BLAZE-Midnight Fantasies: Mystery Lover/After Hours/Show and Tell (3 Novels in 1) [Paperback]

Vicki Lewis Thompson (Author), Stephanie Bond (Author), Kimberly Raye (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 376 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin (2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373834640
• ISBN-13: 978-0373834648
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,134,637 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better-than-average novella compilation, July 11, 2001

By 

Tanya V. "Bookwyrm" (Pittsburgh, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: BLAZE-Midnight Fantasies: Mystery Lover/After Hours/Show and Tell (3 Novels in 1) (Paperback)

Because Amazon.com cross-references reviews for books by authors with the same name, other reviews for this book that are displayed here imply that this is a time-travel book by Kimberly Raye called "Midnight Fantasies." Rather, this one (the one with atmospherically-lit embracing unclothed figures on the cover) is a compilation featuring novellas by Vicki Lewis Thompson, Stephanie Bond, and Kimberly Raye.

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 is a superior collection of novellas, because all three authors manage to meet the demands of the novella. The characters and relationships are believable and well-developed, and (as the title implies) all three are incredibly erotic, with well-done love scenes.

MYSTERY LOVER - Vicki Lewis Thompson - "When an unexpected storm hits, rancher Jonas Garfield takes cover in a nearby cave . . . and finds himself seduced senseless by an enigmatic temptress who refuses to tell him her name. All he knows is that this sexy woman wants him. And for Jonas, that's enough - for now . . ." The writing was smooth, the characters believable, and the love scenes were not only hot and well-done, but also unbelievably imaginative and adventurous.

AFTER HOURS - Stephanie Bond - "Michael Pierce has always considered costume shop owner Rebecca Valentine no more than an associate - until he drops by her shop one night and witnesses the mousy wallflower's transformation into a seductive siren. Suddenly, he's desperate to know her much better. But which woman is the real Rebecca?" This was the weakest of the three stories, although it's still above-average for a novella. The Michael character was, I think, better drawn than the Rebecca character. The writing is good, the love scenes erotic, and the story itself was very atmospheric. But I think the characters were less well-developed than in the other two stories, and the relationship between them wasn't quite as believable.

SHOW AND TELL - Kimberly Raye - "A naughty lingerie party. A forbidden fantasy. When Texas bad boy Dallas Jericho finds a slip of paper left over from the party, he is surprised - and aroused - to discover that he is good girl Laney Merriweather's wildest fantasy. So what can he do but show the lady what she's been missing . . ." The characters of this story were particularly well-developed, with good explanation of their motivations. The theme of the story (two long-time adversaries fight secret attraction) is an old and popular one, but it's handled well. The love scenes are well-done and imaginative and the writing is smooth.

All in all, this particular compilation was of better-than-average quality. It's unusual to find one of these compilations with stories of relatively consistent quality. It's an enjoyable and interesting read!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Searing! Very highly recommended, August 26, 2001

By 

C. Penn "WordWeaving" (Greenville, SC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: BLAZE-Midnight Fantasies: Mystery Lover/After Hours/Show and Tell (3 Novels in 1) (Paperback)

Harlequin's new series debuts with MIDNIGHT FANTASIES, a collection of three novellas designed to whet the reader's imagination. Smoothly written, well-developed plots provide a solid basis for these sensual romances. "Mystery Lover" by Vicki Lewis Thompson: A sudden storm allows B.J. to take advantage of the dark to seduce the lover of her fantasies. One of the most daring fantasies, anonymous sex, releases her inhibitions when she becomes the temptress. Blindfolds, whipped cream and leather chaps all combine in mind-blowing sex between B.J. and Noah. But the question remains if she can maintain her anonymity or if Noah will realize that she's his life long friend. Wildly sexy! "After Hours" by Stephanie Bond: Harry, the anatomically correct blowup doll arrives promising Rebecca Valentine true love. She's the proprietor of Any Time Costumes where she indulges her fantasies after hours when she dresses in her own sultry creations. When the man of her fantasies unexpectedly catches her dressed as a vampire complete with black garters, the object of her desire can't help his own newborn fantasies. A perfect mix of tenderness and erotic enthusiasm. "Show and Tell" by Kimberly Raye: A naughty lingerie party inspires the very staid Lney Merriweather to write her fantasy on a slip of paper, which the object of her fantasy Dallas Jericho later finds. Encouraged by the words, Dallas begins his pursuit of his fantasy woman. The town's bad boy, Dallas must overcome his legacy to convince Judge Merriweather's prim daughter that he's the man to indulge her every fantasy. Heated and sensual. For those seeking a touch of the risqué, this new series with satisfy even the most discerning reader with bold, sensual romance. This new series allows women to luxuriate in their sexuality with sexy, sensual reads that indulge the wildest fantasies with a strong storyline and a beautiful romantic backdrop. Irresistible for the modern woman, this collection comes very highly recommended and promises great things for this new series.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BLAZE PREQUEL, August 13, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: BLAZE-Midnight Fantasies: Mystery Lover/After Hours/Show and Tell (3 Novels in 1) (Paperback)

Three really hot stories! I am often disappointed in these more sensuous books because they are overly crude or the story is too far-fetched, but these are neither. I normally read the Silhoutte Intimate Moments series when I'm in the mood for sizzle but I think I may change to this series.