"Fantastic world-building and settings"

THRESHOLD VOLUME 2 is two short stories. We have two best friends meeting in a resort in Mexico to celebrate Marylin's legal separation. Gray, Marylin's oldest and dearest friend, is also without a partner at the present time. As they proceed to get thoroughly wasted, they tell each other their ideal of the perfect mate. Marylin has always dreamed of a warrior. Gray is looking for a lion, yes he is bi, and he was in love with Marylin at one time.

The Summoning: A Northlanders Tale by Shelby Morgen

This one deals with Marylin. Marylin has been experiencing dreams of a lover for quite some time now. He is her warrior. Unfortunately, every time she wakes up, she loses him. This is the warrior she told Gray about during their drinking session. Marylin wakes up the next morning with a terrible hangover. When she wishes for a cloth for her head, it appears in her hand. When she finally manages to get her eyes open, she can't believe what she sees. She's lying on furs and there's a man standing over her. As she looks closer at him, she sees he has pointy ears. She's lying there nude with the worst hangover of her life and she's being watched by an elf! When he sees she's awake, he calls someone to enter the tent -- the man of her dreams. His name is Roanen and he calls her Ayailla. It turns out Ayailla died during a battle and the elf, Shammal, brought her back to the living. After a very hot sexual interlude, Marylin finds herself back in her own time. What will Marylin do? Will she go back and love Roanen, even though she knows he'll die before she will?

Take Me With You by Stephanie Burke

Gray has always been afraid of thunderstorms and the one tonight is no exception. He's pretty loaded as he stumbles to his room. He stops by the fountain in the courtyard to dig the key out of his pocket. Naturally, he fumbles it and it falls right in the fountain. Just as he grabs the key, there's a loud clap of thunder and a flash of lightening.

When Gray wakes up, he finds someone with pink hair pulling him out of a lake. He can't tell if it's a he or a she and he passes out again. When he comes to again, he finds out his rescuer is indeed a woman and her name is Gethla. She offers him something to eat and it turns out to be roasted bug. Gray does not like bugs and refuses. Gethla finally explains where Gray ended up. He can't believe his ears when he discovers he's somehow managed to make it to his future. The Earth was destroyed and the people lived underground for a long time. They finally made it topside and live in villages now. They also herd and eat bugs. Gray can't believe he survived the lightning blast just to make it into his worst nightmare!

I love the way these two very different stories intertwine. I've read The Northlander series by Shelby Morgen and really love how the first story in this anthology explains everything. This book captured my attention from the very first page and left me wanting more at the end. The action is fast-paced, the world building is just right and the settings are fantastic. The characters are all great. I really enjoyed being introduced to Shammal and learning how he came to be with his Clan. This is a great stand-alone book, but be forewarned, if you read this one, you will definitely want the rest of them.

Reviewed by Chere Gruver
Courtesy Sensual Romance Reviews
Posted November 23, 2003

Summary

The Summoning by Shelby Morgen
The Summoning—A spell so powerful—and dangerous—its use is forbidden.
Welcome to Earth 2456. Marylin accidentally steps into a future that's not her own. Roanen appears to be the fulfillment of Marylin's every sexual fantasy, but are the visions that haunt her memories of past lives and past loves...or mistakes she's doomed to repeat?

Take Me With You by Stephanie Burke
Lost in a futuristic desert, Gray finds himself surrounded by his worst nightmares and falling for an exotic creature who stirs up memories of his dark past. Gray will stop at nothing to ignite a passion that will unite their souls as one.

Sexual Content: NC-17. Genre: Fantasy/ Furturistic/Time- Travel.