Ellora's Cavemen: Tales from the Temple IV

Collaboration
Ellora's Cave (2006)
ISBN 1419900854
Reviewed by Anne Boling for Reader Views (2/07)

“Night Scream” by Denise Agnew
Evelyn Layne worked for the SIA, Special Investigations Agency; she had a crush on her boss she knows is happily married.  She hopes someday she will be a Special Agent.  There’s been a strange noise in the SIA building for a couple of weeks.  Evelyn isn’t sure if she believes in ghosts or not but she knows she hears it.  One night the lights went off and something grabs her.  She attempts to strike back with her stapler just as she learned in the self-defense class.  The something that grabs her is the new Special Agent Conall Tierney.  The two of them together must fight the supernatural presence in the building. 

“Body Chemistry” by Tawny Taylor
Lukas has been working on a weight loss pill.  One of the byproducts is similar to a moth’s pheromone.  A moth produces pheromones and other moths are attracted.  He calls this byproduct Candy.  Lukas accidentally spills some Candy on his arm.  Suddenly women seem attracted to him.  Allie Larson has always had a soft spot for the underdog.  She even took in a bald cat.  At a company party she notices Lukas Brenner.  He is a genius but could use a do-over.  He needs a different hair cut, clothing that fits, and self-confidence.  She finds herself very attracted to him.  Lukas must ask himself if Allie is attracted to the pheromone or to him.

“Earthwork” by Annie Windsor
Wolf is a warrior in the post uprising world of 2800.  The Uprising Heroes defeated the Technocrats and the North American continent has been divided.  But there is still evil at Volcano’s Rim.  Keli Dunkirk has a power that is stronger than the council has ever witnessed.  Keli’s desire for Wolf is strong; but giving herself to him is to totally submit.  Warrior’s are known to be beastlike in their passion.  The two form a bond to protect the warriors and seal the dark evil’s fate.

“Ghost of a Chance” by Shiloh Walker
Chelsea Jane inherited an old mansion in eastern Kentucky.  For years she’d had passionate dreams of a man and she’d wake up uttering the name Lucas.  She found a photograph and some journals in an old trunk.  The journals belonged to Katherine Green, a woman in love with Lucas Frost.  The journals dated back to 1843.  In an attempt to control the future of their families Luke and Katherine’s fathers left a will where the two would inherit only if they married.  After Luke’s father past away his mother married again.  Her second husband was barbaric and controlling.  He murdered Luke and attempted to rape Katherine.  But death cannot keep these two apart.

“Past Running” by Mlyn Hurn
Aeryn’s ex-husband Craig is on the run from the law.  He and his cohorts take Aeryn and some female family members captive.  Craig forces Aeryn to lead them to her cabin.  Craig tries to rape her but Devlin, Aeryn’s law enforcement lover, has taught her several self-defense tricks that really work.

“The Beckoned” by Jaid Black
For as long as she can remember, Jack Elliot has haunted Ashley’s dreams.  She doesn’t know who he is and thinks he doesn’t really exist.  Jack fantasizes about an Indian woman.  She’s probably a Lenape.  He’s never met her but she haunts his dreams.  Both are real and time cannot keep them apart.

“Ellora’s Cavemen: Tales from the Temple IV” by Denise Agnew, Tawny Taylor, Annie Windsor, Shiloh Walker, and Jaid Black has six short stories.  Usually in an anthology there is a common thread.  It was difficult to find a connecting thread between these stories.  “Earthwork” by Denise Agnew is filled with humor.  “Body Chemistry” by Tawny Taylor left me laughing.  I truly liked this story.  Lukas was a loveable geek and Allie was his perfect companion.  “Ghost of a Chance” by Shiloh Walker is a fabulous story.  I loved the plot and the characters were so interesting.  This plot could stand-alone and be book length.  “Past Running” by Mlyn Hurn has an interesting plot.  Aeryn is an interesting character, strong and resourceful.  “The Beckoned” by Jaid Black is a sensual story of love that time cannot stop.  Five of the six stories were well- written and had fascinating characters.  While I did not care for the other story the five I did like made purchase of this book worth it.

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