Binding: Paperback
EAN: 9781592797516
ISBN: 1592797512
Label: Amber Quill Press, LLC
Languages: Array
Manufacturer: Amber Quill Press, LLC
Number Of Pages: 158
Publication Date: 2006-02-01
Publisher: Amber Quill Press, LLC
Release Date: 2006-02-16
Studio: Amber Quill Press, LLC

Robin wants the leprechaun's treasure. Magnus wants a new job. Keane wants a new life. Connell wants to change the past. Rhea wants a new coat. What these diverse individuals find instead, however, is love and passion that will forever change their lives.

Sometimes, love is best when it's unexpected.

Previously available only in electronic format, these steamy stories of erotic romance by award-winning author Megan Hart have now been combined—due to popular demand—for a paperback edition!

Included are the tales...

Amidst A Crowd Of Stars
Emerald Isle
Everything Counts
Moonlight Madness
Monster In The Closet

Customer Rating:
Summary: An Unexpected Gem
Comment:
After reading a string of so-so books, I picked up Megan Hart's UNEXPECTED without much expectation and was, therefore, totally unprepared for this truly amazing collection of short stories.

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AMIDST A CROWD OF STARS. Lujawed is a harsh desert planet, and homesteader Marrin Levy and her three children are struggling to survive after the death of her husband. After several years, Marrin finally decides to send away for a "field husband"--a marriage of convenience to a man to help her work the land and take care of things. She was expecting someone different--different from the strange, handsome, alien, ageless Seveeran who is looking for a new life. What she gets is Keane Delacore. What she gets is better than anything she could have imagined.

Although all of the stories in this collection are terrific, I wish this story had been placed at the end of the collection rather than the beginning because I thought it was the strongest. Ms. Hart essentially tells this story backwards, with the most recent events giving way to the earlier events--and it's a unique and effective way to have the story unfold. In addition, Ms. Hart creates a complete and believable world, interesting characters, and a sexy, tender romance within a handful of pages. This story really moved me. In fact, I have to say it did something pretty unusual--it made me cry.

EMERALD ISLE. This swashbuckling tale opens with Robin Steele being forced to walk the plank of the pirate queen's ship. Luckily, Robin doesn't really get eaten by sharks, but his wife Eleanor did have to give up the leprechaun's magic emerald to the greedy queen. The two set off to recover the gem and locate the rest of the leprechaun's treasure. Their adventure is perilous and they must match wits against both the pirate queen and the leprechaun while never losing sight of what is truly important.

EVERYTHING COUNTS. Elspeth Valerin is an instructor of Arithmancy at Somnus Keep, and her life is ruled by numbers and order. Unfortunately, her control of the thrall is incomplete due to her inability to open up and trust a man enough to take him as her lover. When she joins a group of instructors at a pub, she comes face to face with the handsome owner, Connell Byrne. Years earlier, Connell had been her first love, but could never have been her first lover because he didn't have magic and would have compromised her own potential as a magicreator. Connell knew this, but has carried the bitterness of her rejection and abandonment. Now that they are reunited, they both have a chance to heal their wounds and rediscover love--if only Elspeth can calculate the right course of action.

MOONLIGHT MADNESS. Plain Rhea is on her way to a nightclub when she is diverted by the shop signs: One night only! Moonlight Madness! Prices Slashed! Inside the dark store, Rhea finds the most amazing coat, a coat that transforms her into a beautiful, desirable--in fact, irresistible--woman when she puts it on. After buying the coat for a pittance, Rhea wears it to the club where she becomes the center of attention--especially Ted's. Rhea had never had a man like Ted interested in her but the mysterious coat makes anything possible, at least for awhile.

MONSTER IN THE CLOSET. Tessa Hanson has a monster in her closet. Unfortunately for him, the monster forgot to put on his uniform so instead he looks just like a gorgeous naked man. In fact, a gorgeous naked man who is intent upon seducing Tessa in order to win his wings (so to speak) as an incubus. Tessa's definitely interested in the sex, but finds it more difficult to let go and give up control enough to allow herself to be seduced. Clever Magnus the monster is up to the challenge, tho, and they have a night together that changes both of their lives. Boo.

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Recently, I seem to have read a lot of short stories that have been dragged out to novel length. Ms. Hart, on the other hand, accomplishes the feat of creating whole worlds within a few satisfying pages. If done correctly, short stories are much more difficult to write than novels. Ms. Hart not only does it right, she makes it seem effortless. And each of these worlds and their characters are unique, not just cookie cutter versions of the previous stories with a few changes. These stories run the gamut from sci fi to fantasy to adventure to horror, as well as from torrid sex to tender, everlasting love. This book is not to be missed.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Everything Counts
Comment: Elspeth Valerin likes numbers. Actually, her life is all about numbers! Elspeth teaches arithmancy, the study of numbers used to make predictions, at the local magic academy. Elspeth is not perfect at her craft, but she does a good job and enjoys her work. But she needs a break, so her friends decide to convince her to go to the local tavern with them. Elspeth is reluctant, but she agrees. Unexpectedly, her night out erupts into a deluge of painful memories from her past when she encounters Connell Byrne, a man from her childhood.

Connell Byrne owns the local tavern. He is surprised and shocked when he sees Elspeth sitting at the table with her friends. Elspeth is as beautiful as Connell remembers and he still feels a pull toward her. Memories from their past assault him, and while some are pleasant, most just hurt him. Elspeth broke his heart years ago and he still is not over it.

Elspeth knows that seeing Connell again is not simply chance because the numbers have been indicating a change in her future. Both Elspeth and Connell are going to have to face some painful truths from their pasts if they ever hope to move forward.

Everything Counts is a touching story about the choices we make to protect ourselves and the ones we love. Elspeth and Connell were separated when their love was new and blossoming. Elspeth is a kind person who lives a quiet life because she cannot move past the pain and tragedy of her past. She is limited by the choices she made and does not think that she can change. Connell thought he had put his past behind him, until he sees Elspeth again. Connell realizes that he must close that part of his past one way or another. Connell and Elspeth definitely have chemistry and share a romantic connection.

Everything Counts moved quickly and kept me engaged and rooting for both Elspeth and Connell. Megan Hart exhibits how one moment can completely alter lives and that sometimes confronting history can make one stronger. She does a wonderful job creating characters who worked their way into my heart and mind. Ms. Hart reminded me that Everything Counts, especially forgiveness and love!

Gracie
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

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