A Losing Proposition by Vanessa Hart
Caryn's resolutions were to lose forty pounds and to get laid. That year, she joined a weight management class and met Zach. Zach had allowed his physical appearance to seriously decline after his divorce but resolved to move on with his life and get back to his personal appearance after seeing Caryn, who he believed never noticed him. Zach reads what she wrote down in the class as the reason she wanted to lose weight, to attract a man, and is surprised and determined to show her that she is very attractive. After escorting her home, he asks her out on a date. After the date is over, a strong snow storm blows through and strands Zach at Caryn's. They're both attracted to each other, both want to make love, but Caryn believes she's frigid because of some things that happened in her past. She also believes Zach can't want her for herself.

I liked the story but thought Caryn's lack of self-esteem a little too much when she continually brought it up in conversation. The story focused totally on the romance between Caryn and Zach, and was more romance than erotica. The romance in the story was sweet and believable, with Caryn and Zach both needing to trust each other. I do think the author tried to make this story more serious than it was, but otherwise, the story seemed to work perfectly.

Free Fall by Jasmine Haynes
Deanna's resolution was to skydive. She had become accustomed to a secure job and life, and that was her way of doing something without security. Cole Johnson's skydiving business isn't doing as well as he thought when Deanna calls. Her voice catches his attention while they set up an appointment. When Deanna meets Cole for the first time, she can't stop imagining him making love to her.

I enjoyed this story quite a bit. The sex between them was very hot and their actions seemed genuine. I love it when two characters start sparking off each other immediately. The small flashes of humor that occasionally peppered the story were a welcome, as well.

For Sale by Owner by Leigh Wyndfield
Jenna's resolution was to buy a house. And if she didn't by the end of the year, she'd never have children. It was her way of forcing herself to settle down. When she goes to see a house for sale in her price range, she meets Trent. Trent has a lack of manner, or rather, he just doesn't care what Jenna thinks of him or the house he's selling. Jenna's interested in the house but isn't thrilled that he's splitting up the property; it means he'll be her neighbor and they'll share a driveway. Trent's attracted to her but doesn't want to date another fashionable woman after his ex-girlfriend burned him. And he hates the house he's selling. Jenna buys the house and now has to deal with seeing sexy Trent every day. Eventually, the attraction gets to be too much for both of them but the fact that Jenna's friend is also the ex who burned him causes some problems.

Jenna was an interesting character, with her constant dislike of anything permanent, including tattoos. I thought Trent was a grumbly hero in a cute way. There was some humor sprinkled in this story, especially when the ghost of Trent's grandmother starts interfering. This was a short, light story with a good romance to it.

That Scottish Spring by Dee S. Knight
Spring is notorious for planning every little thing to the last detail. Her resolution was to plan something spontaneous. For years, Spring wanted to go to Scotland. She and a her friend, Nancy, join a tour group of Scotland but at the last minute, Nancy has to cancel. The tour group pairs Spring with Morgan for the four days she has to share a room with someone. The only problem is that Morgan is a man, not a woman. And he's attracted to Spring the moment he sees her, despite their age difference of ten years. When they meet on the plane to Edinburgh, Spring is immediately attracted but doesn't have plans for a dalliance, and has a problem with their age difference. Morgan watches her on the plane and decides he hates her organizer and planner. When they get to Edinburgh, Morgan pushes Spring be spontaneous when they're together but can't make her give up her planning elsewhere, including when he asks her to let him show her around Scotland, rather than go by her plan.

I did find Spring's constant schedule and planning of her life to be a little annoying but it made for an interesting conflict in the story. Morgan was a good hero, sexy and sweet. Though he was young, he didn't act immature or unconfident. When he and Spring got together, it was hot but tender. This was very heavy on the romance, despite it's short length.

Resolutions The anthology, taken as a whole, was a fairly good read. Though it is erotic romance, it's doesn't have the hottest stories available in the genre. Each story in the anthology offered a slightly different style and, while a good read, is very light so it isn't really a book that keeps you glued to the computer anticipating the next page. Then again, I read quite a bit of fantasy, so it's quite possible I only get glued to the computer when reading a heart-pounding, life-or-death scene.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Explicit

Reviewer: Tara Black
February 2, 2004