Topaz Man Presents: A Dream Come True

Giving an overall rating to an anthology is always VERY difficult. Some stories hit and some miss. Yet, I always enjoy anthologies, because you USUALLY come across an unfamiliar author . . . someone new and satisfying. THE TOPAZ MAN PRESENTS: A DREAM COME TRUE was an anthology released in March of 1994, five stories by some of romance's "bigger stars" . . . 1). Jennifer Blake: "DREAM LOVER." - Rating: 9 (5 Stars). Modern day real-estate agent, Erina Littlefield, lives a fantasy. Her mind fabricates the perfect hero, the perfect man, the perfect lover - she calls him Sinclair. Now she stands staring, in disbelief, at an old oil painting. Her desire had really lived . . . once . . . but in another age, in another time. Shockingly, her dream lover is St. Clair Nicholas Antoine Rouquette. Date of birth: August 3, 1815. Jennifer Blake creates a beautiful love story in DREAM LOVER. This truly is a polished short story with just enough tender essence to bring the reader to a most satisfying conclusion. 2). Shirl Henke: "LOVE FOR SAIL." - Rating: 8 (4 Stars). Samantha Goode and her twin brother live in San Francisco's Barbary Coast. They are poor and make their way by working in the kitchen of a brothel. The madam decides Samantha Goode should learn the house trade and offers her to Captain Kit Warfield and the frolic begins! What can I say, Shirl Henke's story was just really dumb, yet it was fun. Yes, LOVE FOR SAIL is entertaining, but don't expect a lot, even the ending is noticeably corny. Yet I turned the pages, I read the words, I found I JUST had to finish this surprisingly enjoyable short story! 3). Becky Lee Weyrich: "OLD LOVE AND LILAC LACE." - Rating: 6 (3 Stars). In rough, coastal water surrounding Georgia's Jekyll Island, Paxton Carmichael died pursuing his love, Lydia Bennington Aynsley. Generations later Lydia Winslow (the great-granddaughter) receives an invitation inviting her to the coastal isle - the Jekyll Island Club Hotel is celebrating a special anniversary. Upon arrival, Lydia struggles with feelings of deja vu. At first she resists the strange feelings but then indulges the haunting memories. Becky Lee Weyrich wrote a touching tale in OLD LOVE AND LILAC LACE, but at every angle, at every turn, this reader wondered why they used the great-granddaughter! Why couldn't it be Paxton's genuine love - the real Lydia Bee? The author explains the great-grandmother was too weary and too old to return. Upon death, why couldn't Lydia Bee grow young again. Imaging Paxton loving another woman dampened the romance. Yes, the new Lydia was a descendant, but so what? In romance . . . true love MUST BE TRUE. 4). Anita Mills: "JOURNEY OF THE HEART." - Rating: 6 (3 Stars). Anita Mills begins this regency tale in her usual poignant fashion. Georgina Esmond is the daughter of a duke, a man who despises her and wishes her out of his life. Max Durant is the boy who loves Georgina as a child, the man who loves Georgina as