Secrets of a Perfect Night [Kindle Edition]

Victoria Alexander tugs the heartstring with a tale of two unrequited lovers. Their night of elopement is waylaid by the evil plans of Rachel's father and her lover, Jason, being taken in by the lies of her father left for America alone, leaving the disgraced and disheartened Rachel all alone. It is only after ten long years, when Rachel's husband has passed away, the chance of a lost romance patched again appears. Ms. Alexander's narration is heartstopping and poignant, and it is a testament to the resilience of two hearts that had never stopped loving.

The last story by Rachel Gibson is contemporary, a refreshing tale of a school reunion that unites a fun couple. Brina has dumped Thomas during her high school days for someone more prominent - and Thomas is tenacious to get back at her for her betrayal, only to find that his heart still has that soft spot for her. Brina realizes her mistake and now knows that only Thomas is the right man for her.

SECRETS OF A PERFECT NIGHT blends beautifully these three tales and they are all sensual and uplifting enough to keep you a perfect night of reading and enjoyment. It is the talent of narration that shines in this book, and it is often rare that you get this lovely 3-in-1 package to last you a romantic night.

SCANDALOUS LORD DERE: Adrian Andrew Hawsley, the sixth Viscount Dere, has just sworn off women. His reputation as a rake, combined with highly acclaimed abilities in the bedchamber, has women hunting him in droves. But those women are almost exclusively married, and he's tired of being their prey. While returning home to his principle estate, which he abandoned years ago following his father's death, he encounters a raging snowstorm, and nearly dies of exposure trying to get himself and his servant to safety. He picks a familiar house to collapse at the door of. The house of his childhood playmate, Abigail Woolley, the girl who at the age of sixteen, seduced him. Now they're snowbound together, and the intense desire between them resurfaces. After all this time, can Adrian convince her he wants nothing more than to settle down with the one woman he's always loved?

Stephanie Laurens wrote this story, and I was pleasantly surprised by how good it was. I've read a few books by her, but after deciding they were all much the same, and became less interesting to me each time I picked up another, I quit reading her work. Her writing style is definitely evident in this story, and it was an enjoyable read with quite erotic love scenes. I would award this selection four stars.

THE LAST LOVE LETTER: At the age of seventeen, Rachel Gresham fell hopelessly and passionately in love with Jason Norcross. Her cold and manipulative father was determined she marry someone of power and means, who could further his political aspirations. Jason had neither power nor money. So Rachel and Jason planned an elopement to America, only to have it foiled by her father who made sure they would not marry. Instead, she married George Norcross, the Earl of Lyndhurst and Jason's cousin. George eventually found out the truth behind what had separated Rachel and Jason, but chose to keep it to himself. A few years later, on his deathbed, George penned letters to Rachel and Jason explaining everything, and his wish they reconcile after his passing. Jason was the only living male heir of George, so as the new earl, he's returning to England. Will they be able to put the past behind them, and give love another chance?

This second story was penned by Victoria Alexander, and covered a ten-year expanse of time. The story did jump around from present to past, but was not difficult to follow. It was well written, but stories where the couple is separated for years by malevolent outside forces just aren't my favorite. Both main characters were likeable enough, but the love scenes were just okay. I would award three stars to this selection, with the story's premise being the main reason I didn't go higher. I've read one other book by this author, which was quite good, and I won't hesitate to read more of her work.

NOW AND FOREVER: Brina McConnell and Thomas Mack had been the best of friends since the first grade. They had dated for a short time their senior year in high school. But Brina ended their relationship by attending a dance with the quarterback of the football team. When her and the quarterback broke up a month later, Thomas had moved on with his life. He eventually started a computer software company, and then sold it for millions. Now Rachel and Thomas are both attending their ten-year high school reunion, at a ski resort during New Year's Eve. They have each changed significantly, and when they set eyes on each other again, the old feelings flame into something more uncontrollable. Will they begin the New Year by starting a new life together?

Rachel Gibson is one of my favorite authors, and this was just as wonderful as everything else I've read by her. The characters are well developed, and the story is sweet, warm, funny and sexy. The sexual tension between this couple vibrated from the pages, and the love scenes nearly incinerated those pages! Obviously this was my favorite of the three stories, and a definite five star read.

Overall, this is the best collection of stories by different authors, compiled into one book that I've ever read. I believe a large part of the success of this novel, aside from the talent of all three authors, is the fact that the couple in each story had met before, and had some type of relationship in the past. One thing that I believe is difficult to do in eighty to one hundred pages, is to develop the main characters well, and have them fall head over heals forever in love, and do it realistically in so few pages. But since each couple had begun their relationship years ago, it was believable for them to see each other again, and end up in love in so short a time. This book is worth checking out!