A Naughty Noelle finds Noelle Mason aimlessly wandering through New York City two days before Christmas. She flew into town wanting to surprise her fiance', and instead she got the surprise when she caught him in a compromising position with another woman. She's naturally upset, not paying close attention to her surroundings, and she ends up getting dragged into an alley by a Bad Man. Coming to her rescue is Sergio Ramirez, an undercover cop infiltrating a mob operation. When he's then sold out by a mole in his own department, and wounded in the process? The station house, hospitals - not the best options. So instead he hides out with the woman he met quite be accident. Gee, whatever shall they do to pass the time?
Short stories are not easy to write, and adding on a suspense angle doesn't make it any easier. The entire wrap-up to this aspect of the conflict is saved for "off page" and the nature of Sergio's mission is rather glossed over to begin with. The Sexy Times are certainly sizzling stuff, and I could understand Noelle hopping into bed with Tall, Dark And Mysterious after her pride is wounded over catching her fiance' in flagrante delicto. The problem is the whole time I was reading about these two burning up the sheets (and shower), all I could focus on was the knife wound in Sergio's side that Noelle doctors up the best she can. Sure she runs out and grabs him some "painkillers" - but she strikes me as the sort of heroine who hits up Walgreens, not the guy standing on the corner selling Oxycontin.
Final Grade = C
Katarzyna Delaney was recently jilted by Fiance' #3 when he announced he was gay, and took off with his best man. Waking up handcuffed to Jake's bed isn't exactly what she had in mind for her vacation, but heck - as long as she's here, why not see if Jake is willing to help her dispose of her pesky virginity?
This is another story with a suspense thread. The only real quibble I have here is Jake's job is entirely too mysterious. I'm not sure what he is exactly. ATF? PD? FBI? NSA? So readers are treated to another member of the Bad Ass Supah Sekrit Unknown Law Enforcement Agency Of Some Sort that only exists in Romance Novel Land.
The 28-year-old virgin heroine thing is also something that's going to boil down to reader preference. For me, personally? It depends, and here I bought into it. Engaged three times and still a virgin does strain a bit (for me), but three overprotective older brothers who like to butt into her life? I can roll with that.
The Sexy Times are suitably sexy, and even with me not knowing exactly what Jake is, the suspense/danger aspect of this story is handled well in a climactic finish. I can also buy into Katarzyna and Jake as a long-term couple more so than Noelle and Sergio from the other story, hence....
Final Grade = B-
3 comments:
Yes and yes--though I probably should add the disclaimer that I, too, would head for the nearest Walgreens. I'm not too fond of mysterious substances and don't know enough to recognize Oxycontin if it was shoved in my face.
Well especially if her third fiance was gay, I can understand he wasn't eager to deflower her LOL.
I don't think I'll be picking up either books, but it was nice to read your reviews :) By the way, Wendy. I'm guessing these were not Ellora's Cave's original covers. Kudos for Ms Bruce :)
AL: I would have hit Walgreens as well! LOL I was amazed by the hero's stamina though. A knife wound AND all those naughty times?
Nath: I knew they were "reprints" and the EC info is on the copyright page - but beyond that, I didn't do an extensive search for the previous cover images. But yeah, I'm sure these are new ones - and I really like them too :)
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