"Spicy hot fantasy/futuristic anthology"

WICKED WISHES is an anthology of three stories, all using in some way or another the concept of a wish fulfilled. The sex is hot in all the stories. There is some bondage, lots of pleasure, and assorted mutual pleasure techniques scattered throughout the book's pages. None of the stories are contemporary, though Burke's offering does have something of a contemporary aspect to it. (It's really a romantic fantasy novella.) All the heroes are wonderful, so much so that reading the authors' shorter works leaves the reader wanting something a little longer to sink their teeth into. All of the stories end nicely and are well-tied up, however, so there is no dissatisfaction. Readers seeking for something spicy will be pleased with this sexy anthology.

Craven's Downfall by Stephanie Burke

Nola Jacobs is hours away from marrying her best friend Gregor. She's retreated one of her favorite childhood haunts to attempt to garner the courage to tell her mother she's not going through with the wedding. Craven, Lord of Carnality (and holder of a host of other titles), is looking for something diverting, and his magic mirror shows him Nola. She wants excitement, and with one wish he can give it to her. But Nola Jacobs may be the one person that can capture Craven's very jaded heart.

Stephanie Burke is up to her usual standards in this delicious novella. Craven, a six foot plus faery, has ankle- length hair, enticing turquoise eyes, and a penchant for naughtiness. Nola's sassy comebacks and Craven's inherent sexiness make these two characters a joy to read about. There is some bondage in this story. The romance is excellent. All the loose ends are tied up nicely, and for a short story it succeeds remarkably well, leaving the reader satisfied when the end is reached.

A Wish Away by Marly Chance

Tiffany has been having rotten luck with birthday wishes for years now, but she thinks she's finally manages to escape unscathed. All she really wants is for her friend Zak to notice her. As usual, her wish sets off a riotous chain of events. Zak, it turns out, isn't Zak Lextin after all. He's Zak Ren'Marna, from Kerla, a man in the futuristic universe-wide equivalent of the witness protection program -- and he's not indifferent to her at all!

This was a fun story. A well-written interlacing of serious and funny moments hooks the reader immediately. Tiffany is a great heroine, and though the characters are only kept apart by a murderous assassin, Chance still manages to fit in a subplot of sorts, and a lot of very spicy moments. The hero's race also has some unique mating customs (destined mates, special irrevocable bonds) for those readers who like such things. The concept of wishing is also used very nicely by this author, making it something a running gag. This reviewer sincerely hopes that Chance considers writing another (longer?) story of a Kerlan male and his mate -- soon!

Serendipity by Joanna Wylde

Sarai has had enough of men. Her late husband was abusive, so much so that the issue finally had come down to her life or his. She had stepped up and ended his existence. It was self-defense, but she still hadn't wanted to do it. So when Jax, a man who had spent most of his life as a soldier -- killing and fighting -- starts to court her, she wants nothing to do with him. Jax, however, knows that Sarai is his lifemate, the one woman in all the universe with whom he can find true happiness. The only question was how he was going to convince her of his sincerity.

Serendipity is clearly from the world of Wylde's novel -- though the novel doesn't have to be read to understand the story itself. Sarai is a single mother in a futuristic world, but her outlook and concerns can be easily sympathized with. Jax's devotion to her is touching, too. This story made the smallest use of the wishing aspect of the anthology, relegating it to the bookends of the story more than anything else. Though it could have been fleshed out more, SERENDIPITY is a good story, especially for those who like their males thoughtful and protective.

Sensuality Level: This book is rated Hard R/NC-17. There is oral sex, masturbation, "leatherplay", and some mild bondage.

Reviewed by Ann Leveille
Courtesy Sensual Romance
Posted October 31, 2002

Summary

Three women get their wishes granted, albeit not in a way any of them are expecting... Serendipity by Joanna Wylde: Sarai has lived through one terrible marriage. The last thing she needs is a new man in her life. But Jax isn't interested in taking "no" for an answer... Craven's Downfall by Stephanie Burke: She didn't want to marry the boring man she was bound to, so when one simple wish lands Nola inside a world filled with exotic creatures and erotic fantasies she thought it was a dream come true. But the thing about fantasies is that they never last...or do they? A Wish Away by Marly Chance: Tiffany has a bad history when it comes to birthdays. This year, she's made it 12 hours into her birthday and she's taking no chances. Well, except for that one small birthday wish she made...She wished her sexy best friend, Zak, would notice her and that her routine life would get more exciting. What, after all, could go wrong with a wish like that?