Penelope Neri

Forever in His Arms
5 Stars

Tyler Mackenzie and Jenny Delaney are the last two people who should fall in love. Yet, neither the generations old feud between their families nor the onset of war pitting brother against brother can stop these two from being together unless they give in to the pressures of family, society and treachery.

One of the most incredible romances I have ever read and re-read.

Tyler and Jenny's intense chemistry is only heightened by the forbidden love trope as they meet in secret despite the hatred and prejudice of their families. But, when tragedy and war separates them, they must each decide if their love is strong enough to withstand the fear and hurt that comes between them.

Neri's portrayal of the harsh realities of the American civil war and the devastation and havoc it wreaked on individuals, families and entire communities is both spellbinding and heart-wrenching.

All in all, a wonderful tale of how love can overcome all obstacles and the lengths that people will go to for love of country, family and each other.
… (mehr)

Already madly in love with her new husband, she’s happy and looking forward to her new life. But when she sees his dark and scary estate, the heroine is hesitate to even enter the gothic manor. From the moment she steps inside the doors she’s hit by a brooding and cold feeling of being unwelcome inside the walls. She’s plaque by nightmares of a crying baby and by memories of the previous lady of the keep who met an untimely death. Slowly and bit by bit, the heroine’s sanity begins to dissolve under the pressure of the mystery and the loneliness of the distance growing between her and her new husband. Everyone around her becomes fearful for the heroines mental health until the climax proves the truth of the heroines visions and discovers but at the sever risk of her life. I liked the dark and tension atmosphere laced throughout the whole book but I felt like there should have been a whole different story to prequel this story. The characters are introduced as already in love so it left very little room for character development. Instead it focused mostly on their new problems putting a strain on their marriage. I did like this book and it was a nice Gothic romance novel full of mystery and intrigue.… (mehr)

"Sweet Sin" by Nina Bangs. Matt Davis persuades his partner Ann Hawkins to make a statue out of chocolate of a naked man for a bachelorette party they cater. Ann agrees only if Matt is the subject.

"Eliza's Gateau" by Lisa Cach. In Brussels, sophisticated restaurateur Sebastian St. Germain notices the pretty naive American female traveling by herself with too much baggage. Eliza Mandish on a European trip sees the stylish Sebastian and knows he is out of her league.

"Meltdown" by Thea Devine. Event planners Donna Cavalero and Jessica Demont work extra hard to insure that the political fundraiser for Matt Greer is a success. However, both females learn that measuring success may not be in the amount of money raised, but in the respective hunk they desire.

"Seducing Sydnee" by Penelope Neri. Agricultural engineer Sydnee Frost travels to Costa Rica to help Cord Westridge save what is left of his cocoa plants. Upon meeting Cord, Sydnee wonders who can save her heart.

These four tales of SEDUCTION BY CHOCOLATE are delicious reprint of a 2000 anthology starring likable lead characters who understand death by sex and chocolate (you will not believe some of the applications that sound sinfully sweet and salty).

Harriet Klausner… (mehr)