Luscious, sweetly romantic, and lusty define the spicy retelling of the classic fairy tales that flow from the pen of Lila DiPasqua in THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED: A FIERY TALES COLLECTION. I started reading this collection while sitting at a local winery and found myself happily reading well into the night. Not the fairy tales that I grew up with, but deeply delicious and satisfying.

Set in the court of Louis XIV, DiPasqua provides a sophisticated and decadent glimpse into the lives of courtiers as she spins her tales using the classic frameworks of The Emperor's New Clothes, The Ugly Duckling and The Princess and the Pea. All three re- workings (The Marquis' New Clothes, The Lovely Duckling and The Princess and the Diamonds) are excellent. Each is touching and sensuous in a different way, though I found The Lovely Duckling to be my favorite because the redemptive power of love and forgiveness wins the day.

Loosely connected, the three fiery tales depend on strong- minded heroines you can relate to, breathtaking carnally gifted male leads, and lush, historical elements that enrich rather than distract from the story and scenery. DiPasqua writes with a comfortable elegance and grace, and in turn, crafts sexy collection that readers will love. Fans of historical romance, adventure romps, and the French court will be happy and at home.