Jaded Beasts

In this anthology, four authors have created stories around the symbol of the horse and the sheep in chinese astrology.

The Prize of Queens by Megan Hussey

When her young neighbor is in danger, Marguerite changes into Pegesus to save him. When she needs help on her ranch, Cole comes by to apply for a job as her ranch hand. He has admired and wanted her from afar and is thrilled to be able to get to know her closer. Horses are being stolen from the neighboring ranches and the only clues are hoof prints and sightings of a strange winged horse. This whole business could threaten Marguerite and Cole’s lives and love.

This is an engaging story with exciting characters, a good plot and some hot loving. Megan Hussey keeps her reader on edge wondering who and what is stealing horses and most of all why. All is surprisingly revealed in the end and the reader can expect a very satisfying read. Ms. Meagen gives her readers a very special story about very special people and this reviewer enjoyed it very much. A hot romance, a plot full of suspense and great characters, what more could a reader want?

Brumbies by Ricci Love

Brumbies are wild horses of Australia where Rebecca and Kurt are business rivals. Kurt’s father intends to buy a piece of land where the Brumbies roam free. Rebecca’s father wants to see them stay that way but knows that Kurt’s father will want to get rid of them. Rebecca and Kurt get involved with each other without knowing that this business of the Brumbies could tear them apart.

This a very magical story that will capture the reader and hold her in its spell. Ricci Love has written about two very high-powered people who share that basic need that is within us all, to find that one person who will see through the glamour and love us for what we are. Only Kurt and Rebecca don’t foresee the trouble coming but they will learn that magic is real and love alone can win the day.

Claiming The Lamb by Meagan Hatfield

Lara is an artist and she has painted a picture of her sister wearing nothing but a pair of earrings. At her art show, a rather strange but potently powerful man appears. Thinking he is interested in her sister, she is surprised to find out that he is interested in the earrings. Later, she finds out that not only is he interested in them, a clan of vampires are too, and Lara’s life is about to be turned upside down when the Dragon meets the Sheep.

Firstly, this reviewer has to say that this was her favorite story in the whole anthology. It’s deliciously dark, somewhat violent, very sexy and wonderfully written. Meagan Hatfield simply draws the reader into this story and fascinates her with Lachlan Black, the hero. He is tortured, very sexy and lustily attracted to the heroine. This reviewer just drooled over him! The plot, the characters, the descriptions are all wonderfully arranged in this short story and this reviewer will be sure to look up other works of Ms. Hatfield.

Three Shakes of a Wolf's Tail by Michael Barnette

Maryanne Lamb is working undercover in a club owned by the Wolf of Hong Kong. She is trying to infiltrate his crime ring. On the night that she finally meets him, all hell breaks loose as he is attacked and surprisingly she helps him escape. Feeling drawn to him and his good looks they run together from the dangerous mob chasing him and while in his arms, Maryanne finds things out about herself that she never thought possible.

This reviewer has read other works from Michael Barnette and has been very impressed with his writing. This short is no exeption and this reviewer enjoyed the story very much. Mr. Barnette has a way of writing that is very visual and the reader can see each scene unfold before her eyes as in a movie. Mr. Barnette gives his readers multi-layered characters, a plot that twists and turns and some very hot sex scenes that will thrill and titillate.

January 2007