Men At Work

Rating:
Summary: Anthology
Review: **** There's something for pretty much anyone and everyone here. For those who are not huge paranormal fans, Slow Hands, a story of homecomings and second chances fits the bill nicely, thanks to Ms. Dennison. For the paranormal crowd there are two stellar entries. First, Color Me Wicked, features a cameo by Sparkle Stardust, the feline trouble maker extraordinare' Ms Bangs introduced us to in her most recent book. This time, Sparkle is a bit more in charge, appearing just long enough to send Deimos on his mission to handle Con and Mandy's lives as the two work on making Sparkle's Castle of Dark Dreams live up to its name- in multiple ways. In the debates email loops engage in about which literary cat is the best, if they don't vote Nina's felines at the top, there was a miscount. They rule. Finally, Ms Davidson takes a break from vampires to give us an extraordinarily sastifying ghost story with a twist. While anthologies in general seem too rushed and brief, there are exceptions, and this is one of them, standing out as an example of what they all should be. ****

Rating:
Summary: wonderful contemporary novellas
Review: Denison. Though in love as high school sweethearts, Tess Monroe, encouraged by her grandmother, left Morgan Kane behind in Wynhaven to go off to school and be somebody. Eight years later, she is back to sell her deceased grandmother's house that needs restoring; Morgan's company is doing the work. Both realize the spark remains fiery between them, but Tess plans to leave once her work is finished.

Bangs. Cosmic troublemaker extraordinaire Sparkle Stardust mentors klutzy Deimos on how interfering in human relationships is the most fun in the universe. Her targets are former lovers Amanda Harcourt and Conleith Maguire. Interior designer Amanda is back in Galveston restoring the Castle of Dark Dreams having left town and Conleith for New York ten years ago. Conleith's firm has the painting contract on the restoration project. Both realize the spark remains hot between them, but Amanda plans to depart once her work is finished.

Davidson. Temporary worker Cathy Wyth buys a late nineteenth century fixer-upper before realizing what a foul mouthed obnoxious neighbor Ken Allen is or that she has a kind hearted resident ghost in Jack. As Cathy and Jack begin to fall in an impossible love, Ken turns even more nasty and boorish if that is possible.

The male blue collar restoration themes connect these wonderful contemporary novellas that cross sub-genres from second chance to paranormal with twists. The lead couples are wonderful pairings including the ghostly hunk and the support cast solid as each author provides a superior entertaining contribution.

Harriet Klausner


Rating:
Summary: Awesome Stories
Review: Men At Work anthology sizzles from the first page.

Slow Hands by Janelle Denison is a titillating story about Tess Monroe and Morgan Kane. Tess is back in town after being away since high school. She had left Morgan behind with his heart broken. Now Tess has come back and has hired Morgan to repair her grandmother's house. The sparks between these two really fly. WOW. Slow hands is another keeper by Janelle Denison.

Nina Bangs brings a taste of the supernatural in Color Me Wicked. Amanda Harcourt has come back to help redecorate The Castle of Dark Dreams. She has to work with painter and former lover Conleth Maguire. With a nosey physic cat, plants that thrive when lovemaking is near, this is a fun filled, lusty story. Amanda and Con really do liven up this castle.

The Fixer-Upper by MaryJanice Davidson is another witty, sexy read. Cathy Wyth is exciting to be a new homeowner. Cathy feels another presence in her home but its seems to be a friendly spirit. Upon moving in she meets her neanderthal neighbor Ken Allen. Ken takes over helping Cathy move in and get the shock of his life. Little does Cathy know but her friendly ghost now lives in Ken's hot body. MaryJanice Davidson delivers a funny, lively, hot story.



Rating:
Summary: Fun anthology! (3 1/2 stars)
Review: Men at Work was a fun anthology to read. You get three novellas about gorgeous, sweaty men doing a lot of work with their hands in more ways than one. I loved Nina Bangs's feline novella called Color Me Wicked. It is based on a series that I have not read, but the novella is a great stand-alone with a sensual male character to boot. And I adored MaryJanice Davidson's Fixer Upper. This is a unique love story about a woman who buys an old Victorian house. She later finds out that the house is haunted. But Jack the ghost is far sweeter and considerate than the obnoxious, vulgar, but gorgeous neighbor Ken. The development of this story is quite interesting. I loved the characters and their quips, especially Nikki. This is the creative Davidson that I know and love. Fixer Upper is my favorite novella in the anthology. I found Janelle Denison's Slow Hands boring at best. The story of a woman who reunites with her sexy ex is not unlike every Denison story I have read. Her descriptions and characters' lines are so repetitive. But I do like the way she writes her erotic scenes.

I recommend Men at Work if you're in the bargain for fun, no-fuss escapism. This Berkley anthology sort of reminds me of Brava's bad boy anthologies, except that they allow the writers to be more creative here. As said earlier, Fixer Upper is the best in this collection and I recommend this anthology for that story alone.

Rating:
Summary: A Fun And Quick Read!
Review: This was a fun set of stories with a little something for everyone. I'm hard pressed to pick a favorite as all three stories were different but offered fun qirky characters and fun storylines.

Two of the stories (offered by Nina Bangs and MaryJanice Davidson) are paranormal. Ms Davidson's trade mark wit and humor are more than evident, and Ms. Bang's trademark sensuality is buring hot and bright. Ms. Denison brings back together two lovers that have not forgotten the other...nor the hurt that caused them to separate. But fear not they both take advantage of the second chance they are offered.

These were not "blow your mind reads" but they were good from some of today's best authors. Why not a higher rating than? Well, since they are such talented authors and I've read several of their full lenghth stories I expected a little more from them. Still this was a fun book if you are wanting a book to read that will not be time consuming and quick than this is the read for you.

Official Reviewer for www.romancedesigns.com