From Susan Johnson’s official website:
“I just finished a novella for Kensington. The story is set in 1785 Edinburgh, Scotland with Lunardi's second balloon ascent serving as backdrop. The heroine is involved in the early experiments in flight, while the hero is simply accompanying a friend who has an amateur's interest in scientific experiments. They meet casually after the successful balloon flight.
Miss Nicky Wemyss finds the Viscount Priestley arrogant, much too handsome and even more offensive--English. The viscount finds the beautiful lady dressed in boy's working garb highly provocative, perhaps even challenging and he's never regarded country of origin as a hindrance to carnal desire.
Furthermore, he's not a man who likes to lose. Check it out to see whether they come to some agreement. Whether they find some-say...common ground.”

From an email recently received from Katherine O’Neal:
"'My story in STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT is called "Fool Me Once." Here's what the book jacket says about it:
'It's 1933 and Kate Frost is the most creative flim-flam artist in all of East London--until she meets her match in the ruthless, rakishly handsome Rhys. The seductive con man has a plot of his own: under his careful tutelage, Kate will pose as a long-lost Aztec princess who will fool the world. But to become a goddess, she'll have to submit herself to his training completely, giving herself over to his every instruction, his every command, his every desire. But when two thieves fall prey to their own deceptions, there's no telling who is fooling whom...and who is no longer pretending at all.'
"Basically, it's about a con woman who falls in love with the man who's forcing her to go along with this con. She hates herself for it, but she loves him so much and sex with him is sooooo great that she can't help giving in to him, even though she knows he's just using her. But then she comes up with a plan to beat him at his own game and save herself from him at the same time. Except that it all blows up in her face. And of course we know Rhys isn't just using her, but falling in love with her, right?"

From Pam Rosenthal’s official website:
"A House East of Regent Street"--a novella featured in the anthology Strangers in the Night~~
The war with Napoleon won at last, seaman Jack Merion turns his attention and prize money toward real estate. Jack's a rich man now, and he intends to invest in a house that was once a fashionable brothel. But a mysterious Miss Myles also wants the house -- and she's willing to meet all Jack's terms. With interest. And with pleasure.”

Erotic Romance (Historical, Anthology)
STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT
Susan Johnson, Katherine O’Neal & Pamela Rosenthal
Publisher: Brava
RT Rating:--meaning COMPELLING-Page Turner

You’ll want to get acquainted with these bad boys, and the sinful games they play in this trio of erotically romantic stories from three writers who know how to put the sizzle and hiss into history.

With her trademark lust-turns-to-love plot, Johnson sets the fashionable world on its ear as the wicked and amoral Jasper, Viscount Priestley (AKA the Pope), meets his match in “Natural Attraction.” Scientist and balloonist Nicky Wemyss lives life to its fullest and will take all Jasper can give as they seduce each other in a luscious read.

How does Kate Frost, an East End con artist, end up in Mexico masquerading as an Aztec princess? It’s all part of Rhys’ plan to bring down the most ruthless man in Mexico. Kate has always been self-reliant, but with Rhys she’s no longer in control. She becomes his pawn and finds the psychological bondage both frightening and enticing. As O’Neal pushes her story forward, you’ll be caught up in the web of intrigue, bondage and passion that holds the characters in thrall in “Fool Me Once.”

When both Jack Merion, a newly wealthy seaman, and Miss Cleo Myles desire “A House on Regent Street,” which happens to be a former brothel, they devise a titillating way for both of them to use the house: Cleo will meet Jack each day in a different room to play out any and all fantasies. But there are some surprises up Cleo’s sleeve as she helps Jack pursue his passions and ignites her own. Rosenthal delivers a true banquet of delights. (Dec., 384 pp., $15.00)

Review originally appeared in ROMANTIC TIMES BookClub magazine, December 2004, issue #250

Updated on Sat Oct 30, 2004