Fascinated

Rating:
Summary: Predicitable fare from romance's steamiest ladies.
Review: If you are already a fan of Beatrice Small, Susan Johnson, Thea Devine or Robin Schone, this collection of novellas will be satisfying. If, however, you are not familiar with these authors, be forewarned that this is not tepid stuff. These ladies are known for their graphic portrayal of increasingly erotic sex, so this book is not for everyone.

Unlike other reviewers, I thought that Robin Schone's novella was the highlight of the book. It was the only one that had fully developed characters with identifiable motives. Yes, it is an unusual and unconventional story - you don't read many romances with an eunuch for the hero - but Ms. Schone makes it work. In order to adapt an erotic romance into the novella format, the author must have a speedy means for getting the two main characters together. Ms. Schone's plot is simple: the heroine is a sexual frustrated widow who decides to pose as a prostitute for one night; the hero is a eunuch who wants to sample a taste of the erotic arts he has been denied all his life. From this simple premise Ms. Schone is able to craft a intense and complex relationship.

In comparison, the other three novellas are rather shallow. Ms. Small's premise (an independent woman is turned over to a sexual "master" as punishment for rejecting various suitors) has promise, but the character's are sadly two-dimensional. Also, the overwrought purple prose can frequently be outright silly. Plot and character motivation are completely lacking in the other two stories. In both an attractive couple immediately jump into bed, have lots and lots of sex, and instantly decide that they are in love. No emotional build-up, no tension, no nothing.

Despite my reservations about three out of the four novellas, I'm still giving this book four stars on the basis of Schone's strong contribution.

Rating:
Summary: Three wonderful tales by four stars of erotic romance
Review: Anyone who has read and enjoyed the writing of the four anthology authors will like this spicy and entertaining book. The first three stories, by Small, Devine, and Johnson, are tales of erotic romance among members of the British aristocracy, and are set during three different historical time periods. I thought the contributions by authors Small and Devine were fine examples of their work and enjoyed them thoroughly. My favorite story in the anthology was Susan Johnson's confection of a romance set in Monte Carlo. Johnson spins the story of a whirlwind affair between the handsome, urbane, and wealthy Duke of Grafton and a penniless, but of course beautiful, widow. Johnson's hero is to die for, and as usual, the dialog between the leads is witty, intelligent, and crackling with sexuality.

I have read (and re-read) and enjoyed all of Robin Schone's books. So, it is with a heavy heart that I say I did have a little trouble with the story she contributed to the anthology. Schone tells us of a romance between a 53 year-old eunuch (a character from one of her previous books), and a 48 year-old widow. I usually enjoy her offbeat lead characters but these two were a little too weird for me. The love scenes were written with Schone's wonderful erotic style, but somehow they were unsatisfying (after all, the guy IS a eunuch). And, usually when I read a romance, I like to see a little bit of myself or a wonderful "fantasy man" in the lead characters. None of that here. Still, some may enjoy this oddball romance - and Schone IS a fantastic writer. And the other three stories are so good - well worth the price of the book.

Rating:
Summary: this book seems to be missing something
Review: I usually enjoy Bertrice Small and her story was the only one worth reading in this book.The other 3 stories left me wanting more, I kept waiting for something else to happen, but the stories ended with plots that were not very interesting. There were some funny moments,so the book is worth picking up at a yard sale for a dollar otherwise save your money.

Rating:
Summary: Robin Schone made this anthology!!!
Review: Four erotic sexy and thought provoking stories........Robin Schones story was the best and last......

Mastering Lady Lucinda by Beatrice Small-Of course it was full of hedonistic sex...but I was appalled by the theme. Kidnapping and coersion at the helpful hands of your family. I was enraged at Lucinda's brother and thought he should have gotten severly punnished for putting his own sister in a such a situation. Once I got past that the romance between Lucinda and the Master was extremely fitting.

Risking It All by Susan Johnson-I am a fan of Susan Johnson and loved this story of loving and winning in Monte Carlo.

The Pleasure Game by Thea Devine-The theme of asking to be someones mistress/whore and allowing someone to throw money at you sickened me. The sex was great but I felt that the emotions written were not true to true degregation a woman would have felt.

A Man and A Woman by Robin Schone-The reason I bought this book and truly worth it....Who else can sexually excite you and provoke deep spiritual thought ubiquitously. A fabulously woven story of need, acceptance, and love. Every Schone work I have read so far has a facinating and mysterious twist in the end.

Good book.

Rating:
Summary: It's halfway there...
Review: Of the four "super-erotic" stories in this book, only two are worth your time. Susan Johnson's "Risking it All" is standard writing for her - lots of sex, and a reasonably interesting story. This actually is not my favorite thing I've ever read by her, but after Bertrice Small's indescribably silly "Mastering Lady Lucinda," it seemed like a masterpiece. I will admit to not being terribly interested in bondage/kink, but even a friend who is into it found Small's story laughable. And please, Ms. Small, if you're reading this, do everyone a favor and stop using the phrase "love lance." I laughed so hard I spit out my beer when I read that.

Thea Devine's "The Pleasure Game" is marginally better, but not much. Boredom set in quickly (the sex isn't good or original enough to make up for the lack of a story), and frankly I didn't even finish it - bad news in a short story. "A Man and a Woman," Robin Schone's contribution, however, was intriguing enough to make me want to read more of her writing. It is graphically sexual, but the story connected to it is subtly beautiful. Also, the writing is good enough to incorporate the sex into the story, rather than use the story as a pretext to have lots of sex.

Rating:
Summary: 5 STARS FOR SMALL,JOHNSON AND DEVINE!
Review: I'm giving it 5 stars for the first three novellas. Small, Johnson and Devine really knows how to write erotic romance. When it comes to historical erotica, Small is the best there is. Mastering Lady Lucinda is a deliciously naughty novella about a woman who experienced the most erotic month of her life when she was kidnapped and brought to the Master of the Devil's Disciples to be taught obedience. Here, Lucinda had multiple partners and in some parts of the story, had sex with 3 men at the same time. This might turn off some readers, but hey this is erotica. I enjoyed this novella immensely and is my favorite of the three. Susan Johnson's Risking it All is a sweet surprise. The story is too short and I was actually sorry when it ended. I wanted to read more of the two characters. The only thing is Ms Johnson should be more inventive when it comes to lovemaking. Thea Devine's The Pleasure Game is also quite good. The sex scenes are kinky and there's lots of them. Though the characters are constantly bickering, they are actually likable.

Robin Schone's novella is not a favorite and it actually ruined the satisfaction I had after reading the previous three (happy) novels. I know she's really into dark and troubled characters but the overpowering agony and despair of the characters are way too much that I almost found myself laughing. I also couldn't relate with the characters because of their age (48 year old widow and 53 year old eunuch). I'm 24 and my mom is 49 so you can just imagine how I felt when I was reading the book, it wasn't comfortable. Besides, I don't think I want a Eunuch to be the hero in my erotic romance. Erotica is suppose to titillate your senses - none of that here. There is way too much anguish and despair in this story. ROBIN, HAPPY NORMAL PEOPLE HAVE SEX TOO YOU KNOW!

Rating:
Summary: Again, Robin saves it!
Review: Well, this is the second anthology written by these authors, and like Captivated, I find that the anthology is saved only by Robin Schone's contribution, "A Man and A Woman." As usual Robin writes with her trademark sensuality and you feel for the characters, especially the hero, who is a previous character from Robin's "A Lady's Tutor."

As in Captivated, I thought Beatrice Small's story was dismal. All it was were two character's having sex. The characters were not portrayed in depth at all. I stopped reading the story halfway through. No stars here.

Susan Johnson's story was ok. There was no insurmountable demons on either part of the heroes, making it a little slow. But at times it was amusing and little charming. The heroes were also not so bad.

Thea Devine's story was also bad. The characters had a purly sexual relationshiop in my opinion and Devine's fixation on nipples is annoying, just like in Captivated.

All in all the only story that was worth the reading was Schone's. And since I have to rate the whole book, I gave it three stars. These authors need to remember that although it is erotic romance, there actually has to be growth and love between the characters, not just sex!

Rating:
Summary: More erotic than videos and the male can read to you-Wow!
Review: I have the entire collection of these books and this definitely puts you in the mood for 'bubble baths and champagne', hot oil massages, and just 'bed time reading' to each other. It's more romantic than porn and more sensual than looking at pictures from books. You get into the character and let your mind and body just go with the nuance the writer sets the stage for. It's not for just casual sex but relationships and it helps rekindle feelings you may have misplaced. You fall inlove all over again! I've loved everything I've ever read by Bertrice Small and when these books starting coming out, I bought to collect. They could be used by 'sex therapist' or for anyone who is having a difficult time in an intimate relationship. There's always the chance the other doesn't want to seek help or feel any is needed. That's when you get out of the relationship as it is dragging you down. This is just my opinion.

Rating:
Summary: 5 stars for Schone's story alone
Review: 4 novellas, 1 book. All good sex. But Robin Schone's is a true winner--both poignant and erotic, by far the most memorable. It made me immediately get online and look for more of her works. As for the other stories, although arousing and entertaining, none struck such a chord. Bertrice's is the kinkiest--wow! Susan's left me with unanswered questions--what was the hero's dark side all about? why did he have the need to sexually dominate? He proposed after one night of really hot (and sometimes angry, which makes me uncomfortable)sex with a stranger and I was turning the page looking for everything to blow up, and then get resolved--but the story was over! Thea's characters were not the most likeable, but otherwise it was fine. Oh, but Robin's story! It haunts me! I've ordered her "The Lover" and I can't wait to read it.

Rating:
Summary: GREAT!
Review: "Fascinated" is the 2nd erotic anthology that Brava put out, the first being "Captivated", with both having the same 4 writers contributing. This time Bertrice Small's story "Mastering Lucinda" while paled in comparison with the rest of the stories, seemed like 5 star composition compared to her story in "Captivated". Widowed Lady Lucinda has three powerful men wanting to marry her but since she rejected all her they gathered together and decided to forcefully put her in an sex training camp called the Devil's Disciples, with the all mighty sex king called "The Master". After forcing Lucinda to boink in front of all the members of this club, the Master sends her off to be pleasured in many different ways- complete with dildos, threesomes etc. You can be the judge if that is romantic or not. Oh did i mention the Master was the "hero" of the story (as weird as that may sound)?
"Risking if All" by Susan Johnson was readable if not impressive. Felicia Greenwood is destitute and tries to gamble in order to save her house, but when she is on a losing streak, the Duke, Thomas Flynn steps in and helps her win- so she is extremely grateful. Predicably right after that, she tells him she wants sex and they engage in sex. The sex scenes were ok but not up to Mrs. Johnson's usual level. Like i said before, highly readable and predictable.
Just when I was thinking this book was going to get a 3 star rating from me, I was hit with Thea Devine and Robin Schone's stories, the two alone which propelled the anthology to 5+ stars. "The Pleasure Game" was unusual because the heroine wasn't this virginal (well she was a virgin but sure didn't act like it!) prude little miss who grasp in shock and has to confer with her "morals" whenever the hero touches her. She also isn't like "omg I can't believe I have breasts! (and another body part)". Regina Olney is mad at her father because her father decides to use her childhood crush, Jeremy Gavage to keep her from falling in the cluthes of playboy rake. She decides to get back at their interference by really going after Jeremy and becoming his mistress while still pretending to be interested in that playboy. Sounds weird but trust me, the story is intriging and its HOT HOT HOT! Argubly even better than Devine's last novella in "Captivated".
As like before, the absolute standout standing ovation deserving story award goes to Mrs. Robin Schone. Her characters are not the usual perfect hero and heroine. The male hero Conner Treffrey was an eunuch, which means some part of him was cut off, and he carries a lot of baggage from his painful past in which he was kidnapped. Megan is a poor widow who dutifully listened to her pastor husband all these years and actually didn't have sex with him for the last 15+ years. You can truly tell that they are both hurting and need someone to understand/ accept the flaws they feel they both have. WOW truly emotional and an VERY RARE example of what real romance is like. I would even go as far as to say that if perhaps this wasn't labeled as an erotic romance, she would be universally recognized as a brilliant and talented author. I bow down to you, mRs. Schone!