Dashing and Dangerous

The importance of buying an anthology is the hope of discovering a new author. In DASHING AND DANGEROUS, Melinda McRae is my discovery . . . Mary Balogh: "Precious Rogue." -- Rating: B+ Happy endings? Consistently - after all, this is romance. Still, Mary Balogh always seems to write a better than average happily-ever-after. In PRECIOUS ROGUE, the unjust get their dues and the reader rejoices. Patricia Mangan is her aunt's overworked companion, a pathetic creature existing in life's shadows. Josh Bancroft is a notorious London rake and libertine; he is also her spoiled cousin's beau. Unbeknown to Josh Bancroft, he is also a kind and good man. Compassionately, he observes Miss Mangan's daily existence. In the end, Mr. Bancroft becomes Patricia's much-needed champion. At first, Mary Balogh portrays this hero as a cool rogue, but with her last word, Balogh has placed him firmly in her reader's heart. Edith Layton: "Buried Treasure." -- Rating: C- Long Island 1699, in the cloak of night, Captain Kidd and his motley crew bury a stolen treasure. A fight ensues and a comrade viciously stabs the story's intended hero -- Dancer. Now considered dead, the pirates unceremoniously bury Dancer with the stolen riches! Oh, but wait, this severely wounded marauder manages to dig himself out of his sand grave! Good Samaritan Jedidiah Jenkins discovers him and drags him home. Jenkins then permits his innocent daughter, Hannah, to be this sea wolf's nurse! Cry foul to Edith Layton and skip this entry! BURIED TREASURE is too abrasive. Melinda McRae: "Sweet Revenge." -- Rating: A+ Oh, this was a terrific short story. A story filled with lust, revenge, and hidden love. David North and Chloe Ridgefield were childhood sweethearts. When the war department reported David missing and presumed dead, Chloe quickly wed Jonathan Ridgefield. David, however, was still very much alive. Fifteen long years have slipped away, Chloe is now a widow, and David will make sure she pays for her hurtful maneuver. Melinda McRae pens a winner with this little tale of SWEET REVENGE. Anita Mills: "A Good Woman." -- Rating: A- Now this is the Anita Mills I love to read. Jack O'Neal has served eight years, in a Texas Petitionary, for armed robbery. He is out and headed to San Angelo. O'Neal shares the stagecoach with the widow, Beth Morgan, and her two small children. A hard, bitter Jack O'Neal may have gotten on the stage in Huntsville, but a kindhearted Jack O'Neal will get off in San Angelo. Kindhearted enough to want to help the destitute Morgan family. When Anita Mills is on the mark, she is razor-sharp and here the author is dead on. A GOOD WOMAN is a well written, sensitive story displaying Anita Mills' enormous ability to write a solid western. Mary Jo Putney: "The Devil's Spawn." -- Rating: B+ This was a fun little story. Dominick Chandler and Roxanne Mayfield are young and very much in love. Roxanne's father is selfish and outraged. He plots