Wild Thing
Maggie Shayne, Marjorie M. Liu, Alyssa Day & Meljean Brooks
Berkley, May 2007, $14.00
ISBN: 0425215164

"Animal Magnetism" by Maggie Shayne. Veterinarian Macy McNamara can talk with the animals. When Detective Jay Harris brings in Cassie the dog, Macy acts like a pit bull towards the cop, but is gentle and caring towards the canine. As she works on the wounded animal, she learns from the dogs mouth that Cassie was an eye witness to a rape, and was shot by the assailant when she tried to intervene. Macy is not sure what to tell Jay, but she finds herself attracted to him.

"Paradise" by Meljean Brooks. In the Northwest United States vampire Lucas Marsden meets Angelic Guardian Selah, with each attracted to one another; though their species would never condone a relationship between them. However, attraction aside, this unlikely pair team up to battle demons threatening humans.

"Hunter Kiss" by Marjorie M. Liu. While on a quest, demon "zombie" hunter Maxine Kiss meets former priest Grant Cooperon, when his human aura stands out amidst their dark aura; she saves his life but takes two bullets doing so, yet does not die. They team up, as the demons are increasingly coming across the divide.

"Wild Hearts in Atlantis" by Alyssa Day. In Atlantis as part of forging alliances in the war against the vampires, Poseidon's warrior Bastien is sent to negotiate a treaty with the shapeshifters, as the big man once saved the life of one of them, Kat. He can remember how she shook his world and still does.

These are four excellent paranormal romances, starring strong lead couples in realms that seem real, in spite of the paranormal environs and the novella format.