Linn Random's contribution is a sweet comedy called HAUNTED HEARTS.

For months Devin has been lusting after Stuart Evans but she avoided him because he was too sexy, too handsome, too charming, too cool and the only thing you could get out of loving a guy like that was destroyed.

Stuart was the new owner of the Somerset Inn, supposed to be the most haunted place on the Halloween ghost tour. Even though psychic talent ran in her family and her grandmother predicted Devin would be especially powerful, she'd never seen a ghost. Until tonight.

Stuart has just sunk all his resources into renovating the Somerset Inn and now the ghost of old Cyrus Somerset, a poltergeist, was determined to drive everyone out.

The other ghosts sent Roxie, the ghost of a 1926 flapper who'd been murdered on premises, to get help. She seeks out Devin. When Stuart catches Devin trespassing, he falls in love, but he doesn't believe in ghosts. That is, he didn't before old Cyrus put on a violent show in the sitting room.

Since Stuart can't stay at the Inn he had to spend the night at Devin's house. Devin enlisted Pandora (whose real name is Mary Louise, shh), the owner of the bookstore where she works and a member of The Psychic Association of Paranormal Activity of St. Augustine or PAPAS, for short. Pandora called for a Code Red Emergency tonight, because everyone knows that ghosts can't come out in the daytime. Just as they are about to enter the house to prepare for tonight, the door opens on its own. They know the ghosts are waiting for them, ready to play.

I loved this story. It kept me laughing. The only negative thing about it is that we will have a hard time waiting until it comes out in December to see the last installment.

The second story in the anthology is A LOVE FOR ALL TIME by Lynne Connolly. The book is worth buying for this story alone, in my opinion. It is a beautiful love story set in England during the time between when Napoleon is exiled and he escapes to wage war again.

Cassandra married Edward, an Earl, with high hopes and love in her heart like any young girl with dreams of a home and family. Unfortunately, Edward's cousin and heir had more influence upon him than his new bride. William leads Edward astray in a life of debauchery, hoping to kill him before Cassandra can bear a son so that William can take the title, lands and fortune.

After six years, her heart broken, Cassandra has given up on Edward. She lives alone in the country home except on holidays when Edward and William bring an entourage of drunken swine and whores to the country house for entertainment. On Halloween, Cassandra tells Edward she might be pregnant to avoid the group. He did come to her room and pass out a couple of weeks ago, so he believes it could be possible.

Cassandra's only comfort is the voice she has been hearing in her head for months. She thinks that she is crazy, but on Halloween the man that belongs to the voice becomes corporeal and Edward's long deceased ancestor appears to her. Tonight they can be together and express their love. He can come back once a year on Halloween. Their love is so strong it will be enough. To her amazement Cassandra realizes she really is pregnant.

William drags Edward off to war hoping to get him killed. Now that Cassandra might be giving birth to his usurper, he can't let her live either. Can a ghost protect Cassandra and her child?

This is a wonderfully classic historical love story. I felt so satisfied with the way everything turned out. You'll love it, too.

The third story is SAVAGE LOVE by Audrey Godwin. Related in the manner of a legend, it is the story of Jessabelle and Juba, a young couple deeply in love. They live in the hill country, a world unto itself. They want for nothing that they can't produce themselves.

Everyone knows that Jessabelle and Juba were deeply in love. Jessabelle won't make love with Juba until they're wed. Lots of other women offer because Juba is very fine.

A painted hussy from the town came to the barn dance. Every man there stopped what he was doing and stared. She wanted Juba and he went with her because she wasn't going to wait for anything.

Jessabelle was so distraught, she went to an old witch for help to win Juba back, no matter what the cost. When Juba sees Jessabelle he is shocked that she doesn't want to wait anymore and afterward he asks her to marry him but she can't. She has to leave by midnight and go into the dark woods. Juba notices her body starting to change as she runs into the shadows.

After midnight Jessabelle transforms into a huge panther prowling for blood. It is the price the old witch extracted.

Rumors began to circulate about a murdering monster that lives in the woods. Everyone was afraid and hunted the monster with torches and guns. The monster is shot and it turns into Jessabelle. Juba realized then what Jessabelle had done. He takes her to the witch for care. Jessabelle asks the witch to remove the curse from Juba so he will be free of his love for her. Then the witch tells her that Juba isn't under a spell, he's always been in love with her. But Jessabelle is cursed and there is no way to change her back. Is Juba's love for Jessabelle as deep as her love for him?

This story is rated explicit and is a great scary Halloween story.

I recommend BOO as a thoroughly entertaining Halloween read.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Very sensual/Explicit

Reviewer: Karen H.
November 2, 2005