Legendary Tails IV

Ellora's Cavemen: Legendary Tails IV was one of the freebies I received when I attended the Utah RWA Conference last month. There are six stories in the anthology, so I won't post the blurbs here, but I really, really liked the stories in this book: 4.5 out of 5.

The first story in the book was the one I read last--I was a bit turned off by the title: Orgasm Fairy by Ashleigh Raine. I figured the story would be about endless orgasming (read: no plot), but I'm pleased to report there is a fun story here. The bad poetry at the poetry reading made me laugh: "Only I can fertilize the swollen berries of her womanhood. . . ." It's not from the hero or heroine, by the way. Orgasm Fairy doesn't take itself too seriously and readers who want something light should enjoy it too: 4 out of 5.

Next is Marly Chance's Overcome. This story brings two former partners back together again. This story has a little of everything--suspense, adventure, and romance. I like stories where one character has to develop trust, and this is an issue in Overcome. I only wish the story were longer; there's a lot packed in these pages: 4 out of 5.

Secrets We Keep by Mandy M. Roth is the third story about two longterm friends who finally give in to what they feel for each other. I tend to have mixed reactions to alpha heroes; sometimes they border on overbearing. Dane's definitely an alpha, but I love him anyway because of how much he loves Trish and wants to protect her: 4.5 out of 5.

The next story is A Love Eternal by N.J. Walters. This story is completely fascinating, partly because of the world Walters creates. With a title like A Love Eternal, I expected a vampire romance. That's not what this is. I very much enjoyed this story of two lonely people who find love and hope in each other: 4.5 out of 5.

The fifth story is Ravyn Wilde's Keeper of Tomorrows. Like Walters, Wilde offers a unique spin on the paranormal. Although I found it surprising that the heroine responded so well to a certain transformation--I thought she might have needed more time to get used to it--the rest of the characterization made up for it: 4.5 out of 5.

Jaid Black's Seeds of Yesterday concludes the anthology and was perhaps the biggest surprise of the book. I had heard things about Black's work that made me think it would be hardcore BDSM. It wasn't. Don't get me wrong--it's plenty explicit, but there's a strong romance to ground the story. Reading this story brought tears to my eyes more than once, and I've read Seeds of Yesterday twice more since the first time. 5 out of 5.