"Each story is delightful and intriguing!"

This, without a doubt, has to be one of the best romantic fantasy anthologies that this reviewer has had the opportunity to read. Each story is unique and each has an intriguing twist to it, one that will keep you reading long into the night in order to finish this outstanding anthology.

The first story Winterfair Gifts by Lois McMaster Bujold gives us the story of Miles Vorkosigan's wedding as told by the Vorksokgan's Armsman Roic. Of course nothing goes smoothly especially because of Miles' various and sundry friends he's chosen to bring with him in honor of his wedding. Miles' soon to be wife becomes severely ill. Is it pre-wedding jitters or something even worse?

The next story The Alchemical Marriage by Mary Jo Putney brings Guardian Sir Adam Macrae and sorceress Isabelle de Cortes together in an attempt to magically turn the Spanish Armada back in order to save Elizabethan England. Are they strong enough to do it? What exactly will it take in order to accomplish this?

Stained Glass Heart by Catherine Asaro tells us about Prince Havryl Torcellei Valdoria (Vryl) and Lily, a commoner whom Vryl has falling in love with. When his parents want to make an extremely political match with him and Brigadier General Davon Majda, Vryl knows it's only a matter of time but what alternative does he have. Does he have the courage to convince Lily to run away with him and cause an international incident?

Deb Stover puts a unique spin in her reincarnation story in Skin Deep. She not only has Nick Riley come back from the dead to help his widow Margo find her true soul mate but a cruel trick is played on him when he comes back as a drop dead gorgeous redhead named Raquel Eastwood. Nick also cannot believe that in order for him to finally get to heaven, he has to get Margo together with his worst enemy, Jared Carter. It seems Nick has to learn a few more lessons in life before he's ready for heaven.

The Trouble with Heroes by Jo Bevereley gives us quite a different hero and heroine. Dan Fixer does just that. He fixes things, people, etc. He and Jenny grew up together until he had to leave due to being tested as a fixer. Now that the blighters have come back, Dan and the other fixers have to try to figure out how to conquer them before they turn all humans into ash. What Dan can't figure out is why the blighters are doing it. Jenny has always been close to Dan but now she just can't understand him and he's a little bit scary but still she has to stand behind him as he and the other fixers are their planet's last hope.

The last story is written by Jennifer Roberson and the title is Shadows in the Wood. This story features Sir Robin of Locksley and Marian in an exceptional tale about finding King Arthur's Excalibur for Merlin and returning it back to the lake. Even they are both injured, they stumble on the enchanted wood and bring Merlin back from where he was interred in a tree by a sorceress so they can finish the quest.

These stories delighted and intrigued me. As much as I enjoyed this anthology, the next thing on my agenda will be to hunt for more stories by these remarkably talented authors.

Reviewed by Kathy Boswell
Posted February 5, 2004

edited by Catherine Asaro

Summary

Six of today's most popular authors join talents in this unique anthology that shows that love can conquer all—even the boundaries of time and space. With stories that feature the authors' most popular characters from their most popular series, you'll be transported to new worlds— and explore the bonds that draw men and women together. From sixteenth-century Britain to the farthest reaches of outer space, from medieval adventures to tales of inter- galactic love, here is a compilation that explores the wonderfully kinetic forces that lovers share -- forces too great to resist...