Garnet Lake by Liz Hunter is a romantic story about second chances. LeeAnn Armstrong returns to Garnet Lake to take care of her grandmother’s estate. Inside her grandmother’s cabin she remembers her childhood and her first love, Mike Hastings. Mike sees that an article in the paper that says LeeAnn has returned and offers his assistance as a handyman. The article also tells of the garnet ring the lake was named after that belonged to LeeAnn’s family. This attracts dangerous attention from someone wanting to gain possession of the ring. LeeAnn is glad to have Mike to turn to in times of danger. They find the embers of the love they once felt just waiting for the right time to burn bright. Will they survive the danger to find happiness?

The Turquoise Cat (North of Nonesuch Series, Book 1) by Jane Toombs is a paranormal romance based on a curse and shape-shifters. Olivia Sumner inherits an old mansion on Lake Superior. Inside the mansion she discovers a turquoise cat and feels that it may be very valuable. When she goes to have it appraised she brings danger to her home. Raoul DeKalb is a DNR officer assigned to look into the reports that a big cat had been seen in the area around Olivia’s home. Raoul is experiencing a problem that may cause him to be a danger to Olivia. But he finds that he is unable to resist being around her. Is he the danger that Olivia must face or is there another?

For the Love of Sapphire is a historical romance by Nancy Pirri. Sapphire turned away from the man she loved when rumors were spread that he had betrayed her with another woman. Years have passed and Sapphire finds herself having to serve the man she once and still loves as a nanny to his twin boys as a way to pay off her brother’s gambling debts. Patrick has wanted to marry Sapphire for as long as he can remember. He forgave her for not trusting him and believing a lie. Now that he has her in his home he hopes to rekindle the romance and make his long time dream come true.

The Amethyst Star is a futuristic romance by Karen Wiesner where forbidden love is the issue. On Earth the human race has become the endangered species. Children are not being born and the human face a real threat of extinction. They also face a dangerous species of carnivore that threatens them even more. There is a group that call themselves the Patrollers and Hunters that come to Earth to aid the humans in their fight against the carnivores. Lady Sher of the Amethyst Star is the human’s last hope for a future. She lives alone and protected but she desires the one thing she can not have. She has fallen in love with the Hunter Randolf. Laws prevent the intermingling of the races and Lady Sher finds herself willing to risk it all to be with the man she loves. Randolf faces a prophecy that states that if he loses the amethyst star he will be changed from a hunter to one that is forever hunted. Will Lady Sher and Randolf be allowed to find happiness or will the prophecy come true and Randolf be changed to one that is hunted?

Heart of Obsidian (Angels on Patrol Series, Book 2) by Michele Bardsley is a paranormal romantic comedy in which an angel named Sophie plays matchmaker. Delphi is hosting a charitable event for expectant mothers down on their luck. She finds that she has misplaced her obsidian necklace and decides to ask the psychic that has come to entertain to tell her where it is. Max is not a psychic. He is helping out his brother who was unable to come and entertain. But once he meets the beautiful and delightful Delphi he decides he does not mind faking it if it means spending more time with her. They find themselves locked in the basement together courtesy of a little heavenly help and things really begin to heat up from there.

Misbehavin’ in Moonstone (A Mischief in Moonstone Story, Book 2) by Christine DeSmet is a humorous romance involving the topless touring boat owner, Jonathon VanBrocklin and the trouble he causes for the intern mayor and restaurant owner Kirsten Peplinski. The women in town have had it with the topless tour boat after finding all their men spending time there. They send Kirsten to intervene on their part. Jonathon agrees to stop the topless tours if Kirsten agrees to marry him. He has even brought with him a dozen moonstone necklaces to give the bridesmaids attending their marriage. Kirsten does not even know this man that has made this outrageous suggestion but she can not deny the strong attraction feels whenever he is close. Will Kirsten marry Jonathon or will the ladies have to take stronger actions?

In Tales of the Treasure Trove, Vol. II, you have six delightfully romantic tales that all have the same goal in mind finding the rare and precious jewels of love and happiness. There is something for everyone in this fine collection of tales. From suspense and shape-shifters to a historical offering a second chance readers are sure to be entertained. Each contain strong and well defined characters that readers will quickly come to care about. Readers can also look forward to plenty action and suspense. From tears to laughter, readers will experience it all.

Readers will find they may prefer one story over another but that is just based of genre preference. Each story is creatively written, fast paced and easily enthralling depending on what the reader enjoys most. Although each story seems to be based around a precious jewel, love is the real focal point. A strong sense of love comes from each and everyone. Readers are encouraged to add Tales from the Treasure Trove, Volume II (A Jewels of the Quill Anthology) by such wonderful authors as Karen Wiesner, Liz Hunter, Jane Toombs, Christine DeSmet, Nancy Pirri and Michele Bardsley to their reading list they won’t be disappointed.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Very sensual

Reviewer: Anita
March 5, 2007