HEROES UNWRAPPED
Linden Bay Romance (Anthology)
228 pages
Copyright © 2006
UNDER THE COVERS by CAT JOHNSON
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT by BARRI BRYAN
BAGHDAD BAD BOY by MARIE CARROLL
GIFT EXCHANGE by LEE ROWAN
THE WORLD SHE WANTS by DENNY S. BRYCE
A HERO’S WELCOME by MELANIE ANDERSON
COME A’COURTIN by PHILIPPA GREY GEROU
Review by J'aime Maynard
There is something special about a book designed to raise money for charity, especially one with a holiday theme. All proceeds from Heroes Unwrapped are being donated to SOS America, Inc. in support of injured veterans. So, I was happy to cuddle up with the fictional heroes in these seven stories in order to help real life heroes. I recommend readers buy the book to support a worthy cause. But, perhaps more importantly, I would have bought this book anyway for the hot stories! Three stories stand out in particular: "Gift Exchange," "The World She Wants," and "A Hero's Welcome" all make this book worth the price of admission.
"Under the Covers" brings hope to millions of romance fans around the world. Women do not stop being sexy, desirable heroines just because they're over 30! Thirty-nine year old Katie is a PR expert hired by the Powers That Be to run a recruiting campaign for the U.S. military, highlighting the glamour of Special Ops Units (e.g. Navy Seals, etc). Twenty-nine year old B.B. has been selected as the new poster boy. B.B's not pleased about the assignment.. However, the prospect of getting to know Katie a lot better might just make this missions bearable. The author packs a lot in this short story. Both characters are fully realized, and have great chemistry. The ad campaign provides a lot of humor as B.B. is expected to model his, um, assets for the camera. The military aspect of the story is complete fluff, but since it's used mostly as a prop tool it doesn't impede the story much. 4/5 Heroes.
"Rules of Engagement" introduces Carole Madison, who's brother Bailey is a Marine stationed in Iraq. She went through an ugly divorce while he was away, and is looking forward to seeing him for Christmas. But, he's bringing his Marine buddy, Michael, home with him. Michael has a lot of heartache to overcome, too. Okay, a more obvious set-up would be hard to find, but this is a Christmas story. So of course Carole and Michael will hit it off (they both love chili and eighties rock bands so why wouldn't they?). The story uses current events, such as the Iraq War and the judge caught with the penis pump, to draw the reader in. Unfortunately, I never felt any chemistry between Carole and Mike. I can suspend my disbelief, but this romance felt too contrived. Oh, and having the couple get caught in a blizzard and forced to stay in a hotel didn't help the impression. 3/5 Heroes.
Sexy photo journalist, Tori, finds herself trapped in an elevator with the "Baghdad Bad Boy." Lee Jackson Blackhart (black "heart," get it?) has a reputation as a ladies man. And Tori is just his type, "Long legs, big tits, strawberry-blonde hair. My kinda girl." Tori resists her attraction to Lee, while trying to capture photos of the elusive arms dealer, Ali-Asad. But, Lee isn't as shallow or ordinary as we're led to believe. The setting and plot of this story are very well developed. Things heat up when Tori gets a tip and finds Ali-Asad. Tori thinks she knows who he is, and they have hot sex. I had one glaring issue with this story. The sex happens at the end of the story just when the couple heats up. Then Lee just up and leaves. The set-up of the story, and the entire anthology, implies romance. For me, that means the couple should end up together, and not just between the sheets. The story felt like a one night-stand. If the reader doesn't expect more than steam from the couple, this will titillate. For me it fell flat. 3.5/5 Heroes
"Gift Exchange" is one of the best stories in the anthology, and the only one to feature an M/M pairing. It is also the shortest story, but gives the most bang for the buck (no pun intended!). Unlike the other stories, this one begins with already established lovers. Davy and Will are lieutenants in the British Navy in 1799. But, love between men isn't just forbidden, it's a hanging offense. Will and Davy must keep their relationship strictly professional on ship-only that's especially difficult during their first Christmas together. Davy gives Will a gift, but Will was unable to get him anything in return. Should he risk some forbidden passion to show Davy how much he loves him? These characters were first introduced in Rowan's novel, Ransom. This story stands alone very well, but the existence of a back story is felt by the reader. The dilemma that faces the lovers is bittersweet, but the love they obviously feel will warm the heart of romance fans. 5/5 Heroes.
"The World She Wants" takes us to the year 2272 where genetically engineered super-soldiers have been created to save mankind. Destiny's Soldiers live hard, and die young. And, since they can't reproduce they're fairly open with their sexual relationships. Newton Stefanovich is tough, beautiful and deadly. She's just been assigned to investigate the murder of an "untreated" human aboard another ship. But there is much more going on than one death. The answer lies with the brilliant, but human, Brian Cord. She wants him, feeling emotions she's never felt before. Their love could be mankind's salvation, or it's destruction. This story has a highly developed mythology, and a very strong plot. The sex is hot, and so are the heroes. This would make a great novel. 5/5 Heroes.
In "A Hero's Welcome," Phillip has returned home after enduring injury and tragedy in combat. His tour of duty is up, but his nerves are shot, he's struggling with mood swings and there is something wrong. He finds the lovely Suzi unexpectedly in his house. His Mother hired her to house-sit. A spark of attraction is lit when they meet, but Phillip is haunted by what happened. They bond over the unlikely activity of golf, and a slow passion builds. Together they heal each other's pain with an sexy, understated romance. A slow burn is the best way to describe this story. These two don't have sex; they make love. This story is something to savor, like fine wine. 5/5 Heroes.
"Come A' Courtin' " ends the anthology on a light note. Peter's tour of duty is over and he's going to home to marry his sweetheart. Half of the small town is at the train station to welcome their hero home and give him the key to the city. But, Katie's not there. Gasp! She's engaged to someone else! But, Peter's a soldier, and he's prepared to fight for his true love. There’s no substance to this story, but it's still satisfying when our hero gets his girl, and finds that she's been saving herself so he can be her first. 3.5/5 Heroes.
