Review for Stealing My Heart Anthology

Be it in another time, another dimension, or another world, the authors of the Stealing My Heart Anthology will take you away to a world where male/male love and passion reign.

Stephani Hecht, Jambrea Jo Jones, A.J. Llewellyn and D.J. Manly, Carol Lynne, Jaime Samms, and Serena Yates, have all contributed their talents and their time to make this exciting contribution to male/male erotic romance.

All proceeds will go to help fight illegal e-Book downloading. Thank you, and enjoy!

___________________________________
Stolen Memories by Carol Lynne

On the eve of his mother's funeral, Aden Brousseau met Victor DePasse for the first time. For years his mother had warned him to stay away from the dark-haired neighbour, but on that particular evening, Aden hadn't listened. He'd been fascinated with the handsome man since the day he'd overheard his mother and grandfather refer to Victor as a vampire.

Now, twenty years later, Aden once again is in the presence of Victor DePasse. Only this time he's older and knows exactly what he wants.

After years of visiting his charge in his dreams, Victor suddenly has the man he's fallen in love with in front of him. Does he defy his orders and make Aden his, or does he obey and give Aden up to his destiny?

Review:  While different from the books of Carol Lynne's that I've read to date ~ I'm horribly backlogged ~ I was quickly entranced by her story.  Aden and Victor are men, or man and vampire, that I quickly found myself attracted to and really enjoyed watching as their relationship developed.  Some interesting elements added a bit of an exotic touch to the experience. 
___________________________________
Stealing Rain by A.J. Llewellyn and D.J. Manly

In the not too distant future, water becomes so scarce the hunt is on for any drop on other planets. Drew and Trace, former lovers find that love, not just rain, is high at any price.

Drew Lecour was once the pride of the military, until he'd decided to leave the federation and became a rogue, selling water to the highest bidder. Trace had a history with Drew, one that involved some hot sex and broken promises. And now, after not seeing him for years, Drew and his crew suddenly show up on a planet Trace has been contracted to protect, a planet where Drew is set to drill for water.

Trace doesn't have a choice. He has to defend the water supply. His men are waiting for their leader to give the order to kill, but he can't bring himself to do that. So he confiscates Drew's equipment and takes him prisoner; but having Drew naked and at his mercy proves far more challenging than he'd anticipated, and then, there are others forces at play.

Review:  Another story by two favourite authors ~ A.J. Llewellyn and D.J. Manly ~ that was a departure from other stories that I've read by them writing individually as well as together... but I really like what they did.  Drew and Trace were sizzling and I loved as they were able to work through their differences.  And then there is the whole idea of water being an extraordinary resource; I couldn't help comparing it to the common theme of the anthology.  Often people look at books and stories as just another source of entertainment, a means to spend some time.  But stories are more, a LOT more, than that to the authors; they are their hearts and sweat, dreams and frustrations, and I loved the way that A.J. and D.J. made the correlation with such a great story. 
___________________________________
Hotwired Heart by Jaime Samms

A good car thief needs sixty seconds, but grand theft heart might take even less time than that.

Freedom and trust; opposite sides of the same coin that could give expert car thief, Marky, the win he's looking for. Little does he know escaping his gang ties will lead him through heartbreak and into cuffs he hadn't even thought to watch out for. Now he can trust the powerful man who wants to help, or he can keep running.

It all depends on how much he values his freedom, and whether or not Roland has managed the impossible; hijacking Marky's carefully guarded heart.

Review:  Jaime Samms' stories are very much among my favourites and with Hotwired Heart she's once again illustrated just why I love them so much. While I wasn't sure at the beginning just where she was headed, I knew that everything would become clear as the story progressed... and I was right.  Not only did I get what exactly Marky was fighting, but I really felt for him, for his struggles and his successes.  But, like most other things in life, while wanting to do it for ourselves, we often need the support of others.  I fell in love with Marky and Rollie... and I'm hoping that this will not be the last we hear of them or of Rollie's club and some of the people there.  What a world to explore!
___________________________________
The Magic Thieves by Serena Yates

Elryk Muyd'omir is the most powerful lightning wizard born on Tah'Nut in two hundred years and a pacifist. When he refuses to co-operate with the illegally ruling Xoh'kas family they torture and kill his lover. Rather than risking the death of thousands by losing control over his lightning magic in his rage, he flees to Earth—a place without magic. When the gateway that connects Tah'Nut to other worlds opens Elryk knows that the Law Forces have found him. It is time to either face cruel punishment or fight.

Kaythan Vs'urr is a Law Force Commander who is sent to retrieve the criminal wizard Elryk. He is expected to return him to Tah'Nut for ‘reprogramming'. Secretly disgusted with the Xoh'kas' lack of determination to stop the magic thieves, he has decided to win Elryk for his plan of defeating them. All they need to do is find the fabled Magic Shield to prevent further thievery.
Can Elryk trust the gorgeous Law Commander who wants his help? Will the two men be able to work together to defeat the Xoh'kas and eliminate the magic thieves?

Review:  Just when I thought that I had figured everything out, along comes this treasure from Serena Yates, another author whose stories have touched my heart. While futuristic sci-fi isn't really high on my list of favourite sub-genres, there's something so wonderfully basic and elemental (pun intended) about Elryk and Kaythan. I found the tale to be well-developed and quite entrancing.  Again, a wonderful illustration for the theme of this anthology.  
___________________________________
Stealing Michael by Jambrea Jo Jones

Can one wrong make it right?

Robert's mother pushes him into stealing a painting. He is in over his head when the homeowner catches him in the act. It leaves him wondering what to do now?

Michael's life turns in a new direction when a stranger enters his home and the urge to protect the thief overcomes his common sense. He knows he should be angry but who can resist a thief that looks like an angel?

Review:  Robert is a character that I could really feel for and Michael was just plain great.   Michael was a man committed to being the best person he could be, even when acting completely against all his instincts. In many ways this entry in the Stealing My Heart anthology is a modern fairy tale. A talented author, Jambrea Jo Jones has come up with a wonderful story that again makes a graphic point towards the theme.  Very nice.
___________________________________
Dragon's Eye by Stephani Hecht

After a decade of living under the iron rule of a sorcerer, dragon shifter, Duncan Moore finally has his chance for freedom. With his former master dead, all Duncan has to do is steal the very thing that has been holding him captive all these years, his dragon's eye. The stone holds his magic and his dragon self and without it, he can never go home again.

What should be an easy theft turns complicated when he finds that someone has beat him to the eye and he has no idea where it could be. To add to things he suddenly finds himself teamed up with the dead sorcerers' son, Trent. For years Duncan has longed for Trent, but had never dared act on his desires. Then one night of passion between the men changes everything and Duncan realises that he could lose something far more valuable than his dragon's eye, he could lose Trent.
Will Duncan be able to save them both? Or will he have to make the ultimate sacrifice?

Review:  This is the only story by an author who is still new-to-me. I've read a story that she collaborated on with another author writing in this anthology and really liked it.  But now I'm definitely going to be doing some searching for her solo works... that's one thing that I like so much about anthologies. And again, I'm hoping that there will be more to come in tales from this world of mages and dragon shifters... what's not to like?!

* * * * * *