Equinox (Paperback)

Walpurgis Night by Katherine Kingston
On the night all must pay homage to the spirits that control the fertility of the land, Fianna finds herself with a difficult decision - faced with 3 young men she finds unattractive, she must choose one to be her companion for the night or face exile from her village. Risking possible retribution from her eager suitors, she selects Henrik as her lover for the night, a golden Norseman from a nearby settlement.
Despite their incredible night together, Henrik waits only for the return of his brother Ranulf. Once his brother returns home from his travels Henrik plans to leave his settlement and explore the world himself. When Ranulf returns home injured, it is Fianna the village healer that Henrik turns to for help. Should she save Ranulf then she risks losing the man she loves and finds herself making a difficult choice.

Night Of Fire by Vonna Harper
It is believed that on Bel-fire night virgins should surrender their innocence to ensure the fertility of the land. As religion becomes widespread, the ancient rituals that nourish the earth are viewed as heresy by priests and Maia, a virgin who respects and intends to follow the old ways sees her future threatened. Following a vision, she is sent to the future to find Taurus, a potent man who will not only take her virginity but ensure the ancient rites continue.
Taron Stanton is an American computer tycoon in Scotland visiting a friend. Urged to enjoy Beltane night (a local celebration), he finds himself propositioned by a gorgeous (albeit strange) young woman. Humouring her and ignoring the warning shouts of a nearby audience, he recklessly runs with Maia beneath a flaming fire arch constructed for the celebration and finds himself in another time, an age where it appears he is destined to be both the saviour of necessary ancient rituals and a future father of Maia's child.

Handle With Care by Annie Windsor
The year is 3012 and Earth's men have become an endangered species following the release of a y chromosone virus. The few men left in the world are treated as kings and paid astronomical amounts of money for their monthly sperm donations to safeguard the survival of the human race. The presence of a real man now creates riots of hysterical women. Tia Belmont is part of SEARCH, a programme involving the quest for other worlds in the hope that one may host viable male lifeforms. Aged 30, it has been 15 years since she last saw a real man and doesn't hold up much hope that she'll ever see another one.
When contact is made with the planet Kaerad (ironically a planet where females are scarce) there are mixed reactions. Having met and bonded with a Kaeradi chief named Brok, Tia is deliriously happy and eager to matchmake the entire planet, threatening the princely existence of the now possibly defunct Earth males. Further problems lie ahead when Tia discovers that despite their strong appearance, Kaeradi men are extremely sensitive. The touch of a woman he finds unattractive can cause revulsion and full intimacy with an incompatible female can cause death. With Earth's women eager to sample a male for the first time, in spite of Tia's resolve to guarantee only compatible women are introduced to equally eager Kaeradi males, tragic events occur.

This is a great anthology, however as a fan of Annie Windsor I have to state her offering was by far the hottest and funniest. I would love her to continue the theme of these fragile warrior men of Kaeradi in future books. Anyone who enjoyed Handle With Care should check out her few full length novels in print by EC - Arda: The Sailmaster's Woman is fabulous.