Phoenix Rising II

This is another great anthology of wonderful stories by some of New Concepts top authors. Two of my favorite authors are in this anthology and this reviewer was happy to be able to read them.

Pleasure Master by Angelique Anjou

A strange, alien artifact plows into a newly completed space station. As medical/science officer, Anya Rambo investigates she finds more than the remains of a dead alien. Legion is awakened and it doesn’t look like anyone can resist the handsome god.

Debt of Honor by Elizabeth Batten-Carew

When Angelica gets off her plane while it’s refueling to get some souvenirs, she never imagines she’d end up in a harem and have to be punished for embarrassing the family of the Sheik.

Contact by Jaycee Clark

A serial killer is about. P.I. Daxton Adams finds out that he’s after Meredith Fox, the woman who had scorned him.

Prince of Desire by Donna Grant

Lucian Sinclair has left his magical home in search of his mate. He only has a certain amount of time to find her and persuade her to return with him and she must come of her own accord.

Mating Behavior by Mandy M. Roth

Alan wants Katie so bad, but he has to keep his distance. Hiking alone with her is not conducive to his ‘hands off’ policy, but taking her could mean death for them both.

The reader will certainly enjoy this read. The Pleasure Station was a wonderful read, dark and hot. There is a wonderful twist at the end that left this reviewer gasping. Debt of Honor was the only story in this anthology that this reviewer couldn’t connect to. It was well written and all, and this reviewer believes that many readers will enjoy it, but this reviewer has never been a great fan of ‘Sheik’ stories. Contact is spooky, creepy and very sensual. A great story! The reader will think twice about online forums after reading this. Prince of Desire is another great story. This reviewer really liked the fact that the hero had to go slow with his heroine and didn’t act like some of the typical alpha male types of ‘hit her over the head and drag her off’ scenarios. Mating Behavior is another great story, full of sexual tension, some dark moments and a very satisfying ending. Very entertaining all round, Phoenix Rising II is not to be missed.

December 2006