Rough Around The Edges (Rough Around Edges) [Mass Market Paperback]

Susan Johnson (Author), Dee Holmes (Author), Stephanie Laurens (Author), Eileen Wilks (Author)

Book Description

Series: Rough Around Edges | Publication Date: June 15, 1998

Four extraordinary romance authors pen scintillating stories of the most dangerous rogues-and the fiery women who can soften their hardened hearts...

Playing with Fire by Susan Johnson

Once Burned by Dee Holmes

Melting Ice by Stephanie Laurens

Simple Sins by Eileen Wilks

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (June 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312965990
• ISBN-13: 978-0312965990
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #528,634 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #40 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Romance > Authors, A-Z > ( L ) > Laurens, Stephanie
  • #55 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Romance > Anthologies
  • #76 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Romance > Authors, A-Z > ( J )

More About the Author

Eileen Wilks was born in the dusty little town of Monahans, Texas to the usual number of parents. She's done a lot of wandering since then, having lived in Canada and Venezuela as well as twelve U.S. cities in five states. She wandered a lot professionally, too, before finding her home in writing. A three-time finalist (update: now a four-time finalist!) in RWA's prestigious RITA contest, she is the recipient of a Career Achievement Award from Romantic Times.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb...Some of the best of the genre, June 12, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Rough Around The Edges (Rough Around Edges) (Mass Market Paperback)

After discovering the "spicy romance" genre a couple of years ago, my impression is that the short story or novella length is best for this type of tale. The 80 pages or so per story is enough to set the scene, develop the characters, crank up the intensity, and come to very satisfactory conclusion.

Susan Johnson's "Playing with Fire" and Stephanie Laurens' "Melting Ice" are set amongst the English nobility that romance authors seem to find especially fertile material. The authors know this arena so well they swiftly transport you the period. Although the outcomes were evident 10 pages into each story, I enjoyed every minute of the journey. The book's other two stories are present-day, and their very different characters and conflicts provide contrast and balance to the collection.

The stories in the collection are on a par with the ones in the "Secrets: The Best in Women's Sensual Fiction" (Volumes 1-4). Highly recommended.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rough vs Tough, March 4, 2003

By 

Ann (Knightdale, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rough Around The Edges (Rough Around Edges) (Mass Market Paperback)

Anthologies are short stories-which means you will not have to deal with a monstrous amount of subplots. (Yeah!!!!) Sometimes after reading amass of novels, anthologies give you a much-needed break. The short stories do not allow the 300+ pages authors use for interference from outsiders and forces them to stick to the main characters/plot.

Playing With Fire by Susan Johnson *****
Historical Romance: The penniless Duke of Ware has been brought and paid for by banker, John Overton who wanted a dukedom for his daughter, Olivia. Olivia is so excited that she does not even say "I do" when prompted by the priest and Ware is so enthused that he got drunk the night before his wedding and had to be dragged out of bed by his solicitor-after his the countess (his mistress) was dragged out. Unwillingly they must both stick with Overton's contract and each other until an heir is produced. I am partial to Susan Johnson and feel this is another great love story. Olivia is a strong woman and stands her ground with this notorious rake. Though he may be rough, she is tough enough to straighten out this Duke's edges.

Simple Sins by Eileen Wilks ****
Romance: Bad boy meets Good girl. Felicity is a school teacher in the good ole town of Cross Creek. Damon Reed left Cross Creek for the fast life and has only returned in order to get some closure after the death of his grandmother, Gertrude. Felicity is seeking closure too, her mother has a problem and she's trying to get into Gertrude's house to find it. Damon immediately recognizes her and since the road is flooded, they are forced to live under the same roof and play seek & find. Felicity knows there is no way someone like Damon could be interested in her but he has other ideas. First time I have ever heard of this author but that did not stop me from enjoying this great story.

Once Burned by Dee Holmes *****
Contemporary Romance: Marisa Thornton used to be in love with Deke Laslo until he for some unknown reason ended their relationship. She is trying to prove to her father that she has moved on, actually has a new beau, and decides to catch a ride with Deke to Rhode Island for her fathers' (also Deke's ex-boss) birthday party. Deke is a loner who recently quit his job as a mercenary and knows Marisa deserves someone more normal, stable, loveable, etc. Will he wisely use his second chance to have the love of his life? First time for this author also, hot, bumpy love story.

Melting Ice by Stephanie Laurens *****
Historical Romance: Dyan St. Laurent aka the lion has been forced to reluctantly return home to become the fourth Duke of Darke and continue the family line, immediately! He left this life behind him 15 years ago and is now happily living an uncomplicated, rich life in India. He bumps into Lady Iceberg aka Lady Fiona Winton-Ryder as she crashes an orgy held by their mutual childhood friends. Prime and Proper Fiona is a HANDful but Dyan is just the man to handle her. The distance did not diminish their mutual attraction. Hilarious at times, hot romance.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars WOW... what more can I say, November 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Rough Around The Edges (Rough Around Edges) (Mass Market Paperback)

I am a big fan of Stephanie Laurens, and I just loved her novella 'Melting Ice' in Rough Around the Edges. More risque and carnal than her previous full length novels, which made it all the more enjoyable. Will be anxiously awaiting her story in the Scottish Brides anthology. I hadn't read any books by Susan Johnson, Dee Holmes and Eileen Wilks but enjoyed their stories very much as well, especially Susan Johnson's 'Playing with Fire'. I'll definitely have to consider reading more of her books.