Rating: 
Summary: Chase and Kleypas save the day!
Review: The first of the four stories is by Catherine Anderson an author I wasn't familiar with until now. Honestly, I did not care at all for the plot, the characters or her style of writing. The plot is
contrived and flimsy at best ( even for a short story ).The heroine ( she was so unremarkable I can't even recall her name) is out to get revenge against the man she thinks broke her sister's heart. She ends up taking revenge on the wrong brother and they're caught in a compromising position by her father and they're forced to marry. This is basically the only interesting part to this story as the rest is extremely unimaginative and boring.The second story The Mad Earl's Bride by Loretta Chase is the real gem of this collection. The hero is diagnosed with a deadly brain disease that will not only ultimately kill him but will also cause him to lose his sanity. Having no immediate relatives he's forced to marry and produce an heir so the title will stay in the family. He agrees to marry Gwendolyn after a memorable meeting with her. She's a total bluestocking and not a great beauty so she doesnt have any illusions as to why the marriage is taking place. She's extremely levelheaded and also ambitious she dreams of building her own hospital and that's her reason for marrying a man with a death sentence. However, destiny has other plans for her and she ends up crazy in love with her mad earl. She becomes obsessed with finding the cause of her husband's deadly ailment. Can this obsession ultimately destroy what little time these two star- crossed lovers have left?
Read and find out! You will not be dissapointed. Lisa Kleypas short story "Promises" is also entertaining although not as intriguing and romantic as Chase's. The real reason I loved this story was the hero Eric De Gray is absolutely delicious (He calls to mind the delectable oh-so tortured Derek Craven). The heroine thinks herself in love with another man who promised to come back after leaving to tour the continent. One small quibble: I got a little annoyed with the heroine about this obsession with waiting for this man whom she has not seen or heard from in over a year. She has underestimated Eric, whom she wants nothing to do with, and he sets out to charm and disarm her. This is a delightful story with a hero that's to die for. Kathleen Woodiwiss "The Kiss" I didn't even finish reading. One of my first romances was actually KW's Shanna. This was many years ago and I loved it.However, Ms Woodiwiss writing hasn't aged very well. I found her style overblown and the dialogue stilted. Halfway through it I asked myself "who talks like that?" and gave up and closed the book. As far as anthologies go I've read far better but it is recommended if only for Chase's refreshing and romantic story. :)
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