I have to hand it to the Rocha writing team for continuing to find new and different -- but still convincing -- ways to explore erotic romantic relatiI have to hand it to the Rocha writing team for continuing to find new and different -- but still convincing -- ways to explore erotic romantic relationships within the context of the O'Kane world. Power, jealousy, and responsibility are common themes in the series, but Hawk and Jeni's story introduces a new complication: emotional recklessness and its consequences.
If there were a time to motivate people in the Sectors to leap into commitments, it's now. Eden is finally beginning to come out from behind its wall to bring the Sectors under control, and tension is rising as people deal with the increasing threat of war and its consequences. How do you balance between "It's now or never?" and the need to maintain hope that you will live to see a brighter future? What happens when two people are in love and each deals with this struggle in a different way and so has a different understanding of the meaning and urgency of commitment?
In this as in the previous books, the overall story arc of the conflict between Eden and the Sectors continues to be as much of a reason to read as the romances. The people, the feelings, the alliances, the politics, and the danger are deftly interwoven, and a major source of the series' strength. Supporting characters and strong and interesting. The risks and the losses and victories all have emotional impact, whether the people involved are leads or just introduced.
Don't let the dark tones of this cover fool you. "Dragon Bait" is a light-hearted, witty, erotic romp through the familiar tropes of the "virgin sacriDon't let the dark tones of this cover fool you. "Dragon Bait" is a light-hearted, witty, erotic romp through the familiar tropes of the "virgin sacrificed to a dragon" story.
Except that the heroine isn't a virgin -- and no one else is quite what you would expect either.
This is a short story, but well worth the 99-cent Kindle price. Or you can read it for free with Kindle Unlimited....more
There is a lot to like in this fantasy collection. Overall the writing is excellent, the sex is hot, and the authors are very creative.
I purchased thThere is a lot to like in this fantasy collection. Overall the writing is excellent, the sex is hot, and the authors are very creative.
I purchased the book originally because I'm a fan of Janine Ashbless, and her "Covered in Darkness" did not disappoint. It offered clear nods to its antecedents in world mythology, but was its own story. I felt the longing of the heroine through every page. My one disappointment was that it ended when it did, although to take the story further would have taken it beyond the boundaries of an anthology entry.
The final story, "Benediction" by Bonnie Dee, was as exquisite an account of the redemptive potential of sacred sexuality that I have ever read.
I'm not a particular fan of the Gothic genre. Ultimately, although I ended up feeling like I'd spent time with too many vampires and werewolves, it wasn't the Gothic element but the supernatural/paranormal that made this collection compelling to me....more
Generally well-written stories. I'm not providing a star rating because some I enjoyed and some I skimmed over - which I think is typical for a collecGenerally well-written stories. I'm not providing a star rating because some I enjoyed and some I skimmed over - which I think is typical for a collection of this kind. ...more
A very enjoyable collection of erotic stories featuring warriors, soldiers, and hunters. I particularly appreciated the fact that the characters each A very enjoyable collection of erotic stories featuring warriors, soldiers, and hunters. I particularly appreciated the fact that the characters each came alive as individuals rather than being cardboard, and that sex was presented as being powerful, nurturing, healing, and/or mystical, not just 'hot.' A rare collection to keep and return to....more
This book is difficult to review. The three stories are very short and very different, despite all relating to the theme of personal transformation atThis book is difficult to review. The three stories are very short and very different, despite all relating to the theme of personal transformation at Samhain.
The overall writing style was very good. The scenarios and concepts of the stories were powerful, and I felt that the author wrote with authority about the experiences of her characters.
My only issue with the book is that the second and third stories were not developed enough. The second, about the initiation of a genderqueer individual into a shamanic path, wasn't even erotic. It was interesting, and I felt as if the author understood what was going on, but as written it didn't fit with the "erotic sabbat" theme. The third story, about an underworld ordeal, lacked the sensual and emotional detail to be as effective as it could have been -- especially the ending.
I suspect that other reviewers might quibble about the scenarios themselves, especially the first and third -- but that was where I was most deeply touched. I can directly relate to the first, and could easily imagine a variation on the second, so close are they to energies in my own life.
Another bonus for the author: she(?) deftly presented the kink and/or ordeal elements in all three stories in way that reflected good safety practices without detracting from the erotic qualities of the stories.
I would very much like to see more work from this author -- in more depth!...more
I loved this book about a female shifter who is utterly dismayed when she discovers that she has not one but two destined mates -- and they are hockeyI loved this book about a female shifter who is utterly dismayed when she discovers that she has not one but two destined mates -- and they are hockey players! Naomi comes from a family of rough and tumble men, and she craves a quiet home where she can have beautiful, delicate possessions and not have them broken. The idea of having *two* rough and tumble mates sets her running for the hills.
Except that her gorgeous, patient, passionate mates are committed to proving that they can be gentle and careful as well as rough and ready. . .
This book is laugh out loud funny, tender, and hot. I love MFM romances, so that was a big plus for me, but if you don't like that kind of relationship you'll want to skip this one....more
This is a sweet, very sensual -- and rather short -- book about a woman who holds on to her determination to be loved for who she is rather than succuThis is a sweet, very sensual -- and rather short -- book about a woman who holds on to her determination to be loved for who she is rather than succumb to the mysterious force of the shifters' mating frenzy.
Teddy is understandably hurt and angered when the first thing she sees in her destined mate's eyes is dismay at her plush, curvy shape -- but although her mind and her pride make her push Reece away, she isn't immune to the lust of a shifter's mating recognition. Her big bad wolf is hard to resist.
Enter Teddy's mom - a real life Mama Bear - to help Reece gain some perspective and put him on the right road to earning Teddy's trust -- which he does with true love's zeal.
I would have given this more stars if the plot had been slightly more complex, but for what it is, it's a lovely story....more
I downloaded this book on my Kindle for free, or I wouldn't have read it at all -- but I'm glad I did. In some ways it's a very simple story: fairy goI downloaded this book on my Kindle for free, or I wouldn't have read it at all -- but I'm glad I did. In some ways it's a very simple story: fairy godmother throws girl into boy's arms, boy and girl both resent it, boy and girl have troubles, boy and girl end up together -- but there are a couple of unique curves thrown in that made this more interesting than I expected.
The author does a good job of presenting a Wonderland that both resonates with what we know from the book, the Disney film, and the Johnny Depp Mad Hatter (which gets a nod or two in the story), but with its own special attributes.
On the plus side, Alice has good reason to be in love with a "fantasy character" -- which gives her more reason to be persistent in the face of Hatter's madness and pain. I wanted to grade this down for setting up an all-too-typical story of good girl putting up with bad boy's bad behavior until he turns good, but this Alice really doesn't do that.
I also like that this Alice is not a white-skinned blonde. There are too few non-European heroines in fantasy.
The story is more of a novella than a full-length novel, but that's a good thing. The author wisely does not draw out the story farther than it can bear.
All-in-all, it was a pleasant, creative read, and I'll probably sample the others in the Bad Boys series. ...more
I was delightfully surprised by this fun-hot-romantic-kinky story.
It looks like previous reviewers have covered the characters (did I mention delightI was delightfully surprised by this fun-hot-romantic-kinky story.
It looks like previous reviewers have covered the characters (did I mention delightful?) and plot, so I'll address some of what made this an exceptional BDSM novel.
1. The characters, although clearly crafted to be appealing, were ordinary people. No millionaires. No exotic locations. No everything-is-about-our-Lifestyle.
2. The characters explicitly engaged in the kinds of negotiation and respect for boundaries that are necessary for a truly good BDSM relationship -- and did so in a fun, hot way.
3. They used safer sex, but without making it a drag.
4. The passionate, loving, safe, hot play of the primary characters was contrasted -- but not in a finger-wagging way -- with the abusive styles of two supporting characters.
5. Love, friendship, and mutual respect were shown to be absolutely compatible with dominance and submission.
6. It addressed, in a real, compassionate way, the tension between being a kinky person and feeling the need to hide it from your family, and the strain it can put on those involved.
7. Polyamory isn't BDSM, but I will add that this story is a lovely example of one of the ways it can work: three people who truly and passionately love each other, and for whom *both* other partners are essential to happiness.
If you're just looking for a hot, spicy erotic romance, this is a great book -- but if you also are curious about kink and/or polyamory, this would be a great place to start.
Personally, I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. ...more
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