Private Places is an anthology featuring the latest works from four authors.

"The Decidedly Devilish Duke" by Allyson James

Ten years ago, Michael Beaulieu, Duke of Bretherton lost Amelia Lockwood due to his mistakes.  He has a chance to win her again and he will take full advantage of the situation.

This was my favorite story of the bunch perhaps because I do enjoy second chance love stories.  Michael and Amelia make a lovely couple.  They are well-developed characters.  There is quite a lot of eroticism and it works within the storyline we are given.  It was well-written and captured my full attention.

 

"A Night at the Theater" by Claudia Dain

Zoe Auvray and Sophia Grey, two courtesans looking for love; each finds their way to happiness. 

The relationships between the participants are fully delineated and we get their history.  Zoe’s story is much stronger and more interesting as her Duke is a complex man.  Both storylines did lack the sexual heat and felt quite bland even though it contained lots of sexual situations.   Featuring two couples, the author does have a lot of ground to cover perhaps this story would have worked better as a full-sized novel as the individual storylines were compelling.
 

"Hunters Mercy" by Shiloh Walker

Jack Callahan is heading home after years of fighting.  He is keeping a promise to his dearest friend to look after his sister, Mercy.   

The only paranormal story in this anthology and set during the 18th century, Hunters Mercy is an action-packed and highly erotic tale.  Ms. Walker does a great job of pulling the reader into the story.
 

"The Men and Women’s Club" by Robin Schone

Ardelle Dennison and Joseph Manning, founders of the Men and Women’s Club are facing a trial as the sexual proclivities of the Club members are exposed to society.

This story seems to be part of a previous series.  Ardelle is a complex character with lots of layers to her.  She is able to reveal some important information during her time with Joseph.   Sex is mentioned a lot but it didn’t engage my interest  it was pretty much ho-hum stuff. 

Private Places contain four stories but only two captured my interest fully.   They all contained lots of sexual action and descriptions designed to arouse; some accomplished that goal and others didn’t.

August 5, 2008