"Be careful what you secretly wish for. It just may come true..."

Love's Tender Fury by MaryJanice Davidson

Marnie Hammer is a very popular and famous romance writer with the pen name Jessica LeFleur. Too bad she hates her life, her books, her fans, everything! She wants to break out of the mold her publisher has forced her into. Marnie knows -- just knows -- that she can write a literary novel that will get the critics raving. If only she'd get the chance to do so. Luckily for Marnie, her gay best friend Joe Halloran keeps her company at book signings and other events. Otherwise, she'd go even more postal than she already does.

Editor at a small literary publishing house, Tony Freeborg doesn't normally attend romance author signings but his mother has dragged him to this one. He has never seen an author who has such disregard for her fans. Strangely, Tony is attracted to this female who doesn't even give him the time of day. Underneath her crabby exterior, Jessica seems to lack self-confidence in her work. Why is she so disparaging toward the romance genre? When Jessica appears in his office pretending to be an unknown (and unpublished) author, Tony plays along. Maybe he can help her learn to love to write again.

Love's Tender Fury was difficult for me to get into. Don't go into this story expecting a traditional romance. It's more like a narrative of an author reaching a turning point in her life and career. After much turmoil, Marnie learns just how valuable her writing is to her fans. Can she manage a compromise with her publisher? With Tony by her side as agent, Marnie may succeed in doing so. Ms. Davidson has written an angst-ridden tale of a writer who learns to love her job and life again.

Sensuality: Rated E-rotic by the publisher. Moderately explicit sex, anal sex (off-screen); sexually explicit scenes: 2

Be Careful What You Wish For by Joanna Wylde

Massage therapist Sandra Vicars is not a whore, no matter what her latest client thinks. She's a professional masseuse, not a call girl! When Sandra tries to leave the odious lawyer's office, she finds a man with a knife threatening the weasel lawyer. Sandra tries to keep her wits about her and get away from this whole crazy scenario. Unfortunately, Sandra ends up kidnapped by an escaped convict who hasn't seen a woman in five years. Uh-oh!

Sean believes that Sandra is a hooker hired by the man he broke out of prison to kill. Although he has his reasons -- justifiable, in fact -- for murder, society will demand his return to confinement. Sean doesn't plan on going back. With the help of powerful and ruthless friends, including shadowy CIA agents, he's given a new life and identity. Authorities aren't looking for him any more; they believe he died in his escape. But what to do with the woman? Use her for sex and kill her in the end? As Sean and Sandra grow closer, Sean finds it more difficult to contemplate her demise.

Be Careful What You Wish For is not a story that every reader will be able to enjoy. For me, when a woman believes (rightly so) that her life is in danger unless she agrees to sexual contact, that contact is not consensual, no matter what she actually says. I cannot accept the imbalance of power in this relationship as a basis for a true union. Ms. Wylde has written many sensual tales in the past, this one simply didn't appeal to me. Try one of her futuristic stories for a more equitable relationship between the hero and heroine.

Sensuality: Rated E-rotic by the publisher. Explicit sex, forced sexual activity; sexually explicit scenes: 5

Threads of Faith by Joey W. Hill

Marisa lives an isolated life, which is just the way she likes it. Unable to bear normal human contact due to her extreme sensitivity, she's been alone most of her life. Considered a witch by the locals, she brews special potions for them in exchange for whatever the Goddess demands in payment. So when the latest potion requires a sacrifice that Marisa has never given before, she's completely shocked.

Marisa's new client is not your average man. Conlon Maguire wants to win the heart of his soulmate. The cost of the potion to do so is spending the night with Marisa, showing her the pleasures of the flesh. Conlon finds Marisa to be irresistible, with her quaint mix of modern and old-fashioned sensibilities. Will one night be enough?

Marisa knows that this is the only chance for her to experience joy and sensual ecstasy. She plans on resuming her solitary lifestyle after Conlon leaves. The memories of this one night will have to sustain her for life. Marisa doesn't understand why she's required to be with Conlon in this way, but fate has its own logic.

Threads of Faith is a sweet yet erotic love story of a man who is the perfect match to a very special woman. You'll find yourself agreeing that Marisa needs someone like Conlon in her life. Ms. Hill has written a story that will linger in your heart long after the story is over.

Sensuality: Rated E-rotic by the publisher. Explicit sex, spanking; sexually explicit scenes: 4

Reviewed by Denise Powers
Courtesy Sensual Romance Reviews
Posted February 8, 2004

Summary

Love's Tender Fury by MaryJanice Davidson

Just once, Marnie Hammer would love to sign her real name to her extremely popular romance books. But her Jessica LeFleur pen name is more widely known. Add to that the love of her life is gay and just not interested in her that way. And now she is suddenly lusting after the gorgeous Tony Freeborg, literary agent extraordinaire. Such was NOT in her plans for her life.

Be Careful What You Wish For by Joanna Wylde

Sandra is having a bad day.

Her business is tanking and her latest therapeutic massage client, Edgar, thinks she's a whore. But even that pales in comparison to what happens when she goes into the bathroom to wash her hands...

Sean's spent the last five years in prison for murder. When he escapes, he wants two things: Revenge and sex. He finds both at the office of Edgar Williams, the man responsible for his partners' death. Now Edgar's dead, but Sean's still horny. Fortunately, the woman of his dreams is about to walk out of the bathroom and into his arms.

Be Careful What You Wish For

Threads Of Faith by Joey W. Hill

Marisa is a modern day witch, living at the edge of the woods and of society. She dispenses potions to help lonely souls find their true loves. Because of her inability to live among others, she doesn't believe love is for her, let alone sexual fulfillment. Then Conlon Maguire shows up at her cottage.

Conlon wants a potion to win the heart of his soulmate, but the magic behind the potion sets its price. Conlon's potion demands that he spend one night with Marisa, bringing her pleasure. As a servant of the Light, Marisa cannot refuse the price if Conlon agrees to it, but from the moment he touches her, she knows her heart and shields are in danger.