"An anthology where every story is worth reading!"

Most anthologies are uneven, but this one has three extremely well-written tales, and I enjoyed all fo them, even one in a subgenre I normally avoid like the plague.

"Love's Tender Fury" by Maryjanice Davidson

This is a comic delight and a certain homage to Will and Grace. The romance-writer heroine is still hung up on the old boyfriend with whom she lost her virginity. Unfortunately, said ex came out of the closet almost immediately afterwards, and he's her best friend -- but she keeps wishing he'd wake up and realize being gay is only a phase. She hates the bodice rippers she writes, and longs to write literary fiction, but her publisher wants her to stick with the program. Disguising herself as a New York art type, she ventures into small publishing house in the hopes of selling her first "real" book. There's an hilarious scene at a romance convention, with Joey eying the cover models, that is worth the price of the anthology. I kept reading bits to my long-suffering dh, who was rolling on the floor. This is a comic gem.

"Threads of Faith" by Joey W. Hill

A gentle fairy tale of a witch who lives alone in the country, and the man who comes to her requesting a potion to bind his true love to him. The price for the potion is set by the Goddess, and She tells Marisa that the man must lie with her before full moonrise that evening. When informed of the price, Conlon is only too willing to pay it -- but under his terms. Both witch and lover have secrets, and these help to bring about the happy ending.

This is a graceful, lovely idyll about two wounded people who heal and complete each other. Oh, yes, and the sex is incendiary. You just might melt your ebook reader with this one.

"Be Careful What You Wish For" by Joanna Wylde

I heartily dislike "forced sex" stories. I had a lot of problems with the opening. Sandy, a masseuse, is a witness to an attempted murder and the killer kidnaps her and drags her off to a waiting plane. Seems he has spent the last five years in prison, and can't wait to celebrate. The heroine has to choose between death and servicing her captor, and sensibly chooses sex. While going down on Sean, she finds herself unexpectedly aroused -- he is a hunk, after all, and she hasn't had sex in ages. THIS was the big problem I had. I've worked with rape victims, and the notion that if a rapist is good-looking and charming, the heroine will enjoy it offends me deeply, even in fiction.

However, I kept on reading, and it did get better. Sandy is an amazingly down to earth, common sense woman with a sense of humor and a warm personality. The hero, Sean, has a solid reason for his imprisonment (false)and for wanting to kill her client, and he has no intention of allowing harm to come to the woman he's falling in love with, even though logically he should get rid of her because she's excess baggage. With the caveat that if rape turns you off, this is steamy novella with a lot of suspense and solid caracterization. If you like capture/forced sex stories, this one is extremely well done.

This is an excellent anthology with something for everyone, and three solid reads.

Sensuality Rating: For 2 of the 3, VERY HOT; captive/forced sex, oral and anal sex; spanking.

Note: "Love's Tender Fury" is an excellent story, but not a sensual romance.

Reviewed by Gillian Fitzgerald
Courtesy Sensual Romance Reviews
Posted May 26, 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.