Thrill of the Hunt

Naughty Nooners

by Nathalie Gray

An Ellora's Cave Naughty Nooners story.

She wakes in a cell, darkness her only garment. Spec-ops soldier Clara Steel knows the price of capture behind enemy lines. And she is not alone. There is a man with her, one who fires her senses. His voice is velvet. His wicked words an electric current on her skin. They thrill and stir, stimulate and shock. Each decadent threat fills her mind's eye with images of raw abandon. He is a professional, he assures her, sent to break her. And when he begins, Clara's world becomes a feverish voyage into surrender and ecstasy.

Genres: Erotica, Romance, Ebooks, Contemporary, Short Stories, Science Fiction, Erotic Romance

24 pages, ebook

First published April 1, 2009

About the author

Mother, spouse, older sister, writer, ex-soldier, high school drop-out, dog owner (or dog owned), half couch potato, half intermittent jogger, wannabe renovator and avid reader who watches too much television, sinks too much money in clothes, likes animals more than humans, recycles, wore braces, never downloads copyrighted stuff, was a nerd without the grades, has a belly laugh that turns heads in theaters, can't stand bullying, is mother hawk more than mother hen, votes even if candidates aren't that great and thinks formal education is highly overrated (probably because she has none).

Reviews

[Dina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had given up on these Naughty Nooners some time ago, but I was sucked back in by Mojca's 5-star review/rating on this story - because, you know, hope springs eternal... and Dina's crazy, LOL.

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I’ve read a few of these Naughty Nooners and as with all stories, some are better than others. This one had the potential to be really good, but it never quite made it there, in my humble opinion.

The writing itself was good, as were the characters, especially Kane who had the makings for a real, tortured hero. But other than that, this just didn’t do it for me, even taking into consideration the lesser page count. It just fell short, even for a short story.

[Mojca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not going to bother with a synopsis, just read the blurb...


This was one heck of a ride. Short, yes, but satisfying. *grin* A quickie read that needs expanding if you ask me, I want to know more about what happened in those three months in between, more about Kane, more about Kane and Clara...More. Still, it was a great little read.

[Books & Vodka Sodas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when I thought my Naughty Nooner high was coming to an end after reading that last slight mess of an erotic short. In came Thrill of the Hunt. I was pretty much wowed and totally in awe of the story as a whole. She basically took a story that could have totally been a very long and drawn out story and compact it to avoid all the anxiety and tension. The male lead Kane reminded me a lot of a shifter. He was very dominant and he was possessive. He had his taste and he knew that she belonged to him.

Am I totally wrong in the fact that I love that idea of claiming? I think it is amazing that you can feel that deep connection so deep that one another are embedded into each other’s Souls and that no matter what comes your way you will find one another. The sex wasn’t ‘scalding’, but it was really hot. It lacked the downright raunchy words that some erotica have. For me it can be just as erotic even if the wording is toned down. I like connection, when you can feel it through the words then it clicks with me and I’m totally with the story till the end and I am not putting it down. It is honestly hard to make a connection in a short, but Nathalie Gray did that! It has this really cool sci – fi flare (which I am coming to find I’m a total sci – fi nerd even in my erotica).

Highly recommend this read, its free, it’s intriguing, and it ends perfectly, not a fall flat sort of deal.

[Karagan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I suppose this book can best be described as one of those 'love at first sight' kind of tales. Except they never really saw each other. One five minute interaction and suddenly Kane is giving up everything, even risking his life, so as to set Clara free. Apparently, she's 'broken' him. There's no real foundation for their emotions or actions. I'm not one to expect any actual depth in such a quickie, but Thrill of the Hunt was just ridiculous.

[SheLove2Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This was a fantastic read. I wish it had been longer. This is a short story from Ellora's Cave, I'm guessing to introduce you to the author's work. Loved the setting in Iceland. The first line of the story sucks you right in. If this is an indication of her work, I'm a new fan.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this short read. I think I would have given it a four star if there was more to read. Hot alpha meets kick ass herione and magic happens. I would have loved to read this story in a novel.

[★Ruth★ · Rating 1 out of 5]

I know this was a novella but I feel that novella's should be a teaser of what the author is capable of and going from this I don't think I would read more from this author.
It wasn't very erotic and the two scenes that were in it were essentially the same.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Thrill of the Hunt a female soldier is captured and in a dark room with a stranger that is there to break her but instead they have an intense encounter. He lets her go telling her he will see her again.

When she finds him, he has given up being a Silencer and faked his death to be with her. This is a new beginning for both of them.

I liked the intensity of the emotions and the conclusion that was a bit up in the air but left the ending to the reader's imagination. Interesting short story.

[Thom Swennes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clara Steele was at a marked disadvantage. She was used to being in control and at the top of her game. She wasn’t now in control and she wasn’t sure whose game this was. Stripped to her underwear and bound in the dark, Clara used all of her training, experience and talent to get the upper hand….or at least some kind of grip on her situation. The deep harmonious voice from the dark didn’t as much startle or scare her as it intrigued her. Her mind worked out ways of retaliation and possible escape as her eyes strained to penetrate the darkness and glean a glimpse of her captor. Clara was an elite and valued member of the Company and her training and unique talents kept her from the very situation in which she now found herself. As she listened to the tenor voice and felt the feather-soft and fiery hot touch of her hands on her body, her self-confidence begins to wane. “I’ve come here to torture you but instead I’m going to hear you beg for more”. This was the gist of this stranger’s message. This story is explicit but not graphic. It is full of lust, mystery and passion while being void or love in the traditional sense. The pernicious lives that these characters live is suddenly slowed and stopped, affording them time to explore and discover each other. I am very impressed with this story and its author. This may be the first but won’t be the last.

[* Kazzy * -aka Stryker- · Rating 3 out of 5]

I decided to read this as a 'stop-gap' before starting another series of books, and hadn't expected much given it was a free download, however I though it was a really good short story. It had a storyline that I thought could have been expanded, and while reading it, it seemed as if it was a few chapters that had been lifted from a longer text. I don't know if that's what the author intended, but it worked quite effectively, giving enough brief information to inform the reader of the main characters backgrounds but leaving plenty to the readers imagination to fill in the gaps!

On the whole, I thought this was a pretty good short read that was worth the download. I've actually paid for books that have been crap in comparison to this, so it was a real bonus it was free! Go download it if you like a romance story, that clearly has an underlying tension that fires the imagination, it only took me about an hour to read so great to fill your lunch break!

[Charity · Rating 3 out of 5]

It pains me to give this story a 3 Star rating, but I have to. The story itself has so much potential. It is a forced seduction, and two sex scenes are HOT! Unfortunately it is too short to allow for a believable story. It feels like we are getting a glimpse at a bigger story because we are just thrown in at the beginning. I know I must have had a funny look on my face, and I was definitely doing the minion “whaaaat” because I must confess I was lost. The ending wrapped it up, but I didn’t feel it. There wasn’t enough character development for the emotional connection I wanted. It just didn’t feel real even though I wanted it to be so bad, because I am telling you, whew, this could be a doozy of a story.

Ms. Nathalie Gray if you ever expand on this story and write a full book, look me up because I am definitely game to read it!

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it! The only thing that could have made it better was making it longer. This is an extremely short story, but for some reason, I felt connected to Clara and Kane. They were so believable. I want to know more!

As for Ms. Gray… wow! Why have I not heard of this author before?! Her writing is off the hook. Even though this is an erotic story, it is relatively tame. It'd be a nice intro for someone thinking about dipping their toes in this genre.

The reason for the lower grade is simply due to the length. There is so much potential here. But overall I'm very happy… and I have a new author to look into! I highly recommend this short to fans of erotic romances or those looking to try the genre out. At only about 30 pages and free, what do you have to lose?

[Maylin · Rating 2 out of 5]

When this came up on the freebie list I had to give it a go as I have enjoyed others she has written.

The rating I have given is not indicative of the standard of writing which was excellent. Or really of the plot which felt truncated because of the short format. Although I felt i gave no room for development of motives which on Kane's part seemed woefully absent.

What really got my knickers in a twist was the premise of non-consensual or dubious consent sex being portrayed as desirable. I am quite willing to believe that was not actual the case but the short format gave no room to develop that aspect, and I was left feeling disturbed.

[AnnaM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Usually stories in which the sex is the main point aren't my thing. This one left me wishing it had been a lot longer because I grew to like the hero/heroine and the hinted at world. There's a lot of detailed slipped in here that show huge potential for a long novel.

The only part that was a bit iffy for me was the heroine deciding she's in love with him so fast. But then, there were hints that he knew who she was before the story started and there's rationale for her that do make her actions more believable.

I also thought this story was very sensual without being too graphic.

[Beate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Takes all of five minutes to read. It's that short.

By the description it sounds like it's some sort of futuristic setting. The story is too short to connect in any way with the characters. Even with the shortness of it, the characters manage to hook up twice. The sex scenes aren't all that shocking or hot. Both times he takes her from behind, and both times it's wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am. Yeah.

Only thing that saves this story, and the reason why I gave it 2 instead of 1 star, is that it's well written.

[Lance · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this story of a female soldier and her captor makes for a hot and steamy read, I believe that drawing the story out a little longer would have been beneficial. The transition from enemies to lovers seemed forced and too quick. Learning more about the two of them and more dialogue that was not about the sex would make this more believable. But the idea behind Naughty Nooners is to get the reader hot and bothered quickly. Much like characters the reader will feel that way with this story and for that reason it rates three and a half stars as a decent read.

[Jessie Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, I will be the first to admit that not all Naughty Nooners are worth the paper (er, digital paper, that is) they're printed on. This is one of the rare few exceptions. I really enjoyed this story. If you're going to write a seduce the hostage tale, then you'd better bring something new to the table. Congratulations, Nathalie Gray. You did it and did it well. The story flows, the dialogue is good, and the only thing hotter than the sex is the seduction, which is exactly as it should be!

[Adriana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thrill of the Hunt by Nathalie Gray

I liked this Sci-Fi quickie. It was well written and grabbed me from the beginning.

You are in a dark place and practically naked and will soon be interrogated by the enemy. The enemy has a voice as smooth as chocolate, a touch that has your heart racing and smells better than your favorite dessert. Dare you take a taste? Hell yah!!! Why have senses if you can’t use them I say.

[Jen Lynn · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was horrible. I get that it's a short story and not enough room for much of a plot, but the plot that WAS here was just stupid in my opinion. She's about to be tortured and killed...yet she's turned on and craving sex with this unseen torturer? And I can't even say that at least it was sexy, because the sex scenes themselves weren't even slightly exciting. Just wasn't good at all.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

for the most part this was crap. the story if you can call it that was confusing because of its lack of developmentand served no purpose. the writing for most of it was over the top and silly. I didn't dislike the characters but they didn't click for me either. and yet...the sex scenes I found so hot that it elevated this to three stars from a dnf

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clara is a soldier and is captured. Her torturer is Kane; however, he’s not a traditional torturer. Nice premise, but could have done more with the “torture”- it was hardly anything and it was right up front in the story.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book has the potential to be something more if the author wanted it to be. I love the idea of the story, it was steamy and it left me wanting more of the story. Overall enjoyed this short read.

[Kamilah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this short story. The two main characters have a great dynamic and I was happy that they ended up together. I wish there would be a part two or another naughty Nooners story from this author.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This wasn't bad, just not for me personally...it felt to pushed and there was no lead up just sex scenes. it was like reading a soft porn episode.
Not sure I will read the rest or not....still debating that, I like me plots and stories.

[Caro · Rating 2 out of 5]

An ok freebie. I liked the story and the characters. Something interesting to read and pass time. Just a couple of scenes, but I liked the extension so it wasn't just the one scene, but more of a scene and an epilogue. Didn't quite get the scene or time sense but guessing futuristic. Have Fun

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read quite a few of the Naughty Nooner series & this one has to be the most disappointing. I get that they're supposed to be short but there was so little background given that it felt like I'd missed the beginning of the story

[Meiwilli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, suspenseful and sexy tale of two skill matched soldiers and one of them has to break. It's suppose to be Clara but it is Kane who actually breaks and gives in. Nice to read in this male dominated world of ours!

[Hyacinth Janecyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

AWESOME. Clara is an agency soldier captured and tortured. Kane is the silencer sent to break her. Kane helps her escape. Clara spends years looking for Kane. Kane had to disappear from the silencers so that they could be together! They finally get their HEA. HOT HOT HOT.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this hot little number as a freebie for my nook. It was only 23 pages, but it gave me a good taste for this writing style. And I will be looking up more!