What’s a girl to do when she can find love for everyone but herself?
Computer genius and matchmaking witch extraordinaire, Morgan O’Neal, created a computer program from an old family recipe. Her business is a huge success, churning out dozens of matched happy couples, but her love life is still where it stalled out years ago.
The biggest catch to being a matchmaker…you can’t work a spell on yourself.
When Connor McGuire, hot high school flame, suddenly inserts himself back into her life, will the hunky Irish warlock seal the deal? Or will a decade-old betrayal keep them apart forever?
Duke’s Valentine by Jennifer Kacey
Love and all that crap was not in Duke's future when he accidentally on purpose forgot Valentine's Day. His on-again-off-again girlfriend told him so when she walked out.
Anna sat alone at the bar in The Library on February 14th. Why? She got stood up, and decided to drown her sorrows in a few beverages before calling it a night.
The scene she thought she'd be negotiating took on a life of it's own when the spikey-haired Dom across the room noticed her, and wouldn't take no for an answer.
Inner If you like your kink with a needle sharp edge and a bit of the sticky red stuff then Duke's got a valentine with your name on it...
Sorath’s Sinnis by Natalie Gibson
Elle Lovejoy has watched Nephilim claim her witch friends as mates for years. When it seems she's been passed up, she finds a way to get the relationships she needs as a Dominatrix within the BDSM culture. Her ability to hear the thoughts of anyone she touches makes it impossible to enjoy contact but Elle discovers that the blank mind of a person in subspace is perfect.
Sorath is a Nephilim mysteriously freed from his century long imprisonment for crimes unknown. Thirst has driven him near insane, though one drive - to get to the woman he senses is his Sinnis and claim her - pushes him forward in a world unfamiliar.
Can Elle's experience in domination help her rein in this beast? Can she tame him in time to save him from his own uncontrollable bloodlust? Will a being as powerful as Sorath submit to Elle?
Grabbing Fate by Jinni James
There’s no harm in a little one-night stand on Valentine’s Day right?
Ever since high school Samantha has hated Valentine’s Day. But, after spontaneously grabbing the arm of her sexy seating partner Drew, she’s thrown into a night of unbelievable passion.
USA Today Bestselling Author Krystal Shannan lives in a sprawling ranch style home with her husband, teenage son, and two almost teenage daughters. Her home is full of love and laughter and lots of animals. In fact the welcome mat warns visitors that it’s a zoo inside—chickens, rabbits, rats, guinea pigs, dogs and fish! You name it, they’ve probably had it in their home at some point.
Krystal writes stories filled with magick, fantasy, passion, and just enough humor to make you laugh out loud. Join the fun and escape to a whole new world.
Morgan O'Neal is a computer genius and also a witch. She has managed to create a very successful internet dating business but she is unable to find her own match. She's not a fan of Valentine's Day and decides to drown her sorrows at the local pub.
Connor McGuire is an Irish warlock and Morgan's first love. When his father forced them to move them across the country he never forgot her.
Will a "chance" meeting bring them back together or were the years apart enough to separate their hearts for good?
This book was a super quick read and I enjoyed it. I really liked how Morgan had to find love on her own and that she couldn't use her own magic on herself.
I think I would have liked more of these characters but I loved how the epilogue summarized everything!
Duke's Valentine by Jennifer Kacey
When Duke is dumped on Valentine's Day by his "girlfriend" for forgetting the holiday he decides to drown his sorrows at The Library, a BDSM club.
Anna is at The Library after her date doesn't show up as his hair appointment ran too long. When Duke propositions her for an encounter Anna agrees and the night definitely goes a way she never thought possible.
For me personally this book pushed my limits as I hate needles and blood and had a terrible time stomaching the events that happened in the book. This is just my opinion but I had a hard time reading what was happening.
Sorath's Sinnis by Natalie Gibson
Ellen Lovejoy is a Dominatrix at Club R.A.C.K. and has the ability to hear people's thoughts when she touches them.
Sorath Lamechial Mary is a Nephilim and is fated to Ellen. Yet will he be willing to submit to her?
This was a quick read and interesting one. I'd love to know more about these characters and their backgrounds to fully understand the pasts and how they cross.
Grabbing Fate by Jinni James
Samantha Johnson is not a fan of Valentine's Day at all and loves going to the local movie theater and watching a horror movie. When the seat beside her is filled she is surprised.
Drew Morgan sits beside Samantha and asks her for drinks after but will he get the Valentine's that he really wants?
This was a cute quick read about lust/love at first sight and overcoming that hatred for Valentine's Day!
I thought it was funny how everything played out and obviously it was meant to be.
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As a whole, the book was okay it would've been great if not for one particular story. As the book progresses, the quality of the stories gets better and better too.
Morgan's Match 1 STAR
It was terrible! Even for a short story.
Basically, the guy leaves and then returns after a couple of years, they have sex, then the girl asks the guy "Why did you leave me?"
And his answer was, more or less,
"It doesn't matter. I'm here now I promise to never leave you again."
It doesn't matter? F you! It matters a lot. You owe the girl at least an explanation for breaking her heart.
Eurgh! Not worth reading.
Duke's Valentine 3 STARS
A little bit of blood is involved in this book so if you can't handle it, please do not read this.
Duke was dumped by his on and off girlfriend since he forgot valentine's and at The Library, he met an interesting female.
It was better than the first story.
Sorath's Sinnis 4.0 STARS
Nephilims+Action+Romance = What more can I ask for?
The plot was very good and the unique thing here is the female is the Domme and not the guy so it's refreshing.
Grabbing Fate 4.5 STARS
From all the stories here, I liked this one the best. It was fun and the ending was perfect for a short story.
Beating Hearts contains four novellas featuring a Valentine's Day theme.
The first story is Morgan's Match by Krystal Shannan. I would have to say this is my favorite story out of the four. I liked the lost love theme, thought the story flowed very well, and loved the epilogue. I was amazed by how much detail was packed into a short story.
The second story Duke's Valentine by Jennifer Kacey is a BDSM themed story. I was a little thrown off by the blood/needle theme and thought it was kind of ironic that I had to give blood on the day I read this story. Once I gave the kink an open mind, I really did enjoy the story. Duke sounded hot. The club sounded cool and there was just enough mention of other characters that I was curious if they had stories written too.
The third story is Sorath's Sinnis by Natalie Gibson. It is a paranormal story that was good but I just didn't get into it. The background is a whole paranormal world that I have never read before so I just didn't enjoy the story as much as I would have if maybe I had read some other stories by Natalie Gibson. But on the other hand, I do love anthologies that introduce me to new authors so I will definitely be checking out other books by Natalie Gibson.
Grabbing Fate by Jinni James is the fourth story in the set and another favorite of mine. It is a contemporary one night stand that has a cool day after. I especially loved the day after.
I was given an arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
This anthology has a little bit for everyone... The stories are all Valentines Day Related and I found them enjoyable.
The First story is Morgan's Match by Krystal Shannan, and I really like the story concept and how it played out...She is great at writing a complete quick story, and loved Morgan and Connor's HEA.
The second story Duke's Valentine by Jennifer Kacey is a BDSM/Erotic story and Duke and Anna really heat it up, I liked this story but it wasn't my favorite out the anthology. I do however think I should tell you that it does contain Blood/Needle Play which might not be for everyone.
The Third story is Sorath's Sinnis by Natalie Gibson... I would label this one a Paranormal/ BDSM...This one was my favorite out of the anthology. I loved how Elle is a Domme and how she could stop Sorath by just one thought. I love how they came together and the little details especially with Sorath's leash (that was cool).
The last story in the Anthology is Grabbing Fate by Jinni James and it is a Contemporary Romance. Sam and Drew really steamy up the sheets and I love how they come together.
Overall this is a great anthology which is a quick read, and is perfect for those who want a heat in their Valentines Day Read.
I rated this 4.5 out 5
* I received a copy of this Anthology in return for my honest review.
Breaking Hearts is a collection of valentine related short stories which can be read on any occasion. This collection contains a little bit for everyone.
For lovers of paranormal romance Morgan's Match by Krystal Shannan will hit the spot. This is a beautiful story of lost love. It always amazes me how Ms. Shannan can pack so much detail in a a short story. This is one of my favourites.
For readers who love their paranormal stories with a bit BDSM thrown into the mix then Sorath's Sinnis by Natalie Gibson will be the right fit for you. I was unable to connect with the characters as such it was not as enjoyable as I was hoping it to be.
Duke's Valentine by Jennifer Kacey is suited for readers who loves erotica with a mixture of BDSM. This is not my typical read and to make matters worse I just could not get past the whole blood and syringe concept.
Grabbing Fate by Jinni James is quite suited to readers who enjoy contemporary romance with a one night stand theme. I found this story to be enjoyable and it was easy to connect to the characters,.
Overall this was an ok read. If you are looking for stories that are steamy, hot, spicy and have a HEA then this anthology will definitely hit the spot.
DISCLOSURE I received an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
***DISCLAIMER*** I have an imagination and am easily entertained...
This was a selection of paranormal, romance short-stories. I opted for a 3 star rating, because this is a collection and as such, I liked some stories more than others... I have given individual ratings below...
Morgan’s Match by Krystal Shannan ** Nothing stands out to me as worthy of comment.
Duke’s Valentine by Jennifer Kacey * I am not a fan of blood play, so this story did nothing for me.
Sorath’s Sinnis by Natalie Gibson ***** This was by far my favorite of this collection. It was very well written and pulled you into the story line quite quickly. The premise was unique and I was actually left hoping that there would be future stories to read in reference to the main characters.
Grabbing Fate by Jinni James **** I actually enjoyed this story and the conundrum within.
This was a mixed bag of stories that were all good or okay on their own, but didn't really seem like a matched collection.
Morgan's Match - an extremely short story that really could be good if expanded. I think I read it in under 5 minutes. It's that short.
Duke's Valentine - just a warning to people phobic of needles, this one revolves heavily around them. Well written but blood and needles ick me out, so not steamy.
Sorath's Sinnis - good story involving witches, nephilim, and very light BDSM.
Grabbing Fate - wow. That was quick. Girl meets guy for one night stand, runs into him again the next day, insta-love. I'd like it more if the story was expanded and we saw more between the characters than wham, bam, we are in love.
Being in the south , and snowed in I have this to keep me warm and BOY O BOY did it!! Yummy! I love every last one of these stories. I hated they was so darn short! But to me it was just enough to get you all hot and bothered then you was off to another story and WOWser ! Great set of stories, great set of authors ! Get your copy now!!
Merged review:
Being in the south , and snowed in I have this to keep me warm and BOY O BOY did it!! Yummy! I love every last one of these stories. I hated they was so darn short! But to me it was just enough to get you all hot and bothered then you was off to another story and WOWser ! Great set of stories, great set of authors ! Get your copy now!!
ARC...HONESTY REVIEWS REQUESTED OK so short stories can either leave you wanting more or leave you with a HEA..these ladies had me wanting BOTH!!! I love that there were HEAs but I also wanted to know the characters more and get more into their lives together. Paranormal romance are good reads anyway but when you but into BDSM..BOOM, you are on the edge of your seat wanting more and biting your nails then you are fanning yourself because of the scene that just played out.
Two stars is all I can give this book. The first story was a garbled mess, the second story was better written, but not my cup of tea at all. I enjoyed the third and fourth stories to some degree. The two of the stories set up interesting worlds. I think all of them could have used an extra chapter in order to let the writers flesh out their stories a bit more.
Short. Sexy. Sweet. This is perfect for those times you want something to entertain you. The stories offer something for everyone-whether it's one night or happily ever after.