Title:
Dangerous Lovers:
Roses and Thorns
Author:
Lark Westerly
Publisher:
Extasy Books
ISBN:
1-55410-081-X
Copyright Date:
N/A
Format:
Electronic
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Dangerous Lovers: Roses and Thorns is an anthology of eight stories that run the gamut from tongue-in-cheek to creepy. Roses and Thorns is a very accurate description of the types of lovers referred to in the title. Included are vampires, werewolves, hermits, faeries, witches and warlocks. Lark Westerly seems to touch on every kind of dark fantasy one could imagine. There are successful conclusions, as well as some not-so-happy ones.
Ten - a sci-fi fantasy where an importer of interplanetary male studs falls for "Number 10," an excellent specimen in her latest shipment;
Lady Of The Night - a teenage prostitute becomes a vampire and finally finds closure..
Moon Madness - a female werewolf finds not only passionate nights, but also a kindred spirit in the local hermit.
No More Lies - it's too late when a husband realizes that he shouldn't have taken his wife at face value.
Lady Valentine - a woman finds that human men can suck the life out of you worse than vampires do.
Procurator Royal - the tables are turned on a gambling rogue.
The Seventh Chance - .a want ad turns out to be for the job from Hell.
A New Broom - a sexy door-to-door salesman with a unique payment plan. Monthly installments have never been so appealing!
Ms. Westerly skillfully blends the erotic with the macabre. Many times in this genre, the sensual is overpowered by the horror element. That is not the case in Dangerous Lovers. These stories are eerie and unique, but sufficiently passionate. Several are downright romantic. No matter what the theme, they transport the reader completely to that time and place.
I highly recommend this stimulating, well-written anthology. Since it's one of those rare anthologies where all are very good stories, it packs a lot of bang for the reader's buck.
Reviewed by: Shelley
