"A fascinating paranormal romance short"

Gwen Gregory has always been full of dreams that never quite came to fruition. She takes refuge in her books, romance novels where she can pretend to be someone else for a while. Her greatest fantasy however is one of cold stone. Every day as she cuts through the park on her way to and from work, she passes him.... the statue or Eros, god of love. Eros the statue is an incredible vision of perfection, and one Gwen wishes could be real. Never did she realize that one late moonlit night, a wish made on the statue would be granted her.

Eros has spent many years encased in stone, only to be released when those that are worthy make a wish to him. He then helps them to find the love they so long for. However, he has fallen in love as well, and with a mortal no less! His desire however can be sated for one lone night, at the request of the lonely woman's wish. However, anything more then that must go unfulfilled for it is forbidden for a god to fall in love with a mortal. Or is it?

This was an interesting short story with a unique story. People have fantasized and wondered about the ancient gods for centuries... wondering what would happen were they real and to make their presence known. This story is Ms. Godwin's take on what would come to pass. Women will relate to Gwen and her love for romance, be it found in the pages of a book, viewed on a screen, or imagined in dreams. Eros is a vision of perfection and who hasn't wondered what perfection would be like? One will also enjoy the glimpse into the sanctuary of the gods, and their desires.

Though this story is indeed an erotic one, the whole story is not the sex, as is often found in the subgenre. There is enough plot to show growth in the characters. Gwen's life is a result of past decisions, and some things she had no control over. One will see her loneliness and her longing for bigger and better things. Eros, too, has insight given into his mind and heart, leading him to his destiny. The reader will be rooting for him to get his own love, just like that he has granted to the mortals throughout his existence. The ending to the story satisfies, while leaving speculation of what will become of some of the secondary characters introduced. Does this mean maybe Ms. Godwin will write more stories about the gods? One can only hope.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, March 2004. All rights reserved.

Reviewed by Kelley Hartsell
Courtesy Love Romances
Posted April 22, 2004

Summary

He stands tall, beautiful and brazenly nude in Moonlit Park, and Gwen Gregory is in love with him ... but he's only a statue. His blank, sightless eyes see nothing, his hard rigid bulk feels nothing, and yet he haunts her dreams, makes love to her in the deep, dark recesses of her mind. On a moonlit night, can the power of her love waken a dormant spirit and make him live?