Customer Reviews

First Touch: Forever Yours\Serenade\Beguiled (Arabesque Collector's Series)

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After receiving this anthology, I realized that I'd read each of these books almost 10 years ago as single novels. Some of the first to debut from then Pinnacle's line of Arabesque novels. The sad part is that the way Af-Am literature (and my own self for that matter) has developed, I wasn't nearly as enthralled by these stories as I was 10 years before.

Serenade, originally a 1994 release by Sandra Kitt, tells the story of Alexandra and Parker. Lovers more than 10 years before the current story, Alexandra was crushed when Parker left without warning or explanation. Now Parker is an accomplished musician and Alexandra a struggling singer. Passion reignites between the two. Although Alexandra's younger sister, a spoiled brat at the least, presents a formidable obstacle for these two to resume their relationship where it was abort 10 years ago, the story tells of their path back to each other. Sandra Kitt is a wonderful writer and it shows in this story, despite the annoyance of the baby sister's interference to the main storyline.

I first read "Forever Yours" when it was released in 1994. One of the first in the line of Arabesque novels (then published by Pinnacle). The story of Kane and Victoria was intriguing. Victoria, a woman who has been scorned many times, refuses to be hurt by love again. After her grandmother insists that she marry or lose her beloved business due to Victoria's inability to repay a well-timed loan from her grandmother, Victoria takes matters into her own hands and looks for a husband-for-hire. Kane, a strong stubborn brother, agrees to consider marriage to Victoria, but he doesn't want to play by her rules. The tension that ensues carries this somewhat less than realistic story nicely. You'll enjoy watching the two strong-willed lead characters struggle for power as they both try to get want they want from the relationship.

"Beguiled" also originally released in 1994 was not a favorite of mine as a single book and was the weakest of the anthology her. It tells the story of Raquel who loses her job and decides to go dancing at a Miami nightclub ?!? I guess she wants to dance her troubles away. Instead she ends up being swept into a totally unrealistic adventure that drifts from the Caribbean to Central America. This story includes Snoe's trademark foray into otherworldly, magical scenarios. All in all just not my cup of tea...

Loved having all three books together. Yes they were once available as individual
books. That is no reason to give this book a bad review. That being said these are great books and as always I loved the Sandra Kitt book the best. These are great romance/mystery writers at their best. Thanks again.