Customer Reviews

Love In Bloom: Love Masquerade\Forbidden Fantasy\Teachers Pet (Arabesque)

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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Francine Craft starts off this anthology with a story about two people who knew each other in high school. Maya Williams is now a health food store owner. She's divorced and doesn't hold out much hope of meeting anyone. Christopher St. John is also divorced with a young daughter and he's like-minded. Of course we know that true love will change their minds. Good job, Ms. Craft.

Linda Hudson-Smith's story is about a social worker, Ashleigh Ayers who has had a crush on football hero Austin Carrington practically all her life. Whom do you suppose she meets on a Caribbean cruise? None other than Austin! Lovely story, Ms. Hudson-Smith.

Rounding the anthology out is Janice Sims's story about a literature professor at a historically black college, Bethany Porter, who becomes reacquainted with Colin Armstrong whom she knew when she was seventeen. Twenty years later they're two different people but sparks fly whenever they're in a room together. Will she have the nerve to act on it? Any loyal readers of Ms. Sims's books know you're in for a lot of laughs, and passion. Ms. Sims does not disappoint in this keeper!

For loyal Sims readers: The novella in this anthology connects with A Very Special Love (Gabriel and Kiana's story) and This Time Forever. Gabriel and Kiana appear in all three stories! I love connecting stories.

Arabesque came through with this anthology!

In Love's Masquerade, Francine Craft introduces us to Maya Williams and Christopher St. John - old high school friends who are reunited as adults. This charming story is made complete by the many supporting characters that help Chris and Maya realize that they belong together.

Linda Hudson-Smith's Forbidden Fantasy is set on the high seas. Ashleigh Ayers must confront her past hurts and the only man she's ever loved while on a 14 day cruise. Well, you know what they say, cruises are made for lovers! Things get pretty wild as these two find love under the stars and on the ocean!

My favorite story was "Teacher's Pet". I'm an avid Janice Sims fan, and as most of her fans know by now, she never disappoints. In this story, Ms. Sims introduces us to Bethany Porter and Colin Armstrong. Bethany, a literature professor, must learn to trust again as Colin, the self-made millionaire, barges into her classroom and her heart! Ms. Sims will have you rolling with laughter from the funny - no hilarious - situations in this story! And the passion - wheeewww! It's a good thing this story was last; the passion in it threatens to disintegrate the entire book! Janice Sims is "off the chain" with this story...and her fans are gonna love it!

FrancineCraft, Linda Hudson-Smith, & Janice Sims have all done it again.
(CRAFT)
Maya Williams and Christopher St. John have both been hurt. Neither think they will ever love or trust again,they guard their hearts at all cost. Once high school classmates, Maya needs work done for the Valentine Masquerade Ball, when she goes to his company sparks fly. She gives in to her feelings, he runs from his knowing he has to protect himself and his daugther. Out of the mouth of babes, when his daugther ask him daddy why don't we go back and marry Maya, he did just that.

(HUDSON-SMITH)
Austin Carrington , pro football player at the age of 16 made a promise to the foster sister in his parents home, days later she was taken away. Austin nor Ashleigh (Sariah) know why she was taken away. Years late on the Forbidden Fantasy cruise they see each other again. He isn't sure who she is , but she knows this is her Austin. He is forbidden to her because he is engaged to marry someone else (so she thinks). They agree to spend all their time together on the cruise. As the cruise ends Austin and Ashleigh both make a promise to each other to be forever valentines.

(SIMS)
Kiana & Gerrick Merrick are back, they bring with them Bethany Porter a literature professor and Colin Armstrong a self made millionaire. Gerrick and Colin have been frinds since childhood, Gerrrick and Bethany work at the same college her friendship with Kiana started when she married Gerrick. Colin decided to go back to college to get his degree, takes a class from Bethany, and not only does he ace the class, but he become the teache pet for life.

The first two stories were horrendous and anyone who says something else is lying to you. The last story was okay... I held my attention. However, it just ended. There was no real controversy then all of a sudden you turn the page and they were married. Can I get an insecure moment? Can I get a misunderstanding? Can I get something? The second story... forbidden fantasy... yeah I'm thinking homeboy was a pedophile. And both of them (Austin and Ashleigh) worked my nerves. How about you both invest in a therapist then try to get in a relationship. It was melodramatic and anticlimactic. And as far as loves masquerade goes, five words for you: give me my money back!

Peace

This is a great collection of love stories. I could put it down. These women can tell a story!! I look forward to meading more for all of the authors. Janice Sims is my personal favorite.