Customer Reviews

Fascinated

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Well, let me start off by saying that Small's and Johnson's novellas were a vast inprovement from their "Captivated" offerings. Schone's was just as beautiful and Devine's, well, sad to say, I was just incapable of finishing. It was way too kinky for me - I just couldn't get into it. I give the book three stars - one star for each story. And they were all sexy, exciting and beautiful in their own way.

Small's "Mastering Lady Lucinda" had a plot that was intriguingly original and wickedly sensuous. I applaud the fact that Small eased up on the silly purple prose that littered her "Captivated" novella. It was only pale lavender this time. The story build-up made it a real page turner - I couldn't wait until the end to see Lucinda turn the tables on her 3 would-be suitors. My only complaint was the mention of incest - I don't care if this is erotica - incest is sick. PERIOD.

Johnson's "Risking It All" centered around a story that was more character development and witty, sexy dialogue rather than an involved plot. It was a sweet story of two people getting to know each other over the course of a few days while locked in a luxurious hotel room while engaging in naughty, delicious sex. Unlike her hero from "Captivated" (and some of her other books) who spewed the "F" word like Mt. St. Helen and whined like a baby, the hero here was soft spoken, sultry and sensual. I liked the emotional connection that was growing between the h/h as a result of their lovemaking.

As I mentioned earlier, I did not finish Devine's "The Pleasure Game" and have no intention (sorry, no gold star Thea).

Robin Schone's "A Man and a Woman" was positively BEAUTIFUL. Who cares how old the h/h are! Once you get into the story, the ultra-sensual love scenes, hearing what the h/h are thinking and feeling with each word, each touch, each caress, you seem to forget how old they are.

Here are two people who NEED each other - both for different reasons. Megan wanted to experience what she had and lost; Conner wanted to experience what he never had. I love Schone's choice of imperfect, slightly tortured characters - it makes their coming together with the one person who can make their pain go away a healing, loving experience. That's exactly what Megan did for Connor. This novella made me cry in several places - mainly because of what Connor went through as a child and as an adult and feeling as if no woman would ever want him, let alone love him. This is a perfect example of "there's someone for everyone" saying. What Schone seems to convey so perfectly is the power and intensity of what the character is thinking and feeling while they are making love. You almost feel their emotions, the heat of their skin, their rapid breathing, etc. Ms. Schone is definitely a master!

I highly recommend this book. Please do not take my word alone on Devine's novella. If you like a high degree of kink, leather, fetishes, etc. then you may enjoy her novella. I wanted to be fair and give her story a chance but I just couldn't finish it. Then again, what might be a turn off for some may be a turn on for others.

After thoroughly enjoying the first anthology from this quartet of romance novelists, I waited expectantly to see if there might be a follow-up anthology, which would rival the first in terms of sizzle factor. Let me just say, I was not disappointed in the least. If you buy this book expecting to read heartwarming stories about how the hero and heroine meet, fall in love, triumph over all the odds, and then live happily ever after, do not buy this anthology. However, if you want to read about a man and woman meeting, then engaging in all varieties of sometimes eyebrow raising sexual play, and then living happily ever after, then buy this anthology and buy it as quickly as possible.

"Mastering Lady Lucinda" is set in England and the locale of the story does not change to an Arabian harem, as is often the case with Ms. Small's novels. However, it does involve a period of captivity in the English countryside. The reader is introduced to young, headstrong, recently widowed Lady Lucinda. She is expected to remarry, but has turned down numerous proposals from prospective suitors. Lady Lucinda is quickly taken into hand by The Master. After learning some interesting lessons, there is a happy conclusion for Lucinda and her "lord and master."

Susan Johnson's "Risking It All" is set in Monte Carlo, where the hero and heroine meet each other in a casino at the roulette table. After their initial meeting, they quickly retire to a hotel suite and do not leave it until almost the end of the story. The characters engage in humorous banter, a sexual marathon, and an interesting role-playing game. My only complaint with this story was that it ended all too quickly. I would have been satisfied to read another 20 pages of this particular story.

"The Pleasure Game" is a story about childhood neighbors who are all grown up and ready to play adult games with each other. Thea Devine's story quickly alternates between the matchmaking machinations of the London Season and Lady Regina Olney's bedchamber. The story concludes with one happy father and one well-pleasured bride-to-be.

The premise of Robin Schone's "A Man and a Woman" was intriguing - a widow masquerading as a prostitute to provide herself and a stranger from another country a night of passion. What I have always enjoyed about Ms. Schone's earlier works is her willingness to portray main characters who are either not in the prime of their youth or have some sort of physical deformity as sexual beings. I was not disappointed with "A Man and a Woman" in that aspect, but my mind had some difficulty handling the fact that the hero of the story had been "gelded" when he was a boy. Although there was a happy conclusion to the final story in the anthology, the page limitations of a short story is not enough to do justice to Muhamed, the male character. A story such as his would be better suited for a full-length novel. It would allow for fuller development of his character and would provide a richer, historical context as to how he became an eunuch.

All in all, this second anthology by Small, Johnson, Devine, and Schone is a 5 star read. Dare I hope for a third anthology from these ladies?

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.

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.

FASCINATED is a collection of four very sensual and passionate novellas by four of erotica's best female writers.

Story One is MASTERING LADY LUCINDA by Betrice Small. All the beautiful, widowed Lucinda Harrington wants is her own home, away her brother. All her brother, the Bishop, wants is for Lucinda to be married and respectable. She refuses proposal after proposal by some of society's finest. Her spurned suitors, members of an "underground" club, think she needs to be taught a lesson in submission by the "Master." Little do they know that Lucenda is more ready for the erotic lessons than even the Master.

Story Two is RISKING IT ALL by Susan Johnson. The young, widowed Felicia Greenwood could lose her home to an unscrupulous cousin. So she takes all she has and risks it in a casino game where she meets a very handsome, mysterious and generous stranger. Thinking she'll never see him again, she spends a passion-filled night with him. Neither of them is looking for a commitment or a long-range relationship. They are both surprised at what happens next.

Story Three is THE PLEASURE GAME by Thea Devine. Oh, what a tangled web she wove. A silly, overheard, indiscreet statement to a friend gives Regina Olney a chance to play a cruel trick on her father and on her old childhood friend, Jeremy. But she and Jeremy haven't see each other in three years and they've each changed, growing much more seductive. Now things aren't going the way she planned and Regina has to wonder if the trick is being played on her.

Story Four is A MAN AND A WOMAN by Robin Schone. This novella appears to be a continuation of Ms. Schone's very excellent novel, THE LADY'S TUTOR. Megan Branwell, the impoverished and very proper widow of a passionless vicar, throws caution away and disguises herself a prostitute so she can enjoy one night of lust. She hadn't counted on her one customer being Muhamed, a man who satisfies, but has issues of his own.

Imagine this scene: I order early and patiently (yeah right) wait for this book to arrive. Finally, it's here. I rip open the packaging, turn directly to the last story, and devour Robin Schone's new novella, "A Man And A Woman". She has done it again! This story is sinfully entertaining. The characters weave a delightful seduction that draws you in from the very start. You can feel Connor's need to possess and satisfy Megan. His triumph over his fears leave you smiling secretly to yourself. As always with Robin's characters, you find yourself able to see them, enjoy experiences through them, and of course, feel their emotions when they realize they have found love.

Connor is a character from Robin's previous novel, "A Lady's Tutor" which I would have to value as my favorite romance novel of all times, and highly recommend to everyone. Though you don't have to read "A Lady's Tutor" before this story, you might want to pick it up afterwards to add more depth and understanding to Connor's character. Watch out, Ramiel just might steal your heart away in that one!

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.

These authors' first attempt at bringing every woman's fantasies into their pages in CAPTIVATED was so effective, that I am not at all surprised that they would join their efforts once more in FASCINATED...and let me tell you.......they do not dissapoint! This collection is deliciously erotic, imaginative and sensual ...and it should definitely come with a warning! ( IT'S HOT! )....and not for the faint-hearted at all.

Bertrice Small : "Mastering Lady Lucinda" is a purely naughty tale! Lady Lucinda, a young beatiful widow, has insulted the three premier bachelors in London ...not only by refusing their offered hands in matrimony, but by publicly rediculing and denouncing them....(how delicious!) So, for her impertinence, her rejected suitors plan a diabolical revenge against her:.......they abduct Lucinda and handle her over to the Master of the Devil's Disciples ...He will teach the arrogant chit the lesson of submission, and then we'll see if she dares to snub them again! However, they badly miscalculate Lucinda's determination and spirit...and do not realize that she is more than a match for the bunch of them!

Susan Johnson: "Risking It All".....is a beautifully written tale about two people thrown together by the winds of destiny to fall in love for all time....There is no major conflict in this story, so it left a lot of room for the chracters to develop ...The hero and the heroine meet at a casino and then into the bedroom to explore thier inner, primal urges, of course....She is a beatiful young widow.....penniless and in need of rescuing (of course!)...He is an enigmatic, compelling stranger....masquarading as a plain Mr. so and so....but of course, he is a duke of the realm! I liked the constant ongoing battle of witts in this story....the humour was simply infectuous!...And the sex scenes sizzling...which is Susan Johnson's known trademark.

Thea Devine: "A Pleasure Game".....Although darkly compelling and erotic, I had a bit of difficulty relating to this scenario....The magnetism between the two lovers portrayed is purely sexual....and borders on desperation and perhaps even abuse. The scenes are highly arousing, no question in that.....but for some reason, this story left me unsatisfied ....incomplete. The main concentration is on the domination and submission, which to my mind misses the target: erotic romance. It is just simply erotic....no romance.

Robin Schone: "A Man And A Woman".....I have been an avid fan of Ms. Schone's work and have read and reread all of her writtings......she has an unusual and captivating trademark as an in-depth authour that is not to be missed. However, I was a bit perplexed by this story.....and found it a bit diffivult to relate to.....Perhaps of the vast ages of the characters (48 and 53)......Although, I deffinitely commend Robin Schone for such a bold step.....she is an innovative writter Megan is a widow starved for a man's touch....Muhamed is a gilded eunich who has never experienced a woman's touch (flawed, complex , compelling.........but a bit stretching the fatasy boundaries)....They need each other......this story is about redemtion and life's last chances....not being affraid to take that step regardless of a chance of rejection......about finding love and keeping it...for all time.

All in all, four different writers....and talents....and a most wonderful diversion....away from reality and into the wonderful realm of erotic romance. Highly recommend it.

This one is even better than the first. Ms. Small, who I adore, as usual created a strong admirable heroine that makes you proud, and whose cleverness makes you smile. The hero wasn't bad himself. I enjoyed this story line even better than the one in captivated.

One thing I love about Susan Johnson's heroines is the fact that the women are straightforward. They have no problem saying, "Yes I want you, so let's do this!"

Ms. Divine, I'm kind of bias here, fore she is my favorite. Her "love" scenes are unlike any other. Regina is so cute. She is an innocent who thinks she knows it all, until Jeremy shows her otherwise. But don't get me wrong, she is not a child. Though she thinks she knows what she is capable of, she soon learns, with Jeremy's help, that she is actually much more.

Robin. This woman is great at showing us love and passion is strong and fierce at any age. Most of her characters are mature women, some even mothers. For those of you who like your heroines to be a certain age, "A man and a woman" will change your mind. Yes, the hero is an eunuch, sad, but because of it he apparently had amazing stamina and from a selfish female point of view, I was kinda envious of this widow. For those of you who have read "The Lady's Tutor," you are in for a surprise, because this is the story of Muhammad, Ramiel's `father', who he left at the end of "The lady's Tutor." Here we learn his touching story.

This book shows just why these ladies are the best with their classic love scenes with the "edge" that made Captivated famous, those of you who have read it know just what I'm talking about! I finished this book in two days, and that is only because I had a test to study for. It's worth it.

I disagree with what a few reviewers said about the short story by Robin Schone 'A Man and a Woman'. I've read so many romances that after awhile every plot and character start being interchangable, even in erotic stories. I kept this book BECAUSE I liked Robin Schone's story so much. First of all it shows real depth. You feel for the man and woman and really want things to work for them. I happen to like a man (or woman) in my story who's more than a superficial stereotype. The man in this story has such an unsual history, yet he's still a MAN, he still feels desire. But because of the labels pressed on him he's not allowed to explore it until a special woman comes along and helps him finally feel. To me EVERYONE deserves a chance to find someone special. And I think the story was totally plausible. So if you want the same old story and boring characters than dont read this one. But if, like me, you crave a real good read that you cant put down, buy this book if just for this story alone. Its worth it.