Annie Windsor Reviews

Page One

Added July 2, 2003

Handle with Care

novella in Equinox

Author: Annie Windsor
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Available At: www.ellorascave.com
Publishing Date: Available Now
Genre: Romance: Erotic/Paranormal/Anthology
Format: Ebook download in PDF/HTML/LIT/Mobipocket
Price: $7.99
ISBN: 1-84360-444-2
Author Email/Website: www.anniewindsor.com
Reviewer: Sharyn McGinty

Three women, a jeweled dagger and an ancient Spring festival. Three novellas by three of Ellora's Cave most talented authors.

Earth 3012

A genetovirus has swept through Earth, decimating the male population. Earth's men were an endangered species and the situation was unlikely to change. Women now outnumbered men 1413 to 1. The majority of women had never experienced sex with anything other than sex toys. The SETI-WHO Research compound was continually scanning the galaxy for biologically compatible species.

A curvaceous woman with hundreds of sexual fantasies, Tia dreams of meeting an alien male willing to fulfill her wildest fantasies. Instead she finds Athame, a jeweled dagger belonging to her family. The dagger appears when needed and then mysteriously vanishes. She looks into the jewel and sees a gorgeous man who sets her body quivering. Immediately after her vision, the man appears in her lab on Earth.

Brok cannot believe his people's good fortune. Like Earth, for many years they had been searching for a biologically compatible species, specifically females. He didn't understand how Tia appeared on his homeworld of Kaerad, but he was immediately taken by her. Following her back to her world, he claims her as his own, speaking the words of union before testing their biological compatibility.

After the most amazing release of her life, Tia learns Earthlings and Kaerads are biologically compatible with one small problem. If a Kaerad male isn't sexually compatible with an Earth female, he will die the moment he tries to enter her. Compatible with Brok in every way, Tia must now devise a way to determine compatibility between single pairs before the unrest and rumors turn deadly.

Handle with Care by Annie Windsor is hands-down my favorite of the three novellas. The depth of world-building was astounding, especially as this is a new world. Normally this depth is only seen in long-time established worlds. Tia's self-conscious nature made Handle with Care dear to my heart. A curvaceous woman, myself, I found her struggle to accept and feel good about herself and body, familiar and encouraging.

Equinox is a brilliant anthology and I thank the wonderful editors over at Ellora's Cave for giving it to us. The sensuality and romance in this novel make it a "do not miss".

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Added March 15, 2003

Arda Book 1: The Sailmaster's Woman

Author: Annie Windsor
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Available At: www.ellorascave.com
Publishing Date: Available Now
Genre: Romance: Erotic/Science Fiction/Futuristic/Fantasy
Format: E-book download in LIT/PDF/HTML
Price: $5.95
ISBN: 1-84360-385-3
Author Email/Website: www.anniewindsor.com
Reviewer: Sharyn McGinty

In the end, all men are boring. Elise Ashton's number one rule.

Elise Ashton was bored. Her job at a legal firm offered no challenges and she didn't think she could handle the study involved in going to college. The only two things keeping her going were her cousin Georgia and her dreams of a dark-haired, obsidian-eyed space pirate who pleasured her without end. But her dreams were just that, dreams. Until the day they came true.

It started out as a normal Monday morning: wish for a man to disprove her number one rule, have coffee with Georgia and head to work. Almost to work, Elise realized she'd left her purse at the coffee house and goes back to retrieve it. Suddenly, she bumps into a wall. A wall made of alligator men? Alligator men? She had to be dreaming; alligator men did not exist. Her dream quickly shattered when one of the alligator men snapped a metal collar around her neck.

Ki Tul'Mar had everything any man could possibly want. He commanded the Astoria, finest frigate in the Ardani fleet, women fell at his feet, and he was Sailmaster of Arda. The highest and most honorable position in Arda. All he lacked was his shanna, his soulmate. At the moment, he wasn't too concerned with finding her. He and his men were busy waging war, destroying OrTan slave ships and setting the slaves free. Besides, he'd always believed that once a man found his shanna, they stopped thinking with their brains.

During one of patrols, the Astoria sighted an OrTan slave ship and prepared for battle. As they prepared, Ki felt it. His shanna was calling to him. She was in pain and close to losing consciousness. He had to rescue her no matter the cost. It was all he could do not to kill her captor Lord Gith, but Galactic law forbade the killing of royalty.

He was real! Her space pirate was real and willing to disprove her rule. Elise couldn't believe it. Nor could she believe him when he declared her his soulmate and had his priest marry them immediately. One look at the passion and desire in his eyes and she forgot he hadn't asked if she wanted to marry him. Their passion was almost enough to make her forget her cousin Georgia was back on Earth, probably worried sick.

As the days passed, Elise knew she had to return to Earth and bring Georgia back to Arda with her. She only hoped Ki would understand why she left, even after he cited all the rules why it was impossible. Especially now that the Galactic Council had backed Lord Gith's claim on Elise and all of Arda prepared for war

Wanting her to stay of her own free will, Ki never spoke of the Law of Keeping. According to the law, if the Sailmaster's shanna left before her presentation, it proved the Sailmaster was incapable of ruling and would be executed. Would Elisa return in time to save her lover?

A scorcher of the highest magnitude, Arda: The Sailmaster's Woman should not be missed! Ms. Windsor has created a magnificent world, and her attention to even the tiniest detail is evident throughout the entire novel. Elise and Ki are amazing characters, perfect for each other. Both are capable, full of inner strength, compassion and great love. They ingrain themselves into the reader's mind and heart, refusing to leave.

I highly recommend Arda: The Sailmaster's Woman, and not just because of the unforgettably tantalizing love scenes. *g* This is one novel I'll be rereading very soon, while I impatiently await the sequel, Arda: The Sailkeeper's Bride.

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