My Secret Admirer

by Anne Stuart, Vicki Lewis Thompson, Marisa Carroll

Dangerous Lover by Anne Stuart
Emma O'Bannion has been entertaining herself with romantic daydreams about the mysterious, gorgeous Frenchman who's moved into her New York apartment building. On a whim, she decides to act on her instincts for once, and ends up in water so hot that her heart may never beat normally again!

Once Upon a Mattress by Vicki Lewis Thompson
Amelia Townsend's Bedroom Fantasies store is a tremendous hit, but being the boss has definite drawbacks. Though she feels a bit awkward indicating any personal interest in her deliveryman, Will Murdoch, the guy makes her salivate every time he muscles a mattress onto the truck. And now he's asked for her advice on waging a secret admirer campaign for another woman!

Special Deliveries by Marisa Carroll
Nine-year-old Dani Jenson and her little sister think Christy, their new neighbor, and their dad would be a really good match, and Dani has figured out a perfect plan to get them together. Unfortunately, the anonymous cards the girls have been sending prompt Christy to go to the Authorities, and the path that was supposed to lead to romance for Del Jensen points to the police station instead!

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Anthologies

376 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Anne Stuart is a grandmaster of the genre, winner of Romance Writers of America's prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, survivor of more than thirty-five years in the romance business, and still just keeps getting better.

Her first novel was Barrett's Hill, a gothic romance published by Ballantine in 1974 when Anne had just turned 25. Since then she's written more gothics, regencies, romantic suspense, romantic adventure, series romance, suspense, historical romance, paranormal and mainstream contemporary romance for publishers such as Doubleday, Harlequin, Silhouette, Avon, Zebra, St. Martins Press, Berkley, Dell, Pocket Books and Fawcett.

She’s won numerous awards, appeared on most bestseller lists, and speaks all over the country. Her general outrageousness has gotten her on Entertainment Tonight, as well as in Vogue, People, USA Today, Women’s Day and countless other national newspapers and magazines.

When she’s not traveling, she’s at home in Northern Vermont with her luscious husband of thirty-six years, an empty nest, three cats, four sewing machines, and one Springer Spaniel, and when she’s not working she’s watching movies, listening to rock and roll (preferably Japanese) and spending far too much time quilting.

Anne Stuart also writes as Kristina Douglas.

Reviews

[Rimsha Sabtain · Rating 5 out of 5]

when u have nothing to read i think its a good stuff :P

[Jo Reads Romance · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing Valentine's Anthology
2 stars

Dangerous Lover - Anne Stuart
When Emma O'Bannion decides to cheer up Luc Dubois, her mysterious French neighbour, with a little Valentine's Day surprise - she doesn't realise that it will put her into such hot water that her heart may never beat normally again.

I'll have to admit that I don't think I've ever read a story as bad as this one. Emma has 2 boyfriends (don't get me started!), a great job and a lovely flat and yet she moans all the time. Luc is depicted as a long haired, skulking Frenchman that dresses all in black (complete with bomber jacket) and who breaks into the heroine's flat to go through her underwear - certainly not anyone I would fantasise about! And after Emma is attacked, threatened with death, drugged, kidnapped, tied to a bed in a rundown farmhouse - the first thing she thinks is that Luc (who did all these things to her) could do with a shave which would make him even more attractive! Absolute rubbish - words cannot express how bad this story was.


Once Upon A Mattress - Vicki Lewis Thompson
Amelia Townsend's Bedroom Fantasies shop is a tremendous hit - even if her love life is at a major low. But being the boss isn't all it's cracked up to be as she can't be seen to favour any of the employees - but especially not delicious Will Murdoch - a man that makes her go weak at the knees. And now, just before Valentine's Day he finally shows her some attention... and asks her for her advice on how to pursue another woman!

A very cute story from Vicki Lewis Thompson about two people who feel they are all wrong for each other but can't help want what they shouldn't have. Will and Amelia are both lovely characters and the chemistry is sparkling. A very sweet and enjoyable tale.


Special Deliveries - Marisa Carroll
Nine year old Dani Jenson and her little sister think that new girl in town, Christy would make the perfect Valentine for their Dad, Del. So they set about trying to get the pair together by sending Christy some secret admirer notes. Christy and Dell were once the love of each other's life until one fateful Valentine's Day ten years ago changed everything. But now Christy is back in town and she's getting some rather odd love notes - but rather than sending her into Del's arms, it sends her running to the police!

This was an okay story - not very exciting but not very offensive either. The main characters were real enough but lacked any depth or chemistry which made their romantic reunion quite unrealistic and abrupt. Readable and sweet but nothing special - you could afford to miss this story.


Overall, I have to say that I really can't recommend this anthology. I enjoyed Vicki Lewis Thompson's story and the third story was fine but not worth shelling out for. And the Anne Stuart story was just so bad that it really drags down the whole book. There are plenty of other excellent anthologies out there so if you're looking for fun, quick romantic reads then you are sure to find something else more suitable. Only 2 stars.

[Robin Reynolds · Rating 2 out of 5]

I haven't really read anything before, that I remember, featuring a secret admirer storyline, and frankly I don't really care to again. I think I would feel like Christy (from the last story) in that situation - like it could be some crazy stalker, and that just isn't romantic. So between that, the horrible first story, and my personal aversion to older woman/younger man stories (the second one), I wasn't crazy about this book. However, the last story made it all worthwhile.

My full review (which may or may not contain spoilers) is on my blog, October Woman.

[Dragoness · Rating 2 out of 5]

First book (Emma and Luc) 1 star. I didn't like Emma at all. She seemed like selfish spoiled princess to be honest. At one point she even thought she might look at one of her boyfriends more kindly if he bought her expensive chocolates...

Second book (Amelia and Will) 3 stars I honestly didn't get the vibe that they really were in love with each other, they were just lusting after and liked each other. They were on the path to falling in love, but imo not there yet, but they were cute together - and I usually don't like the older woman, younger guy theme.

Third book 2 stars Can't even remember what it was about exactly, but I didn't hate it like the first one.

[Nilofer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this because of Anne Stuart's name on the cover, and I'm glad that her story 'Dangerous Lover' lived up to my expectations. The Frenchman who lives in Emma's building is paranoid and scary, yes, but also sweet in his own way, with quite a quirky sense of humour. Vicki Lewis Thompson's story was alright, but the last of the three was instantly forgettable.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only read Anne Stuart's novella, but I loved that one.

[Ladyvixen · Rating 3 out of 5]

inintéressant sauf pour la nouvelle d'Anne Stuart

[Krishna Nair]

Three simple stories.... Love and love only