Anthology Reviews

Page Ten

Added June 10, 2006

Charming the Snake

Authors: MaryJanice Davidson, Camille Anthony and Melissa Schroeder
Publisher: Loose-Id
Available At: www.loose-id.net
Publishing Date: Available Now
Genre: Romance: Erotic/Futuristic
Format: Ebook download in PDF/HTML/LIT
Price: $6.99
ISBN: 1-59632-049-4
Author Email/Website: www.maryjanicedavidson.net
Author Email/Website: www.camilleanthony.com
Author Email/Website: authormelissaschroeder.com
Reviewer: Summer Lasaire
Rating: 7 Gargoyles

Savage Scavenge by MaryJanice Davidson

Dr. Gladys Loder spends all her days on C Block tending mutant's sickness and injuries, and is called the Angel of C Block because she never turns them in to the government. Lonely and wanting a man-just so she could have a child-Gladys' prospects have been nil. If she could only find one that she wanted-genetically speaking-she could be happy. Jaz is a mutant on a mission, he needs to bring the Doc to his apartment with a few other things to win a scavenger hunt, he just didn't expect the "norm" to be so attractive. Too bad mutes and norms don't mix...or maybe for one night they could.

Seducing The Saint by Melissa Schroeder

Raised by her Outerterrestrial Archeologist father, Liberty Wainwright was forever getting him out of scrapes...he didn't exactly stay within the law when it came to his fortune hunting. Things changed between them when Sterling brought a kid into the fold, being male and 2 years older than her, Brady St. James took her place by his side. Brady watched Liberty grow into a beautiful woman that he wanted more every day. The affair between them ended when she left him with no reason as to why. He still wants her, she got under his skin years ago and never left...but can he get her back when she fights the attraction between them for all she's worth?

Carte Blanche by Camille Anthony

Being born and raised in New India, Chastity had a life none of the civilized ladies could fathom. A hoyden, her father called her...and he was right. Chastity grew up free and unhindered by society's restraints. All her life she has seen a tall dark man in her dreams, at first he terrified her, later the erotic turn that her dreams took left her aching. Darian-Dare the Devil-Acer has been disinherited after being accused of taking his sister-in-law as his lover as well as his brother's subsequent suicide. Thumbing his nose at society, his rakehell ways became infamous; no one could touch his heart until he met Chastity...seeing her, changed all his rules.

Charming The Snake is an anthology of three wonderful stories, all of which I enjoyed tremendously. Savage Scavenge has incredible mutants, easy to like; Seducing The Saint has unexpected twists and scorching love; Carte Blanche has strong heroine that is enraptured by a gorgeous rake with some pretty humorous moments. With strong storylines and characters, I loved all three and I look forward to more from these very talented authors.

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Added January 19, 2006

Hearts of Steel

Author: Elizabeth Stewart, Cassie Walder and Jennifer Dunne
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Available At: www.ellorascave.com
Publishing Date: Available Now
Genre: Romance: Erotic/Futuristic/Science Fiction
Format: Ebook download in PDF/HTML/LIT
Price: $7.99
ISBN: 1-84360-709-3
Author Email/Website: http://www.thenovelsbylizstewart.com/
Author Email/Website: www.cassiewalder.net
Author Email/Website: www.jenniferdunne.com
Reviewer: Lisa Lambrecht
Rating: 7 Gargoyles

Three of today's most gifted erotic romance authors band together to give readers unique and tantalizing tales of bots and the pleasure they give their lucky owners in Hearts of Steel.

Everyone comes to O'Shea's Discount Bot Shoppe for the best and most unique bots. There is a bot waiting especially for you.

MY DARLING CLEMENTINE by Elizabeth Stewart

A recluse, Nathaniel needed someone to help around the house and to keep him company. He buys a bot named Clementine and soon learns she is not like any other bot. Not a mere machine, she is something more. Something almost alive. Trouble appears when a man partnered with Clementine's designers wants her for himself. Will Nathaniel be able to keep Clementine from harm?

Sweet and suspenseful, My Darling Clementine is all about two souls finding what they need in each other. Elizabeth Stewart writes with emotion and brings great passion to this novella.

BATTERIES NOT INCLUDED by Cassie Walder

The owner of a large cattle farm, Miranda works the farm with the help of her antique bot. Unfortunately, her old bot has broken and the parts needed to repair him are no longer available. She needs a bot and goes into town to buy a replacement. She makes a deal with the owner of O'Shea's Discount Bot Shoppe to purchase not one, but two very special bots. All she has to do is keep these human-like bots safe. Not only does she find someone to help with the farm, she finds a man to fill her lonely nights as well.

Batteries Not Included is a great story of a strong woman trying to meet life's demands and tragedies on her own. It's heartwarming to watch her find a man who is more than a machine who wants only to love her for the rest of her a life. Absolutely beautiful.

ILLICIT PROGRAMMING by Jennifer Dunne

Koie grew up in loving group atmosphere, but he never knew the joy of physical love. Maeko also grew up in a group atmosphere, but her health problems made her feel like she was an outsider. The Administration has asked Koie and Maeko, along with two bots, to go to an uncharted planet and get it ready for the colonists.

The longer Koie and Maeko are together on the planet, the closer they become. Never having known physical or emotional intimacy, their feelings for each other are completely alien. With the help of their bots, they learn the joy of giving and receiving physical and emotional love.

Illicit Programming was an interesting story to read. It was uplifting to watch Koie and Maeko learn about sex and come to terms with their emotions. Terrific storytelling.

Hearts of Steel is spectacular!

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Added October 7, 2005

Enchanted Rogues

Authors: Lynn LaFleur, Titania Ladley and Lani Aames
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Available At: www.ellorascave.com
Publishing Date: March 2005
Genre: Romance: Erotic/Paranormal/Fantasy/Holiday
Format: Ebook download in PDF/HTML/LIT
Price: $7.99
ISBN: 1-4199-0108-7
Author Email/Website: www.lynnlafleur.com
Author Email/Website: www.titanialadleyromance.com
Author Email/Website: www.laniaames.com
Reviewer: Safiya Tremayne
Rating: 8.47 Gargoyles - overall anthology rating

MIRAGE by Lynn LaFleur - 9 gargoyles

Kaci Montgomery had just about given up on love when her beloved great-grandmother died and bequeathed her an antique Celtic necklace. In a letter to Kaci, her great-grandmother explains the necklace was the reason she had met her great-grandfather and together with a large antique mirror, it would bring Kaci the man of her dreams. Kaci isn't sure she believes the story, but cannot resist wearing the necklace when the attorney sends it over.

After fastening the necklace, she examines herself in the mirror and runs her finger along the necklace. Suddenly, an image forms in the mirror. A gorgeous man with deep blue eyes. She had to be going crazy. There was no way she had seen someone else in her mirror, it was just a mirage. A trick of the mind, right?

Several weeks pass and Kaci keeps seeing this man in her mirror. She only sees him once a day and only when she touches the necklace she can't seem to get off. What were her chances of ever meeting this man in the flesh?

Mirage is completely emotional. The opening chapter is so sad as Kaci is dealing with her great-grandmother's death and the reading of her will. Then there is the feeling of helplessness as she wonders if she will ever find love and true happiness. LaFleur creates complex characters, a unique storyline not often found in novellas and throws in unbelievably sensuous love scenes. Very enjoyable.

YOU'VE GOT IRISH MALE by Titania Ladley -- 8.3 gargoyles

The owner of an adult toy Internet business, Mischa Roxbury was at home, spending St. Patrick's day drinking Guinness when all of sudden she heard, "You've got mail!" When the subject reads like spam, she moves to delete the message only to hear a voice begging her not to delete the message without reading. A male's voice, with a lovely Irish lilt. After seriously considering she was crazy, she opens the message. A beautiful melody plays and erotic shamrocks fill the computer screen and then...she hears his voice from behind her.

Her message created a real man! He was real! And he was in her house! Grady was everything she had ever wanted in a man and he wanted nothing more than to please her. Yet, she really couldn't or shouldn't live out her fantasies with someone who claimed he had been in her computer and had just magically appeared in her living room, right?

Ladley's story is full of fun and laughs, and plenty of sizzling sex. Some one-liners will have you in stitches. I mentioned the sizzling sex...but sizzling doesn't even come close to describing how erotic the scenes can be. Vibrant, believable characters and plenty of Irish magic combine to create a memorable novella.

MUST BE MAGIC by Lani Aames -- 8.1 gargoyles

Prince Myghal was in trouble. The heir to the Pixie Kingdom, he had to marry before the next Equinox or Pixieland came back under the authority of the Faeries. Kidnapped by faeries, Myghal's only chance was to use the Heart Match dust. This special pixie dust was designed to bring his Hearth Match to him. His only chance was to change the incantation and request he be taken to his Heart Match. Before he could ensure his companions safe passage, the Faeries appeared and Myghal used the dust.

Kerry O'Neill was on the verge of losing her garden nursery due to the large chain Sir Plantsalot store right across the street. She didn't have time to deal with a nut job dressed like an elf, much less one that claimed he was a Pixie and she was his Heart Match. But with her body reacting to him like they were lovers and her heart crying out for him, she couldn't turn him away.

Myghal knew he only had a few more days to marry or his people would become no more than slaves to the Faeries. How was he supposed to persuade a mortal woman he was a Pixie, gain her trust and love and marry all in a few days time? Throw in an ugly troll with his own agenda, a gnome who can only lend his aid secretly, and the lack of Pixie dust; Myghal certainly has his problems.

When the troll kidnaps Myghal, Kerry must choose between accepting Myghal's story and conquer her fear of tunnels. Not an easy task, but she had the best magic in the world...love.

Must Be Magic is heartwarmingly sweet. Aames pens a sensual and erotic fantasy, bringing life to old fairytales. Myghal is the prince everyone woman dreams of; Kerry's innocence and kindness makes you long for her to have a happy ending. What makes this story even more enchanting is the realization of what Pixie Dust really is. *grins* I'm not telling, you'll have to read it for yourself.

Enchanted Rogues is another wonderful, unforgettable themed anthology from the award-winning Ellora's Cave. It combines great stories and gifted authors. Not be missed.

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