"Sensual, paranormal romances, both historical and contemporary settings."

DARKFEST by Amanda Ashley - Lord Darkfest has been alone for 300 years. He hasn't been attracted to a woman in all that time, until he hears Channa sing. A powerful wizard, he agrees to save the life of her mother if Channa will spend a year with him. Good characters, a magical setting and romance. Perfect ingredients for a love story in another world.

PHANTOM LOVER by Sherrilyn Kenyon - Erin McDaniel's life is plagued with nightmares. When a warrior appears in her dreams to save her, she falls for him, hard. If she can figure a way to bring him to her daytime world, life will be perfect. With a real-life heroine, the familiar setting of the corporate world and a dream lover, this is what we all wish for. Yummy.

UNDER HER SPELL by Maggie Shayne - White witch Melissa St. Cloud is the new creative consultant for a TV series. She needs the job, but her boss, Alex Quinn, seems mired in evil. Since she wants him for herself, Melissa must discover the source of the evil and banish it, if she can just convince Alex the evil is there. Great characters, a haunted house and good versus evil. What more could you ask for?

A WULF'S CURSE by Ronda Thompson - Fleeing an arranged marriage to a sadist, Elise stows away with a circus, landing in the bed of Sterling Wulf. A Beast Tamer, Sterling is running from his own horrors. Can Elise accept his beastly side, or will his family curse tear them apart? An innocent miss, an evil uncle and the beastly man who could prove to be her salvation, and her his. An exciting plot, well worth the read.

This collection of tales, by four of today's most popular authors, is an enticing look into the world of magic. Both contemporary and historical, the stories are heartwarming and sensual, with the added punch of sorcery for excitement. I enjoyed it a lot -- a good read.

Reviewed by Lory Martin
Courtesy Old Book Barn Gazette
Posted October 29, 2003

Honorable Mention for 2003 PEARL Award
- Best Paranormal Anthology

Honorable Mention for 2003 PEARL Award
- Best SHORT STORY/NOVELLA Romance
- Phantom Lover by Sherrilyn Kenyon"

Four of romance's most popular authors have created this spellbinding collection of stories filled with dark passion and desire. Under the cover of darkness, their heroes inhabit worlds haunted by ageless hungers and deadly forces stronger than any seen by day...and vanquished only by the power of love.

Handsome and sensual, surrounded by an aura of danger, mystery, and the forbidden, a lover steps from the shadows. But is he mortal? Or is he an ancient god, a sorcerer, or a mythical beast who can possess a woman's heart...and her very soul?

Four of romance's most popular authors have created this spellbinding collection of stores filled with dark passion and desire. Under the cover of darkness, their heroes inhabit worlds haunted by ageless hungers and deadly forces stronger than any seen by day...and vanquished only by the power of love.

Now travel into realms where dazzling wonders roam the night, where magic replaces reason, and where a kiss unleashes a raging fire in the blood. And here, if you dare, discover the seduction that begins at the bewitching hour when a man and woman partake in...Midnight Pleasures.

Summary

Darkfest by Amanda Ashley
The price of saving her dying mother is Channa's promise to spend a year at the castle of tormented nobleman, Lord Darkfest...to obey him as his servant or, as his secrets are revealed, to become his salvation. And her own.

Phantom Lover by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Haunted by recurring nightmares of terrifying beasts, Erin McDaniels is afraid to sleep-until a hero arrives in her dreams to save her...and makes erotic, incredible love to her. But can she find him again when she is awake?

Under Her Spell by Maggie Shayne A consultant for a TV series about one gorgeous witch, "white witch" Melissa St. Cloud plans to make the show authentic. But once on the set she is pulled into the arms of a man who opens up a doorway to the darkside and chilling peril.

A Wulf's Curse by Ronda Thompson
Running away from an arranged marriage, Elise steals aboard a wagon in a traveling circus and finds herself in the bed of the Beast Master, Sterling Wulf, who is something other than he seems...and suddenly all Elise desires.