Stroke of Midnight

I've read alot of romance anthologies and this is one of the best contemporary ones. All three authors do a great job with writing and character development considering the short story format. Very touching and heart-warming especially with the holiday theme. Phillip's is about reuniting long lost lovers. Dennison's features best friends turning to love and D'Alessandro goes with the good ole' opposites attract. Each story is rated R for the love scenes, which are well written btw and not at all lewd or smutty. A really good pick if you don't have time to read a full length novel or want to sample any of the authors writing styles. I recommend A Gift Of Love by McNaught et al. as an excellent anthology with contemporary and historical settings.

Midnight Angel by Carly Phillips: I really liked this story because it was very believable. Two high school sweethearts went their separate ways after graduation because the guy wasn't ready to settle down. After they've both matured as adults and established themselves in their careers, they reunite 10 years later when he realizes that all the fame and fortune in the world isn't worth anything compared to the true love he left behind. Dylan certainly knows how to woo a woman, with lots of romance and sentimentality, which I found VERY appealing. Holly is distrusting at first, because Dylan broke her heart when he left her 10 years earlier, and she finds it hard to believe that he really means to settle down to a quiet life with her and give up his more glamourous life and women. But she is smart enough to understand why he left then, and why he returned now. And she knows she must follow her heart and choose the man with whom she shares this deep passion and electrical connection, rather than settle for a safer relationship with someone she isn't "wildly in love' with. (I did find it hard to imagine that John gave up Holly so easily and stepped aside when Dylan came back into her life). The sexuality is very steamy and somewhat graphic, especially the scene involving Marshmallow Fluff. The dialogue is very realistic and compassionate, and not full of unnecessary conflict and hurtful bickering like most other romance novels. Meet Me At Midnight by Janelle Dennison: I was very moved and deeply touched by this realistic story. Shane was the-boy-next-door and had a platonic brotherly-sisterly relationship with Alyssa since childhood. They both suppressed their attraction and romantic/sexual interest for the other because they didn't realize it was reciprocal, and therefore feared it would jeopardize their best-friendship. When committment-phobic Alyssa announces her resolution to settle down and marry because she doesn't want to end up lonely, Shane can't imagine her with any man other than himself. Out of this jealousy, he devises a brilliant and very romantic plan to quickly help Alyssa realize that he's the only one for her. The dialogue between these two flows very naturally. The feelings expressed are genuine, sweet and caring. And I found it most refreshing that although Alyssa expressed feeling self-conscious about her not-so-skinny body, Shane was greatly attracted to her womanly curves and sexy voluptuousness. Mine At Midnight by Jacquie D'Alessandro: This was a good story, but sort of a let-down after reading the first two which centered around couples with a long history together eventually finding soul-mates in each other. The couple in this last story had a casual business relationship for two years, without ever having shared anything personal during that time. Merrie was annoyingly perky, and Tom was such a stick-in-the-mud that it was hard to imagine that these two had what it takes to form a lasting relationship. They didn't s

This was a fun holiday anthology by some of today's great authors. Carly Philips story bring back together two lovers that went different directions with their lives but still secretly they still care for each other. Dylan has made it big. He is a famous Hollywood star but there is one thing missing from his life and that's Holly. Can he correct the mistake he made years ago and prove to Holly that they are meant to be together? In Janelle Denison's story Alyssa is looking for love and has made a new years resolution that will bring her out of her safe corner. Problem is every guy she meets she compares to her best friend Shane. That is until she meets her secret admirer. Now all bets are off and her New Year's resolution may be a new beginning for her. Jacquie D'Alessandro's story brings two people together from a business relationship that are as opposite as can be and shows that there is a reason why opposites attract. Can a happy "Elf" and a straightlaced "Santa" have a happy and jolly Christmas as well as find love? These were all strong stories with although not "new" storylines were still fun and engaged this reader. For a fun holiday read with brand new stories from some of today's hottest authors you can't miss with this read. Official Reviewer for www.romancedesigns.com

MIDNIGHT ANGEL by Carly Phillips Dylan North is a famous actor about to be reunited with long-lost lover, Dr. Holly Evans. They haven't spoken in almost ten years. Dylan dreamt of Holly a month ago-a Christmas dream. Dylan knows it'll be a challenge, but he's desperate to win Holly back. Perhaps ten years have passed, and more than a few women, but his feelings for Holly are as strong as ever. Dylan can sense his Midnight Angel-a special endearment he has for her-still has feelings for him. Though the powerful sexual connection is still intense, the question is whether or not she can trust him emotionally in this sensitive and pleasantly intense tale by Ms. Phillips. MEET ME AT MIDNIGHT by Janelle Denison Shane Witmer and Alyssa Harte are best friends, and Shane is tired of hiding his feelings and desires for her. He comes up with a plan that is sure to win the woman of his dreams. Little does Shane know that his New Year's resolution and Alyssa's are right on par with one another. Prepare to be titillated and pleased with Ms. Denison's charming novella. MINE AT MIDNIGHT by Jacquie A'lessandro Merrie Langston and her accountant, Tom Farrell, are about to turn their business relationship into a very personal one. After two years, and both feeling that they are not each other's types, Tom wants Merrie to know how he feels about her. Holidays are painful for Tom, and playing Santa for his client, Merrie Langston, at the last minute, raises some strong feelings and helps to exorcise his painful past. Ms. A'lessandro pens a truly heartwarming story. Three national best-selling authors come together to write midnight stories of true love. All of them have a strong sense of warmth and a fair share of heat. Be sure to pick up your copy of A STROKE OF MIDNIGHT. This anthology is not one to be missed. (For Sizzling Romances, October 2004)