Stewart WieckReviews

An adventure for Ars Magica. The characters must re-fight an old menace long thought destroyed, and in the process, may learn more about the origins of the Order of Hermes.½

A Hearts On Fire Review

4.25 STARS--Any Urban Fantasy fans out there? Maybe a reader that has turned the UF/Paranormal Romance tide but would want some MM main characters added to the mix? Am I the only one? I hope not because I think I found a book you will enjoy.

This is not the same old rehashed shifter plot. *shakes head* A unique twist on werewolves, demons, mages and the modern day world they inhabit.

Terra Laurent's "The Beast Within" is told from damaged Kapre agent, Aaron's POV. A Kapre agent? Think FBI paranormal edition. They are who the police call in case of supernatural crime. They hunt and exterminate the baddies, in this case werewolves and demons and others who do not follow the rule. Aaron suffers from PTSD, is hugely scarred, his lover pretty much dumped him and he has a shifter living within him from his attack.

Aaron moves across country from California to Maryland, barely has a grip on the beast living inside him and has to keep it a secret or else he'll be hunted. Unfortunately he has to have a human partner. Aaron gets one snarky, smart mouthed partner in Tony.

“You're a dick," Ellison said. "Or, is it just that you suck it?"

Aaron knew by the stillness in the room that everyone was awaiting Tony's response.

"Both," Tony agreed lightly. "And if you actually had one you might be in trouble, sailor.”

Ah, Tony was definitely a breath of fresh air to Aaron's dark and broody presence. But don't let the smart mouth fool you, Tony has some personal demons of his own. The story was both funny, a little dark and not entirely light. A great mix IMO. Both partners are attracted to one another and they try to fight it...for what good it does them because when they finally succumb...YUMMY! The story was not a sex filled, screwing each other every other page kind of read. Though it spans a few days, it felt longer.

The paranormal world created was very interesting, I love anything with mythology veins mixed into paranormal. The tastes of magic I read was intricate and simple at the same time. And I wanted to know even MORE.

The suspense/thriller angle was also a great twist. I never could guess who was what or who was with whom. I loved the secondary characters (Matthew, Robert, Braven and even Carlos too). And for a solid story, I let somethings slide but I will mention them just the same.

Concerns: Nothing extreme - there were a few editing mishaps - not hard to follow along. Also the story is set in Maryland but the writing was British. It was not hard to understand but just a heads up of sorts. And while the story was only a span of a couple of days (it didn't feel like it), I'm hesitating on the insta-love vibe between Aaron and Tony. But I am happy Aaron questioned his feelings as well. And there were brief bouts of MANTEARS. Thankfully it was a few tears slipping but I could have down without. (my pet peeve)

I think I would like to see Tony's POV also just so I can see his take on certain key points. I do enjoy their coupling. And that hospital scene? Oh YES!! I'm happy how that ended.

The story ends with a cliffhanger but what seems like a strong HFN possible HEA ending so don't despair. This is a promising lead for this UF series. I'm not one to follow one couple throughout a number of books but I think I will with this series. Definitely looking forward to book #2. Solid story with strong characters.

Hello Terra Laurent, I want to revisit this world you created!"

Clan Novel: Toreador serves as the opening book to White Wolf's Clan Novel series: an ambitious series seemingly intended to both explain the different clans as seen through the eyes of their creators and to give an example of how a story arc might span all sects, clans and other factions out there in the World of Darkness.

The writing is pleasant, the language not too flowery or stilted. Characters are not always likeable, but considering the fact that we're talking bloodsucking fiends here, perhaps that's not surprising. All in all a decent piece of writing, but nothing to spark a continued interest in either the characters or the clan they belong to.

I bought this book about seven years ago, when I was still into Vampire: the Masquerade. Unfortunately, I wasn't familiar with all the clans, and I've forgotten a lot of details, so the stories mostly just went right over my head. As stand-alone stories, I liked maybe two or three, while the others were just okay. I might have appreciated the book more if I had read it much earlier.

This is an Anthology for White Wolf's World of Darkness RPG Mage the Ascension. This collection of short stories are all about mages and how they interact with the world.

Of all White Wolf's game fiction Mage was/is my favorite. Mages are generally normal people who know how the world works and have the ability to bend reality to their will. Some of these short stories were later expanded into full novles. Fun and cool concept.

"Introit" by Jackie Cassada
"Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove, The" by John Steele
"Silver Nutmeg, Golden Pear" by James A. Moore and Kevin Andrew Murphy
"Grim Reminders" by James A. Moore and Kevin Andrew Murphy
"Great Escape, The" by Edo van Belkom
"A Block of Time" by Jane M. Lindskold
"Make 'Em Laugh" by James Lowder
Escobar Falls by Stewart von Allitien

This is an anthology for White Wolf's World of Darkness role-playing game Werewolf the Apocalypse (formerly Rage).

The stories all deal with the werewolves (defenders of Gaia) fighting the Wyrm and it's destructive/corrupting forces. Good stories and help set the ambiance of the game.

"Waters of Lethe, The" by Bill Bridges
"Coyote Full Moon" by Sam Chupp
"A Sheep in Wolf's Clothing" by Vincent Courtney
"Transitions" by Nigel D. Findley
"Fang of the Wolf" by Owl Goingback
"Hunter's Blues" by Scott Ciencin
"Bye-Bye Club, The" by Ray Winninger
"Wolf Trap" by Richard Lee Byers
"Predator and Prey" by David Chart
"Lone Werewolf" by Lois Tilton
"Shards" by Phil Brucato
"A Day Off" by Thomas M. Kane
"Little Flea" by Scott Urban
"A Wolf in Shepherd's Clothing" by Edo van Belkom
"For Auld Lang Syne" by James A. Moore
"A Third World" by Graham Watkins
"A Useless Death" by Don Bassingthwaite
"Calley's Story" by Alara Rogers
"Trickster Moon" by J. S. Banks½

This is an anthology for White Wolf's World of Darkness role-playing game Hunter the Reckoning. This game wasn't quite as popular as the others nor do I believe that it was nearly as good. This book is a good way to find out what this game is like. Most of the stories are written well the problem is mostly with the game in my opinion.

"Treatment of Dr. Eberhardt, The" by Stefan Petrucha
"Credo" by Eric Griffin
"Names of the Dead, The" by James Stewart
"Closure" by Andrew Bates
"Antibody" by Michael Lee
"Some Faerie Tales Are Real" by David Niall Wilson
"Frailty of Humans, The" by Gherbod Fleming
"Lucimal's Heart" by Dominic von Riedemann
"Unusual Suspects" by Richard Lee Byers½

This omnibus has stories from many of White Wolf's World of Darkness games. There are 5 books collected here each one representing a different game.

Robert Weinberg, Mark Rein-Hagen - Vampire Diary: The Embraced
This is a story in Vampire the Masquerade
Owl Goingback - Shaman Moon
This is a story in Werewolf the Apocalypse
Scott Ciencin - Lightning Under Glass
This is a story in Mage the Ascension
David Niall Wilson - Except you go through Shadow
This is a story in Wraith the Oblivion
Esther M. Friesner - Playing with Fire
This is a story in Changeling the Dreaming

This book is a good sample for White Wolf's rpg's and the different feel each one has.

I have to be honest, I have not a clue what this item is I have not looked at it in so long! Even when I pulled it up on the internet it did not help.

http://www.angelfire.com/oh3/GCbN/faqk.html