Series: The Hunters

Anthology Review: Private Places by Robin Schone, Claudia Dane, Allyson James and Shiloh Walker

Posted September 12, 2008 by Holly in Reviews | 6 Comments

Anthology Review: Private Places by Robin Schone, Claudia Dane, Allyson James and Shiloh WalkerReviewer: Holly
Private Places by Robin Schone, Allyson James, Shiloh Walker
Series: The Men and Women's Club #2, The Courtesan Chronicles #3.5, The Hunters
Also in this series: Rafe and Sheila
Publisher: Penguin
Publication Date: August 5th 2008
Genres: Fiction
Pages: 368
Add It: Goodreads
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice | Google Play Books
three-half-stars

Four all-new hot tales of yore, by the queens of erotic fiction.
USA Today bestselling author Robin Schone shares a tale of a man and a woman in a notorious club, who learn how very dangerous desires of the flesh can be. Claudia Dain heats up this collection with the story of two voyeuristic young courtesans who might just take part in a very public seduction at the theatre. Allyson James has a card-playing, cunning widower and a desperate young widow learn that passion is the ultimate wild card. And finally, Shiloh Walker introduces a short story of a woman saved by a shapeshifter. Now, if only she could think of a way to repay him?
Rarely does such blush-worthy, heated erotica exist?and almost never all in one book.

The Men and Women’s Club
Robin Schone shares a tale of a man and a woman in a notorious club, who learn how very dangerous desires of the flesh can be.

You know how you feel when you walk into a conversation and realize you have no idea what’s going on? That’s how I felt reading Robin Schone’s contribution to this antho. While the sexual tension and situations were done extremely well, I mostly just felt like I was missing a major part of the story.

I think fans who’ve read her other novels would probably enjoy this a lot more than I did.

2 out of 5

A Night at the Theater
Claudia Dain heats up this collection with the story of two voyeuristic young courtesans who might just take part in a very public seduction at the theatre.

This is two stories in one. The first centers around a young courtesan looking for a new protector and the other around an experienced courtesan looking for a husband. Of the two, I enjoyed the story of the young girl and the Duke she sets her sights on most. I think the character development was a bit better (they had better backstories, I guess) and they were the more sympathetic of the two.

The story was alright, but once again I felt like perhaps I was missing something. I felt like there was an inside joke I wasn’t privy to and with all the background characters and subplots going on I was somewhat confused..

Not a bad story, but not the best in the collection, either.

3 out of 5

The Decidedly Devilish Duke
Allyson James has a card-playing, cunning widower and a desperate young widow learn that passion is the ultimate wild card.

Of all the stories, this was my favorite. I really liked both characters and felt they were great together. Their sexual chemistry was very well done and I was completely entertained. The perfect blend of humor, emotion and sexual heat.

I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more novels by James in the future.

4.5 out of 5

Hunters Mercy
And finally, Shiloh Walker introduces a short story of a woman saved by a shapeshifter. Now, if only she could think of a way to repay him…

I’ve heard a lot about The Hunters series and I can see why so many enjoy it. I thought the characters were well written and the story was well fleshed out. I was slightly annoyed by the heroine at times (especially towards the end) but I was able to move past my annoyance and really enjoy the story.

I’ll be looking for the rest of the books in this series.

4.25 out of 5

Overall the anthology was alright – a good blend of different styles and classes from the regency era. Two were outstanding and two were average. I’d give the collection as a whole a:

3.5 out of 5

This book is available from Berkley Sensation. You can buy it here or here in e-format.

three-half-stars


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TBR Day Review: The Hunters: Rafe and Sheila by Shiloh Walker

Posted April 16, 2008 by Tracy in Reviews | 5 Comments

TBR Day Review: The Hunters: Rafe and Sheila by Shiloh WalkerReviewer: Tracy
Rafe and Sheila by Shiloh Walker
Series: The Hunters #6
Also in this series: Private Places

Publication Date: May 4th 2005
Genres: Fiction, Erotica
Pages: 125
Add It: Goodreads
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice | Google Play Books
four-stars
Series Rating: four-stars

The Hunters: Rafe and Sheila Shiloh Walker
"Book 6 in The Hunters series."

Sheila is tired of it. Tired of him. She adores the sexy Hunter she works and lives with, loves him madly, but all he will give her is a good time in bed. And what a time that is. But she wants-needs-more. When Rafe makes it clear that sex is all he will offer, she leaves.

Rafe can't believe that Sheila walked away-he'll be damned if he just lets her go. Throwing caution to the wind, he sets out to track her down and bring her home. But when he finds her, she's lying in the arms of another man. Rage and jealously overwhelm Rafe.and a whole mess of trouble ensues.

An enemy of the Hunters has set up a playground in this land that seems to call to Rafe. He and Sheila, and the motley crew they assemble, must defend and cleanse this land of the evil that dwells there. And Rafe must lead them through horror and sacrifice as he comes into his own-a Master, defending his land, who must bring his woman home. But, to his home, his heart.

 

This is book 6 in the Hunters series and one of my favorites. I think that Rafe & Sheila’s relationship was well done. I appreciated the fact that Ms. Walker didn’t overdo the “I can’t want you” scenario that we see in so many romances nowadays.
I very much enjoyed the two characters that she brought into the book: Ella and Robbie. They had been through so much heartache and terror at the hands of the evil Pierre but were still so pure at heart. I don’t want to give away any plot details but let’s just say when things came to a head I was crying like a baby. Yes, I’m a big softy at heart!
Rating: B+/4.25 out of 5
four-stars


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