Season Spirits

Season Spirits is an eclectic collection of paranormal tales that offers something different in each story.

Alecia Monaco opens the anthology with her short story, Year of the Cat.

This story finds a 500 year old vampire facing his greatest fear, his lust for virgin blood, in order to survive. To make matters worse, the council has decided that not just any virgin will do. Vincent must meet and seduce Anya Katz, a woman with hidden depths, if he wants to see the next sunset.

Alecia has created a vampire that has more than just bloodlust on his mind. Vincent is a refreshing blend of sensual male and tender friend. The characters are likeable, if somewhat one-dimensional. The author must rely on blatant statements in order to deliver the emotion that develops between them. However, given the brevity of the story, this is possibly an essential tool in order to make the story progress. The interaction between Anya and Vincent heats the pages and readers are sure to appreciate the sensual flare of their scenes.

Roxanne Rhodes takes readers to the beauty and magic that is New Orleans in her story, Eternal Passions.

Liz Beth has lived with a haunting awareness of Quillon her entire life. The enigmatic vampire has consumed her dreams and influenced her career and yet he remains a mystery. A trip to New Orleans is her latest attempt to learn more about him. While there, she meets another mysterious man, Christien, a man that has the ability to consume her just as completely as Quillon. What is a woman to do between dream and reality?

The premise behind Eternal Passions was unique. I enjoyed the concept that Quillon is a man she has been searching years for. The author’s use of the first person ensures that readers are with Liz Beth each moment of the telling, while also making this a highly erotic, sensual read. While somewhat predicable, I enjoyed the imagery Ms. Rhodes used and the eroticism that flavored Liz Beth’s relationships.

Bonnie Dee delivers a surprising treat with her tale, The Straw Man.

Marie has always enjoyed Halloween. The children and townspeople have always made her relish the role she plays. Yet as she stares into the unseeing eyes of her scarecrow, she is reminded just how alone she is. As her heart cries out its loneliness, someone is listening but is Marie ready?

The Straw Man was a fun tale. Bonnie Dee captures that power and belief in magic and brings to life a story that is sure to delight. There is a blend of friendship and eroticism that will have readers liking Marie and hoping she will find her dream man. I appreciate the author’s originality and her portrayal of Marie’s willingness to go after what she wants.

Bridghid Parkinson rounds out this collection of tales with her story, Haunted Passions.

Sharon wants something to change. As she goes through the motions of her job, she dreams of bigger and better things, both personally and professionally. When she meets Mike she is given an opportunity that will change both if she can manage to come to terms with the haunted house he inhabits.

Brighid Parkinson takes two strangers and entwines them in their very own ghost story. The passion that flares between them is electric but tempered by the friendship that develops in the face of the unknown. Readers will find themselves liking both Sharon and Mike. There is a lot going on in this story that at times proves distracting, but the scenes transition quickly and readers will be surprised by all that Ms. Parkinson manages to put in to this short story.

Season Spirits continues Midnight Showcase’s Season’s collection. The stories contained within this anthology are each unique and offers readers a variety of tales to while away the day with.

Reviewed by: Amanda