Welcome to Sugarbeat’s Books!
Today we are going to talk about an anthology that has just been released a few weeks ago – Kissed from Beyond. This anthology has been written by four lovely authors – Keta Diablo, Amber Scott, Elise Hepner and Stacey Kennedy. I must admit, rather than going looking for just the cover of this book, I decided to use the badge these lovely ladies sent us to promote this tour because I absolutely love it!
Let’s get some things out of the way before we get down to discussing the four stories! First of all, these authors are going to giveaway two books to commenters on this post or tomorrow’s post. The books they are giving away will be discussed tomorrow, but feel free to comment now to get in the running for some great books! Also keep in mind that this is a blog tour and this book will be discussed at quite a few sites. If you don’t win from my blog, you could win from one of the others. To see where they are heading next, and get the links to those blogs, click here.
Kissed from Beyond, as I said, is an anthology of 4 erotic stories. All four of these stories have something of a paranormal slant to them. I always feel awkward reviewing anthologies for some reason. What I’m going to do is to talk about each story seperately.
The first story is Cradle of Dreams by Keta Diablo. Here’s the blurb:
With visions of battle still fresh in his mind, Roane Bradfield returns home to find the woman he loves betrothed to another. He corners Kendrick Moreland at Dowager Huggins’ Grand Ball and whisks her into the secluded library. One way or the other, he will know the reason the duplicitous beauty cut him from her life when she promised to wait forever.
Kendrick can’t believe her eyes when Roane suddenly appears at the ball. Has he truly risen from the dead? Amid wagging tongues and hushed murmurs, the fantasy of her every dream whisks her from the ballroom. And the expression on his face is anything but loving. Revenge, danger and powerful love collide in the Cradle of Dreams.
Roane is the abandoned lover! He comes back from fighting to find the love of his life, the woman who swore she lived him, engaged to another man. Imagine Kendrick’s shock to encounter him at a ball after he was declared killed in action. Roane didn’t see her collapsing with grief at the news. He didn’t see her crying for days on end. He just sees her engaged to another man. But the Roane who confronts her is much harder man than the tender lover that left her to go to war. It is clear, however, that Roane and Kendrick are soul mates!
This was a beautifully written story. The clarity of the writing allows the reader to be part of that initial confrontation between Roane and Kendrick. The shock of seeing him alive, and the anger on Roane’s part at seeing his love with another man. The chemistry between the two scorches the pages. What is interesting about the way this story is written is that it is sort of written as a dream and has a sigh worthy ending! The secondary characters of Mrs. Higgins and the cat, Miss Calypso are very well done. I especially enjoyed the discussion of Wuthering Heights – reminded me why I loved that story so much! All in all, a great story!
The second story is A Love Soul Deep by Amber Scott. The blurb for this story is:
If only Sara had known no man would ever make her feel like Crew did, she would have let him love her. A regret that can never be undone. His death haunts her dreams and her wishful thinking only reminds her of everything she has lost? Years later, a visit to an antique store in sultry Savannah changes everything and makes her deepest wish come true. Her beloved returns to her. Her every fantasy gets the chance to be fulfilled. But she wants more than one night. She wants a lifetime and wonders what magic will let her keep A Love Soul Deep.
A Love Soul Deep has a bit of a rougher feel to it than the previous story. This story is about Sara and her only love Crew. Crew died many years ago, but Sara continually regrets that she never connsumated her relationship with Crew. He was the only man that she will ever love with the same intensity. During a trip to Savannah with two other girlfriends, she discovers a locket with a picture in it that looks just like Crew and decides that she must buy it. This locket seems to have the power to bring her only love back to her.
I also really enjoyed this story. Sara has spend years regretting what she didn’t do with Crew, and seemingly unable to get over her loss. Her various encounters with Crew are vividly written, drawing the reading into the story. At the end of the first dream, I actually had tears for Sara’s loss. Her frustration at the interruption so realistic! This story was written in contemporary times, unlike the first one that is basically a historical. Completely different feel to the two stories but both great in their own ways.
The third story is One Rub More by Elise Hepner. The blurb for this story is:
Flynn has been cursed for over a century for a social slight he never committed. A voodoo priestess hexed him and forced him into a teapot where he could only be summoned by the rub of a woman’s palm. Once free, he grants these women three sexual favors—and cuts off his own emotions in the process. Unable to break free from an invisible cage of lust and sex to fall in love again, he’s resigned to being a sex object and nothing more.
Helena has been house sitting far, far away from her complicated past in England— including her former childhood sweetheart, who wasn’t satisfied when Helena didn’t want to be barefoot and pregnant. She’s resigned to leave behind the complications of men and sex. She hopes that logic will win out over her unreliable emotions—but she’s put to the test when she accidentally summons Flynn from his teapot prison.
I loved this story! This story is about Helena who is determined to leave men and their issues far behind. To get away from her life, she is house sitting for a friend some distance from her home. She buys an old teapot that has “Rub Me, Baby” inscribed in the metal. After much arguing with her self, she rubs the teapot and starts her experience with her own personal genie! Flynn was cursed years ago, destined to be confined to the teapot only able to grant 3 sexual favors to the women who release him from his prison.
This story is obviously a take off on the genie and the lamp story. What could be better than a drool worthy hunk appearing to grant 3 sexual favors? The chemistry between Flynn and Helena is scorching! I think this is the most graphic of the 4 stories and certainly not for the faint of heart! The interactions and converstions between Flynn and Helena are well written. In just a handful of pages, the reader is completely absorbed in this story and rides the tide of action til the end. Very well written!
The fourth story in this anthology is ‘Til We Meet Again by Stacey Kennedy. The blurb for this one is:
Ethan Thomas has spent years alone, forever trapped between worlds. Once a soldier in the Civil War, he’s now a ghost bound to a chaise lounge that once belonged to him. He’s spent centuries lingering in Savannah, Georgia, waiting to be saved…
Cassandra Cole is an interior designer hired to restore an old Victorian home. As she begins to furnish the home, strange happenings erupt around her. She suspects the house is haunted. Determined to find out, Cassie will set out to discover who the ghost is, why she feels a connection to him, and what she has to do to free him. The answers will surprise her in ways she couldn’t have imagined.
Ethan Thomas has died during the Civil War and has found himself somewhat attached to his favorite chaise lounge. He has spent years watching the world go by most recently from an antique store where his chaise is. Cassandra has been hired to restore and decorate a Victorian home in Savannah, Georgia. When she wanders into this antique store looking for furniture for the house, she feels compelled to buy the chaise even though it is uncomfortable and she has never liked chaises! Once she gets the chaise to the house, she starts feeling as if she is being watched – as if the house is haunted. Apparently it is, because Ethan has come with the chaise!
The story of Cassandra and Ethan was well told and resulted in a beautiful story. I liked the way the author gradually revealed the story. This isn’t a grab you by the throat story. The reader is gently drawn in and carried along like riding down a peaceful river. I thought the characters of Ethan and Cassandra we well written. The various secondary characters added an interesting dimension.
All in all, a wonderful end to a very good anthology. I went into reading this book with a bit of apprehension as I’m not really a fan of paranormal books! I was pleasantly surprised buy all four stories. Some are hotter than others, but all well written and believable. I highly recommend this anthology!
Remember to comment on this post if you want a chance to win a free book by one of these authors! Come back tomorrow and to find out more about each one!
This book is available at Smashwords and Amazon.
hi Barb! what a thorough review. great job! just stopping by to show my support for the tour and for you! c”,)
Hi AO!
Thanks so much for dropping by! Much appreciated!
Great post! I can’t wait to read that book 🙂
leanne_gag@hotmail.com
I’d love the chance to read one of their books!
mk261274 at gmail dot com
I finished this last night and wow it was really good can’t tell you which I liked more , I am not usually a big fan of anthologies because there is usually one or two I don’t care for but I really liked all of them.
My review will be posted on Wednesday
Hi Donna!
I know what you mean! Usually there is at least one that is almost a filler but not the case here! I though all four were equally good! Tough to choose a favorite. I’ll drop by on Wednesday to read what you have to say!