Reviewed by J.Z. Sharpe

Avalon is a cottage in the country with a story to tell. Or, more accurately, a number of stories, interconnected, spanning from time before history to the present day. Is it a novel or a collection of short stories? I would venture to say that it's both..

Donna, the book's central character, has always felt the mysterious energy at Avalon. It has puzzled her from childhood, and now, as a young woman, she will know, thanks to the guidance of a magician she meets at a fair. He carries her back through time, to the primeval Man and Woman, and their banishment from paradise, then visits each of the parties who have, over eternity, experienced the secrets of this cottage. We visit a virginal slave girl, who must lose her virginity to save herself. We meet a young doctor for whom the story of Avalon's past is revealed through her own writing. The past comes rushing from the mists; slowly we travel over the ages to the present day. One by one, in each story, a secret is revealed.

While each story can stand on its own, they are best enjoyed when read together. Each one has its own measure of passion, and those who enjoy sensual love scenes will certainly find plenty to savor. My favorite stories were at the beginning; as the book went on, I wished that some of the later tales could have had as much detail and development as the initial ones. Still, if you like paranormal romance, you'll be reading this book from cover to cover. It's a quick read, and well worth it!

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