Review: Kissed From Beyond (Anthology)

Kissed From Beyond
Authors: Keta Diablo, Amber Scott, Elise Hepner, Stacey Kennedy
Publisher: Goodnight Publishing
ISBN:
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*Novel provided by the authors via Book Lovin' Bitches eBook Tours

This 'must read' anthology will take you to the mystical beyond and back with four erotica novellas from bestselling and award winning authors: Keta Diablo, Amber Scott, Elise Hepner and Stacey Kennedy. Can you handle the magic?

CRADLE OF DREAMS
Keta Diablo

With visions of battle still fresh in his mind, Roane Bradfield returns home to find the woman he loves betrothed to another. He corners Kendrick Moreland at Dowager Huggins’ Grand Ball and whisks her into the secluded library. One way or the other, he will know the reason the duplicitous beauty cut him from her life when she promised to wait forever.

Kendrick can’t believe her eyes when Roane suddenly appears at the ball. Has he truly risen from the dead? Amid wagging tongues and hushed murmurs, the fantasy of her every dream whisks her from the ballroom. And the expression on his face is anything but loving. Revenge, danger and powerful love collide in the Cradle of Dreams.

A LOVE SOUL DEEP
Amber Scott

If only Sara had known no man would ever make her feel like Crew did, she would have let him love her. A regret that can never be undone. His death haunts her dreams, and her wishful thinking only reminds her of everything she has lost.

Years later, a visit to an antique store in sultry Savannah changes everything and makes her deepest wish come true. Her beloved returns to her. Her every fantasy gets the chance to be fulfilled. But she wants more than one night. She wants a lifetime and wonders what magic will let her keep A Love Soul Deep.

ONE RUB MORE
Elise Hepner

Flynn has been cursed for over a century for a social slight he never committed. A voodoo priestess hexed him and forced him into a teapot where he could be summoned by the rub of a woman’s palm. Once free, he grants these women three sexual favors—and cuts off his own emotions in the process. Unable to break free from an invisible cage of lust and sex to fall in love again he’s resigned to being a sex object and nothing more.

Helena has been house sitting far, far away from her complicated past in England— including her former childhood sweetheart, who wasn’t satisfied when Helena didn’t want to be barefoot and pregnant. She’s resigned to leave behind the complications of men and sex. She hopes logic will win out over her unreliable emotions—but she’s put to the test when she accidentally summons Flynn from his teapot prison.

‘TILL WE MEET AGAIN
Stacey Kennedy

Ethan Thomas has spent years alone―forever trapped between worlds. Once a soldier in the Civil War, he’s now a ghost bound to a chaise lounge that once belonged to him. He’s spent centuries lingering in Savannah, Georgia, waiting to be saved…

Cassandra Cole is an interior designer hired to restore an old Victorian home. As she begins to furnish the house, strange happenings erupt around her. She suspects the house is haunted. Determined to find out, Cassie sets out to discover who the ghost is, why she feels a connection to him, and what she has to do to free him. The answers will surprise her in ways she never imagined.

The novella starts off with Cradle of Dreams by Keta Diablo, quite possibly one of the strongest and most enjoyable read of the entire collection. There was a great sense of detail to the story with a great back story as well as multiple layers spanning not only the present, but the distant past, creating an enthralling tale that had me captivated. I loved the twist of a soldier coming back from war only to find that everyone thinks that he died on the battlefield. The emotionality was great spanning the gap between rage, sadness, and deep seeded need. The erotic appeal of this novel was wonderful, springing from the great connection between the characters and fiercely dominate male that I couldn't help but drool over a bit. The writing itself was fluid, with nice world building despite the shortness of the story. This was definitely a great read that I would have loved to see be a little longer, just so I could see more of these appealing characters.

A Love Soul Deep by Amber Scott, however, was definitely the most emotional of the collection. There was a heavy sense of grief about the story as a woman struggles to come to terms with the loss of her boyfriend, a man she was only able to spend a short time with before his untimely death. That said though, I'm not sure that I really liked the main character, Sara. She's a bit obsessed and unwilling to let go of a man she shared so brief a time with. Truly, at times I thought she needed to see a phsycologist, yet I could sympathize with her feelings of loss and despair. But, there was definitely a nice sense of romance between the characters as their love for one another was perfectly evident. This also had a slower pace, but the world building was nicely done creating a story that really hit hard yet left you with that slight feeling of unease about the ending.

One Rub More by Elise Hepner was the one that I found to be a little harder to get in to. While I liked the concept of a genie who grants naughty wishes, this one just seemed to lack so much for me, starting with the main character, Sara. While a good soul, there's just too much over-thinking in this novel for my tastes. From the beginning, she just analyses everything right in to the ground. Flynn on the other hand was interesting with a tragic past that landed him cursed, forever doomed to bring pleasure to others while taking none for himself. The odd connection between these two has very little emotional appeal with only a minimal romantic appeal that even seemed to lack a bit in the erotic appeal.

'Till We Meet Again by Stacey Kennedy was definitely a good story to bring this anthology to a close. There was something a wistful appeal about that had me hooked as the main character, Cassie tries to set Ethan's ghostly form to rest. Add to this the fact that Ethan is a virgin in need of sexual release before he moves on to the great beyond was somehow kind of sweet. Especially considering his quick connection to Cassie. The characterization in this one was wonderful with some great emotional appeal that drew me into the story. The writing style was wonderfully fluid creating a wonderful tone and atmosphere about the story. While the ending is somewhat bitter sweet, I can't think of a better way to end this ethereal collection!

Overall, this was a spooktacular read full of great emotion and some really steamy romance! With some wonderfully talented authors, this is definitely a great read that will have you discovering some must read authors. While some of these may not have been exactly my cup of tea, there is definitely something here for everyone, but take note, this is not for the light hearted as there's lots of intense romance, hot sex, and heart wrenching emotions.

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Scars

Advisory: Strong sexual content

Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of the Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours and a copy was provided to me by the author. although payment may have been received by Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review nor was there an obligation to write a positive one. all opinions expressed here are entirely mine and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. this disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.