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Marisela Morales/Dirty #0.5
Dare Me
Three passionate novellas in a high stakes romantic suspense anthology featuring:
A sizzling trio of novellas from three national bestselling masters of seductive suspense-stories of women who takes chances, women who gamble everything on love, women who accept the dare.
A sizzling trio of novellas from three national bestselling masters of seductive suspense-stories of women who takes chances, women who gamble everything on love, women who accept the dare.
372 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 2005
1 person is currently reading
333 people want to read
About the author
Cherry Adair
77 books1,468 followersAlways an adventurer in life as well as writing, New York Times best-selling author Cherry Adair moved halfway across the globe from Cape Town, South Africa to the United States in her early years to become a interior designer. Now a resident of the Pacific Northwest she shares the award- winning adventures of her fictional T-FLAC counter terrorism operatives with her readers.
Cherry settled in beautiful San Francisco, where she started what eventually became a thriving interior design business. "I loved being a designer because it was varied and creative, and I enjoyed working with the public." A voracious reader when she was able to carve out the time, Cherry found her brain crowded with characters and stories of her own. "Eventually," she says, "the stories demanded to be told."
When asked why she chooses to write romantic action adventure, she says, "Who says you can’t have adventure and a great love life? Of course if you’re talking about an adventurous love life, that’s another thing altogether. I write romantic suspense coupled heart-pounding adventure because I like to entertain, and nothing keeps readers happier than a rollercoaster read, followed by a happy ending."
Popular on the workshop circuit, Cherry gives lively classes on writing and the writing life. Pulling no punches when asked how to become a published writer, Cherry insists, "Sit your butt in the chair and write. There's no magic to it. Writing is hard work. It isn't for sissies or whiners."
Cherry loves to spend time at home. A corner desk keeps her focused on writing, but the windows behind her, with a panoramic view of the front gardens, are always calling her to come outside and play. Her office has nine-foot ceilings, a fireplace, a television and built-in bookcases that will house approximately 3,500 paperback books.
"What can I say? My keeper shelf has been breeding in the middle of the night, rather like drycleaners' wire clothes hangers.”
Cherry settled in beautiful San Francisco, where she started what eventually became a thriving interior design business. "I loved being a designer because it was varied and creative, and I enjoyed working with the public." A voracious reader when she was able to carve out the time, Cherry found her brain crowded with characters and stories of her own. "Eventually," she says, "the stories demanded to be told."
When asked why she chooses to write romantic action adventure, she says, "Who says you can’t have adventure and a great love life? Of course if you’re talking about an adventurous love life, that’s another thing altogether. I write romantic suspense coupled heart-pounding adventure because I like to entertain, and nothing keeps readers happier than a rollercoaster read, followed by a happy ending."
Popular on the workshop circuit, Cherry gives lively classes on writing and the writing life. Pulling no punches when asked how to become a published writer, Cherry insists, "Sit your butt in the chair and write. There's no magic to it. Writing is hard work. It isn't for sissies or whiners."
Cherry loves to spend time at home. A corner desk keeps her focused on writing, but the windows behind her, with a panoramic view of the front gardens, are always calling her to come outside and play. Her office has nine-foot ceilings, a fireplace, a television and built-in bookcases that will house approximately 3,500 paperback books.
"What can I say? My keeper shelf has been breeding in the middle of the night, rather like drycleaners' wire clothes hangers.”
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 14, 2025
Dare Me (2005, ~300 pages, ISBN: 0451214374) by Cherry Adair, Jill Shalvis, and Julie Leto is a romance anthology packing three steamy novellas. Each story—sultry, suspenseful, with strong heroines—aims for quick, spicy thrills. Perfect for romance fans craving flirty, fast-paced reads with mild heat (some steamy scenes, light violence).
Sadly, it felt like déjà vu central. Every tale seemed recycled, like I’d read them elsewhere. I kept hoping for a fresh twist, but the plots were predictable, guessing each turn. The writing’s solid—Adair’s suspense pops, Shalvis brings charm, Leto adds sass—but the familiarity dulled the spark. It’s like rewatching a fave drama without the surprise.
For romance anthology lovers, it’s a quick escape, but don’t expect new ground. I finished it, hoping for a curveball, but no luck. 3/5 stars
Sadly, it felt like déjà vu central. Every tale seemed recycled, like I’d read them elsewhere. I kept hoping for a fresh twist, but the plots were predictable, guessing each turn. The writing’s solid—Adair’s suspense pops, Shalvis brings charm, Leto adds sass—but the familiarity dulled the spark. It’s like rewatching a fave drama without the surprise.
For romance anthology lovers, it’s a quick escape, but don’t expect new ground. I finished it, hoping for a curveball, but no luck. 3/5 stars
October 18, 2023
Anthologies can be disappointing but this one was not too bad. Always good to read an intriguing story.
June 26, 2012
3.5
My opinion on anthologies is that they are light, fun reads but one should never expect too much from such limited pages. Still I was surprised by this book and its steam factor. It was high-stakes, lots of action, suspense, great alpha heroes and lots of steaminess. Very pleasantly surprised little read and a nice introduction to Ms. Adair and Ms. Leto, who I haven't yet had the pleasure of reading. Ms. Leto in particular created some really magnificent seductions in her story. And as usual I enjoy reading Ms. Shalvis and appreciate her immense ability to make create such satisfying male leads. More please.
Cherry Adair - Playing for Keeps
Flight attendant, Danica Cross-Raven is one of only two survivors of a plane crash headed from San Cristóbal to Miami. The other survivor is Rigo, the young son of the President of Mexico? San Cristóbal? I don't remember. Her soon to be ex-husband Jon Raven, a surveillance expert in D.C. rushes Miami only to find that she's been quietly kidnapped and taken back to San Cristóbal. Under the pretense of wanting to honor Dani for saving Rigo, she finds herself embroiled in a presidential assassination plot. Jon Raven becomes her companion and protector against not one but two villains. He's also still wildly in love with her and she's still in love with him too. He's unwilling to let this opportunity revive their love pass them by while she fights the it at every turn, fearing "reinfection," but knowing she can't live without him, which was their problem to begin with, but she must.
Jill Shalvis - Nothing to Lose
Will Malone is hunting down the con man who murdered his little sister. Antiques shop owner Jade is having a terrible day. Her two month relationship with "Tomas" is over. She just caught her bookkeeper/friend sleeping with Tomas in her shop. Her landlord is padlocking her shop closed for unpaid rent. She got a speeding ticket. Her checking accounts have all been drained. Her apartments been ransacked. And she's going to be shot at and chased by goons. But the day is looking up when a mysterious stranger offers her $500,000 to help him find "Tomas."
Julie Elizabeth Leto - Dare to Desire
It's been 9 years since Dante Burke and Macy Rush were lovers. She was a fresh faced recruit to the Arm, a covert branch of the CIA, while Dante was a seasoned agent, already at the top if his game. His betrayal and Macy's resignation from the Arm effectively ended their love affair. When a Russian missile crisis hires Macy's current employer, T-45, and independent, mercenary spy agency, Dante, now acting head of the Arm sees his opportunity to win her back by making Macy an offer she can't refuse.
My opinion on anthologies is that they are light, fun reads but one should never expect too much from such limited pages. Still I was surprised by this book and its steam factor. It was high-stakes, lots of action, suspense, great alpha heroes and lots of steaminess. Very pleasantly surprised little read and a nice introduction to Ms. Adair and Ms. Leto, who I haven't yet had the pleasure of reading. Ms. Leto in particular created some really magnificent seductions in her story. And as usual I enjoy reading Ms. Shalvis and appreciate her immense ability to make create such satisfying male leads. More please.
Cherry Adair - Playing for Keeps
Flight attendant, Danica Cross-Raven is one of only two survivors of a plane crash headed from San Cristóbal to Miami. The other survivor is Rigo, the young son of the President of Mexico? San Cristóbal? I don't remember. Her soon to be ex-husband Jon Raven, a surveillance expert in D.C. rushes Miami only to find that she's been quietly kidnapped and taken back to San Cristóbal. Under the pretense of wanting to honor Dani for saving Rigo, she finds herself embroiled in a presidential assassination plot. Jon Raven becomes her companion and protector against not one but two villains. He's also still wildly in love with her and she's still in love with him too. He's unwilling to let this opportunity revive their love pass them by while she fights the it at every turn, fearing "reinfection," but knowing she can't live without him, which was their problem to begin with, but she must.
Jill Shalvis - Nothing to Lose
Will Malone is hunting down the con man who murdered his little sister. Antiques shop owner Jade is having a terrible day. Her two month relationship with "Tomas" is over. She just caught her bookkeeper/friend sleeping with Tomas in her shop. Her landlord is padlocking her shop closed for unpaid rent. She got a speeding ticket. Her checking accounts have all been drained. Her apartments been ransacked. And she's going to be shot at and chased by goons. But the day is looking up when a mysterious stranger offers her $500,000 to help him find "Tomas."
Julie Elizabeth Leto - Dare to Desire
It's been 9 years since Dante Burke and Macy Rush were lovers. She was a fresh faced recruit to the Arm, a covert branch of the CIA, while Dante was a seasoned agent, already at the top if his game. His betrayal and Macy's resignation from the Arm effectively ended their love affair. When a Russian missile crisis hires Macy's current employer, T-45, and independent, mercenary spy agency, Dante, now acting head of the Arm sees his opportunity to win her back by making Macy an offer she can't refuse.
October 25, 2016
The final star rating on this book is an average of the three stories and rounded up. Here is my review of each story:
Playing for Keeps
Cherry Adair is an author I see floating around often but haven’t had a chance to read any of her books. I really enjoyed this short story. It started off strong and quick. The heroine, Danica, is in no way trained to “fight bad guys”, but rolls with the punches when she’s put in difficult situations. Her soon-to-be ex-husband Jon Raven is trained and is, in fact, the owner of a security firm. So when Dani is put in danger he is right there to help her out. The ending was a bit clustered for me, but since it’s a short story it’s not like there’s time to go into a bunch of explanations. I got to gist of what was happening and that was good enough for me. 3.5 stars
Nothing to Lose
This was a super-fast paced novella by Jill Shalvis. She is one of my favorite contemporary romance authors and she did not disappoint. Warning: this story takes place all within 24 hours, so there is definite insta-romance. But it works! Jade is a much stronger heroine than she seems at the beginning. And Will is much softer hero than he had seemed. They are good together and bring out the best in each other. This story has heartbreak, suspense, violence, love, and steamy connections. It was great! 5 stars
Dare to Desire
I haven’t read or even heard of Julie Leto until this book. I enjoyed this book and it was a very quick read. Whether or not I would seek out her other books remains to be seen. I’m sure I’ll try at least one out if I have the time and chance. The anticipation of the romance was great, the end result wasn’t as great but was still good. 3 stars
3.8888 average rounded up to 4 stars
Although this book took me more than a week to read, each story took me far less than a day to read. I just didn't read them all in a row. Because these stories move so quickly this is a great book to read when you don't have a lot of time but need an escape.
Playing for Keeps
Cherry Adair is an author I see floating around often but haven’t had a chance to read any of her books. I really enjoyed this short story. It started off strong and quick. The heroine, Danica, is in no way trained to “fight bad guys”, but rolls with the punches when she’s put in difficult situations. Her soon-to-be ex-husband Jon Raven is trained and is, in fact, the owner of a security firm. So when Dani is put in danger he is right there to help her out. The ending was a bit clustered for me, but since it’s a short story it’s not like there’s time to go into a bunch of explanations. I got to gist of what was happening and that was good enough for me. 3.5 stars
Nothing to Lose
This was a super-fast paced novella by Jill Shalvis. She is one of my favorite contemporary romance authors and she did not disappoint. Warning: this story takes place all within 24 hours, so there is definite insta-romance. But it works! Jade is a much stronger heroine than she seems at the beginning. And Will is much softer hero than he had seemed. They are good together and bring out the best in each other. This story has heartbreak, suspense, violence, love, and steamy connections. It was great! 5 stars
Dare to Desire
I haven’t read or even heard of Julie Leto until this book. I enjoyed this book and it was a very quick read. Whether or not I would seek out her other books remains to be seen. I’m sure I’ll try at least one out if I have the time and chance. The anticipation of the romance was great, the end result wasn’t as great but was still good. 3 stars
3.8888 average rounded up to 4 stars
Although this book took me more than a week to read, each story took me far less than a day to read. I just didn't read them all in a row. Because these stories move so quickly this is a great book to read when you don't have a lot of time but need an escape.
January 20, 2010
1st story: ehhhh. it was ok. not bad, not great. micro chip bomb implanted into girls head that could be easily detonated......well that was kinda a stretch. even for cherry. quick read.
2nd: better. the story was more "believable." More believable b/c there were no microchip bombs. There was however a antique owner who fell for the wrong guy (don't we all) who totally screws her over. In comes DEA agent trying to catch said loser. (who also killed agent's sister)antique girl and DEA follow loser to Mexico..have sex..fall in love. again....simple good short story...except the ending blew. it was just anticlimactic.
3rd story: got 1 page in. it was stupid. i didn't finish.
2nd: better. the story was more "believable." More believable b/c there were no microchip bombs. There was however a antique owner who fell for the wrong guy (don't we all) who totally screws her over. In comes DEA agent trying to catch said loser. (who also killed agent's sister)antique girl and DEA follow loser to Mexico..have sex..fall in love. again....simple good short story...except the ending blew. it was just anticlimactic.
3rd story: got 1 page in. it was stupid. i didn't finish.
January 28, 2010
These three novellas combine suspense and life-or-death threats with passion. In Cherry Adair's "Playing for Keeps" a soon-to-be ex-husband steps in to keep his wife from unknowingly being the tool for a political assassination. In Jill Shalvis's "Nothing to Lose", revenge may have to take second place to love as the tool to Will Malone's revenge against the con artist who killed his sister becomes the woman he would protect at all costs. In Julie Elizabeth Leto's "Dare to Desire", two secret agents are after the same formula. Unfortunately, their past may keep them from cooperation - unless they allow their hearts to become involved.
All three stories were a fun read.
All three stories were a fun read.
February 4, 2012
Wow, has no one read this, or has no one thought it was worth the time to review? I liked it a lot. Hello hot men, intense situations, steamy romance, whats not to like? Well I love Cherry Adair's TFLAC so needless to say this book was on my TBR list, she did not disappoint. The other two stories were equally intense and steamy. All stories were quick reads and a great escape.
May 5, 2013
Playing for Keeps by Cherry Adair (Dare Me anthology)
After being notified that his wife Danica was involved in a plane crash, Jon Raven rushes to be with her only to find her missing. Soon he is fighting not just to rescue Danica from her captors, but also from being killed in a twisted plot of revenge. Playing for Keeps will keep you enthralled. It’s a great novella read from Cherry Adair.
After being notified that his wife Danica was involved in a plane crash, Jon Raven rushes to be with her only to find her missing. Soon he is fighting not just to rescue Danica from her captors, but also from being killed in a twisted plot of revenge. Playing for Keeps will keep you enthralled. It’s a great novella read from Cherry Adair.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2012
Danica Cross is a flight attendant and is working on a special flight carrying the President of San Cristobel’s child and his cabinet members. Jon Raven is her soon to be ex-husband. Read the book to see how they got back together and saved the world. There’s plenty of love, romance and action in this book.
November 14, 2007
read 03.27.07
June 20, 2010
The stories were just OK. I've read better especially from Cherry.
January 3, 2011
Playing For Keeps
April 19, 2012
I loved this story even if I didn't like the pictures lol You'll find yourself rooting for Danica and Jon from beginning to end! Great read, very exciting!!!
May 7, 2012
All three stories were good. I liked the middle one by Jill Shalvis the best.
October 4, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. definitely one I will keep to read over and over
January 20, 2011
This rating so far is only for the Cherry Adair story.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews