Samantha Winston Reviews

Page Four

Added July 22, 2004

The Frog Prince (from Planet Marecage)

Author: Samantha Winston
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Available At: www.ellorascave.com
Publishing Date: Available Now
Genre: Romance: Erotic/Fairytale
Format: Ebook download in PDF/HTML/LIT
Price: $4.45
ISBN: 1-84360-523-6
Author Email/Website: www.samanthawinston.com
Reviewer: Cyndi Witkus

Princess Shari was a difficult young woman. She wasn't willing to sit idly by like the other females of the House of Teres, to be kept for males until they were one hundred and fifty, unable to have sex and be married until that time. Yet, there was no other option for her, as that was tradition on her planet. Her only consolation is that she has a special golden globe that she can play interplanetary tag with. Which is why she ends up landing on Marecage, to retrieve the ball which was unfortunately drawn into the planet's gravitational field. Once she steps onto the muddy and swampy area, she has trouble finding her ball. Then she meets a strange creature, a talking frog.

This isn't an ordinary talking frog, but Prince Lessaly, though he keeps his princehood hidden. He ends up being taken back to Teres with Shari as she promised him ANYTHING in order to get her ball back. Once back on her planet, he's allowed to stay for three days and three nights before returning home to Marecage. The first thing that Shari experiences is a sensual awakening like none other under the tutelage of the Frog Prince. Yet, Lessaly is more than what he seems to be.

This is a wonderful story by Ms. Winston. This retelling of a classic tale will itself become a classic to hand down from generation to generation. The sensuality and sexuality of this tale truly brings out the finest points of the original tale. Yet beyond that, we see how love can find itself moving swiftly and more, causing people to find unique ideas in order to keep their love together. I enjoyed reading this tale and highly recommend anyone who wishes to read something based upon original fairytales to take a gander at The Frog Prince from Planet Marecage. It's one you'll be talking about for years to come.

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Added July 21, 2004

Ice Man

Author: Samantha Winston
Publisher: Loose-Id
Available At: www.loose-id.net
Publishing Date: July 2004
Genre: Romance: Erotic/Contemporary
Format: Ebook download in PDF/HTML/LIT
Price: $4.99
ISBN: 1-59632-004-4
Author Email/Website: www.samanthawinston.com
Reviewer: Sharyn McGinty

An Iron Age man, perfectly frozen, reanimated and held hostage by the government. A professor of ancient languages, completely out of her element. A love that defies all odds.

Allie O'Shea, a professor of ancient languages, couldn't believe her ears. The Iron Age man found in the Arctic Circle, perfectly preserved, had been reanimated. After months of observing his brain waves, they were ready to wake him up. They wanted Allie to be there when he awoke, hoping her ability with ancient languages would keep him from being too disoriented. How could she refuse? This was a chance of a lifetime. The only bad news was that she was going to have to take an airplane to the base.

Surviving the plane ride to the base proved to be the hard part. Convincing Kell they were in a longhouse and it was still his time was rather easy thanks to the authentic Long House the base had placed built especially for him. She is instantly attracted to Kell and although she argues with him momentarily about having sex in the Long House, she doesn't deny her desire. Of course, the ridiculous people in charge believe Kell forced himself upon her and enter the room, sedating him. After she is taken out and everyone showers her with sympathy, she learns the government believes Kell is really a Russian agent and even if he isn't, dissecting his brain will benefit mankind in some way. Allie must decide to risk her life and rescue Kell or let the government have their way.

Kell was having trouble remembering how he came to be in the long house. He and his friends had been tracking raiders, in an attempt to rescue wives and daughters. Granted, the beautiful woman before him was a welcome sight, but he couldn't shake the feeling something was wrong. As he explores the long house, he realizes there is definitely something wrong. The chinks between the logs are completely filled in, there is no frosty winter breezes rushing in, no outside scents. What was going on?

Allie knows the she must do the right thing. It doesn't matter they're chances of survival are slim, she can't leave Kell in the hands of the government. Her plan is simple, turn off the electricity to the gate, gather supplies and do her best to give her and Kell a few hours head start.

Kell is confused, but instinctively trusts Allie. As they make they're escape and he is abruptly confronted with the wonders of the modern world, he realizes just how dependent on Allie he will be. Can this alpha male be able to retain his pride and still accept help? Will they be able to find a safe haven from their pursuers?

Author Samantha Winston never ceases to amaze me with her ability to create believable, loveable characters, intense situations and blend them together with profound emotion and searing sensuality. Her latest tale is filled with her characteristic writing, but also takes on a new dimension as the hero is from the past. The reader is swept along with Kell on his journey and entry into the modern world. Things we take for granted are seen with new eyes and the reader is left with a fuller appreciation of what we have in this day and age. Allie and Kell's relationship is breathtaking in its equality; they know when to give and take and do it without a fight, both depending on the other's strengths and realizing fighting over who's more able to handle something is simply ridiculous.

I wholeheartedly enjoyed every moment of Ice Man and can only hope Ms. Winston is planning a sequel, especially with the surprise ending. Don't miss this spectacular novel.

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