"Three Tales of Otherworldly Love"

Three authors weigh in for this third edition of EC's popular Halloween anthology, penning sexy stories to tease and titillate. Cheyenne McCray offers up Seraphine Chronicles: Possessed, an intense short story set in her fantasy world of Seraphine. Stephanie Burke steps up with a light science fiction tale called Miznari, and Mlyn Hurn finishes the anthology off with a tender ghost story appropriately entitled Colonial Ghost.

Seraphine Chronicles: Possessed - Cheyenne McCray

It seemed simple—just a walk through the Virtual Reality exhibit—until Natalie realized that she was stuck in a virtual world without an instruction manual! She's rescued from certain death by Evvan, a dark, sexy Elvin Enforcer who really doesn't have time to escort her to safety. His mission is to track down a dangerous killer—and she'll just get in his way. Right?

Possessed is a sexy little fantasy whose tone is just perfect to launch into this anthology. Evvan's Devline trick of 'shrouding' is an incredible gift—not only sexy but useful—and Natalie, though swept into another world, isn't exactly helpless. The whirlwind romance between her and Evvan is engulfing. Though this story does lack a bit of overall closure, it is romantically fulfilling, which is enough to leave the reader with a smile on her face. Possessed is a great addition to the Seraphine world, a wonderful read for fans of the Seraphine elves, and a great introduction to the world (that requires no previous experience) for readers who haven't read about it before.

Miznari - Stephanie Burke

Miznari is not having a good day. When the experimental threesome she tries out turns sour, she ducks out the door, leaving her boyfriend and the man he was just a bit TOO interested in alone. She finds herself tripping over a little blue fairy. Only, Kell isn't a blue fairy. He's actually Prince Kell of Lorndale, a far-away matriarchal world, and he's on the run from a sperm-greedy pirate intent on bearing his daughter and taking Lorndale for her own. And before he ran from her ship, the evil pirate dosed him with a powerful aphrodisiac that seems to be catching!

Miznari is, in one word, hilarious. Ms. Burke's use of the convention setting and her characterizations are both excellent. Though Kell's beta tendencies may not appeal to all readers, those who like softer heroes are in for a real treat. Miznari's fast-thinking, butt-kicking no-holds- barred attitude gives the story lift and passion even when the plot twists away from Miznari and Kell's relationship and moves toward the despicable pirate that stalks them both. Thoroughly satisfying, this spicy little short is a must-read for any fan of romantic/erotic comedy, and a great bet for the reader looking for something a little lighter.

Colonial Ghost - Mlyn Hurn

Kerry Perry is your typical school teacher—as well as being the writer of explosive paranormal erotica. When the conference hotel loses her reservation, she ends up staying at The Fair Rose, a soon-to-be-open bed and breakfast owned by lawyer/innkeeper Broderick Douglass. Broderick's seduction is sweet, but the next day he's forgotten about it. What's going on?

Ms. Hurn's contribution to the anthology is the most traditional of the bunch, being concerned with a very seductive ghost. The story isn't scary, and is well- written, especially given its abbreviated length. The mystery of who and what is the ghost is well done. The heroine's background—school teacher/erotica writer— seems rather wasted, but the sex is hot, hot, hot. The ending is unexpected, but emotionally pleasing. It even gives closure, somewhat, to the anthology. Colonial Ghost is a great finale to a real treat of an anthology.

With three great romantic tales in one volume, THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT III is a delight to read and a great bet for those chilly autumn nights. (Or days!)

Sensuality Level: The stories in this book have been rated S—Sensual (1) and E—Erotic (2) by the publisher.

Reviewed by Ann Leveille
Courtesy Sensual Romance Reviews
Posted November 2, 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.