Review: Fantastic Set of Short Stories
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 18, 2014
I loved both these short stories.  They are well written, interesting, with relatable characters.  True there isn't a whole lot of character development, due to their short duration, yet I was able to get a good feel for all the protagonists and even relate to their individual plights (that's a developed character, isn't it?)  In any event, I enjoyed the first story, but absolutely LOVE the second one...that's probably because I am a sucker for romance stories that have a Cinderellaesque quality, which the second story does.  Be aware that neither story is a clean romance, as both include explicit love scenes; although IMO, the sex did not in any way overwhelm the story.  Both stories makes for perfect bedtime reading, or when you just have a little time to indulge in some reading.  I would recommend them both as worthwhile reads.The Art of SeductionThis first story is lovely.  Clara is desperate to escape a forced marriage with a despicable man.  To that end, she arranges to work as a nude model for Brendon, a man she knew and loved, as a child.  Brendon has a tortured past, one which resulted in his hiding away in a less than desirable area of London pursuing his art.  When the two meet again, sparks fly and the story progresses from there.  Although short, the story that unfolds is fully developed, despite the fact that all the events take place in one afternoon.  Because of the past history between the couple, their love for each seemed real.  Although Brendon and Clara were not corresponding with each other, the story does include an aspect that involves letters.  It is through these letters that Brendan comes to know and care for Clara.  A thoroughly enjoyable story.Meant for MeThis was a 5 star read for me!  As a child, orphaned Cynthia was sent to live with her mother's sister and her family.  Over the years, poor Cynthia has been treated like an unpaid servant; she spends her days at the continuous beck and call of her aunt and cousin, Helen.  From childhood there has been an informal understanding between Helen and Gabriel, Earl of Kennwick.  While traveling abroad, Gabriel instigated a correspondence with Helen, by writing letters to her.  Helen, a selfish, vain, unfeeling creature, could not be bother with the correspondence, so ordered Cynthia to respond.  Thus begun a relationship by letter between Cynthia and Gabriel, although he believed he was corresponding with Helen.  Over the course of the next two years, Cynthia and Gabriel each poured their heart out in their letters, getting to know each other quite intimately.  In the process, Cynthia falls irrevocably in love with Gabriel.  Upon his return home to England, Gabriel is frustrated to discover that the woman with whom he'd corresponded, the woman he thought he knew, doesn't seem to exist.  Helen is an annoying enigma to him; he finds that he feels more comfortable with Cynthia.  One night Cynthia is forced to impersonate her cousin at a masquerade ball, where she meets and dances with Gabriel.  From this point the story very quickly unfolds to its conclusion.  The story that unfolds is sweet and engaging.  I felt Gabriel's anxiety keenly.  He endured an unhappy childhood, and is determined to have a happy marriage and family life; something which, through their machinations, Helen and her mother are equally determined to rob him of.  As for Cynthia, the poor thing endured years of mistreatment at her aunt's hands, as well as that lady's hatred; the source of which is a complete mystery to Cynthia.  This is a lovely story.  If you like romance stories which incorporate a twist on the Cinderella fairytale, then you're sure to love this one.