Anthology Reviews

Page Six

Added April 6, 2004

Resolutions

Authors: Vanessa Hart, Jasmine Haynes, Leigh Wynfield and Dee S. Knight
Publisher: Liquid Silver Books
Available At: www.liquidsilverbooks.com
Publishing Date: Available Now
Genre: Romance: Erotic/Contemporary/Holiday
Format: Trade Paperback and Ebook download in PDF/HTML/LIT
Price: $15.00 paperback, $6.85
ISBN: 1-931761-81-7
Author Email/Website: www.vanessahart.com
Author Email/Website: www.skullybuzz.com/
Author Email/Website: www.leighwyndfield.com
Author Email/Website: www.deesknight.com
Reviewer: Sharyn McGinty

When they graduated from high school four best friends, Caryn, Deanna, Spring and Jenna, vowed not to lose touch with each other. Every year they would meet on or very close to January 1st and go over the past year's resolutions and write down their new ones. Without fail each friend shows up for dinner and they proceed to discuss their Resolutions.

A Losing Proposition by Vanessa Hart

Caryn Cook's resolution was to lose forty pounds and get laid. This year she was going to stick to her resolution and had already signed up for a weight-management course at the university where she taught. At her first class she met Zachary, a fellow faculty member who also was determined to lose weight.

Zachary finds Caryn to be the most desirable woman in the world and is determined to break past the barriers surrounding her heart and mind. After all, what could have scarred this beautiful woman so that only after she lost weight would she consider herself attractive enough to win a man's heart? Will he be able to help her see her own self-worth, while struggling to find his?

Caryn's story was highly moving and a joy to read. Seeing her enter the room to meet her best friends and then learning the changes that brought her to that moment and the person she was was highly inspiring. Ms. Hart has written an emotional story that not only entertains but also teaches a great message. I am looking forward to reading more of Ms. Hart's work in the very near future.

Free Fall by Jasmine Haynes

When had Deanna Rain settled for boredom instead of living life? She couldn't put her finger on just when she had lost her desire to live life and gotten by just doing the safe thing. She needed a change and fast. Remembering her New Year's resolution, she looked up sites online for skydiving. After perusing one site, she called the number listed and booked an appointment before she lost her nerve.

Nothing in her life could compare with what she felt when she jumped from the plane in a tandem free-fall jump. Absolutely nothing. But did she have the strength to make free-fall last forever?

Completely erotic. There are no other words to describe Ms. Haynes' wonderful addition to this anthology. She writes with such beauty and description, I felt as if I were actually experiencing the free-fall with Deanna. And Deanna's relationship with Cole explodes off the pages, bursting with sensuality and eroticism. This is one author I will be keeping a very close eye on in the future.

For Sale by Owner by Leigh Wynfield

Jenna Perry had always lived a gypsy-like existence. From moving around constantly as a child to even after she graduated, she hated to be tied down to one spot and in relationships to one person. Her resolution this year was to buy a house; she wanted children and refused to constantly move them from place to place. Buying a house was her way of proving to herself she could live in one place.

As a real estate agent, she sold houses everyday; large expensive houses that were definitely not in her price range. As she looked over the houses in her price range she wanted to moan. Granted, she could always take out a loan instead of purchasing the house with her savings, but that would mean she'd have to seriously commit to a job and place she disliked. No, she refused to go into debt.

Looking over the bungalow in front of her, she saw it had good lines and a lot of nice furniture. It would take some work but this house was perfect for her. Now if only she can learn to deal with her grumpy, yet ruggedly handsome, sexy neighbor Trent.

Ms. Wynfield's story literally scorches the pages. Jenna and Trent steam up the pages, both very set in their ways and both extremely stubborn. Jenna is trying desperately to change her gypsy-ways and settle down, not a small feat as the reader realizes quite early. Even in the short period of time we spend with Jenna and Trent, we are left with no doubt as to their feelings for one another. A highly erotic tale that will have you reaching for the ice cubes or significant other. *g*

That Scottish Spring by Dee S. Knight

Ever since she was a girl Spring Matthews had wanted to visit Scotland. Now she was finally going. Her trip was all planned, including her free time during the tour. Then at the very last minute her roommate Nancy had to cancel, but managed to find her a roommate for the first part of the trip. Unfortunately, Nancy neglected to mention her new roommate was young, handsome and decidedly male. How was a compulsive planner like Spring going to handle Morgan, who made her want to live life spontaneously instead of by a schedule?

Ms. Knight's stories never fail to bring a smile to my face, tears to my eyes and warmth to my heart. Every line is filled with such emotion I couldn't help but be touched. Spring is one of those heroines who stick with you and you want more than anything for her to be happy and give love a shot no matter what complications may lay ahead. A truly remarkable tale and one I will be rereading in the future.

Resolutions is one anthology I highly recommend. It is full of eroticism, romance and friendship. It's also introduced me to some wonderful authors I would have otherwise missed. Don't miss.

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Added April 1, 2004

Cajun Nights

Authors: Samantha Winston, Patrice Michelle and Annie Windsor
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Available At: www.ellorascave.com
Publishing Date: Available Now
Genre: Romance: Erotic/Vampire/Werewolf/Paranormal/Futuristic
Format: Ebook download in Mobipocket/PDF/HTML/LIT
Price: $7.99
ISBN: 1-84360-665-8
Author Email/Website: www.samanthawinston.com
Author Email/Website: www.patricemichelle.net
Author Email/Website: www.anniewindsor.com
Reviewer: Lisa Lambrecht

Deep in the Atchafalaya Basin, where mysteries where abound, and the inhabitants (human or not) believed in the Gods that ruled this world, there was one woman who all others feared, who was able to talk with the Gods and do their bidding: the Mam'bo. One God, Ms. Charlotte, came to Mam'bo Rubie and forewarned her that soon three men would come to her seeking her help and that she was not to turn them away. Each of their stories is told in this anthology, Cajun Nights.

Le Mystere by Samantha Winston

Back in 1977 one young woman was running for her life in the Bayou. Running from an evil man that she could not defeat and one that ended up taking her life. It is now twenty-five years later and she has come back to set things right and for revenge.

Luke has always lived in the Bayou, with deep and hurtful wounds from his past. Wounds that had not been healed in all these years. Luke now had a job with the Louisiana Department of Fish and Wildlife looking for poachers and such. He was out in the swamp and noticed something white off in the distance. When he got closer he noticed it was a young woman who seemed to be searching for something and had forgotten her past. Luke decided to take Jesse to his home to get her help but once there she disappeared. Luke decided to go to the mam'bo and see if she could help and learned that Jesse was a ghost who needed his help. Together they had to find her bones before the evil man who murdered her found them and burned them, forever keeping Jesse in the hereafter and the mysteries surrounding her death hidden. Will Luke and Jesse be able to solve the mysteries of the past and somehow find a life where they can be together?

Le Mystere is a wonderful tale that keeps you intrigued and hoping for a happily-ever-after. The characters are very lovable and ones you feel like you've known all your life. Samantha Winston did a remarkable job in writing this story and showing the readers that love can heal all.

Embrace the Moon by Patrice Michelle

Artist Rafael Delacroix was born half werewolf and half vampire and loved his independence and quiet solitude. When pack members came to him asking him to join their pack he refused, since it was some older members of the pack that killed his whole family because they were threatened by his power. But lately something has been troubling Rafael. Was he ready to find his mate? Is it her smell that haunts his dreams at night? He decided to visit the mam'bo and see what she could tell him to do. He is told that someone will come to him in need of help and he must help him or her in order to find the answers he seeks.

Roxanne Waters found some very incriminating evidence involving her boss' son, Scott and some money being embezzled. Before Roxanne could bring this news and the evidence she had to her boss, Scott found out and sent his "friends" to shut her up and retrieve the evidence. Roxanne flees into the Bayou and runs into a very handsome, sexy man who is not all what he seems to be but saves her live and offers to help her with her problem. Will Roxanne be able to break through the tough barrier surrounding Rafael's heart?

Embrace the Moon is a wow-inspiring story. Author Patrice Michelle gives us a story filled with action and very steamy sex. Her hero is a man you just have to love and want. While he is sinfully sexy he is also a man who is made up of very many intriguing layers. The heroine is one you have to admire for her very spunky nature. She was a strong woman who was able to overcome a shady past in order to better her future. Embrace The Moon is one great story that should not be missed.

Malediction by Annie Windsor

Chank Arceneaux's ability to get into any predator's mind made him a much-needed man at the FBI. With his help, the FBI had been able to catch alot of evil men who preyed on all those weaker than them. Chank was born in the Bayou and the last of his kind. Chank vows never to marry or have children to pass on this curse he was born with.

Kiri Auckland worked for the crimes division in the FBI using her "special psychic talents" to locate the evil predators in society. Somehow something went wrong in her current case. A very evil being was out there killing people and performing Voudon (VooDoo) rituals. She thought she got into his head and located him but found that she sent the agents to the wrong place.

Reluctantly Kiri teams up with Chank in order to hopefully fight and destroy this evil non-human being who for some unknown reason was after them. The more they were in each other's company they both felt an attraction that was hard to resist. With the help of the mam'bo and the Gods will they be able to defeat the evil hunting them? Will they be able to find a way to be together for all time?

Malediction is a very intriguing, action-packed story that will keep readers on their toes throughout the whole story. Author Annie Windsor did a wonderful job in creating a story that is very unique, filled with hot sex, and in creating very likeable characters that you can identify with. I also liked it that the heroine in this story is not the Barbie doll type in looks. She is full figured, of strong character and one that can definitely take care of herself. The hero is sexy, strong and very honorable. His strong attraction to the heroine was just amazing.

The Cajun Nights anthology is filled with three terrific stories and one I very highly recommend.

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Added March 31, 2004

Bad Boys Next Exit

Review 1

Authors: Shannon McKenna, Donna Kauffman, E.C. Sheedy
Publisher: Kensington Brava
Available At: Bookstores everywhere
Publishing Date: April 2004
Genre: Romance: Contemporary
Format: Trade Paperback
Price: $14.00
ISBN: 0-7582-0556-2
Author Email/Website: www.shannonmckenna.com
Author Email/Website: www.donnakauffman.com
Author Email/Website: www.ecsheedy.com
Reviewer: Robin Taylor

Is it possible for two people to meet, fall into lust, then love, at first sight? Yes, it happens and happily ever after happens too. Lust/Love is the common thread for these intense stories in Bad Boys Next Exit.

Meltdown - Shannon McKenna

Shannon McKenna writes an amazing novel that is utterly compelling. Mac and Jane are two incredibly intense people who are indeed perfect for each other. Mac comes off as strong, opinionated and aggressive. However, Jane quickly sees a softer side to Mac. Mac hates the vulnerability that this presents. When readers pick up Bad Boys Next Exit, they will find that reading this novella by McKenna impossible to put down. The intensity between Mac and Jane tears up the pages, because Jane gives as good as she gets.

Exposed - Donna Kauffman

Two strangers on a train. Both bored; both photographers. Good thing he has a cabin because they get hot and heavy in a heartbeat. Austin Morgan and Delilah Hudson are traveling and their train has hit a snag and they will be sitting on the tracks until at least the next day. At first they begin snapping pictures of each other, but the electricity keeps on growing, getting more intense by the second. Is it possible to feel this strongly towards a complete stranger? How can emotions get tied in so quickly? When you read Exposed, you'll see just how Austin and Del figured this out.

Pure Ginger - E. C. Sheedy

Ginger's been burned. Her latest boyfriend ended up being married with kids. That's it. This stunning beauty is about to hide her assets and dress down a bit. While she's at it, she's going to de-virginalize. She plans on doing without sex for at least two years. She's busy building her advertising company, and she wants to succeed based on merit and talent - not her looks. Her newest client, Cal Beaumann would love to hire her, but he makes it a condition that she stop wearing burlap and dress up just a bit. After all, he's launching a new theater, and hip is in. Cal was right when he realized that there was much more behind the baggy clothes and seemingly dull personality. He finds Ginger to be more exciting than he could ever have imagined.

Bad Boys Next Exit is an exciting, sensual read. Each story, each couple, starts out with a bang. The intensity never drops. Though the reader doesn't get to see the relationships develop, each relationship is convincing enough for us to believe these couples have found love. I enjoyed this read and will proudly place this book on my keeper shelf.

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