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Showing posts with label Decadent's Edge Series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Decadent's Edge Series. Show all posts
Monday, April 15, 2013
Review: Blizzard by Taryn Kincaid
Blizzard
Author: Taryn Kincaid
Release Date: Feb. 20, 2013
Publisher: Decadent
Sleepy Hollow #4
Decadent’s Edge Series
Genre: Short Story, Contemporary Romance
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Author
About the book:
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Mandy Malone ditches her pharmaceutical convention and the married male colleagues hitting on her to hurry home to her waiting family. But she doesn’t bank on the blizzard that forces her off the road and into a deserted rest stop. When she meets another road refugee, their attraction is immediate and molten hot. Suddenly, getting stranded doesn’t seem like such bad luck after all.
Although totally unprepared for Mandy’s unvarnished proposition, Jack is intrigued by the erotic offer of a promising night of no-questions-asked sex. But when he notices the wedding band on Mandy’s finger, will he forego the lure of a torrid clandestine affair, or give in to the fantasy of blazing hot sex on a wintry night?
What I’m talking about:
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Blizzard is a wonderful vignette from Taryn Kincaid, author of the Sleepy Hollow series. The story is part of Decadent Publishing’s Edge Series, a line of short stories covering different types of romance, all from various authors. Each story is usually a single scene or at most a few scenes over a very short time period, highlighting a sexy encounter.
Although Blizzard is listed as the fourth story in the Sleepy Hollow series, it is unrelated to the first three and may be read completely stand alone. And unlike the other books in that series, there is no paranormal activity; it is strictly contemporary romance.
Being married with kids is a tough and tiring place to be. Add to it a demanding full-time job, and the idea of sex becomes almost a foreign concept. So when Mandy Malone finds herself alone with a handsome man stranded in a rest stop - she wants to get some satisfaction in her unfulfilling sex life. Jack is more than willing to help fill the bill and give Mandy the time of her life.
There is instant chemistry between Mandy and Jack. Lets face it... Most of us married with kids (or even those who are not!) probably have experienced some sort of sexual frustration and the desire to have a passionate encounter. In Blizzard, the reader lives vicariously through Mandy and Jack and their intense meeting. It's enjoyable; it's hot; it's crazy and needy!
This really is a great little story - lots of fun, well-written and entertaining. At first I was wondering how the whole rendez-vous and situation presented would be resolved in such a short space. However, about halfway through the book I figured out where the story was going, and it totally put a smile on my face.
My Rating:
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Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
Reviews in the Series:
Labels:
Monday, March 4, 2013
Author Guest Post: Taryn Kincaid
Hello Readers! Today I bring you author Taryn Kincaid. Taryn lives in beautiful Bora Bora. Or wishes she did. When she's not parasailing up and down the Hudson River, taking care of her aging pet walrus, or volunteering at the local animal shelter [oh, HELL, no], she loves to arrange her voodoo doll-pin collection and practice chanting. At this moment, Taryn is busy adjusting the tin foil to throw the CIA (Culinary Institute of America) off her trail. She hangs around a lot on Facebook and Twitter with her trillions of fans and pops in at Goodreads from time to time. You can catch her on her website, and her blog, where she lives for comments!
Earlier today I reviewed the third book in Taryn’s Sleepy Hollow series, Frost, from Decadent Publishing’s 1 Night Stand line (review HERE). Now Taryn is here to tell us about the fourth story, Blizzard (Decadent Publishing, The Edge Series, February 20, 2013).
BLIZZARD
By Taryn Kincaid
A short story from Decadent Publishing’s The Edge erotica line
BLURB:
Mandy Malone ditches her pharmaceutical convention and the married male colleagues hitting on her to hurry home to her waiting family. But she doesn’t bank on the blizzard that forces her off the road, into a deserted rest stop, and the rugged arms of the snowstorm’s only other road refugee.
Jack Manning is totally unprepared for Mandy’s unvarnished proposition, but intrigued by the erotic offer promising a night of no-questions-asked sex.
But when Jack notices the wedding band on Mandy’s finger, will he forego the lure of a torrid clandestine affair, or give in to the fantasy of blazing hot sex on the sly?
EXCERPT:
“Is this what you’re looking for, lady?”
Mandy glanced up, startled by the deep, rumbling baritone that seemed loud in the fairly quiet building. Even more startled by the tall, gorgeous hunk of manhood bundled into a down parka and standing next to her table.
I could totally jump him. Right here. Right now.
From nowhere, steamy erotic images of what she wanted to do with the man leaped unbidden into her head. Beneath her sweater, her breasts swelled, her nipples hardened with need. She’d never felt such instant attraction to anyone, such a frantic desire to get naked and get fucked. Maybe it was a reaction to her frightening experience on the Thruway. Or maybe something else created the overpowering chemistry.
Besides being the most handsome man she’d ever laid eyes on, he held out a battery-operated pocket charger. Nearly alone with him in the deserted rest stop…and still she felt…safe. A sigh escaped her as he stared down at her.
“It’s not the only thing I’m looking for.” Her voice, husky and sultry, and laden with blatant sexual innuendo, shocked her. Where had those words come from?
“Yeah?” The man removed his parka, revealing a plaid flannel shirt, the triangle of a white, cold-weather T peeping from the open neckline. As he raised his arms, thick bands of muscle rippled across his chest, beneath the layers of fabric. He stared down at her with brilliant azure eyes, bluer than a lake under the summer’s sun. His hair, which curled a bit boyishly at his temples, resembled a wet beach, light, dirty brown, with shimmering bronze threads straggling through the locks. But this was no boy. No indeed.
God. Gorgeous did not even begin to cover it. The longer he looked at her, the hotter she became. So hot she suddenly felt she could do anything, dare anything with this man.
BUY:
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Quickie Review: Friends with Benefits by Jennifer Labelle
Friends With Benefits
Author: Jennifer Labelle
Release Date: Oct. 3, 2012
Publisher: Decadent Pub.
Decadent’s Edge Series
Genre: M/M, GLBT, novella
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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Collin Harrison is loving life as a bachelor, but can’t convince his meddling mother to back off. She’s constantly in his business and keeps trying to set him up on blind dates, when all he wants is friendship and a good time. To make matters worse he’s been confused ever since his new neighbor entered his life. An instant rapport between the two men sparks a desire neither are sure about pursuing. Until one night after a hockey game his mother pushes him too far and he decides it’s time to enact, landing him in the arms of another man for the first time.
Devin Hardy is no stranger to fulfilling his most intimate desires. He’s got open minded friends, a great libido, and fond feelings for a neighbor he’s not sure is interested. Until one night they both take the leap, turning their friendship status into one with scorching hot benefits.
What I’m talking about:
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Friends With Benefits is one of Decadent's Edge series stories, and as far as I can tell, unrelated to another story. The Edge series are short stories (less than novella length), which focus on a small segment of a budding romance. The vignettes always center on a sexual encounter, but typically leave the reader with the feeling something more is going to occur after the end of the story.
Friends with Benefits is one such story, told from the point-of-view of Collin, an almost 30 year old man who secretly lusts for his male neighbor. Collin has never been with a man but cannot stop thinking about Devin, so much that it’s impacted his social life. After finally getting up the courage to say something, Collin lets known his feelings. Thankfully, Devin is willing and more than experienced and prepared for them both.
This vignette is sexy and erotic, without any hint of a romance. Friends with Benefits is all about making a sexual fantasy come true, and ending up with a friend with benefits. The dialogue isn't flowery or romantic, which fits the situation. The guys are just that - guys, and they are excited to experience shared carnal pleasure. It's sex and move on, with the opening for more fun down the road.
If you are looking for a romance, the story is not for you. However, if you’d like to read a hot little short, this is straight up smokin’ smex for fun!
My Rating:
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Liked it, but I had some issues - recommend (B)
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Review: The Carnality Series by DL Jackson
Carnal Desires
Carnal Attraction
Carnal Denial
Author: DL Jackson
Release Date: Feb-Mar 2012
Publisher: Decadent
Carnality Series 1-3
Decadent’s Edge Series
Genre: Erotic Romance, Paranomal, Novella
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the books:
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Carnal Desires...
When Mercedes, the town librarian, enters a place no good girl would dare to tread, she meets a man who says he’s an incubus, who has an offer too tempting to pass. After the encounter with the stranger, sanity returns and Mercedes begins to wonder if she’s lost her mind along with her memory, or if the man in the back of the adult toy store really was who he claimed to be.
Carnal Attraction...
Thousands of years have passed. Azael has returned to Jezebel, and he’s brought her memories with him. Now that Jezebel has them back, she doesn’t intend to lose them again by starving herself of life energies. So, when she encounters a broken heart in the seedy strip club where she works, she knows dinner will be special that night. This time, the feeding will be on her terms, and the man who’s wandered into her snare, shouldn’t miss the small bite of soul she takes. Much.
Carnal Denial...
Another lamb for the feast. Not likely. Jezebel knows that taking a bite out of the virgin bait the demon slayers have tossed into the club is a bad idea. But there’s also more than one way to skin a proverbial cat, or in this instance, pop a slayer’s cherry before she causes any problems. There’s nothing in the succubus rule book that says Jezebel has to play fair. After all, she need only suggest. What the slayer does with the nudge is up to her.
What I’m talking about:
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Book 1: Carnal Desires
Mercedes has spent her whole life being the good girl. So after her fiancé dumped her for another, Mercedes finds herself looking at sex toys in the back room of an adult-only shop. When a mysterious man shows up smelling of sex and chocolate she finds that she cannot say no to his offer for a quickie.
All three of these books are from Decadent Publishing’s Edge series--a short story/vignette format. The first book consists of the interaction between Mercedes and the mystery lover who claims to be an incubus. It is sensual and sexy. There is an interesting twist at the end, and it leaves you with the "to be continued" feeling. Of the three stories, the was probably my “least favorite,” but I still really enjoyed. It lays the groundwork for the subsequent stories.
Book 2: Carnal Attraction
The second story picks up with Mercedes née Jezebel working in a strip club. She selects a broken-hearted solider (Mike) for a private lap dance in the back. Little does this unsuspecting soul know that he's dinner for Jezebel and her incubus lover, Azael. The couple share an intense and highly erotic time with Mike before planting false memories in his head and sending him on his way.
The second story is a bit more erotic than the first, to include a ménage scene. Once again, the snippet is all about sex, but we can see that Jezabel and Azael love one another. The first two stories fit well with each other and can be read as 2 chapters from the same book.
Book 3: Carnal Denial
Cass and Theo are demon hunters, prepared to take down sex demons Azael and Jezebel. Cass is a virgin (which you have to be for hunting lust demons) and successfully infiltrates Azael and Jezebel's club - or so she thinks. However the pair of demons are well aware of who Cass is, and Jezebel has a plan to deflower the hunter.
The third story is the most "romantic" of the trio of tales - bringing together broken-hearted Mike from Attraction and our newest character, Cass. Their coupling is very hot, and gives the hint that there may be an HEA in the future for the pair.
In whole, the trio of stories can be read as individual short, erotic tales, but in this case, I highly recommend purchasing all three together. Each is a scene in a larger, exciting story. As I mentioned in my reviews of the "Shifter and Biker series," another one of Decadent's Edge offerings, these vignettes seem to be most effective as a "romance" when there is some history between the characters involved. This way the "getting to know you" is in the past, and the sex scenes are more meaningful and the story feels more complete and satisfying. This is most certainly the case for the Carnality series. In the first story, we meet our main couple, who end up actually having a (very long) history together. Their characters continue to develop in the short spaces of the follow up books, and through them we are introduced to Mike and Cass.
Ms. Jackson demonstrates a suburb talent for this form of storytelling - it's not easy to convey all that she did in such a short space. I throughly enjoyed the Carnality Series and look forward to reading more from Ms. Jackson. If you are in the mood for some erotic yet sweet stories, please check out the Carnality Series.
My Rating:
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Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Review of Bar Mate, Mate by the Music & Out of Place Mate by Rebecca Royce
Bar Mate
Mate by the Music
Out of Place Mate
Author: Rebecca Royce
Release Dates: March - April, 2012
Publisher: Decadent Pub.
Decadent’s Edge Series
Shifters & Bikers Series
Genre: Paranormal Romance, short story, Erotica
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the books:
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Bar Mate: Wolf-shifter Yvette Nelson is incredibly bored with her job as a waitress at Gunther’s Bar. Until one night, when a man she’s never met enters the place. He makes her wolf want to come out and play—she has to have him.
Stark just wanted a beer. But Yvette brings out yearnings in him he didn’t even know he had. Together, they’ll find that letting go of inhibitions can open up all kinds of fun times, like a chance at forever.
Mate by the Music: A mission to find his brother sends Scott Quaid to Gunther’s Bar, but a storm has emptied the place of everyone except a beautiful shifter hot enough to dry his damp leathers.
Nancy Elwood has faced the worst of humans and shifters alike and has no intention of ever letting her guard down again, until a handsome biker sweeps in with the rain.
As background music throbs around them, a different type of vibration urges two strong souls to mate with animalistic passion.
Out of Place Mate: Sean Quaid’s brothers don’t think he is very shifter-friendly. He certainly does not seem happy that they have both married and haven’t been showing up to work. Victoria Bensen wants nothing more than to cool him down and get him to stop making such a scene at Gunther’s Bar.
When she drags him to the staging room at the back of the bar, she doesn’t know that it will be Sean bringing down her barriers, not the other way around.
What I’m talking about:
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Once again, I am drawn to the fun pleasure of a short story from Decadent Publishing’s EDGE line. As I’ve mentioned previously, these stories are “slices of life” from a bigger story and meant to be enjoyed for the intensity of the moment.
Today I bring to you three such vignettes that all take place in the same world, and are follow-up stories to Unwanted Mate by Rebecca Royce. Together, they tell the tale of how three brothers find their mates at Gunther’s Bar, home of a shifter wolf pack and owned by the pack’s Alpha, Gunther, hero of the first story. Each story can be read as a stand alone, but together they paint a richer picture - to include Unwanted Mate, which I think is the best of all four stories.
In Bar Mate, we are introduced to the first Quaid brother, Stark. He is a human, aware of the shifter world, but lives on the fringe of the shifter society. When he meets Yvette at Gunther’s bar, sparks explode. I felt at times that the dialogue between Stark and Yvette was a bit odd and awkward... He asks if her boobs are real and she replies "shifters don't get plastic surgery," and then Stark compares her lack of focus to his dog. *shakes head* However, the pair has good chemistry and although the sex has quick... no drawn out foreplay, it was hot.
Unlike in Unwanted Mate, there is no history between Stark and Yvette. They meet, have sex, and wham... are mated. I think that's why I enjoyed the first story more than this one -- the history. I would liked to see the pair again to find out more about Stark. There is innuendo of a history, and I bet it would be good.
The next story, Mate by the Music, features Scott Quaid, brother of Stark, and Nancy Elwood. She is a lone wolf. He's searching for his younger brother (Stark) who's been missing for a week. (We find out he's gotten married and apparently can't do much but have sex right now.) She's tending bar for Yvette on a rainy night and there are no customers.
Once again, the short centers around a female shifter and human male. Once again, it's sex at first site and instant mating. Now that I'm on my third story, I wish I knew more about the mating. Clearly it's for life, but ... The more I read, the more I want this to be a longer book! Plus, I want my male shifters again...
The sex in this one was pretty smoldering. But again, without the (advantage) of any back story, I don't feel like the mating is important or even necessary.
In the fourth vignette of Ms. Royce’s Shifters and Biker’s Series, we meet eldest brother, Sean Quaid. Sean is justifiably upset with his younger brothers who have gone off and gotten married without telling the family. Not only have they abandoned their jobs (the trio own a very lucrative business), but he is worried the females may only be out for money. When Sean meets up with his brothers and their mates at Gunther’s he meets Victoria, who was hired to take over for Yvette.
Right away I like chemistry between Tori and Sean. They are thinking and not just doing. *snicker* Maybe it's because he's an engineer and planner like me ... So I related. I was right with him wondering how could his brothers just run off and let the company fall apart?
Yet he soon gives in to his desires for Tori, and they are quickly in the back room doing exactly what he had given his brothers a hard time over. I liked the story line in this one better than the previous two. Once again, there isn’t a lot of foreplay, but still very sexy.
In the end, I’d say that the bundle of stories together is better than reading just one. However, I feel that a short-length story can excel as a romance, and not just an erotic scene, only when there is indication of history, as in Unwanted Mate. While the three stories highlighted in this review are sexy and fun, the one-night-stand into mating/marriage didn't give me the satisfaction of a romance. These are fun slices of life and ideal to fit in between the tough parts of your day.
My Rating:
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Liked it, but I had some issues - recommend (B)
Purchase Info:
Review of Books in the series:
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Quickie Review: Hot Buzz
*NOTE: THIS REVIEW HAS BEEN EDITED on Sept. 16, 2012. This story was originally reviewed under the title "Good Vibrations" and was published on April 24, 2012 as part of the Edge Series by Decadent Publishing. I have updated the links and book information, but the review remains the original review (title of book only change).
Hot Buzz
Author: KT Grant
Release Date: Sept. 15, 2012
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Erotic Romance, Lesbian, Novella
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Author
About the book:
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Jerri can’t sleep at night. Every night she hears Krysta pleasure herself with her vibrator in her bedroom. Jerri wants to be the one to help Krysta find satisfaction and much more.
Then one night Jerri’s jealousy gets the best of her and she confronts Krysta. She’ll prove to her that something like a vibrator can’t give her satisfaction, and only a flesh and blood woman like herself can.
What I’m talking about:
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This is my second Edge story, and once again the short format delivers. For those not familiar, Decadent Publishing has a hot little series, The Edge, of unrelated (or in groups of related) short erotic stories. They are vignettes - views into a romance, but not the whole picture. The stories are not character or plot-driven, but rather snapshots of a few sexy moments.
Hot Buzz is the story of lonely Jerri who has pined for her roommate Krysta for 5 years. Fearful of becoming another notch on Krysta's bedpost, Jerri keeps her feelings hidden. That is until one night while out at a club and both women engage in some buzzed flirtation with other people. For some reason it is this night that the true colors show. They hungrily take one another in a night of passion and vibrators.
Hot Buzz gives us just enough insight into the longing Jerri has experienced over the years -- enough to give the reader reason to care and cheer for the couple. Jerri and Krysta are hot in bed, but getting there was a little annoying. The jealous almost "cat-fighting" isn’t my cup of tea, but it brought the two together for an erotic coupling - and that was most certainly enjoyable. And in the end, the reader is left with the notion that everything will work out nicely for these two. I like my happy endings! All-in-all Hot Buzz is an enjoyable, erotic read.
My Rating:
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Liked it, but I had some issues - recommend (B)
Purchase Info:
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Quickie Review: Unwanted Mate
Unwanted Mate
Author: Rebecca Royce
Release Date: Feb. 23, 2012
Publisher: Decadent
Decadent's Edge Series
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Short Story (4K word count)
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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For years, shapeshifter Gunther West has known Judy is his mate. His little human isn't so sure. When a tragedy brings her knocking on his door seeking comfort, Gunther is more than ready to provide it. Neither can deny the sparks that fly, but are those sparks enough for forever?
What I’m talking about:
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Want a quickie? Decadent Publishing’s THE EDGE series is just what the doctor ordered! Unwanted Mate is less than novella length - a short story, at only 4,000 words. It’s more of a vignette than plot-driven book.
The tale revolves around an alpha shifter, Gunther, and the human who is destined to be his mate, Judy. They both know the mating is there, yet - she avoids him, and he waits patiently so as not to push her away forever. Gunther’s break happens one night after Judy witnesses a friend die. She comes to him for comfort, knowing she will walk away with much more from the evening than hot sex.
Unwanted Mate is a romantic, sweet, albeit extremely hot encounter between Gunther and Judy. The story is their initial sexual encounter. It's hot, but I wouldn't classify it as erotic. The reader is treated to both Judy and Gunther’s POVs, and we are party to the seeds of romance bound for a happily ever after.
Honestly, the story is so short that it's hard to write much. There was no time for deep character or plot development, but the emotions in and purpose of the story comes through to the reader, regardless of the length. Really, there wasn’t need for much else -- it works. If you want to escape for a few moments (and can get past the names Judy and Gunther), give Unwanted Mate a go.
My Rating:
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Liked it - recommend (B+)
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