"This anthology is not to be missed!"

The Widow's Auction by Sabrina Jeffries is the first story in this anthology and it really sets the mood for the whole book. Isobel Lamberton, Lady Kingsley is living a lie. Her late husband was a saint but he also took her from poverty and made her what she is today. He left the Lamberton Boys' School in her care. Lord Justin Warbrook is also on the board for the Boys' School and wants to build a factory on the site to help the boys learn a trade. Isobel and Justin clash in this idea. Then Isobel does something really outrageous. Her friend talks her into participating in the Widow's Auction. Isobel is horrified when Justin is there and actually bids on her for the evening. Is the jig up now? What will he do when he finds out who she is or will he find out?

Luisa's Desire by Emma Holly is quite interesting in that Luisa has been a blood drinker for 160 years. Now she'd like to figure out how she can reverse the process so she goes to Tibet on a pilgrimage of sorts. She has no way of knowing that she will find the man of her dreams. Martin has been drawn to Tibet his entire life. He is there to learn what he has to do to become fulfilled. Little do they know their lives will intertwine in this chance meeting. Is it fate?

Mr. Speedy by Elda Minger is a contemporary romance. Miranda Ward wants to cover a story for the magazine where she works but the problem is the conference she wants to cover is only for men. She believes that The Swiftest Seduction, lead by Anton Levine is a big bunch of hokey and she's out to prove it. So she decides to go disguised as a man. She finds out when she gets there that she has a roommate. She's paired with none other than Jake Blackhall, the notorious bachelor. What will he do if he finds out she's a woman? Can she keep up her disguise through the weekend?

The Awakening by Christine Feehan is a shape shifting story and what a story this is! Maggie Odessa has been told she's inherited a house in the middle of the rainforest but in order to claim it, she has to go there. Her adoptive mother always warned her about the forest but now she's dead so Maggie feels she must go to try to learn more about her real parents. Brandt Talbot has done all in his power to make sure Maggie comes home. He knows she is his soulmate and he wants her back. What Maggie learns is shocking. Will she accept her fate and her mate or will she balk and run away?

All four of these stories were excellent. They were sensual and evocative. Each was different in it's own way and all were equally as enjoyable. I highly recommend this anthology.

Reviewed by Kathy Boswell
Posted February 28, 2002

Summary

In these four new novellas by today's hottest romance writers, a Victorian widow auctions off her most prized possession: herself...a beautiful jungle explorer discovers her own wild side...a bloodthirsty beauty gives in to her darkest desires...and a young woman turns an all-male academy into a school for seduction.