Reviews
“The Fullness That Love Began” in Daughters of Artemis from Storm Moon Press, August 2011.
Blurb: Werewolf lore has long been dominated by tales of the strong alpha male, but what of the strong alpha females? The Storm Moon Press anthology Daughters of Artemis explores this mostly neglected aspect of the werewolf mythos, with an erotic twist.
From a review by Sally at Bibrary Book Lust: This was a fun story about suburban werewolves (complete with jobs at Microsoft), hunting rights, pack alliances, the war of the sexes, and the emotional conflict between love and procreation. Visually, the focus here is definitely on the human side of things, but the politics are all werewolf, and the sex is just wild enough to cross (and re-cross that line).
From a review by Zee at Fire Pages: I felt that this short was a great start to the anthology. There is plenty of wild sex featured in this story. The writing was light, easy to read, and I found it fun to read as well. The cliffhanger at the end of the story had me on the edge of my seat wanting more. This story sets the tone for the rest of the anthology, and I guarantee that it will definitely get your heart rate up.
And about the anthology as a whole: I loved Daughters of Artemis. The women in the stories are all strong, yet have diverse personalities that make each character unique. I liked the overall theme of wolf culture that was woven throughout each story. This provided a continuity that I subconsciously appreciated. I think anthologies are a great way to read many stories and meet talented new authors. Daughters of Artemis definitely exceeded my expectations and that is why I gave it a five star review.
“Blazing Star” solo release from Storm Moon Press, July 2011.
Blurb: For over 250 years, the use of the tarot for divination has been a mainstay of mystical and occult practices. The themes and forces represented by the cards are said to govern our lives and our destinies. Whether you believe that or not, the story of the cards is nevertheless the story of our lives — the accomplishments and the pitfalls, the path from soaring joy to crushing defeat and back again.
Bea is a mind reader, weary of battle, but still with the Star in her eyes. Her lover, Hope, returns to Bea’s sanctuary in need of comfort and guidance, which Bea is only too happy to give. But the respite is short-lived when other Hunters show up at the sanctuary with news of an impending battle. Bea knows she must let Hope go, even though it may be for the last time.
From a review by Zee at Fire Pages: I love the fantasy world that Marie Carlson builds. It is vivid, rich, and so easy to imagine the story unfold at the turn of each page. I was fascinated with the supernatural world Carlson created and the dangers in the story kept me glued to my seat. Carlson’s story is wonderful. I was never bored with the story line or the characters. Although the story is short, Carlson makes sure that the story is full and satisfying, without skimping on any of the details or rushing the story along. And finally, I love Bea and Hope’s relationship. They are three dimensional characters who came to life for me. Their relationship is so intimate, and I felt like a fly on the wall, watching their story unfold. It was a personal touch that made this short story feel very special.
“Blazing Star” in Cast the Cards from Storm Moon Press, October 31, 2010
Blurb: For over 250 years, the use of the tarot for divination has been a mainstay of mystical and occult practices. Cast the Cards is a collection of six all-new short stories that explore some of the powerful themes associated with the Major Arcana, all with an eye toward erotic romance with GLBT and alt-lifestyle characters and motifs.
“Blazing Star” is a story about a mind reader and her fortunetelling, monster-hunting lover who face a world headed into a potential apocalypse. Together the two women create a sanctuary for the other monster hunters, but not even a magic-protected sanctuary can guarantee protection when the world is ending.
From a review by Ephemera at Rainbow Reviews:
“Blazing Star” by Marie Carlson is Lesbian urban fantasy, based on the card The Star. Mind-reader Bea has grown up in the shadow world of Supernatural-style hunters, and now keeps a safe house, offering sanctuary and protection magic to any hunter who needs it – but most especially to Hope, her lover. Carlson does a grand job packing clear world building, strong, engaging characters, hot sex, and well-rooted relationships into a short story, whilst not skimping on plot. The sense of time passing is palpable, and Hope and Bea are a fantastic couple.
From a review by BookWenches.com: On the whole, I found Cast the Cards to be well-conceived and intriguing, and I would have no problem at all recommending it to others. The folks at Storm Moon Press have done an excellent job compiling this collection. I was impressed with the high quality of the writing in each tale as well as the way they adhere to the central theme.
From a review by CoffeeTimeRomance.com: Blazing Star
Hope is a hunter of the supernatural. Like other hunters, she heads to the one place where she knows she can find sanctuary, the home of a fortune-teller and Hope’s lover.
Trouble is rising in the world. Weird things that are unexplainable keep occurring. Hope and her friends are off on a mission of danger. Stolen moments of passion help calm the rising tide of bad that is reaching their shores.
Sexy and soothing. Odd descriptions for a story, I know, but that is what I felt as I read as intruded on the world of these two women.
and
This book is like a night of amazing love making. The seduction is slow and sweet. The climax is toe-curling. Then, you slide into the after-glow. Emotions run the gamut, and the reader is left emotionally spent but wholly satisfied. The incorporation of the Tarot deck only heightened my desire to read on. Each story is unique and special, but they work together so well. I would recommend adding this collection of stories to your shelf.
From a review by Elizabeth Reeve:
“Blazing Star” has had favorable mention in many reviews, for very good reason. Marie has a talent for writing short stories that are self-contained and satisfying, but take place inside what is clearly a richly layered, larger narrative. Whether she’s actually developed more stories in any given world or not, her attention to backstory and world-building is fabulous, and it’s easy to imagine that they’re out there, waiting to be told.
“Hunter, Prey” in Like Tooth and Claw from Circlet Press, Dec. 2009
Blurb: “Hunter, Prey” is the story of Aisha, a black woman in her thirties who loves to hunt, both animals and sexual partners. Her Halloween fling with the strange and sexy Finn becomes something much more when she’s attacked by a mountain lion while deer hunting in the wilds of Missouri and suddenly she’s faced with a whole new meaning for the word hunter — and the word prey.
Asylumgirl at Night Owl Reviews:
“Hunter, Prey” by Marie Carlson: The attraction between the characters is immediate and something that the reader can feel and be a part of. The sex is hot and rough, with bites and bruises to go around. Hunter, Prey is an excellent example of shapeshifter romance, full of raw animalistic eroticism.
“Like a Thousand Miles of Fire” in Bite Me from Torquere Press, Aug. 2009
From the book blurb: In “Like a Thousand Miles of Fire,” Marie Carlson’s half-demon Crystal Andraya finds strength in the arms of her vampire lovers as war between their races looms.
From a review by Carole at Rainbow Reviews: Marie Carlson deftly draws a world loosely based on California where demons and vampires are mortal enemies in ” Like a Thousand Miles of Fire.” Half-demon Crystal is in love with William and Miguel, a hot pair of vampires, creating an uneasy alliance with both worlds. The threesome seals their bond in explicitly erotic ways as the world around them hints at war. This story is so well-drawn, so fleshed-out (pun intended!) that it could easily stand alone. I hope that Marie Carlson will continue with more stories in this universe.