Rating: 
Summary: Pleasant Surprise
Review: "Secrets of a Perfect Night" was a very pleasant surprise. I usually judge these anthologies by a different criteria then I do a regular book because they usually just do not measure up to a full length novel. This one I can say actually does measure up. I think that it is because it has three novellas instead of the usual five, and that this has allowed the authors to fully develop their characters in a way that most anthologies do not allow. Each of the novellas would be worth buying individually. There was only one problem I had with the book, the first two stories were historical romances and the final story was a contemporary. While it was a great story it did not fit with the other two in the anthology.
Rating:
Summary: Secrets
Review: I bought this book asuming that it would be good. When I read it I was shocked to find out that this is more of a horror book than a romance novel. Most romance novels don't end by killing the main character in the first 2 pages. This one did not start like that, but I wish it did. This novel had to much info about cows and small fire-belly newts. There are no "secrets" in this book. And if this is what a "perfect night" is then I'd rather sit at home and play with my colostemy bag. I would give this book a big fat 5 stars for the wonderful plot of a women seducing a young, tall, strong northern Peruvian mascot with mad cows disease. Wonderfull book.
Rating:
Summary: Secrets
Review: I bought this book asuming that it would be good. When I read it I was shocked to find out that this is more of a horror book than a romance novel. Most romance novels don't end by killing the main character in the first 2 pages. This one did not start like that, but I wish it did. This novel had to much info about cows and small fire-belly newts. There are no "secrets" in this book. And if this is what a "perfect night" is then I'd rather sit at home and play with my colostemy bag. I would give this book a big fat 5 stars for the wonderful plot of a women seducing a young, tall, strong northern Peruvian mascot with mad cows disease. Wonderfull book.
Rating: 
Summary: Secrets of...a perfect book!
Review: If you love romantic anthologies then this one is for you. Let's be realistic - most anything that includes a Stephanie Laurens story is going to be great and this one is no exception. Her entrancing tale of rediscovered love is a perfect example of her amazing talent when it comes to blending sensuality and humor. I was less impressed with Victoria Alexander's tale of misunderstandings and rekindled romance - it was considerably more downbeat than the other two, although on its own probably would have been wonderful. Rachel Gibson's contemporary love story is a delight - for all those women who have dreamed of knocking the socks off their high school buddies at a reunion. This book is a great summer read, and the pleasure of anthologies is to be able to put them down and get a little work done in between stories!
Rating:
Summary: Secrets of...a perfect book!
Review: If you love romantic anthologies then this one is for you. Let's be realistic - most anything that includes a Stephanie Laurens story is going to be great and this one is no exception. Her entrancing tale of rediscovered love is a perfect example of her amazing talent when it comes to blending sensuality and humor. I was less impressed with Victoria Alexander's tale of misunderstandings and rekindled romance - it was considerably more downbeat than the other two, although on its own probably would have been wonderful. Rachel Gibson's contemporary love story is a delight - for all those women who have dreamed of knocking the socks off their high school buddies at a reunion. This book is a great summer read, and the pleasure of anthologies is to be able to put them down and get a little work done in between stories!
Rating:
Summary: WONDERFUL!
Review: Oh My! This book was amazing! It really was the perfect night when the man in the woman's life said "I love you"! Stephanie Laurens, Victoria Alexander and Rachel Gibson ought to be commended for this great book! Read it! IT will be a book you will not forget!
Rating:
Summary: fascinating anthology that works
Review: Scandalous Lord Dere by Stephanie Laurens. New Year's Day 1823, Adrian swears off women forever as his resolution, but a coach accident returns him to the home of Abigail. The rake has always loved this siren, but will he finally persuade her in forever?The Last Love Letter by Victoria Alexander. In 1805, Rachel and Jason tried to elope, but failed. He left the country. Now a decade later, Jason has returned and he and Rachel are still in love, but can they gain what they lost the first time around? Now and Forever by Rachel Gibson. Brina and Thomas are among those returning to Galliton Pass for the tenth anniversary high school reunion. Brina and Thomas were an entry for a brief time, but she dumped him to attend the prom with a more in-crowd person. Although she tried to remain friends with Thomas, he never forgave her. Now he sees an opportunity with this reunion to dump Brina. However, once they kiss at midnight will he really be able to toss her aside? The three novellas are entertaining and fun as they bring a New Year into focus. Two of the tales are Regency while the third story is a contemporary. Each one of the trio includes a precious couple inside a delightful story line that makes for an pleasant holiday read. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: An excellent anthology
Review: Secrets of a Perfect Night is the best collection of short romance stories I've read so far.
Stephanie Laurens tells the tale of a rake with a scandalous reputation who finds his life of endless conquests and aimless amusements dissatisfying. He decides to go back to his ancestral estate and start anew. On the way there he gets caught in a snowstorm and seeks shelter at a nearby cottage where to his surprise he finds a young girl, now a woman, that he once seduced and whose heart he broke.
I had read one book by this author before that I didn't enjoy at all so this was a delightful surprise for me and I will be looking for more of her books. Victoria Alexander's story deals with two young people in love who plan to elope to avoid the wrath of the girl's father. The treacherous father already knows of their plans and hatches an evil scheme that tears the lovers apart.
I felt this story was the weakest of the bunch. I've never read this author before and while the story was well written. The
plot, which starts out nicely, quickly becomes too convoluted and ridiculous to be believed. Rachel Gibson's contemporary story is the best of the bunch. She tells the story of high school sweethearts brought back together at their ten year reunion. I will not go further into it except to say that the dialogue sizzles and the characters are compelling and completely believable. The story is one that most of us have dreamed of: to attend our high school reunions and knock the socks off every person there. This is another excellent story form the very talented Ms. Gibson. I give Ms. Lauren's story 5 stars. Alexander's story 2 stars and Gibson's 10 stars! Highly recommended
Rating:
Summary: Sensual and poignant anthology
Review: SECRETS OF A PERFECT NIGHT is unequivocally the most consistent anthology in terms of the quality in romantic narration. Stephanie Laurens spearheaded with a tale of a confused duke Adrian returning back to his hometown only to find himself mesmerized by the enchanting Abby who had long given her heart to this scandalous duke. He is challenged by the wits and heart of the woman and soon recognizes that it is in fact Abby who had plagued his dreams long ago. Ms. Lauren's writing is passionate and sensual - definitely a keeper. Victoria Alexander tugs the heartstring with a tale of two unrequited lovers. Their night of elopement is waylaid by the evil plans of Rachel's father and her lover, Jason, being taken in by the lies of her father left for America alone, leaving the disgraced and disheartened Rachel all alone. It is only after ten long years, when Rachel's husband has passed away, the chance of a lost romance patched again appears. Ms. Alexander's narration is heartstopping and poignant, and it is a testament to the resilience of two hearts that had never stopped loving. The last story by Rachel Gibson is contemporary, a refreshing tale of a school reunion that unites a fun couple. Brina has dumped Thomas during her high school days for someone more prominent - and Thomas is tenacious to get back at her for her betrayal, only to find that his heart still has that soft spot for her. Brina realizes her mistake and now knows that only Thomas is the right man for her. SECRETS OF A PERFECT NIGHT blends beautifully these three tales and they are all sensual and uplifting enough to keep you a perfect night of reading and enjoyment. It is the talent of narration that shines in this book, and it is often rare that you get this lovely 3-in-1 package to last you a romantic night.
Rating:
Summary: PERFECT BEDSIDE READER
Review: The title, SECRETS OF A PERFECT NIGHT, gets you from the start. And the names of the three romantic writers involved help it along. The good thing about a book of novellas is that you can read one whole story at one sitting, and get that satisfied, complete feeling. SCANDALOUS LORD DERE, is the tale of a young man who wants to leave his well-deserved rakish reputation as "master seducer" and go back to his quiet country home and the girl he left behind. The problem is that he left eight years ago and all indications are that things have changed dramatically. If winning it all back is even possible, it certainly won't be easy. The "master seducer" will have to use all that he has. THE LAST LOVE LETTER is the story of both selfish and well-intentioned motives gone awry. A couple who've declared their love against the wishes of their parents plan to run away together one night, but they don't make the last-minute connection. Ten years pass before they both receive a letter that lets them know what actually happened that night, and how neither of them was to blame. Now, has too much time passed to rekindle feeling which never really died? NOW AND FOREVER is a modern story of a high school reunion and of seeing the one who got away and how much they've changed. It's the reopening of possibilities. It's the time to aplolgize and get on (or get it on) with their lives.
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