Circe's Charms by Sheri Gilmore gets started with a meeting between Penny and her mysterious, oh-so-sexy co-worker, Herman, who in reality is the Trickster (Hermes), a super natural being who has set his sights on the just turned forty year old. After invading her dreams with his partners-a nymph named Calypso and the witch, Circe-"Herman" presents her with a gift certificate to an out of the way bookstore.

However, on her way there her car breaks down and she is "rescued" by Circe, who demands sex in return for his/her service. Thus begins a week-end long journey of sexual awakening and experimentation for Penny who is forced to face her sexual needs and fantasies. At the end she must return to her old life, perhaps changed, hopefully ready to go for what she wants out of life- including Herman?

Ms. Gilmore is quite ambitious with her story, Circe's Charms. She has an extremely strong opening hook, immediately drawing the reader into the story, which is similar to a fairy tale, with its requisite magical characters and even a "Princess", as Circe refers to Penny. Unfortunately the short length hampers it quite a bit, making scene transitions quite confusing. In addition, I found it difficult to follow the names/characters as each one has at least two identities which seem to be interchangeable at a moment's notice: Circe is referred to as both 'him' and 'her', Kirke and the witch in quick succession, and Herman is called Hermes, the black cat, and the Trickster in such a rapid fire manner that I had to read several passages repeatedly to figure out who was whom.

All that being said, it was indeed an intriguing story, almost Shakespearean in nature. Penny's lessons in sensuality are quite memorable as she is led down paths she would never have dared gone before. Her sense of time and place are so distorted she is able to shed her inhibitions and participate in all sorts of combinations, including with Hermes in feline form. So keep your mind open and enjoy Penny's adventures to the fullest degree, because Ms. Gilmore delivers! 3 Angels

Reviewed by: Lynn