Review: 6 Amazing Stories By 6 Amazing Authors!!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 08 25, 2013
"Wicked Firsts" has 6 stories by 6 AMAZING authors!  It is impossible for me to name a favorite story in this bundle. They're all equally awesome!  Each had me falling in love with the men and each had me wishing I was the women.  I'm a huge fan of alpha males and alpha women.  I honestly don't care for weak women in books. They can play the damsel in distress, but I need to see they're strong too.  Scarlett O'hara is the prime example of that and those are the types of heroines I look for in books.  Soft and feminine yet strong enough to keep their Alpha men in line and to be equals.  That's why I love all of these authors and stories.  They represent all of that and more.  To do each story justice, I'll do mini reviews on each, in the order they are in the bundle.The Review:First ExposureAvery's life is turned upside down when she goes to Aegis Security looking for help to find her missing assistant, Melody, and instead finds an ex-lover who broke her heart years before.  She's also harboring a secret that she's held in all this time and the pain and anger make it difficult to open her heart back up to Cade.Cade has requested this assignment, because he still loves Avery and wants another chance to make her see he's changed and was a fool for ever leaving her. But he has secrets of his own, that may very well ruin their chances.  Together they go to the last place Melody was seen, a sex resort, where she was doing research for Avery's upcoming film. They have to pretend to be a couple in love, which is hard, because of their past, yet easy because of the feelings they still have. No matter how much Avery tries to avoid intimate situations with Cade, she has no choice but to play the role of her life, meanwhile protecting her heart and saving Melody."Massage class. That's easy enough." A grin spread across his face. "My shoulders could use a rubdown."Instead of the irritated look he expected in response to his smart-ass remark, nervousness crossed Avery's girl-next-door features, and she looked back down at her papers."What's wrong with a massage class?" he asked"There's only one listed."Curious, Cade crossed the room with drink in hand, glanced down at the picture in the brochure she was pointing toward, and felt every muscle in his body surge to attention.Listed amongst the activities the resort offered were the words: Erotic Instructional Couples Massage.Poor Avery, it must be horrible having to place your hands on that gorgeous, muscular body and run your hands up and down his....well...some things a lady never tells...nor a reviewer.This is a little taste of the Aegis Security series and I can't wait to start reading them all!  You can also read "Acapulco Heat" the novella that started it all, in the "Bodyguards in Bed" anthology.I LOVED the scene in the back room. It was hot and an unexpected surprise. (Again, a reviewer never tells.) That really pushed me to give the max rating, so I give "First Exposure" by Elisabeth Naughton5 StarsFirst RaptureMadison has had a crush on Luc, for years and she's invited him to her 18th birthday party, specifically to lose her virginity to him.  He doesn't show up till the party is over and he's stretched out on her bed.  After the best sex of her life(well...at the time we/she doesn't realize this will be) she confesses her love for him. Which scares the heck out of him and he bolts, which shames her into leaving town.She is the rags to riches story, she grew up poor and her parents were just egg/sperm donors. She had to raise herself and despite all of the odds, after 8 years, she is finally successful and rich.  She also decides it's high time she exorcise the Dark Angel(aka Luc Angeli) from her mind and her dreams. He's affected her so much she can't orgasm with anyone else.(That must've been some SERIOUSLY amazing sex!) So she goes back to Las Vegas, to hunt him down and pull a sexual hit and run, which she feels he did to her.Luc is the son of a rich daddy, but he sets out to make it on his own and create his own success...which he does. He's been a playboy, but now he's wanting to settle down. But he can't get Maddy out of his mind. The young girl who rocked his world."I apologize for not being the man you needed me to be when I took your virginity, but truthfully, I can't be sorry that I made love to you," he admitted, his voice thick. "It's a night that's branded into my memory."(Et tu Luc? Bet he still had orgasms with other lovers though.)"You were right." She nipped the lobe of his ear. "There's always been an attraction between us, and I'm no longer that girl looking for Prince Charming. Why shouldn't we have some fun?"She felt him stiffen at her teasing words. Had she managed to wound him? No, that would be ridiculous.As if to prove his point, Luc nuzzled his lips along her jaw. "I'll have my car--""No need," she interrupted. "I have a room."That a girl! Be prepared when you plan on seducing the only man who can give you orgasms!Honestly, I really loved this story. I liked how Madison took an embarrassing situation and used it to become someone she could be proud of.  I also liked how the story pointed out how something we do as kids can make or break us as adults.  It was real. We've all wanted to(or done) the revenge screw. It's human nature and I like that Alexandra Ivy brings that to us...makes us look into that reality mirror.She didn't just bring a love story to us, she brought back some personal memories and for that I give "First Rapture" by Alexandra Ivy5 StarsFirst Taste of DarknessAaaah....the good girl gone bad story.  I LOVE these!  Why? Because I've always been classified as the "good girl" and to be quite honest...it sometimes sucks.  Not so much now that I'm an adult, but still...I know the stress of feeling like you have to be good all the time, when deep down you know there is something naughty lurking and waiting for that moment to attack! Rawr!!He kissed her again. Drove his tongue past her lips and had her moaning.Blake Landon knew how to kiss. The guy was a master.The dress's straps slid down her arms. Goosebumps rose on her flesh. It was going to happen. She was taking this moment, taking him , and Jess wasn't going to be the good girl any longer.When in Vegas--Sadly it takes a devastating event to unlock the tigress in Jess, but when it comes out, she takes no prisoners and Blake fights like heck to avoid that trap in more ways then one.His teeth scored her flesh. Right then, he wanted to mark her. This woman, with her wild passion and those gorgeous eyes-- she was his.For the night. Just the night. He never kept a lover longer than that.But they had all night.He lowered Jess to her feet. Backed away a few steps. They needed to be clear. "Just tonight..." He barely recognized the hard growl of his voice.She jerked a bit, and her eyes widened. "Th-that's all I want."HA!! Don't go thinking you're all that Blake! She just wants to use you for sex too!I loved the fact as the story progressed, her tigress and the good girl merged and a whole new Jess was reborn, but most of all I loved the fact that she accepted both sides of herself. She didn't run scared back to being the good girl or go crazy and become a bed hopper. She also forced Blake to come to some realizations about himself, which for any woman who has been around a man who has morphed himself into something different, someone BETTER, they don't do this willingly or easily.This was an awesome story, but also because I have a touch of that good girl syndrome, I give "First Taste of Darkness" by Cynthia Eden5 StarsFirst Ink"First Ink" is the first story in Laura Wright's Wicked Ink Chronicles and I'm ooooh so glad she's not stopping with this one.Ok, confession time.  I know I said I didn't have any favorite stories, but I do have a favorite leading man and Rush did it for me. From the second Laura Wright brought him into the story, until the very end and even as I sit here, I was...I AM...hooked on Rush. Maybe it's the bad a$$ tattoo artist with a sensitive heart? Not sure. But I'm in love.Once again, we're taken to a teenager's mistake and how it's affecting her as an adult. I truly do enjoy these life lessons and the memories it brings up.  The would've, could've, should've done something different moments.Addison made the stupid and oh so common mistake of dumping someone who was great for her, for someone she assumed would be better for her. Rush was the great someone. He was her best friend, he loved her and she lied to him.  She said she was too sick to go to homecoming with him. She went with another guy.  He found out when he went to her house and she wasn't there.Thing was, I cared for her. I'd opened up a can of Campbell's, and brought it over to her house. The chick who answered the door was really forthcoming with the information, grinned when she said it and everything.The Campbell's had gone into the bushes and I'd gone to the school.HE BROUGHT SOUP FOR HER!!  How sweet is that!!??  One thing led to another once he got to the school and he left town and never looked back.  She at least came around to her senses that night, but it was too late. He was gone. She tried for years to get him to talk to her so she could apologize, but he avoided her like the plague.Can you blame him? He brought soup!!Finally she gets her opportunity.  He's tattooing at a convention, something he never does. For his last tattoo, he's asking for an "ink virgin"(aka, someone who has never had a tattoo) so Addison's friend Lisa raises her hand and she's chosen.  At the last minute she pretends she's pregnant, so Rush can't tattoo her, but she nominates Addison. Rush immediately recognizes her and decides to do it as long as he can put it where he wants on her body and put any design he wants. You have to read the book to find out where he puts what.  I had a few ideas, but I had to keep reminding myself she was young and stupid when she broke his heart...but it was pretty hard.He's so sexy, all that muscle and all that ink pressed up against me. I want him. All of him. Him inside me, him behind me, on top of me. So deep he can't get out, ever, not until he forgives me.Well...if that's how it's going to work...RUSH PLEASE FORGIVE HER! He's mine!Ok...I have another confession.  Remember how I said I wasn't sure why I was hooked on Rush?  Well...I kinda DO know the moment that made me think...this Bad Boy is oh so good. But I can't tell you, you have to read this story and find out for yourself. I'll just say Rush's kitchen is pretty dang hot and for that I'm giving "First Ink" by Laura Wright5 SMOKIN' HOT Stars!! (Hmm....maybe I had a favorite out of this bundle after all.:)First SurrenderOkay, this story was just so flipping sweet. I loved it.  I know some might think a 22 yr old virgin is absurd, but guess what...it DOES happen...and that's what I love about this story.  It's explained, it's plausible, it makes sense.I love Sierra.  She's as sweet as apple pie, with a dash of naughty.  She's just been waiting for the right guy to come along and that man is Hayden.  Hot, sexy, sweet Hayden.  He's an ex Seal, who was a jerk when Sierra first met him.  She told him off with a smile.  He was enthralled with her after that and the feelings were mutual.  But it took her getting attacked for him to step up and make his move.  Because of her past relationships and interactions with men, she didn't feel like she'd ever be good enough to capture Hayden's attention, so she drooled from afar.  He did the same.Hayden's big hands skimmed down to the hem of her tank -top. For a moment he teased the bottom of it before slowly pushing it up. She swallowed hard when reality set in that he'd be seeing her naked soon. Unlike her gorgeous sister and mother, she hadn't gotten any height or their amazing genes. And she definitely wasn't like the tall, lithe women she'd seen hanging onto Hayden at the casino.Those are real fears of most women.  It wasn't just "Look at me I'm a Sex Goddess!"  It was soul bearing and honest.  I loved this about Sierra.Sierra felt a moment of insecurity at being completely naked in front of him, but it vanished when his big body shuddered.Actually shuddered as he tracked her from her feet up to her face."You're beautiful," he murmured before pressing his hands on the inside of her knees, urging her to spread her thighs wider.Part of her wanted to cover herself, but with Hayden kneeling in between her legs looking hungry for her, she savored being on display for him. She knew what he was going to do, could see the determined look in his eyes, but nothing prepared her for when he buried his face between her thighs.Well played Hayden....well played!This story is a little hard to review, not because it's bad or boring, but because it's so sweet, so innocent, yet passionate.  They make love.  They don't just have wild, screw me against the walls, sex(don't get me wrong, I love that as much as the next girl) but it touches your heart too.Whoever laid these stories out in "Wicked Firsts" was very smart indeed. Why you ask?  Because you come off Rush, feeling like you've just went on the biggest roller coaster ever, to going through the tunnel of love with the person who holds your heart and soul in their hands. It's hardcore sex, then cuddling afterwards. It feeds our bodies and our souls.This story is the launch novella for Katie Reus' new series "The Serafina: Sin City Series", a spin-off from her popular "Red Stone Security" series. I haven't personally read the Red Stone Series yet, but I fully intend to. Katie Reus has gained a new fan. :-)Because of the afterglow I had from reading "First Surrender" by Katie Reus  I give this story5 StarsFirst TemptationOkay...let me just say "HECK YEAH!"  This was the perfect story to follow "First Surrender" and to end the "Wicked Firsts" bundle. Joan Swan, took us out with a bang and oh what a bang! "First Temptation" is a novella from her series "Covert Affairs"This book was everything I love to see in romance stories. A tough woman, who can kick drug cartel butt, yet who oozes so much sex appeal she could be a stripper.  A hot sexy guy who tries to be an overbearing Alpha, but then realizes he can stand with her or against her.Zoe is trying to get away from her current job as a Border Patrol Agent.  She wants to try something different and if she's honest with herself, she wants to run from the guilt she has after one of her teammates is killed.  She goes to a meeting after a rough night of chasing down drug runners, to discuss a possible undercover job and it's there she meets Taft."Hey, boss." The man's voice vibrated in a smooth, rich timbre that made Zoe want to close her eyes. "Looking good. How's your girl?"No, Zoe definitely didn't know this man. She would never forget a voice like that. It curled through her body like the first sip of her hot coffee, tingling down her chest and spreading through her belly.She was either really, really tired or this guy was really, really yummy.As Mr. Yum talked to Rio, Zoe glanced up, appreciating an overall build as delicious as his abs and his voice put together, but his face was blocked by the brim of her uniform ball cap. Just as well. This was not the day to meet a hot guy--The undercover job requires them to pretend to be a couple who run a sex shop.  When Taft gives her the once over, all he sees is a tomboyish looking woman, with no curves, bad attitude and no sex appeal.  He refuses to work with her.  Zoe takes it upon herself to change his mind.He was going to send Brooks over the edge . Then maybe he'd get a hot partner he could authentically get it on with.He leaned over and glanced beneath the table, then sat up with a heavy sigh. "Baby, you couldn't sex yourself up enough to fit into a store like that if you worked at it for a month."Her fork hit the plate again . But this time it hadn't fallen. She'd thrown it. "Oh, you don't think so?""Okay," Rio broke in, "hold on--""Nope," Taft said to Zoe, ignoring Rio. He shoved the rest of the muffin into his mouth. "I know so."She slid sideways out of her chair and stood. Instead of storming out like he expected, she held his gaze and rolled her shoulders in a slow shrug. The oddly sensual move made her jacket fall off her shoulders. But the look in her eyes was what hinted that Taft was about to eat his words.And boy does he! I loved seeing Zoe bounce between both sides of her personality, from kick your butt to grab your butt.  And the sex...omg...the sex. One word. Stairs.  That's just a few of the reasons I give "First Temptation" by Joan Swan5 Sizzling Stars!