The Wedding Day Collection by various authors

The Wedding Day Collection 

By Various Authors

Book Blurb:
The honor of your presence is requested to the pages of The Wedding Day Collection, an anthology of tales celebrating that love-inspired event. All of these short stories rev
olve around the romance of the wedding day. From an unexpected bump and an outspoken wedding crasher to a missing groom, we hope these stories will make you smile and warm your heart.

Always the Groomsman
by Margaret Ethridge

What a treat! If you've read Margaret Ethridge's fabulous book, Commitment you are going to reaaallly love Always the Groomsman. If you haven't had the pleasure of reading the full length novel Commitment than you are still going to enjoy Always the Groomsman because it is a sweet, light hearted story that has an overbearing family take over what was to be a small, discrete wedding ceremony. Maggie and Tom are a mature couple (not twenty something) and they already have a sweet baby boy with another baby on the way when they finally make their way to declare their wedding vows. The story starts with poor Maggie puking while squatting on the floor at Dunkin Donuts and ends with a river of pink and white streamers and a spray of confetti in a Judge's office. So much fun. 
This is the wedding readers didn't get in Commitment and it was exactly what I was hoping for. Lots of family and love surrounding them. 


Veiled Threat 
by Cheryl Norman

I wasn't a fan of Veiled Threat. The story was to deep requiring far more background and time to tell the story rather than having it jammed into a short anthology. I liked the premise but the leaps of assumptions that the protagonists had to make to move this story forward quickly were way to unbelievable. Also due to the how short the story was, there was too many conveniences. For example she was drugged, kidnapped, made a clean get away from kidnapper (he tripped while chasing her) then to have her run to the car (completely not groggy despite just waking up from said drugging) to find the keys conveniently still in the ignition. I bet if the author was able to stretch out the story and not make everything so favourable, it would have been better. 


White Wedding
by Karen Stivali

White Wedding was a fairly undramatic story of a couple, in love and getting married. It was a whole lot of fluff. Sweet instant messages over the computer, lots of gooey compliments and love. Unfortunately, a very unforgettable story. 


Wine, Roses and Twins
By Suzanne Lilly

Well that was fun! I read Wine, Roses and Twins so fast because it was action packed. I think I was exhausted from the adrenaline rush reading about the trek to get the maid of honour to the hospital in time for her baby deliveries. I have to say, I adored this story. There was such closeness between the sisters and I loved how sweet and fitting it was that a new set of sisters entered the world. 


Schrodinger's Cake
by Ute Carbone

Another cute story. When Evan had a slight car accident bumping into the back of Gina's bakery van, he may have been thankful that she didn't get hurt but the smashed wedding cake was a different story. I actually saw this story all playing out in my head. I really liked it. I thought it was a bit of a reach that Evan was already thinking about "love" regarding Gina but maybe that is what love at first sight is really about. Evan and Gina made a great team.  


Not Getting Married Today
by Jennifer Johnson

I loved Not Getting Married Today. I think I loved it so much because I could really relate to the David's girlfriend, Janie. You see David is a preacher (a really cool preacher I might add) and his girlfriend Janie is not religious at all. She is a very nice person, she has high morals and all her friends lean on her for support but she does not attend church. The problem is that David really wants to start with some sort of marriage conversation with her and she is just waiting for the dreaded "Jesus" talk. She has been waiting and waiting and waiting and yet, David never brings up how he plans to save her soul. This belated conversation is exactly how I feel when I find out someone is religious. I almost avoid them because I am so sure that they are going to pounce on me and try to convert me or shame me. 
     Ultimately the interesting thing about Not Getting Married Today is that the story is actually about a couple who are at the church about to get married by David when a massive secret comes of the closet. David and Janie are supposed to be the side story but really they are the main protagonists. Very clever of the author. 


All Action, No Talk
by Evelyn Jules

All Action, No Talk is a delightful story that includes circus performers and love. When I think of romantic couples, I admit that a clown and a mime are not a likely pair that comes to mind. However Evelyn Jules pulls it off. Alice (a professional circus clown) finds herself about to get married to the wrong man and knows she is going to make the biggest mistake of her life. Thankfully the man she has been secretly in love with for years decides that even though he is a professional circus mime, now it is the time to speak up. Alex is used to acting out his story through body motions but he realizes if he doesn't act out in real life, he could lose Alice forever. Now this was a wedding that I would have loved to attend. 


Magnolia Brides
by Valerie Haight

I am on the fence deciding if I liked the story of Magnolia Brides or not. There is a supernatural twist in this love story. I do have to say that I loved this quote and I highlighted it because it rings so true. "A drunk man's words are a sober man's thoughts." That is a brilliant line. Jorrie receives a drunken breakup phone call from her fiance the very night of the wedding rehearsal. My heart was sad for her but I wasn't really feeling the devastation on her part. I suppose it was because her lifetime friend made a huge confession that same night. A memorable night for her in so many ways. 

NOTE: A Wedding Day Collection has a zero heat rating as nothing more than a kiss appears in the stories. Lots of love and fluff. 

Passionate Exhibitions Anthology by various authors

Anthology by various authors




Passionate Exhibitions

By various authors

Book Blurb:

Museums. Places of grandeur and mystery, hidden corners and secrets. Walk the halls of any museum and find a past life in a necklace, an alternate reality in a painting, a terrible curse from a statue, or your wildest fantasies come to life. From the distant past to the far flung future, these stories will titillate and tantalize you. Welcome to the Passionate Exhibition.

Worshiping His Goddess 
By Voirey Linger
James and Hailey's story was heart warming with the perfect ending. I loved this goddess story because James and Hailey are represented as an every day couple that have experienced a fertility problem. The couple realized how distanced they have become with their intimate life turning into ovulation charts and temperatures readings. With the introduction of the Goddess Marguerite painting it gave the couple a pause of realization that they still have each other and how not to loose site of the prosperity they already have with each other as a couple. Loved it! A lot.

Good Vibrations
By Mia Jae
A delicious F/F story that takes place on an airplane AND in a vibrator museum. Good Vibrations had me blushing and feeling so naughty. I loved it. It was awesome that the two women have been best friends since kindergarten and then on girlfriends getaway, they decide to be brave and act on their sexual feelings and attraction for each other. A really well done F/F story. 

Under the Lion's Curse
By Kim Knox
Hmm. I don't think I was a fan of this story. Maybe it was a bit too "out there" for me. With the first two stories being contemporary I was thrown off a bit with this paranormal type of story. Maybe it was a bit too deep and intricate for quick anthology story. 

Portrait of Passion
By Maggie Wells
A sensually hot story. Portrait of Passion was such a carnal delicious storyline. A cop, a sexy artist, a mirror, paints and the couple's chemistry made for a pallet of passion. The fervency of this story was outstanding. I have bookmarked this story for a future re-read. 

The Duke
by Darby York
I am a lover of historical romance so this little story, The Duke, was something that I could really enjoy. It did not disappoint. I loved the author's note at the end of the story as she shared what inspired her to write The Duke. I think it is awesome when someone sees an item and then they can then imagine an entire story based around the trinket or bauble. 

Dragon Rodeo
by Ella Drake
I liked the beginning of the story but then how the couple transitioned or time traveled or where ever they went was choppy. The rest of the story continued to be choppy. It seemed like the author was trying to create a D/s type of theme but when, Rand, the alpha male says, "You're going to sweetly comply with my orders, give everything to me, your complete surrender, or this will be the last day you spend in my tent", I just wanted to skip forward. That statement goes completely against a D/s type of relationship. I'm no expert in BDSM but I have read enough of the genre to know that a proper Dom does not force or give ultimatums for submission. A sub freely gives. 

Virtual Encounters
By Lexie Donovan
The Virtual Encounters story reminded me of a Star Trek simulator where you can step inside inside a virtual setting and all the surroundings seem real. As Katelina walked among the simulated world she encounters Xero who recognized her as different. Once the pair gets to know each other, I liked Xero's comment, "In my culture, mating is all about the foreplay and technique." Well that's a great culture. 

Human Touch
By Evelyn Jules
I wore a smile on face the entire time I read Human Touch. I can't quite remember when an erotic story had me giggling so much. I loved it. No wonder the curator of the museum was so drawn to Julia because she was a hoot. I loved the sexual banter between the couple and the setting for the story was very amusing. I thoroughly enjoyed the story. 

Overall recap review for Passionate Exhibitions - I wish the anthology was either all contemporary stories or genre liked stories. I really like to read short stories to sample "new to me" authors but mixing up genres did not allow me to appreciate the various themes as I maybe would have if they were with the same type of genres.

Having said that, I really did like the clever theme that focused around museums. For the price of 2.99 on Amazon, I felt I more than got my money's worth. A great deal for sure. There was a little bit of something for everyone. Some great memorable stories and I have decided to look up a few more of these authors to see what else they have published. 

All Bets Are On by Various TMP Authors

All Bets Are On

Various Turquoise Morning Press Authors – Cheryl Norman, Jan Scarbrough, Margaret Ethridge, Christina Wolfer, Shanon Grey and Krista Ames

Book Blurb:

Romance ~ Mystery ~ Murder
Some might say placing (and winning!) a win, place and show bet-a trifecta-is the triple threat of racing, and to the winner goes the spoils. In this Kentucky Derby themed short story collection, All Bets Are On! the trifecta may include romance, mystery and even murder! We're betting you'll find a story or two to savor as you sip a mint julep, study the daily racing form, and pick out your Derby hat. We hope you enjoy.

Remember My Love by Cheryl Norman – A very quick story of forgiveness and second chances. Don’t let the one you love get away from you.

The Winner by Jan Scarbrough – I completely loved The Winner. I’d love the author to do a follow up story. I really liked the introduction of the character’s past and that it gave the reader a chance to recognize that the two had history. It was priceless the way the author wrote the detailed description of what Regina was wearing and what she was driving to pick up Parker Stuart from the airport. These two seem to be an unlikely pair and I’d love to read how they handle the Richlawn Estate together as a couple.

“Does everyone in Kentucky drive this fast?”

“Until we get caught.” LOL

 Going the Distance by Margaret Ethridge – My favourite of the anthology. I’ve been following Jack and Ellie in all the Turquoise Morning Press anthologies and probably that was my reason for buying this book. I love this couple. Very sneaky Ms. Ethridge ending the story on a moment when they declared their “I love yous”. Well it’s a good thing I already have their stand-alone book “The Feeling is Pari-Mutuel" to read right away.

As Luck Would Have It by Christina Wolfer – The story starts out “Jack Warsaw was a mean son of a bitch” and he was. I was wanting to take a horse crop from his hands and whip him. No, not in a sexy kinky way. Just the cruel way he whipped his horses. Well Jack turns up dead the morning of the Kentucky Derby and there is no shortage of suspects. I enjoyed this little mystery and it's cast.

Glynda’s Dare by Shanon Grey – Glynda’ Dare was like a smooth sultry Country and Western song. I loved it. Alot. Check out this amazing line that I saved to my clippings, “he looked into her eyes not saying a word but saying everything.” Yep I loved this awesome little story. I completely loved the ending too. I was sad when it was over.

Whiskey’s Sweet Revenge by Krista Ames – A feisty vet and a race horse owner are thrown together by a father’s meddling. Great character matches and nice winning ending.