As usual with an anthology, a mixed bag. It’s difficult to jump into the middle of ongoing story lines. ( )

Assorted interesting stories. I have not read any of Faith Hunter's Jane Yellowrock before, but based on these two stories and some recommendations elsewhere, I think I'll give her a try. The Ordinary Magic stories by Devon Monk are both good, enjoyable - I've read quite a bit of that series. I didn't think I'd read any Diana Pharaoh Francis stories, but I recognized the characters immediately - I'd read the first book in the series a long time ago and hadn't read any more until now. I should start that again. And the RJ Blain story that actually got me to read this anthology was expectedly excellent; I like Joyce, she's got depth. Wayne is a little standard, but not bad. The story is complete...ish - the beginning comes to a solid endpoint. But it is just the beginning of their story, and apparently the complete book is due out next year - yay! All interesting, and they've gotten me interested in reading two series that I hadn't been - though the stories are going to be major spoilers for early books. Oh well. ( )

What a treat! Lured to buy this by the promise of a new tale by a favourite author (R J Blain), I was quickly enthralled by a new (to me) author, Devon Monk, and the opening two stories “Sealed with a Tryst” and “At Death’s Door”. Both stories belong to her “Ordinary Magic” series which is now on my “to buy” list.

The next two stories are by Faith Hunter - “Bound into Darkness” and “The Ties That Bind” - are part of the Jane Yellowrock World. I have read and enjoyed the first Jane Yellowrock book, but these stories are set after about book 15 in that series and I feel I would have enjoyed this offering more if I had read the full series to that point and was familiar with the characters and their relationships. They were a good read, but I felt that I would have benefitted from knowing more background.

“The Pixie Job” by Diana Pharoah Francis presented me with another new author I plan to read more of. It features manic trickster pixies, miniature giants and all sorts of weird and wonderful beings.

The collection ends with R J Blain’s “Doggone Mess”, belonging to her “Magical Romantic Comedy” series. I love this whole series and I know I read this with a smile plastered on my face ( )