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Fighting Fair
With a marriage in trouble, there’s no such thing as fighting fair…
Jersey girl Natalie Copeland is ready to give up on a decade of marriage. Her husband Shane disappeared into the long, stressful hours necessary to make partner at his investment firm, and now their once-hot sex life has gone ice cold. She knows fighting for the man she loves against the adrenaline rush of deals and dollars is a fight she can’t win.
The fast-track to partner came a high price, but Shane’s not going to lose Natalie over his work. He knows winning back his headstrong, passionate wife won’t be easy. Proving he’s in their marriage forever will take everything he’s got…and on Wall Street and in love, there’s no such thing as a fair fight.
Jersey girl Natalie Copeland is ready to give up on a decade of marriage. Her husband Shane disappeared into the long, stressful hours necessary to make partner at his investment firm, and now their once-hot sex life has gone ice cold. She knows fighting for the man she loves against the adrenaline rush of deals and dollars is a fight she can’t win.
The fast-track to partner came a high price, but Shane’s not going to lose Natalie over his work. He knows winning back his headstrong, passionate wife won’t be easy. Proving he’s in their marriage forever will take everything he’s got…and on Wall Street and in love, there’s no such thing as a fair fight.
38 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 15, 2011
4 people are currently reading
541 people want to read
About the author
Anne Calhoun
53 books656 followersAfter doing time at Fortune 500 companies on both coasts, I found myself living in the suburbs of a small Midwestern city. The glamour of various cube farm jobs had worn off, so I gave up making a decent living to take Joseph Campbell’s advice and follow my bliss: writing romance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
June 27, 2015
ETA June 27, 2015: Downgraded to four stars because of this:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I did a re-read today and I'm posting a new review.
"If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck."
- by John Steinbeck -
It’s hot. It’s erotic. It’s steamy. It’s thoughtful.
Wow, I loved Fighting Fair! It’s a short, yet very satisfying read. Anne could write a grocery list and I’d read and enjoy it. No doubt at all. I love her prose and how she writes so sensually! Touching is so essential and she describes it with such ease and my body and breathing sensors are running at full speed! Always. Anne, do you do it on purpose? I hope you know that you can really turn on your readers.
Shane and Natalie’s marriage is in very serious jeopardy. Natalie is fuming since her husband is already late for their first marriage counseling. Further, Shane seems to be unaware of their problems.
”When you announced you’d made this appointment was the first I’d heard we were having problems.
They haven’t had a real conversation in months. And they haven’t been on a date in months. To put it simply: due to very demanding jobs, they don’t spend enough time together anymore. Yes, I so agree! It’s possible for both partners to have demanding schedules, yet still enjoy a satisfying, committed marriage. But there has to be a commitment to marriage and you do have to be willing to communicate early, often, and well. They’d agreed to the job, the long hours, but Nat had no idea what it would do to Shane, and to their marriage.
His idea of reconnecting as a couple is pretty tempting eventually.
”You’ve got my attention, sweetheart.”
<…>
“Looks like a fight. Sounds like a fight,” he taunted softly, bracing a shoulder against the doorframe. “Smells like a fight, like sweat and turned on woman. Oh, we’re fighting, all right.”
Shane suggests to talk but Natalie declines. And Shane said:
”Then let’s play a game.”
Okey dokey, game on! Shane didn’t want to play fair, yet he intended to fight fair. After numerous discussions they knew that there was no fair in a fight, though. Shane also knew that he wasn’t fighting to beat her at a game. He was playing for their marriage and their future together, and he wasn’t going to lose. By voicing the right words and by touching the right spots of her body, Shane had the ability to satisfy her every need, to touch her to her very core. He’d taught her to need him, mind, body, and soul and then he’d all but disappeared from her life.
”We’re here,” she said. But where? On the map of their lives together, where were they?
After some seriously soul-shattering sex, Shane initiated the long awaited conversation and he showed Nat in a very convincing way where they were. I loved to see them together sitting on the kitchen floor and eating ice cream and finally talking. Definitely satisfying and sweet! You get to see that Shane is not a bad and shallow guy. It’s quite the opposite, after all.
“I remembered what you told me after our first fight, that you argued with people you trusted. I wanted to know if you still trusted me enough to lose it with me. If you did, we still had a chance.”
“I love you, Shane,” she whispered. “How doesn’t matter. It’s always been you. And Shane replied “I’m listening.”
I’m relieved, Shane, that you did realize something very important:
“I couldn’t have done it without you. You were always there when I needed to vent or strategize. I took that for granted. Whatever’s coming, I don’t want to do it without you. Without us.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I did a re-read today and I'm posting a new review.
"If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck."
- by John Steinbeck -
It’s hot. It’s erotic. It’s steamy. It’s thoughtful.
Wow, I loved Fighting Fair! It’s a short, yet very satisfying read. Anne could write a grocery list and I’d read and enjoy it. No doubt at all. I love her prose and how she writes so sensually! Touching is so essential and she describes it with such ease and my body and breathing sensors are running at full speed! Always. Anne, do you do it on purpose? I hope you know that you can really turn on your readers.
Shane and Natalie’s marriage is in very serious jeopardy. Natalie is fuming since her husband is already late for their first marriage counseling. Further, Shane seems to be unaware of their problems.
”When you announced you’d made this appointment was the first I’d heard we were having problems.
They haven’t had a real conversation in months. And they haven’t been on a date in months. To put it simply: due to very demanding jobs, they don’t spend enough time together anymore. Yes, I so agree! It’s possible for both partners to have demanding schedules, yet still enjoy a satisfying, committed marriage. But there has to be a commitment to marriage and you do have to be willing to communicate early, often, and well. They’d agreed to the job, the long hours, but Nat had no idea what it would do to Shane, and to their marriage.
His idea of reconnecting as a couple is pretty tempting eventually.
”You’ve got my attention, sweetheart.”
<…>
“Looks like a fight. Sounds like a fight,” he taunted softly, bracing a shoulder against the doorframe. “Smells like a fight, like sweat and turned on woman. Oh, we’re fighting, all right.”
Shane suggests to talk but Natalie declines. And Shane said:
”Then let’s play a game.”
Okey dokey, game on! Shane didn’t want to play fair, yet he intended to fight fair. After numerous discussions they knew that there was no fair in a fight, though. Shane also knew that he wasn’t fighting to beat her at a game. He was playing for their marriage and their future together, and he wasn’t going to lose. By voicing the right words and by touching the right spots of her body, Shane had the ability to satisfy her every need, to touch her to her very core. He’d taught her to need him, mind, body, and soul and then he’d all but disappeared from her life.
”We’re here,” she said. But where? On the map of their lives together, where were they?
After some seriously soul-shattering sex, Shane initiated the long awaited conversation and he showed Nat in a very convincing way where they were. I loved to see them together sitting on the kitchen floor and eating ice cream and finally talking. Definitely satisfying and sweet! You get to see that Shane is not a bad and shallow guy. It’s quite the opposite, after all.
“I remembered what you told me after our first fight, that you argued with people you trusted. I wanted to know if you still trusted me enough to lose it with me. If you did, we still had a chance.”
“I love you, Shane,” she whispered. “How doesn’t matter. It’s always been you. And Shane replied “I’m listening.”
I’m relieved, Shane, that you did realize something very important:
“I couldn’t have done it without you. You were always there when I needed to vent or strategize. I took that for granted. Whatever’s coming, I don’t want to do it without you. Without us.
February 10, 2013
4 stars
Fighting Fair is a well written short story (40 pages) about a married couple whose relationship is on the brink of falling apart. This story has a great blend of real-life issues intermixed with a touching romance and a steamy, light BDSM sex scene. For such a short story, I found the characterization to be stellar, the prose absorbing, and the chemistry off the charts. It's refreshing to read a story about an established couple who have problems (what couple doesn't?!) but are committed and in love. I wish more authors would take advantage of this plot device.
If you're looking for a quick, well written, light BDSM short story, Fighting Fair is a great read.
Fighting Fair is a well written short story (40 pages) about a married couple whose relationship is on the brink of falling apart. This story has a great blend of real-life issues intermixed with a touching romance and a steamy, light BDSM sex scene. For such a short story, I found the characterization to be stellar, the prose absorbing, and the chemistry off the charts. It's refreshing to read a story about an established couple who have problems (what couple doesn't?!) but are committed and in love. I wish more authors would take advantage of this plot device.
If you're looking for a quick, well written, light BDSM short story, Fighting Fair is a great read.
October 4, 2011
I had just finished reading Liberating Lacey and had to grab something - anything else I could get my hands on by Anne Calhoun. I’ve seen my Goodreads friends discussing Fighting Fair so I decided to make it my next read. WOW! What a great choice!
Fighting Fair is the very short story of a married couple who, after ten years of marriage, have found themselves living more like roommates than husband and wife. Natalie, realizing that if they don’t do something about this soon, there won’t be anything left worth fighting for, signs Shane and herself up for couples marriage counseling but Shane doesn’t really want anything to do with it and makes that pretty clear at their first appointment – which he showed up 20 minutes late to. It’s not that he doesn’t love Nat anymore, it’s just that they’ve both been so caught up in his desire to make partner at the firm he works for that he’s lost focus on what’s truly important. All that changes one night when his boss reminds him that what he’s worked so hard for isn’t just his success, it belongs to Natalie, too. Shane decides to take his boss’s words to heart and it turned out to be one of the sexiest, most romantic very short stories I’ve ever read.
For a short story it was great! Of course it was a hot, sexy story, but I also loved the characters, could invest myself in their relationship and their desire to rekindle that flame which was slowing dying out. I’ll definitely be reading more by Anne Calhoun!
January 16, 2013
I think I would have loved this book if it had been a full-length story. I really liked the premise, but it needed more words/pages to make me connect with the H/h. Shane and Natalie were okay, I guess, but their struggles didn't quite move me because I didn't get to "know" them that well. It isn't easy to get into much depth in short stories, but I've seen it done before so I know it can be done. As it was, I still liked this story. I only wish I had loved it... Yes, I'm greedy that way. ;)
May 6, 2013
Fighting Fair is a short story only 38 pages long but it packs a punch. It’s a story about a married couple who is still in love, but has grown apart. I loved the realistic feel this story had, and the steamy reconciliation! Whoa!
Natalie and Shane have been married for eight years and what started out as smoldering relationship has turned cold and distant thanks to Shane’s obsessive commitment to his job and becoming partner in his firm. As a last ditch effort, Natalie signs them up for counseling.
“The truth hurt, made her ache inside when she let the possibility of their marriage failing enter her mind, but she couldn’t go on like this.”
Shane drags his feet until he realizes how close to breaking up they actually are. When he figures this out, he has no intention of “fighting fair,” he’s willing to do whatever it takes to make things work. He loves Natalie and he’s damned if he’s going to let her go. He gets her home and plans on “melting her from the inside out," oh my.
“Tingles spread as he caressed her cheeks, her forehead, the tip of her nose, then her mouth. Her lips parted slightly and her tongue flicked out, chasing the stimulus but his mouth was there soft and hot and open. His tongue caressed hers while his hand gripped her hair. Sparks skittered into the pit of her belly, and she whimpered. The sound cut off when he kissed her again, hard and deep.”
This started out as sort of an antagonistic relationship because of the hurt involved, but it ended up powerfully sensual, and touching. Any married couple will tell you that you go through ups and downs periodically, and it’s lovely to see an example of things turning around and getting back on track. I loved this short story, and will definitely be checking out anything else Anne Calhoun writes.
Natalie and Shane have been married for eight years and what started out as smoldering relationship has turned cold and distant thanks to Shane’s obsessive commitment to his job and becoming partner in his firm. As a last ditch effort, Natalie signs them up for counseling.
“The truth hurt, made her ache inside when she let the possibility of their marriage failing enter her mind, but she couldn’t go on like this.”
Shane drags his feet until he realizes how close to breaking up they actually are. When he figures this out, he has no intention of “fighting fair,” he’s willing to do whatever it takes to make things work. He loves Natalie and he’s damned if he’s going to let her go. He gets her home and plans on “melting her from the inside out," oh my.
“Tingles spread as he caressed her cheeks, her forehead, the tip of her nose, then her mouth. Her lips parted slightly and her tongue flicked out, chasing the stimulus but his mouth was there soft and hot and open. His tongue caressed hers while his hand gripped her hair. Sparks skittered into the pit of her belly, and she whimpered. The sound cut off when he kissed her again, hard and deep.”
This started out as sort of an antagonistic relationship because of the hurt involved, but it ended up powerfully sensual, and touching. Any married couple will tell you that you go through ups and downs periodically, and it’s lovely to see an example of things turning around and getting back on track. I loved this short story, and will definitely be checking out anything else Anne Calhoun writes.
March 8, 2012
First of all, thanks to my friend Baba for recommending this new-to-me author!
Whew! For a book that is only 12,000 words, this one packs one big steamy punch. I think this is a story that anyone who's been in a long term relationship could relate with.
Natalie and Shane met in college. He was her professor and the chemistry between them was apparent from the beginning. Shane waits until Natalie has her final exam graded, and then immediately asks her to dinner. The rest they say...was history.
Present day opens with Natalie in a marriage counselor's office waiting for Shane to arrive. Their marriage is in trouble. Shane's desire to provide and make partner with the firm has led to lots of work hours, missed dates, and neglecting his relationship with Natalie.
How realistic is that? Don't we all fall into unfortunate patterns from time to time where the most important people in our lives are sometimes overlooked and neglected. Fighting Fair gives us a glimpse into a marriage on the brink of destruction, and the evening that changes it's course:)
Once Shane wakes up to the dismal state that his marriage is in, he wages a full out mission to remind Natalie of the love and passion that is still very much present for both of them.
I read this one in about 20 minutes, but it'll probably be the best 20 minutes of my day! It reminded me again of what is important in my own life, and I loved watching two busy individuals become "one" all over again! Great stuff!
Whew! For a book that is only 12,000 words, this one packs one big steamy punch. I think this is a story that anyone who's been in a long term relationship could relate with.
Natalie and Shane met in college. He was her professor and the chemistry between them was apparent from the beginning. Shane waits until Natalie has her final exam graded, and then immediately asks her to dinner. The rest they say...was history.
Present day opens with Natalie in a marriage counselor's office waiting for Shane to arrive. Their marriage is in trouble. Shane's desire to provide and make partner with the firm has led to lots of work hours, missed dates, and neglecting his relationship with Natalie.
How realistic is that? Don't we all fall into unfortunate patterns from time to time where the most important people in our lives are sometimes overlooked and neglected. Fighting Fair gives us a glimpse into a marriage on the brink of destruction, and the evening that changes it's course:)
Once Shane wakes up to the dismal state that his marriage is in, he wages a full out mission to remind Natalie of the love and passion that is still very much present for both of them.
I read this one in about 20 minutes, but it'll probably be the best 20 minutes of my day! It reminded me again of what is important in my own life, and I loved watching two busy individuals become "one" all over again! Great stuff!
September 30, 2012
A short story about a couple who find a way (and OMG what a way!) to repair their troubled marriage. A sweet, sexy read. If you loved Liberating Lacey I think you'll love this too.
October 3, 2016
Reread October 2016 Nope. Shouldn't have read this one again. The husband was kind of a dick.
A short read of a established hetero couple on the verge of a break-up that rediscover each other. Very hot! Anne Calhoun has become my GOTO author for a quick hetero fix!
A short read of a established hetero couple on the verge of a break-up that rediscover each other. Very hot! Anne Calhoun has become my GOTO author for a quick hetero fix!
June 14, 2025
Fighting Fair tells the story of a marriage reaching its breaking point and the pivotal night that supposedly saves an estranged couple from divorce. Natalie and Shane once shared a passionate, committed relationship, but Shane's relentless focus on his career has pushed Natalie to seriously consider ending things. In a last-ditch effort, Natalie schedules a couples counseling session, which Shane arrives at late and dismisses their issues casually. However, after Shane makes partner at his investment firm a few days later, he suddenly realizes how empty his marriage has become and how dangerously close he is to losing Natalie for good.
Given my two-star rating, it's clear this story didn't fully convince me. It starts strong with the counseling session, vividly showcasing the contrast between their happier past and their current bitterness and resentment. Natalie and Shane's deep-rooted problems become especially clear when Shane, celebrating his promotion alone, realizes he doesn't even know his wife's whereabouts. Spotting Natalie through a bar window talking to another man, Shane jumps to conclusions and confronts her.
From this point forward, the narrative quickly unravels. The carefully built angst and emotional tension abruptly dissolve into a tedious and improbable sex game. Natalie's willingness to engage felt completely out of character. Moments earlier, she was barely speaking to Shane and couldn’t hide her bitterness toward him. Shane's playful suggestion after accusing her of cheating felt particularly jarring and unrealistic. The ensuing sex scene came across as an extended, lukewarm apology for Shane's years of neglect, and afterward, their problems seemingly vanish without genuine emotional resolution.
Ultimately, Fighting Fair felt shallow to me, relying on sex rather than substantial emotional reconciliation. I've encountered this issue before with Anne Calhoun’s work, where physical intimacy overshadows deeper emotions. It’s simply not my preference, and this story reinforced that. Two stars.
Given my two-star rating, it's clear this story didn't fully convince me. It starts strong with the counseling session, vividly showcasing the contrast between their happier past and their current bitterness and resentment. Natalie and Shane's deep-rooted problems become especially clear when Shane, celebrating his promotion alone, realizes he doesn't even know his wife's whereabouts. Spotting Natalie through a bar window talking to another man, Shane jumps to conclusions and confronts her.
From this point forward, the narrative quickly unravels. The carefully built angst and emotional tension abruptly dissolve into a tedious and improbable sex game. Natalie's willingness to engage felt completely out of character. Moments earlier, she was barely speaking to Shane and couldn’t hide her bitterness toward him. Shane's playful suggestion after accusing her of cheating felt particularly jarring and unrealistic. The ensuing sex scene came across as an extended, lukewarm apology for Shane's years of neglect, and afterward, their problems seemingly vanish without genuine emotional resolution.
Ultimately, Fighting Fair felt shallow to me, relying on sex rather than substantial emotional reconciliation. I've encountered this issue before with Anne Calhoun’s work, where physical intimacy overshadows deeper emotions. It’s simply not my preference, and this story reinforced that. Two stars.
August 6, 2011
Sweet, emotional, passionate short story about a couple losing touch with each other and re-igniting the passion that brought them together. Letting someone know you love them is sometimes as simple as showing them why you fell in love with them in the first place. Making time to be with them even if it's just sharing a very hot bowl of ice cream!
Fighting the good fight to keep the one you love.
Fighting the good fight to keep the one you love.
January 3, 2013
with short stories like this I always wish for them to be longer and to actually read their story, but I must admit that even in 40 pages the writer did an amazing job.
I love it when something so short turns out to be a big surprise!
the beginning actually made me really sad, the way their marriage was becoming nothing, but the way he actually realized and made her to forgive him....
well lets just say that i will be playing hide and seek very soon....
I love it when something so short turns out to be a big surprise!
the beginning actually made me really sad, the way their marriage was becoming nothing, but the way he actually realized and made her to forgive him....
well lets just say that i will be playing hide and seek very soon....
October 1, 2011
Wonderful! Anne Calhoun is fast becoming a real favorite of mine! More please!
May 3, 2012
A great novella about what happens when a man neglects his wife in flavor of his ambition, assuming she will just go along. He has been so intent on his goal that he has lost sight of what he really values. When his wife says they need counselling, he shows up late! Seriously, the man needs a lesson.
...and he gets it when something momentous happens and she isn't around for him to share with. The resulting confrontation of her in a bar, talking with another man, jerks our hero into a supremely aware state, and a realization that he may have truly risked his marriage. What I wonder is what might have happened if it had taken him two years, as he originally thought?
I loved the heroine, she is definitely strong and when enough is enough, takes a stand. Hot and highly steamy make up sex. Great writing, an author to watch
...and he gets it when something momentous happens and she isn't around for him to share with. The resulting confrontation of her in a bar, talking with another man, jerks our hero into a supremely aware state, and a realization that he may have truly risked his marriage. What I wonder is what might have happened if it had taken him two years, as he originally thought?
I loved the heroine, she is definitely strong and when enough is enough, takes a stand. Hot and highly steamy make up sex. Great writing, an author to watch
June 27, 2013
When I finish a book I always think the couple will live together forever and will be happy.This book kind of opened my eyes and show me that the couples sometimes have problems and nothing is perfect.But love always(or almost always)wins.That's the reason I rated the book with 5 stars.
Natalie and Shane after 10 years of marriage have some troubles.They have stopped communicating and that kills their relationship.Not beign able to stand it more Nat forces Shane to go to a specialist and try save their marriage.After the apointment Shane realises the condition his marriage is and tries to win his wife back.
I will never see hide and seek the same way again.If you know what I mean ;)
November 3, 2011
Slightly erotica, but not so much that I wanted to close my eyes. I don't normally read erotica, but this was recommended to me, so I thought I'd give it a try. It's a great story about a marriage that, much like many other marriages, is sliding into a decline. Once both partners realize how far they have fallen as a couple from what they used to be, they attempt to rekindle the passion that first drew them together. Great short with deeper meaning, especially to those of us who know how difficult sustaining excitement in a long term marriage can be.
May 26, 2012
A very short story about a married couple who are drifting apart. Shane is married to his job and Natalie has had enough. When he realizes he's losing her he pulls out all the stops to save their marriage.
Despite being erotic fiction with a very slight bondage theme, Anne Calhoun still writes characters who are warm and real.
Despite being erotic fiction with a very slight bondage theme, Anne Calhoun still writes characters who are warm and real.
August 17, 2011
What a HOT little read! Loved it!
March 3, 2015
This is a passionate, sexy and hot novella. And I enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to read more from Ms. Anne Calhoun.
April 28, 2014
Natalie Copeland is tired of fighting for a marriage that in her eyes doesn't even exist anymore. Her husband basically ignores her and takes her for granted in favor of his business goals. She makes a last ditch effort to save her marriage with couple's counseling, which her husband can't even be bothered to show up on time to. Shane doesn't really see the problem, as far as he is concerned Natalie knew what she was going into and the time it would take to meet his goals.
Frankly speaking, I did not care for this story. It is all about Shane's wants and needs. When he meets a goal at work he looks around the celebratory party and realizes he has no clue where his wife is. When he tracks her down he finds her having a business dinner with another man and sparks fly. I'll admit it is really well written, I empathized with Natalie and it was all too easy to get into her head at the start of the book. But it doesn't get better after the start of the fight scene. Shane's method of "winning" her back feels like it is STILL all about him and his wants and needs and nothing really about her. Some of my issue with this is likely due to the shorter format, there simply was not enough time for me to make the transition between anger and hurt to passion, which means there was a really spicy scene that normally I would have enjoyed but instead left me cold.
Since it was well written I will probably try another longer book to see how it pans out, but this probably isn't a good intro as a new reader to Anne Calhoun's works.
Cross-posted http://erinsburnsbookshelf.blogspot.c...
Frankly speaking, I did not care for this story. It is all about Shane's wants and needs. When he meets a goal at work he looks around the celebratory party and realizes he has no clue where his wife is. When he tracks her down he finds her having a business dinner with another man and sparks fly. I'll admit it is really well written, I empathized with Natalie and it was all too easy to get into her head at the start of the book. But it doesn't get better after the start of the fight scene. Shane's method of "winning" her back feels like it is STILL all about him and his wants and needs and nothing really about her. Some of my issue with this is likely due to the shorter format, there simply was not enough time for me to make the transition between anger and hurt to passion, which means there was a really spicy scene that normally I would have enjoyed but instead left me cold.
Since it was well written I will probably try another longer book to see how it pans out, but this probably isn't a good intro as a new reader to Anne Calhoun's works.
Cross-posted http://erinsburnsbookshelf.blogspot.c...
September 6, 2011
3 ½ stars. Erotic short story was well done with good character development. Sex scene was hot.
STORY BRIEF:
Natalie and Shane have been married for several years. Shane is a workaholic on his way to making partner in an investment company. Natalie is frustrated that they never spend time together. She makes an appointment with a marriage counselor. Shane is 30 minutes late for the first session. A few days later Shane meets Natalie after work and takes her home. Natalie is angry. Shane insists they play one of their early games, Hide and Seek. Natalie reluctantly agrees. The winner gets to be master in the bedroom. Shane plans to win the game and her affections.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
I had trouble deciding between 3 ½ and 4 stars. My main problem was that it was too short. I prefer longer stories. But this was pretty good. It was different. I think it’s easier to write a good short story than a good long story. I’m glad I read it. There is one long, drawn out sex scene with alpha guy totally as master. He ties her hands, spanks her, and uses some toys.
DATA:
Ebook story length: about 40 minutes. Kindle count story length: 591 (118 KB). Swearing language: strong, including religious swear words. Sexual language: strong/erotic. Number of sex scenes one long one. Setting: current day New York City and Summit, New Jersey. Copyright: 2011. Genre: erotic contemporary romance.
STORY BRIEF:
Natalie and Shane have been married for several years. Shane is a workaholic on his way to making partner in an investment company. Natalie is frustrated that they never spend time together. She makes an appointment with a marriage counselor. Shane is 30 minutes late for the first session. A few days later Shane meets Natalie after work and takes her home. Natalie is angry. Shane insists they play one of their early games, Hide and Seek. Natalie reluctantly agrees. The winner gets to be master in the bedroom. Shane plans to win the game and her affections.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
I had trouble deciding between 3 ½ and 4 stars. My main problem was that it was too short. I prefer longer stories. But this was pretty good. It was different. I think it’s easier to write a good short story than a good long story. I’m glad I read it. There is one long, drawn out sex scene with alpha guy totally as master. He ties her hands, spanks her, and uses some toys.
DATA:
Ebook story length: about 40 minutes. Kindle count story length: 591 (118 KB). Swearing language: strong, including religious swear words. Sexual language: strong/erotic. Number of sex scenes one long one. Setting: current day New York City and Summit, New Jersey. Copyright: 2011. Genre: erotic contemporary romance.
May 20, 2012
Calhoun sure knows how to mix romance, passion, endearment, and erotic scenes and make it work. This was a short and steamy read about doing whatever it takes to keep a marriage together...starting in the bedroom.
There are countless songs that could work for this book, I'm sure. Yet, there was just one line that kept popping in my head as I read. It's from the song 'Get Stoned' by Hinder and the line is '...because the sex is always so much better when you're mad at me...'
There are countless songs that could work for this book, I'm sure. Yet, there was just one line that kept popping in my head as I read. It's from the song 'Get Stoned' by Hinder and the line is '...because the sex is always so much better when you're mad at me...'
August 16, 2012
4 stars
Super cute story that could easily beanyones marriage!! They have been married for 10 years and while the husband was on the fast track of becoming partner he forgot what was REALLY important.... his wife!!!! Well after he catches her talking with a guy friend he gets upset and well tney have a huge fight... she throws stuff at him LOL and well then it turns into crazy hot sex and they remeber why/what they loved about each other.
Super cute short read
Super cute story that could easily beanyones marriage!! They have been married for 10 years and while the husband was on the fast track of becoming partner he forgot what was REALLY important.... his wife!!!! Well after he catches her talking with a guy friend he gets upset and well tney have a huge fight... she throws stuff at him LOL and well then it turns into crazy hot sex and they remeber why/what they loved about each other.
Super cute short read
May 2, 2017
First read (Sept 2014): Too short too short too short.
First reread (Nov 2016): I'm always a sucker for marriage-in-trouble romance. And I love Anne Calhoun. This novella is so short, TOO SHORT, but still fulfilling, hence the 4 stars the first time I read it (I rarely give novellas a 4 on accounts of the length).
Second reread (May 2017): Reread this again because I miss Anne Calhoun's writing (I still haven't finished her Ops series, whoops). Shane is still hot I want one.
First reread (Nov 2016): I'm always a sucker for marriage-in-trouble romance. And I love Anne Calhoun. This novella is so short, TOO SHORT, but still fulfilling, hence the 4 stars the first time I read it (I rarely give novellas a 4 on accounts of the length).
Second reread (May 2017): Reread this again because I miss Anne Calhoun's writing (I still haven't finished her Ops series, whoops). Shane is still hot I want one.
February 18, 2012
3.5 stars
My first book by Anne Calhoun. It was a very quick, (abt 15 minutes) and hot read.
My first book by Anne Calhoun. It was a very quick, (abt 15 minutes) and hot read.
October 14, 2011
That indeed was a short story. It went right to the guts of the story and was resolved quick. Very steamy on some parts, and lots of emotion. Not bad :-)
December 14, 2016
Meh. Loved the concept, but wanted more.
Short read. Solid writing - I am interested in perhaps a full length novel by her.
Short read. Solid writing - I am interested in perhaps a full length novel by her.
April 18, 2017
Just wanted more apologies and grovelling from Shane. One night of passionate sex does not acquit months of neglect.
September 18, 2020
An erotic sweet read💞
No cheating..
No spoilers..
Shane and Natalie lost each other in work pressure in 8 years of marriage...
They work together to ignite the Spark ⭐⭐
No cheating..
No spoilers..
Shane and Natalie lost each other in work pressure in 8 years of marriage...
They work together to ignite the Spark ⭐⭐
August 3, 2011
4.5 stars.
I really, really love Anne Calhoun's books. Her writing style and voice is one of the most fascinating I've come across in erotic romance. The heat level is high and the sex scenes are great, but it's the depth of character and description she packs into her stories that amazes me most.
In this book she takes a couple struggling through a rocky patch in their marriage, and managed to suck me in within the first few pages. I cared about the characters, I cared about their relationship, and I wanted them to save their marriage. All this in a fairly short novella, but Ms. Calhoun worked her magic once again.
This author is an auto buy for me, and I will continue to buy any book she puts out. She's that good. If you haven't read her before, do. Liberating Lacey won the 2010 EPIC Award for best erotic romance, and it's one of my favorite erotic romances of all time. Keep those hot stories coming, Anne!
I really, really love Anne Calhoun's books. Her writing style and voice is one of the most fascinating I've come across in erotic romance. The heat level is high and the sex scenes are great, but it's the depth of character and description she packs into her stories that amazes me most.
In this book she takes a couple struggling through a rocky patch in their marriage, and managed to suck me in within the first few pages. I cared about the characters, I cared about their relationship, and I wanted them to save their marriage. All this in a fairly short novella, but Ms. Calhoun worked her magic once again.
This author is an auto buy for me, and I will continue to buy any book she puts out. She's that good. If you haven't read her before, do. Liberating Lacey won the 2010 EPIC Award for best erotic romance, and it's one of my favorite erotic romances of all time. Keep those hot stories coming, Anne!
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