"Three fine related romantic novellas"

Yesterday's Magic by Jacquie D'Alessandro. In 1820 Cardiff Maxwell buys a hope chest at Gibson's Antiques and Curiosities just before Amanda tries to purchase the same item. He is cold to her efforts to buy the chest from him. Though the earl is known as the "Crazed Killer of Cardiff" due to the Scandalous Incident, he and Amanda fall in love due to the "matchmaking" of the hope chest.

Today's Secrets by Julie Kenner. While Ryan celebrates his taking over as head of Kinsey Applied Sciences, reporter Marty reflects on how disappointed her father, head of Allied International Technology, is in her. Marty and Ryan meet and are attracted to one another, but when he sees her hope chest with a special formula written on it he becomes fascinated with that. She wonders if he loves her hope chest or her.

Tomorrow's Promise by Susan Kearney. In 2705 Mars, womanologist Kendar looks back three centuries to doomed heroine Sara, a Martian archeologist, who tried to shut down a machine that ultimately obliterated the female population. While visiting Station 32 the site of Sara's doom, Kendar is sent back to 2405. He meets Sara. Together they must interpret the ancient Martian writings on the machine, a hope chest, or women will vanish from the planet.

This anthology contains three related romantic novellas that is fun to follow as readers gradually learn the secrets of THE HOPE CHEST. Each tale is unique with Ms. D'Alessandro providing a Regency; Ms. Kenner a contemporary; and Ms. Kearny a futuristic science fiction. Yet each tale is linked by fine writing that stars delightful protagonists and the overall lead the Hope Chest.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted March 14, 2005

Summary

A GLOSSY WOODEN BOX, INLAID WITH AN IMAGE OF A DARK HAIRED WOMAN. IT'S MYSTERIES SEALED TIGHT FOR GENERATIONS, OR WERE THEY?

PAST
The reclusive Maxwell Wolford, Earl of Dorsey, acquires the box--only to discover that the beautiful Lady Amanda Pratt holds the key to it's secrets--and his heart...

PRESENT
Tina Chamberlain's fiance, Ryan Kinsey, is convinced the unusual box in her possession contains the secret to his research at NASA. But what Tina needs to discover is if Ryan truly wants her...or the box only she can unseal...

FUTURE
During her studies, scientist Sara Tolliver accidentally triggers a time machine, bringing a man named Kentar back from the future...a future where women no longer exist. Little do they guess that their only hope of being together lies in Sara's old heirloom chest. As does the future of love itself...