Anne Krist
Sweet and romantic–forever love!
Sweet and romantic–forever love!
Mystic Desire is a collection of short paranormal romance stories. This is a chance to read and discover the work of a diverse group of very talented authors.
The themes in this book are varied, as are the collection of characters and artifacts, including Native American dream catchers, mystical jewelry, and characters such as lustful vampires, hot warlocks, a grumpy leprechaun, a ghostly terrier, a zombie apocalypse and things that go bump in the night.
From soft and tender love to hot passionate, kinky sex, there is something for everyone in this anthology.
The Sweetest Magic of All – Alice Renaud
When a sexy apprentice witch and a hot warlock go back in time to locate a magical amulet, they find more than they bargained for. It's May Eve, the most magical night of the year, and normal rules don't apply...
An Awareness of Evil – Dee S. Knight
Only two things stand between evil and a small girl: the visions of Amanda McMasters and Detective Brendan Gilchrist. Neither can afford to be wrong.
Bewitching the Wolf – Zia Westfield
The Witch, Alice Humphreys has poured her heart and soul into creating a magical Bed and Breakfast where guests experience the fantasy vacation of their dreams! Brodie MacEwan has been sent to investigate the mysterious death of his uncle. He never expected to discover his soul mate in his dreams. But is the illusion real? Alice knows that there is something all too predatory about the Scotsman and he makes her body tingle in places it shouldn’t!
Calling All Angels – Lora Logan
Elijah Baker, an immortal tasked with fighting against demons that exist on earth, finds peace when he meets his new neighbor, Celeste. But when he realizes that their love comes with a cost, he is faced with choosing between his calling and a chance at true love.
Dream Catcher – Callie Carmen
Long ago, a medicine man had made a matched set of dream catchers as a wedding gift to protect the Chief’s daughter and her warrior husband. He had called upon the benevolent spirits to keep the two soul mates safe and in a loving, healthy marriage. It was foretold that if the two dream catchers were ever divided the new owners would be drawn together as soul mates. Was that possible?
Life Saving – Anne Krist
Saving lives isn't just for adults. Sometimes the innocent magic of a child can do the job better.
Love from the Mist – Patricia Elliott
When Jace Warden learns that his brother plans to announce his engagement at a family get together, he flees to the other side of the world to escape the joyous celebration.
Or at least attempts to… His plane never makes it, and he winds up trapped on an island. Little does he realize, he’s not alone; there’s a mischievous little entity milling about, and she wants to play.
Love Knows No Apocalypse – Patricia Elliott
Getting stranded in the middle of a storm was not Samantha Wheeler’s idea of an ideal situation, especially in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. But fighting zombies was the easy part; her heart, though, was a whole other matter. Thanks to a man named Steve Jones.
When they find themselves in danger, she has to decide what’s more important - dying for someone she loves or surviving.
Love that Binds – Carol Schoenig
On the outskirts of a small town where nothing grows, a young girl, Ianthee, is being bullied and accused of being a witch. Young Caleb, inexplicably drawn to Ianthee, comes to her rescue. Before they can explore their feelings, Caleb and his family disappear. What happened to him, and what part does a long-ago legend play in their lives?
Love’s Ghost – R.M. Olivia
“Sorry, babe. I know it hurts to hear.” John frowned. I’ll make this brief. I spoke to the man in charge and he is giving me one last chance.”
“Come again?”
“I’m allowed to make love to my wife one last time before I have to cross over. So, are you ready for your husband? Are you ready for me, Ingrid?” He lifted my chin up and ran his thumb along my lips. I felt a chill go down my spine. How could this be real? How could this be happening?
The Anniversary – Richard Savage
A cruel twist of fate wrenched Evelyn and Peter apart on their wedding anniversary. Evelyn’s life descends into darkness. James enters her life giving her a chance of happiness. Evelyn discovers a piece of jewelry, that has the power to grant her time with Peter on their anniversary. She adores James, but needs Peter. Can she ever really let Peter go, while there’s still a chance they can be together?
The Mortal Vampire – Suzanne Smith
Remy enjoys life as a vampire, never giving a thought to sucking every last drop of tasty blood out of his unfortunate victims and leaving them door nail dead. But his cold and carefree existence changes the day he crosses paths with the beautiful and mysterious mortal Angela.
Through the Veil – Jan Selbourne
A beautiful March day in 1875 ends in tragedy when the wagon carrying Helen and Marcus plunges down the mountainside. Generations pass before Rachel Finlay finds an old sepia photo of a man and woman. She knows them but she’s never met them and now, for the peace of mind she desperately craves, she goes back to where it began. In time, through the veil, knowing she may never return.
Unconditional Lust – Breanna Hayes
The massive, hideous merrow leader, Muruch, craves the taste of human flesh. Confined to the ocean, he feeds his horde with sailors from ships pulled into the maw of the Bermuda Triangle. When US Army Captain, Nurys Shaye, puts her life on the line to save him after being captured, his hunger for human flesh is shadowed by the desire for her body and her love. Will she be able to see past his appearance and trust him to break down her walls and teach her to feel?
Mystic Desire is a wonderful anthology consisting of short stories by many, talented writers Breanna Hayse, Alice Renaud, Zia Westfield, Dee S. Knight, Carol Schoenig, Callie Carmen, Anne Krist, Suzanne Smith , Patricia Elliott, R.M. Olivia, Richard Savage, Lora Logan, and Jan Selbourne. There is some kind of story for everyone.
The first story interesting twist. The second story was quite nice and the list goes on but my favorite was “Love From The Mist” by Patricia Èlliott. All the stories are worth reading and enjoyable. You’ll find some were funny, some are darker, and some were suspenseful, My 17 year old daughter Who is the bookworm Absolutely loves the book just like myself.
Some of the stories were short and some were a little bit longer.
Obviously not everybody is going to like all the stories, but they are all nicely written. My daughter in I found this anthology book was hard to put down. We were engrossed in it and I personally, enjoyed them all. I would recommend Mystic Desire to adult lovers and older teenagers Who enjoy books with little twist and romance . I am so happy I bought this book in ebooks and paperback.
5 Stars—Charlotte Lozano
This was an excellent collection of romantic short stories with a paranormal twist in each one. I bought the book to read in October in honor of Halloween, but it really can be read at any time.
Each writer used a different supernatural element in their story. There were merpeople, witches, shape shifters, psychics, a dream catcher, ghosts, vampires, curses, zombies, angels, dead husbands, and even some time travel. All of the stories were well done, but a few really tugged at my heart, and one had my crying outright.
If I had to make any criticism, it would be that the stories are too short. Some ended abruptly, making me wonder what happened next. Perhaps there is a sequel in the works. That being said, this was a well done anthology, and I would recommend it to those who love their romance with a bit of mysticism thrown in for fun.
5 Stars—Anne
I rarely read anthologies, but I am glad that I read Mystic Desire. One story after the next was enjoyable and unique from vampires to a leprechaun. The desire, passion, and love with the main characters in these wonderful stories were clear. I recommend Mystic Desire to romance and paranormal readers.
5 Stars—Callie
Mystic Desire is a wonderful anthology consisting of short stories by many diverse, talented writers including Breanna Hayse, Alice Renaud, Zia Westfield, Dee S. Knight, Carol Schoenig, Callie Carmen, Anne Krist, Suzanne Smith , Patricia Elliott, R.M. Olivia, Richard Savage, Lora Logan, and Jan Selbourne. There is something for all lovers on PNR.
The first story was a clever twist on a classic character, the second story was quite sweet, the third featured a colorful cast of characters, and so on. All the tales are quite unique and enjoyable. Some are more humorous, some are darker, some are more suspenseful, but all are adult-oriented, so this isn't a book for young people.
Since the stories are shorter, this is an awesome book to read when someone has short intervals in which to finish a story, such as waiting at a doctor's office, while riding the bus and so on, or if someone just enjoys shorter works.
Granted, not everybody is going to like all the tales, but they are all well-written and I found this anthology to be engrossing and I, personally, enjoyed them all. I would recommend Mystic Desire to adult lovers of the paranormal romance genre. I am so happy this book is coming out in paperback. I cannot wait to get a hardcopy of it!
5 Stars—Brandi Pearl
This is a diverse collection of short stories by various authors some of which I am familiar with and some of them who are not on my list of authors to read.
Unconditional Lust: Breanna Hayse: 5*****Stars
This was such an interesting story filled with merfolk, a US Army Captain named Nurys Shaye and a corrupt boat owner, Evan Carlton. Carlton’s boat keep sinking and men are dying and Nurys is determined to find out the cause. It is believed that he is stealing maritime antiquities but that couldn’t be father from the truth because what he wants is to capture one of the merfolk and he is convinced that will happen now because he is onboard an army vessel stronger than any of his. When he captures Muruch the leader he locks him up with Nurys knowing full well that the merfolk eat their captives and Nurys will no longer be a problem for him. Well guess again because Muruch doesn’t eat Nurys but what he does do you will have to find out for yourself. A very sexy read.
The Sweetest Magic of All: Alice Renaud 5*****Stars
Sapphire (Saffy) Seaborne is an apprentice witch whose aunt had a stroke and her magical amulet was nowhere to be found when she entered the hospital. The amulet is necessary for her aunt’s recovery and must be found and so Saffy tries a location spell, but fails. What does show up is Aaron Wolfsbane the new teacher who promises to help her. Aaron is a warlock with the ability to travel from one time period to another and it seems that the missing amulet is still in her aunt’s kitchen only the seventeenth century kitchen. It is while in the seventieth century that Aaron realizes that Saffy is his one true love but as an untrained witch she is convinced that they don’t belong together and she runs. Beautiful love story.
Bewitching the Wolf: Zia Westfield: 5*****Stars
Brodie MacEwan has come to Rainbow’s End Bed and Breakfast to find out who killed the original owner Henry Duncan. It is up to Brodie to find the killer and bring him to justice since Henry was part of the family, or clan since Brodie is a wolf shifter. When he meets the owner’s niece Alice Humphreys he is immediately smitten and has no idea the forces working behind the scenes to bring Brodie and Alice together. Alice is part wolf, a part that she has kept hidden from the world, but that part will be brought to the forefront thanks to the interference of her aunt. Brodie realizes what he and Alice are to each other but Alice is still in the dark. A great story with great characters, I especially loved Oggie the drunk leprechaun.
An Awareness of Evil: Dee S. Knight: 5*****Stars
Amanda Masterson is a psychic who has been sensing the cries of a little girl. She knows that something terrible is going on and feels the girl’s fear so she decides to go to the police. She knows there isn’t much she can tell them but she is so afraid for a child she feels is in terrible danger. It is detective Brendan Gilchrist that takes her fear seriously and who also has a very real and very strong attraction to Amanda. Trying to gather as much information as she can to give to Brendan they both realize that what she sees is not nearly enough to find the girl. Then a vision changes everything because she sees the girl, the man who keeps telling her never to tell and a body. I am not going to go into what happens, who the girl is and what her story is but I will say that this was a suspenseful story full of surprises and romance.
Love that Binds: Carol Schoenig: 4****Stars
Ianthee has been bullied by a group of girls calling her a witch and chasing her, it is Caleb Oster who finds her covered in mud and who ignores the girls cries to get away from her or she will turn him into a frog. Sixteen years old their whole lives ahead of them and looking to get to know each other better after Caleb kisses her but that would not be because Caleb and his family disappear and Ianthee and her mom and grandmother are thrown out of town. It is twenty years later when the truth of what happened comes to light, why did Caleb and his family disappear and what has happened to him and Ianthee in all those years. Neither of them has forgotten the kiss or each other and fate brings them back to town but will they have a chance finally to be together.
Dream Catcher: Callie Carmen: 4****Stars
Angelica went into an antique store where she saw a beautiful dream catcher made by an Iroquois shaman for a young married couple. The couple had the dream catchers all through their marriage and they like the catchers were never separated till now. It seems that a man bought one of them just before Angelica but she couldn’t resist buying the one that was left.
The store owner told her of a legend connected to the dream catchers that if they were ever separated the new owners would be drawn together as soul mates. At the age of 28 Angelica has never been kissed, she never found Mr. Right or Mr. Wrong but now she is craving someone to love and be with. Her passion is reading sexy romance novels only the night she brought home her dream catcher she found herself having a dream of a handsome man who tells her he is the author of the book she is reading. Jake Miller the owner of the other dream catcher is have the exact same dream as Angelica and through their dreams they fall in love but are these dreams going to lead them to each other.
Life Saving: Anne Krist: 5*****Stars
A very short but very sweet story. After his wife’s death Hank Ewell has decided that life is no longer worth living and he goes to the beach intent on killing himself only he meets a little girl named Dinah clutching her stuffed bunny telling him that he is not alone. She tells him of a place called Henson Beach, a place where her mother said no one is sad. By the time Dinah leaves Hank alone it is past the time he was going to walk into the ocean and the next day his boss assigns him to a job in Henson Beach. Every day in Henson Beach he thanks his lucky stars that he didn’t kill himself, every day he finds himself getting happier and happier with life and then he meets Dinah’s mom moving back home. I don’t want to say anything more.
The Mortal Vampire: Suzanne Smith: 4.5****’Stars
Remy is a vampire who doesn’t hesitate to kill to feed his need for blood but the night he attacked Priscilla he decided not to kill her when she revealed she had a young child at home. The idea of leaving a child motherless was something he didn’t want to do but unfortunately it was too late and she died. The next woman he decided to drink from, a woman whose blood smelled so pure he once again found himself unable to kill her. He wanted her and when she asked him to help her home after injuring her ankle he realized that he was suddenly feeling a thumping in his chest. Angela invited him into her home and did not hide her desire for him but he knew that making love with a vampire would kill her. In spite of having a girlfriend he has been with for three hundred years his feelings for Angela are much stronger than anything he ever felt for Giselle. Then the truth of his thumping chest is revealed and his involvement with Angela and Giselle also is revealed and that was a surprise.
Love from the Mist: Patricia Elliott: 5*****Stars
Jace Warden is supposed to go to a family reunion something that is held every year only this year he refuses to attend when his ex-wife, his cheating ex-wife will be attending. Refusing to answer his family’s calls he boards a plane to Australia. When there is engine trouble and the plane’s wing breaks apart Jace realizes that he made the biggest mistake not attending the reunion and being with his family now he will probably die and never see them again. When Jace wakes up on a beach hurt and alone he can’t understand how he managed to be the only one alive. Now he has to find food and build a shelter and hope that someone comes looking for the plane and hope that someone else is on the island with him. It turns out that Jace is not alone on the island but who he is on the island with is not one of the people on the plane.
Love’s Ghost: R.M. Olivia: 4****Stars
It has been two years since Ingrid lost her husband John but everyday feels like it just happened. She has earned tenure as a professor but even that mile stone brings her little joy. As a way to escape everything she decides on a vacation to Paris but being in the land of romance was not a good choice. She begins to see John and at night dreams of making love to him, a dream that is so real she can feel him on her skin and smell him. Afraid that she is losing her mind she is actually face to face with the man she loves and he explains the reason for him being there, she is willing to do anything for them to stay together but is he real or is he just a figment of her imagination. A story about true love and loss.
Love Knows no Apocalypse: Patricia Elliott: 5*****Stars
Samantha Wheeler and Steve Jones are part of a group that has been ridding the town of the undead, zombies walk the earth but they are convinced that they have finally gotten the upper hand until one night a horde of them appear surrounding them and with nowhere to hide. Fighting with everything they have, knives, guns and fists they are finally able to destroy the last one attacking them. At that point Samantha wonders why she has never given her and Steve a chance at the relationship he has always wanted but never pushed for. Every day is a fight to stay alive so she finally has to decide if it is time to let love into her life.
Calling All Angels: Lora Logan: 4.5****’Stars
Celeste left school after freshman year shocking her adoptive parents and friends but when she received a house and 40 acres of land from the people who left her on the steps of a church she decided to go there. One day walking her dog Josie, I mean one day when Josie was walking her she fell leaving her scratched and hurt. A man came out of the woods who lived nearby and offered her help, help she accepted even as her mind kept telling her he didn’t look like a serial killer but neither did Ted Bundy. Elijah and Celeste fall for each other very quickly but he has a secret that involves his fight with demons. With Celeste around he doesn’t see the demons or hear his brothers in arms calling for him so he knows he has to end it with her, but does he?
The Anniversary: Richard Savage: 5*****Stars
Evelyn fell in love with Peter, they married and he became her master and all she wanted was to please him but now she is married to James and she and Peter meet once a year on their anniversary. Although when she meets Peter she feels guilty about leaving James she knows that nothing can keep her from the man she loves and who satisfies her sexually like no other. Evelyn and Peter’s story is all about their BDSM lifestyle, their love and the reason they can only see each other once a year. A beautiful story about love and giving yourself to someone in every way possible.
Through the Veil: Jan Selbourne: 4****Stars
Rachel Finlay walked in to her boyfriend’s home to find him in bed with his boss’s wife. After pouring wine on their heads she left and almost got killed by a car because of her lack of attention. Rachel has always managed to meet the wrong man, she can’t hold a job, she either is fired or quits and now she receives a call that her great aunt has died, an aunt who looked after her and her sister Sandra. Looking through her aunt’s papers she finds an album and one of the people is very familiar, it is as if she knows the man and so she returns to the scene of where the newly engaged couple’s carriage went off the road and left Marcus Townsend dead, laying on top of Helen to protect her. Everything becomes clear to Rachel and she finally learns why she has always felt lost.
I have given this book five stars in spite of the fact that not every story earned a five, overall this book was filled with a very eclectic variety of stories and I truly enjoyed them all. I have found some new authors I was not familiar with and can’t wait to read other books of theirs.
5 Stars—Linda Tonis
Ghosts, Vampires, Nymphs and Angels - oh my. This is an anthology of short stories by a talented group of authors. Each story has a little something different to offer to the reader. From amusing to odd, the stories move you. There were one or two stories I thought were not my thing but analyzing them, they're well written. The quality of writing is excellent. The steam level varies in each story. From BDSM instructions to sweet these stories are titillating and sexy. The theme - love and some sort of mystical power.
4 Stars—Book Dragon
Life Saving is a paranormal short story.
This is it. Today's the day.
The muddled intent had evolved for months, but I knew the time for action had arrived this morning when I looked in the mirror and realized that–quite without thought—I'd dressed for work in the same clothing I'd worn to Beth's funeral. Same tie, same shirt, even the Wingtips I rarely wore. The unintentional actions spoke volumes more than the silence I'd endured since Beth's passing. Loneliness and despair had lifted from my shoulders. At sunset, the symbolic time I'd decided to do the deed, I'd be with Beth again.
I'd gone to work, wanting to finish reports I'd started. Someone else would surely finish them when I was gone, but pride pushed me to tidy up my accounts, tie up loose ends so as not to cause any more disruption as necessary. Before Beth's illness and death, I'd enjoyed going to work, and I was good at my job. Stupid, really, but I wanted people to have that impression of me after I was gone.
Now, just before sunset, I dropped to sit on the sand a few hundred yards south of Cliff House, where the Pacific pounded onto the rocks and, at one time, seals had swum and sung their songs. They departed long ago, choosing to sun a few miles away, on the safe, wooden rafts of San Francisco's Pier 39 instead of rocky outcrops, preferring calmer water over relentless battering. No one knows why they left. Perhaps like me, they sought respite from life's constant buffeting.
And I, like the seals, would find freedom in the water. In autumn, the undertow was fierce. I wouldn’t fight it. I wouldn’t remove my tie, or shoes or suit jacket. I'd chosen sunset for my time so that with the last rays of daylight, I would swim out and sink into my own night.
The sun began its descent, fire extinguished in the ocean's watery core. Few people remained on the October beach. A couple, arms wrapped tightly around each other and against the world, sauntered by; a few tourists tried to photograph the sunset-framed ocean with their disposable cameras.
“You look sad.” Bent at the waist, a child twisted to look into my face.
So consumed was I with my thoughts, I hadn’t noticed her arrival.
“Why are you sad?”
Only children or the elderly blithely questioned in such a forthright manner. I looked up and she straightened, giving her the advantage in height.
She couldn’t have been more than six. A Winnie the Pooh turtleneck peeked from under denim coveralls. She wore tennis shoes with florescent pink laces and a jean-like jacket, unzipped. In one arm, she clutched a tattered, stuffed rabbit in a strangle-hold. Light brown hair blew wildly in the wind and her eyes were the softest, lightest brown I’d ever seen.
“Mister,” she persisted, “what's wrong?”
“Where is your mother?” I demanded irritably.
She pointed behind me. “Back there.”
I turned to see a young woman on the sidewalk staring at the sea. She didn’t seem concerned, but probably would come screaming like a banshee if she saw the child talking with a stranger. “You’d better go back.”
“It’s okay,” the girl said, and promptly sat beside me. “What's your name?"
"Hank. Hank Ewell." Why the hell had I told the kid my name? Force of habit, I guessed. Someone asked your name, you gave it, simple as that. In a little while it wouldn't matter anymore, anyway.
"My name is Dinah. This is Longears.” She held up the toy for me to see and then tucked it back firmly into the crook of her arm. “He’s a bunny.”
“I see that.” Go away.
One half of the sun's flaming disk had disappeared into the Pacific, the rest shredded into golden streaks, making the sky seem brighter than it should have been. Lights gleamed from the restaurant in Cliff House. Soon I’d need to slosh into the biting surf, but how the hell could I with this kid here?
I glanced at her. Intently, she stared back. I sighed. “You should zip up your jacket. It’s cold.”
She took a slightly different tack. “You aren't happy.”
The burning ball on the horizon had sunk three quarters of the way. I wanted to ignore her but couldn't. “I lost someone I love very much.”
"Was it your little girl?"
"No, my wife. I don’t like living without her." Then, knowing she couldn't possibly understand, I turned and stated harshly, “You wouldn't understand.”
She nodded. “You think you’re alone.”
Taken aback by her insight, I tamped down the urge to question how she knew. Instead, I gave in to the pathos dogging me since Beth's passing. I am alone. I wanted to shout it out. Alone and empty.
"That’s right,” I bit out.
“But you aren’t.”
Even from the innocent lips of a child the words sounded trite. The kind of thing spouted by zealots on Union Square just before they shout “Jesus loves you!”
“Yeah, sure.” Where was her mother, damn it? I looked around, but the woman on the sidewalk was walking away, and no one else seemed interested. I was about to insist she point out her irresponsible parent, when she rose.
“Know what? I think you should move away. My mama used to live in a town called Henson Beach and she said no one’s ever sad there. Why don’t you move to Henson Beach?”
“Where is Henson—”
“I have to go now.” Little more than a shadow in the fading light, she forced the paw of that ridiculous rabbit up and down in the air. “Longears says goodbye. Don’t forget what I said.” And she skipped off.
At last. I snapped my head back to the west, but I’d missed my symbolic timing.
No matter. Since I'd decided the how and when of my release I could relax. Sunsets happened every day.
