Page Turners

January

The Harem
by Noelle Mack, Emma Leigh, Celia May Hart & Melissa MacNeal (Charlotte Hubbard)
Reviewed by Wendy Drew

 THE HAREM contains four erotic romance novellas and each story has its own twist on the Harem theme.  “The Secret Door” by Noelle Mack has a slight paranormal element where the heroine—a lonely odalisque—unveils a hidden garden overseen by a mysterious golden-hued man. 

In “The Pleasure Garden” by Emma Leigh, the shipwrecked heroine finds herself at the mercy of a handsome Englishman who must teach her the ways of Tao lovemaking in order to prepare her for the emperor. 

In “East Meets West” by Celia May Hart, the half-Indian, half-English heroine has been trained in the erotic arts in preparation for the Maharajah.  Escorted by a charismatic lieutenant neither one can deny their overwhelming passion.

 Author Melissa MacNeal takes a slightly different approach with the Harem theme in “A Lady’s Pleasure.”  Recently widowed Ophelia Leeds discovers that her late husband captained an elaborate ship fashioned to entertain all his wealthy friends’ sexual desires.   Intrigued by the escapades detailed in a hidden journal, Ophelia sets out to make a Harem of her own.

 Each story revolves around a theme of forbidden passion, but my personal favorite is MacNeal’s “A Lady’s Pleasure.”  Sexy and fun this novella lightens up the mood and still makes you squirm in your seat.