"A fantasy and science fiction convention is the key to 3 young women's destinies"

Three friends attend a fantasy and science fiction convention and discover their destinies may be worlds away.

"Seraphine Chronicles: Possessed" by Cheyenne McCray

Natalie Capella has been roped into attending the "Out of This World" convention by her best friend. She reluctantly agrees to try out a virtual reality exhibit run by one of Miz's colleagues. As soon as Nat steps into the machine, she feels like she's been transported to another world. One that is surprisingly realistic, complete with an ugly fire- breathing dragon.

Evvan of the Devline Elves is on a mission to kill the Fae killer. He feels personally responsible for failing to prevent the recent death of a young fairy. When he senses a woman in danger, Evvan kicks into high gear. He snatches her from the fiery demise the dragon has planned. Could it be -- is this woman his mate?

Natalie doesn't believe at first that she's in a different world. After some convincing proof, she and Evvan go through adventures as he tries to bring her to safety before resuming his hunt for the Fae killer. Why does Natalie find Evvan so incredibly irresistible? What secrets does Natalie's past hold? Will Evvan be able to win Natalie over?

Ms. McCray continues her Seraphine Chronicles with this novella. Creative use of imagery makes this story a fast-paced easy read. Definitely a must-read!

Sensuality: Rated erotic by the publisher. Explicit sex, f/f heavy petting; sexually explicit scenes: 7.

"Miznari" by Stephanie Burke

Cover artist and costume designer Miznari Anderson is not a happy camper right now. Instead of the threesome she had planned with her boyfriend and best (male) friend, she left when it became apparent that she was the third wheel. Literally running away from her problems, Miznari falls and squashes -- a small blue fairy?

Prince Kell of Lorndale has been kidnapped by a power-mad pirate. Stinza intends to have a child by him, which would allow her to assume power in Kell's matriarchal world. Stinza's ship is in orbit around Earth when Kell makes his escape. Using his "other" form, Kell can slip past the barriers intended for his seven-foot-tall form.

Will Miz help Kell return to his home planet? How will she hide a blue fairy from the other conference goers? What dirty tricks does Stinza have up her sleeve? Do Kell and Miz have hope for a future, or is their relationship doomed from the beginning?

Be prepared for laughs and absurdity in the latest tale from Ms. Burke. You never know what she'll come up with next. Strawberry cheesecake, anyone?

Sensuality: Rated erotic by the publisher. Explicit sex, m/m sex, bondage; sexually explicit scenes: 10.

"Colonial Ghost" by Mlyn Hurn

Erotica author Kerry Perry is dismayed to learn that her room has been double-booked. Desperate for a place to stay during the convention, she agrees to a bed-and-breakfast that's not yet open for business. The owner, Broderick Douglass, is a walking dream. Too bad Kerry isn't his type.

Lawyer Broderick Douglass has been renovating a colonial home that's been in his family for generations. He plans on opening a bed-and-breakfast. When his good friend asks him to let a female guest stay as a favor, he grudgingly gives in. Miss Perry is the school-marm type, which he's never been especially fond of. Oh, well, it's only for a few days.

When both Broderick and Kerry begin experiencing erotic dreams, they don't know at first that one of Broderick's ancestors has made a ghostly reappearance. What does he want? Will Broderick and Kerry figure it out before their hearts get involved? What will happen once the ghost is put back to rest? Do Kerry and Broderick have true feelings for each other, or only ghost-induced lust?

Ms. Hurn has penned a fanciful ghost tale, although the resolution seems a bit rushed. Still, readers will want to read this unusual tale.

Sensuality: Rated sensual by the publisher. Explicit sex; sexually explicit scenes: 5.

All three novellas in THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT 3 are fun and interesting. I would have liked a little more wrap-up on the three friends at the end. Still, this was a very good read. I definitely recommend this one!

Reviewed by Denise Powers
Courtesy Sensual Romance
Posted October 18, 2003

Summary

Colonial Ghost by Mlyn Hurn
Kerry Perry, school marm extraordinaire, also writes erotica. At the Paranormal convention, her hotel reservation is lost and she ends up at a B&B, whose owner wears leather, rides a motorcycle, and has a ghost with issues. She lectures by day, but her nights are filled with hot sex. Is her lover the hunky owner or the foggy ghost?

Miznari by Stephanie Burke
Miznari Anderson thought her world was coming to an end. First, she finds out her boyfriend Mike lusts after her best friend, Aaron. Second, she realizes her life isn't as great as she had always imagined. And third, she discovers an twelve-inch blue fairy on the run from an evil pirate who would steal his sperm to have his baby...the next ruler of his planet.

But Kell isn't a little blue fairy. He's the prince of his planet and certainly not little, but a size-altering warrior who has the hots for Miznari. Now Kell has to defeat the evil Stinza and figure out a way to keep Miznari as his mate-bond. Easy, for a determined hunk like Kell. All he needs to keep Miznari happy...lots of love and sex.

Seraphine Chronicles: Possessed by Cheyenne McCray
When Natalie Capella is coerced into a virtual reality machine, she never expects to end up on another world. A world filled with real Elves, Faeries, and a fire-breathing dragon. And the man who rescues her from that dragon...he's dark and dangerous, powerful and muscular, and so devastatingly sensual that a mere glance makes Natalie want him with an urgency that frightens her.

While tracking down the loathsome killer of Fae, Evvan of the Devline Elves rescues the strikingly beautiful, yet peculiar Natalie. From the moment Evvan saves the maiden, he has every intention of possessing her in every way.

Sexual Content: 1 S - Sensual/2 E-rotic. Genre: Paranormal/Fantasy/Futuristic. Anthology.