Diamond Assets by Ruth D. Kerce
Ronni Strickland has worked for Hunter Dunlap for six months at Everlasting Love, a company that deals in all things romantic, including lingerie and sex toys. Ronni and Hunter have been attracted to each other for a long time, but due to their working relationship, they both decided, on their own, that it's best to keep their relationship professional. But then Hunter's friend sends them on a business trip to Not Only in Your Dreams Resort, where the most erotic of fantasies can come true. Ronni and Hunter are assigned to Bondage Bay where it doesn't take much for them to let go of their inhibitions. But can their newfound happiness last when they aren't in the wild environment of the resort?

As Ronni and Hunter take their relationship to new heights, both finally experience the passion and love they have been waiting a lifetime for. Ms. Kerce has written a very romantic and carnal story that is all about the uncontrolled longings one has in life, and how it takes a special someone to satisfy those longings. This was a great start to the anthology and definitely leaves the reader anxious to read Brian and Paul's stories.

Diamond In the Snow by Diana Hunter
As Carolyn Brooks drives home from her job as an elementary school teacher, she hits a deer and spins out of control, landing in a snow bank. She doesn't know what she's going to do as the snow doesn't seem to be letting up any time soon. Luckily, senior high school English teacher Paul Anderson rescues her, bringing Carolyn to his house to recover and wait for the storm to blow over. The unexpected attraction that flares up between them is as shocking as the storm itself. Carolyn and Paul both have needs. Carolyn wants to submit to a man, but she can't seem to find the right man. Paul is a Dominant in search of the perfect woman. He's also very ashamed of his urges, believing them to be wrong and cruel. It will take a special woman to convince him that even the most unusual of sexual acts can be perfectly normal and loving when the right people are together. Will Carolyn be able to prove to Paul that his needs are okay or will she leave his house just as alone as when she first entered it?

This was another satisfying story. Paul and Carolyn's loneliness comes through very clearly in this story. Ms. Hunter has quite the task ahead of her in uniting these characters, and she does it with grace and lots of romance. The theme of BDSM is again revisited, but just as in Diamond Assets, it is a very soft and passionate version, nothing that should be offensive to readers, especially readers of the BDSM genre.

Diamond In the Rough by Ruby Storm
Claire Holliday and Brian Valentine are both in need of a little Valentine's Day cheer and two little fairies are determined to bring it to them. Rosebud Kisses and Larry L'amour are assigned by Cupid to make Claire and Brian fall in love. They have quite the challenge ahead of them as Claire is blind and doesn't think any man wants to put up with her disabilities, while Brian is badly scarred from a horrible tragedy during his days as a fireman. Now he runs The Valentine Shoppe, a flower store known statewide for its amazing roses. When Claire comes into the store looking for some plants with distinct aromas, Brian is more than willing to help her out. She can't see him, and thus, can't be offended by his scars. In the mean time, the arrow that was destined to unite Claire and Brian goes awry and hits Rosebud instead, causing her to become one very sexual fairy, a fairy who wants to forget about their mission in order to fulfill her own cravings. Will Brian and Claire fall in love anyway, or will Rosebud and Larry's mission be a failure?

Diamond In the Rough is an enchanting story that uses the theme of Valentine's Day and all it represents to bring together two souls who are hurting and aching for love. Brian and Claire are great characters who will definitely touch your heart with the things they have suffered through. Their tale of love is the perfect example of how affection can grow between anyone, that all it takes is a little tender loving care. The subplot featuring Larry and Rosebud is sure to bring a smile to your face as they attempt to make Claire and Brian fall in love. All in all, this was a great way to end an excellent anthology.

Diamond Studs was not only a lot of fun to read, but it has plenty of erotic sexual encounters, lots of humor, some unbelievable situations, and of course, love. Get your hands on a copy of this story as soon as you can.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Explicit

Reviewer: Sarah W
January 28, 2005