Fireworks

by Lyla Bellatas, Barbra Campbell, C.E. DeRosier

A collection of stories from Passionate Ink Authors.
-Lyla Bellatas
-Barbra Campbell
-C.E. DeRosier
-Cindy Redding
-Jennifer Kayne
-Jane Colt
-Michal Scott

All steamy. In this anthology, you will find a variety of genres: Historical, erotic, shifter, new adult.

Royalties to be donated to ProLiteracy.

296 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2020

About the author

Born Armenian American on Long Island's Gold coast, Lyla has defied convention and morphed too many times to count. Beginning as an engineer, she swiftly made the move to marketeer then drifted to digital design, printing CEO, tarot enchantress, life coach and math/science tutor, collecting stories along the way.

As with her career, Lyla's passions have also led to many outlets. She's a high performance race car driver and driving instructor, poker player without the face, loves to shoot pool and while she hates not sleeping in her own bed she loves to travel. She was gifted her first tarot deck during a chance encounter in an elevator. Innately empathic and claircognizant, tarot unlocked the natural witch within. She's read tarot, stones and junk professionally for decades and still reads with or without a deck when the moon shines just right.

Swept off her feet by a handsome Greek she met at the race track Lyla finally found her happily ever after as a wife, mother to a spirited, beautiful daughter and writer. They live in the NYC suburbs, loving the fast paced brutal honesty, great restaurants, arts and energy that define NYC and never fail to light a new / full moon candle charmed now by three.

Reviews

[Charity Esparza · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is for only two stories in this anthology.

Illegal by Barbra Campbell
Wow! Just wow!! This story is sinfully sexy. But ultimately, it's also very sweet. Jeff and Janie have had feelings for each other for years. But Janie was married to Jeff's best friend. I adored how honorable these two were, how they never crossed any lines, never let on what they were feeling. And even once Janie was divorced, Jeff took time to make sure she knew - that he loved her, that this wasn't a rebound, that he wanted her forever. Swoon!! Janie is feisty and sassy and a handful of a woman. Jeff is all alpha cop, possessive and dominate, with a side of tenderness reserved just for Janie. I LOVED reading their love story.

Lie to Me by Jennifer Kayne
Super quick, super fun, super sexy. I love how once Josh finally corners Marielle, he completely takes charge. She's bit high strung, prone to jumping to conclusions, and feisty as all get out. But Josh is protective, possessive, and dominant enough to not let her behaviors slide. Trapped in an elevator on the 4th of July, these two finally work out all the misunderstandings blocking their path to Happy Ever After. Spicy!! This is the first story I've read by Jennifer Kayne, but it won't be my last!

I received a free copy of each book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Penny Leidecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my review for Illegal by Barbra Campbell

Janie and her two friends, Misty and Tammy, are celebrating her divorce being finalized and Misty’s upcoming marriage by shooting off fireworks and drinking. Janie helped herself to Tim’s, ex-husband, illegal fireworks, when she found out he emptied their bank account. The first police officer gives them a warning, but the next officer is Tim’s best friend, Jeff. Grab your copy and see what happens in this short read. I can’t wait to read more of the stories in this anthology.

This is my review for Lie to Me by Jennifer Kanye

This is a steamy short read about Marielle and Josh. They have been neighbors at Vernon Towers for about a year. Josh has wanted Marielle since he moved in, but she ignores him. Grab your copy and see what happens when they are stuck in the elevator together.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

This anthology offers the reader a number of steamy short stories from an assortment of genres: historical, erotic, shifter, new adult. As an example, in Barbra Campbell’s “ILLEGAL”, we have the story of Janie and Jeff, who is a cop and her ex-husband's friend. Tim, her ex, had emptied their bank account. So she stole some illegal fireworks that belonged to him. Janie and two of her friends, Misty and Tammy, decide to celebrate Janie’s divorce having been finalized and Misty’s upcoming wedding with some drinking and fireworks – not a good combination! They are given a warning by the police, but the next time Tim’s best friend, Jeff, responds. Unknown to her, he has wanted her for some time. Will he make the first move? Or will she? Is it too soon to begin having fun again?

Lots of good stories are waiting for you in this anthology! Don’t put it off! Grab your copy and enjoy the variety the authors have collected for you!

[Marichus Real · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review is for two of the stories in the anthology.
Illegal by Barbra Campbell 3 stars
After so many years of being in love with a woman who is off-limits, Jeff can’t believe his good luck when she divorced her husband.
Janie is celebrating her new freedom after her divorce. He has no idea that night is going to change her life forever.
One of the things I like most about this book is the honorability of the characters.
Lie to Me by Jennifer Kayne 3.5 stars
Marielle and Josuha have been living in the same building and the same floor for a year, but they don’t get on well with each other, or so they think. When they get stuck in the lift just before the fireworks of the 4th of July and forced to talk to each other, everything seems clearer.
Funny, sweet, and hot this is a nice reading even it is not the 4th of July.
I received a free copy of these books via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[lf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Setting off fireworks from the heart

Fireworks: A Passionate Ink Anthology contains 7 short stories by different authors. I originally received an ARC of Illegal by Barbra Campbell to review but then grabbed the whole book and took a look at the other stories as I had not read any of them before.
I found Illegal to be an interesting and fun read about Jeff and Janie. While Janie and her two besties, Misty and Tammy, are celebrating her divorce and Misty's upcoming marriage in a grand fashion including a lot of wine and fireworks. But fireworks are illegal and the police show up. This includes Officer Jeff Kline, her ex-husband's friend. It turns out that Jeff would like to put the cuffs on Janie and then make some fireworks of their own.

[De Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Illegal by Barbara Campbell.
Handcuffs.
Jeff.
I have been in love with my best friend’s wife for a long while.
So, I stayed away. Then he left her.
Do I take a chance and cross that line?
Janie.
My divorce is final and time for some fireworks.
The illegal kind.
And what happens?
My fantasy cop shows up.
Can I make the first move?
Grab a chair and watch the sparks fly.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Lie to Me by Jennifer Kayne.
The Injury.
Josh.
I have been in love with her since I first saw her.
But, for some reason she hates me.
We’re in the same elevator, now my chance to find out why.
Marielle.
I invited him to dinner and he never showed up.
I guess I’m just not his type.
And now we’re sharing the elevator for the first time in a year.
I have to stop myself from doing something stupid.
Come watch the fireworks.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Syd Springer · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC for Illegal by Barbra Campbell

This was an ok book for me. I get what Janie has gone through but the way she was acting in this book just kind of ruined it. Jeff was a cool character but I would not call in an alpha at all. This book had some steamy moments and one hot scene and then it just ended. I think if it was long and expanded on what happened afterwards, it would have been better.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[adina willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illegal....Janine's divorce has been recently finalized. She is the maid of honor for her friends wedding. Jeff is a cop and Janine's ex-husband's friend. Jeff takes Janine home but as he is talking to her, he realizes that his friend may have lied to Jeff about their marriage. The characters are relatable. The story is short.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristine L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anthologies are usually a way to read stories from other authors that you might never pick up one of their books. These were quick fun reads from some authors I'd never heard of before. The different stories were great and am looking forward to picking up some of the other books from the other 7 authors. I had read some of Barbra Campbell before but the other authors were all new to me. Great read. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vinessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

No sparklers here this is full on whistlers, cherry bombs, cannons ect. Read at your own pace, skip ahead, start from the back or the middle you'll have the same outcome. Second Chances, out if this world romances, spiritual journey you name it is all here. But beware some pages are steamy and some are emotional.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Trixie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review for Illegal by Barbara Campbell

Jeff can finally claim and wed the woman he has loved for so long from afar and Janie can finally have the happiness she longer for from the man who loves her.

It was freedom for both of them when Janie got divorced.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[CJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illegal by Barbara Campbell: Steamy story with a recently divorced woman and the man who has loved her since he first met her prior to her marriage.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

If this is an example of what is contained in the Anthology, you cannot go wrong.

[Ashleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this collection of books - the characters, the plots, the emotion, the writing!

Each book has a storyline that grabs you right from the start keeping you engrossed and on edge throughout the whole book!

This review has been voluntarily submitted for your consideration.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illegal two people who hide their feelings well and do what is morally correct. Once her divorcé is finalized to his best friend and his is as well. He shows her that he has loved her and will always love her and watch the fireworks.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jordyn Kross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I tend to avoid anthologies because I found I liked one or two stories and the rest was a bust. The Fireworks anthology changed my mind. All of these short stories were enjoyable, well-written reads. Several were stellar. I discovered a couple of new (to me) authors and revisited some favorites. This is perfect if you're short on time and want a few quick reads to enjoy as time allows.

[JLH · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book of short stories are funny and instalove. For example, feel free to binge or a story a lunch break. this one from Barbra Campbell:
“Illegal “
Officer Jeff Kline has fallen for his best friend’s wife before they were married. Now the divorce is finalized he can’t resist Janie. Janie feels freedom from being wrongly accused if infidelity by her husband. He is willing and able to make it know to Janie his intentions. Hopefully she will get over the best friend part and choose love. No cliffhanger

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sandy Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick fun read from a wonderful author. I loved the story and the characters. I am ready for more from this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mari (Mystics & Metaphysics Book Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only read Illegal by Barbra Campbell and I fell in love. It's short and sweet and sexy and everything that I needed to relax after a stressful day. I will be picking up the rest of the anthology so I could read the other stories.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Illegal by Barbra Campbell:

An enjoyable, fast pace, engaging, well written, funny, witty, and steamy read! The characters are real; the chemistry between them is explosive. Definitely recommended!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a good romance read. The story has a good story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry. The story is an enjoyable enemies to lovers romance read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Oriana Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jennifer Kaynes part:
A sweet and romantic story with a steamy encounter and with a huge misunderstanding. This story was hot and short and a fun read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jackie Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a hot steamy set of erotic romance stories perfect for a quick afternoon read.
These were all great heart pounding reads. All of the stories were very well written with great characters. They drew me in and I had it finished in one sitting. I would highly recommend this read.

[Mulan Book Princess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two of the Four Stories Reviewed Here:

Super sexy short read! Sparks fly when Janie and Cop Jeff meet up as he’s the cop coming to talk to Janie and her friends about getting.another complaint. Some very steamy scenes happen as their attractions overspill whenever they meet. This was a super steamy read!

Such a steamy romance! The chemistry between Marielle and Joshua are like fireworks - all the scenes are steamy and sexy! And their interactions with each other are fun and makes one smile. Of course, they will have to work out all through the misunderstandings to make this relationship work but that is part of the entertainment!

I received a free advanced copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a fair and honest review

[Tgnwagnon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Janie is recently divorced. Jeff is her ex's best friend. Who knew that they were perfect for one another?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Illegal by Barbra Campbell is a wonderful read. Good characters. It was an entertaining read. I received a free copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short story anthology that had numerous authors and engaging stories. I enjoyed reading each story because the characters had great presence on the page especially given the length of each story.

[Melissa B · Rating 3 out of 5]

** Review of Illegal fireworks
Okay read and characters.

**Review of Lie to Me by Jennifer Kayne
A short and steamy read about a misunderstanding between neighbors and a broken-down lift that makes them spend the 4th of July together.
Before the night is over, Josh is going to show Marielle there’s more than one way to see fireworks.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.