Charming the Snake

This is an three-author collection of alien futures with a too-short, short story by MaryJanice Davidson which is set in a story-line with references to characters first introduced in a previous book's short story. All the characters and the plot are fun, the sex is hotish, and it is over way too quickly. The second short story by Melissa Schroeder found the usual intrepid girl, searching for her father, through dangerous alien jungles with a former lover. Sex-filled plot was predictable, but the story was a good read, albeit with no real surprises. The third story by Camille Anthony was a fun read, with somewhat more depth and story to the characters, but still a little bit simplistic. It did, however, have a bit more plot than the other two efforts, and had some hot scenes. Nonetheless, few of the people or settings in the three stories were particularly well fleshed-out, with the possible exception of a couple of the background people and setting in the MaryJanice Davidson story, and that might be because we already had met some of them in an earlier story. All in all, still a fun, very quick read, but not the best from any of the authors. The sexual encounters were just fine, not super hot, but enough to keep one's interest for a while. I wish the ratings included a + and a -...I would prefer to give this book a 3+ rather than a 4, but, why quibble? End result, I don't regret buying the book.

I have to say I was a little hesitant to purchase this book, at first. I'm not an anthology reader. I prefer to sink my teeth into a good book and hang on for the long haul with the characters. But, that said, I am a HUGE MJD fan, so I had to have it. MaryJanice Davidson's SAVAGE SCAVENGE was a fun albeit short story. I wish there had been more, but SAVAGE SCAVENGE was a delectable read. SEDUCING THE SAINT, truly the meat of the anthology, is written by a new author to me, Melissa Schroeder. I'd not seen her work before, but I will be looking now. This mouth-watering yummy short grabbed my attention. Humor, action, and sensuality all blended together into a perfect mix in SEDUCING THE SAINT. CARTE BLANCHE by Camille Anthony rounded out this power-packed anthology offered by another newcomer I'd not head of Loose Id, LLC. Ms. Anthony's characters Chastity and Dare were very unique and enthralling. All in all, I truly enjoyed this anthology and will not be hesitant to purchase another in the future. If you enjoy short stories with strong characters, lots of laughs, well then, this is the compilation for you!

Seducing the Saint by Melissa Schroeder is the only reason to buy this book. Her story has heart and soul. The characters are 3 dimensional and wonderfully quirky. Saint and Libby are old friends and old lovers. Libby needs Saint to help find her father who has disappeared searching for a famous emerald. The journey takes them to another planet, they meet strange people with even stranger customs. They learn about the people they are now rather than the people they were, along the way and discover that the old feelings are still there. The story was hot but still had heart. The story by Mary Janice Davidson was very unsatisfying. It was too short, only 49 pages. It has a beginning and an end, but no middle, nothing in it to make us care about the characters. It was a continuation of one of her previous stories but one I hadn't read, so I could not really relate or get into this one before it was over. Camille Anthony's story was also unsatisfying to this reader. I like hot reads, but I like them to have a story too. This one was mostly just sex with little story. The end ties things up, but you are told what every thing was about rather than seeing it happen. The only thing we saw was the sex and after the first couple times, it was old. I wanted to know the characters and wasn't given the chance.

If you're like me and you bought the book based on MaryJanice Davidson's name, you've got a treat in store, because the other two reads are just as much fun. I've been a fan of MJ's writing for years so, of course, this was an auto-buy for me. The big surprise was finding out that I liked the other two stories just as much. Melissa Schroeder writes with a light hand and a deceptively smooth style. You're laughing along with the heroine and sympathizing with her urge to crown Brady so much that the heat sneaks up on you. When she does let loose with a love scene -- look out. Camille Anthony's story was a total blast, too. Hot, sexy and bristling with energy. Do yourself a favor and pick up Charming the Snake for the Davidson, but stay for the Schroeder and the Anthony.

Loose Id has truly found a smash hit in this all-star anthology. MaryJanice Davidson's wickedly sensational writing again tempts us with the follow up to her Beggarman, Theif in her Savage Scavange. Melissa Schroeder, an author known for her biting wit and ability to weave heafty doses of sexual tension into her tales will caputure the reader with her Seducing The Saint. The third contributing author Cammille Anthony, yet again sweeps her readers away from their worries. For a short time you, me, the reader, are taken away and we can experience a world we never knew. If you are a fan of one or all three this is a must! It's just a must all around.