"Four friends find love through their New Year's resolutions"

RESOLUTIONS contains the stories of four college friends. Every year they get together around New Year's Eve and share their resolutions for the past year and make new resolutions for the coming year. This year, each woman has had exceptional luck with her resolution, which leads to love.

A Losing Proposition by Vanessa Hart

Chef Caryn Cook has had self-esteem issues her entire life. Slightly overweight, she hides her beauty subconsciously after a painful incident in her past. She has vowed this year to lose weight and get laid. Caryn doesn't know that signing up for a weight management class will be the answer to both her goals.

Zach Roman has gained weight, a lot of weight, after his divorce. He's signed up for the weight management class to help him lose those excess pounds. But he doesn't know why the stunning Caryn is in the class. She doesn't really need to lose that much weight, if any at all. Zach has always been attracted to Caryn. He chances asking her out on a date.

Their date turns into a long weekend when a snowstorm traps them at Caryn's house. As the weekend progresses, Zach and Caryn reveal the secrets of their respective pasts and grow closer together. With Caryn withholding the most painful details of her past, trust cannot be achieved. Will Caryn trust Zach with her most private shame?

A Losing Proposition is an intriguing tale of two not-so-perfect people who see beneath the surface. True love is possible for those who aren't supermodel beautiful. As a bonus, the knowledge of being loved brings out the beauty within. Ms. Hart tugs at the heartstrings with her contribution to the anthology.

Sensuality: Explicit sex; sexually explicit scenes: 5

Free Fall by Jasmine Haynes

Deanna Rains has been suppressing her wild artistic side for far too long. She's resolved to try something a little daring, to try skydiving. She finds herself incredibly drawn to the handsome skydiving instructor. Will Deanna act on her desires? Her experiences in free fall inspire her to resume her long-abandoned hobby of photography.

Cole Johnson's skydiving school is weeks away from bankruptcy. His business plan didn't anticipate the slow take-off of the business. And with his skydiving partner gone, Cole has lost his main source of revenue. Without a partner, he can't offer accelerated free fall classes. Deanna comes as a complete shock to Cole. He's never been so attracted to a woman before and never to a client. But with his business failing, what does he have to offer someone like her?

Although I felt Cole and Deanna seemed a bit premature in declaring their commitment, the short format of these stories didn't allow for more development. However, it seems that Free Fall is just what these two lovers want and will achieve together. Ms. Haynes has written a fascinating short tale.

Sensuality: Explicit sex; sexually explicit scenes: 5

For Sale by Owner by Leigh Wyndfield

Gypsy by nature, Jenna Perry has vowed to buy a house this year. She refuses to have her children grow up as she did, constantly uprooted and moved to a new locale. Before Jenna knows it, it's October and she hasn't begun her search for a house. As a realtor, she knows she'll be cutting it close to find and close on a house before the New Year. And then she finds a charming house being sold by the rather gruff, yet handsome owner. Who will be living right next door to her...

Furniture maker Trent Long knows he's an asshole, but what else can you expect from a temperamental artist? So he's pleasantly surprised when Jenna gives back as good as she gets. Living so close to Jenna will be quite a temptation, indeed. But Jenna has some strict personal rules about who she dates, despite her gypsy ways. Can Trent get past the barriers she throws at him?

Jenna and Trent seem to be perfect for each other. Both of them know when to give the other some space. And each finds that they don't need to be constantly together to be happy. For Sale by Owner is a quick, cute read. Ms. Wyndfield's story is a good addition to this anthology.

Sensuality: Explicit sex; sexually explicit scenes: 5

That Scottish Spring by Dee S. Knight

Spring Matthews lives by her organizer and her plans. She never does anything without thoroughly planning it out to the last detail. So it's no surprise that her New Year's resolution is to plan something spontaneous. That planning completely throws off spontaneity doesn't even occur to Spring. A trip to Scotland sounds wild enough. When her traveling companion has to cancel at the last minute, she's assigned a new roommate named Morgan.

Morgan MacKay is traveling to Scotland to visit his grandfather as a graduation present to himself. He's just finished graduate school and will be entering the workforce soon. Morgan is bewitched by the stunningly sexy, slightly older woman he sees at the terminal. As luck with have it, they're seatmates on the plane. Then Morgan learns the name of his companion. It's his roomie for the next four nights. Things are looking up!

Spring wasn't expecting her new roommate to be a man. Especially not this man. She can't be carrying on with a man ten years younger than herself, no matter what her body wants. But sexual attraction will win out, at least in the short term. Will Morgan fight to save their relationship? Will Spring get past the age difference and learn to enjoy their passion?

In Scotland, Spring learns to loosen the reins on her tight control, with a little help from Morgan. Once they return to the U.S., Spring has to decide if she can make this lifestyle change a permanent one. Morgan is a wonderfully sexy man and a great hero. That Scottish Spring is a striking story of love that survives despite differences. Ms. Knight has another winner in this short yarn.

Sensuality: Explicit sex; sexually explicit scenes: 4

Reviewed by Denise Powers
Courtesy Sensual Romance Reviews
Posted January 4, 2004

Summary

For four women, secret New Year's resolutions turn into romantic adventures that lead them to the loves of their lives. As they set their goals for the coming year, none of them anticipate the twists and turns they will encounter. Nor the hot passion they find.

Resolutions. Promises made to oneself for the coming year. Everyone makes them occasionally, but only a few live them to the fullest.

A Losing Proposition by Vanessa Hart

When Caryn Cook resolves to lose forty pounds and get laid, she has more to lose than weight. She's wary of men, and with good reason. Zach Roman, who struggles with his own weight problem, sees the beauty beneath her excess pounds. Stranded together one snowy weekend, he proves to her that love comes in all shapes and sizes.

Free Fall by Jasmine Haynes

Deanna Rain needed to do something wild and risky to alleviate job stress, mortgage pressure and just sheer boredom. Something like skydiving. What could be riskier or wilder than jumping out of a plane? Jumping with Cole Johnson, that's what. But with Cole, the risk is to her heart.

For Sale By Owner by Leigh Wyndfield

Jenna Perry longs for a home and family, but her gypsy spirit has always gotten in the way. Taking charge of her future, she buys the house that calls to her. But all good things come with a price and hers is Trent Long, her next door neighbor, and the rudest man she's ever met. If only he wasn't so sexy...

That Scottish Spring by Dee S. Knight

Spring Matthews built her life with planning and organization. Breaking out of her structured routine never included Morgan Mackay, the sexiest young man she'd ever met. That he was sexy made her pulse quicken. That he was young made her shy away. Would her heart do more than just pencil him in, or would he take control of her calendar?