Quick Silver
ALLURING TALES I - AWAKEN THE FANTASYAnthology by Vivi Anna, Sylvia Day, Cathryn Fox, Lisa Renee Jones, Sasha White, Myla Jackson and Delilah Devlin
Avon Red
ISBN 0-0611-7603-6
Available March 2007
In the year 2080, Sangria Silver knows what it takes to be a good messenger, a good delivery person. Ask no questions, and do the job no matter what. With a reputation for being quick, efficient and discreet, she's the most wanted Conveyor in the New States of America.
Contracted by the one of the most powerful women in the NSA, Sangria takes on her most intriguing and most lucrative job to date. Two million dollars to transport a large metal case from the sparkling sanitized streets of Los Angeles Proper to the skids of East Las Vegas, no questions asked.
Along the way, she thinks she has it made and will be able to retire from the job, when she's involved in a traffic accident and her car flips over. To her chagrin, the metal case is tossed from the trunk and smashes open to reveal the cargo inside.
Not cargo but a man. Alive and sexy as sin itself.
Sangria didn't know how long she sat still strapped into the driver's seat blood dripping down her forehead, until reason and awareness slapped her in the face. Putting a hand to her aching head, she surmised that she had a large cut on the crown. Looking at the red splattered spider-webbed windshield, it wasn't hard for her to guess from what.
Turning in her seat, she took inventory of the damage on her vehicle. The black bag was still there, jammed under the passenger seat. Her personal affects were strewn on the floor and seat from where the glove compartment had flown open. Seeing that triggered a horrible thought and she spun in her seat.
The trunk door of the Hummer was open, and so was the hidden door in the floor. Damn it, she'd forgotten to padlock it!
Unhooking her seat belt, Sangria tried to open her door. It wouldn't budge. The frame was bent inwards, and she was very lucky that it hadn't rammed into her side. Shuffling across the passenger seat, she tried that door, and discovered the same damage. She slid between the front seats, crawled into the back, and peered down into the false bottom of her vehicle. The compartment was empty. The case was missing.
With a cry of alarm, she jumped out of the back. Pain immediate and sharp ripped up her side, making her head spin. Looking down, she noticed blood blossoming on her t-shirt from under her arm. She lifted her shirt and noticed a long cut on her left side. Guess the car door didn't miss.
Letting her shirt fall, she scanned the surroundings near the accident. The semi was nowhere to be seen. He obviously fled the scene. The driver was probably driving drunk, or had fallen asleep at the wheel. But when her eyes settled on something only three feet away, her injuries and everything else was immediately forgotten.
The case lay on its side all banged up, with the lid wide open.
She stumbled toward it, realizing that the cut on her head was making her a tiny bit woozy. As she neared, all the breath left her lungs and she doubled over almost throwing up. She was in deep shit, and she didn't have a shovel.
Lying on the ground a few inches from the case was a man. Bound and gagged but alive, he looked straight at her with wide vivid blue eyes.
5 KLOVERS
"Wow! Individually, each of the stories in the anthology Alluring Tales - Awaken the Fantasy more than sizzle, but united in one hot little book, they are downright combustible! The title promises alluring tales, and it definitely delivers!
"With some anthologies, you find several stories you like or love, and maybe a story or two that aren't quite up to par. It would be hard to find anyone who could say this about Alluring Tales - Awaken the Fantasy! Each story is just as good as the last one. I personally would be hard pressed to choose a favorite between them, and am very grateful I don't have to!"
- Jennifer, CK2SKWIPSANDKRITIQUES
Joyfully Reveiwed
"Quick Silver was a fun end to this anthology. The byplay between Sangria and Vance was a delight to watch and the hot sex and erupting passion was certainly what I was cheering to have happen. I think the futuristic and yet very familiar world only added to my enjoyment - and I've always wondered what anyone would want a Hummer for!
"Alluring Tales: Awaken the Fantasy was a terrific set of stories by some of my favorite authors that I would recommend to anyone who wants some great short stories in a variety of sub-genres with hot sex and very engaging characters."
- Maura
Romance at Heart
"Aptly named, Alluring Tales ~ Awaken the Fantasy is a wonderful blend of well chosen stories from seven delightful and imaginative authors. The book has been carefully crafted, the stories all carry similar themes, and with very different tones. The Allure Ladies will thrill you with this anthology, for it is definitely a volume you will want to remain on your keeper shelf. Personally, I would recommend it to any and all who like that touch of danger, the shadow of darkness, and the lure forbidden thrills in your romances. It is not for the faint of heart, because the sex is steamy, the characters rich and vibrant, and it leaves you with the tingles which linger long after you put it down."
- Rose
5 Blue Ribbons, Romance Junkies
"Vivi Anna gives readers a thrill with this story. QUICK SILVER is full of unexpected events, thrilling sex, and a kick butt ending that had me snickering. Sangria and Vance aren't your typical hero/heroine couple but that's what makes them so delightful.
The Allure authors did a fantastic job compiling this anthology! All of these tales are vastly different, full of fascinating characters, hot sex, emotional situations, and witty dialogue. This is one of the few anthologies that I've read where I loved all of the stories. Each story flowed easily into the next one and I never felt like I had to stop reading before continuing onto the next author's contribution. Wonderfully done ladies! I hope to see many more collaborative efforts in the future."
- Chrissy