Review: Sizzling read!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 1, 2014
I was given this anthology as a gift in exchange for a honest review, and as a thank you for being a beta for one of the stories ;-) This has not affected my view of the anthology.I will review each story very short and give my all over view in the end. Keep in mind, this is an erotica anthology.Venus Envy by Josephine BalloweI was a bit confused about this short story…well, maybe more than just a bit. Maybe that’s why it is my least favorite in this anthology.As I can understand Venus is going through a rough time, and somehow her mind is getting out of control. Or maybe she is seeing the truth and everyone else is being lead behind the light?The story might be confusing to me, but the sex-scenes are well written and I would love to see what Josephine would do with a full length novel.One Night by Riley SteelThis one… wow. So many thing, so many good things in it! I really, really don’t want to spoil it, so bear with me while I clumsily tries to dodge it.Andrea was tired of looking in her reflection, tired of feeling like her life was over – she was only 23 for goodness sake. So she took matters in hand; started eating right, lost some weight, went to the gym, and lost more weight. She started to feel alive again, started to feel good about herself. There was just one, tiny problem…. Dan, her boyfriend wasn’t that enthusiastic, didn’t support her, even worse? He made her feel this big *hold fingers a tiny space apart*Having had just about enough of being pushed down, she goes out for a night with a friend, and by chance they step into a swingers club.Let me just say, be prepared for what comes after that, and make sure you have something to fan yourself with, because the steam level in this short story just skyrocketed!Key to a Dark Heart by Skye KnizleyRiver stumbled over an artifact at a pawnshop; an ancient key to Alfheimr. On her quest to find the man who lost the artifact to the pawnshop owner, River stumbles into a very different world than her own.Welcome to mythology crashing into our own reality.Have I ever mentioned I’m a sucker for Nordic mythology? No? Well, I am. But then I grew up with this mythology, since I live in Denmark. Actually, I lived in Sweden as child, but that’s an entire different story. ;-)Skye Knizley have created a short story with wonderful twists in them, and is staying very true to the mythology, I loved every page. They’re moist with steam, filled with surprises, and I will definitely be reading more from Skye, because this was brilliant!Valentine Vixen by Rue Volley*squeee* This, this was amazing!!! Rue delivers a story that is literally dripping with sex in all forms, and a wonderful twist in the end.A sexy pinup from our own era invites three men into her hotel room, with an added twist.I loved how Rue has played with this story, it was very nicely done, and made me think naughty thoughts myself. A wonderful and an absolute must read!! Not to forget the VERY nice ending!!!Deuces Wild by A. McEwanI was a beta reader for Ada when she was done writing Deuces Wild, so I have to say, I’m partial to this story. *smiles*Danny hates valentine with a vengeance. And who does she run into – literally – on Valentine’s Day? A perfect woman; Amber. *grins* A woman made for sin, and Danny is completely taken by surprise.To make Valentine even more interesting, Deuce lands in their laps, well, more accurately, he takes pictures of the two ladies making out, and Danny takes offence to that. Turns out Deuces is out on the streets on his own, and Danny feels sorry for him. She’s been in his shoes once a long time ago, and nobody should go through that.So, Deuce, Amber and Danny is heading home to Danny’s apartment to celebrate their own kind of Valentine.I really liked this short story. I’ve read Ada’s Confessions of a Small Town Librarian, so I knew what she was capable off, but she still surprised me in a good way. I simply adore Ada and her writing!!Love from the Wreckage by Shyla ColtI think this was the most emotional story of them all. Shyla touched me wither story, and brought me to tears.Sapphira is pregnant, but not with her own child. Well, it is her child, but she isn’t keeping it. She is being a surrogate for her best friend, her sister from another mother; Theresa. Theresa and her husband, Lyle, can’t have children of their own, so to help them out, Sapphire is stepping in.Unfortunately they will never see their little child; Theresa and her husband is killed in a car accident, Sapphira is in the same car, but somehow she survives the ordeal. Now she is at a loss. What is she going to do? When Logan, Lyle’s twin steps into the picture, he does so with an unusual proposal, and Sapphira is forced to stop and think.Wonderful, absolutely amazing story. Sapphira and Logan truly came to live on those pages, and I will be on the lookout for more written by Shyla, because if she can bring this forth in so few pages… imagine what she will be able to do with a book?Heiress to Misfortune by Jackie McMahonOh boy…. This story truly is a testimony for that money doesn’t buy happiness. Lucky is a rich kid. Growing up not needing anything money wise, she is left to her own devices, which leads to some more or less interesting habits. Scott is her longtime friend, turning into friend with benefits when she came into adulthood. Scott isn’t Lucky’s only habit, but I will say he is her more… innocent one. She claims she doesn’t love Scott, but in a way, I think she does. So what happens when she catches him red-handed?No doubt about it, Jackie knows how to write erotica well. Somehow she has created a main character we would love to hate, and not truly feel sorry for, but want to follow all the way to the end. It is in a way a classic story about a little rich girl who gets what she deserves (for once), and I enjoyed it immensely.All in all:This was a great anthology with some of my favorite authors and some new ones to keep an eye on. If you’re familiar with some of these authors, then I can honestly say they do not disappoint. I enjoyed every story in their own ways, but of course I have my favorites. *grins*I hope you will enjoy this anthology just as much as I did. Sucre Erotique is guaranteed to make your blood boil a little hotter.Something I like to point out, is the quality of this anthology, and generally anthologies from CHBB/Vamptasy/Hot Ink Press. I know when I hold a book from this publisher, the quality is amazing. I love the details that they put into each story. Take this anthology; each one has a cover. That isn't something you see very often, and it is wonderful and gives me as a reader something extra.