General Reviews
Pick a book to see reviews on or browse down the list...
Non-series books--
Overtime Pay Stay With Me Phantom Dreams "The Color of Love" in All I Want for Christmas
NOBODY: An Anthology of Dark Fiction We Shall Live Again All I Want For Christmas is You
Nevermore Marked Undead Embrace
The Cougar Book
"The Fire God's Woman" in Coming Together: Under Fire
"Birthright" in Monsters of Myth
Coming Together: Under Fire
ARe Top Ten Seller
A Safe Heart
ARe Reader Rating
The three short stories from NOBODY also appear in Beyond the Veil
http://www.spinetinglers.co.uk/news.php/action,display/nid,57
"The Essex Writers' & Artists' Guild have put together a
collection of short stories based in and around the concept of nobody,
and it is, by far, the best collection of short stories I have ever
read. It is a diverse range of tales from authors of varying
accomplishments. Practically every subgenre in dark fiction is covered
- Sci-fi, crime thriller, vampire fiction and the list goes on. Usually
when you read an anthology, you find that you really enjoy a few
stories, but not all. On the contrary, every single story within this
collection is fascinating, and sometimes spooky--a rare treat for
anyone who loves either a good old-fashioned ghost story, or brilliant
sci-fi stories warning of the dangers of technology. Also, a lot of
anthologies have similar stories, and after you have read a few, you
almost do not have to read the rest of the book because they so
formulaic. This is not he case with Nobody; each author has obviously
been given free reign to use this concept however they want, which only
adds to the brilliance of this entertaining and fascinating anthology.
All stories are brilliantly written and fantastically entertaining. This is an absolute must for Dark Fiction Fans,
and Spinetinglers has the feeling that the writers in this anthology
will certainly not be 'nobodies' for much longer."
Reviewed by Nolene-Patricia Dougan for
Spinetinglers 5
STARS! WINNER SPINETINGLERS' BOOK OF THE YEAR!
http://monsterlibrarian.com/something_different.htm
"Nobody
is a fine collection of short stories that cover a wide range of horror
genres. The common denominator for the stories is that they are all
written by members of EWAG (
Reviewed by Bret Jordan for Monster Libarian
"Nobody is for the
birds. Seriously, it's a must-read for birdies everywhere, of
particular interest to parrots and parakeets, by my estimation, but
even your garden-variety canary might just enjoy reading this
high-flying little number while chillin' on the perch. Kudos to EWAG
and her authors!"
Reviewed by Solomon, the official spokes-bird of
Dark Hart Press 4.5
Bells
http://www.horrorworld.org/reviews.htm
"A highly entertaining
anthology. Eclectic in style and theme, “Nobody” is a compilation of
stories that are mostly subtle, yet vivid in their imagery and powerful
in their execution. Among the best in the collection is Gregory Norris’
“The Box of Love and Hatred”, a suspenseful story of a woman who
becomes obsessed with a box her good-for-nothing boyfriend has stored
in her closet, and “Rose-Colored Glasses” by Tracy Carbone, a clever
look at paranoia within an exclusive experimental community where the
human potential for prejudice finds a way to surface even under the
most ideal conditions. Other commendable stories include the
heartwarming “Trick or Treat” by Brenna Lyons, a haunting love story
set in the night of Samhain. The spectrum of styles in “Nobody” adds a
lot to the quality of the collection. The list of contributors may not
ring any bells for most readers, but there is something in “Nobody” for
every taste, be it ghosts, vampires, space travel, world-changing
technology, or never-ending dreams. These are stories about people who
might fade away in their individual existence, but who come to life
with such strength that we, as readers, cannot help but look up and
feel their presence."
Reviewed
by César Puch for Horror World
ARe Reader Rating
http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/October2004/Amanda-StayWithMe.htm
"Brenna
Lyons eloquently illustrates the power of love in her short story, Stay
With Me. In less than fifteen pages, she has penned a tale that packs
an emotional punch. Jonas and Shawna are engaging characters that
convey an abiding love. Their passion is palpable. Yet, it is not
always easy to hold on to love when one partner is a spirit. The
recounting of the events that led up to their grievous loss will move
readers. Yet the love they have managed to find the second time around
will touch hearts with its honesty. As the story comes to an end, and
you think you know all there is to know, Ms. Lyons manages to insert an
element to the story that will surprise and convey the true depth of
Jonas and Shawna’s love. Ms. Lyons’ descriptions and style will have
you believing that love can overcome death if your belief is strong
enough. A definite must read for any fan of romance that enjoys when
love triumphs over all else."
Reviewed by Amanda for Fallen Angels Reviews 5 ANGELS
"Stay with Me is a passionate, emotionally titillating “love conquers all” contemporary short story. It’s well written, concise and brief. Too brief for my taste, as I feel Ms. Lyons could have elaborated into a novel. Stay with Me has the foundation to become a good novel. I would have loved to learn more about how Jonas and Shawna met and fell in love. Prior to Stay with Me, I’ve never read any of Brenna Lyons’ writings. But now I will definitely be on the lookout for this author."
Reviewed by Tallyn Porter for Just Erotic Romance Reviews 4 Stars
http://www.romancejunkies.com/artman/publish/article_2363.shtml
"You can
truly feel the love that Jonas and Shawna feel for each other radiate
off the pages. It is the special binding love that we all search for
throughout our lives and would do anything to keep from losing it once
it is found. This eXtasy Nugget by Brenna Lyons has an interesting
twist at the end that you are sure to love. Don’t have a lot of time
but need a quick romance fix, then this is the story for you."
Reviewed by Bea Sigman for Romance Junkies 4 RIBBONS!
Autonomy will also appear in Will of the Stone
Autonomy was written as a bridge between a series the author is doing called Night Warriors. I really started getting into this story, and it ended, just like that. I realize it was a short story, and the author even tells you at the beginning of the story that it is a bridge for another story. It was still pretty frustrating. Over all, it was very well written, the sex was hot and steamy. It certainly made me want to go out and find the rest of the series!
Overtime Pay- I enjoyed this story because it had an interesting twist. It was a quick, easy read that caught my attention and held it. The scene with the two lovers about to get caught was really sizzling, great scene!
Stay With Me- This story was really sweet and sad. Sad because I am not sure it was what I would do, but some people would love to have the choice of seeing and interacting with their loved ones again. It made me think about what I would do in that situation, which is what a good story is all about. This was a charming short story that I would definitely recommend.
Julie Bryan for Just Erotic Romance Reviews 4/5 Stars!
http://www.roadtoromance.ca/reviewatheart.htm
"AT HEART is not your usual erotic romance collection. These stories are told from a different perspective, there is an interesting twist on the happy endings and forever after aspects. They each contain romance, heat and an element of surprise. This little collection is definitely recommended for something a little different that is short, sweet and with a twist. The only complaint is that they end too soon and that there are a lot of questions that are left unanswered."
Reviewed by Ansley Velarde for The Road to Romance
http://fallenangelreviews.com/April2004/Shelley-AtHeart.htm
"Autonomy - Although
Autonomy was well-written and the love scene was very hot, it was not
as enjoyable for me because I hadn't read the prequels. I'm sure fans
of the Night Warrior series will love it.
Overtime Pay - begins with a very hot scene where a couple, excited by
the danger of being caught, makes love on the dark deck. This is a
short story that packs in a lot of sensuality in a very short time.
Stay With Me - My favorite story in this collection, Stay With Me is
touching and bittersweet. The idea of whether or not you could go on
with your life if you had the chance to interact with a dead loved one
is an interesting thought and Ms. Lyons handles it well.
All in all, if you're a fan of Brenna Lyons, At Heart is not to be
missed. Readers new to Ms. Lyons' work will enjoy the last two the most."
Reviewed by Shelley for Fallen Angels Reviews 3 ANGEL REVIEW!
http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/September2004/Jaynie-Autonomy.htm
"I enjoyed
this short story by Ms Lyons who writes flowing prose that is easy to
read. The story is sensual, and builds well to the sex scene. The sex
scene was scorching and made me want to run straight to bed. She
handled the deflowering of a virgin a lot better than most –
emphasizing Erin’s enjoyment over her lack of experience without the
usual cliché of ‘the virgin knowing all the tricks’. The dialogue
between Erin and Curt was well done. This short story has certainly
made me want to read more of the series and find out what is next for
these two characters. I recommend it for fans of Brenna Lyons, and
those who just want a sneak peak at her writing style."
Reviewed
by Jaynie for Fallen Angels Reviews 4 Angels!
http://www.romancejunkies.com/artman/publish/article_2272.shtml
"AUTONOMY
is an erotic eXtasy Nugget that is part of Brenna Lyons's Night Warrior
Series. We get a quick glimpse at an important time in Erin's life, how
she feels and what she does to get what she wants. Although I haven't
read many of the stories in the Night Warrior Series, I didn't find
myself lost with this short glimpse into the series. Seeing how much
Curt wants Erin, and the choices she makes, gives us a basis into the
romantic interlude between the two. "
Reviewed
by Bea Sigman for Romance Junkies 3 Ribbons
The Color of Love now sells separately from Phaze
"I enjoyed The Color of Love. I found it totally understandable that [Grace is] reluctant to give Michael another chance. Michael knows he was wrong and desperately hopes for one more chance with her to try to rekindle their love. I like the way he woos Grace and allows her to make up her own mind. I enjoyed how the ring reflects Grace’s various moods throughout this short story. Brenna Lyons gave me quite an education about mood rings, making me want to wear the one I know I have hidden away in my jewelry box! "
Reviewed by Victoria for Two Lips Reviews 4 Lips!
http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/January2005/Amanda-AllIWantForChristmas.htm
"The
Color of Love is a heartwarming short story of love’s second chance.
Brenna Lyons does an outstanding job creating realistic characters that
have believable reactions to the situation they find themselves in.
Grace is not ready to automatically forgive Michael and struggles with
what she should do, however her character is honest enough to admit
that the love they shared is hard to forget. Michael’s candor is a nice
change of pace. He is a man that realizes that he made a mistake and
that the situation he finds himself in is of his own making. The ending
of this story is a wonderful finale that reflects the depth of emotion
that has been hinted at in the previous scenes. All I Want for
Christmas is a wonderful addition to holiday reading. These short
stories are romantic and fun and will ensure that you are filled with
the spirit of the holiday long after December has passed."
Reviewed by Amanda for Fallen Angels Reviews 4 Angels!
"My
favorite story in the whole anthology, The Color of Love is a funny,
sexy romp. ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS should remind everybody of what the
Christmas season is all about, even when Christmas has passed...being
with friends, family, and loved ones. Not to mention, forgiving the
people who have done something to hurt you. In The Color of Love, Grace
Malloy has been burnt before and will not give Michael that kind of
control over her again, until she learns why he broke her heart the
first time. For a dose of Christmas magic, check out ALL I WANT FOR
CHRISTMAS today."
Reviewed by Angela Camp for Romance Reviews Today
(Also see reviews in At Heart)
ARe Reader Rating
http://www.romancejunkies.com/artman/publish/article_2259.shtml
"eXtasy Nuggets are always a special treat. Short, hot and to the point, these quick stories are sure to quench any erotica lover’s thirst for that much needed quickie. Brenna Lyons doesn't disappoint us with this erotic tale of "will we be caught" sex on the cruise ship. The sex is steamy and the story a real attention getter. I know I want to take a trip on The Mysterious now."
Reviewed by Bea Sigman for Romance Junkies 4 Ribbons!
http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/November2004/Dawn-OvertimePay.htm
"Brenna
Lyons creates a tale that brings out the voyeur in all of us. I
thoroughly enjoyed this story, and the thought of being caught, was
titillating. I like that Brenna Lyons can take something normally
taboo, and turn it into something extraordinary and doable. Brenna
Lyons is an author of consummate talent and I can’t wait to see what
else that she has in store for us. A talent such as hers deserves much
accolades and I give her 5 Angels."
Reviewed by Dawn for Fallen Angels Reviews 5 ANGELS!
a less sensual variant of this story appears in NOBODY and in Beyond the Veil
PHANTOM DREAMS, #5 SF/f Short Story P&E 2004
http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/November2004/Amanda-PhantomDreams.htm
"Brenna
Lyons has created a short story that is filled with emotion and
eloquently illustrates one woman’s internal conflict. The characters in
this work exhibit a wealth of emotion. The struggle Ines endures with
her memories draws the reader in as they work to deduce, just as Ines
must, what is real and what is fantasy. The transition between scenes
is well done and does not give away the ending too soon. Yet, when the
pivotal moment for Ines arrives, the reader is prepared for what
transpires. The ending is both heart wrenching, as Ines must finally
face the events in her past, and touching as she comes to accept her
future. Ms. Lyons is to be commended for being able to instill so much
emotion in so few pages. Phantom Dreams will leave you with a smile on
your face and warmth in your heart."
Reviewed
by Amanda for Fallen Angels Reviews 4 Angels!
http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/PhantomDreams.html
"Ms. Lyons
story telling grabs your attention and holds you in the pages of this
short novella. The question is do you believe in ghosts? This is a must
read, so you can unravel the mysteries Ines has locked away. This book
is a keeper."
Reviewed by Lynn for Coffeetime Romance 4 Cups!
http://www.romancejunkies.com/artman/publish/article_2562.shtml
"PHANTOM
DREAMS is a romantic story, Gothic in style, a rare book in which
eroticism doesn't diminish the dramatic intensity of emotions, but,
instead, adds another dimension. Until nearly the very end of the
story, we are not sure whether Ines is dreaming or hallucinating, or
experiencing everything for real—or, perhaps, someone is trying to
deceive her. This makes for a very enjoyable read, especially for a
dark and stormy night when you are in the mood for supernatural and
dark romanticism. A recommended story from the talented quill of Brenna
Lyons."
Reviewed
by Daria for Romance Junkies 5 RIBBONS!
"Well
written, Phantom Dreams will keep you guessing until the very end! Ms.
Lyons creates a reality for Ines that keeps the reader wondering what
exactly is going on. It kept me glued to the pages in hopes of figuring
out the strange occurrences. This being the enjoyment of reading the
story and unveiling of the truth, I’m not going to even attempt to
explain it. However, know that the emotions drawn for the reader are
real and have your heart breaking, the sex is passionate, and the
ending is powerfully enticing! Read this short story, I know you’ll
want to add it to your “keeper” file as I have!"
Reviewed by Vikky Bertling for Just Erotic Romance
Reviews 4/5 STARS!
"I loved Ms. Lyons' style of writing--she's a pro, excellent with her descriptions, and the story reads with ease. I have to say, I was captivated by the plot and snagged from the beginning. The only flaw, in my humble opinion, was that I never had a clear picture in my mind of what the heroine looked like, nor did I ever determine where and when the story took place. Was I disappointed? No Way! Everything else was crystal clear and I swear I heard the bed creaking beneath the combined weight of Ines and Jacque. I can't wait to read more of Brenna Lyons' offerings, besides... her sex scenes sizzle."
Reviewed by Brett Scott for The Romance Studio 4.5 Hearts!
"Ms.
Lyons story telling grabs your attention and holds you in the pages of
this short novella. The question is do you believe in ghosts? This is a
must read, so you can unravel the mysteries Ines has locked away. This
book is a keeper."
Reviewed by Lynn for Coffee Time Romance 4 Cups!
http://www.theromancestudio.com/reviews/reviews/livagainlyons.htm
"Very successfully done! We Shall Live Again was a very entertaining read. At first I thought the title might be just a bit misleading until I got a little deeper into the story. Yes, the characters were realistic when it came to the research into archeology. The mental pictures Brenna Lyons evoked for this reader were very impressive. The artistic skill catapulted me into the story right along with Anna into a dream realm. There was intense and believable suspense that nicely combined with the romance. "
Reviewed by Wanda Maynard for The Romance Studio 4.5 Hearts!
ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU
ARe Reader Rating
"This was a well thought out story and I thought it would
be straightforward. I was wrong. While Robin was happy with Zach, their sex
lives were frustratingly vanilla. Robin craved more and when she approached
David she got more than she anticipated. While trying to keep their relationship
a secret to avoid conflict with the family, both wishes their relationship were
real. But a secret like this is just begging to be let out, and since it’s
Christmas, wishes can come true."
Reviewed by Chris for Night Owl Romance
4.5 Stars - Recommended Read!
"Brenna Lyon's story, All I want For Christmas Is You, is a sure win. It is deeply erotic, with enough electric sex scenes to light up the Carson Christmas tree. It is this internal conflict, expressed in their respective POV's which gives depth to these characters, and make each one so likeable. The external conflict provided by David's extended family adds a level of humor as they unwittingly both interfere with and aid their secretive affair. With All I Want For Christmas, Brenna Lyons has penned a charming short story with more than enough heat to keep you warm on a cold winter's eve, and I wholeheartedly recommend it."
Reviewed by Lynn for Fallen Angels
Reviews 5 Angels- Recommended Read!
"Conquering the lost lover/spouse/partner theme without
teetering too far into the darker, more despondent undertones is tricky.
Oftentimes, it’s difficult to fall for the current hero and/or heroine if they
are overshadowed by a shadow lingering in the pages. Fortunately, author Brenna
Lyons has combined acceptance and loss, creating a stable place for the
protagonists to come together and move forward with their lives. It’s apparent
that both David and Robin loved Zach – his brother and her fiancée – but instead
of being something they can’t move past, it’s written so that you ache with them
– not necessarily for them. The chemistry between Robin and David is
burn-the-tips-of-your-fingers hot, and sex scenes will have you melting in the
reading chair. I love Ms. Lyons style of writing, as well as her ability to
bring emotion to the page – even as she kicks up the heat. Don’t miss this
engaging and thoroughly enjoyable read. Be sure to put All I Want For Christmas
Is You on your TBR list."
Reviewed by Fern for Whipped Cream Reviews 4.5
Cherries!
"I absolutely loved this sweet little story about David and Robin. Ms. Lyons knows how to draw her audience into a book so they don’t want to put it down. As a reader, you’ll be glad this is a short story so you can find out what happens quickly, but then you want to know what else is going on in the Carson family. Even though this is under 100 pages, the development of the story was exceptional. I hope Ms. Lyons has more planned not only for Robin and David but also the rest of the family."
Reviewed by Jacqueline Stengel for TCM Reviews
"This was a short fun read with a simple yet powerful plot. The clash of
these two very well-drawn characters, and their interaction, was a pleasure to
read. It was exactly the right amount of plot for the length, giving conflict
but also the chance for a happy resolution. The world was presented with enough
detail to make their dilemmas believable without being overwhelming. I
thoroughly enjoyed this novella."
Reviewed by Moe for The Romance Studio
4.5 Hearts!
"A supernatural romp of
delightful proportions, Nevermore is a truly captivating glimpse of a truly
magical world. The line between love and hate is drawn, crossed and re-crossed
as the battle lines are drawn between the werewolf and his mate, mortal enemies
drawn together by the magic of their world. Short, but sweet, the level of
emotion in this short interlude is unexpectedly profound in its brevity.
Surprisingly well drawn."
Reviewed by Stacey for
Manic Reviews
4.5 stars! Featured review!
"Creative and original as well as steamy, this was a thought-provoking
read. While I was a little lost in the beginning, the more I read the more
became clear. A man’s desire for his line to continue made leaps in science, but
took a huge step back in the evolution department. While we are left wondering
who the women are and what their purpose truly is, there are clues along the way
that point not at an assassin, but something else. You’ll have to read the story
to find out."
Reviewed by Chris for Night Owl Romance
3 Stars!
"Story: 7, Presentation: 9, Total: 16
"There is a lot of story packed into a few pages. For this reason and
because I didn’t want to miss a thing, I had to read a bit slower. There were a
few shaky spots where I wasn’t quite “in” the story, but Ms Lyons quickly amps
up the action and brought me right back. The sex is hot but the tease is even
hotter."
Reviewed by Seriously Reviewed
"Comfort Food" in Undead Embrace
"This anthology shows
gives readers a glimpse into the ever interesting and always terrifying world of
the undead. Including stories by Brenna Lyons, T. L. Ryder and Terri Pray, this
volume takes the undead to a new level. Comfort Food is a very descriptive story
with an interesting take on the traditional zombie story. Human Touch- Vividly
descriptive and fun, this story is a great read. Long Odds- Once again, Brenna
Lyons has woven a tale of intrigue and surprise that is a great page turner."
Reviewed by Cassie for
Bitten By
Books
3.5 Tombstones!