For five bridesmaids this will be a wedding night to remember…
A stunningly hot FBI agent offers his full-body protection to very willing witness Bridget Donahue. Stripper Leah Muldoon bares it all for a sexy stranger in a limo, much to their mutual satisfaction! Wild big-city lawyer Mia Natale is in for the best sex of her life. But with who? When dancer Vanessa McKee unexpectedly sees a man from her past, they rediscover their insatiable lust!
A breathless night in the arms of a seductive European lover should definitely spice up Gloria Santori’s marriage…
Blaze Encounters – Super-sexy short stories, red-hot nights!
New York Times Bestselling author, Leslie Kelly writes sexy romances and dark romantic thrillers. A four-time RWA RITA Award nominee, eleven-time Romantic Times Award nominee and 2006 RT Award winner, Leslie has become known for her delightful characters, sparkling dialogue, and outrageous humor in her romances, and for the dark grittiness of her thrillers. Since the publication of her first book in 1999, Leslie has gone on to pen more than forty sassy, sexy romances for Harlequin Temptation, Blaze, and HQN.
In 2009, Leslie began tapping into her love for dark suspense by penning several books under the pseudonym Leslie Parrish. The Black CATs and Extrasensory Agents series quickly put Leslie on the must-read list of romantic-suspense fans.
Tired of writing under various names, Leslie decided to go into her next genre--futuristic thrillers with a suspense element--under her real name. She released her dark, gritty Veronica Sloan books, and reissued the Black CATs series, as Leslie A. Kelly.
Leslie lives in Denver with her husband Bruce--her real-life romance hero. Visit her online at lesliekelly.com (for her sexy romances) or at leslieAkelly.com (for her romantic suspense.)
FINALLY!!! I pick up a Harlequin book that wets my appetite for sex! FINALLY!!!!
I began reading this book thinking it was five different authors... only to discover it's ONE author with five different stories. Quickies, if you went by the erotic sites. It took me throughout the first "story" to really see that, because it starts out like a regular anthology. Boy, this pleases me even more.
Getaway1/26/2015 I was pleasantly surprised with this. I wasn't expecting much, had thought it another wannabe-suspense romance. The writing helped saved it from the slush because it was easy to get into, and the characters remained in character. The description wasn't over the top, and it definitely wasn't lacking. I especially love how the hero could flip between lover to FBI employee in no time, as some realistic people can do. It helped explain how a man could flip so easily as if nothing bothered them. I could see it happening in my mind as if it were real. Definitely a good sign.
Runaway1/28/2015 It has been a LONG time since I read a Harlequin romance that left me needy. This story is HOT. The storyline screamed Pretty Woman, and there's even mention of it to somewhat point out that yes, indeed, it was written like it--so as to inform the reader we are not alone in our assumption. I love the hero, and how he's not your typical sleazeball or overbearing dominate rich guy. He actually cares about his work and has been trying to save it from his predecessor's destruction. His family isn't stuck up, but are actually human-like with real struggles. The heroine is smart when she refuses to admit her profession, yet I love how she's got a good head on her shoulders to use it for something good. Some people look down on her profession, and she knows this and that's why she's uncomfortable with the hero's family. Again, another realistic, believable story and a DEFINITE hot read. TOTALLY worth me keeping this book!
FYI: The cover of the book is from this story.
Three-Way2/12/2015 I had hoped that after reading the previous two, this story would be good. It wasn't AS good, but it was okay. If you enjoy watching massage porn, then you'll like this story. It just had too much story for me to really stay in. WAY too much that it took away from the steamy plot. After the first few chapters, I glossed over the rest. Not really worth it.
No Way Out2/13/2015 Surprisingly, I read this story all the way through. I wasn't sure I'd enjoy it, but I did. It wasn't bad, just wasn't what I was expecting. The two main characters are black, and the author does a swell job reminding you in the untraditional sense--meaning, she made it part of the storyline and not an added - in extra detail.
All The Way2/13/2015 Talk about glossing over. After the first two (or three?) chapters, I quickly glossed over the rest. I didn't want to read about lonely mothers who felt shitty about their lives--not really encouraging to anyone who wants kids, and not exactly a cheery plot. I know that's not what it was meant to be, but it was more emotionally depressing than erotic. When she had an affair with a complete stranger, that was somewhat hot. But then it got ruined when you found out that it was her husband all along. You also find out, in the next chapter, that he'd sent her a request to go to the bar and dress sexy. Yeah, surprise the reader why don't you, and ruin the titillating thrill while you're at it.
The book wasn't bad. If anythinf, I give it 3 stars and I suppose a spot on my shelf. The first two stories save it from the donation pile.
Ok, I confess... I mostly wanted to read this book of five short erotic stories because one of them was called "three-way". A harlequin threesome? What? Even from the Blaze line that seems like a stretch and I couldn't help but wonder how it was handled. It was very hot! Not all the way of course, no double penetration, but some seriously hot fun with two men. No disappointment here! The rest of the stories were pretty hot too and I liked how they all tied together.
I won an autographed copy of this book and am extremely happy that I did. I loved the five individual stories that were still somewhat connected. It was a quick read for me and extremely enjoyable and sexy. The last story was the best. A little surprise thrown your way. Not what I expected but fun anyway.
5 chicas y 5 historias. Me gustó la de la mujer casada que tiene "una aventura", es muy yo. En general: not bad. Cumple lo que promete, entretiene y es ameno.
Night of Nick and Izzie’s wedding, this story follows each of the bridesmaids as they find love and lust.
Getaway - 3/5 - Maid of honor Bridget is getting over a guy - the used car salesman who turned out to be an undercover FBI agent who was only using her to get evidence against the boss that she’ll be testifying against on Monday. When said FBI agent, Dean, shows up at the club they’re all at and literally kidnaps her, claiming she’s in danger, Bridget decides she’ll finish what they started (lust-wise) and then leave him...using him the way he used her. But Dean is actually in love with Bridget, so there’s that. A second chance romance that was good, but for some reason didn’t totally satisfy. I’m not sure if it was Bridge’s complete and total lack of follow through on the sleep with him and dump him thing or what. I mean, she’s the one who got her heartbroken originally and when Dean says it's time to take her back home, she’s heartbroken again. So then SHE has to say something to give them their chance. Dean didn’t share much of his feelings and wants and I think I wanted him to. Definitely credit though, for such a short story this felt very complete. And some nice little teasers about what’s going to happen to the other women.
Runaway - 3/5 - This one’s kinda like a Pretty Woman but the heroine is mistaken for a prostitute rather than actually being one. This is Izzie’s friend Leah who works as a stripper to put herself through nursing school. She gets into the wrong limo - the hero, Slone Kincaid’s limo - and falls asleep. He’s richer than midas and assumes she set up the whole thing to make some money and is surprised to be as interested as he is. The truth all comes out and they agree to one night, but him being rich and her being a stripper are still kinda obstacles. She has a naive innocence to her, despite having a rough, traumatic childhood. And she goes absolutely gaga over his luxuries. He’s the one who changes his mind about the one night, wanting more, but she’s embarrassed about being a stripper. I like how he says and does all the right things in regards to that and he’s a prince of a guy. This ends on a happy for now, rather than a happy ever after. They only ever really feel lust for each other and agree to keep dating - no love declarations in this one.
Three-Way - 4/5 - Mia, Izzie’s sister, is tough, a scrapper and what some would call an ice-cold bitch. This is why, instead of being there to greet her boyfriend, Brandon, when he returns from his overseas trip and finally go to bed with him, she ups and moves to Pittsburgh and breaks up with him by voicemail claiming he’s “too nice and tame.” He shows up at her hotel to prove exactly how not tame he is...and then to walk away, proving what a mistake she’d made. On top of that, he’s got a little surprise for her (a third!)I wondered about this one since the title implies a menage and that’s a level of risque that Harlequin rarely touches. The suspense in this story as we wait to see exactly how far Mia is going to go with both guys is pretty interesting (also some of it was anticipating just how far Harlequin could take it). This has kink lite - some voyeurism, a third guy (stranger) who touches and penetrates with a finger but that’s it. And obviously Brandon and Mia realize how good they had it and could continue to have it and get their HEA. Also, as a second chance romance, this has just enough of the angst and bitterness that actually feels resolved by the end of the story. Still Mia needed to do A LOT more groveling.
No Way Out - 3.5/5 - Vanessa sees Stan Jackson in the hotel lobby and socks him in the jaw...because when she was 15, he took her virginity and walked away without another word. But now they’re adults and if they can get over the hurt, they might have a chance at something. So we get another second chance romance which is decidedly angsty and chock full of regretful moments thinking about the past. But it was also still a little disappointing. Stan claims that he loved Vanessa all along and that he never wanted to give her up, but he doesn’t recognize her when he sees her? Also, I just couldn’t help but feel like this was a reunion that needed a lot more time to get over the hurt and sadness. Even Vanessa wasn’t trusting of Stan’s feelings because he’d been able to walk away until he comes out with the “I loved you all along” And yet he was still able to leave her behind without a single word and completely forget what she looked like (and not recognize her years later). This is another of those Happy for nows because I don’t for one minute believe they love each other yet.
All the Way - 4/5 - And now we have older sister Gloria’s story. She’s already married to her Italian husband Tony and has a few kiddos with him. She’s feeling harried and decidedly unsexy, so when she gets a night to herself at the hotel, she heads for the bar… The set up here is really obvious as long as you’re comfortable with Harlequin’s limits. No - there is absolutely no way Harelquin would ever have a woman already in a loving relationship shoot that to hell by picking up an actual stranger in the bar. So you obviously know who this guy is, but that doesn’t change how romantic it ends up being. In fact more so because in the guise of a stranger, our hero says exactly what Gloria needs to hear. This was probably the shortest one and the least angsty, but it was pretty hot and steamy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Leslie Kelly launches the new Blaze Encounters series with 5 short stories centring around 5 bridesmaids, and more specifically their super-sexy encounters on the wedding night.
Getaway Sweet bridesmaid Bridget Donahue is the star witness in a trial and someone is out to get her. Luckily totally hot FBI agent Dean Willis is around to give her full body protection.
This was a fun story with a heroine who was shy but spunky and a delicious special agent with a big, soft centre. Hot sex, lots of fun and a sweet ending make this an excellent story.
Runaway Stripper Leah Muldoon is so tired after the wedding that she accidentally gets into the wrong limo and falls fast asleep. When she awakens she realises she stumbled upon very sexy and very rich Slone Kincaid. What better to do than get very well acquainted in that back seat?
A cute, funny story with a stripper I surprisingly identified with, every woman's prince charming and some naughty limo sex thrown in for good measure.
Three-Way Big-city attorney Mia Natale dumped Brandon North because he was too nice. But he's tracked her down and plans to show her what she'll be missing if she walks out on him. But who is that other guy?
I genuinely never thought they would put a storyline like this in a romance and was waiting for the 'only joking' moment to come along. But it never did and I have to say I was shocked for a little while before getting into it. Maybe not a story for everyone - it was still romantic and enjoyable.
No Way Out Black bombshell Vanessa McKee lives her life to the full and has done ever since she had her heart broken when she was but 15. When the man that did the breaking - delicious NFL star Stan Jackson - walks back into her life, she does what any heartbroken lady would do and punches him right in the face. Stan can think of better places to unleash that fiery temper - like in his hotel suite!
This story of a feisty woman and her first love is probably the hottest of all the stories in this anthology yet it still has a sweet, romantic edge. The characters are well suited and enjoyably didn't jump to conclusions where they might.
All The Way Gloria Santori loves being a wife and mother but sometimes she really just wants to let loose and go a bit crazy - especially since it's been such a long time since she had sex of any sort. So when a seductive European propositions her in a bar she jumps at the chance for some fun!
I really enjoyed this story and luckily the surprise wasn't that hard to guess. It was more tender than the other stories yet still had a lovely hot sex and stunningly well-written sexual tension.
A sizzling set of stories full of hot encounters, wonderful characters and true love, Leslie Kelly doesn't disappoint with this newest collection. Each story is about 50 pages long making it an ideal length for a nice quick read. The stories all centre round the wedding of Izzie Natale and Nick Santori (from previous Blaze novel Overexposed) and what happens to each of their bridesmaids on the wedding night. It was nice that all the stories were interconnected but not in such a way that each didn't stand on their own or you wouldn't understand them if you read them out of order. It was also nice to catch up with Nick and Izzie again.
With Leslie Kelly's newest set of tales you get all the sex and sizzle you would expect from a Blaze novel coupled with the fun, humour and fast-paced action typical of a Kelly romance. 5 stars and definitely a recommended read.
5 short stories what more can you want and that as well Harlequin.
Just enough sass, sex and adventure in all. I liked how it flowed from the prologue. Each starting alike but each having their own depth and story. Just the perfect read when you don't want something long and serious. Well written. Thank you Leslie Kelly.
Ok, I confess... I mostly wanted to read this book for the continued story of Bridget Donahue, from the book Overexposed. Although I enjoyed the short story, it still didn't tell me what happened and left it hanging. The rest of the little stories were a fun read. This take place after Nick and Izzy's wedding night. You get a look at what these five women will encounter. I simply liked the fact that they were all tied together. I was looking for how some of these stories would end or were they the beginning to their own books I am still not clear on this. The short stories were hot, but left me wanting more. So, now I am on to looking for the individual books of these Five women so I can maybe get some answers.
"This is one super-sexy wedding night these five women will never forget! Meet the lucky bridesmaids:
A totally hot FBI agent offers his full-body protection to very willing witness Bridget Donahue….
Stripper Leah Muldoon bares it all for a sexy stranger in a limo, much to their mutual satisfaction!
Wild big-city attorney Mia Natale is in for the best sex of her life. But who is that other guy?
When dancer Vanessa McKee unexpectedly sees a man from her past, they rediscover their insatiable lust!
A breathless night in the arms of a seductive European
lover should definitely spice up Gloria Santori's marriage…."
>blink< An abortive 3-some in a harlequin blaze? Whoa.
Ok, this is technically 4 tiny novellas and a chapter, each about a bride's maid and well, the chapter is the bride herself.
And... it's about the best of these categories I've read in this recent batch, *maybe* because like the last one featuring several short stories, there isn't a whole lot there to make you question the intelligence of either party.
I mean; I suppose I could give details about them (I suspect someone is demanding to know about that near-3-some), but with the exception of one, story, everyone knows the other party (well, except for the third wheel there - the h didn't know him at all).
Ok, 'bout that aborted 3-some. Apparently, during phone sex with the H, the h had discussed it. Then she disappeared. He tracks her down, accompanied by a guy who well... Let's just say the massage the stranger gave her was quite intimate and ah...the H watched. Then the H went down on her while the other guy stimulated the "girls". The H was mentally steeling himself for her telling the other guy to continue on but she decided she didn't want his assistance anymore. Felt kinda sorry for the other guy, truth be told, since he vanished into obscurity once he left their room. So there it is.