Badger by Paige Warren & Harley Wylde
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Badger — I went to prison for ten years after beating a man to death. He deserved it, and then some. I only wish he’d suffered more. Now I’m free, but things aren’t the same as when I left. The little girl I once saved is now a tempting young woman with curves in all the right places. I should stay away, far away, but I’m drawn to her like a moth to a flame. The pres of my club adopted her, so she’s definitely a no-fly zone, but damn if I don’t want her with every breath I take. A little sample wouldn’t hurt anyone, right? As long as Griz doesn’t find out, I’ll keep breathing. Sneaking around should be easy enough. I never counted on falling for her, or finding out she was carrying my kid. Now what the hell am I supposed to do? I’m a longtime repeat offender. I can’t walk the straight and narrow. Can I?

Adalia — I’ve worshiped Badger ever since the night he saved me. But what started as a young girl’s infatuation has grown into something more. I know he’ll never see me that way, or at least I thought he wouldn’t. When we’re together, it’s like we just can’t keep our hands off each other. It’s probably against his parole for us to be together, but he doesn’t seem to care. The heat between us is undeniable. He didn’t promise me forever, just right now. But neither of us counted on me getting pregnant, something that wasn’t supposed to happen too easily, and I have no freakin’ clue what to do. I’m scared Badger will run for the hills. He never asked for this, but then neither did I. One thing is for certain. If he doesn’t man up and my daddy finds out, there will be hell to pay. No one can hide from the president of the Devil’s Fury MC.

After beating a man to death – and saving a young girl in the process – Badger didn’t mind the ten years he spent in prison to pay for what he never saw as a crime. Now Adalia is all grown up, but as the adopted daughter of the president of the MC she’s strictly off limits. Badger has never been one to walk the straight and narrow, and Adalia has always been in love with her savior. When she finds out she’s pregnant, life is going to change dramatically for them both.

This is a steamy short story that I really enjoyed. While Adalia had been very hurt in the past, Badger was her hero and despite his rough exterior I enjoyed that he clearly had a soft spot for the young woman. All grown up now, the heat sizzles between them so it’s no wonder they can’t keep their hands off each other. I really liked how they were on even footing when it came to their attraction to each other and it was clear their shared history had their mutual feelings more than just skin deep.

I really enjoyed how Badger and Adalia actually got to know each other – their histories as well as what they were like as people – and not just roll around between the sheets. This helped me feel like the story was more than just about two people coming together and having some fun, but more about two people falling in love and deepening the brief connection they had and their shared history. I really feel that readers looking for some spice – but who equally like a plot and some emotional depth to their story should find this a good fit.

With plenty of steam but an equal amount of deep conversation I found this a refreshing and interesting story with a solid plotline. Recommended.

With A Whie by Stephanie Burke
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Evan Whie has a big brain, a big company and an even bigger issue… in his pants. Being that big can be a problem when it comes to dating… but he’s not interested in dating just anybody. He wants his queen.

Cleopatra Cockie has a big problem when it comes to love, and an even bigger solution to fix her woes… Seduce her business partner and man of her dreams, no matter what the rumor mill has to say.

They’re two gamer geeks on a mission and if they can work it out, Cockie will always be connected to a Whie.

Cleopatra Cockie and Evan Whie work together and are both smart gamer geeks on a mission. Each has been pining for the other, but for their own reasons haven’t quite yet taken the plunge. When they finally work out the courage, sparks will fly.

I really enjoyed this short story. With a small number of interesting and well-drawn characters and plenty of humour thrown in I found this to be a fun, quick read. Both Cleo and Evan made it crystal clear from the beginning their sights were on each other, so this didn’t feel like an intra-lust story with no real basis. I also really enjoyed that they were both smart people and pretty much on an even footing together work-wise.

The chemistry between them sizzled off the page and I think readers will absolutely feel as drawn into the story as I was. I enjoyed there were equal parts humour and connection between Evan and Cleo, and this helped me relax back and just enjoy the story – going with the flow.

Sit back with a deliciously cool drink, relax and enjoy the fun and sexy shenanigans – I thought this was a good short story.

Kitten’s Bunny by Wanda Violet O.
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

I’ve never been happier in my life than I am since I’ve come to live with Max. Then I meet Kitten and my world changes again. She’s kind and sweet and, oh, so sensual.

I’m about to find out what it’s like to be Kitten’s Bunny.

Bunny has been very happy with her Dom Daddy, Max. Safe inside the house they share with other like-minded friends Bunny is particularly close to Kitten, Daddy Jacob’s wife. When Kitten suggests she and Bunny have a bit of fun playing together, Bunny is initially skittish. Can the four of them find a way to explore some new possibilities between them?

I enjoyed this quick short story. The foursome were clearly already acquainted enough to make the speed within which they all got down to it did not feel like an overly fast process. All four parties were intimate with each other – so I do feel that readers who don’t enjoy F/F action might not find this story quite suits their tastes. That said the two men were heavily involved in all the action, so the story read to me more like a foursome and not just the two ladies as the main sexual characters.

As the title expresses – there is also a bit of alternative lifestyle portrayed here, but again I felt this wasn’t really the main focus of the story. I feel readers who might not enjoy that side of BDSM/alternative lifestyles too much really might want to still give this story a try as I found the main focus to be on the two couples/four individuals exploring their sexuality. This might be a good way for some readers to ease into other genres in a quick and simple way and have a “taste” and see if it might appeal to them.

I found this to be a super-hot, enjoyably short story that had a few different aspects to the usual foursome scene. Readers looking for something quick and different might find this fits the bill.

Ride ‘Em Cowboy by Anne Kane
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

When Fiona sees a gorgeous cowboy ride up on his Harley, she figures it’s her lucky day. Bikers don’t do forever, right? Her perfect match!

She really isn’t in the market for a lover, or a partner, or some guy to give her a sappy-sweet happily ever after. Been there, done that, got the scars to prove it. They can tell each other a few lies, scratch each other’s itches, then go their separate ways.

The last thing she needs is to hook up with some guy she’ll smack headlong into at church tomorrow. She just wants a nice one-night stand. She plans to be long gone come breakfast time.

Simple, right? So how did it all go so very wrong?

Fiona is not in the market for happily ever after. What she wants is a one-night stand, a quick time to scratch an itch or two then never see them again is what she’s after. Seeing them again is not part of her very simple plan – so how did it all go so wrong?

I found this to be an enjoyable short story. This was a well written story with strongly believable, relatable characters and a fun, lighthearted tone. The chemistry between Fiona and Wyatt sizzled off the page and the heat between them was scorching. That also helped make Fiona’s lack of discipline when Wyatt turned up in her orbit again understandable.

I enjoyed the attraction and chemistry between the two main characters and found their back-story and reasons for being so firmly in the no-strings-attached category should be something most readers can relate to.

Modern and fast-paced, this an enjoyable and quick read. I was pleased that the story really revolved mostly around Fiona and Wyatt, so I feel that none of the previous Rooster stories need to be read to thoroughly enjoy this story. A quick and good read, I’d be happy to read more by this author.

Innocent & Sweet by Megan Slayer
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Fern

Anissa Dunn wants one man — Kameron. He’s got looks, brains and a boatload of attitude… and all that muscle. A girl can only take so much, and he’s her heart’s desire. She’s not afraid to give as good as she gets and she wants him to be her teacher in all things carnal.

There’s only one catch — he’s her bodyguard and the rules state she can’t date the staff.

But rules are meant to be broken…

Anissa knew she wasn’t meant to want her bodyguard, Kam, but she couldn’t help herself. She might be a virgin, but she was certain what she wanted – now if only she could capture Kam’s attention. When her plan didn’t go exactly to plan Anissa figured she’d missed her chance, only Kam has finally caught on and now he’s being offered everything he wants he can’t deny either of them their chance to be happy.

This is a steamy and fun short story. In some respects, this book is a little cliched – but the author made both Anissa and Kam modern and relatable. With an understandable set of mutual goals – both the lusty and safety kind – this quick read had a solid plot and plenty of steam to capture most readers’ attention. Readers might not find this story as unique as they would hope, but the tone was light and fun – and just a little tongue in cheek in places – and the chemistry between Anissa and Kam was intense and satisfying.

Find yourself a nice cool drink and disengage your brain. Readers can just sit back, relax and enjoy being carried away by this short story and the shenanigans these two come up with together. The book is flirty and fun and just a little spicy, exactly what you’d want in a quick, short story.

A Kiss In The Dark by Shelby Morgen
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Stranded. Nothing to warm her but the heat of his body. A stranger, holding her in the dark.

She wanted things she had no right to even imagine. Ever since she’d taken The Purity Test online the questions have been nagging her.

Have you ever:

* Had sex on the first date?
* Had sex with someone whose name you did not know?
* Had sex with someone whose face you never saw?
* Had sex with someone where there was an age difference of more than 20 years?

No. Not her. She hadn’t done anything. Ever. Until the storm of the century dropped her in the arms of a stranger. Now she can’t get him out of her mind…

Ever since a good friend showed her The Purity Test, Jen has struggled to get it – and her abnormally high score – out of her mind. So when a freak storm has her briefly stranded in the dark with a very warm stranger, Jen throws caution to the wind. Can a kiss in the dark between two strangers change everything for the both of them?

I really enjoyed this short story. While it began along a well-worn line I was pleased there were a few differences that set this story apart from many of its similar tales. The fact that neither of the main characters were young was an added bonus for me, and I found myself quickly and eagerly reading along to see how the rest of the tale would unfold.

While the Purity Test has been around for a very long time, I found this hint of nostalgia refreshing and quite an enjoyable vehicle to move the plot along. Readers looking for a comfortable but still sexy and fun quick read should find this absolutely fits the bill. I found the attraction between Jen and Tom believable – even with the speed with which they connected – and while it did feel a little like insta-lust to me I thought the author handled the plot very well and I thoroughly enjoyed this read.

A quick and steamy story, this is a fun and lighthearted read.