THE OTHER SIDE blends the talents of five remarkable writers in an enjoyable anthology that warms the soul and leaves a satisfied smile on the reader's face.

Possession in Death ~ J.D. Robb

Rating: 8

J.D. Robb begins the journey with Possession in Death featuring two well-loved characters from her full length titles, Detective Eve Dallas and her hunky husband, Roarke. Following a backyard cook-out, Eve offers to drive Father Chale Lopez back to his parish. On the way, they encounter an elderly gypsy, stabbed and bleeding, staggering from an alley. When she collapses right in front of Eve's car, the detective is quick to offer assistance. She gets more than she bargains for when the woman's spirit finds a new host inside Eve's body. As the two souls cohabitate, they work diligently to solve the mystery of the gypsy's missing granddaughter.

Eve's quest for justice clashes with the grandmother's need for revenge, making for some cramped quarters and testing Roarke's ability to believe in the unseen. This intriguing tale will keep you guessing until the end and encourage you to rush to the nearest bookstore for other J.D. Robb books featuring this cohesive group of characters.

King For A Day ~ Mary Blayney

Rating: 7

For those who enjoy the historical genre, you're in for a real treat with Mary Blayney's King for a Day. In a saucy take on the body exchange theme, this story finds an earl and his countess bemoaning their ability to understand the other - until the fateful night when a magical coin makes their wish come true. Trapped in each other's bodies, they quickly discover their spouse's life is far from what they imagined. I laughed out loud as the earl tried to deal with menstrual cramps and the countess struggled for control of her new found erection. I thoroughly enjoyed this witty and amusing jaunt into an unusual lesson on understanding the opposite sex.

The Dancing Ghost ~ Patricia Gaffney

Rating: 8

An intriguing opening sequence in Patricia Gaffney's The Dancing Ghost set the pace for the next witty excursion into the unknown.

A series of letters passing back and forth between a renowned ghost hunter and the woman who wants to hire him offers a unique method to reveal the character's personalities before they are introduced.

I found myself grinning from ear to ear at the crafty dialogue exchanges between the hero and heroine. Once the story begins, we learn Henry Cleland is a ghost hunter, as well as a bit of a con man. We also learn that Angiolina Darlington is in need of both--a ghost hunter and a con man. When Henry agrees to prove Angie's childhood home is haunted, neither expects him to succeed. Henry uses ghost hunting as a way to escape his past. Angie hopes to chase away potential buyers from the loving home she knew as a child by proving a dancing ghost still resides on the premises. As the two embark on a collision course with love, they must deal with a few innocent lies, deceitful acts and the possibility of a real ghost along the way.

Almost Heaven ~ Ruth Ryan Langan

Rating: 7 Ruth Ryan Langan explores the question of what lies beyond the grave when a deceased couple discovers their daughter's fiancée is not such a nice guy. In Almost Heaven, Ted and Vanessa Crenshaw adore their soon to be son-in-law, Mark. Almost as much as their daughter, Christina. Their unexpected and suspicious death leaves them hovering in limbo when they realize Christina's choice for a life mate planned their untimely death. Vowing not to interfere with her life, the loving parents must use some unusual methods to dissuade their child from marrying the scoundrel responsible for their death - even if it means finding her a new love. A sweet, inspiring story of love that transcends the physical world.

Never To Late To Love ~ Mary Kay McComas

Rating: 8

Is it ever too late to learn about love? Not according to M.J. Biderman, the heroine in Mary Kay McComas's Never Too Late to Love. When successful financial analyst Mirabelle Joy...er, M.J....discovers her childhood home is still bustling with paranormal activity in the form of her deceased mother and two sisters, she realizes the only way to send them to heaven is if they find what they "lost" before they died. Keeping the ghosts a secret is not so difficult until the little boy next door admits he can also see the trio of other worldly ladies. M.J. begins a delicate balancing act between keeping the boy at bay while giving in to the irresistible urges ignited by the lad's widower father. A delightful story that encourages the reader to embrace their dreams.

THE OTHER SIDE is a sweet collection of stories. The stories instill hope, humor and warmth instead of fear, and will keep you smiling throughout the night.

Reviewed by: Deb