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The Other Side
Featuring a Lieutenant Eve Dallas novella, this collection of paranormal romance stories from five New York Times bestselling authors will take you to a realm where suspense, desire, and love have no bounds...
In J. D. Robb's "Possession in Death," Lieutenant Eve Dallas has always sought justice for the dead, but now, a victim will seek her own vengeance—through Eve.
In Mary Blayney's "The Other Side of the Coin," an earl and his countess struggle to understand one another, until they spend a day in each other's shoes-and bodies.
In Patricia Gaffney's "The Dancing Ghost," a woman hires a spirit investigator to prove her ancestral home is haunted, but they end up debunking the mystery of love.
In Ruth Ryan Langan's "Almost Heaven," a couple who dies in a car accident struggler to stay in their daughter's life to save her from the wrong man.
And in Mary Kay McComas's "Never Too Late to Love," a practical woman is faced with the most impractical ghosts, who can't rest in peace until they find what they have lost.
In J. D. Robb's "Possession in Death," Lieutenant Eve Dallas has always sought justice for the dead, but now, a victim will seek her own vengeance—through Eve.
In Mary Blayney's "The Other Side of the Coin," an earl and his countess struggle to understand one another, until they spend a day in each other's shoes-and bodies.
In Patricia Gaffney's "The Dancing Ghost," a woman hires a spirit investigator to prove her ancestral home is haunted, but they end up debunking the mystery of love.
In Ruth Ryan Langan's "Almost Heaven," a couple who dies in a car accident struggler to stay in their daughter's life to save her from the wrong man.
And in Mary Kay McComas's "Never Too Late to Love," a practical woman is faced with the most impractical ghosts, who can't rest in peace until they find what they have lost.
416 pages, Kindle Edition
About the author
J.D. Robb
206 books34.1k followersJ.D. Robb is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling In Death series and the pseudonym for #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts. The futuristic suspense series stars Eve Dallas, a New York City police lieutenant with a dark past. Initially conceived as a trilogy, readers clamored for more of Eve and the mysterious Roarke. Forgotten in Death (St. Martin's Press, September 2021) is the 53rd entry in the series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews
October 15, 2018
Typical anthology, some stories were good, though most were meh. I would probably have put this aside after the JD Robb story, but kept plugging away.
Possession in Death (In Death #31.5) by JD Robb (3.5 stars)- This is a futuristic romance taking place in 2060. It was nice to read an In Death story showing all of Eve's coworkers and people important to her. We start off with everyone at a fun BBQ which is quickly overshadowed by murder. I do wish that the more recent works had everyone together in them and actually just hanging out. I had no idea how much I missed that until I read this story. We have Eve called away and finds herself holding an older Romany woman (Gizi) who was stabbed to death. Eve agrees to find Gizi's granddaughter Beata that has gone missing. Eve realizes slowly though that somehow she has been possessed by Gizi. She and Roarke work together to see if they figure out what happened to Beata in order for Eve to return back to normal. I liked the thought of Eve being able to see ghosts and help lay them to rest. Frankly it's not much different from her dreams which have seemed to gotten more prophetic at times during the series. In the end though, the entire story-line moved a little too fast (not surprising since this is a short story) and we don't get a chance to digest things.
The Other Side of the Coin by Mary Blayney (5 stars)- This is a historical romance taking place in 1810. The one story not about ghosts in any way was my favorite. I liked the idea of the Earl of Fellsborough (Harry) swapping bodies with his wife (Bettina). They have an argument and both throw a mysterious coin that is nearby and wish for things at the same time. Bettina wishes that Harry could be in her shoes and Harry wishes that his wife would trust him. It was pretty funny to read them trying to deal with the ins and outs of being men and women in this time period. We also got to see their views on a lot of things such as the slave trade too. The funniest scene though was when the Earl got a period (in his wife's body) and I maybe laughed so hard I hurt my ribs. The agony he was in and the countess just rolling her eyes was hilarious.
I also like how Blayney played with romance scenes in this one too.
Dancing Ghost by Patricia Gaffney (3 stars)-This is a historical romance taking place in 1895. A young woman (Angie Darlington) hires a man (Henry Cleland) who claims to be a paranormal investigator. Angie doesn't really believe that Henry can find or sense ghosts. She is merely trying to use him to prove her grandparent's house is haunted in order to prevent her cousin from selling it. I just found myself bored while reading this. Neither characters interested me much. I was more interested in the literary sayings about love that were appearing on a mirror in a bedroom.
Almost Heaven by Ruth Ryan Langan (2 stars)-This is a contemporary romance. Ted and Vanessa are an older and happily married couple. They leave a party celebrating their daughter's engagement and died when the brakes fail. They get to stay on this side as ghosts and are told they can hang around for a while, but not interfere. Things get dicey though when they realize that someone purposely murdered them. This and the next story are among my least favorite in this anthology. Probably because we don't get any character development from Christina and Jake. They are just props in the overall story and you don't really root for them. I also didn't like Ted that much when he admits he thought their young son Tyler (who suffers from autism) was not intelligent. I just hard cringed at that line.
Never Too Late for Love by Mary Kay McComas (2 stars)-This is also a contemporary romance. MJ is hell-bent on selling her mother's home and then comes to find her ghost and the ghosts of her two aunts who have passed on. The story had too much going on, and McComas trying to throw a love story in there didn't help either. I just didn't think that the story-line was remotely interesting since it seemed like all MJ was talk. And I didn't buy her romance with the guy next door (Ryan) he was beige as hell. The ending just fell flat. I wish the anthology had wrapped on a stronger note.
Possession in Death (In Death #31.5) by JD Robb (3.5 stars)- This is a futuristic romance taking place in 2060. It was nice to read an In Death story showing all of Eve's coworkers and people important to her. We start off with everyone at a fun BBQ which is quickly overshadowed by murder. I do wish that the more recent works had everyone together in them and actually just hanging out. I had no idea how much I missed that until I read this story. We have Eve called away and finds herself holding an older Romany woman (Gizi) who was stabbed to death. Eve agrees to find Gizi's granddaughter Beata that has gone missing. Eve realizes slowly though that somehow she has been possessed by Gizi. She and Roarke work together to see if they figure out what happened to Beata in order for Eve to return back to normal. I liked the thought of Eve being able to see ghosts and help lay them to rest. Frankly it's not much different from her dreams which have seemed to gotten more prophetic at times during the series. In the end though, the entire story-line moved a little too fast (not surprising since this is a short story) and we don't get a chance to digest things.
The Other Side of the Coin by Mary Blayney (5 stars)- This is a historical romance taking place in 1810. The one story not about ghosts in any way was my favorite. I liked the idea of the Earl of Fellsborough (Harry) swapping bodies with his wife (Bettina). They have an argument and both throw a mysterious coin that is nearby and wish for things at the same time. Bettina wishes that Harry could be in her shoes and Harry wishes that his wife would trust him. It was pretty funny to read them trying to deal with the ins and outs of being men and women in this time period. We also got to see their views on a lot of things such as the slave trade too. The funniest scene though was when the Earl got a period (in his wife's body) and I maybe laughed so hard I hurt my ribs. The agony he was in and the countess just rolling her eyes was hilarious.
“Does it feel like some monster from hell is working its way through your stomach and below and the only relief will be when it explodes out of you? But before that can happen the pain fades, but only for a few moments.”
“Yes.” He sounded amazed at her insight.
“It happens every month, my lady,” Bettina said with a sarcastic emphasis on the honorific. “Indeed, it will happen monthly right before your courses for the next twenty years.”
“God help me.”
I also like how Blayney played with romance scenes in this one too.
Dancing Ghost by Patricia Gaffney (3 stars)-This is a historical romance taking place in 1895. A young woman (Angie Darlington) hires a man (Henry Cleland) who claims to be a paranormal investigator. Angie doesn't really believe that Henry can find or sense ghosts. She is merely trying to use him to prove her grandparent's house is haunted in order to prevent her cousin from selling it. I just found myself bored while reading this. Neither characters interested me much. I was more interested in the literary sayings about love that were appearing on a mirror in a bedroom.
Almost Heaven by Ruth Ryan Langan (2 stars)-This is a contemporary romance. Ted and Vanessa are an older and happily married couple. They leave a party celebrating their daughter's engagement and died when the brakes fail. They get to stay on this side as ghosts and are told they can hang around for a while, but not interfere. Things get dicey though when they realize that someone purposely murdered them. This and the next story are among my least favorite in this anthology. Probably because we don't get any character development from Christina and Jake. They are just props in the overall story and you don't really root for them. I also didn't like Ted that much when he admits he thought their young son Tyler (who suffers from autism) was not intelligent. I just hard cringed at that line.
Never Too Late for Love by Mary Kay McComas (2 stars)-This is also a contemporary romance. MJ is hell-bent on selling her mother's home and then comes to find her ghost and the ghosts of her two aunts who have passed on. The story had too much going on, and McComas trying to throw a love story in there didn't help either. I just didn't think that the story-line was remotely interesting since it seemed like all MJ was talk. And I didn't buy her romance with the guy next door (Ryan) he was beige as hell. The ending just fell flat. I wish the anthology had wrapped on a stronger note.
November 9, 2015
First read October 1, 2011.
Five short stories in this anthology that revolve around the theme of The Other Side of life.
Series:
"Possession in Death (In Death, 31.5)
"Other Side of the Coin" (Poppy's Coin, 4)
The Stories
J. D. Robb's "Possession in Death" finds Dallas possessed when an old gypsy, Gizi Szabo, who has come to NYC to look for her missing great-granddaughter, Beata, is murdered. Determined, Madam Szabo slides her essence into Dallas, the Warrior, and gains her Promise to find Beata. A sweet story that will make you cry. And feel gratitude. I do find it interesting that Robb manages such creditable paranormal experiences with her oh-so-hard-headed Lt. Dallas making them so believable. I do wonder why Robb never had Dallas asking Natalya Barinova why she believes that Beata went to Las Vegas
Mary Blayney's "The Other Side of the Coin" forces the Earl and Countess of Fellsborough to experience life in the other's shoes when the two are confused with each other after the birth of the son and heir. This is so cute. Their personalities are in the wrong bodies, they must keep up appearances, yet they haven't a clue on how to proceed. I really loved it when the earl got to experience pre-menstrual pains!
Patricia Gaffney's "Dancing Ghost" was so cute! Angie Darlington wants to save her grandparents' home from her wicked cousin, Lucien, who works for the bank that currently owns the house. So she hires Henry Cleland, a paranormal investigator to help flim-flam its non-sale
Ruth Ryan Langan's "Almost Heaven" was an excellent read! On the eve of her engagement, Christina's parents' brakes fail and their car goes off the road killing them. Anxious to help their daughter and very young son cope with this sudden grief, the ghosts of Ted and Vanessa manage to stay earthbound only to discover some shocking news. Bound not to interfere with free will, Chris' parents still manage to find a way to save their children and redirect their daughter's future. Langan was quite clever in her careful distinctions between non-interference and, especially, in how much "touch" the ghostly parents had in the real world
Mary Kay McComas' "Never Too Late for Love" was another sweet read about a woman obsessed with her career who can't wait to tear down her mother's childhood home. Only, the house won't allow anyone in for destructive purposes. At least, not until the sisters' ghosts find out why they can't go on. A very loving story as M.J. learns more about her family background, her aunts, and the real reason her mother obsessed over her own beauty.
The Cover and Title
Oh, the red door is obviously from "Possession in Death". The swirling lines of light getting brighter and brighter once you are inside the door are a bit cheesy especially with the vague figure of light just beyond
The title is accurate enough. I do like the tagline on the cover: "Five All-New Stories That Will Take You To The Other Side"…wooooo…
Five short stories in this anthology that revolve around the theme of The Other Side of life.
Series:
"Possession in Death (In Death, 31.5)
"Other Side of the Coin" (Poppy's Coin, 4)
The Stories
J. D. Robb's "Possession in Death" finds Dallas possessed when an old gypsy, Gizi Szabo, who has come to NYC to look for her missing great-granddaughter, Beata, is murdered. Determined, Madam Szabo slides her essence into Dallas, the Warrior, and gains her Promise to find Beata. A sweet story that will make you cry. And feel gratitude. I do find it interesting that Robb manages such creditable paranormal experiences with her oh-so-hard-headed Lt. Dallas making them so believable. I do wonder why Robb never had Dallas asking Natalya Barinova why she believes that Beata went to Las Vegas
Mary Blayney's "The Other Side of the Coin" forces the Earl and Countess of Fellsborough to experience life in the other's shoes when the two are confused with each other after the birth of the son and heir. This is so cute. Their personalities are in the wrong bodies, they must keep up appearances, yet they haven't a clue on how to proceed. I really loved it when the earl got to experience pre-menstrual pains!
Patricia Gaffney's "Dancing Ghost" was so cute! Angie Darlington wants to save her grandparents' home from her wicked cousin, Lucien, who works for the bank that currently owns the house. So she hires Henry Cleland, a paranormal investigator to help flim-flam its non-sale
Ruth Ryan Langan's "Almost Heaven" was an excellent read! On the eve of her engagement, Christina's parents' brakes fail and their car goes off the road killing them. Anxious to help their daughter and very young son cope with this sudden grief, the ghosts of Ted and Vanessa manage to stay earthbound only to discover some shocking news. Bound not to interfere with free will, Chris' parents still manage to find a way to save their children and redirect their daughter's future. Langan was quite clever in her careful distinctions between non-interference and, especially, in how much "touch" the ghostly parents had in the real world
Mary Kay McComas' "Never Too Late for Love" was another sweet read about a woman obsessed with her career who can't wait to tear down her mother's childhood home. Only, the house won't allow anyone in for destructive purposes. At least, not until the sisters' ghosts find out why they can't go on. A very loving story as M.J. learns more about her family background, her aunts, and the real reason her mother obsessed over her own beauty.
The Cover and Title
Oh, the red door is obviously from "Possession in Death". The swirling lines of light getting brighter and brighter once you are inside the door are a bit cheesy especially with the vague figure of light just beyond
The title is accurate enough. I do like the tagline on the cover: "Five All-New Stories That Will Take You To The Other Side"…wooooo…
November 16, 2018
This was a really good read. Interesting, creative, captivating and had happy endings. I liked all the stories in this anthology. Good for reading any time, especially before bed. ;) Great characters, written well, interesting stories, personalities, emotions, a little suspense, some spunk and HEAs. Good for snuggling down with. Enjoy!
October 30, 2011
Book Synopsis
Five New York Times bestselling authors cross over to a realm where suspense, desire, and love have no bounds.
J.D. Robb: Lieutenant Eve Dallas has always sought justice for the dead, but now, a victim will seek her own vengeance-through Eve.
Mary Blayney: An earl and his countess struggle to understand one another, until they spend a day in each other's shoes-and bodies.
Patricia Gaffney: To prove her ancestral home is haunted, a woman hires a spirit investigator, but they end up debunking the mystery of love.
Ruth Ryan Langan: A couple who dies in a car accident struggler to stay in their daughter's life to save her from the wrong man.
Mary Kay McComas: A practical woman is faced with the most impractical ghosts, who can't rest in peace until they find what they have lost.
My Thoughts
Sometimes love and loss, death and life go hand in hand and you just need to understand that one does not overshadow the other. In the five tales that are told in this anthology each author takes a different approach to the subject with the end result being the same, one should never lose hope and real love can work miracles.
#1 Possession In Death by JD Robb
Being thrust back into the world of Eve Dallas is always like being given a chance to watch the greatest magician while he is performing his tricks. A little light, a little shadow and the magic created just blows you away. In this tale of death and justice served Eve has moments of true vulnerability along with her trademark genius of cutting through the layers of what, when, why, where and how to solve the case. Nothing beats watching she and Roarke in action as once again Eve manages to oust the criminal in the end!
#2 The Other Side of The Coin by Mary Blayney
In a classic tale of switching places with each other this tale of husband and wife duo, Harry and Bettina is told with both humor and insight that will keep you entertained from the beginning to the end. Set in a time when women and men still slept apart even after enjoying an intimate interlude.
This is a tale where a man and his wife are forced into realizing that while they love each other they do not truly understand each other. The discovery of just how much they mean to each other as more than two people who have shared their bodies with each other and had a child together from that union is funny, sad, joyous and in the end very satisfying reading.
#3 The Dancing Ghost by Patricia Gaffney
There is a fine line between reality and the supernatural, in this little tale the line blurs when Angie Darlington employs Henry Cleland to prove her family home is haunted so she has a chance to keep it from getting sold out from under her by her greedy cousin Lucien. Funny thing about this story is while neither Angie or Henry believe in ghosts the ghosts believe in them!
#4 Almost Heaven by Ruth Ryan Langan
Family and the ties that bind them together are stronger than death. This is proven by the sheer determination that Christina and Tyler Crenshaw's parents Ted and Vanessa employ so that their children do not end up dying at the hands of the very man who had them murdered. The Crenshaw's wealth and their daughter's beauty have together brought into their happy circle a man whose only desire is to get his hands on their fortune, be it by fair means or foul. In this story we get a chance to see what could happen to our loved ones if only we had the chance to come back from the grave long enough to help them one last time!
#5 Never Too Late by Mary Kay McComas
Lost dreams, lost love and lost hope all play a part in making this a very emotionally uplifting and yet tragically sad at time story. MJ is a modern woman whose life is all about her work with very little time for anything else. She inherits the family home and in true practical fashion decides to take it apart and salvage useable pieces of it's construction to be sold for a profit and the vacant lot turned into a business. The house has other ideas it seems and she is forced to deal with what is going on in person, only to find out that her two aunts and her mother's ghosts have taken over the house and will not allow it to be deconstructed until they are able to find what they lost in it and move on to their final resting place. This is one of those stories that you read with a grain of salt and a whole lot of soul searching. It has a good moral lesson and it also has one of the better endings in the whole anthology. A nice way to spend an hour or so as it is also the shortest tale of the five.
January 15, 2020
THE OTHER SIDE BY J.D.ROBB (PORTRAIT IN DEATH), (DIVIDED BY DEATH), AND (IMITATION
BY DEATH), 31.5.
PORTRAIT IN DEATH
Second Read: I forgot I'd read this book 4-5 years ago. I still really really like this series. Okay, so this one has to be one of my favorites in the series so far.
As much as the plot was interesting and a bit crazy, what I loved most was the writing surrounding Roarke. We get a deeper look into his past. And while his story has always touched my heart, the part of his past that is revealed here is heartbreaking as well as comforting. Eve's emotions and her strength was heartening. She was a lot more wifely in this book than in others. She tried harder too which I really appreciated. I adore her. I adore their relationship.
All my favorite characters were present too. Beyond Roarke and Eve we have Peabody, McNabb, Mavis, Nadine and Summerset, Mira & Mr. Mira. It gets a little creepy towards the end when the bad guy goes to hit Trueheart. He is so very honest and clean cut, can't help but like him. Then we get more of Webster, Baxter and Trueheart. Each one of these guys’ relationship with Eve is interesting. I can’t wait to see where J.D. Robb takes these characters.
First Read: I'm really enjoying this series. Like the plots, the characters and Robb's writing style. I know it wouldn't be everyone's writing style, I just happen to like it. If you like her style, they are great books.
DIVIDED BY DEATH
Second Read: I forgot I'd read this book 4-5 years ago. I still really really like this series. Okay, so this one has to be one of my favorites in the series so far.
As much as the plot was interesting and a bit crazy, what I loved most was the writing surrounding Roarke. We get a deeper look into his past. And while his story has always touched my heart, the part of his past that is revealed here is heartbreaking as well as comforting. Eve's emotions and her strength was heartening. She was a lot more wifely in this book than in others. She tried harder too which I really appreciated. I adore her. I adore their relationship.
All my favorite characters were present too. Beyond Roarke and Eve we have Peabody, McNabb, Mavis, Nadine and Summerset, Mira & Mr. Mira. It gets a little creepy towards the end when the bad guy goes to hit Trueheart. He is so very honest and clean cut, can't help but like him. Then we get more of Webster, Baxter and Trueheart. Each one of these guys’ relationship with Eve is interesting. I can’t wait to see where J.D. Robb takes these characters.
First Read: I'm really enjoying this series. Like the plots, the characters and Robb's writing style. I know it wouldn't be everyone's writing style, I just happen to like it. If you like her style, they are great books.
IMITATION IN DEATH
Second Read: This read was really good too. Serial killer at work. He plays killers like Boston Strangler, Jack the ripper, and others. Dresses like them then goes and mutilates and kills these woman. He studies them and learns everything about them before the does it. Peabody is also taking her test for her Detective's licence. It was a cute part of the book.
I really like Robb's/Nora Roberts writing. She holds my attention from the first page until the end. I really am liking this current series and have thoroughly enjoyed the ones that I've read so far. This book is about a serial killer that thoroughly mutilates his victims before he murders them.
I really like the main Lieutenant detective Eve Dallas and her husband Roarke. They are smart, sexy and very good at what they do. Makes for a very good story. This is one of my favorite episodes. Highly Recommend.
BY DEATH), 31.5.
PORTRAIT IN DEATH
Second Read: I forgot I'd read this book 4-5 years ago. I still really really like this series. Okay, so this one has to be one of my favorites in the series so far.
As much as the plot was interesting and a bit crazy, what I loved most was the writing surrounding Roarke. We get a deeper look into his past. And while his story has always touched my heart, the part of his past that is revealed here is heartbreaking as well as comforting. Eve's emotions and her strength was heartening. She was a lot more wifely in this book than in others. She tried harder too which I really appreciated. I adore her. I adore their relationship.
All my favorite characters were present too. Beyond Roarke and Eve we have Peabody, McNabb, Mavis, Nadine and Summerset, Mira & Mr. Mira. It gets a little creepy towards the end when the bad guy goes to hit Trueheart. He is so very honest and clean cut, can't help but like him. Then we get more of Webster, Baxter and Trueheart. Each one of these guys’ relationship with Eve is interesting. I can’t wait to see where J.D. Robb takes these characters.
First Read: I'm really enjoying this series. Like the plots, the characters and Robb's writing style. I know it wouldn't be everyone's writing style, I just happen to like it. If you like her style, they are great books.
DIVIDED BY DEATH
Second Read: I forgot I'd read this book 4-5 years ago. I still really really like this series. Okay, so this one has to be one of my favorites in the series so far.
As much as the plot was interesting and a bit crazy, what I loved most was the writing surrounding Roarke. We get a deeper look into his past. And while his story has always touched my heart, the part of his past that is revealed here is heartbreaking as well as comforting. Eve's emotions and her strength was heartening. She was a lot more wifely in this book than in others. She tried harder too which I really appreciated. I adore her. I adore their relationship.
All my favorite characters were present too. Beyond Roarke and Eve we have Peabody, McNabb, Mavis, Nadine and Summerset, Mira & Mr. Mira. It gets a little creepy towards the end when the bad guy goes to hit Trueheart. He is so very honest and clean cut, can't help but like him. Then we get more of Webster, Baxter and Trueheart. Each one of these guys’ relationship with Eve is interesting. I can’t wait to see where J.D. Robb takes these characters.
First Read: I'm really enjoying this series. Like the plots, the characters and Robb's writing style. I know it wouldn't be everyone's writing style, I just happen to like it. If you like her style, they are great books.
IMITATION IN DEATH
Second Read: This read was really good too. Serial killer at work. He plays killers like Boston Strangler, Jack the ripper, and others. Dresses like them then goes and mutilates and kills these woman. He studies them and learns everything about them before the does it. Peabody is also taking her test for her Detective's licence. It was a cute part of the book.
I really like Robb's/Nora Roberts writing. She holds my attention from the first page until the end. I really am liking this current series and have thoroughly enjoyed the ones that I've read so far. This book is about a serial killer that thoroughly mutilates his victims before he murders them.
I really like the main Lieutenant detective Eve Dallas and her husband Roarke. They are smart, sexy and very good at what they do. Makes for a very good story. This is one of my favorite episodes. Highly Recommend.
December 30, 2010
I checked out this book essentially for J.D. Robb's short story about Eve Dallas. I read the short story on December 21st, then put the book aside to concentrate on other library books. I found the Eve Dallas story a quick read, though I'm glad it's a short story. While the full-length novels have dabbled in psychic phenomenon a little (with Iris and sensitives and all), I'm glad the more heavy-duty paranormal things aren't set in full-novel length, since it seems a departure from the usual Eve Dallas setting. Totally didn't see who the culprit was until they revealed it.
The other authors I've never heard of. Mary Blayney's The Other Side of the Coin has the common premise of switched bodies, between a husband and wife, in England during the Victorian times (I think? With the ton, and carriages and all). It was an okay story.
Patricia Gaffney's The Dancing Ghost was about a woman hiring a ghost investigator to prove her ancestral home is haunted. I liked how they got along together. Happy ending, of course, but it really drew me in.
Ruth Ryan Langan's Almost Heaven was a "GAH" short story. A couple dies in a car accident and they stay in order to "save her from the wrong man." I don't like the earlier emphasis, too, on the family's hope that Tyler, the silent (as of 9 years old) younger brother would leave a "normal, productive life." The emphasis on "normal" was what irked me. Though I did like that he did figure in the story, though he wasn't as fleshed out as other characters and at times felt more of a plot device. The dialogue in this short story, especially between the dead couple and the husband's dead mother made me cringe.
Mary Kay McComas's Never Too Late to Love was an interesting story. I really liked hearing the backstories for the three sisters. Of course, happy and cliche ending, especially with M.J.'s little speech when she has to leave in the middle of the presentation when she gets a call about an emergency, but they're all suppose to have a happy ending. It wasn't as irritating as other stories.
Overall, it was okay, though I borrowed it just for J.D. Robb. I don't know if I'd recommend the other stories, too, or just read her story (if that's why someone got it) and ignore the rest.
The other authors I've never heard of. Mary Blayney's The Other Side of the Coin has the common premise of switched bodies, between a husband and wife, in England during the Victorian times (I think? With the ton, and carriages and all). It was an okay story.
Patricia Gaffney's The Dancing Ghost was about a woman hiring a ghost investigator to prove her ancestral home is haunted. I liked how they got along together. Happy ending, of course, but it really drew me in.
Ruth Ryan Langan's Almost Heaven was a "GAH" short story. A couple dies in a car accident and they stay in order to "save her from the wrong man." I don't like the earlier emphasis, too, on the family's hope that Tyler, the silent (as of 9 years old) younger brother would leave a "normal, productive life." The emphasis on "normal" was what irked me. Though I did like that he did figure in the story, though he wasn't as fleshed out as other characters and at times felt more of a plot device. The dialogue in this short story, especially between the dead couple and the husband's dead mother made me cringe.
Mary Kay McComas's Never Too Late to Love was an interesting story. I really liked hearing the backstories for the three sisters. Of course, happy and cliche ending, especially with M.J.'s little speech when she has to leave in the middle of the presentation when she gets a call about an emergency, but they're all suppose to have a happy ending. It wasn't as irritating as other stories.
Overall, it was okay, though I borrowed it just for J.D. Robb. I don't know if I'd recommend the other stories, too, or just read her story (if that's why someone got it) and ignore the rest.
March 25, 2019
This turned out to be a very good collection of ghostly short stories. I didn't have high expectations since I only had heard of J.D. Robb, but all of them were very entertaining, and I plan to look for more from these authors.
Possession in Death by J.D. Robb - I've listened to this before, and while reading it again, I was hearing Susan Ericksen's voices in my head. I liked this bit of paranormal entering into the normally unflappable and gotta-see-it-to-believe-it Eve Dallas's life. This time she "sees" a woman die in her arms, but it turns out she was murdered a few hours earlier. But Eve gets a few visits and some gentle "direction" to find the killer. I give Roarke a lot of credit for going along with her seemingly-crazy comments and keeping her safe.
The Other Side of the Coin by Mary Blayney - This was a totally fun look as a Regency couple magically switches places in order to appreciate each other's lives. There were a few LOL moments, especially when their sexual feelings were involved.
The Dancing Ghost by Patricia Gaffney - I wasn't expecting to like this one so much because the blurb didn't sound too interesting. But the characters really sold it for me. Henry is a "ghost hunter" who has been asked to visit a house to prove that it is haunted. Turns out the woman involved doesn't believe but wants to prevent the sale of the house, so they end up working together. But they also end up falling in love as well. Great banter between the two of them.
Almost Heaven by Ruth Ryan Langan - A couple is killed in a car accident but remain as ghosts to be sure their children can get through the grieving process. But they are surprised at what they discover. So sweet how the parents really want to take care of their grown daughter and have to figure out how to circumvent the rules to do it.
Never Too Late to Love by Mary Kay McComas - When a woman heads to her family home to have it demolished, she runs into the ghosts of her mother and two aunts, all of whom are refusing to let MJ destroy it. They must discover what they lost in order to move on to the Other Side. The boy next door can see the ghosts too. A great story of self-discovery and love.
Possession in Death by J.D. Robb - I've listened to this before, and while reading it again, I was hearing Susan Ericksen's voices in my head. I liked this bit of paranormal entering into the normally unflappable and gotta-see-it-to-believe-it Eve Dallas's life. This time she "sees" a woman die in her arms, but it turns out she was murdered a few hours earlier. But Eve gets a few visits and some gentle "direction" to find the killer. I give Roarke a lot of credit for going along with her seemingly-crazy comments and keeping her safe.
The Other Side of the Coin by Mary Blayney - This was a totally fun look as a Regency couple magically switches places in order to appreciate each other's lives. There were a few LOL moments, especially when their sexual feelings were involved.
The Dancing Ghost by Patricia Gaffney - I wasn't expecting to like this one so much because the blurb didn't sound too interesting. But the characters really sold it for me. Henry is a "ghost hunter" who has been asked to visit a house to prove that it is haunted. Turns out the woman involved doesn't believe but wants to prevent the sale of the house, so they end up working together. But they also end up falling in love as well. Great banter between the two of them.
Almost Heaven by Ruth Ryan Langan - A couple is killed in a car accident but remain as ghosts to be sure their children can get through the grieving process. But they are surprised at what they discover. So sweet how the parents really want to take care of their grown daughter and have to figure out how to circumvent the rules to do it.
Never Too Late to Love by Mary Kay McComas - When a woman heads to her family home to have it demolished, she runs into the ghosts of her mother and two aunts, all of whom are refusing to let MJ destroy it. They must discover what they lost in order to move on to the Other Side. The boy next door can see the ghosts too. A great story of self-discovery and love.
February 11, 2011
Five short stories concerning the supernatural. The first: J.D. Robb's 'Possession in death' In the year 2060, as Lieutenant Eve Dallas is driving the local Priest hone she sees nothing but an old Russian 'Gypsy' women, stabbed and bleeding, stubling down the street. The Gypsy's soul possesses Eve, allowing her to see the dead, but what about the living who are trapped? Will Eve ever be the same again? Can Roark help her? Wonderful story!
Second: Mary Blayney's "The other side of the coin:' Watch out what you wish for, it just may come true. In this tale from years past, a magical coin appears just as an arguemet between husband and wife ensues. Wishes are made and the couple changes identities. Interesting, but not a true attention holder.
Book three: Patricia Gaffney's 'The dancing ghost:' A cute tale set at th turn of the century (20th that is) USA. Ghost Buster/ con artists meets owner of haunted house/con artist in this tale. Again, cute story, but one's interest does waver.
Book four: Ruth Ryan Langan's 'Almost Heaven:' When a couple is killed in a car accident leaving an engagement party for their beloved daughter, their spirits learn that all was not as it seemed. Allowed to stay an observe their daghter and autistic younger son, thy could not physically touch a person or change their free will; so, how can they stop the murderer before their children become his next victims? Wonderful tale of a true 'life after death' experience.
Book five: Mary Kay McComas' 'Never too late to love' When a woman who 'lives to work' tries to dimantle the home of her ancestors, strange things begin to happen to the contractor. Upon returning to the house, she finds the spirit of her mother and two aunts haunting the house. Theycannot move on because they have to 'find what they lost' in the houe. As she tries to help them, the little boy next door who 'sees' the ghosts becomes concerned. A story of love conquering all.
Second: Mary Blayney's "The other side of the coin:' Watch out what you wish for, it just may come true. In this tale from years past, a magical coin appears just as an arguemet between husband and wife ensues. Wishes are made and the couple changes identities. Interesting, but not a true attention holder.
Book three: Patricia Gaffney's 'The dancing ghost:' A cute tale set at th turn of the century (20th that is) USA. Ghost Buster/ con artists meets owner of haunted house/con artist in this tale. Again, cute story, but one's interest does waver.
Book four: Ruth Ryan Langan's 'Almost Heaven:' When a couple is killed in a car accident leaving an engagement party for their beloved daughter, their spirits learn that all was not as it seemed. Allowed to stay an observe their daghter and autistic younger son, thy could not physically touch a person or change their free will; so, how can they stop the murderer before their children become his next victims? Wonderful tale of a true 'life after death' experience.
Book five: Mary Kay McComas' 'Never too late to love' When a woman who 'lives to work' tries to dimantle the home of her ancestors, strange things begin to happen to the contractor. Upon returning to the house, she finds the spirit of her mother and two aunts haunting the house. Theycannot move on because they have to 'find what they lost' in the houe. As she tries to help them, the little boy next door who 'sees' the ghosts becomes concerned. A story of love conquering all.
April 11, 2011
I apologize for the lateness of this review. I actually read it March 14 to March 15, but misplaced the paper I was reviewing each individual story on.
3.2 stars average for all 5 stories combined.
Possession in Death by JD Robb: 4 stars. I always enjoy JD Robb. I especially enjoyed seeing Eve try to cope with things that are out of her element. She's such a strong character, that to see her fumble with this ghost, even just a bit, had its humourous moments.
The Other Side of the Coin by Mary Blayney: 2 stars. This story was done with a Freaky Friday kind of theme, except that it was a swap between a husband and wife. There was so much potential for this to be truly hilarious, but it came out as mediocre at best.
The Dancing Ghost by Patricia Gaffney: 4 stars. This one was absolutely delightful. The 2 main characters are cute, mischievous scamps that make you love them just because they are how they are. Though the cousin was absolutly loathsome. Which means this was excellent writing to flesh out the characters so completely in such a tiny amount of time.
Almost Heaven by Ruth Ryan Langan. 3 stars. What a sweet story! Langan's idea that spirits can stay for just a little while to visit from time to time, just to make sure they're families are doing okay, is such a nice idea. Better than the creepy ideas that they hang around forever (ugh, seeing all that personal stuff). Charm does eventually crack and show its true form.
Never Too Late to Love by Mary Kay McComas. 4 stars. The 3 sisters were absolutely great! They were quirky and fun almost the whole time. Though they did have their serious moments too. And Ryan. What a sport! His determination and his ability to laugh was terrific. A very enjoyable story. Great quote about families in here too.
3.2 stars average for all 5 stories combined.
Possession in Death by JD Robb: 4 stars. I always enjoy JD Robb. I especially enjoyed seeing Eve try to cope with things that are out of her element. She's such a strong character, that to see her fumble with this ghost, even just a bit, had its humourous moments.
The Other Side of the Coin by Mary Blayney: 2 stars. This story was done with a Freaky Friday kind of theme, except that it was a swap between a husband and wife. There was so much potential for this to be truly hilarious, but it came out as mediocre at best.
The Dancing Ghost by Patricia Gaffney: 4 stars. This one was absolutely delightful. The 2 main characters are cute, mischievous scamps that make you love them just because they are how they are. Though the cousin was absolutly loathsome. Which means this was excellent writing to flesh out the characters so completely in such a tiny amount of time.
Almost Heaven by Ruth Ryan Langan. 3 stars. What a sweet story! Langan's idea that spirits can stay for just a little while to visit from time to time, just to make sure they're families are doing okay, is such a nice idea. Better than the creepy ideas that they hang around forever (ugh, seeing all that personal stuff). Charm does eventually crack and show its true form.
Never Too Late to Love by Mary Kay McComas. 4 stars. The 3 sisters were absolutely great! They were quirky and fun almost the whole time. Though they did have their serious moments too. And Ryan. What a sport! His determination and his ability to laugh was terrific. A very enjoyable story. Great quote about families in here too.
December 30, 2011
I always enjoy the anthologies featuring these authors!
"Possession in Death" by JD Robb has an old Gypsy woman helping Lt. Eve Dallas in a unique way to find her missing granddaughter.
"The Other Side of the Coin" by Mary Blanely brings back the magical wish granting coin, and this time has an earl and his countess learning about what each other does when they trade bodies.
"The Dancing Ghost" by Patricia Gaffney brings together a ghost hunter with a young woman wanting to prove her ancestral home is haunted - but finds love instead.
"Almost Heaven" by Ruth Ann Langan is about a couple who had died in a car accident wanting to watch over their family to make sure they'll be okay before they move on to the afterlife.
"Never Too Late to Love" by Mary Kay McComas has a young woman being faced with the ghosts of her mother and 2 aunts who need her help in discovering why they are still in the house the young woman wants to have demolished.
Anthologies with short stories by different authors tend to be a little neven, and you don't always get drawn into the charcters lives as much, unless it's a recurring character like JD Robb's Eve Dallas. Overall an enjoyble read.
"Possession in Death" by JD Robb has an old Gypsy woman helping Lt. Eve Dallas in a unique way to find her missing granddaughter.
"The Other Side of the Coin" by Mary Blanely brings back the magical wish granting coin, and this time has an earl and his countess learning about what each other does when they trade bodies.
"The Dancing Ghost" by Patricia Gaffney brings together a ghost hunter with a young woman wanting to prove her ancestral home is haunted - but finds love instead.
"Almost Heaven" by Ruth Ann Langan is about a couple who had died in a car accident wanting to watch over their family to make sure they'll be okay before they move on to the afterlife.
"Never Too Late to Love" by Mary Kay McComas has a young woman being faced with the ghosts of her mother and 2 aunts who need her help in discovering why they are still in the house the young woman wants to have demolished.
Anthologies with short stories by different authors tend to be a little neven, and you don't always get drawn into the charcters lives as much, unless it's a recurring character like JD Robb's Eve Dallas. Overall an enjoyble read.
January 11, 2011
J.D. Robb Possession in Death picks up right after Indulgence in Death. Eve holds the promised BBQ for her wide variety of friends and colleagues but gets entangled in the murder investigation of a woman who confers arcane powers to the pragmatic lieutenant. Another lovely addition to the series.
Mary Blayney The Other Side of the Coin: A coin grants ill-considered wishes and allows an earl and his wife to experience each other's lives from within their bodies. Hilarious complications.
Patricia Gaffney The Dancing Ghost: A woman is desperate to save her ancestral home and will go to great lengths to save it.
Ruth Ryan Langan Almost Heaven describes the great love demonstrated by parents who refuse to go to their heavenly reward before they make sure their children are protected from a terrible threat.
Mary Kay McComas Never Too Late to Love gives new meaning to the complications of emptying a house of its memories and contents. Maribelle Biderman must find what her mother and aunts are searching for before they will leave the house to its fate. Sexy neighbor Ryan Doyle and his perceptive young son get involved in the search and help her find more than she realized she was looking for.
Mary Blayney The Other Side of the Coin: A coin grants ill-considered wishes and allows an earl and his wife to experience each other's lives from within their bodies. Hilarious complications.
Patricia Gaffney The Dancing Ghost: A woman is desperate to save her ancestral home and will go to great lengths to save it.
Ruth Ryan Langan Almost Heaven describes the great love demonstrated by parents who refuse to go to their heavenly reward before they make sure their children are protected from a terrible threat.
Mary Kay McComas Never Too Late to Love gives new meaning to the complications of emptying a house of its memories and contents. Maribelle Biderman must find what her mother and aunts are searching for before they will leave the house to its fate. Sexy neighbor Ryan Doyle and his perceptive young son get involved in the search and help her find more than she realized she was looking for.
July 7, 2011
i'll be doing mini reviews on each story instead of one whole giant mash just because:
possession in death by j.d robb = started off quite annoyingly, with too much characters. the whole "i am the promise, you are the warrior," thing also made me cringe. eve dallas was also someone i would very much NOT like. all that aside, the story as a whole was quite solid. reminds me of black swan, one of my favorite movies.
the other side of the coin by mary blayney = amusing read. not really believable (seriously, if you get to be the opposite sex for a day, you wouldn't be as boring as them) but i don't really mind.
the dancing ghost by patricia gaffney = made me smile. angie was so lovely and "henry" was the kind of gentleman that will make most girls sigh dreamily. it wasn't like a ghost story, more like a romance story. which i'm totally fine with!
almost heaven by ruth ryan langan = okay. this was a romance story. for sure. and cheesy as f---k. made me cringe. less said the better.
never too late to love by mary kay mccomas = didn't read. dead aunts as ghosts? please.. spare me.
in conclusion, not a book i would recommend. one or two stories was quite nice so.. 3 stars.
possession in death by j.d robb = started off quite annoyingly, with too much characters. the whole "i am the promise, you are the warrior," thing also made me cringe. eve dallas was also someone i would very much NOT like. all that aside, the story as a whole was quite solid. reminds me of black swan, one of my favorite movies.
the other side of the coin by mary blayney = amusing read. not really believable (seriously, if you get to be the opposite sex for a day, you wouldn't be as boring as them) but i don't really mind.
the dancing ghost by patricia gaffney = made me smile. angie was so lovely and "henry" was the kind of gentleman that will make most girls sigh dreamily. it wasn't like a ghost story, more like a romance story. which i'm totally fine with!
almost heaven by ruth ryan langan = okay. this was a romance story. for sure. and cheesy as f---k. made me cringe. less said the better.
never too late to love by mary kay mccomas = didn't read. dead aunts as ghosts? please.. spare me.
in conclusion, not a book i would recommend. one or two stories was quite nice so.. 3 stars.
November 25, 2014
Elsősorban persze Robbért olvasom ezeket a könyveket, és benne még nem csalódtam. Mondjuk, nem ártott volna, ha a ferdítő megkérdez valaki oroszul tudót (pl. engem:))), mert az orosz átírás... hm, felejtsük el. :)
Kellemes meglepetés, hogy a többi novella is tetszett. Ahol a szülők... Istenem, le merhetem egyáltalán írni, anélkül spoilerért megköveznének??? - szóval az különösen tetszett.
Egyetlen egy dolog miatt tipródom nagyon, hogy szóvá tegyem-e a GB fórumán.
- ... elvégre te fiad is, uram - hangsúlyozta az utolsó szót H.
Az ég szerelmére, ha már az angol kultúrát nem ismeri a fordító (akit egyébként nagyon kedvelek), Jókait sem olvasott, vagy bármi olyat, amelyből kiderül, hogy abban a korban egy hercegi pár véletlenül sem tegeződött nyilvánosan, pláne nem a szolgák előtt. Még ha az "uram" nem is lenne ott...
:(
Kellemes meglepetés, hogy a többi novella is tetszett. Ahol a szülők... Istenem, le merhetem egyáltalán írni, anélkül spoilerért megköveznének??? - szóval az különösen tetszett.
Egyetlen egy dolog miatt tipródom nagyon, hogy szóvá tegyem-e a GB fórumán.
- ... elvégre te fiad is, uram - hangsúlyozta az utolsó szót H.
Az ég szerelmére, ha már az angol kultúrát nem ismeri a fordító (akit egyébként nagyon kedvelek), Jókait sem olvasott, vagy bármi olyat, amelyből kiderül, hogy abban a korban egy hercegi pár véletlenül sem tegeződött nyilvánosan, pláne nem a szolgák előtt. Még ha az "uram" nem is lenne ott...
:(
April 29, 2011
A big fan of Eve Dallas, I wasn't sure how J.D. Robb would write this paranormal edition of the series. But it was great? I really enjoyed how she captured the gypsy women and reached to solve the crime. A good read.
I did not read any of the other authors, as the synopsis of each did not make me want to read on.
I did not read any of the other authors, as the synopsis of each did not make me want to read on.
June 12, 2016
3.6 Stars!
Possession in Death by J.D. Robb - ★★★★★
The Other Side of the Coin by Mary Blayney - ★★★
The Dancing Ghost by Patricia Gaffney - ★★★
Almost Heaven by Ruth Ryan Langan - ★★★★
Never Too Late to Love by Mary Kay McComas- ★★★
Possession in Death by J.D. Robb - ★★★★★
The Other Side of the Coin by Mary Blayney - ★★★
The Dancing Ghost by Patricia Gaffney - ★★★
Almost Heaven by Ruth Ryan Langan - ★★★★
Never Too Late to Love by Mary Kay McComas- ★★★
February 18, 2015
Adding my current 2015 reread of the whole series.
Robb's entry is, as always, the reason for reading the anthologies she appears in--and if it were a stand-alone, definitely worth 5 stars. While the other four novellas were readable, I must admit it is Robb's name that puts the book on my shelf.
Robb's entry is, as always, the reason for reading the anthologies she appears in--and if it were a stand-alone, definitely worth 5 stars. While the other four novellas were readable, I must admit it is Robb's name that puts the book on my shelf.
October 25, 2017
The beginning of each story was good but then the stories went out in left field except for the Almost Heaven story. That was the best one out of all of them. The writing in the other stories was poor as if the authors didn't have a clue of what to write about
April 21, 2011
I only read Possession in Death and really liked it! :D
October 11, 2012
I love anything by J.D. Robb and I 've come to love the other authors in these anthologies.
April 21, 2023
A set of short stories/novellas by J D Robb and three other writers. Paranormal, good.
October 18, 2014
http://openbooksociety.com/article/th...
The Other Side
By Multiple Authors (see below breakdowns for author’s and websites)
ISBN# 9780515148671
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi
The Other Side is an anthology of five different stories by five different New York Times bestselling authors. The stories all centering around the paranormal and strange.
3 Star rating
Possession in Death
In Death, Book #31.5
By J.D. Robb
Author’s Website: http://www.jdrobb.com/
After finishing up the Dudley/Moriarity case, Eve makes good on her promise to have a barbecue and gathering of friends. She opts to give Father Lopez a ride so he can perform mass, only to see a woman die in front of them. She made a blood pact with Eve in her dying breaths for Eve to find her missing granddaughter.
Eve starts experiencing strange things, seeing ghosts, understanding Russian, and realizes the only way for her life to go back to normal is to make good on her promise.
This was an interesting concept for a novella. Especially considering having the stoic unbelieving lieutenant be forced to believe in the unthinkable. And, having her to turn Roarke into a believer as well, not that it took much convincing on her part!
It’s always good to see Eve and Roarke working together and this story was no exception. The tale was an abbreviated one, but their commitment to the case and the job were as spot on as always.
I suspected who was responsible for Beata’s disappearance about halfway through the story, but I did think he had an accomplice! My suspicions weren’t 100% so I didn’t get bored with the tale and enjoyed the journey to finding out if I was right or not!
2 star rating
The Other Side of the Coin
By Mary Blayney
Author’s Website: http://www.maryblayney.com/
Bettina and her husband, Harry, are arguing once again. If only they could understand what it was like being in the other’s shoes! Well with a careless wish while holding a strange coin that appeared in the room that is exactly what happened! Harry and Bettina have switched bodies and now have to live as their spouse until they can figure out how to reverse the curse!
This was a cute idea for a story, but is a severely overdone plot; another rendition of Freaky Friday. One that got old after the original movie to say nothing of all the similar stories that have cropped up since.
I wanted to like this tale, but I felt it really dragged and I found parts to be quite strange like when they had sex in their spouse’s body … nothing like having sex with yourself!
But it’s definitely not the worst story I’ve read, but I’d have preferred something a bit more original.
3 Star rating
The Dancing Ghost
By Patricia Gaffney
Author’s Website: http://www.patriciagaffney.com/
Angie Darlington hires a paranormal investigator to come prove her deceased grandparents’ home is haunted. But who is trying to pull one over on whom?
This is an interesting little story on the things people will do to save what’s important to them. In this case, Angie will do anything to save her grandparent’s home. Even hire a conman! But she gives as good as she takes and the duo soon realize that their partnership can be mutually beneficial.
My main complaint about this story is the pacing. Even though it’s a short story, it really seems to drag for me, especially in the beginning before Angie’s plan becomes clear!
It was a cute story, but I found the ending to be a little too perfect. All of Henry’s problems instantly solved and the couple getting everything they want. It’s just a little too sugary sweet and unrealistic.
4 star rating
Almost Heaven
By Ruth Ryan Langan
Author’s Website: http://www.ryanlangan.com/
Vanessa and Ted Crenshaw couldn’t be happier as they celebrate their daughter’s engagement to whom they believe is the perfect match for her, Mark Deering. But when Ted’s brakes malfunction on the way home and send the couple to their deaths. Everything changes. And, the couple learns that Mark isn’t as perfect as they always thought him to be. Now the couple will do anything to save their daughter from a similar fate before they can pass on to the next world.
Actually of all the stories in this anthology, this one sounded the most interesting to me. And, it didn’t disappoint.
The story did suffer from timing issues that I can only assume is due to this being a short story. I thought Ted and Vanessa’s change of heart about Mark was a bit sudden and complete. And, also how quickly Christina and Jake’s relationship changed from barely talking to becoming an intimately involved couple. I also found it a bit obnoxious how Ted, a grown adult, always referred to his wife as ‘babe’. It made him come off a little young and immature. But, despite all that the story was a fun and entertaining read. And by the end of it, I couldn’t put it down! It definitely leaves you with warm and fuzzies! Bravo Langan, Bravo!
3 Star rating
Never Too Late to Love
By Mary Kay McComas
Author’s Website: http://www.marykaymccomas.com/
M.J. Biderman is a successful businesswoman who doesn’t have the time or care to build a loving family, as her work is her life. With her mother’s recent death, she has made a deal with Smoothie Hut to sell the land their family home currently sits on. She just has to level the house first. But when the contractor isn’t able to get in the house to remove the few precious items M.J. wants salvaged, she has to take matters into her own hands.
When M.J. arrives at the house, she discovers that the ghosts of her mom and two aunts are there. They have lost something and aren’t able to cross over to the other side until they find it. Meaning M.J. can’t destroy the house until they do! She is determined to help them so she can stick to the timetable set and finish the deal with Smoothie Hut! But she never expected the sexy neighbor, Ryan, to affect her so!
This is your typical story proving that our lead works too hard and is missing out on the finer things in life, like a loving family. Now she must take the time to evaluate her life and realize what she’s been missing out on while trying to help her relatives to find out what they have lost as well.
This was a nice story, but I found it to be incredibly slow! I had a hard time staying interested in the tale, until things started heating up with Ryan of course!
I really enjoyed Ryan and Jimmy though! Ryan was sweet, charming, and caring. And Jimmy was adorable! It’s easy to see how this duo could melt hearts, even one encased in thick layers of ice, like M.J.’s was!
I found the ending of this story to be pretty cute and it did help make up some for the slow pacing issues. It’s one you just have to stick to!!!
Overall Thoughts:
I’m not a huge fan of anthologies as a whole. This one definitely had its struggles. Mainly the pacing. Several of these stories really seemed to drag for me, and made me consider not finishing the book at all. But I persevered and it ended up being a decent collection of stories. But not ones I would ever need to read again.
Ruth Ryan Langan’s story, Almost Heaven, was by far my favorite!
The stories all seemed to have a thread of love and appreciating life and what you have woven into them. And, with the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays right around the corner, it’s perfect timing for this type of book!
The Other Side
By Multiple Authors (see below breakdowns for author’s and websites)
ISBN# 9780515148671
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi
The Other Side is an anthology of five different stories by five different New York Times bestselling authors. The stories all centering around the paranormal and strange.
3 Star rating
Possession in Death
In Death, Book #31.5
By J.D. Robb
Author’s Website: http://www.jdrobb.com/
After finishing up the Dudley/Moriarity case, Eve makes good on her promise to have a barbecue and gathering of friends. She opts to give Father Lopez a ride so he can perform mass, only to see a woman die in front of them. She made a blood pact with Eve in her dying breaths for Eve to find her missing granddaughter.
Eve starts experiencing strange things, seeing ghosts, understanding Russian, and realizes the only way for her life to go back to normal is to make good on her promise.
This was an interesting concept for a novella. Especially considering having the stoic unbelieving lieutenant be forced to believe in the unthinkable. And, having her to turn Roarke into a believer as well, not that it took much convincing on her part!
It’s always good to see Eve and Roarke working together and this story was no exception. The tale was an abbreviated one, but their commitment to the case and the job were as spot on as always.
I suspected who was responsible for Beata’s disappearance about halfway through the story, but I did think he had an accomplice! My suspicions weren’t 100% so I didn’t get bored with the tale and enjoyed the journey to finding out if I was right or not!
2 star rating
The Other Side of the Coin
By Mary Blayney
Author’s Website: http://www.maryblayney.com/
Bettina and her husband, Harry, are arguing once again. If only they could understand what it was like being in the other’s shoes! Well with a careless wish while holding a strange coin that appeared in the room that is exactly what happened! Harry and Bettina have switched bodies and now have to live as their spouse until they can figure out how to reverse the curse!
This was a cute idea for a story, but is a severely overdone plot; another rendition of Freaky Friday. One that got old after the original movie to say nothing of all the similar stories that have cropped up since.
I wanted to like this tale, but I felt it really dragged and I found parts to be quite strange like when they had sex in their spouse’s body … nothing like having sex with yourself!
But it’s definitely not the worst story I’ve read, but I’d have preferred something a bit more original.
3 Star rating
The Dancing Ghost
By Patricia Gaffney
Author’s Website: http://www.patriciagaffney.com/
Angie Darlington hires a paranormal investigator to come prove her deceased grandparents’ home is haunted. But who is trying to pull one over on whom?
This is an interesting little story on the things people will do to save what’s important to them. In this case, Angie will do anything to save her grandparent’s home. Even hire a conman! But she gives as good as she takes and the duo soon realize that their partnership can be mutually beneficial.
My main complaint about this story is the pacing. Even though it’s a short story, it really seems to drag for me, especially in the beginning before Angie’s plan becomes clear!
It was a cute story, but I found the ending to be a little too perfect. All of Henry’s problems instantly solved and the couple getting everything they want. It’s just a little too sugary sweet and unrealistic.
4 star rating
Almost Heaven
By Ruth Ryan Langan
Author’s Website: http://www.ryanlangan.com/
Vanessa and Ted Crenshaw couldn’t be happier as they celebrate their daughter’s engagement to whom they believe is the perfect match for her, Mark Deering. But when Ted’s brakes malfunction on the way home and send the couple to their deaths. Everything changes. And, the couple learns that Mark isn’t as perfect as they always thought him to be. Now the couple will do anything to save their daughter from a similar fate before they can pass on to the next world.
Actually of all the stories in this anthology, this one sounded the most interesting to me. And, it didn’t disappoint.
The story did suffer from timing issues that I can only assume is due to this being a short story. I thought Ted and Vanessa’s change of heart about Mark was a bit sudden and complete. And, also how quickly Christina and Jake’s relationship changed from barely talking to becoming an intimately involved couple. I also found it a bit obnoxious how Ted, a grown adult, always referred to his wife as ‘babe’. It made him come off a little young and immature. But, despite all that the story was a fun and entertaining read. And by the end of it, I couldn’t put it down! It definitely leaves you with warm and fuzzies! Bravo Langan, Bravo!
3 Star rating
Never Too Late to Love
By Mary Kay McComas
Author’s Website: http://www.marykaymccomas.com/
M.J. Biderman is a successful businesswoman who doesn’t have the time or care to build a loving family, as her work is her life. With her mother’s recent death, she has made a deal with Smoothie Hut to sell the land their family home currently sits on. She just has to level the house first. But when the contractor isn’t able to get in the house to remove the few precious items M.J. wants salvaged, she has to take matters into her own hands.
When M.J. arrives at the house, she discovers that the ghosts of her mom and two aunts are there. They have lost something and aren’t able to cross over to the other side until they find it. Meaning M.J. can’t destroy the house until they do! She is determined to help them so she can stick to the timetable set and finish the deal with Smoothie Hut! But she never expected the sexy neighbor, Ryan, to affect her so!
This is your typical story proving that our lead works too hard and is missing out on the finer things in life, like a loving family. Now she must take the time to evaluate her life and realize what she’s been missing out on while trying to help her relatives to find out what they have lost as well.
This was a nice story, but I found it to be incredibly slow! I had a hard time staying interested in the tale, until things started heating up with Ryan of course!
I really enjoyed Ryan and Jimmy though! Ryan was sweet, charming, and caring. And Jimmy was adorable! It’s easy to see how this duo could melt hearts, even one encased in thick layers of ice, like M.J.’s was!
I found the ending of this story to be pretty cute and it did help make up some for the slow pacing issues. It’s one you just have to stick to!!!
Overall Thoughts:
I’m not a huge fan of anthologies as a whole. This one definitely had its struggles. Mainly the pacing. Several of these stories really seemed to drag for me, and made me consider not finishing the book at all. But I persevered and it ended up being a decent collection of stories. But not ones I would ever need to read again.
Ruth Ryan Langan’s story, Almost Heaven, was by far my favorite!
The stories all seemed to have a thread of love and appreciating life and what you have woven into them. And, with the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays right around the corner, it’s perfect timing for this type of book!
March 4, 2017
Possession in Death - J.D. Robb - 3/5 - This story gets its stars for sheer entertainment value. I enjoyed it, honestly. But always in the back of my mind I was thinking - these people are so out of character! This is not how they would react! And also - when faced with another paranormal case is Eve going to be more likely to believe or is she going to explain this little occurrence away?
So Eve actually finds herself possessed by the spirit of an old woman who is searching for her missing great-granddaughter and who can see ghosts. So this gift is passed to Eve. The story is pretty spooky/creepy with a crapload of paranormal. Not simply subtle hints of it - it's in your face! Eve, who has fought tooth and nail with Roarke over the existence of ghosts, is far too accepting of her situation. She very easily assimilates the fact that she made a blood pact with a dying gypsy and can now speak to and see ghosts and is possessed by a 96-year old woman. Stubborn Eve that we know would have denied it to the end. And Roarke - when he finds Eve with a fever and talking to no one is pretty calm considering. Then he finds out what she can do. And he doesn't just haul her ass to a healer or something? He gives her time. And he doesn't exactly express his worry...it's there, subtly, but honestly - the woman he loves more than life itself is going through this and we express mild concern? People in this story act as though possession is an everyday occurrence. And I'm sorry, but Ew. Sex while possessed by a 96-year-old woman is kind of creepy - like an unintentional menage-a-trois. Even if she doesn't participate (or show herself), she's still there!
The Other Side of the Coin – Mary Blayney – 3.5/5 - A bit like Freaky Friday in a romance novel. Harry and Bettina are married with a baby and although they love each other, Bettina is worried about Harry’s fidelity and Harry simply can’t understand his wife. And they wish on a coin and boom, they switch places. In execution, this is a wonderful story. It’s very humorous, not creepy in the sexual aspects and rather insightful and clever what with them learning how to act like one another (and what all goes into being a man or a woman in the 1800s.) My main complaint was the characters themselves – I just didn’t care for them very much. And I guess this story goes a bit more towards historical accuracy, in that they don’t sleep in a bed together often, Harry rarely spends any time with his son and the couple don’t get to spend much quality time together. That has its own value, I think. But after reading this I think I kinda like the ones that aren’t so historically accurate and in which the couple touts more modern relationship values. Still a really cute story.
The Dancing Ghost – Patricia Gaffney – 3/5 – Angie is a spinster and inventor who is trying to get back her childhood home by claiming it’s haunted. She hires Henry, suspecting/knowing that he is a shyster, pretending to be a ghost investigator. Angie hopes to partner up with him to certify that the house is haunted and keep it from being bought before she can afford to buy it. And things go well, until Henry’s past catches up with him. Overall a pretty cute story. I’m not a huge fan of the time period this is set in. In fact, turn of the century is my least favorite next to the Civil War. But, this story is clever and very easy to read. But, I prefer a bit more passion in my romances. This one is completely clean, yes, but there isn’t really that much chemistry between the characters. A bit of angst and you can feel the love, but not much passion here.
Almost Heaven – Ruth Ryan Langan – 2/5 – In this story, Ted and Vanessa die and come back to discover they were murdered by their daughter’s fiancée. And they have to intervene to the best of their ability in order to stop them from marrying. So they find a champion, Jake who will hopefully be so much temptation that Christina, their daughter will turn away from the murdering fiancée. This story is not that great IMHO. Christina is a bit Mary Sue. We hardly get to know Jake, other than his tragedy. And despite hardly ever spending any time together, the two fall in love quite suddenly and after they’ve expressed their feelings, then they share their live stories and have sex in a garage (although that’s only implied…this is a clean romance). And then there’s Tyler – the supposedly autistic younger brother who slowly begins to snap out of it because he likes Jake. We take a nonverbal autistic child and suddenly he’s better because of a little one on one time with a man? Um. No. A bit ridiculous actually.
Never Too Late to Love – Mary Kay McComas – 3/5 – M.J. is trying to demolish her childhood home so she can sell the property, but for some reason, nothing she does can bring it down. She finds out it’s because of her mother and two aunts – their ghosts are stuck in the house and cannot leave until they discover what they lost (and the house stays til then). While working this mystery, she meets her neighbor and his son and develops a little romance. This little journey to love helps her solve her aunts problems. Honestly though, I was left with a question about how they worked out in the future – I mean, is she still employed? Has she moved or will she continue to live in the city and away from her boyfriend? Plenty of family healing, realization of faith and love and all that, but not enough practical details being wrapped up.
So Eve actually finds herself possessed by the spirit of an old woman who is searching for her missing great-granddaughter and who can see ghosts. So this gift is passed to Eve. The story is pretty spooky/creepy with a crapload of paranormal. Not simply subtle hints of it - it's in your face! Eve, who has fought tooth and nail with Roarke over the existence of ghosts, is far too accepting of her situation. She very easily assimilates the fact that she made a blood pact with a dying gypsy and can now speak to and see ghosts and is possessed by a 96-year old woman. Stubborn Eve that we know would have denied it to the end. And Roarke - when he finds Eve with a fever and talking to no one is pretty calm considering. Then he finds out what she can do. And he doesn't just haul her ass to a healer or something? He gives her time. And he doesn't exactly express his worry...it's there, subtly, but honestly - the woman he loves more than life itself is going through this and we express mild concern? People in this story act as though possession is an everyday occurrence. And I'm sorry, but Ew. Sex while possessed by a 96-year-old woman is kind of creepy - like an unintentional menage-a-trois. Even if she doesn't participate (or show herself), she's still there!
The Other Side of the Coin – Mary Blayney – 3.5/5 - A bit like Freaky Friday in a romance novel. Harry and Bettina are married with a baby and although they love each other, Bettina is worried about Harry’s fidelity and Harry simply can’t understand his wife. And they wish on a coin and boom, they switch places. In execution, this is a wonderful story. It’s very humorous, not creepy in the sexual aspects and rather insightful and clever what with them learning how to act like one another (and what all goes into being a man or a woman in the 1800s.) My main complaint was the characters themselves – I just didn’t care for them very much. And I guess this story goes a bit more towards historical accuracy, in that they don’t sleep in a bed together often, Harry rarely spends any time with his son and the couple don’t get to spend much quality time together. That has its own value, I think. But after reading this I think I kinda like the ones that aren’t so historically accurate and in which the couple touts more modern relationship values. Still a really cute story.
The Dancing Ghost – Patricia Gaffney – 3/5 – Angie is a spinster and inventor who is trying to get back her childhood home by claiming it’s haunted. She hires Henry, suspecting/knowing that he is a shyster, pretending to be a ghost investigator. Angie hopes to partner up with him to certify that the house is haunted and keep it from being bought before she can afford to buy it. And things go well, until Henry’s past catches up with him. Overall a pretty cute story. I’m not a huge fan of the time period this is set in. In fact, turn of the century is my least favorite next to the Civil War. But, this story is clever and very easy to read. But, I prefer a bit more passion in my romances. This one is completely clean, yes, but there isn’t really that much chemistry between the characters. A bit of angst and you can feel the love, but not much passion here.
Almost Heaven – Ruth Ryan Langan – 2/5 – In this story, Ted and Vanessa die and come back to discover they were murdered by their daughter’s fiancée. And they have to intervene to the best of their ability in order to stop them from marrying. So they find a champion, Jake who will hopefully be so much temptation that Christina, their daughter will turn away from the murdering fiancée. This story is not that great IMHO. Christina is a bit Mary Sue. We hardly get to know Jake, other than his tragedy. And despite hardly ever spending any time together, the two fall in love quite suddenly and after they’ve expressed their feelings, then they share their live stories and have sex in a garage (although that’s only implied…this is a clean romance). And then there’s Tyler – the supposedly autistic younger brother who slowly begins to snap out of it because he likes Jake. We take a nonverbal autistic child and suddenly he’s better because of a little one on one time with a man? Um. No. A bit ridiculous actually.
Never Too Late to Love – Mary Kay McComas – 3/5 – M.J. is trying to demolish her childhood home so she can sell the property, but for some reason, nothing she does can bring it down. She finds out it’s because of her mother and two aunts – their ghosts are stuck in the house and cannot leave until they discover what they lost (and the house stays til then). While working this mystery, she meets her neighbor and his son and develops a little romance. This little journey to love helps her solve her aunts problems. Honestly though, I was left with a question about how they worked out in the future – I mean, is she still employed? Has she moved or will she continue to live in the city and away from her boyfriend? Plenty of family healing, realization of faith and love and all that, but not enough practical details being wrapped up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2024
The other side
There were several stories in this book. There was one story that I really didn't care for at first, but at the ending, it turned out to be okay. I really, really enjoyed all of the other stories. There is a bit, or a lot, of the paranormal in all of them.
There were several stories in this book. There was one story that I really didn't care for at first, but at the ending, it turned out to be okay. I really, really enjoyed all of the other stories. There is a bit, or a lot, of the paranormal in all of them.
September 7, 2024
1st one the JD Robb story was decent. The next 2 that I started but DNF were boring. Gave up even trying.
March 21, 2022
I remember this novella. Eve has a psychic/paranormal experience with old Hungarian/Romany woman. It’s awesome!
Yeah, I really liked Father Lopez and wish we’d see more of him in future books
“You want to ask me about Li,” he began as she passed through the gates.
“Yeah, for one thing. I see Morris mostly over dead bodies, but I can get a sense of where he is. Just by wardrobe for a start. I know he’s coming through it, but . . . ”
“It’s hard to watch a friend grieve. I can’t tell you specifics, as some of what we’ve talked about was in confidence. He’s a strong and spiritual man, one who—like you—lives with death.”
“It helps—the work. I can see it,” Eve said, “and he’s said it does.”
“Yes, tending to those whose lives have been taken, like his Amaryllis. It centers him. He misses her, misses the potential of what they might have made together. I can tell you most of his anger has passed. It’s a start.”
“I don’t know how people get rid of the anger. I don’t know if I’d want to in his place.”
“You gave him justice—earthly justice. From there he needed to find acceptance, and then the faith that Amaryllis is in the hands of God. Or, if not God, the belief that she, too, has moved on to the next phase.”
“If the next phase is so great, why do we work so hard to stay in this one? Why does death seem so useless and hurt so damn much? All those people, just going along, living their lives, until somebody decides to end it for them. We should be pissed off. The dead should be pissed off. Maybe they are, because sometimes they just won’t let go.”
“Murder breaks both God’s law and man’s, and it requires—demands—punishment.”
“So I put them in a cage and the next stop is a fiery hell? Maybe. I don’t know. But what about the murdered? Some of them are innocent, just living their lives. But others? Others are as bad, or nearly, as the one who ended them. In this phase, I have to treat them all the same, do the job, close the case. I can do that. I have to do that. But maybe I wonder, sometimes, if it’s enough for the innocent, and for the ones—like Morris—who get left behind.”
“You’ve had a difficult week,” he murmured.
“And then some.”
“If closing cases was all that mattered to you, if it began and ended there, you would never have suggested your friend meet with me. You and I wouldn’t be having this conversation. And you wouldn’t, couldn’t, maintain your passion for the work I believe you were born to do.”
“Sometimes I wish I could see, or feel . . . No, I wish I could know, even once, that it’s enough.”
He reached out, touched her hand briefly. “Our work isn’t the same, but some of the questions we ask ourselves are.”
Whoa. Gotta admit the whole scene with the dying old lady is spooky…and way cool
She is Beata. I am the promise, and the promise is in you. You are the warrior, and the warrior holds me. We are together until the promise is kept and the fight is done.
Total woo-woo for Eve 😂
“I’m not sure, and I need you to give me a really open mind. I mean wide-open. Yours is already more open than mine about, you know, weird stuff.”
“What sort of weird stuff is my mind going to be wide-open about?”
“Okay.” She looked into his eyes, so blue, so beautiful. Eyes she trusted with everything she had. “There’s a dead woman sitting right beside me. Her name’s Janna Dorchester, and some asshole named Rennie Foster bashed her head in with a rock in Riverside Park. She’s worried her friend Sara might be next on his list. So I’m going to pass the information to the primary. I can read Russian.”
“I’m sorry?”
“I can read Russian. I think I can speak it, too, and I’m pretty sure I can make Hungarian goulash. And maybe borscht, possibly pierogies. The old woman, the one who fell into my lap and happened to be a Gypsy speaker for the dead, did something to me. Or I have a brain tumor.”
Staring into her eyes, Roarke cupped Eve’s face in his hands.”Kak vashi dela?”
“U menya vsyo po pnezhne mu. Hey, you speak Russian?”
He sat back on his heels, rocked right down to the bone. “A handful of phrases, and certainly not as fluently as you, apparently. And despite your answer, I doubt you’re fine.”
Eve freaking slays me
She’s in here.” Eve touched a hand to her chest. “This is the guy who took Beata, the guy who killed her. She might want some payback. If it looks like I’d turn that way, stop me. You stop me.”
“I have every confidence in Lieutenant Dallas, but if it makes you feel easier, I won’t let you do anything you’ll regret.”
“Good. But be, you know, subtle about it.”
He had to laugh. “You are absolutely you. All right then, while preventing you from taking a dead Gypsy’s revenge, I’ll do whatever I can to preserve your dignity. How’s that?”
“It’ll do.”
Yeah, I really liked Father Lopez and wish we’d see more of him in future books
“You want to ask me about Li,” he began as she passed through the gates.
“Yeah, for one thing. I see Morris mostly over dead bodies, but I can get a sense of where he is. Just by wardrobe for a start. I know he’s coming through it, but . . . ”
“It’s hard to watch a friend grieve. I can’t tell you specifics, as some of what we’ve talked about was in confidence. He’s a strong and spiritual man, one who—like you—lives with death.”
“It helps—the work. I can see it,” Eve said, “and he’s said it does.”
“Yes, tending to those whose lives have been taken, like his Amaryllis. It centers him. He misses her, misses the potential of what they might have made together. I can tell you most of his anger has passed. It’s a start.”
“I don’t know how people get rid of the anger. I don’t know if I’d want to in his place.”
“You gave him justice—earthly justice. From there he needed to find acceptance, and then the faith that Amaryllis is in the hands of God. Or, if not God, the belief that she, too, has moved on to the next phase.”
“If the next phase is so great, why do we work so hard to stay in this one? Why does death seem so useless and hurt so damn much? All those people, just going along, living their lives, until somebody decides to end it for them. We should be pissed off. The dead should be pissed off. Maybe they are, because sometimes they just won’t let go.”
“Murder breaks both God’s law and man’s, and it requires—demands—punishment.”
“So I put them in a cage and the next stop is a fiery hell? Maybe. I don’t know. But what about the murdered? Some of them are innocent, just living their lives. But others? Others are as bad, or nearly, as the one who ended them. In this phase, I have to treat them all the same, do the job, close the case. I can do that. I have to do that. But maybe I wonder, sometimes, if it’s enough for the innocent, and for the ones—like Morris—who get left behind.”
“You’ve had a difficult week,” he murmured.
“And then some.”
“If closing cases was all that mattered to you, if it began and ended there, you would never have suggested your friend meet with me. You and I wouldn’t be having this conversation. And you wouldn’t, couldn’t, maintain your passion for the work I believe you were born to do.”
“Sometimes I wish I could see, or feel . . . No, I wish I could know, even once, that it’s enough.”
He reached out, touched her hand briefly. “Our work isn’t the same, but some of the questions we ask ourselves are.”
Whoa. Gotta admit the whole scene with the dying old lady is spooky…and way cool
She is Beata. I am the promise, and the promise is in you. You are the warrior, and the warrior holds me. We are together until the promise is kept and the fight is done.
Total woo-woo for Eve 😂
“I’m not sure, and I need you to give me a really open mind. I mean wide-open. Yours is already more open than mine about, you know, weird stuff.”
“What sort of weird stuff is my mind going to be wide-open about?”
“Okay.” She looked into his eyes, so blue, so beautiful. Eyes she trusted with everything she had. “There’s a dead woman sitting right beside me. Her name’s Janna Dorchester, and some asshole named Rennie Foster bashed her head in with a rock in Riverside Park. She’s worried her friend Sara might be next on his list. So I’m going to pass the information to the primary. I can read Russian.”
“I’m sorry?”
“I can read Russian. I think I can speak it, too, and I’m pretty sure I can make Hungarian goulash. And maybe borscht, possibly pierogies. The old woman, the one who fell into my lap and happened to be a Gypsy speaker for the dead, did something to me. Or I have a brain tumor.”
Staring into her eyes, Roarke cupped Eve’s face in his hands.”Kak vashi dela?”
“U menya vsyo po pnezhne mu. Hey, you speak Russian?”
He sat back on his heels, rocked right down to the bone. “A handful of phrases, and certainly not as fluently as you, apparently. And despite your answer, I doubt you’re fine.”
Eve freaking slays me
She’s in here.” Eve touched a hand to her chest. “This is the guy who took Beata, the guy who killed her. She might want some payback. If it looks like I’d turn that way, stop me. You stop me.”
“I have every confidence in Lieutenant Dallas, but if it makes you feel easier, I won’t let you do anything you’ll regret.”
“Good. But be, you know, subtle about it.”
He had to laugh. “You are absolutely you. All right then, while preventing you from taking a dead Gypsy’s revenge, I’ll do whatever I can to preserve your dignity. How’s that?”
“It’ll do.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2012
J.D. Robb's Possession in Death - Eve finds herself compelled more than is usual to stand for the dead.
I LOVE Nora Roberts' alter-pen-ego J.D. Robb and her In Death books. I love the near-future she's created, I love the regular characters, many of whom make an appearance in this short. I love the relationships these characters have created, which evolve over time, ebbing and flowing with the vagaries of life in the 2050s and 2060s. I love that she just pitches right in to the story without worrying about explaining every single thing about the Eve-verse. A frequent visitor to the 2060s will note a few nods to long-time readers. A first-time visitor won't be put off by inside jokes she doesn't get. Possession in Death is a perfectly-sized bite of Eve Dallas' universe. And that's all I'm gonna say.
Mary Blayney's The Other Side of the Coin - that sparkly little coin with a mind of its own weaves a little more magic into some mischief. An earl and his countess get to know each other (and each other's friends) a whole lot better than they imagined was possible.
This is a funny and intriguing look at life in another century, and the relationships between husbands and wives.
Patricia Gaffney's The Dancing Ghost - a ghost draws a very early paranormal investigator and a forward-thinking woman into a partnership to prevent a house from selling.
This particular story failed to capture my attention. It's the longest of the five stories in this collection, and the two main characters just never gelled for me. They seemed vaguely out of character, not comfortable in their own skins. I just can't explain it better than that.
Ruth Ryan Langan's Almost Heaven - a couple watch their son and daughter cope with the aftermath of the parents' unexpected death.
Almost Heaven was a short and sweet glimpse into the stopoff between dying and going into the light and the desires of good parents to see their offspring happy. Ted and Vanessa devise a plan to find the right Mr Right for their daughter, who's already engaged to another man. It was the tiniest bit convenient how the right ghosts kept showing up to help them at the right moment, but cute and enjoyable, nonetheless.
Mary Kay McComas' Never Too Late to Love - a grown woman with lots of better things to do has to visit her deceased mother's last home herself to find out why no one can clean it out.
M.J., who uses those initials so no one, but no one, finds out her given name, is extremely put out to have to make the trip from Alexandria to Loudon County to unlock the house her mother died in. How hard can it be to get a few things out for shipping, give away the rest and demolish the eyesore? She gets into the house, only to find that the house has its own ideas about what's going to happen to it.
This is a funny and touching little romp with the demons of MJ's relationship with her mother, and her memories of her mother's sisters. Along the way, she meets a little boy who gets really put out when his father won't let him go to the house next door to visit the lady who bakes apple pies. She thereby meets little boy's father, who doesn't pay any attention to MJ's bitchy attitude. The ending is sweet, not a bit sappy, and leaves room for the imagination to take the story farther (or for the author to do so), and is true to the personalities of both people.
Stories ranged from about 70 pages to just at 100 pages, so it was easy to put the book down to do something else that needed to be done without stopping in the middle of a good read. That's one of the things I love about these story collections. Another is that while I get a taste of familiar universes (I almost always get a book with an In Death story), there's nothing plot-impacting about them. I can miss them if I don't find them without fearing I'm missing a birth or death or planet exploding. When I do find them, I can place them anywhere in the universe, no matter what year is mentioned.
This book was a gift from my Amazon wishlist.
I LOVE Nora Roberts' alter-pen-ego J.D. Robb and her In Death books. I love the near-future she's created, I love the regular characters, many of whom make an appearance in this short. I love the relationships these characters have created, which evolve over time, ebbing and flowing with the vagaries of life in the 2050s and 2060s. I love that she just pitches right in to the story without worrying about explaining every single thing about the Eve-verse. A frequent visitor to the 2060s will note a few nods to long-time readers. A first-time visitor won't be put off by inside jokes she doesn't get. Possession in Death is a perfectly-sized bite of Eve Dallas' universe. And that's all I'm gonna say.
Mary Blayney's The Other Side of the Coin - that sparkly little coin with a mind of its own weaves a little more magic into some mischief. An earl and his countess get to know each other (and each other's friends) a whole lot better than they imagined was possible.
This is a funny and intriguing look at life in another century, and the relationships between husbands and wives.
Patricia Gaffney's The Dancing Ghost - a ghost draws a very early paranormal investigator and a forward-thinking woman into a partnership to prevent a house from selling.
This particular story failed to capture my attention. It's the longest of the five stories in this collection, and the two main characters just never gelled for me. They seemed vaguely out of character, not comfortable in their own skins. I just can't explain it better than that.
Ruth Ryan Langan's Almost Heaven - a couple watch their son and daughter cope with the aftermath of the parents' unexpected death.
Almost Heaven was a short and sweet glimpse into the stopoff between dying and going into the light and the desires of good parents to see their offspring happy. Ted and Vanessa devise a plan to find the right Mr Right for their daughter, who's already engaged to another man. It was the tiniest bit convenient how the right ghosts kept showing up to help them at the right moment, but cute and enjoyable, nonetheless.
Mary Kay McComas' Never Too Late to Love - a grown woman with lots of better things to do has to visit her deceased mother's last home herself to find out why no one can clean it out.
M.J., who uses those initials so no one, but no one, finds out her given name, is extremely put out to have to make the trip from Alexandria to Loudon County to unlock the house her mother died in. How hard can it be to get a few things out for shipping, give away the rest and demolish the eyesore? She gets into the house, only to find that the house has its own ideas about what's going to happen to it.
This is a funny and touching little romp with the demons of MJ's relationship with her mother, and her memories of her mother's sisters. Along the way, she meets a little boy who gets really put out when his father won't let him go to the house next door to visit the lady who bakes apple pies. She thereby meets little boy's father, who doesn't pay any attention to MJ's bitchy attitude. The ending is sweet, not a bit sappy, and leaves room for the imagination to take the story farther (or for the author to do so), and is true to the personalities of both people.
Stories ranged from about 70 pages to just at 100 pages, so it was easy to put the book down to do something else that needed to be done without stopping in the middle of a good read. That's one of the things I love about these story collections. Another is that while I get a taste of familiar universes (I almost always get a book with an In Death story), there's nothing plot-impacting about them. I can miss them if I don't find them without fearing I'm missing a birth or death or planet exploding. When I do find them, I can place them anywhere in the universe, no matter what year is mentioned.
This book was a gift from my Amazon wishlist.
November 30, 2010
Originally posted at http://www.smexybooks.com/2010/11/rev...
The Other Side is an PNR anthology written by some of today's’ best selling authors who write of a love that defies the boundaries of life and death.
Possession In Death by JD Robb -I give a B
Ms. Robb adds a supernatural twist to Eve’s crime fight skills when a Romany gypsy charges Eve with finding her missing grandaughter.
Full of action, suspense, and fine Roarke and Eve loving. A wonderful fast paced story that manages to come across as a full length novel in only 60 pages.
The Other Side Of The Coin by Mary Blayney -I give a B
A charming and funny historical romance about a couple who have problems communicating what they want from each other. When they accidentally wish on a coin, they swap bodies and learnt the true meaning of “walking in some else’s shoes.”
Imagine switching bodies with your significant other, then trying to survive their life for a day. Well written with some shockingly funny yet realistic looks into the value of communication.
The Dancing Ghost by Patricia Gaffney -I give a DNF
When Angiolina Darkington hires “spirit investigator” Henry Cleland to prove her home IS haunted in order to prevent the sale by her family she never expected it to be true. But when she finds out that things are not as they seem-will she take a chance or cry fraud.
A light character driven PNR. Enjoyable premise but develops to slowly for a short story. I found myself too bored to finish.
Almost Heaven by Ruth Ryan Langan -I give a C
Ted and Virgina Crenshaw had it all. A fabulous life, two wonderful children, and a love to last a lifetime. But when a freak accident takes it all away, they find out that nothing was as it seemed. So Heaven will have to wait as they do everything in their power to keep their children safe from a killer.
A predictable romance suspense with a supernatural twist. Smooth story line makes for a fast read. A bit trite and predictable; I found some of the characters to be cavity inducing sweet.
Never To Late To Love by Mary Kay McComas -I give a C
When M.J. Biderman decides to tear down the family homestead to make way for a Smoothie Hut, she finds the spirits of her mother and two aunts have some unfinished business to attend to.
A light PNR that takes the past and the present and blends them together as the living and the dead reminisce and try to resolve past issues. Engaging characters and lively dialog create a smooth story line. The romance comes off more as a filler and I didn’t feel much chemistry.
All in all an interesting look at love, suspense, and the supernatural. I would buy this simply for JD Robb’s Eve and Roarke. :) I give this a C+.
The Other Side is an PNR anthology written by some of today's’ best selling authors who write of a love that defies the boundaries of life and death.
Possession In Death by JD Robb -I give a B
Ms. Robb adds a supernatural twist to Eve’s crime fight skills when a Romany gypsy charges Eve with finding her missing grandaughter.
Full of action, suspense, and fine Roarke and Eve loving. A wonderful fast paced story that manages to come across as a full length novel in only 60 pages.
The Other Side Of The Coin by Mary Blayney -I give a B
A charming and funny historical romance about a couple who have problems communicating what they want from each other. When they accidentally wish on a coin, they swap bodies and learnt the true meaning of “walking in some else’s shoes.”
Imagine switching bodies with your significant other, then trying to survive their life for a day. Well written with some shockingly funny yet realistic looks into the value of communication.
The Dancing Ghost by Patricia Gaffney -I give a DNF
When Angiolina Darkington hires “spirit investigator” Henry Cleland to prove her home IS haunted in order to prevent the sale by her family she never expected it to be true. But when she finds out that things are not as they seem-will she take a chance or cry fraud.
A light character driven PNR. Enjoyable premise but develops to slowly for a short story. I found myself too bored to finish.
Almost Heaven by Ruth Ryan Langan -I give a C
Ted and Virgina Crenshaw had it all. A fabulous life, two wonderful children, and a love to last a lifetime. But when a freak accident takes it all away, they find out that nothing was as it seemed. So Heaven will have to wait as they do everything in their power to keep their children safe from a killer.
A predictable romance suspense with a supernatural twist. Smooth story line makes for a fast read. A bit trite and predictable; I found some of the characters to be cavity inducing sweet.
Never To Late To Love by Mary Kay McComas -I give a C
When M.J. Biderman decides to tear down the family homestead to make way for a Smoothie Hut, she finds the spirits of her mother and two aunts have some unfinished business to attend to.
A light PNR that takes the past and the present and blends them together as the living and the dead reminisce and try to resolve past issues. Engaging characters and lively dialog create a smooth story line. The romance comes off more as a filler and I didn’t feel much chemistry.
All in all an interesting look at love, suspense, and the supernatural. I would buy this simply for JD Robb’s Eve and Roarke. :) I give this a C+.
August 7, 2017
Several short stories in one book, each dealing with paranormal "issues", and each one worth reading, some more than others.
J.D. Robb "Possession in Death": Eve Dallas possessed by the spirit of a dead gypsy, trying to find her abducted granddaughter. As always, even with the slightly paranormal aspect, a great story and a delight to watch Eve and Roarke try to deal with the supernatural.
Mary Blayney "The Other Side Of The Coin": You should never utter a wish when you're holding a strange looking coin in your hands! The story was heartwarming and absolutely hilarious. The protagonists felt genuine and are very likeable (with all their little faults and insecurities), and their dialogues during the time when they try to adjust to being in the other's body made me grin, if not chuckling out loud. Their desperate search for a solution was funny, as were the insights they got into each other's problems.
Patricia Gaffney "The Dancing Ghost": To prove that her home is haunted (otherwise her evil cousin will sell it", Angie hires Henry, a spirit investigator (who used to be a newspaperman) to prove it. Both, however, are not playing with open cards. Following their struggle through this double con was amusing, but I found this the weakest story in this book.
Ruth Ryan Langan "Almost Heaven": Rich couple die on their way home from their daughter's engagement party and discover that the fiance is not what he seems to be. They struggle to save their daughter, but there are limits to what they can and may do as ghosts. Heartbreaking at times, but amusing at the same time to see what they come up with to interfere in the living world.
Mary Kay McComas "Never Too Late To Love": A very practical woman is faced with ghosts refusing her to wreck her ancestral home, at least not until she helps them find something they've all lost. Amusing and heartbreaking at the same time, but interesting to see the development and changes in all of them (including the good-looking neighbour who cannot see the ghosts), until everyone has found what they didn't know they were looking for.
All stories well written, with likeable characters and good plots, so I found it very difficult to put this down before I read the last word in each story. Good thing they were short stories!
J.D. Robb "Possession in Death": Eve Dallas possessed by the spirit of a dead gypsy, trying to find her abducted granddaughter. As always, even with the slightly paranormal aspect, a great story and a delight to watch Eve and Roarke try to deal with the supernatural.
Mary Blayney "The Other Side Of The Coin": You should never utter a wish when you're holding a strange looking coin in your hands! The story was heartwarming and absolutely hilarious. The protagonists felt genuine and are very likeable (with all their little faults and insecurities), and their dialogues during the time when they try to adjust to being in the other's body made me grin, if not chuckling out loud. Their desperate search for a solution was funny, as were the insights they got into each other's problems.
Patricia Gaffney "The Dancing Ghost": To prove that her home is haunted (otherwise her evil cousin will sell it", Angie hires Henry, a spirit investigator (who used to be a newspaperman) to prove it. Both, however, are not playing with open cards. Following their struggle through this double con was amusing, but I found this the weakest story in this book.
Ruth Ryan Langan "Almost Heaven": Rich couple die on their way home from their daughter's engagement party and discover that the fiance is not what he seems to be. They struggle to save their daughter, but there are limits to what they can and may do as ghosts. Heartbreaking at times, but amusing at the same time to see what they come up with to interfere in the living world.
Mary Kay McComas "Never Too Late To Love": A very practical woman is faced with ghosts refusing her to wreck her ancestral home, at least not until she helps them find something they've all lost. Amusing and heartbreaking at the same time, but interesting to see the development and changes in all of them (including the good-looking neighbour who cannot see the ghosts), until everyone has found what they didn't know they were looking for.
All stories well written, with likeable characters and good plots, so I found it very difficult to put this down before I read the last word in each story. Good thing they were short stories!
July 26, 2011
Story #1 J.D Robb Posession in Death. A cop runs literarly into a dying old lady bringing a priest from her cookout home. As she swears to find the killer of the dying lady she becomes posessed with her spirit as well. She then finds out she is a Romanian tarot reader who sees into the other side and has long been looking for her other family member who is missing. A linked case it becomes for Eve NYPD to solve. An okay short ghostly detective story but I found myself not all into it. Nothing stood out from any other ghost/crime story. Off to the next story in the book...
Mary Blaneys The other side of the coin.
Wife thinks husband is cheating on her and makes a wish on a coin to find out and in turn they switch bodies. Which sounds interesting but was boring to me and not well written. Disappointed as I thought it would be the best story in the book. On to...
Patricia Gafneys The Dancing Ghost next...
I usually like her. This short story was okay and held my attention but I think I expected more from it. Angolina hires Mr Cleland a "ghost" hunter to try and prove her house in forclosure haunted. Where she finds love instead. Some twists and turns but I think it would have made a better full story rather than short one so some details didnt seem as rushed and was not as ghostly as I thought. On to next one...
Almost Heaven -Ruth Ryan Langan...
Trying to tear her house down and having to deal with the ghost of her mother and Aunts who cant rest until they find what they lost.I was not fond of this story either.:(
Finally one I enjoyed more out of this book so far. A daughter, heir to a fortune loses her parents in a car crash before her wedding to a greedy man. They watch over her until they find their killer and her new love. They also leave behind an autisic of sorts little son who knows the truth but cant speak. I almost cried at the end. Shows love and destiny can reign.
On the the last story of this book....
Mary kay McComas Never To late To Love....
Mary Blaneys The other side of the coin.
Wife thinks husband is cheating on her and makes a wish on a coin to find out and in turn they switch bodies. Which sounds interesting but was boring to me and not well written. Disappointed as I thought it would be the best story in the book. On to...
Patricia Gafneys The Dancing Ghost next...
I usually like her. This short story was okay and held my attention but I think I expected more from it. Angolina hires Mr Cleland a "ghost" hunter to try and prove her house in forclosure haunted. Where she finds love instead. Some twists and turns but I think it would have made a better full story rather than short one so some details didnt seem as rushed and was not as ghostly as I thought. On to next one...
Almost Heaven -Ruth Ryan Langan...
Trying to tear her house down and having to deal with the ghost of her mother and Aunts who cant rest until they find what they lost.I was not fond of this story either.:(
Finally one I enjoyed more out of this book so far. A daughter, heir to a fortune loses her parents in a car crash before her wedding to a greedy man. They watch over her until they find their killer and her new love. They also leave behind an autisic of sorts little son who knows the truth but cant speak. I almost cried at the end. Shows love and destiny can reign.
On the the last story of this book....
Mary kay McComas Never To late To Love....
December 23, 2010
Synopsis: “The devil killed my body. I cannot fight, I cannot find. I cannot free her. You must. You are the one. We speak to the dead.” Immediately after hearing these words, uttered to her by an old Romanian woman bleeding to death in the street, LT Eve Dallas begins to notice that her latest case has come with a number of interesting side-effects: visions of the deceased, instant familiarity with rooms she’s never seen before, and fluency in Russian. Likewise, there appears to be a force inside of her, a spirit other than her own, that won’t let her rest until she’s found Beata, the old woman’s great-granddaughter, whose disappearance two months prior remains a mystery. Desperate to be free of her new “gifts”, Eve pursues the facts until she discovers a link between Beata’s disappearance and the disappearance of eight other young women, all of whom attended the same dance classes, none of whom were ever heard from again.
Possession In Death is a Eve Dallas novella within The Other Side and begins immediately following the events of Indulgence in Death. This story is a bit convoluted at times. Typical In Death storyline, Eve either sees or is called out on a murder, she and Roarke end up in bed together (even though she is clearly possessed by an old woman), she catches the killer, and all ends happily ever after.
Not the greatest book in the series, then again most of the novellas are too short to do anything with. Murders aren't solved this fast, no matter who you are, or what character you are in a book. Maybe Ms Robb needs to stop with these novellas like Janet Evanovich, and stick to the longer versions. Just a thought.
The other stories in this book are:
The Other Side of the Coin by Mary Blayney
The Dancing Ghost by Patricia Gaffney
Almost Heaven by Ruth Ryan Langan
Never Too Late To Love by Mary Kay McComas
Possession In Death is a Eve Dallas novella within The Other Side and begins immediately following the events of Indulgence in Death. This story is a bit convoluted at times. Typical In Death storyline, Eve either sees or is called out on a murder, she and Roarke end up in bed together (even though she is clearly possessed by an old woman), she catches the killer, and all ends happily ever after.
Not the greatest book in the series, then again most of the novellas are too short to do anything with. Murders aren't solved this fast, no matter who you are, or what character you are in a book. Maybe Ms Robb needs to stop with these novellas like Janet Evanovich, and stick to the longer versions. Just a thought.
The other stories in this book are:
The Other Side of the Coin by Mary Blayney
The Dancing Ghost by Patricia Gaffney
Almost Heaven by Ruth Ryan Langan
Never Too Late To Love by Mary Kay McComas
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