Down the Rabbit Hole

Book 81 of my 2015 Reading Challenge

read from November 3 - 5

Down the Rabbit Hole

Summary (via Goodreads)

Some of your favorite New York Times bestselling authors present five all-new stories told through the looking glass—including a new Eve Dallas novella!
You’re late for a very important date...
 Enter a wonderland of mesmerizing tales. It’s a place that’s neither here nor there, where things are never quite as they seem. Inspired by Lewis Carroll’s whimsical masterpiece, ranging from the impossible to the mad to the curiouser, these stories will have you absolutely off your head.
 Don’t be afraid to follow them…

Contains

• Wonderment in Death by J. D. Robb
• Alice and the Earl in Wonderland by Mary Blayney
• iLove by Elaine Fox
• A True Heart by Mary Kay McComas
• Fallen by R. C. Ryan 

My Opinion

Since this was 5 separate novellas in one book, I'll divide my review accordingly.

Wonderment in Death

This was a little Eve Dallas treat.  Since I'm way behind in the series, there was a spoiler for me (2 characters were married that haven't even started dating yet in the last book I read).  It was a good story but it made me realize just how short the mysteries would be if there wasn't all the personal stuff in the books as well.

Quote from the Story

  " "I'll get Mama and Daddy now, so you can talk to them. Sit right there!" She raced across the meadow, pushed past long, flowering vines that barred the view. And climbed to the top of the hill.

      She saw her parents dancing by a silver lake and, laughing, flew toward them.

      And flying, never felt the fall."

Alice and the Earl in Wonderland

Apparently the characters in this story are previously known too.  I hadn't heard of them but I liked this story and it made me want to seek out her books.

Quote from the Story

   " "While you were distracted, Weston, I asked what you think time travel is about."

      Relieved that she did not pursue her questions about ogling, Weston answered promptly. "Questions, my dear. Time travel is all about questions. For everything I learn, ten more questions come to mind." "

iLove

This one dragged on when it was so predictable and cheesy and I knew what was going to happen.  Barf.

Quote from the Story

"You don't have to have everything planned out and all the little boxes checked the moment you fall in love, or even when you get married. A relationship's a path, not a room. Let it wind around the forest for a little while."

A True Heart

This story was okay.  Definitely the weakest connection to the Alice in Wonderland theme.

A Few Quotes from the Story

"It is the gap between our assumptions and expectations that deliver most of the surprises to our life - and would not our lives be abysmally dull without them?"

"Acknowledging your inferior behavior is a beginning, but for true insight you must also know why you behave as you do. Remember, the way you treat people affects them, but it isn't necessarily about them. It is, however, always about you."

Fallen

This story was very romance novelish but it was good.  I might give this author another try sometime.

Quote from the Story

"My stepbrother and his sister were not so fortunate. Their mother spoiled and pampered them, and when my father tried to intervene, she took them back to her clan. But that is no excuse for the choices they make now. As children, we can lay the blame at the feet of those who were our elders. But there comes a time when we must step out of their shadow and cast our own."