The House of Dust by Janine Ashbless

Queen Ishara and her King Tamuz live in the land of Uruk. They have been together for many years with no problems, or so it seems. So when something terrible happens to King Tamuz, Ishara knows there is only one person she can go to for help: her sister, Ereshkigal who resides in the House of Dust located in the Underworld. In order for Ishara to be able to see her sister, she must first pass through all seven gates. Along the way Ishara learns that those who reside in the Underworld know how to pleasure a woman in addition to obtaining pleasure themselves. You won’t believe the things Ishara has to do.

Ishara has to endure many challenges along the way to see her sister. As Ishara passes through each of the seven gates, she has to perform tasks that just kept getting hotter and hotter. I was left wondering, what else can Janine Ashbless come up with for Ishara? Well let me tell you— she brought it and a whole lot more. The House of Dust is one spicy erotic story. I thought the fantasy aspects that were in this tale were good. Ms. Ashbless has dreamed up one wild and sexy ride in The House of Dust. The story is like a little yummy appetizer before the main course. I can tell you after trying the appetizer I want the main course and dessert too. Ms. Ashbless can count me in as a new fan of hers.

III Met by Moonlight by Portia Da Costa

Lois has been having steamy, hot dreams lately. In those dreams she is making love to a mysterious guy. When Lois wakes up, she feels like her dreams are real but that can’t be right, or can it? While out and about Lois meets her new neighbor. Robin has got to be one of the sexiest men Lois has seen in a while. Lois gets the funny feeling she has met Robin before now. Robin has been observing Lois and invading her dreams at night. The more Lois gets to know Robin, the stronger the sexual chemistry between them ignites. Before he knows it Robin finally gets his chance to touch and sample Lois for real. But, Robin has a secret that could end this fairy tale romance sooner than Robin or Lois would like it end.

First off let me start by saying that I am jealous of Lois. There, I said it. I mean, come on, let’s face it. We have all had a sexy dream or two at one point or another but not like the ones Lois experiences with Robin. Robin has this mysterious quality about him that makes him irresistible. Did I mention that Robin knows all the right places to touch a woman? I thought III Met in Moonlight by Ms. Da Costa was a good addition to this trio of stories by some great authors. Again another wonderful tale by Portia Da Costa, who can make magic happen with her words.

The Dragon Lord by Olivia Knight

Princess Nina of Navarone is married to Prince Mahli, but it is unhappy union. Nina falls in love with not her husband but with Lord Drake of Kao. Princess Nina and Lord Drake start communicating by sending each other love letters. Before too long Lord Drake asks to see Nina. Nina agrees and sets out to meet Lord Drake. Nina’s husband, Prince Mahli finds Nina’s secret stash of letters and is enraged. Prince Mahli takes off after Nina with Nina’s parents tagging along. When the group gets there, they catch Nina and Lord Drake acting as lovers. The King orders Nina to be locked up in the tower until he decides what to do with her. Lord Drake is able to escape back to his land of Kao. While in the tower Nina starts experiencing strange changes happening to her. What is going on with Nina and will Lord Drake be reunited with his one true love?

The sparks between Princess Nina and Lord Drake were there but I thought they were a little mild and needed just a little more heat. Of course this could have been because of the storyline. The characters all meshed well together. Of all three of the tales in Magic and Desire, I would have to say that The Dragon Lord was probably closer to the fantasy aspect. The House of Dust and III Met by Moonlight both had fantasy too but in a different way. Where The Dragon Lord stuck more to the medieval theme with royalty and dragons, both The House of Dust and III Met by Moonlight played more on the sexual fantasy side of things. However, I liked all three tales in their own ways and what each author brought to the mix. Olivia Knight is another new author for me and would like to check out more books by her.

Reviewed by: Cheryl