What a fantastic book! Being the man that I am, I usually read erotica for the sex and hope for romance as well as I am also a hopeless romantic. These stories, especially the first one, "A Season for Everything" and the last one "The Lottery" really tugged at my heartstrings. Since I was hoping for romance, that was present in these two stories.
Claire and Stephen demonstrate what true love is in "A Season For Everything" I was so taken with their love for one another that I felt I was sharing their joy and in Claire's case, heartbreak as well.
"The Lottery" was more subtle withe the emergence of the romance, as Sierra and Theo started as business partners and with a "show" by Sierra as part of the deal. But as the story progressed, this reader could feel the change from business to romance and was feeling Sierra's pain, then elation. Another wonderful romance.
The third story, "Summer Solstice", was also wonderfully crafted with a heroine whose emotions I could certainly feel. Ava was left at the alter and was still not sure about getting back out socially until she was invited to a party with pagan rituals. It was there that she was finally able to not only live out one of her fantasies, but also find the confidence and strength she desperately needed.
However, I was absolutely blown away by the 50 year romance between Catherine and Shane in "Unlocking the Mystery" with simply letters. Heck, they didn't even progress to e-mail as the letters were still on paper in 2010 and 2011. Thiers was truly a deep, committed love to continue with writing these letters, some extremely erotic. Also, the woman who delivers the last letter, Evelyn, even gets a reward of her own...or at least it appears that way. And no, not sex...something even better.
This was not simply erotica - this was fine literary writing with sexy erotic scenes that were an essential part of the story, not just added for the thrill of it. Bravo to Ms. Baylee for writing such moving and touching stories. Every character with an important role in every story was realistic, honest, and someone who you wished you knew (with the possible exception of Stewart after he left Ava at the alter!) This is a book that you will want to read, whether you like good literature, good erotica or heck, even good sex. It has all of those qualities.