"Highly erotic futuristic anthology"

PLEASURE QUEST is a highly erotic romantica futuristic anthology.

The first story is Marilyn Lee's The Quest: Hunter's Passion. It is the first part of her series "The Quest". Her story was previously published as part of another anthology, if memory serves. Jemi Hunter, summoned by her husband Cody, finds herself waiting for him on Valentine's Day at a deserted mine. Everything would be all right if it weren't for the fact that Cody has been dead for over a year. As Jemi gets reunited with her husband, she ends up being transported to the world of Volter and meeting the most extraordinary creature, Hunter. Ms. Lee's story is very erotic, intriguing, and imaginative. I loved this story not only because I felt intrigued by it, but also because I felt drawn to the characters, as unorthodox as they may be. I look forward to reading the next books of this series.

The second story is Mary Winter's Return From Exile, which is quite different. It begins with Major Rina Corvalano's trial and sentencing to exile. Her crime: performing her sworn duty to protect the emperor. In the process, Rina is not only exiled from her planet but she also loses her lover, Ter. Ter was forced to choose between his military career and his lover. You all can guess what his decision was. Rina, being a driven and ambitious career oriented woman herself, understands his position and does not hold it against him. This story is, in reality, a story of redemption. Ter has moved through the ranks, but he could never forget Rina and his betrayal. This story is emotional and it explores the feelings of two extremely ambitious individuals who end up learning that there are things more important in life than their own ambitions.

And last but not least is The Offering, Christine Warren's contribution and her introduction to the futuristic genre. The Offering begins with Security Force's Major Eve Cartwright facing the equivalent of a court martial. In consideration of her previously spotless record she is sent on an undercover mission, as her last chance to save her career. Eve is sent to find evidence against smuggler and suspected rebel leader Michael Taggart. The catch: she will have to investigate while impersonating a sex slave. Both Eve and Michael are strong characters. In this story we again see the style that has become Christine Warren's trademark in her Fantasy Fix series. Her writing is witty and humorous.

Overall, I enjoyed this anthology. It brings forth three wonderful writers with three completely different styles. The erotic content is varied too. Some may find The Quest as the most erotic of the three. I made the mistake of reading this one in the office. . . and regretted it. ;-) As to which story is my favorite, it is a tough call, but I found myself quite drawn by The Quest and no, it was not only because of the sex. If I were to choose my favorite hero, Hunter would be the winner, although I do know some fellow readers may find my choice extremely odd. Each story is unique in its own merits. All in all, if you like futuristic stories this anthology is for you.

Sensuality: highly erotic, graphic sexual content and language, multipartner, oral sex, some violence, sex with non-humanoid alien creature. Rated NC-17 by the publisher.

Reviewed by Mireya Orsini for Sensual Romance.

Reviewed by Sensual Romance
Courtesy Sensual Romance
Posted June 12, 2003

Summary

Marilyn Lee, The Quest 1: Hunter's Passion

Publisher's Note: this is a reissue of Ms. Lee's story formerly published by Ellora's Cave

I miss you. I'm working on a way for us to be together again. Get ready...
Those were the words in the last letter Jemi Hunter received from her husband Cody-five years after his death. His last living words to her were that he would find a way for them to be together. Now, on Valentine's Day night, she is waiting in a dilapidated shack in the middle of nowhere, questioning her sanity...
Genre: Futuristic. Rating: NC17.

Mary Winter, Galaxy Rogues 1: Return from Exile

Being exiled from her beloved planet was hard enough for Major Rina Corvalano. Leaving the man she loved, Lieutenant Terrastan Ilykianoiselle, broke her heart in two. Death would have been more merciful. A chance meeting with Ter in a bar seemed like a fluke, until he shows up at her ship the next morning with a dire warning: return to Yelexia with him and face the High Council, or die. Rina can no more refuse the order than she can Ter's body...
Genre: Futuristic; Rated: NC17

Christine Warren, The Offering

Eve Cartwright has landed herself in a bit of a bind. After making an enemy of her superior officer and half the Protectorate government, she discovers her latest undercover mission involves digging up the dirt on suspected smuggler and rebel leader, Michael Taggart. And she has to do it while posing as his sex slave. Now Eve is left wondering if it will be tougher to find the evidence of Taggart's crimes, or to find the strength not to submit completely to his erotic domination...
Genre: Futuristic; light bondage. Rated: NC17.

Sexual Content: NC-17. Genre: futuristic.