"Each story is delightful and intriguing!"
This, without a doubt, has to be one of the best romantic
fantasy anthologies that this reviewer has had the
opportunity to read. Each story is unique and each has an
intriguing twist to it, one that will keep you reading long
into the night in order to finish this outstanding
anthology. The first story Winterfair Gifts by Lois McMaster Bujold
gives us the story of Miles Vorkosigan's wedding as told by
the Vorksokgan's Armsman Roic. Of course nothing goes
smoothly especially because of Miles' various and sundry
friends he's chosen to bring with him in honor of his
wedding. Miles' soon to be wife becomes severely ill. Is it
pre-wedding jitters or something even worse? The next story The Alchemical Marriage by Mary Jo Putney
brings Guardian Sir Adam Macrae and sorceress Isabelle de
Cortes together in an attempt to magically turn the Spanish
Armada back in order to save Elizabethan England. Are they
strong enough to do it? What exactly will it take in order
to accomplish this? Stained Glass Heart by Catherine Asaro tells us about
Prince Havryl Torcellei Valdoria (Vryl) and Lily, a
commoner whom Vryl has falling in love with. When his
parents want to make an extremely political match with him
and Brigadier General Davon Majda, Vryl knows it's only a
matter of time but what alternative does he have. Does he
have the courage to convince Lily to run away with him and
cause an international incident? Deb Stover puts a unique spin in her reincarnation story in
Skin Deep. She not only has Nick Riley come back from the
dead to help his widow Margo find her true soul mate but a
cruel trick is played on him when he comes back as a drop
dead gorgeous redhead named Raquel Eastwood. Nick also
cannot believe that in order for him to finally get to
heaven, he has to get Margo together with his worst enemy,
Jared Carter. It seems Nick has to learn a few more lessons
in life before he's ready for heaven. The Trouble with Heroes by Jo Bevereley gives us quite a
different hero and heroine. Dan Fixer does just that. He
fixes things, people, etc. He and Jenny grew up together
until he had to leave due to being tested as a fixer. Now
that the blighters have come back, Dan and the other fixers
have to try to figure out how to conquer them before they
turn all humans into ash. What Dan can't figure out is why
the blighters are doing it. Jenny has always been close to
Dan but now she just can't understand him and he's a little
bit scary but still she has to stand behind him as he and
the other fixers are their planet's last hope. The last story is written by Jennifer Roberson and the
title is Shadows in the Wood. This story features Sir Robin
of Locksley and Marian in an exceptional tale about finding
King Arthur's Excalibur for Merlin and returning it back to
the lake. Even they are both injured, they stumble on the
enchanted wood and bring Merlin back from where he was
interred in a tree by a sorceress so they can finish the
quest. These stories delighted and intrigued me. As much as I
enjoyed this anthology, the next thing on my agenda will be
to hunt for more stories by these remarkably talented
authors. Reviewed by Kathy Boswell
Posted February 5, 2004
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted November 16, 2006
|
