Five stories, each surrounding an object that defines a romance, brings love and proves the everlasting rapture of passion. Stolen Pleasures by Christine DeSmet Iris Beale always dates the safe, temporary ‘door mat’ men—like those who make deliveries to her antiques shop. But danger lurks when Iris’s boyfriend is murdered right before a burglar attempts to steal the famous ‘Lady in Green’ portrait. Iris comes under suspicion by her next ‘door mat’ man—the handsome but mysterious new cop in town, Jonathon Sparrow. Iris realizes that to break the case she may have to risk breaking her heart. Summer Breeze by Linda L. Lattimer A mother desires for her daughter to find love. A daughter desires her mother to stop mourning and begin anew. A young man carries a photo of the one girl he loves after all these years. Will the three be able to ease the other’s pain? Life’s Choices by Patricia E. Gitt When Elizabeth Barnes receives a coveted industry honor for outstanding leadership she finds her achievement an empty footnote to her dynamic career. Running away to Vermont to reevaluate her life’s choices, she runs into Jack Lawson who unleashes emotions long suppressed during her drive for success. Mr. O’Grady’s Magic Box by Karen Michelle Nutt Aubrey Jules, a reporter from Unbelievable Finds is sent to investigate a box, which is reputably older than time and crafted by the wee folks. Mr. O’Grady, owner of the bed and breakfast in Dana Point, California, convinces Aubrey to wish for a soul mate. When Ian Quinn, who abandoned Aubrey ten years ago, walks in she’s convinced the fairies have a wicked sense of humor. Double Booked by Courtney E. Michel Cullen Porter is finished with dating. He wants a quiet vacation in a rental at Lake of the Ozarks where he once worked as a landscape architect. Unfortunately, he is double booked into the same house with another couple. When Mina Tracey, a fourth guest, arrives with her cherished boat, De Dame Kaptien and daughter in tow, fire works will fly during this unexpected Fourth of July weekend.        Excerpt Stolen Pleasures by Christine DeSmet Iris Beale always dated the wrong man. The latest guy died last night, right after their third date. She’d fed him her homemade maraschino cherry cake—the moist, heavy kind that men “died for.” But that hadn’t done the deed. After dessert he’d gone to his Gardener Insurance Agency office to catch up on issuing life insurance policies. That’s where they found him this sunny, mid-July Friday morning—with a bullet in his head. Summer Breeze by Linda L. Lattimer A soft smooth voice spoke, with a touch of huskiness. “They love to swoop down and touch the water. Sometimes if you look close enough, you might see one snatch a fish.” Turning, Sophia faced the young man who had watched her from below the balcony. He was even more handsome up close. A few sparks seemed to ignite as she met his gaze. “You make it a habit, following young women?” “Only the really pretty ones,” he said, smiling. Life’s Choices by Patricia E. Gitt Elizabeth should’ve been thrilled. Hadn’t the Master of Ceremonies said she could be proud of adding her industry’s highest honor to her long list of accomplishments? “Right,” she whispered to her reflection in the car window. “Even though I’m a woman.” Caressing the cool crystal award, she wondered why receiving it had once seemed so important. Mr. O’Grady’s Magic Box By Karen Michelle Nutt She handed him the box. “It was a lovely trick, Mr. O’Grady, but I have a difficult time believing in fanciful things as soul-mates and wishes in a blink of an eye.” He placed the box back in the cabinet, locking it behind the clear glass. “Only time will tell.” He rested his hand on her arm. “You look to be needing a little magic in your life. It could be the reason you came to stay with us.” Double Booked by Courtney E. Michel Mina had noticed the stranger the moment they’d pulled up in front of 2309 Red Oak Lane. His tan was deep with squint lines at his eyes, and she knew immediately that he must do outside work. He appeared nothing like her ex-husband, Donovan, whose perpetually polished exterior came off cold and untouchable. She’d admit that Cullen Porter was handsome but would kill Christi and Garritt if they were trying to set her up on a date.

Professional Reviews
Contemporary to Magical Paranormal Romance Reviews
The Object of Romance Anthology is a wonderful collection of tales inspiring true love. From Contemporary to magical, there is something guaranteed to please everyone! Each unique story has it's own symbol of love that adds to it's flare, from something as simple as the secret meanings of flowers, a once sought after award, a lovely pretty blue dress, a mysterious Civil War era portrait, and a last but by no means least at all, a Carved Celtic Box linked to the realm of Fairies and their magic. A must have for the
collection of any lover of sweet romance and true love.

Story 1
Stolen Pleasures
by Christine DeSmet

The enigmatic portrait, The Green Lady is mysterious, beautiful and inspires so many things within people with her air of sensual majesty, but is it possible shemalso inspires not only love, but murder? Iris Beale,
boutique owner and fabulous cook, has dated plenty of men who've arrived on her doorstep, only to later realize that they just aren't her piece of Pink
Maraschino Cherry Cake! That doesn't mean she wantsmany of them dead. Unfortunately for Iris and her
latest ex-boyfriend, he does end up dead. After Iris does a favor for a friend, she realizes that she's dead center in the middle of a murder mystery, but the real mystery to Iris is the lovely Green Lady and also the handsome policeman determined to solve the crime, Jonathan Sparrow. Jonathan is the new officer in town, he's hoping this quaint town is just the ticket to start over, a place to put past tragedy and pain to rest. Together Iris and Jonathon must find a killer and unravel the mystery of The Green Lady before it's too late, but they find there is another mystery on their hands, is there true love at first sight?

This is a wonderfully fun read that leaves a smile on your face. Ms. DeSmet has the ability to create vivid characters with a wonderful sense of humor and chemistry galore! Add an intriguing contemporary murder mystery with a bit of historical flare and voila! I highly recommend Stolen Pleasures, you'll find it a sweet treat, like Iris's Pink Maraschino
Cherry Cake!

Story 2
SUMMER BREEZE
by Linda L. Lattimer

Sophia Williams loves her vacations to Key West with her mother, it's a chance to get away from all the hardships they have endured. As hard as Sophia tries she can't seem to snap her mother back to life after the accident that took her father, an accident that left Sophia herself with her own handicap. Scott Ducan new Sophia was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen since that day years ago when he caught her in a picture, a picture he keeps with him always close to his heart. He only hopes he can bring Sophia to see all he sees when he looks upon her, despite what she fears others see. Dr. Stewart Weingate has seen the women through so much and hopes to one day see a future of happiness come to these women who become dear to him over the past years. Can mother and daughter aid each and aid themselves in finding happiness again, can a photo prove the truth of true love, can the love of a father long gone reach across the veil to heal mother and child? One thing is for sure, true love floats in
the summer breeze and it will be the best medicine all four could ever have.
Ms. Lattimer has delivered a lovely and inspirational tale of true love overcoming all. The characters deal
with tragic events in a courageous manner that leaves the reader feeling as if anything is possible, especially true love.

Summer Breeze is truly a breath
of fresh air!

Story 3
LIFE'S CHOICES
By Patricia E. Gitt

Holding "The Technology Leader of the Year Award" in her hands, an award that should be the crowning glory
on a fabulous career, Elizabeth Barnes knew she had reached a life changing moment. In a quest to get away from the stress of life and ponder this new
awakening Lizzy finds herself caught in what can only be described as mysterious Synchronicity. Jack
Lawson, famous author, has been buried in his latest book and thought this had to be fate at work, destiny
was telling him something when he accidentally albeit literally ran into the woman of his dreams these past
several years. What should have been an amazing prize made the CEO of Depictions Inc., realize she was
lacking something more important in life. Can a symbol of your career's accomplishments become the symbol of
your new Life's Choices, choices that could lead to true love itself?

Ms. Gitt has a winner on her hands! This is a touching story who's characters come alive and you find yourself rooting for that next special moment! Once a symbol of that was thought to be successful is put into a
persons hands it's amazing the events that can unfold,as if by magic… or Synchronicity at hand. I highly
this recommend Life's Choices, it will leave you smiling and feeling positive of what the world has in store for us all.


Story 4
MR. O'GRADY'S MAGIC BOX
by Karen Michelle Nutt

Aubrey Jules went to the beautiful little Bed and
Breakfast to investigate a paranormal story for her magazine, Unbelievable Finds. A Celtic magic box is purportedly stolen from a Leprechaun and said to have been crafted by the fairies to grant your heart's desire. That is if you are worthy, but Aubrey has a hard time buying it, a magic box, please. But, get her story she will, so she makes a wish for her soul mate, for the box to bring her true love. All along not believing in soul mates, her one true love had broken her heart and she was now thinking with her head. Is that such a smart move when magic's afoot?

Ian Quinn left the love of his life, following a path not of his choosing, but of responsibility and devotion
to his family. Ian's been raised to believes in the box, he hoped it was real anyway, thought it was real
when Aubrey walked into his grandfather's inn and into his life. It's said the fairies take their own time to grant your wish, but if you are worthy, grant it they will. He can only hope he is worthy and the fairies
bring him true love.

I love Mr. O'Grady's Magic Box! This was such a wonderful tale of fairy magic, true love, soul mates and inspiration. Ian and Aubrey have such wonderful chemistry you can't help but believe in the gift of the fairies. I am a believer in fairy magic and this is a very special story about it's wonder.

Thank you for a wonderful read Ms. Nutt!

Story 5
DOUBLE BOOKED
by Courtney E. Michel
Mina Tracey was a newly divorced and now single mother of a beautiful little girl. At Mina's reluctance her
brother convinced her it was time to get on with life, though Mina's not sure she if she will ever have a true
love her in life. Cullen Porter gave up, he had enough of the whole dating scene, he was tired of his life being his career as a landscape architect and
nothing more to look forward too, maybe a vacation would do him well. Famous last words when he finds
he's double booked into the same rental house, but as fate would have it, he was invited to stay! The thoughts still plagued him that he would never find anyone who would love him for him. Those were his
thoughts, at least until he set eyes on Mina, he was immediately taken by the young woman and sweet little toddler that captivated that part of him that longed for a family of his own to take care of. Is it fate… the answer can be found in the secret language and
meanings of flowers, his passion for flowers leading him to another passion that also must be true love.
But, can he convince Mina?

Ms. Michel has created a very sweet story of two people finding their way to the magic of being in love, for
real, a true love. The use of the hidden messages behind flowers truly captivates my heart. You also get
to enjoy the picturesque scenery that Ms. Michel paints in her wonderful story… I can picture the Red Garden in
all it's Splendor, do read this story!


Reviewed by:
Stephanie Q. McGrath
PNR



Conger Books Reviews
4 Cups for DOUBLE BOOKED

Recently divorced Mina Tracey has only two loves in her life, her two year-old daughter Lauren, and a lake craft named, De Dame Kapitien. That is, until there is a mistaken double booking for the same lake-side summer rental. Equally as disillusioned by romance is Cullen Porter, who plans a quiet get away vacation from his job and emotional problems, only to be ‘Double Booked’
into the life and troubles of a divorcee. This is a very sweet romance with the kind of guy you wouldn’t mind having for yourself. If there hadn’t been a vacation mishap, Mina and Cullen might never have met.
Courtney E Michel shows us how an everyday catastrophe could be Fate’s way of making our day.

Reviewed by JoEllen, Conger Books Reviews

Stolen Pleasures by Christine DeSmet
Iris Beale lives above her touristy Antique & Art Shop and her best friend accuses her of never stepping outside the doors long enough to make a real boyfriend. While gossiping about her “doormat boy friends”, she learns that her latest boy friend has been shot dead. The murder, the stolen oversized portrait of ‘The Lady In Green’, and the burglar breaking into her shop bring her in contact with the new cop in town. But, while she goes undercover to help solve the murder Iris wonders whether Officer Jonathon Sparrow fits outside the ‘doormat’ designation?

You’re going to love this string of small town events that lead Iris and her new boyfriend, Officer Sparrow, to uncover the mysteries behind why anyone would want to kill the town’s only insurance agent.

Stolen Pleasures is a charming Cozy Mystery written by Christine DeSmet. Her heroine, Iris Beale is the type of women who works her tourist shop and keeps falling in love with guys her best friend, Maria, calls “doormat men’… except the last one has gone and gotten himself murdered.

Review Rating: 5 cups


Summer Breeze by Linda L. Lattimer
Sophia Williams and her mother, Cheryl, together are faced with the spiritual challenge of accepting themselves for who they are. When the soft spoken Scott Duncan enters their lives, he helps them accept their personal handicaps, and leads the way for them to overcome their grief. Summer Breeze is presented in a very unique voice, with often unusual word choices and phraseology. This story will reach out to your heart.

Summer Breeze is written with a unique voice, as Linda L Lattimer spins a summer romance in Florida’s Key West. Both Sophia and her mother, Cheryl, must reach within themselves to find the right path to follow towards inner peace, and an acceptance for being themselves.

Review Rating: 4 cups

Life’s Choices by Patricia E. Gitt
When Elizabeth Barnes CEO, and half owner of a successful company receives a prestigious award for her efforts, she realizes that her accomplishment doesn’t take the place of a loving relationship.

In Patricia E. Gett’s short story, Life’s Choices, her city breed heroine, Elizabeth Barnes, holds her prestigious Accomplishment Award in her hands after years of personal sacrifice and hard work, and suddenly realizes she has no one with whom to share this success. When she retreats to the country to contemplate this absence, Jack Lawson, a well known author nearly runs her over with this bicycle. It is then that Eliz questions whether or not she could successfully mix love and ambition?

Review Rating: 4 cups

Mr. O’Grady’s Magic Box by Karen Michelle Nutt
When Aubrey Jules, reporter for ‘Unbelievable Finds’ Magazine, is scheduled to interview the owner of a magic box, she knows that somehow there is a hoax, and she is determined to reveal the fraud. She doesn’t believe in wee folk or leprechauns performing magic anywhere, let alone grant wishes to mortal people. However, Mr. O’Grady not only introduces her to the notorious magical hand-carved box, but he also introduces her to his grandson, Ian Quinn… the very guy she had fallen in love with during her teen years. She knows there is no kind of magic that will make her forgive him for having jilted her. No way!

The magic in Karen Michelle Nutt’s, Mr. O’Grady’s Magic Box will have you believing in the wee folk, and how they like to meddle into the affairs of humans, especially when it comes to love.

Review Rating: 5 cups


The Romance Studio: Exceptional Compilation of Five Uniquely Different Stories
This anthology is an exceptional compilation of five uniquely different stories by five incredibly gifted authors that presented distinctively different stories created around a specific object which became the central theme of each individual plot. These talented ladies have combined an explicit, specialized object with a man and woman who desperately needed to find love—how they obtained that goal resulted in this collection.
“Stolen Pleasures,” by Christine DeSmet, was a detailed, suspenseful story about Iris Beale, owner of a store on Main Street; her boyfriend, Calvin, an insurance salesman, was murdered last night. Her friend, Anna, had brought an expensive painting into her store to hide it from her husband, from whom she was getting a divorce. That night, a burglar broke into her store; she then met Officer Jonathan Sparrow. That antique portrait was more important than its half-million dollar price tag!

Linda L. Lattimer’s “Summer Breeze” presented an especially poignant story about a young woman whose father had died; during the accident, she had lost her legs. Her mother had been “sickly” since the accident. Sophia (22) and her mother, Cheryl (45) summered in Key West each summer. Scott Duncan, a local young man, had taken a photograph of Sophia when she was 17. He had carried it with him since—this was the year he found the nerve to pursue his life’s love.

“Life’s Choices” was Patricia E. Gitt’s story about an extremely talented professional woman who had risen to the top of her profession; however, she was lonely until she took a vacation at her partner’s home and met Jack Lawson! This encounter forced Elizabeth to face the possibility of love and the necessity of making her life choice for more than work-related reasons.

“Mr. O’Grady’s Magic Box” was a light-hearted look at unrequited love in which Ms. Karen Michelle Nutt reunited two people who had spent a weekend together and then he disappeared—years before. Her encounter with the magic box was supposed to show her soul mate! Aubrey Jules went to the bed and breakfast as a reporter to write an article about the box; her previous “man” happened to be Mr. Grady’s grandson.

And finally, “Double Booked” is a delightful story by Courtney E. Michel which involved a single mother, Mina Tracey, her 2-1/2 year-old daughter, Lauren, her brother, Garrett and his girlfriend, Christi, who tried to encourage her to go with them on vacation. She refused to go until July 4th, but would then bring De Dame Kapitien, her boat. In the meantime, the owner of the home had double booked the house, and this young couple really liked Cullen Porter so they invited him to stay with them. It was a poignant story which was certainly unpredictable!

It has been my honor to review The Object of Romance Anthology. These authors took five ordinary objects which then became extraordinary and focused on undying love. I gladly recommend this as a wonderfully quick read which left this reviewer wanting to read non-stop. It is a perfect pick-me-up which is bound to find a place on my “keeper’s list!” Run; don’t walk, to grab this off the shelf at your favorite bookstore!

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Sweet/Mildly sensual

Reviewer: Brenda Talley
July 23, 2007

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