or he will precision-barf you into an entirely other universe.

   2. Beware the Grove of True Love by Roshani Chokshi.

            Just because Urvashi, an apsara, teaches dance and poetry does not mean she will be understanding when the Pandava sisters fall asleep in her class. Nope. Sunday Errand Day for Aru, Mini and Brynne. Five tasks. Five Sundays. Easy peasy, right? Haha. Nice try. From getting attacked by Urvashi’s powerfully enchanted dry cleaning to almost drowning when picking up “special” vitamin water, the Pandavas feel beat up (and, in Brynne’s case, extremely hangry). The final task should be a simple pick-up, but they wind up in The Grove of True Love, and they have to fix something. They’re training to defeat the Sleeper. How does learning about love stories contribute to their training? “You’ve seen some of the world’s teeth, but you have not yet felt their bite on your soul” (p. 81).

   3. The Cave of Doom by J.C. Cervantes.

            Eyeless birds (creepy). A slimy, human-shaped being with white scales (creepier). Ixtab, goddess of the underworld (watch out). Zane and Brooks are sent to Isla Pájaros by Zane’s Uncle Hondo to look for the human-shaped thing that cries like a baby and is the reason that Maya Adventures received its first negative review. Too bad Bartholomew Butts III was right. But what is the being? Zane’s trusty dog-slash-hellhound, Rosie, accompanies Ixtab to the surface to try to get some answers, but her “so-called enough was no more than a lousy crumb!” So the eyeless birds know that Zane and Brooks are sobrenaturals (supernaturals or godborns, in this case), but that doesn’t help them know what the “species of being” are. Ixtab calls them monsters, but that is not exactly specific.

   4. The Initiation by Yoon Ha Lee.

            Attending a place called the Gray Institute sounds less-than-exciting until Kim Min (remember, with Korean names, the surname is first) is told that it’s a spy school. It’s technically her first assignment for the Thousand Worlds’ Domestic Security Ministry, and she’ll have to appear 16 years old instead of her actual 13. Good thing her gumiho (fox spirits) abilities allow her to shape-shift, but unfortunately, gumiho tend to get a bad reputation. Min not only has to keep her heritage a secret, but she can’t let on that she’s also accompanied by her brother, Kim Jun. That wouldn’t normally be a significant deal, except Jun is dead; he’s a ghost, and ghosts are typically viewed as bad luck since ghosts that linger tend to not be around for friendly reasons. (Jun is an exception. He wants to travel the Thousand Worlds.) She’ll gain teammates in Trainee Group Nine: Hansoo (human), Duri (they are of dragon heritage), Chinsun (goblin) and Haru (human). And she’s concerned that Commandant Paik seems power-hungry. But the training is only eight weeks. How much trouble can Min get into in that short span of time?

   5. The Gum Baby Files by Kwame Mbalia.

            Being a small (about a foot tall), living doll is tough. All Gum Baby wants is to “be the best adventurer this world has ever seen” and take her turn with the “shouty stick” (it’s Ayanna’s staff-turned-baseball-bat) but instead she’s mostly viewed as a nuisance who gets in everyone’s way and messily oozes sap (on Nyame’s, a West African god, throne, or in people’s hair -- she’s not particular where she saps or sap attacks). While at a museum, she gets left in the LOST AND (HOPEFULLY) FOUND, meets a magic woman called Granny Z and notices a “ghostie” trying to make people forget. Forget what?

   6. The Demon Drum by Rebecca Roanhorse.

            It’s the Ancestor Club’s first field trip, and they’re going to the All-Nations Assembly in Albuquerque. Hundreds of Indigenous people from all over North America and beyond will come to the event. It’s an intertribal celebration “with people from all Native Nations participating.” Nizhoni and her brother are of Navajo heritage, and that heritage has given them unique abilities to sense monsters. She’s not expecting any monsters on this trip with her best friend, Davery, and other club members Maya, Darcy, Kody and Toni. But when Nizhoni notices that so many things are off – from her frybread tasting rotten to arguments breaking out amongst assembly-goers to that awful drumbeat that keeps getting louder – she admits that the powwow is cursed. As in, there’s a monster about. Time to locate a demon drum.

   7. Bruto and the Freaky Flower by Tehlor Kay Mejia.

            There is something wrong with Bruto, but Paola Santiago cannot take him to the vet, because Bruto is a chupacabra puppy. Yes, chupacabras are monsters, and they have been fearsome enemies to Pao, but Bruto is like a puppy dog. Albeit a puppy dog that loves Starbursts, wrappers and all, and used to have tentacle-like spines. Pao is given a vague idea of what will perk Bruto up, and she needs it pronto or she fears that Bruto will die. Together with her friend, Dante Mata, the two head into the desert to find a flower that exudes the smell of raw meat. Not only do the two have to locate the flowers, but battle rock creatures and hopefully pulverize them before they’re the ones pulverized. Oh, and is that a pack of chupacabras running this way?

   8. The Loneliest Demon by Sarwat Chadda.

            What do you do when Rabisu, the demon of deformities, repeatedly calls you a “puny mortal” and threatens you with death on the daily? If you’re Sikander Aziz’s mother, you invite her into the family’s home/business, of course, because she’s lost and alone in a strange city. That’s true. Rabisu, being a demon, is of Kurnugi, the Mesopotamian netherworld. Despite her threats and bluster, all she really wants to do is return to her home. Sik probably has an object that will open the gate to make this possible, but it’s a mission abort before the doors can open. The Anunna are just on the other side, and it’d be very bad if they made it from whichever multiverse they should stay in to the one Sik and Rabisu are in. Which, by-the-way, is the same one you and I are in, as long as you also reside on the same Planet Earth that I do.

   9. My Night at the Gifted Carnival by Graci Kim.

            The one night a year spent at the Gifted Carnival should be the best, but for Riley Oh, it’s a reminder that she is a saram. That is, she’s non-gifted, whereas her sister, Hattie, will be formally initiated into the Gom (healing) clan, as she will turn 13 next summer. As “amazeballs” as the Carnival is, the promise of magic is just a reminder of what Riley will never be able to do. So she refuses to have fun. She doesn’t want to indulge in deep-fried choco pies that’ll make her fluent in “Elvish, Parseltongue, and Klingon for an entire hour.” She won’t eat a pinch of rainbow-colored cotton candy to see a Haetae horn manifest atop someone else’s head. She refuses to even enjoy the international troupe in the performance tent, except it totally sucks her in. So much, in fact, that she realizes Hattie didn’t return from the bathroom until after the show’s over. Hattie discovered something, and it’s a story of nightmares. Unfortunately, the Dalgyal Gwisin is real, and instead of being confined to one of the Spiritrealm’s hells, she’s somehow become tangible in the Mortalrealm. You can’t kill someone who’s already dead, so how do you banish such a someone?

   10. My Life as a Child Outlaw by Rick Riordan.

            Clan Morna warriors came to kill Demne (pronounced DEV-nah) when he was eight. He was forewarned by Bodbmall, one of his foster mothers, a druidess and a hunter, and further sent along running by Líath Lúachra, a fénnid like Bodbmall. He spends time amongst a group of skin-condition-riddled men. They are traveling craftsmen (or áes dána). He spends months with Fíacail the Reaver. For the record, reavers are not the same as outlaws (or fénnidí). Outlaws follow a code of honor such that even kings recognize their value, but reavers murder and pillage however they please. Demne’s foster mothers eventually find him with Fíacail, and surprisingly, the reaver doesn’t put up a fight when they take him back. Back with the women, he tries to make friends, but that goes alarmingly bad. He may even have been betrothed at one point at the age of 10, but no matter, because he’s already been running from Clan Morna again, trying to find work and someone to take him in for a spell. He tries not to share his name or his lineage. In the end, his name won’t matter. He will still face his worst heartbreak yet.

            Concluding Thoughts: I have read at least one book by eight of the ten featured authors. While I can say that having read the books that I have has been helpful in understanding backstory references and knowing who various characters are, the anthology is accessible without having read any of the full-length novels. (But you should if you haven’t, because all that I’ve read have been excellent.) While I have favorites amongst the short stories, I’m not going to rank them, as the collection in its entirety is captivating and satisfying. The multiverse contained within these stories is expansive, and I would love for there to someday be another anthology featuring these authors and these characters. I love mythology across all worlds, and the diversity of it all is stunning, as there is so much to learn. Reading these tales in one storybook is like taking a grand and gratifying world tour of adventure, magic, wonder, awe and heritage. For anyone who enjoys mythology (and magic, heart, humor, chaos and imaginative brilliance), this is a must-read no matter which universe you reside in!

"Ghosts of the Shadow Market" by Cassandra Clare, et al.

Ghosts of the Shadow Market (June 4, 2019) by Cassandra Clare, et al.

In this newest collection of 10 short stories, Brother Zachariah – former Shadowhunter James “Jem” Carstairs – travels through Shadow Markets around the world. Shadow Markets are gathering places for Downworlders – vampires, werewolves, faeries and warlocks – to buy and trade magical wares, enchanted potions (or, perhaps, poisons in disguise), dark bargains and the most secret of secrets. The presence of Shadowhunters is tolerated at best, though usually reviled. But Brother Zachariah continues to roam the Markets as over a century passes, observing many a dark dealing or dramatic spectacle, all the while seeking a relic from his past. Each of the short stories is co-authored by Clare and one of four other authors.

            Note that there will be occasional spoilers if you have not been keeping up with the world of Shadowhunters.

   1. Cast Long Shadows by Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan.

            At the London Shadow Market in 1901, Brother Zachariah (a.k.a. Jem) meets the effervescent Matthew Fairchild. In a locale where Silent Brothers are as welcome as Shadowhunters (in other words, not), Matthew is thrilled to encounter Jem, who’s dearly beloved by Matthew’s parabatai, James “Jamie” Herondale and his family. Jem is looking for Ragnor Fell (a warlock) for information, and he is distressed to see Matthew. For all of his vivaciousness, Matthew is bothered by something Alastair Carstairs said to him. All Matthew wants is the truth from one of his parents. What he does has devastating results.

   2. Every Exquisite Thing by Cassandra Clare and Maureen Johnson.

            There is something exotic about wearing men’s clothing in 1901 when one’s not a man. Anna Lightwood loves the freedom of trousers and the dramatic way her slim, Shadowhunter-skilled self looks in menswear. She is dapper. Unfortunately, the only access she has to men’s clothing that may fit her (sort of) belongs to her younger brother Christopher, and he does atrocious things to his clothes (suffice it to say, he likes science experiments). Anna thinks it’s any other day when they are invited to Inquisitor Bridgestock’s house, but she is awestruck when she first lays eyes on his adopted daughter, Ariadne. Anna is certainly interested, but Ariadne isn’t. Or is she? Is Anna trying to read something into nothing? Sadly, other factors look bound to doom their relationship, and it’s hard to protect a wounded heart. But perhaps she will be surprised by what her parents, Gabriel and Cecily [Herondale] Lightwood, notice and support without compunction.

   3. Learn About Loss by Cassandra Clare and Kelly Link.

            On an autumn day in 1936, the inhabitants of Chattanooga, Tennessee, find posters advertising a Bazaar of the Bizarre (it’s a Shadow Market). One pays only what one can afford. It is the decade of the Great Depression. Strange and terrible incidents have been occurring due to this carnival on Lookout Mountain, and word has made its way to those whose business it is to prevent the mundane (human) world from being tormented by the malicious whims of Downworlders and demons. Two such protectors are sent: one a young woman not fully instated as an Iron Sister, Sister Emilia, who’s been tasked to recover the adamas and bring it to the Adamant Citadel, and the other the Silent Brother, Brother Zachariah. They smell demon. Specifically, the Greater Demon Belial, one of the Princes of Hell. He wears a skin suit (“He was a very bad tailor, you see, but in the end he has made a very good suit after all.”) and thrives on illusions. Sister Emilia will surely get the adamas, and Belial will repay a debt to Brother Zachariah. Brother Zachariah will receive something of a gift because a Greater Demon acknowledges the danger possibly posed by a certain Iron Sister to-be.

   4. A Deeper Love by Cassandra Clare and Maureen Johnson.

            Time: Days after Christmas in London 1940. The Blitz has been going on for months; the German Luftwaffe are dropping bombs on the city while warlocks Tessa Gray and Catarina Loss report daily as war nurses. Food is rationed, which is why they dream of the food they miss most. Brother Zachariah is in London, glamoured to most, but not the faerie with ill intent who attacks him with a blade doused in cataplasm (“a rare belladonna concentrate with demon poison added to it”). Brother Zachariah is more protected than the average Shadowhunter with his Silent Brother markings, but still, cataplasm is usually a death sentence if the correct antidote isn’t administered swiftly. Fortunately, Catarina is the best nurse; she’s the best healer of Nephilim, Downworlders and humans alike. Brother Zachariah reveals who he is looking for, and it turns out that Catarina knows something of those he seeks.

   5. The Wicked Ones by Cassandra Clare and Robin Wasserman.

            Is true beauty the gleaming towers of Alicante? Or the city of Paris? If you’re Céline Montclaire, it’s the latter. Céline has made it into Valentine’s Circle, and she feels special for it, as it’s common knowledge that his Circle is only composed “of young Shadowhunters he knew to be as capable as they were loyal.” Additionally, Stephen Herondale, the man Céline clearly desires, is a member of Valentine’s Circle. Too bad Stephen is married to Amatis, though it’s said that she remains in contact with her Turned brother, so perhaps she’s replaceable? It’s no matter, for Stephen thinks of her as a child, and she’s used to all sorts of pain, though Brother Zachariah says there’s nothing more painful than a love that cannot be requited. The human part of him wants to stay by Céline’s side, but he finds someone else to attend to. It centers around the one he seeks, even decades after talking to Catarina (it is 1989). Can Brother Zachariah be of help to those he seeks? How will Céline handle Valentine’s plan?

   6. Son of the Dawn by Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan.

            Crossing into a new century also crosses into a new millennium. It is NYC in 2000. Downworlders the world over tend to avoid Shadowhunters and even Shadowhunters often fear Silent Brothers, and Brother Zachariah is both. So it is unusual for a vampire to seek him out for aid. That vampire is Raphael Santiago, and he’s accompanied by Lily Chen, who has no qualms about letting Jem know how good-looking she thinks he is. Raphael, not yet acting head of the New York vampire clan but with all of his trademark sarcasm, has heard rumors of yin fen being smuggled by werewolves into New York. Jem has a storied past with the stuff, which clearly Raphael knows about. Jem convinces Raphael to have a meeting with the newest leaders of the New York Shadowhunter Institute, Robert and Maryse Lightwood. Robert agrees to help and goes with Jem, Raphael and Lily. They sneak onto the ship, thinking they’ll easily incapacitate the werewolves on board, though there are far more than anticipated. Battle ensues, but this ship, the “Dawn Trader,” also brings a 10-year-old boy called Jonathan Wayland (better known as Jace). He is going to live with the Lightwoods in the aftermath of his father’s (Michael Wayland) death. Michael and Robert were parabatai. Jonathan unknowingly reminds Jem of the bonds he once chose when he chose a parabatai, reminding Jem that, “Sometimes, Will, you seem very close.”

   7. The Land I Lost by Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan.

            Thanks to Portals, Alec Lightwood (one of the founders of the Downworlder-Shadowhunter Alliance) and Lily Chen (head of the New York vampire clan) traverse easily from NYC to Buenos Aires. It is 2012. The Buenos Aires Shadowhunter Institute is corrupt under the leadership of Clive Breakspear, leading to understandable unrest with the Downworlders of the city. Their Shadow Market is run by a werewolf called the Queen of the Market; her name is Juliette. According to her, every Nephilim-associated soul is barred save Alexander (Alec) Lightwood. Alec doesn’t recall Juliette, but he saved her life, “and he wasn’t wearing a shirt.” (Alec does not see how that is relevant.) The female werewolves of the city are going missing. A strange warlock in the area is connected, and he’s been in contact with none other than Breakspear. Alec and Lily plan to confront said warlock with the aid of Jem Carstairs (no longer Brother Zachariah, but not officially a Shadowhunter any longer, either) and his wife, the very-unique-even-amongst-warlocks, Tessa Gray. Invited to join the fight (one always knows there will be a battle; we’re talking about Shadowhunters, after all) are Juliette and the Downworlders of the Shadow Market and Joaquín, a trustworthy Shadowhunter of the Buenos Aires Institute. The story grants readers an inside look into how Rafael comes to join Alec and Magnus’ family (Max: “This the brother orra sister?”) and Lily’s vampire origin, which is both insightful and tragic.

   8. Through Blood, Through Fire by Cassandra Clare and Robin Wasserman.

            The line of those Jem Carstairs seeks has been found. One could not be saved, but can they save the other? In order to find the one who is lost, Tessa Gray (now married to Jem) uses her unique warlock ability to Change into another to access memories. Going to the Los Angeles Shadow Market proves almost fatal; however, when Tessa is attacked by Fal, one of the Riders of Mannan (“I suggest you stay dead this time,” Fal says, though not actually to Tessa.) Tessa’s life is in limbo, her body Changing sometimes so swiftly that it’s as though she has no form at all. Jem can’t lose her; he won’t. Although no longer a Shadowhunter or a Silent Brother, Brother Enoch comes to help. It turns out that Tessa was trapped in the Change, not because of Fal’s weapon, but something within herself. It was also the Change that saved her life.

   9. The Lost World by Cassandra Clare and Kelly Link.

            It is 2013. Ty Blackthorn is four months in at the Scholomance. He doesn’t have any friends save his twin sister, Livvy, except she’s a ghost, and recently a Carpathian lynx kitten dubbed Irene. Along with his studies, Ty has been keeping a diligent record over these last six months of the “side effects, benefits, and discoverable qualities of Livvy’s resurrected state.” Livvy can’t penetrate the protective wards over Idris (it’s as if she “were pressing up against a Jell-O mold”), but she discovers that she can will herself right outside it, which allows her to eavesdrop on two Cohort members. The further she’s away from Ty, the more things start to go wrong. She changes and gets stronger (like a poltergeist), but she can also forget the purpose of why she went somewhere. Or instead of doing great things, she might do terrible things, like potentially harm an unborn child to give herself the chance at life again. But Livvy doesn’t want to hurt anybody; she doesn’t want to be like Annabel. So she’ll talk to Magnus Bane, and she’ll convince Ty to write to Kit, and she’ll hold onto Ty as tightly as she can. Because he is her anchor.

   10. Forever Fallen by Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan.

            The world has changed for Jem. No longer a Silent Brother, but not a Shadowhunter again, either, he’s taken on a role he never pictured but adores: father. Wilhelmina Yiqiang Ke Carstairs, affectionately known as Mina, has a lot of name, because she represents a lot. She’s named for Will (Jem’s parabatai) and for Rosemary (the lost Herondale), the Chinese portion of her name meaning “wild rose.” Jem and Tessa have also invited Kit Herondale to live with them and readily welcome him to the family, but does Kit want to stay?

            Janus and Ash are in present-day 2013, having escaped Thule. Janus wants nothing more than to have this world’s Clary, Thule Clary having perished awhile ago. Janus and Ash live “on a hollow hill near bone-white sea cliffs, a hundred leagues from either Seelie or Unseelie Court.” They’re safe from prying eyes thanks to the Seelie Queen. Janus has every intention of killing Jace and taking Clary. “Soon Janus would have Clary, and Ash would have the world.”

            Concluding Thoughts: For anyone who already follows Clare’s Shadowhunters world, this collection of short stories is a must-have, but if one has not been following Shadowhunters, I would not start with this collection. Start at the beginning. For me, Jem was my favorite character in The Infernal Devices trilogy and remains one of my favorite characters whenever he pops up. His character is a fierce warrior, an agent of wisdom and a representation of things genteel. The overall caliber of this collection is strong, though like anything, certain stories read more powerfully to me than others. As always, I love the diversity. It doesn’t bring attention to the fact that it’s diverse; it just is, and that is wonderful. For dedicated fans waiting for next series installments, this set of stories is an excellent appetizer.

"Serving Up Love" by Multiple Authors

Serving Up Love (Nov. 5, 2019) by Tracie Peterson, et al.

The book states that this is “A Four-in-One Harvey House Brides Collection.” In short, Harvey Houses were a chain of successful restaurants built along railroads. Harvey Houses were known for their impeccable hospitality, and, perhaps, even more for their Harvey Girls. All Harvey Girls had to be single and white and were subject to a specific dress code and a strict curfew. They were; however, treated well, given room and board as well as a wage considered generous for the time. This collection contains four novellas from leading inspirational, historical romance writers.

   1. A Flood of Love by Tracie Peterson.

            To fill in for the vacationing house mother, veteran Harvey Girl Gretchen Gottsacker returns to her hometown of San Marcial, New Mexico. It is August 1929. It’s been 10 years since she left the railroad town to train to be a Harvey Girl, and she never thought she’d return. Even more surprising is that her love of a decade ago, Dirk Martinez, has also returned to San Marcial. He has a precocious daughter named Katiann, whom Gretchen has the pleasure of meeting the day of her arrival at the Harvey House (and before she realizes she’s Dirk’s). In truth, Gretchen has never stopped loving Dirk, but when he left without explanation, she felt betrayed. When he explains why he left (it is honorable), can Gretchen find it within herself to forgive him? Can they pick up the missing pieces through sun or rain, dust or devastating flood?

   2. More Than a Pretty Face by Karen Witemeyer.

            A Harvey Girl for five years come 1902, Rosalind Kemp’s tenure has been exemplary. She is a godly, chaste woman. Unfortunately, she has been re-assigned to the Santa Fe Depot in Gainesville, Texas, before the end of her current contract. She was hoping to put in for a transfer to California, thus putting more distance between her and a past that seems determined to disrupt her life and prevent a lasting relationship with any man who is upright and just. A man like Gainesville’s handsome young lawyer, Caleb Durrington. Like any lawyer worth his salt, he is prepared to throw out his most convincing arguments to convince Rosalind to marry him (and I tended to find his obsession with her overbearing and a bit creepy, but not in a dangerous way). He not only struggles to woe Rosalind, but is met with adamant disapproval and disdain from his mother, Estella Durrington (who says the word waitress as if it’s a synonym for the word trollop). (No matter that his mother is motivated by her own overbearing love for her son, her behavior is damaging, embarrassing and atrocious, and I wouldn’t forgive her instantaneously.) What could be so bad that Rosalind wants to run and hide instead of accepting the love of an upstanding man? Will Mrs. Durrington’s meddling ways be irreparably disastrous?

   3. Intrigue a la Mode by Regina Jennings.

            There is love behind the work Willow Kentworth does as a Harvey Girl at the Emporia Harvey House in 1898. She is determined to do the best work, so she can continue to wire money to her parents to help pay her mother’s doctor bills. And Willow does her best work, is the finest at her job even by persnickety Mrs. Sykes’ impeccable standards, until new busboy Graham Buchanan arrives. Not wanting to be associated with his railroad-baron father (and grandfather before him), he takes on the name Buck Graham as he tries to investigate smuggling on their railroad. His search is dangerously life-threatening more than once, and it’s Willow who comes to his rescue both times (she is no damsel-in-distress, that’s for certain). But will Graham’s brushes with those who would have no qualms in leaving him for dead put Willow’s life and/or job at risk? What will she think of the 23-year-old man when his aristocratic manners and patrician accent come out? When she learns he’s “one of the railroad family?” And who is the Pinkerton detective that his family has hired?

   4. Grand Encounters by Jen Turano.

            What’s a New York society girl (related to members within the New York Four Hundred) doing working as a Harvey Girl at the El Tovar Hotel, Grand Canyon, in 1908? One Miss Myrtle Schermerhorn is swearing off men forever. Or that’s what she’s told her good friend and fellow Harvey Girl, Miss Ruthanne Hill. All of that seems to be changing with the frequency of Mr. Jack Daggett’s visits to the Harvey House, and his interest in her is all but confirmed by Jack’s meddlesome, though well-meaning, younger brother, Mr. Walter Daggett. Jack wonders if Myrtle would glide into society life – Chicago society, not New York, as the Daggett family with their more recent wealth would be considered “upstart members of the newly rich.” He’s not fond of society, which is why Myrtle avoids the topic of her high society upbringing. She knows she must tell him and is encouraged to do so by Ruthanne, who’s connected very well with Walter, but Mr. Percy Kane beats her to it. He shows up unannounced and with the assumed declaration that they are still engaged despite his previous rejection of her for another young woman. Will this unforeseen ripple in their new relationship wither like an un-watered flower before it’s had a chance to bloom?

   Overall Thoughts: When I began the book, I wasn’t in the mood for historical romance; however, I found the historical aspect of the stories fascinating. Before this, I was unaware of Harvey Houses and the Harvey Girls that kept them up to perfection. Reading these stories has prompted a wish in me to visit any site that was previously a Harvey House, especially those featured within these four stories. Each of the authors is a virtuoso in her writing craft. No two stories are alike, and each features a smart, independent, empowered lead female. The stories are as impeccably written as the immaculate table settings and crisp, starched aprons every Harvey Girl wears. I have read full novels by each of these authors, and while I have a favorite author amongst them, I have at least liked the novels of each of them.