Secrets of a Perfect Night

by Rachel Gibson, Stephanie Laurens, Victoria Alexander

Book Overview

Three spectacular stories all set on New Year's Eve. First, Stephanie Laurens enthralls us with a New Year's scandal, when a rake awakens in the bed of the temptress who seduced him years before. Then, Victoria Alexander enchants with her tale of a love promised, then foiled and then rekindled on another midnight. And Rachel Gibson delights with the reunion of two estranged friends and the passionate sparks that fly when the clock strikes twelve.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0380818051
• ISBN13: 9780380818051
• Release Date: December 2000
• Publisher: Avon Books
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 4.2" x 6.7"

Customer Reviews

PERFECT BEDSIDE READER

The title, SECRETS OF A PERFECT NIGHT, gets you from the start. And the names of the three romantic writers involved help it along. The good thing about a book of novellas is that you can read one whole story at one sitting, and get that satisfied, complete feeling.SCANDALOUS LORD DERE, is the tale of a young man who wants to leave his well-deserved rakish reputation as "master seducer" and go back to his quiet country home and the girl he left behind. The problem is that he left eight years ago and all indications are that things have changed dramatically. If winning it all back is even possible, it certainly won't be easy. The "master seducer" will have to use all that he has.THE LAST LOVE LETTER is the story of both selfish and well-intentioned motives gone awry. A couple who've declared their love against the wishes of their parents plan to run away together one night, but they don't make the last-minute connection. Ten years pass before they both receive a letter that lets them know what actually happened that night, and how neither of them was to blame. Now, has too much time passed to rekindle feeling which never really died?NOW AND FOREVER is a modern story of a high school reunion and of seeing the one who got away and how much they've changed. It's the reopening of possibilities. It's the time to aplolgize and get on (or get it on) with their lives.

Sensual and poignant anthology

SECRETS OF A PERFECT NIGHT is unequivocally the most consistent anthology in terms of the quality in romantic narration. Stephanie Laurens spearheaded with a tale of a confused duke Adrian returning back to his hometown only to find himself mesmerized by the enchanting Abby who had long given her heart to this scandalous duke. He is challenged by the wits and heart of the woman and soon recognizes that it is in fact Abby who had plagued his dreams long ago. Ms. Lauren's writing is passionate and sensual - definitely a keeper.Victoria Alexander tugs the heartstring with a tale of two unrequited lovers. Their night of elopement is waylaid by the evil plans of Rachel's father and her lover, Jason, being taken in by the lies of her father left for America alone, leaving the disgraced and disheartened Rachel all alone. It is only after ten long years, when Rachel's husband has passed away, the chance of a lost romance patched again appears. Ms. Alexander's narration is heartstopping and poignant, and it is a testament to the resilience of two hearts that had never stopped loving.The last story by Rachel Gibson is contemporary, a refreshing tale of a school reunion that unites a fun couple. Brina has dumped Thomas during her high school days for someone more prominent - and Thomas is tenacious to get back at her for her betrayal, only to find that his heart still has that soft spot for her. Brina realizes her mistake and now knows that only Thomas is the right man for her.SECRETS OF A PERFECT NIGHT blends beautifully these three tales and they are all sensual and uplifting enough to keep you a perfect night of reading and enjoyment. It is the talent of narration that shines in this book, and it is often rare that you get this lovely 3-in-1 package to last you a romantic night.

WONDERFUL!

Oh My! This book was amazing! It really was the perfect night when the man in the woman's life said "I love you"! Stephanie Laurens, Victoria Alexander and Rachel Gibson ought to be commended for this great book! Read it! IT will be a book you will not forget!

What can I say? I loooove anthologies

True, it is hard to judge an anthology the way you would an entire book. I am ill often and sometimes my attention span before I konk out is only enough for one short story so they save my life! This particular set of 3 by Stephanie Laurens, Victoria Alexander and Rachel Gibson I particularly enjoyed, and I have to say I loved Rachel's contempory story the best. She is one of my absolute keepers. Since I have no set ideas about what belongs in an anthology sometimes I buy the book simply for the variety contained. I do love the Regencies also, and Stephanie and Victoria always please. Have I actually read a book lately that I didn't enjoy? Authors are just getting better and better, and my book allowance has hit 5 digits in 2000 - :)

Pleasant Surprise

"Secrets of a Perfect Night" was a very pleasant surprise. I usually judge these anthologies by a different criteria then I do a regular book because they usually just do not measure up to a full length novel. This one I can say actually does measure up. I think that it is because it has three novellas instead of the usual five, and that this has allowed the authors to fully develop their characters in a way that most anthologies do not allow. Each of the novellas would be worth buying individually. There was only one problem I had with the book, the first two stories were historical romances and the final story was a contemporary. While it was a great story it did not fit with the other two in the anthology.