Charmed

Rating:
Summary: I bought this book only being familiar with 2 of 4 authors
Review: I enjoyed all of these stories; but, none held "surprises" -- I think the readers all knew after first couple of pages how plots would go. I had originally picked up book because of two enjoyed authors and a blurb on back of books suggesting very original plot lines. Possibly I'm being a little hard because these are shorter than normal novels and give authors less room to complicate plots and flesh out characters. Once I started each story, I did not put down until finished.

Jayne Castle (Jayne Ann Krentz) returns in "Bridal Jitters" to her futuristic romance world and I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I'm not sure I could recommend to readers who hadn't read Amaryllis, Orchid, and Zinnia. Much "fluffier" than the three longer novels.

Julie Beard is one of my favorite authors; but, the characters in "Man In The Mirror" had an extremely easy solutions to all problems, no one questioned anything, and the reader knew from page 1 almost exactly how the story would go. Still well-written but surprisingly the characters were not as "real" as Julie Beard's other writings show she can create. I'm not fond of the deus ex machina solution where the character finds a reincarnation or twin of their true love found in time travel as soon as they return to their own time.

I hadn't read any of Lori Foster's work before. I did enjoy her story "Tangled Dreams" and plan to read more, particularly the stories of the other brothers. The "kinky" or "bondage" sex mentioned in other reviews consisted of no force, pain, or anything weirder than a four-poster bed with soft ties and a hero who preferred being the agressor. I don't think it added to the story; but, didn't think it was as terrible as some other reviews suggested.

Eileen Wilks was also a new author for me and "Pandora's Bottle" was a very good read. I will be looking for more books from Ms. Wilks. This story did read like she had more books in same universe she created. Did a lot better with the characters and although I had guessed the ending to start with the plot was substantial enough I wasn't sure until last couple of pages how it would end. I'm not particularly fond of torn-between-two-lovers type of stories; I'm more of the romantic one-true-love sort.

Rating:
Summary: I bought this book only being familiar with 2 of 4 authors
Review: I enjoyed all of these stories; but, none held "surprises" -- I think the readers all knew after first couple of pages how plots would go. I had originally picked up book because of two enjoyed authors and a blurb on back of books suggesting very original plot lines. Possibly I'm being a little hard because these are shorter than normal novels and give authors less room to complicate plots and flesh out characters. Once I started each story, I did not put down until finished.

Jayne Castle (Jayne Ann Krentz) returns in "Bridal Jitters" to her futuristic romance world and I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I'm not sure I could recommend to readers who hadn't read Amaryllis, Orchid, and Zinnia. Much "fluffier" than the three longer novels.

Julie Beard is one of my favorite authors; but, the characters in "Man In The Mirror" had an extremely easy solutions to all problems, no one questioned anything, and the reader knew from page 1 almost exactly how the story would go. Still well-written but surprisingly the characters were not as "real" as Julie Beard's other writings show she can create. I'm not fond of the deus ex machina solution where the character finds a reincarnation or twin of their true love found in time travel as soon as they return to their own time.

I hadn't read any of Lori Foster's work before. I did enjoy her story "Tangled Dreams" and plan to read more, particularly the stories of the other brothers. The "kinky" or "bondage" sex mentioned in other reviews consisted of no force, pain, or anything weirder than a four-poster bed with soft ties and a hero who preferred being the agressor. I don't think it added to the story; but, didn't think it was as terrible as some other reviews suggested.

Eileen Wilks was also a new author for me and "Pandora's Bottle" was a very good read. I will be looking for more books from Ms. Wilks. This story did read like she had more books in same universe she created. Did a lot better with the characters and although I had guessed the ending to start with the plot was substantial enough I wasn't sure until last couple of pages how it would end. I'm not particularly fond of torn-between-two-lovers type of stories; I'm more of the romantic one-true-love sort.

Rating:
Summary: Four Great Stories in One book -- what a deal!
Review: I loved all these stories. Jayne Castle is, as always, entertaining in Bridal Jitters. Julie Beard's story, while not quite my cup of tea due to the ending, was very well written. Lori Foster's Tangled Dreams is a hoot. I love those Winston men, and Eileen Wilks Pandora's Box is wonderful. It's not often you get an anthology with four great stories to entertain you. Buy this book -- you won't be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: All four stories good - well worth the price
Review: I purchased the book primarily because of Jayne Castle (Jayne Ann Krentz) - I'll read just about anything she writes - but the other authors were surprisingly entertaining. As an avid Romance reader, if the book (or story) doesn't catch my attention quickly, I discard and move on. I couldn't put this one down.

Rating:
Summary: Utterly Charming!
Review: Loved this book! My favorite stories were Jayne Castle's "Bridal Jitters" and Lori Foster's "Tangled Dreams."

In "Bridal Jitters" Jayne Castle introduces a new world cut off by "the curtain." I wasn't sure I was ready to leave New Seattle and the world of AMARYLLIS, ORCHID, AND ZINNIA, but this world is great! New and fun psychic abilities, and cool "energy ghosts" floating around ancient ruins. The hero and heroine were vintage Krentz, evenly matched in their psychic talents, and their relationship was funny and sexy. Can't wait for the new series of futuristics this novella introduces.

Lori Foster's "Tangled Dreams" was fabulous! This book picks up with Chase, the brother of Cole from HOT CHOCOLATE. Chase's platonic relationship with Allison gets a little nudge (more like a kick in the pants) from some friendly ghosts, and once he begins to see her in a new light it's steam all the way. This story is a sizzler, and laugh-out-loud funny. Some of Foster's best writing!

Rating:
Summary: Utterly Charming!
Review: Loved this book! My favorite stories were Jayne Castle's "Bridal Jitters" and Lori Foster's "Tangled Dreams."

In "Bridal Jitters" Jayne Castle introduces a new world cut off by "the curtain." I wasn't sure I was ready to leave New Seattle and the world of AMARYLLIS, ORCHID, AND ZINNIA, but this world is great! New and fun psychic abilities, and cool "energy ghosts" floating around ancient ruins. The hero and heroine were vintage Krentz, evenly matched in their psychic talents, and their relationship was funny and sexy. Can't wait for the new series of futuristics this novella introduces.

Lori Foster's "Tangled Dreams" was fabulous! This book picks up with Chase, the brother of Cole from HOT CHOCOLATE. Chase's platonic relationship with Allison gets a little nudge (more like a kick in the pants) from some friendly ghosts, and once he begins to see her in a new light it's steam all the way. This story is a sizzler, and laugh-out-loud funny. Some of Foster's best writing!

Rating:
Summary: Grade - B+
Review: Tangled Dreams by Lori Foster Warning, this story contains elements of sexual domination, bondage, and hot love scenes. Allison Barrow has a problem. Her house is haunted, but that's not the problem. Rose and Burke are very nice ghosts, who also happen to be her ancestors. Rose and Burke had a very passionate love, and want Allison to have this for her own life, as well as the family heirloom, which can only be found by someone with great passion. Allison doesn't feel like a very passionate person, so unbeknownst to her, Rose and Burke help out a bit.

Chase Winston can't figure out why he can suddenly read Allison's every thought. Sure he has treated her cordially, as a friend of the family, but never thought she would be his type, especially in bed. These hot fantasies of hers are driving him nuts, however. Allison has had a crush on Chase for a while, but is mortified when he informs her that he can hear what she is thinking! The tension between Chase and Allison sizzles, and the dialogue between them is excellent. The ghosts are fun, but there was an extraneous villain subplot that did nothing for the story. Still, it was a minor complaint.

Rating:
Summary: The is probably the worst book I have ever read!
Review: The only one of the 4 stories worthwhile reading in this set is "Bridal Jitters" by Jayne Castle. The other 3 are not worth the paper they are printed on. I enjoy romance books and read at least 2-3 per week. However, I do not enjoy reading garbage. The 2nd story ("Man in the Mirror" by Julie Beard) had a line in it that I could not get past. The line read ..."and through the mirror she went". How archiac. Also, the chemistry between the hero and heroine was so nauseating and stilted. The third story, "Tangled Dreams" by Eileen Wilks dealt with a side of romance better left to soft porn - bondage. There was so much time and effort spent on how "normal" this is, that the story was left hanging. This was by far the worst of the 4 stories. The fourth ("Pandora's Bottle") was ok, but after reading the third story, I was so disgusted with the entire book, that I really could not enjoy it. If I could give this book zero (or even less) stars, I would. I definitely do NOT recommend this book to anyone.

Rating:
Summary: Charmed
Review: The only part of this book I liked at all was the one by Jayne Castle.And it was so condensed as to be almost superficial.As for the rest, I certainly wouldn't buy a book by any of the authors.

Rating:
Summary: CHARMED has a lot of charm!
Review: This collection of fantasy tales has a bit of everything: sci-fi, time travel, and, since it 'tis the Halloween season, a fair assortment of ghosts and goblins.

Leading off the pack is Jayne Castle, a.k.a. Jayne Ann Krentz, with "Bridal Jitters," a sci-fi fantasy. Psychic archeologist Virginia Burch is having second thoughts about entering into a 2-year marriage of convenience with ghost-hunter Sam Gage. Virginia's feelings for Sam are too deep for her to be happy with just a business relationship.

"Man in the Mirror" is a strong story about love bringing out the best in a person. The problem I had with this tale is that you (and the heroine) fall in love with the man in the mirror, only find out he's not the man she's destined to be with.

"Tangled Dreams" by Lori Foster is hot; the sexual tension between the hero and heroine is terrific -- think Linda Howard writing with a touch of Halloween whimsy. I very much liked this funny, heated story of a man reading the intimate thoughts of a woman who wants him. Also, this tale has lots of Halloween flavor, with a genuine haunted house and some matchmaking ghosts.

The final tale, "Pandora's Bottle," by Eileen Wilks poses the following question: If you have to choose between a solid, dependable, sexy, but too serious man, or the fun, irresponsible sexy djinn of your dreams, who would you choose? The answer may not be easy for a heroine who's gifted, but doesn't practice witchcraft.

Charmed is a bit of a mixed bag, with stories that include sci-fi, time-travel, witches and ghosts. However all four stories are good and do contain a Halloween angle, however slight. So if you're looking for some seasonal fantasy reading, Charmed is an entertaining place to start.