Secrets: The Best in Women's Erotic Romance, Vol. 14

I like this collection of stories. I would recommend this as purchase to anyone who likes Erotic Romance.

I was very glad I read this collection, especially the story by Alexa Aames. The leadoff story by Aames is perhaps the most sensual, involving a young woman who starts off as, more or less, the sexual prisoner of a handsome medieval sorcerer. Even after it's clear they love one another, the conflict remains intriguing. She has excellent reasons for wanting to return to the 21st century and, though he loves her deeply, he insists they stay in the 14th. Ariana, the plucky, likable heroine, is intelligent and has a humorous voice. Best of all is the depiction of Marcus, the dark, Dionysian hero, which is done so well I wished he'd come to life. For me, this story made the collection deserve five stars. However, the other stories were exceptional as well. In fact, I feel that the story with the most compelling plot was Night Heat by Leigh Wyndfield. It was an unusual combination of the horrid creatures from Jurassic Park (or at least similar), the blasters and spaceships of Star Wars and the set-up of pre-destined soul mates very similar to Sharon Shinn's Archangel. The hero and heroine are likable and the stakes are so high that it reads extremely quickly. Actually, the danger is so great that it was a little hard to focus on enjoying the sex scenes when I was afraid they were about to be attacked by raptors at any moment. Also, the graphic depiction of gory deaths and disease made it a bit unsettling although realistic, given the plot. The end of the story wrapped up a tad abruptly, but it was still quite satisfying. Both Aames and Wyndfield established that their couples had some sort of prior connection or destiny which is an excellent idea as it makes their bonding in the space of a short novella so much more powerful and sincere. I enjoyed the unusual twist that a caring, intelligent Beta male is the hero (who is the group's leader despite being the less arrogant and swaggering) while the brutish Alpha male doesn't get the girl. If you enjoy a truly scary element to your romance, you will like this story very much. In my opinion, Jennifer Barlowe's story is the most eloquently written and cerebral, which is refreshing. After the initial conflict is settled, the tension drops a bit low and there's not a whole lot in the way of plot complication. The heroine also becomes immensely attached after only two nights which seemed a bit unlikely. However, the story's mythical qualities still make it an interesting read and the initial set-up that the young woman basically had no choice in what happened to her was exciting. Even with the animalistic beginning, this couple is probably the sweetest, gentlest pairing in any of the stories. Though the story wasn't the strongest, I will probably read this again just to enjoy the lyrical prose. Angela Knight's story was also excellent. The beginning of the story is a little complicated as there is a bit of explaining Knight has to do for the readers who haven't read The Forever Kiss.

If the scale had gone up to ten, it would be a ten. That's how good Secrets, Volume 14 is. It's very hard to find an anthology where all the stories included are so equally good. I was on the edge of my seat with all four stories, barely able to contain myself while reading. Without a doubt, this book one hundred percent, and more, delivered everything I could have hoped for from a short story. "Soul Kisses" by Angela Knight - Beth Chase knows that vampires exist. Her sister, valerie, is one, Unfortunately Beth has already had a run-in with a rather nasty vampire in the past, but that little toad was nothing compared to the one that takes possession of her. He is Joaquin Ramirez, and he is determined to take Beth as his slave. He'll turn her into a vampire (he's able to do so because she is Kith, rare humans with the ability to handle the vampire virus) and use her powers to amplify his own. That's where Morgan and Garret Axton come in though, cousins and vampires, both bent on avenging a friend and lover that Joaquin destroyed. When they run into Beth they can't leave her behind and take on the initiative of completing her turning so as to break Ramirez's hold on her. What ensues is a great, signature Knight-style tale that had me wishing for a full length book. This short is a sequel to Knight's first full-length book, "The Forever Kiss", which featured Valerie. If you are a Knight fan, this short is NOT to be missed. Hot vampire cousins and one gutsy vampire newbie made for some scorchingly erotic scenes. There's plenty of great action, plot and twists to keep readers glued to the pages. "Temptation in Time" by Alexa Ames - Ariana is originally from the Middle Ages. She escaped that time of long ago through a stolen kiss - a powerful kiss taken from a formidable sorcerer named Marcus de Grey. Marcus has vowed to find Ariana, no matter the consequences, no matter the time it takes. In present day, Ariana uses the small amount of power she stole from Marcus to help heal the sick. She dreams of Marcus's touch, for this is the only way he has of tracking her. One fateful morning, after a particularly vivd dream, Ariana wakes to find Marcus in her apartment. The next thing she knows, they are back in the Middle Ages. He immediately begins his plans to bind Ariana to him in every way possible. "Temptation in Time" went above and beyond, in my opinion, the short story format. There was so much plot, so much romance and great characters packed into it that I felt so satisfied after reading it. Much more than after some full length books I've read. Ariana is the embodiment of a truly kind person, while Marcus is certainly all that is mouth-watering and delectable in a hero. A truly wonderful tale, Ms. Ames! I look forward to more from this author. "Ailis and the Beast" by Jennifer Barlow - Ailis is to be her village's "sacrifice" in an ancient ritual meant to bring life back into the very earth and people. She must consumate a union with a mysterio