Customer Reviews

Secrets: The Best in Women's Erotic Romance, Vol. 6

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Take a walk on the wild side of extreme sensuality with the latest edition of Secrets, romantic erotica at its best published by Red Sage Publishing, Inc. Secrets, Volume 6, is a collection of four erotic and deeply sensual novellas, written for women by women without the brashness typical to the genre.

Keeping in mind that these stories are purposely written with a hero that is domineering, dominating, and delectable, they are reminiscent of the "bodice rippers" written 35 years ago but with the added heat of intense sexual description. Add to the mix a strong heroine that will not be pushed around unless she wants to and you have a sensual adventure just waiting to happen. While every story is not every woman's fantasy, they are all tastefully written, entertaining and often quite witty.

FLINT'S FUSE by Sandra Fraser is a contemporary tale set in the hot, dry dessert. Dana Madison is kidnapped at the request of her father for her own good as he fears corporate retaliation. Flint, with his mercenary/ renegade persona is the man for the job. Things heat up to a fevered pitch as Flint struggles to keep her captive while keeping his hands to himself.

If you like modern day Werewolves that are gorgeous, intelligent and have a good sense of humor,LOVE'S PRISONER by MaryJanice Davidson is sure to please. This story offers snappy dialog, dark sexuality and captivating romance. It is a definite page-turner to say the least.

Next, enjoy the historical setting of "THE EDUCATION of MISS FELICITY WELLS" by Alice Gains. At Felicity's request, luscious interludes with the dashing Doctor Slade are meant to prepare her to be a perfect wife...to someone else. Who would have guessed that the innocent Miss Wells would be doing some educating of her own?

And last, when you put together a very sensual vampire that is an elite career FBI agent and a small town journalist with big town dreams and you get the steamy thriller "A CANDIDATE FOR A KISS" by Angela Knight. Angela mixes her strong, well-developed characters with strong, well-developed appetites in this story that will leave you wanting the story to go on forever.

The "Secrets" Collections have earned a reputation for recruiting writers who produce high quality romance with attention to detail. True to form, this most recent volume offers startling scenarios and wild passion mixed with heartwarming romance. If you're daring enough, take some time to enjoy these erotic romantic adventures when you're in the mood for something more. Secrets, Volume 6, will most definitely take your breath away!

Ballston Book House Review

I have loved these Secrets anthologies since I discovered them months ago. The novellas are romantic, provocative and erotic to the core. I picked up Secrets Volume 6 because I wanted to read MaryJanice Davidson's first story from her ongoing werewolf series (the third part, Derik's Bane, is a full-length novel scheduled for a January release. If only I could get the advanced copy!). Well, I loved Love's Prisoner. It is full of Davidson's keen storytelling, sensual scenes and memorable quips. Love's Prisoner is a bit darker than Jared's Wolf, the second part of the series, in content and situations, though I've noticed that her stories have always had a hint of edge to them. To my surprise, Davidson's novella isn't my favorite in this volume. I absolutely loved Alice Gaines's The Education of Miss Felicity Wells! The erotic scenes are so well written they are almost tangible, and I loved the story of a virgin getting lessons on how to satisfy her future husband from the very sexy Dr. Marcus Slade. The one thing I found confusing was the setting. Judging by the language and by Felicity's naivete, I assume that this is a historical romantica. I couldn't put this novella down and I wish it had been longer. The other two stories in the anthology -- Sandy Fraser's Flint's Fuse and Angela Knight's vampire romantica A Candidate for a Kiss -- were also great.

This is the best Secrets anthology yet. The others had two or three stories that I liked, but I hadn't loved all of them like in this one. Red Sage Publishing has quality authors in its imprint, and the stories are not formulaic or recycled like the Kensington Brava novellas. I got the chance to read another Davidson story and encountered three other great authors in the process (especially Gaines). Are you in the bargain for beautiful, sensual romantica? I suggest the Secrets anthologies -- this one in particular. I have no idea why this page shows the Volume 7 book and reviews for the same. For those who are confused, Volume 6 has MaryJanice Davidson, Sandy Fraser, Alice Gaines and Angela Knight.

I will admit it right here. Maryjanice Davidson is one of my best friends(author of LOVE'S PRISONER)and that's the sole reason I bought this book. I will also admit that her story was my favorite in the anthology, but I was really suprised to find several others that "revved me up". Like several other reviewers, I found most of the stories the traditional "strong woman secretly wants to be dominated" bodice-ripper erotica that falls a little short. They were all entertaining and some of the sex scenes were downright molten, but it was the a-typical stories that I truly enjoyed.

FLINT'S FUSE about an apparent kidnap victim playing a sexual cat and mouse game with her captor was hot! The characters were interesting and a little more filled out than the standard 2 dimensional ones found in the romance genre.

REQUIM FOR THE KISS was a wonderful combination of the supernatural with plenty of action, sex and humor. The authors twist on vampirism was creative and her hero was a delicious champion of good fighting the good fight despite stereotypes of vampires being dark brooding and evil.

THE EDUCATION OF MISS FELICITY WELLS was titillating as well as downright charming. A young bride to be wants to keep her future husband satisfied. Felicity hires a well known playboy to educate her in the world of pleasure, but neither of them realizes the fires they will ignite once someone stirs the coals.

LOVE'S PRISONER-----sexy, hilarious and very creative. Ms. Davidson is making a name for herself as an author of highly imaginative erotic fiction. Her take on the modern werewolf is inventive and well thought out.---The Alpha male of a modern wolf pack is being pressured to pick his mate for life. After being trapped in an elevator with an unwitting female, an interlude in the dark convinces him he has found her at last. She has other ideas.

As in most anthologies some stories are better than others. One thing all of these peices are is sexualy charged and exciting.

I've read just about everything of MaryJanice Davidson's that I could get my hands on, the past year or so. I like her snappy dialogue and her great characters. I picked up Secrets vol 6 solely because of a Davidson story.

I just wanted to warn other Davidson fans that this story is a lot darker than most of her stories, and includes a very disturbing scene of forced sex. I like werewolf stories, in general, and I really liked "Derik's Bane," the third in the series (just out as a full-length novel), but I found this one disturbing. I found little about the hero to like (he was a little too alpha) and had a difficult time believing the heroine would develop any softer feelings for him.

If you're a fan of the sensual type story, then this is probably a good anthology for you, as other reviews attest. But if you're a Davidson fan looking for something like "Royal Treatment" or the "Undead" books, you may want to approach this volume with some caution.

(...)
Red Sage stories are about when men were men and women were captured, conquered, and captivated... and loved it. And I love it. If instead you like anemic, politically correct feminist-inspired relationships, you'll hate these stories... unless you find yourself surrendering to them.

Flint's Fuse by Sandy Fraser
This is spicey like raw habeñero is spicey! Man captures girl (with her father's blessing, no less) and manages to subjugate the little witch. Wonderful.

Love's Prisoner by MaryJanice Davidson
I seldom find werewolves endearing, but this story is about as clever as it gets, and chills and excitement have little to do with fright. I might ever start to like fur. Frankly, I would rate it as the ONLY werewolf story worth reading.

The Education of Miss Felicity Wells by Alice Gaines
This Victoriana story could have- should have- been my very favorite, except for one flaw, not unlike a lover pulling away too soon. The story is darn close to original Victorian erotica, except they would not have had the flaw... Okay, my one and only problem (if I can word this carefully) is that when Miss Felicity finally 'does' Marcus Slade, I began drooling. And then... and then before she (and I) finally get our first taste of him, they pull apart, (...) interruptus! That was overly delicate even for Victorian sensibilities and what kind of education is that! Red Sage promises explicit, so give us explicit!

A Candidate for the Kiss by Angela Knight
I like Vampires even less than I do werewolves, and to get this one, you have to accept that vampires work for the FBI. That's silly, we know they would be much better in the IRS. The story I would give only 2 stars but the sex gets 7, so it balances out.

I'm been waiting for the next installment of Red Sage's Secrets, and volume 6 did not disappoint. One of my previous favorites was a futuristic vampire romance by Angela Knight (BLOOD AND KISSES in volume 2) ... and she returns with another vampire -- this time a contemporary vampire secret agent, a FANTASTIC read!! Please, please ... more, Ms. Knight!

There was also a werewolf romance featured in this edition. The werewolf pack leader finds his mate and must abduct her to keep her safe -- another great read. I'm definitely hoping Ms. Davidson will be penning some future paranormal Secrets editions.

The other reads were also great with FLINT'S FUSE ... with a mercenary who kidnaps to protect, and THE EDUCATION OF MISS FELICITY WELL ... which features a regency miss who comes to an expert in the sensual arts determined to make sure her future husband is well-satisfied and doesn't stray.

In my opinion, it's just about the best Secrets volume to date -- with the exception of BLOOD AND KISSES from volume 2.

Hot doesn't even begin to fully describe this anthology. Since, as of so far, I've read every Secrets volume Red Sage turns out, I can't easily say this is the most intense yet. Not only are the novellas included spicy but they're also extremely well written and romantic. These women have talent. One scintillating story of a woman and her kidnapper who is secretly her bodyguard, an independent and aggressive woman and her werewolf, an innocent who arranges "lust lessons" so that she can keep her husband faithful, and an extremely sensual vampire who intends to make a life mate of a woman who was just going to be his meal. Even if the plots don't sound like the most original in the world, buy this, read it, and then go ahead and compare it to a Johnson or a Devine, not say that any of those authors are lacking but any of the authors writing in Secrets are without a doubt in my mind, just as talented as the top names in erotic romance. I think that Red Sage should expand and offer some of their authors a chance to publish full-length novels.

I rank this volume of Secrets right up there with volume 8 (see my other review). This is potent, heady erotica. I was profoundly affected by MJD's Love's Prisoner story, and I haven't been able to purge the urge to revisit it. Although it touches on a VERY sensitive subject, it does so with consummate finesse, never straying from its intended purpose. It's the first time I've ever witnessed a writer handle this subject so deftly in a work of fiction, and for that alone MJD's accolades are very well earned.

The other stories in this volume are also welcome diversions, but I don't reach for any compilation of erotic fiction if it doesn't have Mary Janice Davidson's name on the cover. For my money, her work defines the standard.

This volume is worth the cover price for Love's Prisoner ALONE. Buy it.

I thought this was a wonderful anthology and enjoyed all 4 stories, but I was most impressed with Alice Gaines' THE EDUCATION OF MISS FELICITY WELLS. It's a familiar theme (virgin wants to be taught how to pleasure a man) but very nicely done. A nice balance of very erotic scenes building to a climax (ahem) of falling in love. It had me holding my breath!

I'm anxiously awaiting more from Alice Gaines!!

If you like the writing of Robin Schone, Emma Holly and Beatrice Small you will LOVE this book. 4 excellent sensual love stories. My favorites are "Candidate for the Kiss" an incredible vampire story by Angela Knight (Gabriel Archer is quite a hero!) and "Love's Prisoner" by MaryJanice Davidson with it's very hot werewolf hero. The other two were very good also.