Judging solely by the cover of this new paranormal romance anthology, Just One Sip should have been a summer release. All three stories are fun romps filled to the brim with sexy paranormals that, while satisfying, definitely leave you wanting more.

The best known of the three authors is Katie MacAlister. Her story, “Bring Out Your Dead,” fits into the world of her popular Dark Ones. Belle is a tattu (possessing two souls), a counselor for the Society for the Protection of Revenants (zombies), and is now being pursued by a demon lord. MacAlister introduces some delightful new beings to her universe in this story, and this reviewer hopes that Belle, Sally (Belle’s spirit guide), and the revenants are featured in future works.

Minda Webber’s offering, “Lucy and the Crypt Casanova,” considers what happens when your career-making scoop of a lifetime is investigated by the vampire cop who broke your heart. With strongly drawn characters and an interesting setting, Webber’s story holds its own against the better-known authors. Her unique perspective and the crazy characters featured on Lucy’s talk show help Webber’s playful voice shine.

Of the three stories, the pack leader by a slight margin is Jennifer Ashley’s “Viva Las Vampires.” Her premise is unique: a vampire-themed casino owned by a real vampire in a Las Vegas run by two vampire cartels. Ashley takes vampire stereotypes and turns many on their head, creating sunbathing vampires who walk around in the Nevada desert. As the lead story in the anthology, her unique perspective is perfect to set the tone for this fascinating collection.

The New York Times best-selling author Katie MacAlister writes historical, contemporary, paranormal, and young adult romances (as Katie Maxwell), paranormal thrillers, and historical mysteries. Light My Fire, the next Aisling Grey romance, will be published on November 7, 2006, and Last of the Red-Hot Vampires, the next Dark Ones romance, will be published in May 2007.