Title: Kissed from Beyond
Authors: Keta Diablo, Amber Scott,
Elise Hepner and Stacey Kennedy
Publisher: Goodnight Publishing
Publication Date: March 16, 2011
Words: 58,522 (approximate)
My Copy: Book Lovin’ Bitches eBook Tours
With visions of battle still fresh in his mind, Roane Bradfield returns home to find the woman he loves betrothed to another. He corners Kendrick Moreland at Dowager Huggins’ Grand Ball and whisks her into the secluded library. One way or the other, he will know the reason the duplicitous beauty cut him from her life when she promised to wait forever.
Kendrick can’t believe her eyes when Roane suddenly appears at the ball. Has he truly risen from the dead? Amid wagging tongues and hushed murmurs, the fantasy of her every dream whisks her from the ballroom. And the expression on his face is anything but loving. Revenge, danger and powerful love collide in the Cradle of Dreams.
If only Sara had known no man would ever make her feel like Crew did, she would have let him love her. A regret that can never be undone. His death haunts her dreams, and her wishful thinking only reminds her of everything she has lost.
Years later, a visit to an antique store in sultry Savannah changes everything and makes her deepest wish come true. Her beloved returns to her. Her every fantasy gets the chance to be fulfilled. But she wants more than one night. She wants a lifetime and wonders what magic will let her keep A Love Soul Deep.
Flynn has been cursed for over a century for a social slight he never committed. A voodoo priestess hexed him and forced him into a teapot where he could be summoned by the rub of a woman’s palm. Once free, he grants these women three sexual favors—and cuts off his own emotions in the process. Unable to break free from an invisible cage of lust and sex to fall in love again he’s resigned to being a sex object and nothing more.
Helena has been house sitting far, far away from her complicated past in England— including her former childhood sweetheart, who wasn’t satisfied when Helena didn’t want to be barefoot and pregnant. She’s resigned to leave behind the complications of men and sex. She hopes logic will win out over her unreliable emotions—but she’s put to the test when she accidentally summons Flynn from his teapot prison.
Ethan Thomas has spent years alone―forever trapped between worlds. Once a soldier in the Civil War, he’s now a ghost bound to a chaise lounge that once belonged to him. He’s spent centuries lingering in Savannah, Georgia, waiting to be saved…
Cassandra Cole is an interior designer hired to restore an old Victorian home. As she begins to furnish the house, strange happenings erupt around her. She suspects the house is haunted. Determined to find out, Cassie sets out to discover who the ghost is, why she feels a connection to him, and what she has to do to free him. The answers will surprise her in ways she never imagined.
There are four novellas in this anthology and they fluctuate from one extreme to the next in quality. Some of them are scorching hot while as others could have benefited from additional editing. There was also a bit of a creepiness factor to the theme behind this compilation. I say this because all of the women in these stories are getting it on with dead men. The majority of the time it didn’t bother me because the ghosts were strangers but there’s one tale that involves a deceased boyfriend. I found this both sweet and troubling. Also, if you decide to read this book please keep in mind that it does fall under Paranormal Erotica so the characters spend most of their time shagging.
The first story is called Cradle of Dreams and it’s the one that I enjoyed the most. It’s very detailed for such a short novella. There are two different levels to the fantasy that unfolds and there’s also a nice historical aspect too. If you enjoy men who take control and an intensity that’s borderline violation then this story will definitely get your rocks off. I felt both scandalized and turned-on.
A Love Soul Deep is in a way about a miracle. It’s very emotionally moving while still being dirty. Sara is a great character, I really sympathized with her. Although, I’m still not completely sure whether the events in this novella actually occurred or if it was all just in her head. Maybe that was Amber Scott’s intention. Nevertheless, this is the story that I found creepy so be forewarned.
Next up is One Rub More which is a cute but simple tale. I mean come on; how fun would it be to score a sex genie who’d grant you three carnal wishes? My head was just buzzing with possibilities! The humor in having a gorgeous genie-man pop out of a magic teapot is not lost on me either. Funny and quicky! Flynn has a few nifty tricks up his sleeves too that I wouldn’t mind trying out. I’m pretty familiar with vampire and werewolf foreplay but the mojo in this story is new to me and I just might have to seek out more books on it. For research-only purposed of course!
This anthology concludes with ‘Till We Meet Again which is probably my least favorite out of the four. There are just too many extremes in the plot. It bounces from interior decorating to witchcraft to weird sex. In addition, the characters and the chain of events that occur are just so beyond belief. Finally, to top it off, the nookie wasn’t even that great. I had to force myself to finish the story and it’s only slightly over 50 pages in length.
Kissed from Beyond doesn’t require much thought and will have you feeling hot and bothered in no time. This anthology has both good and bad stories but it’s a great way to get multiple yummy men doses in a short amount of time. You might also discover a new author to add to your to-be-read list. Half of the tales in this book deserve a higher rating than the one you see below but I can’t in good conscience go too high because of the bad apples.
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About the Blogger
I review Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance books with a focus all things werewolf. Based out of Ottawa, Canada
Owner, designer and main blogger behind Rabid Reads. Avid book reader, snowboard bunny, video gamer and Supernatural fan. I love all things paranormal, werewolves especially. Oh, and I’m Canadian, eh!
First off, I really like the cover! I think that it is quite unique. Second, I was a bit taken aback by this< all of the women in these stories are getting it on with dead men, but then I thought that the way you (so eloquently) worded this was hilarious and I forgot about said dead men, so the characters spend most of their time shagging…
Anthologies aren’t usually my thing (except Kelley Armstrong’s anthologies, give me one of hers and I will be a happy camper… So I don’t know if I will pick this one up or not.
Thanks for the review Carmel!
PS. I tweeted about this!
Hi Carmel,
Thanks so much for reviewing Kissed From Beyond. A great, fair review. It’s hard to review anthologies that are from four different writing styles and four entirely different themes. I guess that’s what makes reading interesting.
You did a great job and my humble thanks for hosting us on your lovely blog,
Best, Keta
http://www.ketadiablo.com
Great review, some of the stories definitely sound better than others but that’s what happens with anthologies. It sounds like a nice side read.
lilazncutie1215[at]yahoo[dot]com
You did a great job review this, I was wondering how to review anthologies and you did it!
I can’t wait to read this myself soon.
vampiremistress2010(at)gmail(dot)com
Great review. I really want to read this book. Tore923@aol.com
Anthologies are always iffy for me. I usually give them a chance though.
Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com
This is my first Erotica book. I was just lil bit surprised with what I got inside.
I also liked Cradle of Dreams.
It was nice to see the way you review each story.
aleetha.ally at gmail dot com