Mirror, Mirror review

                                          



Mirror, Mirror is an anthology featuring delightful stories by J.D. Robb, Mary Blayney, Elaine Fox, Mary Kay McComas and R.C. Ryan. Each author provides a wonderful twist on a familiar fairy tale, ranging from a version of Hansel and Gretel (who knew that the Amber Alert would still be in use in the future?) to a magical coin that complicates a maid’s tendency to try out other folks’ beds, a sleeping Prince who falls afoul of an evil fairy, a generous woman who tends to collect matches and a woman who has trouble believing in happy ever afters, especially with her mean stepmother undermining her. Each author deftly gives a new perspective to a classic story.

A fun combination of stories that celebrate love, both in the stories themselves and in the dedication that each author has penned. I am always entranced by J.D. Robb (aka Nora Roberts) and her ability to conjure up vivid situations yet stay true to her characters and I loved the contrasting twin bonds showcased intertwined with the good witch/bad witch scenario presented in Taken in Death. The meek but resourceful maid and the wily war veteran provide a entertaining but occasionally a bit contrived story in Mary Blayney’s If Wishes Were Horses but I still enjoy the adventures provided by the persistent magic coin. Elaine Fox does a nice switch with Beauty Sleeping and I was entertained by Aunt Malva’s modernization and I thought the transformation of the Prince was very nicely portrayed. Mary Kay McComas had an interesting twist on the Match Girl story and although I thought it took awhile for the story to get to the point and I didn’t appreciate some of the events, I enjoyed the miraculous solution provided in The Christmas Comet. Last but certainly not least...finding out the hero’s last name provided a wonderful chuckle while reading the romantic tale Stroke of Midnight by R.C. Ryan (Ruth Ryan Langan). All of these stories celebrate love and fantasy and provided an entertaining read that left me with a warm happy glow. I look forward to seeing what the next anthology conjures up in the fertile imaginations of these talented writers.

© Night Owl Reviews

I received a copy of this title in return for an honest review.
 
Mirror, Mirror (Amazon link)
 

Calculated in Death

Calculated in Death                        
by J.D. Robb/Nora Roberts is another exciting addition to her 'In Death' futuristic series.  Lieutenant Eve Dallas is about to be featured in the movie that was made from the book written about the Icove case and she is dreading the premiere and the preparation that goes with it (including a visit by the force of nature known as Trina).  The murder of an accountant starts an investigation that gradually expands to encompass many of the regular consultants who are all greatly anticipating the glamorous movie premiere but not at the expense of their regular duties.  Eve is singleminded as usual in her pursuit of justice although she is comfortable enough to admit her dependency on Roarke as well as her trusty sidekick, the reliable Peabody.  The violence escalates until Eve may have a valid reason to skip the furor of the premiere, if she can withstand the wrath of reporter Nadine Furst.

I am always entertained by the interaction between Eve and the people around her, especially since most of them realize that her bark is much worse than her bite (unless you're a criminal).  It is great to see that she is finally coming to terms with some of the horrific occurrences in her past and naturally, the mesmerizing Roarke is always a wonderful bonus to these stories.  After all...who can resist a description like this, "And there he was, filling her dash screen, those staggering blue eyes alert in a face created on a day God had felt particularly generous".  Yum.  And what a relationship..."He knew what to give, what to take.  He always knew.  With him, she could love, without fear, without doubts and know she was loved the same way.  She reached for him, reached for that love, for the welcome, and once more looked into the wild, wild blue of his eyes". Sigh.

It's amazing to me that each of these books is a testament to this author's ability to create an enthralling story that is a meld of creativity as it explores some of the inventions and developments of the future yet provides a very keen study of human nature and the struggle between good and evil.  There is a fair amount of violence but it is leavened by the constant byplay and witticisms which demonstrate much of Eve's philosophy in her pithy comments.  I spend a fair amount of time giggling at the turn of events (including Eve's instructions to Peabody on the stealthy way to convince grandma to send soup) even as I cheer on the good guys as they seek to bring justice to those who have been wronged.  And yes, I always enjoy the opportunity to drool over Roarke...who wouldn't?  Another great read in a series that continues to evolve and entertain.

And, Happy Anniversary to my own version of Roarke who strives to spoil me just as much as Roarke does Eve!

Delusion in Death

Delusion in Death   
by J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts) is part of her delightful futuristic series that features Lieutenant Eve Dallas and her oh so yummy spouse, Roarke.  This imaginative series has remarkable advances in transportation and communication yet still has its share of the evil that mankind can perpetrate on itself.

This latest addition to the series involves a horrific chemical cocktail that removes all inhibition on its victims while escalating hostilities to a killing level very quickly.  I was a little nauseated by all of the violence described even as I was quickly drawn into the spell that this amazing enchantress weaves with every one of her books.  I am always fascinated by the author's ability to paint a word portrait of the prickly homicide detective and her interactions with all of the beings (including an obese feline) who have managed to sneak past her defenses and become important to her.  The stark descriptions of the horrendous abuse that Eve endured as a child and its ongoing influence upon her are leavened by the incredibly touching vignettes that depict the genuine anguish experienced by those who love (despite her protests) the somewhat socially inept but incredibly loyal and determined advocate of justice.  E.g. Roarke tells Eve..."understand I love you beyond anything and everything there is." and Dr. Mira explains to Eve...."He loves, Eve, and those who love suffer when who they love suffers".  Sigh.  Can't help but love this series.

Eve continues to grow as a person throughout the series and I am delighted that she has come to regard her partner Peabody as a true partner and not just a protege and I enjoy the repartee between the two of them.  There's a great scene where Eve playfully warns Peabody away

from lusting after Roarke by threatening her with an icepick, a dull one...and Peabody contemplates whether it still might be worth it, lol.  The occasional lighthearted moments, including Eve's fumbling attempts to understand what her goddaughter is burbling, not to mention Eve's thumbnail sketch of Creationism vs. the Big Bang Theory, keep the drama from being overwhelming but this is definitely a murder mystery which ratchets up the tension to the very last page.  Another wonderfully crafted tale.

Celebrity in Death

Celebrity in Death by J.D. Robb (aka Nora Roberts)

is the latest in her wonderful futuristic series about Lieutenant Eve Dallas (and hunky ideal mate Roarke).  It is an interesting book that reminds me of a house of mirrors because fictional life is being mimicked on film which is telling the story of one of Eve's cases.  Confused?  Don't be...it's a great read.  If you are not already a fan of the series, a movie is being made of one of Eve's more sensational cases and Eve and her counterparts have been invited to a dinner with the actors portraying them.  I love Eve's discomfort with the social butterfly scene because I can identify with her reluctance to present a false front when all she wants to do is be herself.  I also think that the author's ability to create that sense of deep and abiding love is one of her greatest talents and the following quote from this novel really appealed to me:

p. 195  “His girl, he thought as hands and lips began to stroke the first embers of passion.  His strong, complicated, and resilient girl.  He loved every corner of her mind, her heart, even when she maddened him.  There was nothing he wanted or treasured more truly, nothing he had craved or dreamed of in those dark, often desperate years of youth that was as rich or powerful as what she’d given him.
    He’d believed in love despite the lack of it in those early years, or perhaps because of the lack.  But it had taken her to show him what love meant, what it gifted, what it cost, what it risked.”



Sigh...these two people have been honed by the crucibles of their traumatic backgrounds but they have found each other.  Who could ask for anything more?  Well, his propensity to own the world and her ability to cut through bull-s**t doesn't hurt either, lol.

I love the creativity that is present in this series and can instantly be drawn into this world.  I am constantly laughing or sighing at the imagery created...Eve's new coat is a source of instant lust for several people in this book and who wouldn't want Roarke choosing one's outfit for the night?  Okay, enough gushing...go enjoy the book!  My review on Amazon is at this link under ELF2060.  I am always appreciative of a 'yes this was helpful' vote.