"Wonderful anthology that shows that skin color doesn't matter in love"

"Hot Earth" by Vonna Harper

Calina Rambo came back home to settle her mother's affairs. She is drawn to the orchard where her father had the accident that finally lead to his death. She blames the owner of the orchard for his treatment of his Mexican workers for his accident. Calina had worked hard to prove both to herself and the world that she had a brain. Being a Mexican she had never dated a white man, but as she watches the man on the tractor coming towards her she can't explain why she is so attracted to him. Sayer doesn't know who she is but there is something about her that he can't get enough of. After one moment of passion there is no going back for either one of them

"Hot Earth" is one hot read. Ms. Harper has created a story with interesting characters and hot sensual love scenes. This is a great story of two people who have to overcome the prejudices of the past to find love.

"Mostly Sunny with a Chance for Belgian Chocolate" by Elizabeth Jewell

Alexa Walker finally gets to interview Carter Allen, a radio meteorologist those voice turns her on as no man had been able. When she meets him she is surprised to find he a beautiful man with skin the color of Belgian chocolates. Over a lunch that includes a lot of flirting on both sides, they realize that they have the makings of a relationship. Can the fact that Alexa is eight years older have any bearing on their future. What will his mom have to say over their relationship?

This story really focuses on the relationship of Alexa and Carter. It deals with race, age and outside influences. Although it's not race that is the issue -- it's age between the two. This story will keep you reading to the end just to find out what is going to happen.

"Xavier" by Stephanie Burke

Xavier hears a woman being attacked in the park as he rides by on his bike. He watches her do a good job on her attackers, until one pulls out a gun. He steps in and finishes the job. Alena is a smart-assed woman who has lived with betrayal and heartache and doesn't want to get involved with anyone. Xavier is an artist of unbelievable talent and he wants to paint Alena. She finally agrees and little by little they get to know each other. Xavier is co-owner of a tattoo business and has been hurt badly by a woman in his past. Can these get past their hurt to find peace?

Zavier is my favorite of this anthology. I loved the smart assed attitude of Alena and the way she slowly opens up. Zavier is not too bad either as a bad boy with a wall around his heart. Alena's pride in being an African-American does get tested by the end. This is a great end to the anthology

MORE THAN SKIN DEEP is a great anthology written by three gifted authors. Each story different. They all deal with some part of a relationship. You won't want to miss this group of stories.

Reviewed by Patricia McGrew
Courtesy Sensual Romance Reviews
Posted February 25, 2004

Summary

Hot Earth by Vonna Harper
You can't always go back home. Calina Rambo knows this, but circumstances force her to return to the southern Oregon orchard where her Mexican migrant family had lived. Settling up her mother's estate was hard enough, but facing orchard owner Sayer Woods was even harder. The sexual heat between them is more than Calina can endure.

But will secrets of the past come between them and the love they find in each other's arms? Do they have the strength to break the racial barriers between Mexican and Gringo? Maybe you can go home again, if the love is hot enough to set the earth on fire.

Mostly Sunny With A Chance Of Belgian Chocolate By Elizabeth Jewell
Radio meteorologist Carter Allen has a voice that makes women's toes curl, so when journalist Alexa Walker goes to interview him, she's surprised to discover he has a body— and personality—to match. In fact, he's an African- American, Belgian-chocolate-colored hunk of yummy goodness. Interview leads to lunch which leads to dinner which leads to mostly drunken sex in his apartment—and suddenly Lex finds herself caught in what's starting to look suspiciously like the beginning of a relationship. But will Carter's mother ever get over the fact that Lex is an older woman?

Xavier By Stephanie Burke
Life is all about choices, right? So why do all their choices seem to end with confusion? Alena only wants to finish her college career and live life her way. Xavier wants a fresh start at a life unjustly stolen from him. When they first meet, sparks fly, passion ignites, and the choices suddenly become much clearer. But with the machinations of a best friend, a prejudice that can't be ignored, and a pain of betrayal surrounding them, will Xavier and Alena's passion burn hotter, or explode into emotional despair?

Sexual Content: 2 S-ensual / 1 E-rotic. Genre: Contemporary.