V.J. SummersCritiques

I only read about half the stories in this anthology. It's mostly a mixed bag. There were a couple I really like (one particular stand-out story is Clare London's "Say a Little Prayer"), most were just ok. With such short stories, I felt a lot of the sex scenes were totally unnecessary, and some stories seemed to be set up around the sex scene, with character/plot background just to pad it out so it wouldn't be totally about gratuitous porn. Meh, most of these were not really my taste, I suppose.

J.P. Barnaby, "End of the World As We Know It". Did not finish. The age gap involving a minor really puts me off.

J.C. Chase, "Open Tackle". 2 stars. The relationship between best friends and football teammates Owen and Rory change when Owen confesses his feelings for Rory, then runs off after taking Rory's stunned silence for a rejection. A basic misunderstanding plot, really common in yaoi manga, which I find rather unrealistic and gets resolved fairly quickly.

Jaya Christopher, "Cody and the Hermit". 2 stars. Cowboy Cody pines after a former childhood friend and longtime crush when said crush returns to his hometown after several years away. I didn't really find this one believable at all. The sex scene was also clearly tacked on and didn't really add anything to the story.

Poppy Dennison, "Blindsided". 3 stars. Boxer/fighter Noah is nervous about his upcoming fight, his fellow boxer comforts him. This is a plot that I like a lot and wish I could read as a full novel. As a short story, the ending is too easy and unsatisfying and would be better if it was more developed.

Rachel Haimowitz, "Jungle Heat". 2 stars. American Ranger Pete gets captured by a drug cartel, is given cocaine and raped. The story completely falls apart at the end when the love interest (a fellow Ranger) comes to save him, confesses and suddenly everything's ok???

Jambrea Jo Jones, "Wild Blue Yonder". 2 stars. Bruce leaves his lover and fellow soldier Rick when it seems like Rick can't offer him the commitment he wants.

Marguerite Labbe, "Tears of the Sea". 2 stars. David is tied up by Liam, his crush and the husband of his husband's twin brother, in an attempt to make him remember memories he lost. An interesting enough idea but terribly executed. It dragged on way too long and wasn't particularly well-written.

Clare London, "Say A Little Prayer". 5 stars. While working a summer job, Jonathan finds a winged and naked man on the beach waiting just for him. This was a real gem of a short story and absolutely compelling from beginning to end. I like how the "mystery" unravels itself slowly and allowed for the development of some really delicious tension and heat. This was also one story where the sex scene felt like it was important and fit into the story rather than being a gratuitous scene added in. (Ironically, this is one story where I wouldn't have minded more sex-- I guess because I was very invested in the two characters.) Lovely writing and wonderful story overall. I will definitely check out more of this author's work.

M.J. O'Shea, "Bridges". 2 stars. I've read this one before, my review is here. Sweet but ultimately forgettable tale of two enemies turned lovers.

Devon Rhodes, "His Last Resort". 3 stars. A college freshman comes out to his roomate.

Andrea Speed, "My Bloody Valentine". 4 stars. Cody takes Drew to an abandoned house for some spooky fun. Super short but packs a real punch.

V.J. Summers, "Liar, Liar". DNF. Didn't like the writing.

Bryl R. Tyne, "Alipio". 3 stars. A very poetic and dream-like short story about an artist who becomes infatuated with the slave who is his model.

Plenty of 4 and 4.5 star stories in this collection. I'll definitely be returning to some of these reads when I need some fluff.

J. P. Barnaby – It's the End of the World As We Know It - ★★★✩✩
L.C. Chase – Open Tackle - ★★★★✩
Jaya Christopher – Cody and the Hermit - ★★★✩✩
Poppy Dennison – Blindsided - ★★★✩✩
Taylor V. Donovan – Heatstroke - ★★★★★
Rachel Haimowitz – Jungle Heat - ★★✩✩✩
Jambrea Jo Jones – Wild Blue Yonder - ★★✩✩✩
Lissa Kasey & Xara X. Xanakas – Sink or Swim - ★★★✩✩
K Lee Klein – Outfoxed - ★★✩✩✩
Marguerite Labbe – Tears of the Sea - ★★★★✩
Clare London – Say a Little Prayer - ★★★✩✩
Belinda McBride – Free to Fly - ★★★✩✩
Michele L. Montgomery – Tears From Above - ★★★★✩
Cherie Noel – Kiss and Tell - ★★★✩✩
Lydia Nyx – Moon Over Montana - ★★✩✩✩
M.J. O'Shea – Bridges - ★★★★✩
SJD Peterson - Innocence to the Max - ★★✩✩✩
Devon Rhodes – His Last Resort - ★★★✩✩
Jaime Samms – Mourning - ★★★★✩
PD Singer – The Boy Next Door - ★★★✩✩
Andrea Speed – My Bloody Valentine - ★★★★✩
Damon Suede – Seedy Business - ★★★✩✩
VJ Summers – Liar, Liar - ★★★★✩
Bryl R. Tyne – Alipio - ★★★✩✩
Piper Vaughn – Wanting - ★★★✩✩
Missy Welsh – You and a Billion Blue Tiles - ★★★★✩
Eden Winters – Sweet Dreams - ★★★✩✩

Cute story about getting your mojo turned back at you!

Plenty of 4 and 4.5 star stories in this collection. I'll definitely be returning to some of these reads when I need some fluff.

Such a great story!

My favourite line? This:

“Yes…” The word was a sigh, breathed into Rio’s mouth. The man’s breath hitched, drinking Tim’s answer in, sucking in his breath and, it felt like, his very soul.

It is a bit of perfection!

I'm a huge fan of [a:V.J. Summers|4353084|V.J. Summers|https://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/user/f_50x66-e0ba3b90c110cd67123d6a850d85373e.png]'s hetero stories and am very excited to read this, but found this in a community review here on GoodReads:

If you love those HFN / cliffhanger series that follow the same MC's through the twists and turns ...this is definitely an excellent start to a promising series.

Cliffhangers make me crazy if the next installment has not been written yet. That's just my thing when it comes to books. I can handle cliffhangers in movies and actually love them in TV series, but not in books.

I will save this book and read the series when it is complete.

Reviewed by Melissa D
Book provided by Ellora’s Cave
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book

Violet Summers originally published this book back in 2009. I love vampire novels, but I have always found it hard to find a good vampire novel. This book exceeded all my expectations.

Prudence Longfellow is a part of an ancient line of women who are healers, historians and guardians. They are feared and respected among the world they are a part of. Prudence is a forensic accountant. She is there to track missing money for Magnus Crowe. She comes across as not only strong but smart.

Magnus Crowe does not trust beautiful woman because he learned the hard way it does not always end well. He is attracted to Prudence even though he does not want to be. In addition, he is worried because he spots his sire Contessa Allessandra DiCasca. He wonders about her motives. He comes across as a strong and sensitive guy wrapped up in one.

I enjoyed watching as Prudence and Magnus fought there attraction to each other. The chemistry they had together was explosive. The sex scenes were off the charts. They make a great couple.

I think that this book was pretty short considering the plot. I wish it were longer. Overall, this was a wonderful book. The characters just came alive. I would love to know more about this world that Sierra and VJ Summers created. I hope that there are more books by this author about this world.