I struggled a bit with this story. It had all the elements: two hunky men, a young, "feisty" 23-yo, FBI candidate as a roommate. But "feisty" Paige haI struggled a bit with this story. It had all the elements: two hunky men, a young, "feisty" 23-yo, FBI candidate as a roommate. But "feisty" Paige has severe boundary issues, which made her majorly unlikable. I don't like disliking the heroine of a story. It makes it hard to care. Also, there was some selfishness which got to me. But, by the end I was hooked. And the steam level was through the roof. Overall, though, it was another winner in the sadly fated Bend Anthology....more
I've read this twice, some parts three times, and I still have so many questions. But I'm comfortable with this ignorance...for n5 Make Me Crazy Stars
I've read this twice, some parts three times, and I still have so many questions. But I'm comfortable with this ignorance...for now. That said, I can't wait 'til the completed story is finished. I love the way JA Huss writes. She makes her characters strong, ambiguously centered, and full of complicated backstories. James and Harper, for instance, are knowable and loveable, which is crazy because they're dangerous. They both know how to fight, and fight dirty. James has been impatiently watching Harper for months. He knows everything about her habits, but he knows nothing about who she is inside. What he does know is that she belongs to him. We'll see about that.
Anyway, it's important to know that James and Harper are part of a secret organization, but it's not clear whether this is the mafia or a cult or whatever, but it's very intriguing. They begin to carefully quiz each other about what part they play, but they shouldn't even be talking about it to each other. They could be killed for doing so. Neither is trustworthy. They could be lying to each other. It's a bit like playing Russian Roulette. The bottom line is, there's no sense in trying to make sense of it. J.A. will tells us when she wants us to know the the truth. For now, just enjoy the crazy passion that flares between this troubled pair.
Note: This story is a spin-off from the Rook and Ronin series. I highly recommend that you start at the beginning. It's worth it to get into J.A.'s writing style. Plus, you don't want to miss getting to know her characters....more
Damn, this story made me SO damn angry! I get that it's meant to build suspense, etc., but it didn't work for me AT ALL. What I want to say is, it pisDamn, this story made me SO damn angry! I get that it's meant to build suspense, etc., but it didn't work for me AT ALL. What I want to say is, it pissed me off! This was my second story from K Bromberg and I disliked Driven, too.
Okay, deep breath...what I liked: --I liked the MC. Maybe I even loved her. --I believed she was where she was and in the situation she was in. I felt for her and there were no slips in her character. I felt every breath, every moan, every sob. --I liked the story idea. Very solid. Until that ending.
What I didn't like: --Her douchebag husband. --The douchebag ending. Maybe it's meant to be feisty and clever? (view spoiler)[But it did not work for me. What he did was NOT romantic OR okay. It was infuriating and it was premeditated RAPE. (hide spoiler)] (view spoiler)[--That infuriating ending was telegraphed waaaay early. --Maybe if there had been an Epilogue or another chapter to give the wife justice. Leaving the reader hanging as if that's possibly okay is not. It's a dark, edgy anthology but it's still romance and by definition shouldn't end with CFN or Crappy For Now. --I wish she'd awakened the morning after and immediately called the police and her dirtbag husband was found complicit in the rape. She'd have the drug in her system, marks and welts and gobs of semen, I didn't "hear" any condom wrappers being opened. One of the men may or may not have been Anderson but we'll never know. We won't get any of our questions answered, hence the infuriating bit. (hide spoiler)]...more
The last story in the ill-fated Bend anthology. It's a novella for now, but the author promises that she has much bigger plans4.5 "We Want More" Stars
The last story in the ill-fated Bend anthology. It's a novella for now, but the author promises that she has much bigger plans in store for Brett and Riley. I certainly hope so because I LOVED this glimpse into the beginning of a relationship between these two. It's a very mysterious and intriguing start. There's only one part written in Brett's POV and I hope we get to hear much more from him.
The two meet on the island of Nassau. Brett is on a fishing trip with friends and Riley is enjoying a weekend Bachelorette party for one of her besties. On the first night Riley's stilettoed feet are killing her and as she takes a breather in the lobby before continuing the hike to her room, Brett appears with a pair of cozy, white slippers he purchased for her from the hotel gift shop. Best couple first meeting in a LOOOOONG time, btw!
Anyway, talk about fireworks, Brett escorts Riley to her room and they start making out before even making to to her door. Riley decides to be a good girl and tells Brett goodnight figuring she'll never see him again. We'll just have to see about that.
The writing is magical and tropical and sensual. You know what they say, "What happens in Nassau...."
Merged review:
Ill-fated and short-lived anthology produced by the Erotic Consortium. Amazon banned it due to content issues, which was ridiculous compared to some content already on Amazon. Readers should be able to choose what they want to read.
My Placement Rating: 1) Kick by C.D. Reiss -- Team Fiona Drazen all the way 2) Come by J.A. Huss -- Lordy, perfect amount of mystery to keep reader hooked 3) Still by Alessandra Torre -- brilliant balance of lusty tale to mystery 4) These Men by Andrea Smith -- Cain got the best end of the deal...still I loved it 5) The Devil in Me by K.I. Lynn -- Loved the lust, but the devil analogy seemed forced 6) Red & Wolfe by Ella James -- too slow at first, then too fast at end 7) Worth by Shay Savage -- Historical is just not my thing 8) Unraveled by K. Bromberg -- just all kinds of offensive...more
5 Stars The first section in the Songs of Perdition series by the amazing CD Reiss. If your romance tastes run to the kinky and erotic (or you find you5 Stars The first section in the Songs of Perdition series by the amazing CD Reiss. If your romance tastes run to the kinky and erotic (or you find yourself kinky-curious) and you've not read her Songs of Submission series, then you are missing out. Ms. Reiss in not your typical blah blah romance by numbers writer, her writing absolutely sings.
The book opens with our troubled heroine Fiona Drazen, a rich and much-fucked-up celebutante, waking to find herself drugged and strapped down in Westonwood, a psychiatric facility for the rich and ubër flaky. She's being held for 72 hours to determine if she's fit to be charged for stabbing Master Deacon Bruce, her boyfriend/Dom. Problem is, she has ZERO recollection of anything that happened. While locked away, she meets Dr. Elliot Chapman, her assigned therapist, who will decide her 3-day fate. It's a complicated relationship, as Fiona has big time issues with men, with sex, with drugs, with herSELF, but mainly sex is her drug of choice. And "please, call me Elliot", who is both handsome and intriguing, truly wants to help her and suggests hypnosis to begin to ease and tease out the knots in Fiona's locked down tight psyche. Alas, in three days they can't even begin to scratch the surface of the surface of what Fiona's got on her mind.
As to where I stand in regards to Team Deacon or Team Elliot? I don't see the need to make it about them. I'm all for Team Fiona. Yes, she's fucked up, but she's a Drazen, which means she's a survivor. Only she can ultimately decide if she's to be healed with duct tape and cardboard (Deacon) or nails and sturdy wood (Elliot), and I'm anxious to read on and hope the best for her...oh, and hope that someone shoots the shit out of her Daddy Very Much UN-Dearest....more
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