These stories were uninteresting, with unrealistic plots and underdeveloped characters. I have read some of the other books in this Once upon series and they have been mediocre, but these stories were all a complete bore. Save your money.

I really enjoy the Once Upon collection. . . However was really disappointed with this books. The stories lack substance and characters. In addition, I was expecting more romance in the sense that the kiss in each story would almost be soul shattering for each of the couples. In several ways the authors could have focus more on the reasons as to why the kiss is so important or how it seems to have affected each of the characters. Instead I got the idea that the authors wanted to rush to the ending.

"A World Apart" by Nora Roberts. Kadra the Demon Slayer has vowed to destroy the devils that threaten her world. When the demon warriors and their king flee through a portal to a strange orb, Kadra follows. However New York City in the twenty-first century is eerily bizarre so Kadra coaxes private investigator Harper Doyle to help her battle her demons even while love blossoms between them. Nora Roberts provides a strong fantasy romance.

"Impossible" by Jill Gregory. Her family has always sheltered Princess Erinn of Marlbury from the ravages of the hundred-year war. Still their enemy Tynon of Bordmoor kidnaps her. Tynon believes that Erinn is a witch, who has enchanted his land and soon afterward his heart. Jill Gregory paints a wonderful fantasy romance.

"Sealed with a Kiss" by Ruth Ryan Langan. Her father promised powerful Highland chieftain Duncan MacLean his daughter Arianna Douglas in marriage in exchange for protection against invaders. When Duncan's warriors come to escort Arianna, his nephew Lachlan steals her heart. This is an entertaining tale that although the key characters are never developed.

"Kiss Me, Kate" by Marianne Willman. Kate Singleton inherits a manor with a resident enchanted prince. However, her heart belongs to her new neighbor, Michael Bellamy. With a wee bit of help, Kate might save the prince and gain heart's desire too. This is a fun fairy tale that the audience will enjoy yet feel the American, the Englishman, and the frog needed further development perhaps in a novella.

The fifth "Once Upon a ..." is a delightful fantasy romance anthology.

Harriet Klausner

I was quite dissapointed with this book, it lacked romance and filled in the blanks with a morbid suspense. I spent the whole story waiting for something to make me smile and just found a deeper sadness. Just when i though the happy ending was on the horizon, it was spoiled by more sad news. Not for someone wanting romance.

I agree with both of the reviews that this isn't one of Susan Napier's best books, but the shower scene is just so great that it can't be completely dismissed. Ms. Napier is an excellent writer who uses complicated plots and writes love scenes better than anyone I've ever read. I do not dismiss books simply because they have the Harlequin title: either a book is good or it is not. That it is a romance should not mean that you have to put up with shoddy writing. I have been known to throw books away where the characters are idiots and the plots unbelievable. Ms. Napier's books are keepers, to be re-read whenever one feels the need to escape into a funny, believable story line and great characters. I methodically have gone on-line looking for her books and snap them up as soon as I find them.

Nina Dowling was happy on her island home, despite the missing two years of her life. Then a stranger arrives, bringing flashes of memory and pain. Ryan Flint has pushed his way into Nina's life, forcing her to remember what she can't bear to think about, from their life together to why she ran away.

An old plot that was too predictable. Flat characters with only flashes of Napier's usual brilliance. Terribly disappointing contribution from a writer who has always been one of my favorites in the torrid, overbearing male subgenre of romance.

Back Cover description: They met at the airport. He wore a suit and carried a briefcase. He seemed quiet, a little shy. Definitely not the type to flirt with a fellow passenger'even if she was famous actress Rosalind Marlow! His name, Roz discovered, was Luke James. She was determined to discover more about him'such as why he appeared to following her. And was he as innocent as he seemed? What he really needed was a lesson in flirtation'and, on impulse, Roz decided to be his teacher! Luke was a fast learner. In fact, Roz soon discovered that he didn't need lessons at all. He could teach her plenty about the art of seduction!

Not one of Ms. Napier's better books. I didn't like Roz or Luke. The plot was unbelievable and some of the things Roz did, when she knew the press was always after her were just stupid. Read THE REVENGE AFFAIR instead

I don't understand why sequels to brilliant novels are written long after the original author's death. They all fail miserably, yet continue to get published. Mrs. DeWinter might very well be the worst of the lot, with no character development, no plot, and absolutely NO point. Nothing is resolved, except the solution of who burned down Manderley, which was better left unknown. Susan Hill rambles on and on about nothing. The book is extremely boring and way OVERLONG and took me weeks to finish. I was so glad to finally be able to put the book away. Fans of Rebecca should not waste their time reading this garbage. Nothing in the book makes sense, from the narrarator's actions to Mrs. Danvers living down the street, to why Maxim has become so annoying and childish. The last page is the only decent one in the book. Save your time and money, this book was better left never being written.

The novel, Mrs. De Winter, was a very good effort on trying to copy Daphne Du Murier's origional story, Rebecca, but failed as far as character developement and style. Susan Hill is a very good writer as a general rule, however, I did not like the sudden change in character. Suddenly, Maxim De Winter becomes rude and arrogant and once in the novel, the narrator (who remains unnamed in this as well) suddenly comes out of her shy coma to reveal a pillar of power to Mrs. Danvers. It is only shown once in the entire novel and just doesn't fit. Also, Susan Miller has tried to recreate the feel of the thirties, but the plot is changed so much with the De Winters buying a new house. Finally, the book was very predictable with coincidences. This made the story very boring to read because you always seemed to know that when Mr. or Mrs. De Winter finally get settled again, something terrible happens. If Miller had written this as a seperate novel from Rebecca, it would have been much better.

"Mrs. De Winter" was so much better than "Rebecca," in my opinion. I found the writing in "Rebecca" very dreary and long, while "Mrs. De Winter" was more upbeat, in a monotone sort of way. The plot is not a thick one, but just sums up the life the de Winter's led after the incidents at Manderly. The ending is rather abrupt, but yet, not uncalled for. I really don't understand why people did not appreciate this book. Hill did a very good job continuing where du Maurier left off. I recommend.