Meet the bad boys women love to love--the ones who break everybody's rules and live by their own. But sooner or later, every bad boy meets his match in that special woman who makes him believe. . .and behave. Still Mr. & Mrs. Janelle Denison Rachel Hudson strides purposefully past Luke Kincaid's security cameras at a posh Las Vegas casino, closing the door to eight long years of regrets after Luke wins a wager that puts her in his bed for an overdue honeymoon. Luke is sure of one Rachel will enjoy herself and have him begging for more. . . Tempt Me, Tease Me, Thrill Me Tina Donahue After one wild encounter with Judge Cait Campbell, Chicago cop Sean Logan finds out what's under those long black a body that's as beautiful as her face. And he's prepared to plead guilty to wanting her--and only her. . . The Invitation Sharon Cullars The card arrives with a single, long-stemmed red rose, followed by a phone call from a mysterious, deeply seductive male voice, inviting Gerri to a special evening at a beautiful old mansion--and the fulfillment of her most hidden desires. Is she ready to be. . .experienced? USA Today bestselling author Janelle Denison is known for her sinfully sexy heroes and provocative stories, packed with sexual tension and emotional conflicts that keep readers turning the pages. She is the recipient of the prestigious National Reader's Choice Award, has been a RITA finalist, and has garnered many other awards and accolades in the romance writing industry, including being a bestseller at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and Waldenbooks. Tina Donahue is a multi-published novelist in contemporary and historical romance. She was the editor of an award-winning Midwestern newspaper, worked in Story Direction for a Hollywood production company, served as public relations director for a California literary agency, and is currently the Managing Editor for a global business document concern. She has also modeled professionally, appearing on billboards throughout the nation. Sharon Cullars lives in Chicago where she works as a research analyst for a professional association. In her spare time, she reads whatever she can lay her hands on, but particularly loves works that allow her to make an emotional connection to the characters. She does not limit herself to any one genre and is a lover of mystery, romance, horror and sci-fi. She also enjoys various types of music, but generally gravitates toward soft jazz. She has written several short stories, one of which is due to be published in Masques V, an anthology of horror literature. In addition to writing, she hosts the Short Stories section of Bella Online, a comprehensive site for women. When she feels in the mood, she also dabbles in 3D art or just enjoys the wonderful attractions of the city of Chicago. S
It’s hard for me to imagine that I’ve been writing romances for over twenty years now! I started at the young age of 21, just after I got married. Reading romances, and then writing them, came about as a result of having too much time on my hands. When I first married my husband Don, I was working a regular nine to five job and he worked swing shift, from four in the afternoon until midnight. It wasn’t an ideal schedule for newlyweds, and in order to pass those hours when I was alone I started reading romances, and eventually tried my hand at writing them. The road to publication wasn’t an easy one. It took me five years and dozens of rejections to make my first sale, which was to Harlequin for their “Stolen Moments” line. THE FAMILY MAN, written under the pseudonym Danielle Kelly, was one of the twelve novellas published in 1993 for this promotional line.
It took me another two and a half years (and more rejections!) to sell my second book. HEAVEN’S GIFT (written under my own name) was published in October 1995 by Leisure Love Spell for their “An Angel’s Touch” series. Another two years passed of collecting even more rejections before I finally sold to Harlequin Romance and Harlequin Temptation. At the time, writing for both Temptation and Harlequin Romance provided me with a wonderful creative outlet for both my modern, ultra-sexy stories, and my warmer, traditional romances. But as the years passed, I realized how much I enjoyed writing the sexier stories and streamlined my career accordingly so that I was no longer writing the sweet traditional romances, and instead focused on the hotter, sexier stories for Temptation and Blaze.
After writing over two dozen books for Harlequin, I decided to branch out. I wanted to write anthologies and single titles, and came up with an idea about three sexy brothers with the last name of “Wilde”. Little did I know that those Wilde brothers would become such a sensation with readers. In the second Wilde book, WILDE THING, four Wilde cousins were introduced, and readers started writing in for their stories, too. It’s been a joy and pleasure to write each of the Wilde stories, and I want to thank everyone for purchasing those books and putting them on the USA Today Bestseller list!
I’ve been a full-time writer for years, which consists of being deep in deadlines, writing proposals (growling at the husband to fix a glitch in the computer so I can get back to work!), perusing contracts, line-edits (stressing over a scene that won’t work or characters that just won’t talk or cooperate with my plans for them!), galleys, art-fact sheets, promotion, and other publishing paperwork. Admittedly, I wouldn’t trade all the craziness in for pantyhose, rush hour traffic, and a nine-to-five job again. Writing is hard work, but I find the rewards are well worth the effort. Fan letters are one of those priceless rewards, and can keep me on a high for days! I’ve met the most wonderful people through my books, some of which I now consider good friends.
I was very surprised by how much I liked this book. I've been introduced to two new authors and I finally got to read an author on my wish list. I did not find any glaring inconsistencies that I've in the last few books I've read. Nor was there any, "hey, were did that come from?" Still Mr & Mrs. Storyline-Rachel Hudson arrives in Las Vegas and back in Luke Kincaid's life. He's not seen her since a few days after thier marriage as teenagers. Her father moves the family across county to be rid of the poor kid and sends him annulment papers that never get filed. Rachel returns to get a new set signed. Luke agrees only if she spends a "honeymoon" weekend with him. She agrees since she wants him from the moment she answers her hotelroom door. This story works great in the space it has. If I had to rate the book only on this short story, I would give it a 4.5. I liked that so much of the story was from the eyes of Luke. The author also shows how people will use whatever is at their disposal when lust/love enters their life. I also like the fact that the characters discuss the main problem before the end of the story. The sex scenes were approriate in length.
Tempt Me, Tease Me, Thrill Me Storyline-Cait Campbell has a one night stand with Sean Logan. He knows that one night is not enough and he wants it for the rest of his life. The problem is that Cait is afraid of marriage after watching her parents battle for years. She's decided that she'll only be passionate about her career and gaining a judgeship. Sean realizes that even she can't deny the attraction and uses it to his advantage to win another night in her arms and her heart. I think this short story was longer and was edited down. It did not work. I understand in a short story the author has to bring the reader up to speed very quickly, but this was like being dropped in the center and only given necessary details five pages in as opposed to the first page. I wanted more of the Logan brothers. I wanted to know Kyle who runs the end, how did Tim and Julia meet and what are the ohter "hot" brothers up to. I could not figure out how long Cait and Sean knew each other. My friend whom I share books with, thought they had only recently met, but I argue that is not so. Cait knows stats of Logan's career as a Chicago Police Officer. Logan realizes she's been following his career for a long time. I thought the main sex scene was too long for the space given the story. While the sex scene was too long, the author used it to paint a very vivid picture. I could almost smell the rose scent from the candles in the room and hear the fire crackle. I also liked how Logan made Cait prove she loved him and truly wanted to have a lasting relationship. Give us more of the brothers stories.
The Invitation Storyline-Criminal defense attonery Jerlyn Harris has received an invitation to an uber exclusive event the following weekend. There is something fimilar about the cologne on the card and the voice on the phone calling to confirm her participation. She has a very unsettling feeling and turns down the invite. Enter Adrian Vance who meets her outside of the courthouse to tell her that life is in danger and she must leave with him if she want to live. For some reason, she trusts him. After going to a hotel and changing clothes, he explains the she is married and her husband, his brother blames her for is prison term and is planning on killing her. She has blocked out the fact that she dated Adrian and in immature fit, marries his brother Andrew now known as Amil. She leaves Drew/Amil on the wedding night only to return home to her parent who are in a buring home. Drew/Amil gets blamed for the fire. Through cunning and careful planning, Amil manages to get Jerlyn to the very house he invites her to. Before he can start his plans, he hears water running. He takes Jerlyn with him to find the source of the water. Once there, a Amil snaps and becomes preoccupied turning off the water. Jerlyn runs out of the bathroom down the stairs to Adrian arms. Shots are heard in the bathroom and Amil is dead. Adrian explains to Jerlyn that he's sorry for the upheval of her life caused by them and walks out of her life. He can't stay away anc comes back to heal and help her remember the relationship they both had. I have books by this author on my to read list. I did not know that paranomal activity is a theme in many of her books as well as this story. Initially, I thought it was a little "deus ex machina", but reading some portions of the story again, the author did quite a bit of foreshadowing. I liked how the author keep the number of characters very limited. This story had the most developed and involved storyline of the three. I also enjoyed how the author keep the subtheme of change thoughtout the story. The author only touched on the interracial theme once. I wonder if it is even needed. If so, then more space in the story should have been given to it. The sex scenes were short and sweet. The piece revolved around the story and not the sex.
Rachel Hudson strides purposefully past Luke Kincaid s security cameras at a posh Las Vegas casino, closing the door to eight long years of regrets after Luke wins a wager that puts her in his bed for an overdue honeymoon.
3 stars
Tempt Me, Tease Me, Thrill Me --Tina Donahue
“Oh hell, my breathing doesn’t arouse you anymore?” She laughed.
“Don’t think I’m waiting until we’re in that room to touch every last part of you.” “I would hope not. So, where do you intend to frisk me?” “You’ll know when we get there."
They're sweet. They're cute. They're fun. They're daring, brazen. They're hot. They're loving. They're lovable. They protect one another. Their banter is addicting. They're pretty open with their feelings, more so than a lot of hs and Hs I read about. (Authors really need to work on their endings, SERIOUSLY. This one's ending was 'ok'.) The beginning was tantalizing.
“Want to play again?” Sean’s laughter turned into a prolonged sigh. At last, he nodded as if he were too aroused to speak. For the next half hour, Cait enjoyed horseshoes like it was never meant to be enjoyed.
WHEW! *grins impishly* I will totally remember this horseshoe playing event for.. a while. Not only because it was delicious but because it was.. ENDEARING. Sneaky naughty people. Tsk tsk. Such an ordinary thing but made me smile then and smile now.
Julia (Cait's cousin, Sean's brother Tim's wife) was interesting; a bit pushy and aggressive but that makes me want to read her story (and see if she makes her hero suffer with her pushiness;9 My sadism is acting up. muahahahh;)) Her story was before Cait's and Sean's. Julia and Tim, remember to look up their book.
“Living dangerously, huh?” “Nope. Virginally.” “Now that Sean’s back in your life? Get real..."
“Screw you.” “No need to get nasty. It’s not my fault
“What happened?” she (Julia) asked in way of a greeting. “Not much,” Cait said. “I wanted to run over his Harley, but—” “Be serious.” Cait was being serious. She had wanted to run over Sean’s bike so that he had no way to get home, except with her..
One almost want to hurt Julia for making my hero suffer...
4.5 stars
The Invitation --Sharon Cullars
I didn't finish it. I skipped around. It wasn't captivating and it was over dramatic. A random guy pops us telling her he's from her past, she lost her memories in a traumatic event that she hadn't realized she'd lost, a dude wants to kill her who turns out to be her husband and the random guy's brother. She married him to spite the hero/random guy/her lover. She then left dude from past/killer/husband/lover's brother with a note saying "I made a mistake. I don't love you." No apologies anywhere, no wonder the dude wants to kill her since he ends up in jail doing time for something he never did, he forgoes HEA for her, a crazed chick 'kills' herself and blames him he's gotta live with that, he was used (he actually LOVED her. He threw everything away for her and she was just using him), and seriously WTF is wrong with her to leave that kind of callous hurtful note, she killed his ego along with his heart. AND THEN THE AUTHOR MAKES HIM A SCAPEGOAT AND TURNS HIM 'EVIL' AND A KILLER SO THEY CAN KILL HIM OFF AND LIVE HEA. Therefore, I did not finish this book.
Still Mr. & Mrs. by Janelle Denison Eight years after their spur-of-the-moment wedding followed by her father's forcing of an annulment, Rachel is back in Vegas to find Luke. The annulment didn't get filed with the court, so she's still his wife. Maybe that's what they both want. Hot and steamy...even though it is relatively short, it still is well developed and fun.
Tempt Me, Tease Me, Thrill Me by Tina Donahue Cait is afraid of a marriage ending in divorce, so she doesn't want to take the risk. Too bad Sean has other plans in mind. He intends to make her is wife. He's trying to be patient, but it isn't easy. Also very HOT and STEAMY...not as well developed. I could summarize by saying...he waited for her, she told him no, then changed her mind, he waited for her again, she got confused, he waited for her, she came around.
The Invitation by Sharon Cullars Jeralyn receives a single red rose with an invitation to a private engagement. It leads to a past she has long forgotten. The blurb on this one doesn't tell anything about the book. Jeralyn is in danger...one brother wants her dead and the other just wants her. There is suspense, but it was only okay for me. I could put the book down easily, so it wasn't one that kept me up reading at night. It was my first read from Cullars and I am not running out to get more.
I found this collection of novellas to be very uneven.
"Still Mr & Mrs" - this one had good steamy scenes and the rest of the plot flowed well. The ending seemed abrupt but probably due to the limitations of the novella/short story format.
"Tempt Me, Tease Me, Thrill Me" - the best of the 3 stories. The development of the characters and story was good and somewhat believable. The steamy scenes were well written and I liked the ending. After reading this one, I thought that there's probably other stories out there about the other brothers.
"The Invitation" - the slowest and least interesting of the three. The story limps along. The mystery should keep interest up but felt ho-hum. There wasn't even enough of the sex scenes to keep you reading. This is the story that kept my overall rating for the book down. I won't be looking to read more from this author.
I am a huge fan of Janelle Denison, and her story did not disappoint. Sharon Cullar's story was pretty cool and well written (it was my first by her). However, Tina Donahue is INSANE. This is the only thing I've read by her, so I'm not closing the book on her as an author I'm willing to read, just yet, BUT .... her writing in this particular Anthology lacked so much focus I was completely lost for half of it. I honestly thought that Fern Michaels was an unfocused crazy, mad-woman romance writer, but this chic beats her crazy by 1000! so far...we shall see...
Blah blah. Put it down for a couple of days in favor of better reading. Tried to start the third story and just can't make myself read anymore. Major bore.