Reckless Night

Dangerous #3.5

by Lisa Marie Rice

A Holiday Romantic Suspense Novella

He left his criminal empire behind

Viktor ‘Drake’ Drakovitch used to run a vast criminal empire, but he gave it up for the woman he loves more than life. It was an easy decision because she means everything to him.

But it’s Christmas. What can he give to a woman who shuns gold jewelry and diamonds, doesn’t want fur or fancy cars, who knows that only keeping a low profile will keep them safely hidden from his enemies?

But danger found him

Grace doesn’t want fancy things; she only wants what Drake gladly gives her—unquestioning devotion, fierce protection, and the best sex a woman has ever had. Until danger strikes, and Grace realizes that the best gift of all is a dangerous husband.

Hot Secrets is set in the world of Dangerous Lover

This book was originally published by Avon Impulse.

Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Novella, Erotic Romance, Erotica

45 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 29, 2011

About the author

Lisa Marie Rice is eternally 30 years old and will never age. She is tall and willowy and beautiful. Men drop at her feet like ripe pears. She has won every major book prize in the world. She is a black belt with advanced degrees in archaeology, nuclear physics, and Tibetan literature. She is a concert pianist. Did I mention her Nobel Prize? Of course, Lisa Marie Rice is a virtual woman and exists only at the keyboard when writing erotic romance. She disappears when the monitor winks off.

Reviews

[Auntee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Way too short. This was the sequel of sorts to arms dealer Drake and artist Grace's story (Dangerous Passion). The story picks up one year later on a remote South Pacific island where Grace and Drake are living in peaceful luxury with assumed identities and with a little facial plastic surgery (Drake). Drake is still overprotective of Grace and is waiting for his enemies to find out that his and Grace's "deaths" were staged. Drake wants Grace to be able to have everything that she had (and now misses) while living in NYC (the opera, Broadway plays, museums), and decides he has the perfect Christmas gift for her, and decides to risk leaving the island for a trip to Sydney, Australia. But will it be safe? Will his enemies somehow track him down, or will Grace and Drake experience a Christmas they'll never forget?

I loved Dangerous Passion, and I always wondered what happened to Grace and Drake when that story ended. I'm so glad LMR decided to revisit the characters, and give us an update on their lives. But the book was way too short (and it was over by the 60% on my Kindle) and barely gives you a taste of what they've been up to. There was one love scene (kinda hot, but nothing like what was in Dangerous Passion). To me, the book read like an extended epilogue, rather than a short story. I appreciate what LMR is trying to do (give us an update on some of our favorite characters), and liked what was written, but this story was a bit of a disappointment. Maybe if it had been twice as long....? 3 1/2 stars

[Kathleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This short story is part of the Dangerous series. Memorable characters are Drake and Grace, arms dealer and artist. At the end of their big story, they had begun living on an island, away from his many enemies. They are still in paradise, but paradise is shrinking, the walls closing in. (And after what goes down in this book, the island might occasionally feel like a prison. Too bad, really.)

Christmas is coming. Drake is desperate to plan a special surprise gift for Grace. His gift is a surprise all right — to both of them.

Much as I loved this couple's full-length action-packed erotic suspense, Dangerous Passion, I was a little disappointed in the feeling this book conveyed. The first sex scene turned me off, because I'd rather not watch a woman stroke herself. Not my cuppa. Also, there's too much about how perfect she is and how much money and power he has. I got annoyed with hearing about how creatively gifted and artistically prolific she is (productive beyond possibility). The list of people invited to his birthday party included big names — the mayor of the island is mentioned 3 times in this shortie, for example. Rice needed to invite the interesting guy who serves coffee at the local hangout, because Grace and Drake just didn't feel like people I'd hang with. I liked them better in their novel.

Contents: sex, violence, some cussing.

[Fanny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reckless Night es la primera novela dentro de la trilogia Dangerous de Lisa Marie Rice y vuelve a tener como protagonistas a Drake y Grace, protagonistas del tercer libro de la serie.
Me hubiera gustado que fuera mas largo ( solo tiene 30 paginas ) ya que Dangerous Passion se me hizo muy corto, aun asi fue una buena lectura, no aporta nada nuevo a la saga, pero si te gusto la historia de Grace y Drake seguro que disfrutaras leyendo esta novela.

3.75 Estrellas!

[MelissaB · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so glad to have an epilogue to Dangerous Passion but I wish it was longer! It was great to see Drake and Grace again too. The ending was a bit abrupt, I wanted more! I hope we get to see Drake with a baby sometime :)

[Pamela(AllHoney) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 in the series Dangerous by Lisa Marie Rice. This story follows Drake and Grace of Dangerous Passion after they settled on an island far from New York.

It's the Christmas season and Drake and Grace aka Manuel and Victoria are in the gift giving mood. But one of the gifts means leaving the island.

It was like really, really, really short. I mean just as the story got going it ended. And yes, I was disappointed. But I did enjoy getting to spend just a few minutes with Drake and Grace.

[Isabel Luna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Un bodrio total. Nunca me gustan las historias cortas, xq justamente son demasiado breves para contar todo lo q se podría contar y hacerlo bien. Pero además ésta, ya se pasó 3 pueblos con el arrepentimiento. Se entiende perfectamente q Drake hiper mega ultra plus agradecido a la vida xq Grace es parte de su vida, y no extraña su vida anterior y es muy feliz y viven una vida idílica q todo el mundo soñaría, pero se pasa un poco con el tema de la adoración y la gratitud y si tiene q gastarse el producto interno bruto de un país pequeño para q Grace sea feliz media hora.
Grace eligió estar con él, y aunq creo firmemente q podría haberlo hecho mejor, ya está, se decidió por Drake y esta la mar de contenta y todavía podría haberse recuperado esta historia para contar algo un poco más interesante.
Menos mal es el último.

[Kathrynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

31 pages! Really? This was no more than a long epilogue and I was disappointed in both the length and quality of the story. For me, there was too much repetition of how bad a person Drake was in his past. I got it and didn't feel that needed to be-repeatedly--restated throughout this already too short update.

Enjoyed revisiting the characters and getting a glimpse of the update that had become their lives.

[Rinou · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's so short it could have been just a scene or an epilogue from the previous book.

[GONZA · Rating 2 out of 5]

A short story to catch a glimpse in the live of Manuel and Victoria (aka Drake and Grace).

Breve storia per dare un'occhiata alla vita di Manuel e Victoria (cioé Drake e Grace).

[Scooper Speaks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Favorite Lines: "They had a fabulous sex life. Drake was an attentive, tender lover who took his time in pleasing her. But every once in a while something in him changed and she caught a glimpse of the truly dangerous man he really was. She hadn't tamed him, not one bit. He just chose to show her a tender side he said he'd only discovered with her." (p. 17, egalley)

Lisa Marie Rice, author of the Dangerous series, follows up book three in the series (Dangerous Passion) with a peek into its hero's and heroine's new lives. A peek into their new lives is told in Reckless Night. When I say peek, I mean the story began on page 4 and it ended on page 30, according to my nook.

The short, erotic snippet of the married couples' life will most likely appeal to those who read Dangerous Passions. I didn't get sucked into the story, but the sex. Oh, the sex is another matter entirely.

The blistering sex features a "huge erect penis" and a woman willing to let her man direct her when it comes to sex. It mixes a little voyeurism with domination by a husband's "hard, hot club."

"He was huge. When they made love, his foreplay lasted forever because he wanted to make sure she could take him without pain. He'd been able to enter her in one stroke only because she'd been so excited and so very wet."--p. 19

But there is more to the story than sex. The story basically lets the reader know that despite the necessity of changing many things, the hero is still capable of protecting his woman. He'd do anything for her and it shows.

I won't be re-reading the story, but it is extremely short. All I'm saying is take it for what it is...a glimpse into a couple's happily ever after.
Scooper Speaks

[MBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a score sheet review.

For the full review with the scores, please visit MBR's Realm of Romance

Score Sheet Summary:

For me, Drake is one of those heroes that I would never ever forget. Lisa Marie Rice has a way of spinning a tale that takes you on this beautiful journey which you never ever want to end. And the Dangerous is a series that is one of her best in my opinion. Dangerous Passion is the 3rd and final book published in the Dangerous series and now we have a beautiful little novella that takes place a bit earlier than the epilogue in the actual story.

Drake is not your typical hero and if you want to know why, I suggest you read the book because giving away who and what he is would just be spoiling things for you. And if you already like myself are a rabid fan of the series, you would need no further nudging from me to remember who Drake is.

Drake and Grace’s novella too is focused on their happily ever after, bringing to light the changes that have taken place for both of them in their life together. Their love for each other is an all encompassing one and a beautiful one at that, and at times a scorching hot one too!

Lisa Marie Rice has done well in penning these novellas because if one isn’t already a fan of the series, she definitely wets the reader’s appetite to learn more. And for a fan like myself, I can’t help but want to re-read the entire series and will continue to wonder when my beloved Nick Ireland would get his own little novella to cast me off into my dream world with him along for the ride.

Rating=4.5/5

Quote(s) included below the review!

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am confused as to why this novella was necessary? It seems to be in between the novel and the epilogue since the h is not pregnant, but it really didn't add much to their story since it had such an abrupt ending with no real story or closure. I loved Drake and Grace, but I would not have purchased this if I had read spoilers. Very weird. Thought it would be an addiction to the epilogue or something.

[Eteline Rangel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Acá vemos a Drake y Grace en su nueva vida, vemos cómo ha ido evolucionando su relación y como a pesar de las cosas que ambos han tenido que dejar atrás siguen tan enamorados como desde que se conocieron, me hubiera gustado bastante que acá pudiéramos ver cosas resueltas que quedaron inconclusas en el libro de ellos, pero bueno no fue así, pero de todos modos este fue un relato muy bueno

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I never read the first book that these characters appeared. This book did not make me want to read their story. If anything, it just made me pity the heroine. I'm becoming a big fan of this author and this one disappointed me.

[Daniela · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Explícito). Pensé que iba a ser un mini libro extra con otros personajes, pero resultó ser algún tipo de capítulo extra del tercer libro. Muy bonito. Lo que empezó como una navidad calurosa en Sydney, terminó siendo una emocionante explosión. Literal. Obviamente final feliz, fácil de leer y muy muy corto.

[Gloria A Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short story of danger and love

Short story of love filled with emotion and danger as well as unexpected situation. Truly a suspenseful worthy novella to read.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4stars. Novella.

[HK · Rating 2 out of 5]

Drake and Grace’s (book 3 dangerous series) short story over Christmas

[Aurian Booklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

When an assassin came too close to eliminate Drake in his own high security apartment in New York, the former weapons dealer faked his own death and fled with his wife to a private island, where they live in luxury, but seclusion. He has never known anything but danger and high stakes living, until he met Grace, and he fell in love. Keeping her safe and happy are his only intentions now.
Grace is an artist, and she fell in love with Drake the moment she met him, at gunpoint in an alley where he saved her life. She has given everything up to be with him, and she regrets nothing. She doesn’t want expensive jewellery, fur coats or other priceless items, she just wants him.
But now, he has given her a Christmas present she loves. A long weekend in Sydney, Australia, where they will visit the opera, the theater, restaurants. Everything she used to love doing in New York even when she was could not afford it.
Drake is confident they will remain anonymous. He never did much business in Australia, and after his plastic surgery, even facial recognition programs won’t recognize his face.

But danger still finds them ...


A little novella, and I loved it from the very first page. The story sucked me in at once. A bad guy who is retired, but not reformed. All he wants is to make his wife happy, and all his expensive gifts are insufficient. He admires the gifts she makes for him, as she is truly an amazing artist. And now she has thrown him his first birthday party ever. He doesn’t even know when he was born. He survived somehow on the streets of Odessa and became a very successful killer and businessman. And now he has found love. He learns to see beauty in things, because she does.

Yes it is a short story, but I absolutely adored it, and I am even gladder that he was not killed after coming out of hiding, as would have happened perhaps in romantic suspense.

9 stars.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grace and Drake... making a new life on their island... Drake not sure what he can give to Grace as she doesn't want the things money can buy... she makes him beautiful drawings and paintings...

and for Christmas... Drake takes her (in disguise of course)... to Australia - to a weekend - to the opera... and his spidey sense kicks in when they are at dinner - and the Santa, with his recorded hohoho is carrying a bomb... and he tosses a knife, that pushes him back until a fountain, saving the day...

selected quotes:
"He was alive today because he had taken an inborn paranoia and turned it into a science."
"... things inside him that baffled him and kept him off balance suddenly settled and focused and burned brightly with the desire he felt for his wife. he didn't know what to do with the other emotions - and even acknowledging that he had emotions felt odd and jangled - but, by God, he knew what to do with this."
"Even now that she'd touched him a million times, it still thrilled her to feel him under her fingers. The first time she'd touched him it had been like laying her fingers against a powerful engine, an extraordinary feeling of sheer power under her fingertips, and it was still that way."
"Somehow, Drake had changed all that. he loved her as a woman and an artist, loved her exactly as she was, and it was as if his love had shattered iron shackles, setting her free."

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short story/novella that continues the story of Drake and Grace begun in "Dangerous Passions" and which is really a beautiful, intense love story. Forget that he's one of the really bad guys, and remember that love often brings about redemption, even for those whose lives have started in the world's garbage cans and now end up on a private island, living "under the radar" in order to have that second chance to know a life free from fear and filled with love and passion. This is a story about the nature of giving and what, indeed, can be truly a love gift when the recipient has everything already. Loved the story and found it to be a delightful introduction to an author I had not previously read.

[July · Rating 4 out of 5]

The short story is actually an ending to another of Lisa Marie Rice's other books. This couple Manuel Rabat and Victoria had lived another life in Dangerous Passion as Victor Drake and Grace Larsen. In this short story it picks up with Manuel and Victoria on a remote island living in peace away from Drake's past. It is now Christmas time and Manuel wants to give his wife a present, knowing she does not want jewels he is trying his best to think of something to give her.
Victoria want to make her husband comfortable, trying to take the stress of danger out of his eyes. She is worried for him always looking over his shoulder even though they never leave the island. She wants him to have friends but he doesn't want them.
This is the story of acceptance for both of them.
I really liked it.

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun one to read. It let us check in with the characters from Dangerous Passion. For the most part they are doing well, recovering from what their lives were and settling into hiding. Drake wants to give Grace the perfect present, comes up with a trip to do her favorite things. The trip starts out well, but then goes crazy during dinner. Proves you might take the gangster out of commission, but he still keeps his edge.

[AngelinaT · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. It had suspense and was steamy. However, I realized after I read this that there is a full book as to how the story began. Therefore, I felt like I came into the story at the end. It still made sense but it was intriguing enough to make me want to go back and see how it all started out. It also feels like there should be more after this....I will definitely go back for more of this story.

[Hilly · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.75 stars. Rounding down because it's not a stand alone novella, it's just bonus content for a previous book, padded with info-dumping and stage setting for the Holiday theme.

Oh, yeah: also, the characters were unlikeable and unbelievable. He was too awful (and irredeemable); she was too Perfect. In. Every. Way. (Ew.)

[Alexandra Isobel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely loved Grace and Drake. Really had hoped to hear more of the characters from the epilogue though. Maybe Drake pushing this steel plated baby carriage around!? And I thought Jim would have been interesting to hear about.

Anyway, it was nice to revisit the characters. Loved hearing how they were doing. Would love to hear more again?

[Farah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I loved Dangerous Passion but really hated this .. I always thought Grace and Drake were free when they changed identities but reading this really disappoints .. some things may have changed a little but the life they're leading sounds depressing and the last scene with the bomber was ridiculous and serves no purpose.

[Mandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked BUT - it registers to only the 744 mark on the Kindle, so it is very short - AND - it ends at the 62% mark. So SUPER short. Kind of bugged me.

[Tracy's Place · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 out of 5

[Selma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read, but a little bit too short.