Date published December 2008
ISBN 978-0-425-22381-9
Genre Erotic Romance Anthology
Trade Paperback
Reviewed by Gina
Coming together to present a “something for everyone” anthology Jasmine Haynes, Jaci Burton, Joey W. Hill and Denise Rossetti titillate, entertain, and answer those “what if?” questions about the one that may have gotten away. Do you want to rekindle an old love? Meet the man behind the mask? Take a wild ride? Or enter a magical world? What reader doesn’t want all of these at some time? UNLACED is your answer.
TIES THAT BIND (four hearts) by Jaci Burton is total vintage Burton. It is the kind of story that made me a fan when she first came on the scene. Characters that are just like you and me exploring the “what ifs” of relationships with a slice of fantasy thrown in. Fourteen year old Lisa Mitchell fell in love with Rick, a slightly older guy. Together they learned about sexuality and life including what happens when sex ends up in pregnancy. Through ups, downs and divorce the put their separate lives on hold to raise their daughter, Kayla. Now, with Kayla graduating high school and beginning her own life, Rick and Lisa have to face a different aspect of their own growing up—their feelings for each other. In a once in a lifetime move, Rick arranges a romantic vacation in paradise for himself and Lisa.
As I said, this is vintage Burton only better. I will remember her earlier ultra sensual books where hot romances unfolded on tropical islands. TIES THAT BIND is better because of how much Mr. Burton has grown as an author. I loved this story not only for her incredibly sensual writing, but because it answered the question a number of friends and myself have all had – can you pick up where you left off with that first love?
UNDONE (four hearts) by Jasmine Haynes is that different kind of fantasy only Jasmine can write. She takes you first into your own imagination—what is that one incredibly sexy thing you’d like to do but just haven’t gotten the courage or the right partner to do it with? And the, what if he turns out to be the one person you believed was out of your reach? Ms. Haynes takes ordinary, everyday people, just like you and me and shows us that there is a way to fulfill our wildest fantasies. A year after the breakup of her latest relationship, Margo hasn’t begun to move on. That is until she answers an incredibly arousing personal ad. Within minutes of meeting Dirk, she’s in serious lust. Telling herself that at forty-five she shouldn’t be having such naughty thoughts about the younger Dirk, bit by bit, with the peeling off of each layer of clothing, she finds a new awareness of herself.
Is there a fantasy lurking in the fringes of your mind? Do you think forty-five is over the hill and there’s no way you are going to meet a really hot guy you need to be UNDONE.
Joey W. Hill is a new author for me with CONTROLLED RESPONSE (three hearts) my first taste of this author. The world of corporate takeovers, deals and negotiations can just tie you up in nots as well as knots. There are just some things you should not do….or maybe you should. Lucas is caught up in one of the biggest deals of his life and about ready to go up against his toughest negotiator. Out pedaling his bike, doing what he does best, he comes across a woman who pushes the edges of his own fantasies. When he meets her again across the table his world spins out of control in more ways than one.
CONTROLLD RESPONSE is generally not the kind of story I’d pick up to read and, to be honest, I would not have read it had it not been part of this anthology. It’s a classic erotica. I didn't feel that Lucas and Cass connected on an emotional level, the sex was generally what you find in traditional erotica. I didn't identify with either character or feel like I was part of the action. That said, Joey Hill does write well with vivid detail. It’s just not the kind of story I enjoy.
Denise Rossetti’s RUBIES AND BLACK VELVET (three hearts) is the fantasy contribution to the anthology. Ms. Rossetti weaves a tale with magic, mystery and a sensual journey. With a magical corset the heroine travels her own road to discovery. I would love to see a more fully written story of the Dragon Djinn and the Sorceress and their own exploits. As magical beings they can live and die and return again and the worlds Ms. Rossetti creates are intriguing.
UNLACED is, as stated earlier, an anthology with something for everyone. With each story long enough to hold you spell bound yet able to be read and enjoyed before answering Morpheus’ call each night, it is definitely a book for your TBB list. If you are looking for a great gift for that female friend in need of a pick me up or just a treat for yourself, this is the one with your name on it!
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