From the Publisher
By the Light of the Moon by Sydney Somers – Hayley’s scheming boss has a hunch that something fishy is going on at a couples resort in Antigua, and he wants her to go and investigate. The problem is, she needs a man to play her doting lover at the resort. Her buddy Cole is game to go with her, but can he keep his secret when he finds himself losing his heart to her?
Ms. Somers writes an amazing story, and one that is rife with series possibilities. Intriguing characters, a great setting, and a pack struggle make for an interesting plot. Simply stunning!
Beverly Rae’s Mr. Lonely – Miranda Raennia has come seeking Damian LeClare, the one they call the Night Stalker. She is determined to have him, to make him see her for what she really is, and to be invited into his life. Will she be more than he bargained for?
Mr. Lonely tells the tale of a solitary, brooding vampire and the bossy, unrelenting woman who wants him for her own. I loved Damian as the dark and dour hero and Miranda sparkles with life and vitality as the heroine who tests and tempts him beyond reason. I didn’t see the surprise ending coming, but I sure enjoyed the heck out of it!
In Love the Day by Betty Hanawa, Lycida was one of Artemis’ chaste handmaidens until a sexual romp ends her virginity, resulting in her banishment from Olympus and the curse of a goddess. Every man she enters into a sexual relationship will die...and then she meets Benedict.
Ms. Hanawa’s story of the power of love and the siren’s call of the flesh is a wonderful addition to this anthology. There are underlying themes here, including the importance of seeing people for who they really are and being true to your word. Amazing imagery, mythology and knife-edged emotion combine to make a heartwarming, pulse pounding story.
Hex and the Single (Weird) Were-Monster or How Janice Got That Way by Terese Ramin – Let me just first say that this short story defies description and then I’ll try to describe it. We’ve got Janice (AKA Precious Child and Causes Trouble), a woman on whom the Gods and the Goddesses bestowed gifts. We’ve got her mother, the Tribal Chief with an attitude and the determination to see her daughter mated and producing litters of grandchildren (or would they be called grandwerepups?). Lastly, we’ve got a host of werewolves, a superbly hung and unsuspecting lumberjack, and a waterfall used as a stimulating sexual experience. What else does one need?
Terese Ramin’s unique writer’s voice shines and entertains in her contribution to the Sex on the Beach Anthology. I laughed myself nearly to tears and then over the brink into semi-hysteria in the reading of this one. Run, don’t walk, and don’t stop until you have Hex and the Single (Weird) Were-Monster or How Janice Got That Way in your hot little hands.
Reviewed by: Michelle - 5 Angels
Fallen Angels Reviews, March 2006
From the Inside Flap
Sydney Somers, By The Light Of The Moon Her next to last day at work; her boss surprises her with tickets to Antigua for a final assignment. Presenting the job as if he is giving her a vacation at the same time, he then lets her know that the job is in a couples-only resort and that her least favourite brown-nosing co-worker is lined up to go with her nooo. What is a girl to do? A 5 star resort, with nothing but sun, a gorgeous partner, and good food. Heaven on Earth, and what’s a little work on the side? No problem. Her problem, actually, is in trying to figure out which man should accompany her, not that she really had a lot of choice. Her sexy neighbour Cole would be perfect but no, she doesn’t want to take him with her and see him lusting after other women when he is supposed to be her lover. After all, he isn’t interested in her sexually. Now she knows what shed like; getting him into her bed, stripping him down and having her way with him; now that sounds very tempting. She doesn’t realize that Cole is keeping more than one secret from her, and what secrets they are. Under pressure to take her pain in the gizzard co-worker, she crumbles and asks Cole.
Beverly Rae gives us Mr. Lonely
Miranda has finally finished the research she has worked on for years and now she has discovered his hideaway. Damian LeClare, recluse extraordinaire. And she has carefully worked out everything needed. Damian’s life is going to get some spice and that will begin today. Over the next few days, she works her wiles, teasing and tempting him. His control is something to see and she wants to see it break. Tonight is the night to put her master plan in action and she can’t wait to give Damian her surprise and what a surprise she has in store for that bad boy.
Betty Hanawa sends us Love the Day
Artemis is very angry. Her handmaiden Lycida had broken her vows and had sex (horror of horrors) with a man. No longer virginal, she is also no longer a handmaiden. And not only that but she is now banished from Mount Olympus, the only home she has ever known, cursed by Artemis to forever give her body for pleasure to mortals. And she didn’t even have fun doing the BIG IT. Lucy Moon has become a regular on Padre Island at the little bar she visits several times a week. The overly plump girl seems to magically draw everyone to her, in a most amazing way. What it is about her is really a mystery; possibly just the lure of her joyous laugh.
Whatever it is Benedict has a lust filled reaction anytime he hears even the sound of her voice. Lycida, now known as Lucy to her friends, had made herself as sexually unappealing as she thinks s he could in order that no unsuspecting male would find death as a result of lusting after her, falling in love with her. Over the centuries she’s lived among mortals, she has come to realize that men haven’t been interested in the workings in her head; only those relating to her body. And the odd thing is that though Benedict obviously wants her sexually, he isn’t at all like other men mentally in his relationship with her. He doesn’t feel the pity, or only pure lust he really wants to know her as a person, as a friend. Could it be that he really is different?
Terese Ramin delivers HEX AND THE SINGLE (WEIRD) WERE-MONSTER (or How Janice Got That Way)
Causes Trouble had been blessed, shall we say, by the gods and goddesses right after her birth when under the guise of strength, courage and everything else expected, she was given additionally a bit of probably every hardship imaginable. She would be very gifted if only she and her life would reach some sort of compromise. Oh, the burdens of youth, even as a Shapeshifter!
Note: this last story is a prequel to Bewitched, Bothered and Bevampyred
These stories were all great! I enjoy anthologies, especially when I’m on the road and this selection of stories really appealed to me. All are written smoothly, with such fun in mind, the characters are each and all enjoyable; just great reading. The first three authors listed I’ve read and very much enjoyed in the past and, until now I don’t believe I’ve read anything from Ms Ramin; that will change now! I liked very much the sense of humor she writes with; altogether a book to go on your TBB list and all four authors well worth checking out.
5 Hearts!
Glenda K. Bauerle, The Romance Studio
The Romance Studio, February 2006
