Disappointing Valentine's Anthology
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Dangerous Lover - Anne Stuart
When Emma O'Bannion decides to cheer up Luc Dubois, her mysterious French neighbour, with a little Valentine's Day surprise - she doesn't realise that it will put her into such hot water that her heart may never beat normally again.
I'll have to admit that I don't think I've ever read a story as bad as this one. Emma has 2 boyfriends (don't get me started!), a great job and a lovely flat and yet she moans all the time. Luc is depicted as a long haired, skulking Frenchman that dresses all in black (complete with bomber jacket) and who breaks into the heroine's flat to go through her underwear - certainly not anyone I would fantasise about! And after Emma is attacked, threatened with death, drugged, kidnapped, tied to a bed in a rundown farmhouse - the first thing she thinks is that Luc (who did all these things to her) could do with a shave which would make him even more attractive! Absolute rubbish - words cannot express how bad this story was.
Once Upon A Mattress - Vicki Lewis Thompson
Amelia Townsend's Bedroom Fantasies shop is a tremendous hit - even if her love life is at a major low. But being the boss isn't all it's cracked up to be as she can't be seen to favour any of the employees - but especially not delicious Will Murdoch - a man that makes her go weak at the knees. And now, just before Valentine's Day he finally shows her some attention... and asks her for her advice on how to pursue another woman!
A very cute story from Vicki Lewis Thompson about two people who feel they are all wrong for each other but can't help want what they shouldn't have. Will and Amelia are both lovely characters and the chemistry is sparkling. A very sweet and enjoyable tale.
Special Deliveries - Marisa Carroll
Nine year old Dani Jenson and her little sister think that new girl in town, Christy would make the perfect Valentine for their Dad, Del. So they set about trying to get the pair together by sending Christy some secret admirer notes. Christy and Dell were once the love of each other's life until one fateful Valentine's Day ten years ago changed everything. But now Christy is back in town and she's getting some rather odd love notes - but rather than sending her into Del's arms, it sends her running to the police!
This was an okay story - not very exciting but not very offensive either. The main characters were real enough but lacked any depth or chemistry which made their romantic reunion quite unrealistic and abrupt. Readable and sweet but nothing special - you could afford to miss this story.
Overall, I have to say that I really can't recommend this anthology. I enjoyed Vicki Lewis Thompson's story and the third story was fine but not worth shelling out for. And the Anne Stuart story was just so bad that it really drags down the whole book. There are plenty of other excellent anthologies out there so if you're looking for fun, quick romantic reads then you are sure to find something else more suitable. Only 2 stars.
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Very nice touch!
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Three Tales with Stuart being the strongest Dangerous Love by Anne Stuart - has Emma wondering about her mysterious new neighbour, so with a little prodding by the super, so makes moves to get her noticed. And boy dies her notice! Once Upon a Mattress - Vicki Lewis Thompson - is about a woman running a store selling mattresses - but suddenly having eyes only for the deliveryman. Only he is asking her how to win the hand of a woman - someone else!! Special Deliveries - Marisa Carroll Has two kids playing match maker. They think their dad and their new neighbour would make a perfect couple so they begin a campaign of secret admirer notes - instead of getting them a new mom, it has her running for the police!
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Vicki Lewis Thompson, ya done good!
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Good Afternoon! I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed most of this book. I was especially pleased with the story by Vicki Lewis Thompson "Once Upon a Mattress". I have read that story several times and I get a kick out of it each time. I just ordered more of her books because of this one. I also enjoyed Dangerous Lover by Anne Stuart to a certain extent. The first two thirds I liked but the rest of it didn't do anything for me, but I have read other books of hers I liked. The last story, Special Deliveries by Marisa Carroll was a good read. It was a sweet story and I will look for other books by this author. All in all, I liked this book very much and I am glad I bought it. Because of it, I am now a Vicki Lewis Thompson fan. Thanks for the entertainment!
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Wonderful Anthology!
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This book is charming, and the four star rating is mainly due to Anne Stuart's story, which is a keeper for me. Imagine a bored lawyer sending gifts anonymously to sexy French neighbour who turns out to be an ex-spy who is paranoid about being stalked by his former enemies. Guess who becomes the prime suspect in his eyes? This novella is funny, and Anne Stuart manages to pull the story off without making both characters look stupid. The other stories are more run-of-the-mill types, pleasant enough. But I do recommend Anne Stuart's story. It's funny. It's sexy. It's great.
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