"Blazing Anthology"
Blaze/Midnight Fantasies is a hot romance anthology that
delivers with both heat and well-told interesting stories. Fantasy #1 by Thompson features a ranch-hand/tomboy
hopelessly in love with a rancher, who sees her as his
sister since they were raised together. A well-timed storm
causes B.J to play a prank on Jonas, when she realizes he
doesn't recognize her in the dark cave where they have both
taken refuge. B.J.'s harmless prank accelerates into
several blind-folded encounters for Jonas with his mystery
lover. This fantasy is hot, but the characters are so
likeable and Jonas's actions when he realizes who is lover
is, took this story above the norm--in short Thompson
avoided creating the dreaded separation so oft used in this
type of story. Fantasy #2 is by Stephanie Bond and is a continuation of
the fun adventures of Harry the anatomically correct good-
luck-in-love-charm doll. Bond's cross-line series has been
delightful and this one does not disappoint. Harry
arrives at the costume shop of Rebecca Valentine and even
though confined to the closet he still manages to use his
magic with some well placed styrofoam peanuts. Michael
Pierce and Rebecca have some fun encounters in costume--I
loved the Zorro fantasy and while hot this story also was
fun and my only complaint is that it ended too quickly. Fantasy #3 is a truly exceptional story by Kimberly Raye,
which made me think afterwards about keeping up appearances
and living up to other's expectations. A truly great story
is one that sticks with you for several days and makes you
reflect on them. Laney Merriweather is a snob who is living her life to
please her father and has daily migraine headaches. At the
beginning of the story she is not even very likeable, it is
only as her life story is revealed and she begins to
reflect on it, that she becomes a heroine to admire and
like. Dallas Jericho is an ex-badboy who has grown into an
admirable man, but who still wears the scars of his
dreadful childhood. Laney broke his heart when they were
in the 8th grade and he has been giving her a hard time
ever since, but he secretly loves her. Watching these two
come to terms with their past and present reality was
wonderful and this is one story that I would have loved to
see as a single title book. Terrific anthology and a pleasant evening's read. Linda Hurst
Reviewed by Linda Hurst
Posted August 3, 2001
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