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| On the Prowl | 
 enlarge | Authors: Patricia Briggs, Eileen Wilks, Karen Chance, Sunny
Publisher: Berkley
Category: Book
List Price: $7.99
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Avg. Customer Rating:  44 reviews
Sales Rank: 2123
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 352
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 6.5 x 4.1 x 0.8
ISBN: 0425216594
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.08508
EAN: 9780425216590
ASIN: 0425216594
Publication Date: August 7, 2007
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Product Description
These all-new paranormal romances from today's hottest authors feature a female werewolf who comes into her own; a Lord who crosses paths with a fiery mage; a mixed-blood Child of the Moon who faces an uncertain future; and a woman whose sixth sense proves to be a dangerous talent.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 39 more reviews...
 A Bloody Advertisement September 3, 2007
92 out of 99 found this review helpful
Though I really like 2 of the authors of the stories in this compilation, I was extremely displeased by this "book". The first two stories ended with "if you want to read the end of this story, buy ... book". GRRR. This takes "series" fic to a more insane level.
The stories themselves are a mix.
Briggs rocks (as usual). This story takes place in the Moon Called universe, with a side character from there and answers as to where the sold weres came from in book 1. It is a good standalone, though, except for the big old "to be continued" at the close.
I'm not a big fan of Eileen Wilks writing, but this is an introduction to her Temting Danger series. It is also the opening to a new book, only half told here. There was too much trite political commentary for my taste. (making the "gifted" register in Texas and comparing it to Nazi Germany? A thinly veiled Trent Lott as the big bad politician? please. Tell a story, not your politics.)
The Chance story is the best standalone, I think, though it links with her Touch the Dark series. And it is a good, solid story. Probably the best of this batch. Her universe is very complex, but her story telling is quite riveting. And her characters just ooze with sensuality. She gets her point across without all the tab a slot b stuff. unlike...
Sunny who writes thinly veiled porn. This stuff would make Laurell Hamilton blush, and that's saying something. Jeezum Crow. The story was, again, the middle of her universe that begins with Mona Lisa Awakening. It seems like it might be a decent story, but mostly just sex. And that's not for me.
This book was given to me. I'd read two of the authors before and liked them (see other reviews). I'd skimmed the other two and passed. This did give me the benefit of knowing I'd passed on them for a reason. But boy, I don't like seeing "if you want to see the end of this story, look for the book in August 2008!"
GRRRR
(*)>
 It's ALL good August 9, 2007
48 out of 52 found this review helpful
I bought this 4 novella edition for the Patricia Briggs story and was delighted to discover that each of the four contributors' offerings was well-written and interesting.
"Alpha and Omega", the first story by Patricia Briggs, is part of the back-story of her first Mercedes Thompson novel, "Moon Called." Charles, the Marrok (chief werewolf of the US) son and executioner, is called to Chicago when the Marrok discovers that one of the Chicago Alphas has sold werewolves to humans for experimentation. While this Alpha finds a corrupt packleader, he also finds an Omega Wolf in Anna, a young female werewolf who aids him in his investigation. I'm really looking forward to reading more about this pair. In just a few short pages, Ms. Briggs brought a character to life and gave her a reason to fight.
"Inhuman" by Eileen Wilks, deals with a time where the magic current have shifted stranding a Hellhound on Earth during Elizabethan times. He's now shifted fully to human form and works as a lawman. When he discovers a chameleon has come through the vales to this world, he must contact the Faery Queen he's lieged to--but in doing so, he risks his newfound love. This is my first exposure to Ms. Wilks' work and will not be my last. She writes very evocatively.
"Buying Trouble" by Karen Chance introduces us to Claire, who'd like a divorce from her family, but they try to sell her instead. She escapes the auction house with a Lord of the Fey and discovers her true identity. This is actually my favorite of what I've read by Ms. Chance. The story's funny ironic edge is definitely appealing.
"Mona Lisa Betwining" is by Sunny, who is a totally new author to me. Mona Lisa, the new Queen of the Monere in Mississippi must answer for the death of the former Queen. Additionally, she must deal with a lot of intricate sexual issues. This is a beautifully written story but explicit and erotic in content--may not be suitable for younger readers.
What I like about these types of collections is that for a small investment per author, you get a taste of their work. Anthologies have introduced me to some of my favorite authors.
Anthology August 11, 2007
21 out of 28 found this review helpful
If there is one anthology you buy this year, make it this one. This is a fantastic read I couldn't put it down.
Patricia Briggs is a fabulous writer and this short is part of a book to be released in August 2008. I can hardly wait. Charles is the son of the Marrock of the werewolves. He is also the one who dispenses justice for the packs. Sent to Chicago by his father in answer to a call by Anna, a wolf in the Chicago pack, he finds things are not what they seem and the least of these is Anna, she believes she is the least of the pack but Charles recognizes a very unusual fact about her. She is an Omega, a wolf who calms and eases the tension of other wolves. She has been abused by the pack and Charles finds there are many things wrong in Chicago.
Eileen Wilks tells us of a stranded fey one who is not what he seems. He is a cop and his friend has gifts she can see the emotions of others. NOw there is a killer loose killing gifted people, draining them of blood. Nathan and Kai must cooperate to find this killer and stop him or her.
Karen Chance gives us a red headed mage wanted by the fey and her family. Claire is working in an auction house when she sees one of the fairy folk and thinks her time is up. Unfortunately she is right about being betrayed but wrong about the gorgeous Lord of the Fey. Both are forced to escape togather and that is only the beginning of Claire's problems and secrets.
All three stories above would make wonderful books and hopefully they will.
Sunny is the author of the last short and I must confess I do not like her stories or her characters. They seem to be take offs on Laurel Hamilton's with much more unsavory pursuits. Mona Lisa meets a tall dark man who incites her more dark desires.
Even without the Sunny story, this is the best group I have read in a while. It is worth the money and the time.
 a wonderful collection of paranormal romance tales August 21, 2007
15 out of 17 found this review helpful
Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques
On the Prowl is a wonderful collection of paranormal romance tales with strong heroines gifted with some pretty impressive abilities. At the same time though, even the strongest of women can use a little help from their man...
In Alpha and Omega by Patricia Briggs, we meet Anna, a recently turned werewolf, whom everyone believes to be a true submissive wolf. But when Charles Cornick arrives, son of the Marrok werewolf (or king as we humans understand better), arrives to investigate some problems in the Chicago pack, he knows immediately that Anna is more than anyone thinks, and is one very special female he could easily fall for.
This was my first foray into Patricia Briggs's werewolf society and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Fortunately, though I assume this takes place in the same society as in her two most recent werewolf books, I did not need to read them first. I had no problem following along with the rules of the werewolves and unfolding events. There are also some very interesting twists thrown into the story that explain just what did happen to the missing werewolves in the pack and why there are no females besides Anna and the pack leader's mate.
Inhuman by Eileen Wilks introduces us to Kai and Nathan. Kai has a special ability to sense people's feelings, but not by normal means. She sees something that is similar to but not exactly the same as auras and through these she hears and feels what other people are going through. She knows there is something very mysterious about her neighbor Nathan, though even her gifts can't help her figure out what that is. When someone or something goes on a murderous rampage, witnesses claim it is Kai committing the crimes. But can she prove her innocence if she goes on the run with sexy neighbor Nathan?
I had the hardest time following Inhuman out of all the stories in this anthology. I've never read anything by Wilks before though I have several of her books on my book shelf, most of which occur in the same world as this story does. I was very confused about the rules of magic in this world. Then there was the added circumstance of a powerful magic storm blowing through the country that threw numerous worlds and universes into chaos. As it turns out, Inhuman is the beginning of a new set of stories that focus on Nathan and Kai. I can only hope that future books in the series explain things more clearly for those of us new to the minds of Eileen Wilks and her players.
Claire is a rarity in the world of mages who when assisting her boss in a large sale, finds herself on the auction block. When Heidar of one of the Fae tribes helps Claire escape, he never realized he was only Buying Trouble (by Karen Chance). Now they are on the run and in the midst of it all, Claire finds out she is far more powerful than anyone, including herself, ever anticipated.
I'm a huge fan of Karen Chance's Cassandra Palmer books so I was glad to see this story in the same world but featuring different characters and many more magical creatures. We learn a little bit more about the different kinds of Fae in the author's worlds through Heidar's explanations to Claire of the differences between them. One additional aspect I enjoyed is the strong romance. Yes, there is some romance in Cassie's series, but while those books are more urban fantasy than romance, Buying Trouble is the reverse. Fans of Karen Chance, be they new or "old," will find themselves enjoying this story, which was probably my favorite in the collection.
In Mona Lisa Betwining by Sunny, the erotic adventures of Mixed Blood Monere and new queen, Mona Lisa continues. While attending a Council meeting, she comes in contact with demon princess Lucinda and suddenly finds herself in great agony as she begins to learn of a whole other side to herself she never knew she had. Only one man can help her through the discovery.
I could not get into Mona Lisa Betwining for anything and I'd have to say it's my least favorite story in On the Prowl. Though it fit the general overall theme of this collection, I do not feel it really belonged. It was much sexier than any of the other stories, being erotica and I felt, unfortunately, that the sex outweighed the plot, something I've never been a fan of. I had great difficulty following what was actually happening, probably because I've not read any of the previous books in the Mona Lisa series. Also, I had a very hard time believing that Mona Lisa, mourning her lost love would suddenly one day realize her grief has ended and start jumping into bed (figuratively speaking since a bed is not usually involved) with each man that catches her eye and then suddenly realizing that one of those men is, surprise!, her new love.
Within the covers of On the Prowl, readers can explore the worlds of a variety of magical creatures, all while getting that necessary romantic fix for us romance readers. We find werewolves, empaths (which is about as close as I can come to categorizing one heroine though it still doesn't quite fit), mages, were-tigers, and then some. There are varying degrees of heat in each story as well, so fans of tamer romance and erotic romance are sure to find something to suit their mood. I enjoyed my introduction to some of these worlds, and loved the chance to revisit others, in On the Prowl and I expect you will too.
Kelley A. Hartsell, July 2007. All rights reserved.
One good, one mediocre, two sub-par August 14, 2007
9 out of 12 found this review helpful
Collections are always frustrating to review because while I want to give five stars for "Alpha and Omega" by Patricia Briggs, the other three offerings in this On the Prowl anthology are decidedly not five star material.
5 stars: "Alpha and Omega" by Patricia Briggs. As other reviewers have written, this novella fills in the back story on Charles from the Thompson werewolf series (Moon Called) and introduces the concept of an Omega werewolf (new to me), who as Charles explains to Anna, is a type of Medicine Man were wolf who exists outside the normal dominance hierarchy of were wolf clans. I was very disappointed when I got to the last page and I can hardly wait for the full length novel coming out in August 2008 that promises to continue Charles' and Anna's story.
1 star: "Inhuman" by Eileen Wilks. Oh my. Eileen Wilks could have greatly benefited from some quality editing -- as this story offends on so many levels that I don't know where to start. First, by the end of the tale, the monster (who has been assuming human shape in order to lure away and suck out all the blood from young, gifted, e.g. magical, humans) turns out to be a misunderstood and lonely chameleon from another reality who is rescued and adopted by Kai, the heroine. Hey, what about all those dead people? Are we, the readers, supposed to forget about them now? Second, we get a too precise view into Wilks' personal politics with her one-dimensional characterization of evangelical Christians living in the Bible Belt as religious fanatics who are represented politically by Republican Majority leader "Brent Trott" who (don't you know?) supports Nazi-like restrictions to be imposed against the human magical community. And third, Kai's love interest, Nathan the hunter county cop who doesn't talk very much, turns out to be a hell-hound who was turned into a human 400 years previously by the Queen of Winter to hunt down a rogue mage... well the mind just boggles on the doggy love angle.
3 stars: "Buying Trouble" by Karen Chance. The back story on Claire, a very powerful "null" magical talent, grabbed my interest immediately but the plot takes a strange turn into farce when sex brings forth her inner dragon. The gorgeous fey warrior/lord who is helping Claire to get away from her killer relatives and who is her sexual partner has some humorous lines that had me laughing out loud, so while the over all story is a mish-mash of a plot, I was nevertheless sufficiently entertained that I'll give Karen Chance another "chance" when/if she publishes a full-length novel about Claire and her fey guy.
0 stars: "Mona Lisa Betwining" by Sunny. I was bored by the prose and stopped reading after the first 2 pages.
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