Reviewer: Robyn Roberts
Title: Tales from the Treasure Trove, Vol. II
Author: Anthology
Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press
E-book ISBN: 1-59374-518-4
Paperback:1-59374-517-6
Release Date: September 2006
Genre/Sub-genre: Futuristic Romance (Other Sub-genres included)
Year/Setting: Earth in the Future (Other Settings included)
Overall rating of the Anthology: 4.0
Sexual content rating: Subtle/Sensual
Profanity Rating: Mild
Karen's (Featured Author) Website:
www.angelfire.com/stars4/kswiesner/index.html
Garnet Lake (Troubled Waters Series, Book 2), by Liz Hunter – Romantic Suspense:
Lee Ann goes back to Garnet Lake to bury her grandmother. She hasn’t been back in years and now she has lots of decisions to make. Should she keep her grandmother’s lake cottage or sell it. Plus she needs to figure out what to do with her life. She’s just lost her job and her finance broke their engagement. It’s just so hard to think when Mike, her first love, begins helping her sort through the work to be done on the cabin. However, he’d prefer to be working on her… And when burglaries and attacks start to happen, how can Lee Ann ever feel safe?
This was a really nice story to read. It was a heart-warming story that was just plain nice.
The Turquoise Cat (North of Nonesuch Series, Book 1), by Jane Toombs – Paranormal Romance:
Olivia inherits her Great-Aunt’s mansion on Lake Superior. She meets Raoul and they feel a strong connection. Her life had been ripped apart by the secrets her ex-husband kept. Will Raoul’s secrets keep them apart? He’s a DNR officer looking into cougar sightings---could the cougar really be him?
This wasn’t my favorite paranormal, but it was gripping enough to keep me reading it past my bedtime. One I just had to finish.
For the Love of Sapphire by Nancy Pirri – American historical:
Sapphire’s brother George has lost all of his money (and then some) at a gaming table. She returns home for the first time in years to help George out of this mess. Then she discovers who holds the debt---her ex-fiancé, Patrick. Since he’s a widower, he suggests she can nanny his children to pay off the debt. Little does she know that he plans to woo her while she is in his employ. Can their love from the past be rekindled?
Set in the late 1800’s, this is a delightful short story. It reads as a novella with all the spirit and passion you’d expect to find in a longer version. Ms. Pirri has a well written story.
Heart of Obsidian (Angels On Patrol Series, Book 2), by Michele Bardsley – Paranormal Romantic Comedy:
What’s a girl to do? Delphi has lost the obsidian necklace her sister Sophie gave to her before the accident that has left Sophie in a coma. Delphi needs to find it fast for the charity event she’s hosting. She grabs Max the Magnificent to use his psychic abilities to help find it. Little does Delphi know that Max isn’t psychic, he’s a mechanic. But, he’s smart enough to figure out that if faking psychic abilities gets him a little time with Delphi, than a guy’s gotta do what a guy’s gotta do. Toss in matchmaking sister Sophie (the AOP, angel on patrol) and you’ve got a recipe for fun—and maybe some love.
This book dovetails nicely into the point where the first one left off. I don’t think new readers will have any trouble catching up on the past. It’s an incredibly quick read and just rings out with fun. Ms. Bardsley has written a quick-witted, fun romantic comedy.
Misbehavin’ in Moonstone (A Mischief in Moonstone Story, Book 2), by Christine DeSmet – Humorous Romantic Mystery:
Kirsten’s restaurant isn’t getting much business. The men of Moonstone, Wisconsin, are suddenly enamored with fishing every night. When Kirsten investigates and finds out a topless boat is floating just outside of Moonstone’s jurisdiction---she’s outraged and stirs up all the women as well. When the furor causes the mayor to have a heart attack, Kristen is forced to negotiate as the interim mayor. Little does she know that Jonathon (the boat’s owner) plans to wed her as part of the business bargain. Then the sparks really fly.
This is probably my favorite story in the book. It’s a mystery, a romance and a comedy all rolled into one. Ms. DeSmet has a wonderful sense of humor that really shows through. Some of her word choices had me in stitches. I should also point out that for a book that’s second in the series, it really stands alone so new readers won’t be lost.
Featured Review:
The Amethyst Star by Karen Wiesner – Futuristic Romance:
After an Intergalactic War, the fighters from Earth return to find the planet nearly void of humans. All have been killed by Carnivores---a tiger-like beast who hunts humans. With nearly all of the women dead, they begin the process of trying to repopulate the earth. The leaders harvest eggs from child-bearing aged women (now known as Queens) and children are produced in labs. The elders want to ensure the purity of the human race so no inter-species relationships are allowed. Also, from this point in history forward, men and women are kept apart to keep relationships from forming. They are raised in separate dorms and the family unit has been dissolved. To fight the Carnivores, Hunters from the planet Chaashane have been brought to earth. There are also Patrollers who guard the Queens.
Randolf the Hunter is very aware of Queen Sher. He is about to go through the change of life where he picks a bond-mate (wife). He is increasingly aware that Queen Sher of the Amethyst Star is the one whom the Creator has chosen for his bond-mate. This would be fine if anybody was allowed to mate and if the humans would tolerate an inter-species union. However, if he doesn’t bond with Sher, he may die.
I loved how Sher & Randolf fight the attraction they feel for each other. Plus the prophecy over Randolf adds an aura of mystery. Ms. Wiesner has written a futuristic book that is easy to read and follow. If you’ve never read a futuristic book, this would be a good one to cut your teeth on. Since it’s Earth in the future, it’s easy to understand and follow what happens. While I thought the first couple of chapters moved a little slowly, the book picked up in speed and intensity. By the end, I couldn’t stop reading. It’s a very compelling story that keeps you on the edge until the end.
The fulfillment of the prophecy came out of nowhere to me. It was not at all what I had expected, yet it fit the story perfectly. I doubt I’ll be the only one who says, "I didn’t see that one coming!" I also thought it was a nice length as a novella. It felt finished and didn’t feel like we had to gloss over parts to get the shortened format. Ms. Wiesner has another well-written book to her credit. Let’s just say we’ve got another "keeper" from Ms. Wiesner!
Robyn
Question or comment regarding the review or the book? Click here and let Robyn know.
Top
Reviews
Featured Reviews
Archived Reviews