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High Octane Heroes
Heroes inspire lustful fascination. Worthy of sex objects status, kickass iconic heroes enter danger zones in the name of duty, honor, country, and even love. These rugged men conjure images of hard, chiselled bodies, laser-sharp gazes and stark, camouflaged features.
Get ready for high-octane, smoldering-hot adventures, featuring these "super alpha” heroes and the strong women who wage heated battles for their hearts. In "Beseiged,” a special forces soldier rescues his lover from an embassy takeover. In "The Star,” an American Air Force pilot and a grieving British woman find solace in each other’s arms. A sexy SWAT team leader saves a rookie during a bungled undercover assignment in "Renegade.” And get ready for an undercover cop who flexes more than his "Big Guns.” Set in war-torn regions of the world and in your own neighborhoods, High Octane Heroes delivers passion, danger and heart.
Get ready for high-octane, smoldering-hot adventures, featuring these "super alpha” heroes and the strong women who wage heated battles for their hearts. In "Beseiged,” a special forces soldier rescues his lover from an embassy takeover. In "The Star,” an American Air Force pilot and a grieving British woman find solace in each other’s arms. A sexy SWAT team leader saves a rookie during a bungled undercover assignment in "Renegade.” And get ready for an undercover cop who flexes more than his "Big Guns.” Set in war-torn regions of the world and in your own neighborhoods, High Octane Heroes delivers passion, danger and heart.
232 pages, Paperback
First published August 13, 2013
24 people are currently reading
390 people want to read
About the author
Delilah Devlin
350 books1,204 followersDelilah Devlin is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author with a rapidly expanding reputation for writing deliciously edgy stories with complex characters. Whether creating dark, erotically-charged paranormal worlds or richly descriptive westerns that ring with authenticity, Delilah Devlin “pens in uncharted territory that will leave the readers breathless and hungering for more…” www.DelilahDevlin.com
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 13, 2015
Here's the short short version:
Overall there was a nice variety of occupations and scenarios. What I really love about the Cleis Press anthologies, so far, is not only the number of stories you get but also the quality writing and editing. It's great that not all stories are pure fluff. Some have more story content and/or character development than others which is usually hard to pull off in a few pages, but there is something for everyone. I've had this book for a while and I read it twice, in its entirety before I wrote this review. I am hooked, and I intend to read any and all anthologies from the Erotic Romance for Women line in the future.
If you want to read my more detailed review of each story, keep reading. I'm relatively sure I've kept it spoiler free.
One more thing:
There's also a giveaway for one print copy on my blog. Ends 11/25.
**** Detailed Review ****
#1 As You Were by Alice Janelle – Rating: 3/5
Elements: Military, M/F
An Army medic and her lover risk going against fraternization policies to engage in a little post mission R&R. - Short, maybe a bit rushed, and steamy. I liked that Laura and Tony weren’t merely friends with benefits (which is usually the case in those situations). I can’t say I agree with breaking the rules, but nevertheless they had good chemistry behind closed doors.
#2 Five-Alarm Fire by Sabrina York – Rating: 5/5
Elements: Paramedic, M/F
A matchmaking patient and her false alarms lead paramedic Luke Patterson to his perfect match. - This story was sweet and oh so hot. I loved that Trish wasn’t a heroine who played games. She finally got her wish and a date with Luke, and she wasn’t shy about letting him know just how badly she wanted him. Apparently for months. Some mind blowing sex [par for the course with Ms York] and a very sweet ending. I thought it was cute that they did the dating thing backwards.
#3 Renegade by Brindle Chase – Rating: 3/5
Elements: Cops, M/F, Suspense, Interracial
A sexy SWAT team leader saves a rookie during a bungled undercover assignment. - This was a great example of how diverse this anthology is. Renegade was an action-packed short for all the romantic suspense audience. Even though this was only a few pages long, it felt much longer. There was definitely more action than “interaction” [if you catch my drift] between the hero and heroine, but what there was of it, it was pretty hot. I enjoyed Renegade’s caveman tactics.
#4 Painted by Leah Ridgewood – Rating: 2/5
Elements: Paramedic, M/F, Interracial
A feisty Latina learns not to judge a book by its cover. - Not a bad story, but it didn’t do much for me. I got the feeling that cultural differences, as well as the social status, between the hero and heroine was played up too much. There is a reason why Latinas are often described as being feisty. In this case, Rosalia came across as petulant rather than feisty. She believed the landlord’s nephew was a spoilt, rich boy with lousy taste in women. She somehow manages to capture his interest and the rest is history. I didn’t buy the chemistry fully. Nevertheless it was still light and fluffy.
#5 Besieged by Elle James – Rating: 4/5
Elements: Elements: Military, M/F, Suspense
A Special Forces soldier rescues his lover from an embassy takeover. - A good story with a nice balance of romance and action. I really liked this couple that came across as very level-headed and mature. They knew what they wanted and just seemed like a normal couple. The action portion of the story was just enough to give us a taste of Maxwell’s desperation. What Kate did was crazy but kind of sweet. The bit with her father at the end was very sweet.
#6 Pumping Iron by Christine D’Abo – Rating: 5/5
Elements: Personal trainer (UFC fighter), M/F
Rehab and a new outlook on life give a woman the strength to confess to her personal trainer how she really feels. - I’m not entirely sure how this story fit in with the overall theme of the book, unless you look at it from the stand point that the hero saved the heroine’s self esteem and helped her get her life back. Either way, I’m used to this author’s writing and I generally love her stories. I love strong heroines who aren’t afraid to express their feelings or ask for what they want; fear of rejection be damned. I got exactly that with Lila. Kyle’s character could be best described as intense. Not a man of many words, a bit intimidating and he definitely called the shots. The best way to describe them would be that she was soft where he was hard. As in personality. Well, fine, other things too. Point is, I believed the chemistry. I love how creatively sexy Ms D’Abo can get with her sex scenes. I won’t look at a push-up in the same way ever again.
#7 Diving Deep by Jenny Lyn – Rating: 4/5
Elements: Military, M/F
Falling for the brother’s best friend was easy, but watching her Navy SEAL deploy all the time was anything but. - Great story with likable characters. I giggled at Katie’s highly unusual method of escaping the family gathering to have some privacy. I also rather enjoyed the way she was discovered by the hero, Jake. Again, this story had a heroine who wasn’t afraid to speak up, even if it meant losing the man she’d come to love. They handled their relationship maturely and in the end, the romance of the whole moment was very satisfying.
#8 Heated Negotiations by Macy Man – Rating: 3.5/5
Elements: Cops, M/F
The elite leader of the SRT has a pleasurable fight on his hands when trying to persuade the sexy but stubborn negotiator to accept his terms. - I liked the cocky leader of the Special Response Team (SRT), Donovan Wolfe, and his rather unconventional method of winning the sexy but stubborn negotiator over to his side. These were two headstrong characters and complete alphas in their respective fields. Reading about them was like watching two rams on the Discovery Channel. Imagine what the sex was like [wipes brow].
#9 Once Upon a Time in Mukdahan by Sidney Bristol – Rating: 5/5
Elements: Military, Suspense, M/F, Friends-to-lovers
A former Navy SEAL rescues his childhood friend from kidnappers. Can she save him back? - Another great story that got the balance between action and romance just right. Although the story opened right in the middle of drama, it was briefly and believably described how the hero and heroine ended up in their predicament. I also liked the element of danger that served to nudge their friendship into the something more territory. I really liked this couple. Emery for her sweetness and compassion, and Matt because he needed some TLC and reassurance that he was more than man enough for her despite his disability. It was lovely how she showed him that she could see beyond his scars. [I need a tissue].
#10 Big Guns by Michael Bracken – Rating: 3/5
Elements: FBI, Suspense, M/F
There’s more to the hired muscle than meets the eye. Will real life live up to the fantasy? - I thought the book blurb kind of gave away the twist of this story, however this was still a good read. I liked that the heroine remained unnamed. Add to that the fact that it was told in the first person, and you could easily take her place.
#11 Natural Appetites by Adele Dubois – Rating: 5/5
Elements: Paramedic, M/F
A paramedic saves a young boy’s life, not knowing how that one deed would affect so many lives, including his own. - This was probably my favorite story in terms of pacing and memorability. The characters were introduced with enough information to feel a connection. Michael was former military turned paramedic and hadn’t had much luck with girlfriends because of his job. I felt his frustration over losing his current girlfriend but not really feeling too badly about it [she wasn't good enough for him anyway. Good riddance]. Then there was Amanda, a twenty-two year old virgin, very mature for her age and an “old soul”. She was more than just a chef in this story. She saw her employers as extended family because she had no one else. That connection came across very well throughout the story. After the initial meeting, their relationship develops off page for a week before they take things to the next level. I loved how he integrated his friends and colleagues into the larger family. A very sweet and romantic story.
#12 SEAL Destiny by Sharon Hamilton – Rating: 2/5
Elements: Military, M/F
A SEAL who’s seen too much loss returns home and finds some temporary relief in the arms of a stranger. - I felt detached from this one. I suppose it was because the previous eleven stories were all (more) romantic, and the couples had a connection. This story came across as pure fantasy or a one night stand. There was hardly any dialogue except to define the boundaries for their afternoon delights; communication was handled via looks and gestures which left me a little bored. The hero was believable in his capacity, but the heroine (in the scene on the beach) came across as really young. I know Ms Hamilton has an entire SEAL series out, and I do intend to still read them.
#13 Mountain Man by Tamsin Flowers – Rating: 2/5
Elements: M/F, New Adult-ish
A dramatic rescue leads to a heated night in the cold mountains. - [I wasn't sure if it was Tamsin or Tasmin since the name in the table of contents doesn't match the name printed in the actual chapter. Oopsie. Well, now I know.] This one was just okay. Told in the first person POV from the heroine, her thoughts and Behavior made me think she was quite young. I thought the hero was a bit of a jerk. First he chastised her, then he made her cry. Then they shared body heat and …. Anyway, the ending revealed a twist that was strange. It must have been a snap decision on the hero’s part. If he had been anything but a High-Octane Hero, my alarm bells would have been ringing.
#14 The Star by Tahira Iqbal – Rating: 4/5
Elements: Military, M/F
An American Air Force pilot and a grieving British woman find solace in each other’s arms. - I enjoyed the setup of this couple; having learned about one another via the letters of the man who was the reason for their meeting in the first place. Although this wasn’t a romance per se, I came away with the feeling that maybe the connection they made that day was enough to let them try for something more in the future. [I know, I am a sap].
#15 Pitch Black by Delilah Devlin – Rating: 4/5
Elements: Cops, M/F
A prison guard rushes to save his lover during a blackout and uses the night’s events to teach her a lesson. - It probably wasn’t intentional, but I couldn’t help but notice how this last story brought the book full circle. Just like the first story, we have a couple who work in the same field and face danger together. But this one felt more raw; it was certainly more descriptive in terms of what may or may not occur in a prison when chaos reigns. The dramatic portion was a good setup for the lesson Danny intended to impart on Jenna which was hot! I liked how they communicated as a couple.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review.
October 27, 2013
As You Were by Alice Janell: Medic Laura and alpha-male soldier Tony set their passion on fire after a close emergency call. Explicit, but too abrupt and lacking in tension for my tastes.
Five-Alarm Fire by Sabrina York: When Luke is set up with good girl Trish by his nosy but well-meaning neighbor, he tells himself he'll go through with the date just to keep her from prying in his love life again. What he finds, however, is that Trish isn't as good of a good girl as he initially thought. Cheesy storyline, but ultimately very hot and intense.
Renegade by Brindle Chase: Kara's undercover assignment goes awry, but thankfully sexy SWAT leader Michael "Renegade" Delaney comes to the rescue... and he intends to do more to her than save her life. Loved the deadly steeliness in Michael's character, but the story was just "meh."
Painted by Leah Ridgewood: Feisty Latina Rosalia is sick of her rich, white-boy playboy of a neighbor, Justin, but when he touches her in places she'd forgotten were tender, she opens her eyes up to his heroic qualities (he IS a paramedic, after all) and their obvious chemistry. Really well written with an elaborate storyline, but the sex is mediocre.
Besieged by Elle James: Special Forces officer Max is ready to settle, but Kate—who just happens to be the Ambassador's daughter—isn't hinting at wanting anything more than the purely carnal arrangement they have going now. A grand act of heroism will determine his fate, as it just might save Kate's life... that is, if he succeeds. Sweepingly romantic and intense in its elongated sex scene, this one is satisfying, but unmistakably corny.
Pumping Iron by Christine D'Abo: Lila, who's just now recovering from an accident, has always had fantasies about her intimidatingly gorgeous physical trainer, Kyle. When she finally, in an act of vulnerability, confesses her attraction to him, the dominant ex-UMF player in him makes certain to work her body like it's never been worked before. SUPER hot, kinky, and vivid in its detail and sex—loved this one!
Diving Deep by Jenny Lyn: Katie has the seemingly perfect arrangement with super sexy Navy SEAL Jake: an intense fling whenever he's home every few months, and nothing more to it that would tie her down. But when she starts developing something more than lust for him, she realizes she can't do it anymore, and is surprised to discover Jake has been considering this even harder than she has. If you like a cheery tone and happily-ever-afters, you'll adore this story; it has the perfect balance between a well formulated plot and explosive sex.
Heated Negotiations by Macy Man: When Donovan of the Special Response Team comes face-to-face with Paige—with whom he is yet to tie up loose ends—a stormy encounter ensues. The spontaneous sex is reeeeaallly hot but the progression of the story is kind of confusing.
Once Upon a Time in Mukdahan by Sidney Bristol: Emery is saved from hostage-holding traffickers in Mukdahan by the man she's in love with, SEAL Matt, but unfortunately he's just the kind of man who pushes those who love him away. When both of them are stuck in turmoil and their survival status is unstable, secrets are spilled, and a love neither knew capable, blooms.
Big Guns by Michael Bracken: Big, brutish Special Agent Howie is THE man of our unnamed narrator's naughty fantasies. When, on her bartending gig, she finds herself in the middle of his undercover assignment, he not only saves her life, but also teaches her exactly what fantasies are made of. I liked the sensuality of this story, and how it leaves a lot to the imagination.
Natural Appetites by Adele Dubois: Mickey's kind act of courage earns him an onslaught of admiration from the community he's saved from major grief, including Amanda, a beautiful chef at an organic restaurant. Indebted by his heroism, Amanda makes it her mission to seduce him with her all-natural cooking, but it turns out she doesn't even need the food to capture this smitten paramedic's heart. The cheesiness goes overboard here, especially with the insta-love, but I found the backstory promising and the love scenes hot and sensual.
SEAL Destiny by Sharon Hamilton: Special Operator Chief Luke finds the woman of his dreams in a pretty young thing whose eye he manages to catch at the beach. What he wants to be a sizzling one-night stand turns into something more complicated when he realizes the extent of his feelings for her. This one is REALLY hot—a scorching quickie.
Mountain Man by Tamsin Flowers: Stranded during a mission, Mountain Rescuer Jake must wait for the next helicopter to arrive with the unassuming Melody in tow. As they spend the night together, they get the chance to get really close; the position of their encounter makes this one a hot read.
The Star by Tahira Iqbal: Still in mourning over her brother's death, Estella is startled when approached by her late sibling's best military comrade—not only because he seems to be grieving just as much as she is, but also due to the electricity she feels at his every touch. The sorrowful tone is lyrical; Iqbal's style is gorgeous! The sex is kind of abrupt, with very little building tension, but I found this one romantic and sexy nonetheless.
Pitch Black by Delilah Devlin: Danny is the ultimate primal male—"tempered by combat, forged in tragic loss"—and when he wants something, he gets it. What he currently wants is for his girlfriend Jenna to transfer to a less risky field in the guard, but she insists she doesn't need his safekeeping. But considering she's working in a male-dominated concentration, she needs to bend a little, and Danny will be sure to convince her of that. As always, Delilah Devlin doesn't disappoint. The sex is hot, the story is real, and the style keeps you reading—a perfect 10!
Pros
Really, really well selected stories with variety and substance // I pretty much liked all the stories, which rarely happens for me with anthologies // Alpha-heroes! Need I say more?
Cons
Some storylines are confusing // Some flat sex scenes
Love
— from Tahira Iqbal's The Star
Verdict
Every story in Devlin's latest erotic romance anthology has a mind—and man—of its own. These exhilarating, heated shorts—some with danger and adrenaline, others with tenderness and emotional chaos—are quick to warm hearts and indulge lustful cravings. High-Octane Heroes is overall a phenomenal anthology about every woman's greatest fantasy: a guy who'll go to the wall for his heroine every single time.
Rating: 8 out of 10 hearts (4 stars): An engaging read; highly recommended.
Source
Complimentary copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you, Cleis!).
Five-Alarm Fire by Sabrina York: When Luke is set up with good girl Trish by his nosy but well-meaning neighbor, he tells himself he'll go through with the date just to keep her from prying in his love life again. What he finds, however, is that Trish isn't as good of a good girl as he initially thought. Cheesy storyline, but ultimately very hot and intense.
Renegade by Brindle Chase: Kara's undercover assignment goes awry, but thankfully sexy SWAT leader Michael "Renegade" Delaney comes to the rescue... and he intends to do more to her than save her life. Loved the deadly steeliness in Michael's character, but the story was just "meh."
Painted by Leah Ridgewood: Feisty Latina Rosalia is sick of her rich, white-boy playboy of a neighbor, Justin, but when he touches her in places she'd forgotten were tender, she opens her eyes up to his heroic qualities (he IS a paramedic, after all) and their obvious chemistry. Really well written with an elaborate storyline, but the sex is mediocre.
Besieged by Elle James: Special Forces officer Max is ready to settle, but Kate—who just happens to be the Ambassador's daughter—isn't hinting at wanting anything more than the purely carnal arrangement they have going now. A grand act of heroism will determine his fate, as it just might save Kate's life... that is, if he succeeds. Sweepingly romantic and intense in its elongated sex scene, this one is satisfying, but unmistakably corny.
Pumping Iron by Christine D'Abo: Lila, who's just now recovering from an accident, has always had fantasies about her intimidatingly gorgeous physical trainer, Kyle. When she finally, in an act of vulnerability, confesses her attraction to him, the dominant ex-UMF player in him makes certain to work her body like it's never been worked before. SUPER hot, kinky, and vivid in its detail and sex—loved this one!
Diving Deep by Jenny Lyn: Katie has the seemingly perfect arrangement with super sexy Navy SEAL Jake: an intense fling whenever he's home every few months, and nothing more to it that would tie her down. But when she starts developing something more than lust for him, she realizes she can't do it anymore, and is surprised to discover Jake has been considering this even harder than she has. If you like a cheery tone and happily-ever-afters, you'll adore this story; it has the perfect balance between a well formulated plot and explosive sex.
Heated Negotiations by Macy Man: When Donovan of the Special Response Team comes face-to-face with Paige—with whom he is yet to tie up loose ends—a stormy encounter ensues. The spontaneous sex is reeeeaallly hot but the progression of the story is kind of confusing.
Once Upon a Time in Mukdahan by Sidney Bristol: Emery is saved from hostage-holding traffickers in Mukdahan by the man she's in love with, SEAL Matt, but unfortunately he's just the kind of man who pushes those who love him away. When both of them are stuck in turmoil and their survival status is unstable, secrets are spilled, and a love neither knew capable, blooms.
Big Guns by Michael Bracken: Big, brutish Special Agent Howie is THE man of our unnamed narrator's naughty fantasies. When, on her bartending gig, she finds herself in the middle of his undercover assignment, he not only saves her life, but also teaches her exactly what fantasies are made of. I liked the sensuality of this story, and how it leaves a lot to the imagination.
Natural Appetites by Adele Dubois: Mickey's kind act of courage earns him an onslaught of admiration from the community he's saved from major grief, including Amanda, a beautiful chef at an organic restaurant. Indebted by his heroism, Amanda makes it her mission to seduce him with her all-natural cooking, but it turns out she doesn't even need the food to capture this smitten paramedic's heart. The cheesiness goes overboard here, especially with the insta-love, but I found the backstory promising and the love scenes hot and sensual.
SEAL Destiny by Sharon Hamilton: Special Operator Chief Luke finds the woman of his dreams in a pretty young thing whose eye he manages to catch at the beach. What he wants to be a sizzling one-night stand turns into something more complicated when he realizes the extent of his feelings for her. This one is REALLY hot—a scorching quickie.
Mountain Man by Tamsin Flowers: Stranded during a mission, Mountain Rescuer Jake must wait for the next helicopter to arrive with the unassuming Melody in tow. As they spend the night together, they get the chance to get really close; the position of their encounter makes this one a hot read.
The Star by Tahira Iqbal: Still in mourning over her brother's death, Estella is startled when approached by her late sibling's best military comrade—not only because he seems to be grieving just as much as she is, but also due to the electricity she feels at his every touch. The sorrowful tone is lyrical; Iqbal's style is gorgeous! The sex is kind of abrupt, with very little building tension, but I found this one romantic and sexy nonetheless.
Pitch Black by Delilah Devlin: Danny is the ultimate primal male—"tempered by combat, forged in tragic loss"—and when he wants something, he gets it. What he currently wants is for his girlfriend Jenna to transfer to a less risky field in the guard, but she insists she doesn't need his safekeeping. But considering she's working in a male-dominated concentration, she needs to bend a little, and Danny will be sure to convince her of that. As always, Delilah Devlin doesn't disappoint. The sex is hot, the story is real, and the style keeps you reading—a perfect 10!
Pros
Really, really well selected stories with variety and substance // I pretty much liked all the stories, which rarely happens for me with anthologies // Alpha-heroes! Need I say more?
Cons
Some storylines are confusing // Some flat sex scenes
Love
I hold up the mug, offering it. Calder takes it, our fingers brushing. I'm electrified by the crush in my heart.
— from Tahira Iqbal's The Star
Verdict
Every story in Devlin's latest erotic romance anthology has a mind—and man—of its own. These exhilarating, heated shorts—some with danger and adrenaline, others with tenderness and emotional chaos—are quick to warm hearts and indulge lustful cravings. High-Octane Heroes is overall a phenomenal anthology about every woman's greatest fantasy: a guy who'll go to the wall for his heroine every single time.
Rating: 8 out of 10 hearts (4 stars): An engaging read; highly recommended.
Source
Complimentary copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you, Cleis!).
September 10, 2013
4 1/2 stars
“High Octane Heroes” is an anthology edited by Delilah Devlin and features a collection of 15 stories featuring sexy lead characters and a foreword written by the talented Maya Banks. Heroes from all walks of life are featured, including prison guards (“Pitch Black” by Delilah Devlin), paramedics (“Five Alarm Fire” by Sabrina York, “Natural Appetites” by Adele Dubois and “Painted” by Leah Ridgewood), an embassy bodyguard (“Besieged” by Elle James) a physical fitness trainer and the client he helps recover from severe injuries (“Pumping Iron” by Christine D’Abo) and many more sensual males. The common theme of heroes who go above and beyond the limits that most are intimidated by and the insight into their lives makes this a very entertaining read.
This anthology of contemporary romance stories with an erotic twist provides vignettes that remind us why we love guys in uniform. The delightful combination of various writing styles that focus on different aspects of what makes an alpha male so romantic and heroic provide vivid examples of the various factors which mold these complex men who are driven to serve and protect. There are poignant tales of those who serve or have served in the military (“As You Were” by Alice Janell, “The Star” by Tahira Iqbal, “Diving Deep” by Jenny Lyn, “Once Upon a Time in Mukdahan” and “SEAL Destiny” by Sharon Hamilton) that make one’s heart clench with sorrow as well as fright plus others which make the reader experience a remarkable breadth of adventures in a very short time. This was a deliciously spicy combination of reads which reminded me of why I am such a fan of some of these authors while introducing me to new talented folks that I will be on the lookout for. A great companion book to the anthology, “Smokin’ Hot Firemen” and an enjoyable quick read. I hope that the apparently indefatigable Ms. Devlin continues to gather even more of these exciting and sensual stories.
© Night Owl Reviews
I received a copy of this title in return for an honest review.
“High Octane Heroes” is an anthology edited by Delilah Devlin and features a collection of 15 stories featuring sexy lead characters and a foreword written by the talented Maya Banks. Heroes from all walks of life are featured, including prison guards (“Pitch Black” by Delilah Devlin), paramedics (“Five Alarm Fire” by Sabrina York, “Natural Appetites” by Adele Dubois and “Painted” by Leah Ridgewood), an embassy bodyguard (“Besieged” by Elle James) a physical fitness trainer and the client he helps recover from severe injuries (“Pumping Iron” by Christine D’Abo) and many more sensual males. The common theme of heroes who go above and beyond the limits that most are intimidated by and the insight into their lives makes this a very entertaining read.
This anthology of contemporary romance stories with an erotic twist provides vignettes that remind us why we love guys in uniform. The delightful combination of various writing styles that focus on different aspects of what makes an alpha male so romantic and heroic provide vivid examples of the various factors which mold these complex men who are driven to serve and protect. There are poignant tales of those who serve or have served in the military (“As You Were” by Alice Janell, “The Star” by Tahira Iqbal, “Diving Deep” by Jenny Lyn, “Once Upon a Time in Mukdahan” and “SEAL Destiny” by Sharon Hamilton) that make one’s heart clench with sorrow as well as fright plus others which make the reader experience a remarkable breadth of adventures in a very short time. This was a deliciously spicy combination of reads which reminded me of why I am such a fan of some of these authors while introducing me to new talented folks that I will be on the lookout for. A great companion book to the anthology, “Smokin’ Hot Firemen” and an enjoyable quick read. I hope that the apparently indefatigable Ms. Devlin continues to gather even more of these exciting and sensual stories.
© Night Owl Reviews
I received a copy of this title in return for an honest review.
September 13, 2013
Delilah Devlin has again brought together a talented group of authors depicting a varied group of men (and a few women) who risk their lives for love. Like most anthologies, some of the stories were more satisfying than others but each was creative with characters that jumped off the page. There was a nice flow from one story to the next where nothing felt repetitive with heat levels that offered something for everyone. None of the stories got too kinky though so those that like their romances warm instead of scorching will find themselves satisfied. While each story had a definitive conclusion, some offered a clear HEA whereas others offered a HFN. Some felt a bit rushed (Painted by Leah Ridgewood) while others had surprising depth (The Star by Tahira Iqbal). The one theme that was incorporated throughout was the dominant nature of the men. A sense of protectiveness and surety radiated off of each hero that will make any reader swoon.
When it came to to-die-for heroes I especially fell for Matt in Once Upon a Time in Mukdahan by Sidney Bristol. He put his life on the line to save the woman he's been infatuated with since his teens. To make his rescue of her even more difficult is the fact that he's missing a hand and lost his prosthesis while racing to reach her. His disability was dealt with in a realistic and tasteful way with his feelings of inadequacy believably addressed. As a disabled person myself I greatly appreciate an unconventional hero and wish this story could've been expanded upon.
From start to finish this anthology made for an entertaining read. I discovered some new authors and was again reminded of other tried-and-true author's talents. There was a little something for every kind of reader and I look forward to Ms. Devlin's next anthology.
When it came to to-die-for heroes I especially fell for Matt in Once Upon a Time in Mukdahan by Sidney Bristol. He put his life on the line to save the woman he's been infatuated with since his teens. To make his rescue of her even more difficult is the fact that he's missing a hand and lost his prosthesis while racing to reach her. His disability was dealt with in a realistic and tasteful way with his feelings of inadequacy believably addressed. As a disabled person myself I greatly appreciate an unconventional hero and wish this story could've been expanded upon.
From start to finish this anthology made for an entertaining read. I discovered some new authors and was again reminded of other tried-and-true author's talents. There was a little something for every kind of reader and I look forward to Ms. Devlin's next anthology.
December 20, 2014
The High Octane Heroes Anthology edited by Delilah Devlin, features a foreward by Maya Banks and is the work of 15 different authors. Since each story is between 8 to 16 pages long, each one is but a brief glimpse into the character's world. Each one was a complete story, even though there were several that I would love to see expanded on in future novels.
The stories run the gamut of Firefighter, Police Officer, Military Servicemen, Prison Guard, EMT, Search and Rescue and even a Personal Trainer. Whether in uniform or out, these are men who know how to take charge of a situation. Some of the stories have women needing to be rescued, others the women are going toe to toe with their man, but in every one, the Alpha Male is present and ready to assume command.
Some of these stories were hotter and steamier than others, but they are well written and showcased the Alpha male to his advantage. This anthology would work well as either a great beach read or a long winter's night cuddle up read. Make sure to check it out and you may just find a new author or two to enjoy. I am going with 4 stars on Goodreads.
The stories run the gamut of Firefighter, Police Officer, Military Servicemen, Prison Guard, EMT, Search and Rescue and even a Personal Trainer. Whether in uniform or out, these are men who know how to take charge of a situation. Some of the stories have women needing to be rescued, others the women are going toe to toe with their man, but in every one, the Alpha Male is present and ready to assume command.
Some of these stories were hotter and steamier than others, but they are well written and showcased the Alpha male to his advantage. This anthology would work well as either a great beach read or a long winter's night cuddle up read. Make sure to check it out and you may just find a new author or two to enjoy. I am going with 4 stars on Goodreads.
August 11, 2013
This book was great loved all the story's in it. Loved how the man always got his women or in some case's the women got her man :). Well look for more story's by these author's in the furture. Keep up the good work.
November 16, 2013
LOVED IT, IT WAS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 9, 2013
Enjoyed 14 of the 15 short stories.
July 4, 2016
Reviewed by Lori
Book provided by the publisher for review
Originally posted at Romancing the Book
As you can see this is an anthology, it has 15 short stories about alpha men and their ladies. The men were everything from cops to military to personal trainers. These were men who are strong in heart, spirit, as well as physically. It has a forward by none other then Maya Banks. I love, love, love Maya. She is the queen of erotica, BDSM, romance. She’s done it all and in my opinion, her opinion means a lot. I was surprised and excited when I saw that she was raving about this book, and I dug right into the stories. It didn’t take me long to bang out this book even though I tried to savor each story. It was hard to pace myself when all I wanted to do was devour.
Can you tell that I liked this book? Subtlety is not my forte, never has been. I loved that these women weren’t subtle either and were just as strong and determined to get what they want just like their men. I could go on about all 15 stories, but that would get tedious and boring, so I’ll talk about the six stories that out for me the most. I’d like to apologize in advance that I’m so vague, but I don’t want to give the plots away and ruin the book for you.
As You Were by Alice Janell — This was a military short story that was screaming hot. I loved how desperate they were for each other and took chances in order to be with each other even though they could’ve gotten caught.
Five Alarm Fire by Sabrina York — This story was cute. This little old lady is dead set on setting up as many people as possible, whether they want to be or not. I got a huge kick out of this one.
Renegade by Brindle Chase — This was just SO incredibly good. I feel myself stuttering…..Ok, so, she screws up, big time, and he needs to come and save her. Ok, who cares, it was the saving her, and what comes after that makes the story worth reading.
Painted by Leah Ridgewood — This one was downright entertaining. I laughed out loud a few times and got some funny looks from my coworkers during my lunch break. Both the hero and the heroine learn that not everything is as it seems and they both learn something about themselves and about each other.
Pumping Iron by Christine d’Abo — This one was just plain erotic. I still have butterflys in my stomach just thinking about it. She takes a chance and goes after what she wants and gets more then she thought she would get. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed with this one.
Diving Deep by Jenny Lyn — This is another one that was a very erotically based story. She wants to break up with him, and he lets her know how he feels about that. What happens after that…..you have to read for yourself.
Book provided by the publisher for review
Originally posted at Romancing the Book
As you can see this is an anthology, it has 15 short stories about alpha men and their ladies. The men were everything from cops to military to personal trainers. These were men who are strong in heart, spirit, as well as physically. It has a forward by none other then Maya Banks. I love, love, love Maya. She is the queen of erotica, BDSM, romance. She’s done it all and in my opinion, her opinion means a lot. I was surprised and excited when I saw that she was raving about this book, and I dug right into the stories. It didn’t take me long to bang out this book even though I tried to savor each story. It was hard to pace myself when all I wanted to do was devour.
Can you tell that I liked this book? Subtlety is not my forte, never has been. I loved that these women weren’t subtle either and were just as strong and determined to get what they want just like their men. I could go on about all 15 stories, but that would get tedious and boring, so I’ll talk about the six stories that out for me the most. I’d like to apologize in advance that I’m so vague, but I don’t want to give the plots away and ruin the book for you.
As You Were by Alice Janell — This was a military short story that was screaming hot. I loved how desperate they were for each other and took chances in order to be with each other even though they could’ve gotten caught.
Five Alarm Fire by Sabrina York — This story was cute. This little old lady is dead set on setting up as many people as possible, whether they want to be or not. I got a huge kick out of this one.
Renegade by Brindle Chase — This was just SO incredibly good. I feel myself stuttering…..Ok, so, she screws up, big time, and he needs to come and save her. Ok, who cares, it was the saving her, and what comes after that makes the story worth reading.
Painted by Leah Ridgewood — This one was downright entertaining. I laughed out loud a few times and got some funny looks from my coworkers during my lunch break. Both the hero and the heroine learn that not everything is as it seems and they both learn something about themselves and about each other.
Pumping Iron by Christine d’Abo — This one was just plain erotic. I still have butterflys in my stomach just thinking about it. She takes a chance and goes after what she wants and gets more then she thought she would get. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed with this one.
Diving Deep by Jenny Lyn — This is another one that was a very erotically based story. She wants to break up with him, and he lets her know how he feels about that. What happens after that…..you have to read for yourself.
August 25, 2013
Some really good stories here, some meh stories, and one I really didn't care for which had an alphole in it.
Really liked Sidney Bristol's "Once Upon A Time In Mukdahan", as the hero is an ex-soldier who is an amputee. Even though he manages to get to the heroine and later escape with her, he still sees himself as worthless due to his lost hand-- a feeling she emphatically does not share. This is a natural reaction of someone with a disability, but it is rarely shown, and when it is, even less rarely shown in a male protagonist. Really loved the execution of the story. While my disability is different (I refuse to rank or compare them, as they affect everyone individually), I have to say that this warms my heart... Us disabled folks need love, too :)
Really liked Sidney Bristol's "Once Upon A Time In Mukdahan", as the hero is an ex-soldier who is an amputee. Even though he manages to get to the heroine and later escape with her, he still sees himself as worthless due to his lost hand-- a feeling she emphatically does not share. This is a natural reaction of someone with a disability, but it is rarely shown, and when it is, even less rarely shown in a male protagonist. Really loved the execution of the story. While my disability is different (I refuse to rank or compare them, as they affect everyone individually), I have to say that this warms my heart... Us disabled folks need love, too :)
December 29, 2015
Hot, hot, hot. . . high octane heroes with their high octane libidos. There are a lot of authors in this read and many quickie stories that drew you in. The only issue that I found was that there were several stories that I could have had more of and not got tired of them.
Delilah Devlin put together a great group of authors with there shorts to short us of the delight within the pages.
This quote said it all for me, "It's the heart that makes the man." (Maya Banks)
Delilah Devlin put together a great group of authors with there shorts to short us of the delight within the pages.
This quote said it all for me, "It's the heart that makes the man." (Maya Banks)
March 21, 2015
My first review is for Pitch Black by Delilah Devlin. I will add the other as I complete them
Pitch Black is a great short erotic novella.
Danny Crispin and Jenna Hurly both work at a correction facility. When a storm separates them and puts Jenna in danger Danny almost loses it trying to get to her. What follows will have you turning the pages in anticipation of what will happen next.
Pitch Black is a great short erotic novella.
Danny Crispin and Jenna Hurly both work at a correction facility. When a storm separates them and puts Jenna in danger Danny almost loses it trying to get to her. What follows will have you turning the pages in anticipation of what will happen next.
July 16, 2014
Short and fast
Short and fast
Vibrating with steamy scenes, each short story introduces likeable characters that allows the reader to role play and fantasize. Plot and theme is not a priority, neither is reality. Hang on tight, forget your worries and enjoy the ride.
Short and fast
Vibrating with steamy scenes, each short story introduces likeable characters that allows the reader to role play and fantasize. Plot and theme is not a priority, neither is reality. Hang on tight, forget your worries and enjoy the ride.
July 29, 2014
The stories were about all different kinds of heroes and they were all really good. I liked that they were short stories and I could read a couple when I had time. There was a lot of authors that were featured and I am looking forward to reading more by these authors.
April 30, 2014
Within the wonderful world of Erotic Fiction it seems a change is as good as a rest. And amidst the @StolenSweeties end-of-summer stocktake, it's been an unabashed evening delight to allow, Beau Beau to disappear into his cutting room, unsheathe my bone china tea set, and dedicate myself to 2013’s first autumnal Erotic Fiction Review and Cleis Press inaugural Sweetie says… publication, High Octane Heroes.
Edited by, Delilah Devilin, High Octane Heroes proclaims itself as “erotic romance for women”; thereby seducing yours truly with its promise of blossoming love, courtship and unbridled passion. And even before a single crease in its spine the glossy paperback kindly provided, expressed a sensual elegance and magnificent desirability.
Featuring a cute foreword by New York Times bestseller, Maya Banks and rousing introduction by the editor, it seemed clear to me (even before I’d consumed the fifteen fantasies) that a niche in the Erotic Fiction market had finally been cornered.
For it is only now, as we enter into the last quarter of the year that I have indubitably been treated to literary erotica in the Golden Age sense of the term.
Often in this cherished blog of mine have I referred to my erotic fiction heritage; drawn mainly from the legacy of, Mummy Seymour’s classic Mills & Boon collection and those illustrative Vintage Sleaze novels that circulated my 3rd year senior P.E class. There lingering essence, of which I still to this day crave, lay firmly in the strength of plot and depth of character so synonyms with the genre of the time.
Devlin’s spirited call to arms stimulated these cultural traditions of erotic fiction while offering the challenge of contemporary originality and demanding the emancipation of exclusive or specific gender roles. In doing so, the editor has harnessed the essential element of the Golden Age (and what is still so sorely lacking in current erotica), sensual romance.
Indeed, the jaded, cynical, 21st century, 24-hour-news, Erotic Novelist seems to have no time for the Hero and cares less for the Good Guy! The abuse of power and the destruction of innocence are currently key narratives; which is absolutely dandy. However, power without perception is spiritually useless and therefore of no true value.
In revisiting the Alpha Male Hero by combining Action Man with, Sergeant Johnson Gideon Beharry VC, this erotic anthology really gives a girl a male protagonist worth sinking her teeth into!
And by complementing these male heroes with equally heroic heroines the novels overall tone more closely resembles, Beau Beau’s Supergirl collection; in which the protagonist struggles with all of the trappings, temptations and jealousies of life before choosing to do the just thing, than his Vintage Superman comics in which the hero is almost too heroic, and two-dimensional in the sense that he is unaware of the impending doom into which he is all too happy to fling himself.
Tales that typify this treatise include, Brindle Chase’s Renegade in which courageous rookie Officer, Kara Brown has her cover blown by the deadly criminal gang she’s investigating, when they discover the wire she’s secreted between her ample bosom and tiny dress. With no hope of her back up arriving in time to affect her soon-to-be sordid and grizzly demise, all she can now do is pray that SWAT team, Sergeant Michael Delaney A.K.A Renegade comes to her rescue.
An interesting take on the classic “Damsel in Distress” formula, female protagonist, Kara Brown is far more, Clarice Starling, à la Silence of the Lambs (1991) than, Penelope Pitstop. While ass-kicking good guy, Sergeant Delaney is entirely reminiscent of; Clint Eastwood’s other archetypal role, Dirty Harry (1971).
Another notable account would be, Sharon Hamilton’s utterly plausible Seal Destiny where, Special Operator Chief Luke Paulsen lays buried in his Afghan dug out in the face on hostile enemy fire.
One can only describe this grippingly erotic saga as a completely original cocktail, mixed with equal parts of, Michael Powell’s A Matter of Life and Death (1946), Adrian Lyne’s Jacob’s Ladder (1990) and, Sam Mendes’ Jarhead (2005).
Lastly, it would be remiss of me to neglect to mention High Octane Heroes final erotic installment and, Delilah Devlin’s own offering Pitch Black; a multi-character driven, white-knuckle-ride casting Hero and Anti-Hero as Comrade.
During a terrible thunderstorm, which causes the maximum-security prison electricity generators to malfunction, Sergeant Danny Crisping races to the aid of, Officer Jenna Hurly who finds herself trapped in Hub One Wing along with hundreds of murderous criminals.
In order to make her way to safety in the pitch black and unusual surroundings, Officer Hurly must first place her trust in the menacing inmate, Draper and his convicted killer cronies.
With many marvelous twists and turn to this epic short story, Delvin delivers a sensually erotic drama, charged with a tremendous battle of wills between Good and Evil, comparable with such smash hit TV shows as Tom Fontana’s Oz (1997 - 2003).
In remaining completely faithful to her own foreword, the editor rounds off this fantastic erotic compilation in scintillating style.
I’ve so far been profoundly impressed by Cleis Press and my preference for the longer format narrative in no way hindered my enjoyment of this novel. On the contrary, the erotic short stories contained therein, held depth in plot and character unparalleled in my blog so far this year.
This Erotic Reviewer gives High Octane Heroes the highest possible recommendation and cannot wait to experience more of the publisher’s offerings…
Edited by, Delilah Devilin, High Octane Heroes proclaims itself as “erotic romance for women”; thereby seducing yours truly with its promise of blossoming love, courtship and unbridled passion. And even before a single crease in its spine the glossy paperback kindly provided, expressed a sensual elegance and magnificent desirability.
Featuring a cute foreword by New York Times bestseller, Maya Banks and rousing introduction by the editor, it seemed clear to me (even before I’d consumed the fifteen fantasies) that a niche in the Erotic Fiction market had finally been cornered.
For it is only now, as we enter into the last quarter of the year that I have indubitably been treated to literary erotica in the Golden Age sense of the term.
Often in this cherished blog of mine have I referred to my erotic fiction heritage; drawn mainly from the legacy of, Mummy Seymour’s classic Mills & Boon collection and those illustrative Vintage Sleaze novels that circulated my 3rd year senior P.E class. There lingering essence, of which I still to this day crave, lay firmly in the strength of plot and depth of character so synonyms with the genre of the time.
Devlin’s spirited call to arms stimulated these cultural traditions of erotic fiction while offering the challenge of contemporary originality and demanding the emancipation of exclusive or specific gender roles. In doing so, the editor has harnessed the essential element of the Golden Age (and what is still so sorely lacking in current erotica), sensual romance.
Indeed, the jaded, cynical, 21st century, 24-hour-news, Erotic Novelist seems to have no time for the Hero and cares less for the Good Guy! The abuse of power and the destruction of innocence are currently key narratives; which is absolutely dandy. However, power without perception is spiritually useless and therefore of no true value.
In revisiting the Alpha Male Hero by combining Action Man with, Sergeant Johnson Gideon Beharry VC, this erotic anthology really gives a girl a male protagonist worth sinking her teeth into!
And by complementing these male heroes with equally heroic heroines the novels overall tone more closely resembles, Beau Beau’s Supergirl collection; in which the protagonist struggles with all of the trappings, temptations and jealousies of life before choosing to do the just thing, than his Vintage Superman comics in which the hero is almost too heroic, and two-dimensional in the sense that he is unaware of the impending doom into which he is all too happy to fling himself.
Tales that typify this treatise include, Brindle Chase’s Renegade in which courageous rookie Officer, Kara Brown has her cover blown by the deadly criminal gang she’s investigating, when they discover the wire she’s secreted between her ample bosom and tiny dress. With no hope of her back up arriving in time to affect her soon-to-be sordid and grizzly demise, all she can now do is pray that SWAT team, Sergeant Michael Delaney A.K.A Renegade comes to her rescue.
An interesting take on the classic “Damsel in Distress” formula, female protagonist, Kara Brown is far more, Clarice Starling, à la Silence of the Lambs (1991) than, Penelope Pitstop. While ass-kicking good guy, Sergeant Delaney is entirely reminiscent of; Clint Eastwood’s other archetypal role, Dirty Harry (1971).
Another notable account would be, Sharon Hamilton’s utterly plausible Seal Destiny where, Special Operator Chief Luke Paulsen lays buried in his Afghan dug out in the face on hostile enemy fire.
One can only describe this grippingly erotic saga as a completely original cocktail, mixed with equal parts of, Michael Powell’s A Matter of Life and Death (1946), Adrian Lyne’s Jacob’s Ladder (1990) and, Sam Mendes’ Jarhead (2005).
Lastly, it would be remiss of me to neglect to mention High Octane Heroes final erotic installment and, Delilah Devlin’s own offering Pitch Black; a multi-character driven, white-knuckle-ride casting Hero and Anti-Hero as Comrade.
During a terrible thunderstorm, which causes the maximum-security prison electricity generators to malfunction, Sergeant Danny Crisping races to the aid of, Officer Jenna Hurly who finds herself trapped in Hub One Wing along with hundreds of murderous criminals.
In order to make her way to safety in the pitch black and unusual surroundings, Officer Hurly must first place her trust in the menacing inmate, Draper and his convicted killer cronies.
With many marvelous twists and turn to this epic short story, Delvin delivers a sensually erotic drama, charged with a tremendous battle of wills between Good and Evil, comparable with such smash hit TV shows as Tom Fontana’s Oz (1997 - 2003).
In remaining completely faithful to her own foreword, the editor rounds off this fantastic erotic compilation in scintillating style.
I’ve so far been profoundly impressed by Cleis Press and my preference for the longer format narrative in no way hindered my enjoyment of this novel. On the contrary, the erotic short stories contained therein, held depth in plot and character unparalleled in my blog so far this year.
This Erotic Reviewer gives High Octane Heroes the highest possible recommendation and cannot wait to experience more of the publisher’s offerings…
September 2, 2024
3.5 stars. The stories are brief sexual fantasies for a lazy afternoon. Chandra Skyye is the narrator and does quite a nice job except for a couple of mispronunciations and the speech impediment that some people have where they don’t pronounce a ‘t’ in the middle of a word. (Thus, ‘frighten’ is pronounced ‘frigh-un’)
January 27, 2022
This is pure girl porn. I listened as audio book so some mispronunciation was off putting. But good for what it was.
March 29, 2014
Overall, this anthology offers a pleasant sampling of erotic quickies. All the authors are talented writers. The standouts:
Pumping Iron by Christine d'Abo
Diving Deep by Jenny Lyn
Heated Negotiations by Macy Man
Once Upon a Time in Mukdahan by Sidney Bristol
The Star by Tahira Iqbal
These five stories in particular felt current in terms of intimate relationships in the context of 21st-c. issues of gendered expectations, personal failings, loss, guilt, redemption, and moving forward despite serious challenges.
Of the remaining stories, there were a few that just felt out-of-sync with the reality of modern women's expanded opportunites and ambitions. Renegade, Besieged, Mountain Man, and Pitch Black included TSTL elements obviously used to force the storyline to move in a particular direction.
In Renegade, a tech support officer/agent/expert would place and secure the wire or at least double-check it, not the rookie. The senior officer/agent in charge of the operation would tell the rookie exactly what to wear. Everything else about this story worked for me--quick, smooth writing style with vibrant details, lots of action and steamy interaction. Absolutely loved that Michael's solution does not involve derailing Kara's career.
In Besieged, Kate risks her life and that of other U.S. military members for a material thing. That's dumb, not romantic. Otherwise, it's a charming short.
In Mountain Man, Melody's cavalier attitude makes her seem heartless and not very bright. Her friend deserves the sexy guy, not Melody.
There's only one thing about Pitch Black that didn't work for me, but that one thing soured the story and made it a downer ending for the anthology: Jenna caves in to Danny's demands about her job with some cop-out logic that contradicts her earlier reasoning for using the dangerous assignment to make her resume standout when she applies to the police academy. Instead of acknowledging that the prison staffing of one guard in an area with 80 inmates was insufficent (regardless of gender). Instead of realizing that the prison needs a more effective plan for dealing with sudden power outages. Jenna's gender gets blamed for the debacle. That's annoyingly outdated thinking. So when Danny says he'll figure out how to deal with Jenna as a police officer, it's not believable.
Finally, the sex in this collection is mostly vanilla compared to other "erotic" romance anthologies. It's strong in the emotional intimacy and personal connections category. Like any good anthology, High Octane Hereos introduced me to some new authors whose other works have been added to my TBR list.
Pumping Iron by Christine d'Abo
Diving Deep by Jenny Lyn
Heated Negotiations by Macy Man
Once Upon a Time in Mukdahan by Sidney Bristol
The Star by Tahira Iqbal
These five stories in particular felt current in terms of intimate relationships in the context of 21st-c. issues of gendered expectations, personal failings, loss, guilt, redemption, and moving forward despite serious challenges.
Of the remaining stories, there were a few that just felt out-of-sync with the reality of modern women's expanded opportunites and ambitions. Renegade, Besieged, Mountain Man, and Pitch Black included TSTL elements obviously used to force the storyline to move in a particular direction.
In Renegade, a tech support officer/agent/expert would place and secure the wire or at least double-check it, not the rookie. The senior officer/agent in charge of the operation would tell the rookie exactly what to wear. Everything else about this story worked for me--quick, smooth writing style with vibrant details, lots of action and steamy interaction. Absolutely loved that Michael's solution does not involve derailing Kara's career.
In Besieged, Kate risks her life and that of other U.S. military members for a material thing. That's dumb, not romantic. Otherwise, it's a charming short.
In Mountain Man, Melody's cavalier attitude makes her seem heartless and not very bright. Her friend deserves the sexy guy, not Melody.
There's only one thing about Pitch Black that didn't work for me, but that one thing soured the story and made it a downer ending for the anthology: Jenna caves in to Danny's demands about her job with some cop-out logic that contradicts her earlier reasoning for using the dangerous assignment to make her resume standout when she applies to the police academy. Instead of acknowledging that the prison staffing of one guard in an area with 80 inmates was insufficent (regardless of gender). Instead of realizing that the prison needs a more effective plan for dealing with sudden power outages. Jenna's gender gets blamed for the debacle. That's annoyingly outdated thinking. So when Danny says he'll figure out how to deal with Jenna as a police officer, it's not believable.
Finally, the sex in this collection is mostly vanilla compared to other "erotic" romance anthologies. It's strong in the emotional intimacy and personal connections category. Like any good anthology, High Octane Hereos introduced me to some new authors whose other works have been added to my TBR list.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2015
With so many great authors(or so I'v heard) contributing to this anthology, I was expecting a lot more.
Now don't get me wrong none of the stories were terrible, just a few had me rolling my eyes, but sometimes having to condense a story takes something away from it, and not much can be done about it.
That being said it was a pretty steamy read and there were a few that stood out more than the rest and for different reasons, but mainly because I liked the authors writing style and the kept me interested enough to keep going.
Here are a few of the ones that I liked most and the reason this book is getting 3 stars instead of 2.
Painted by Leah Ridgewood
Pumping Iron by Christine d'Abo
Diving Deep by Jenny Lynn
Heated Negotiation by Macy Mann
Those and a few more were great. I would have had a more detailed list, but I was listening to this in the car, so of course I couldn't write them all while driving.
Anyway, if you like quick, sexy reads all in one book, you should give this a whirl. If nothing else, you may walk away with the names of some great new authors.
Now don't get me wrong none of the stories were terrible, just a few had me rolling my eyes, but sometimes having to condense a story takes something away from it, and not much can be done about it.
That being said it was a pretty steamy read and there were a few that stood out more than the rest and for different reasons, but mainly because I liked the authors writing style and the kept me interested enough to keep going.
Here are a few of the ones that I liked most and the reason this book is getting 3 stars instead of 2.
Painted by Leah Ridgewood
Pumping Iron by Christine d'Abo
Diving Deep by Jenny Lynn
Heated Negotiation by Macy Mann
Those and a few more were great. I would have had a more detailed list, but I was listening to this in the car, so of course I couldn't write them all while driving.
Anyway, if you like quick, sexy reads all in one book, you should give this a whirl. If nothing else, you may walk away with the names of some great new authors.
April 19, 2018
As You Were: 5 stars, hot, alpha male soldier! nothing more needs to be said.
Five-Alarm Fire: 4.5 stars, hot, sexy firefighter. No need to say more.
Renegade: 4 stars. Big, sexy SWAT leader and reckless cop. Kara wasn't strong enough for me, but was good.
Painted: 3 stars. Not enough story to care for characters.
Besieged: 3.5 stars, more suspense then sex, but good. No real buildup to their relationship.
Pumping Iron: 4 stars. Hot, to the point, but a little demanding.
Diving Deep: 5 stars, fun, navy SEAL.
Heated Negotiations: 3 stars, good sex scene, but no background. I was confused at first as to who she was and why she was after him. If it wasn't for that, I would have probably given it 4 stars.
Once Upon a Time in Mukdahan: 4 stars, good read.
Big Guns: 4 stars. Bad guys aren't always what they seem.
Natural Appetites: 3 stars, nothing really special.
SEAL Destiny: 3 stars, fun and to the point.
Mountain Man: 3.5 stars, I thought it was cheesy at first, but the last paragraph cleared that up.
Five-Alarm Fire: 4.5 stars, hot, sexy firefighter. No need to say more.
Renegade: 4 stars. Big, sexy SWAT leader and reckless cop. Kara wasn't strong enough for me, but was good.
Painted: 3 stars. Not enough story to care for characters.
Besieged: 3.5 stars, more suspense then sex, but good. No real buildup to their relationship.
Pumping Iron: 4 stars. Hot, to the point, but a little demanding.
Diving Deep: 5 stars, fun, navy SEAL.
Heated Negotiations: 3 stars, good sex scene, but no background. I was confused at first as to who she was and why she was after him. If it wasn't for that, I would have probably given it 4 stars.
Once Upon a Time in Mukdahan: 4 stars, good read.
Big Guns: 4 stars. Bad guys aren't always what they seem.
Natural Appetites: 3 stars, nothing really special.
SEAL Destiny: 3 stars, fun and to the point.
Mountain Man: 3.5 stars, I thought it was cheesy at first, but the last paragraph cleared that up.
October 9, 2016
Honest to go this book was a torture to read I tried to read until the end but I just couldn't... all of the stories didn't seem real at all.... when I read a book I want it to feel like it could really happen.... Yes I will admit it is possible to meet someone and the same day have sex but these stories were trying to cram a full 200 page story in 20 pages or less and it just didn't do it for me so I did NOT finish this book
August 8, 2015
Where to start.... I didn't expect full length stories based on prior reviews, but these stories were so underdeveloped to be cliché and cringe worthy. Actually they'd have been cringe worthy even if they were longer because they were frankly ridiculous vehicles to allow for erotica in a story. But the stories were so lame that the erotica lost its effect.
February 11, 2014
It's hard not to like this one. It is filled with guys who swoop in to save the girl, followed by some hot sex and often a declaration of love.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews