Laurell K. Hamilton, Yasmine Galenorn, Sharon Shinn and Marjorie M. Liu, Never After

"Can He Bake a Cherry Pie?" by Laurell K. Hamilton. Elinore rejects her father's arranged marriage to the perverted earl; instead she decides to rescue Prince True from the witch in the cave who proved women are stronger than men.-------------

"The Shadow of Mist" by Yasmine Galenorn. Siobhan Morgan the wereseal selkie rejects the arranged marriage with the man who raped her; Terrance has searched for her for over a century demanding she complete the contract. Siobhan ponders her next move.--------------

"The Tangleroot Palace" by Marjorie M. Liu. The king orders his daughter Princess Salinda to wed the warlord, but instead Sally flees to a magical forest where a queen demands she complete a quest or else.------------

"The Wrong Bridegroom" by Sharon Shinn. At Kallenore Castle, King Reginald offers his daughter Princess Olivier in marriage to the first man who completes three tests successfully.------------

This super thematic romantic fairy tales collection is owned by the independent women who reject men ordering them to marry mates not of their choice; bravely they insist on much more from a mate.-------------

Harriet Klausner