Rating: 
Summary: Hot! and with plots, too.
Review: In "Luring Lucy" by Lori Foster, Bram Giles knew the instant Lucy decided to have an affair. And he was determined that the widow of his best friend would not have that affair with anyone but him. He thought thirty-nine-year-old Lucy with the extra padding on her hips and waist after having had two children was just about the sexiest woman he had ever seen. After looking after her and the kids all the years since David's untimely death, he'd be damned if he was going to let her give away her "virginity" to somebody else! For all those ladies out there past your twenties, this is a story that will stir your heart ... Lori Foster has put into this short story all the dreams (and fears) of every woman who no longer has that "perfect figure" and fantasizes on meeting that one sexy lover of her dreams. In "Truth or Dare" by Laura Bradley Shay McIntyre stood staring at the magnificent specimen in front of her, a bull rider. When it came to a devil-may-care attitude, Luke Wilder was the worst of the lot. He took chances and rode bulls that no one else in their right mind would go anywhere near. But that's what made him a champion and one of the sexiest men Shay had ever met. She was at the rodeo on official business, undercover as a magazine writer, to find out who was behind the mysterious "accidents" that were plaguing the rodeo circuit. And, unfortunately, at the moment Luke Wilder was her number one suspect. In "Compromised" by Gayle Callen when Lady Elizabeth Stanwood decided she would find someone suitable to flirt with, she never imagined the consequences that would follow. She only wanted to make Lord Wyndham jealous. So when the gentleman in the outdated country clothes arrived at their home on the night of the ball, Elizabeth knew she had found the right man and innocently proceeded to ply him with kisses out in the garden. John Malory, country baron, wondered why the delectable young lady was willing to go into the garden alone with him, but since he had ventured into London specifically to find himself a bride, he figured he would go along with whatever she wanted. In "Treading Dangerous Waters" by Victoria Marquez, Sofia Sandoval knew favorite aunt was up to something when asked her if she wanted to go on an all expenses paid two-week cruise whereby the only hitch was that she had to keep this certain barracuda of a lawyer "occupied" while on the cruise so that he didn't bother Tia Lucita. When Sofia first met James, she knew immediately that he didn't like her. When she realized that James was under the impression that she was the one marrying his dad, Sofia figured the easiest way to keep him out of her aunt's and his dad's hair until they were married was to let him keep thinking that misconception.
Rating:
Summary: Luring Lucy is FIVE STARS
Review: Lori Foster has done it again, ladies! She has created a hero every woman would love to know. Bram has wanted Lucy for a long time now, and by golly, it's time to have her. He is charming, sexy, very persuasive, and most certainly knows how to 'stage' a hot seduction. Lucy is a terrific heroine, and a wonderful tribute to the average forty-something woman. Have you ever felt like you lost your sexuality? Lucy is going find out there are still men who love us for who we are and that they find that very sexy.So buy this book, an air conditioner with the most BTUs you can find (you're going to need it), settle down in your lounge chair, and ENJOY! For me, a novella of Ms. Foster's is always satisfying, yet never enough.
Rating: 
Summary: Begins and ends with a bang...
Review: Luring Lucy by Lori Foster*****
Bram is Lucy's deceased husband best friend and once he figures out Lucy wants to have a fling before her 40th birthday, he decides it's finally time to let her know how he really feels. Hot and steamy contemporary romance, the anticipation will keep you turning the pages until you finish this one. Truth or Dare by Laura Bradley****
Shay McIntyre is pretending to be a reporter so she can snuff out a killer. Bull rider Luke Wilder is as stubborn as they come and determined to prove to his family that he is not worthless. These two challenge each other constantly to win by betting and playing truth or dare. This is a good contemporary romance story however it shouldn't follow Lori Foster's story. Compromised by Gayle Callen***
John Mallory is 5 days away from his Yorkshire home looking for a bride. Lady Elizabeth Stanwood wants to marry Lord Wyndham and decides to use this strange newcomer in order to make Lord Wyndham jealous. After boldly approaching John she allows him to escort her outside into the garden where things get a little heated. Well, little did she know, someone saw her leave and her disheveled appearance when she returned. John is summoned by her father early the next morning and agrees to marry her in order to save her reputation. Elizabeth is not happy about being forced to marry a stranger with no money or title. This story is funny at times but it was unrealistic for this couple to fall in love. John wanted a wife to work by his side and Elizabeth wanted a farthingale with servants. Typical historical romance however couple never seemed to really bond-this anthology seems to be going downhill. Treading Dangerous Waters by Victoria Marquez*****
Whoa, wait a minute; this one is definitely worth hanging in there for.
Daniel Connor is in love and getting ready to get married, again. James, his son knows his Dad is up to something because he's avoiding him and doesn't return his calls. He decides to confront his dad at his favorite Saturday night hangout and watches "the brazen little fortune hunter" with the "tantalizing derriere" affectionately squeeze his Dad's arm and sidle up to him. After being informed of his dads' plan for a two-week cruise complete with his lady friend, a family member and possibly a marriage ceremony, he puts his skills as a divorce attorney to work to immediately breakup this engagement. But, what is the world is he going to do about his instant attraction to his alleged future stepmother, Sofia. This is an excellent contemporary romance. Sofia is no pushover, she's been bossed around too long and refuses to let the "too brutally handsome barracuda lawyer" ruin this wedding.
Rating: 
Summary: Mixed bag
Review: The first two stories in this anthology -- by Lori Foster and Laura Bradley -- were definitely "hot," but the second two stories just, well, bothered me. The historical story set in the sixteenth century was both dull and out of place among the other contemporary love stories. I wanted to like Victoria Marquez' contribution because of its latina heroine, but frankly the ending was just too unbelievable. Still, Lori Foster's story was *almost* worth the book. Almost.
Rating:
Summary: A sensual delight!
Review: The only reason why I got this book was because of Lori Foster. They started her off with the first novella, but then followed up with three authors. I thought they would at least put authors in of her caliber, which I thought they didn't. The rest of the novellas were "just okay" in my opinion, and the level of the story as well as the sensualness went down with each story.
Rating: 
Summary: Only 1 out of 4 was good
Review: The only reason why I got this book was because of Lori Foster. They started her off with the first novella, but then followed up with three authors. I thought they would at least put authors in of her caliber, which I thought they didn't. The rest of the novellas were "just okay" in my opinion, and the level of the story as well as the sensualness went down with each story.
Rating:
Summary: Above-average and below-average end up average
Review: Writing a novella is an art form all its own, and one I think is more difficult and demanding than writing a novel. In a novel, an author has time to develop characters and plot -- to make the characters and the developing relationship between them believable. In a novella, the author somehow has to establish decent characters and a believable romantic conclusion in a much shorter time. This particular novella compilation is of somewhat uneven quality, with an exceptional story balancing out two average and one not-so-good. "Luring Lucy" is definitely the best of the bunch, with a believable romantic plotline and an incredibly erotic tone. Lori Foster is one of the best at creating indelible erotic images, and "Lucy" is definitely one of her better stories. Both characters were very well-developed and seemed very real to me. I especially appreciated that Lucy was a very -real- sort of person, with insecurities about her 40-year old body (the "bulges" that come with age and child-bearing). I loved it that Bram appreciated her so much for all of who she was, not just for how she looked. "Truth or Dare" is a decent novella, with good characterization. Sometimes the writing was a little tough to follow, and I wondered about some of her descriptions. But, decent hero, decent heroine, and the mystery was cool (with an unexpected ending). "Compromised" was by far the weakest story of the four. The hero is actually wonderful and rather sweet, but the heroine is a spoiled brat, and there was no real romantic development between the two at all. The whole thing felt rather forced. I really appreciated the heroine in "Treading Dangerous Waters" because she was Latino, and it was cool to read about her. Unfortunately, although the plot was cute, the relationship seemed forced and completely based on sex, and the hero's proposal of marriage seemed totally unrealistic. Good writing, though, and hot hot chemistry. All in all, this was an uneven mix, with some very good stories and some I almost skimmed through, wanting to get them over with. However, this anthology is almost worth it solely for the Foster story.
Rating:
Summary: Above-average and below-average end up average
Review: Writing a novella is an art form all its own, and one I think is more difficult and demanding than writing a novel. In a novel, an author has time to develop characters and plot -- to make the characters and the developing relationship between them believable. In a novella, the author somehow has to establish decent characters and a believable romantic conclusion in a much shorter time. This particular novella compilation is of somewhat uneven quality, with an exceptional story balancing out two average and one not-so-good. "Luring Lucy" is definitely the best of the bunch, with a believable romantic plotline and an incredibly erotic tone. Lori Foster is one of the best at creating indelible erotic images, and "Lucy" is definitely one of her better stories. Both characters were very well-developed and seemed very real to me. I especially appreciated that Lucy was a very -real- sort of person, with insecurities about her 40-year old body (the "bulges" that come with age and child-bearing). I loved it that Bram appreciated her so much for all of who she was, not just for how she looked. "Truth or Dare" is a decent novella, with good characterization. Sometimes the writing was a little tough to follow, and I wondered about some of her descriptions. But, decent hero, decent heroine, and the mystery was cool (with an unexpected ending). "Compromised" was by far the weakest story of the four. The hero is actually wonderful and rather sweet, but the heroine is a spoiled brat, and there was no real romantic development between the two at all. The whole thing felt rather forced. I really appreciated the heroine in "Treading Dangerous Waters" because she was Latino, and it was cool to read about her. Unfortunately, although the plot was cute, the relationship seemed forced and completely based on sex, and the hero's proposal of marriage seemed totally unrealistic. Good writing, though, and hot hot chemistry. All in all, this was an uneven mix, with some very good stories and some I almost skimmed through, wanting to get them over with. However, this anthology is almost worth it solely for the Foster story.
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