THE POWER OF LOVE

Author: Lori Foster, Erin McCarthy, Toni Blake, Dianne Castell, Karen Kelley, Rosemary Laurey, Janice Maynard, LuAnn McLane, Lucy Monroe, Patricia Sargeant, Kay Stockham, J.C. Wilder ISBN: 0425221482 6/2008 ANTHOLOGY Publisher: BERKLEY

Twelve all-new stories of women's resilience, empowerment, and fulfillment, by bestselling and award-winning authors. In this engaging anthology of never-before-published stories, twelve authors are united by their unique visions of the female experience... A young woman is torn between the security of her fiancé and the excitement of an old flame...a desperate wife is forced into the workplace for the first time in her life...an ambitious professional woman finally finds the courage to take control of her career—and her man...an emotionally fragile divorcee finds resolve in the ethereal visitations of an archangel... These are just some of the women who discover and rediscover their own wonderfully fallible but ultimately strong selves in the shadow of love— romantic love, platonic love, new love, and lost love. Readers will be touched, inspired, charmed, and entertained by these original stories of disparate longings, unsettled lives, and the power of love.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

I love anthologies! So I was very excited to get the chance to read THE POWER OF LOVE, which is edited by the incomparable Lori Foster and includes stories from her and eleven other great authors of romance. And the best thing about this anthology is that the authors are donating a portion of the proceeds from the novel to The Battered Women's Shelter of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Though each of the stories is short, no more than twenty-five pages or so, they are all immensely fulfilling and very romantic as they each explore different kinds of love. For me, I had previously read stories from most of the authors so I knew I was going to be happy with the novellas within THE POWER OF LOVE. But even the authors I was unfamiliar with, like Patricia Sargeant, J.C. Wilder, Rosemary Laurey, and Kay Stockham, surprised me with their talent, and I will definitely be looking out for their novels in the future.

Now, let me tell you a little bit about each novella within THE POWER OF LOVE.

Sweet Dreams by Lori Foster is the story of two best friends who take their relationship to the next level after finding they share a common dream

Unpredictable by Erin McCarthy brings a semi-psychic woman and a policeman together for more than solving cases.

After Hours by Toni Blake pairs two co-workers who have fallen in love with each other, but face the challenges of a separation.

Last of the Red-Hot Mammas by Dianne Castell finds two people mistaking each other for someone else, but realizing their mistake could lead to so much more.

Salesman of the Year by Karen Kelley brings two long-lost loves together as one searches for a home and the other provides the perfect match, both in the house and himself.

Dance the Fandango by Rosemary Laurey is the story of a widowed, older woman getting a second chance at love and breaking the news to her grown children.

In The Girl Next Door by Janice Maynard, two lifelong neighbors find themselves about to separate even though they are in love with each other.

Chick Soup for Annie by LuAnn McLane tells the tale of a widowed single mother searching for help at the local church thrift shop, but finding much more when she meets the preacher.

No Angel by Lucy Monroe gives a match of love between a headstrong woman and the boss she had developed feelings for over the past year.

Angel in the Alley by Patricia Sargeant is about a woman starting over with a new business with the help from a messenger from above. 

Hannah's Choice by Kay Stockham brings a once battered woman back home for a second chance with the man that she didn't choose.

And finally, The Mouse Who Roared by J.C. Wilder shows a plain-Jane woman taking charge of her dreams, her wardrobe, and the man she desires.

THE POWER OF LOVE is a keeper and a great way for romance readers to help support such a wonderful cause.

Maami Kanbi