Digital Reviews: Two Shorts By Ann Bruce

Originally published by Ellora's Cave, Ann Bruce has now made these two sexy short stories available again via the magic of self-publishing.  Both have a hint of suspense, and both of them feature enough Sexy Times to peel wallpaper.  However one of them worked better for me than the other.

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

Rules of Engagement is a slightly longer story that features the ol' Stuck Together In A Cabin theme.  The last woman Jake Duquesne had sex with shot him three times in the chest.  That was enough for him to start riding a desk and to get away for a little seclusion.  He's staying at his cousin's cabin when he stumbles across a woman snooping around outside.  Not one to take chances, he knocks her out and handcuffs her to his bed - only to discover that his cousin sent her to the cabin for a little seclusion as well.  Seems Dear Ol' Cuz thinks Jake and Katarzyna could heal each others' wounds.

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-

Ebook Review: Dark Side Of Dreaming

I tend to bristle a bit when the romance genre is described as "escapist." Given enough time, all books (be they fiction or nonfiction) can be described as "escapist." Plus, as any fan of romance will and can tell you - there are many subtle shades of "escapism." If Dark Side Of Dreaming, the latest novella by Ann Bruce were an escapist color, it would probably be fuschia. Or maybe neon green. This is a story you read on the beach, or on the deck of a cruise ship, while nursing a drink that the bartender, required by law, has to garnish with a tiny paper umbrella.

Cleo Moran, former professional cat burglar, has come out of retirement to steal a statue. Not just any statue, but one that she feels is responsible for a host of problems that has plagued the women in her family for generations. Unfortunately her skills were rustier than she thought, and after being knocked unconscious, she wakes up tied to Alexander "Sasha" Michaels' bed. Seriously, we women (and gay men) should all be so lucky.

Sasha needs Cleo's help in tracking down the man who attacked his sister - and the statue is at the heart of the matter. However he did not plan on the sizzling sexual attraction that practically bounces off the walls every time he's near her. He also didn't plan on the man who hurt is sister returning, this time settings his sights on Cleo.

So we have a former cat burglar now out of retirement, and a mysterious hero with rumored shadowy underworld connections. Yeah, this requires a certain amount of suspension of disbelief. Readers unwilling or unable to do that? This story is not going to go over so well, especially coupled with the reason why Cleo wants that statue. Yep, we have woo-woo. Now, as someone who is beyond over anything remotely paranormal-y, let me assure you - this aspect of the story is handled with a very light touch. It's not pervasive. It doesn't overwhelm the story. It's a very minor issue. And interestingly enough, I found that disappointing.

As a romantic suspense story, this one feels a bit thin. Mostly, I suspect, because it's a novella. There's quite a bit that I wanted more of here. More of the bad guy. More of Cleo's past. More of why she needed that statue. And a lot more of Sasha's motives and actions. A few more chapters, a bit more meat on the bone, and this could have been a suspense thread I really could have sunk my teeth into. As is though, I found it lacking.

Now, all that said, if you're looking for an erotic romance (Which, hello? Ellora's Cave ebook here), this is where the story cooks. The chemistry between Sasha and Cleo is immediate, electric, sizzling and hot. There's passion, there's intensity, there are sex scenes that literally peel wallpaper. Also the relationship aspect of this story ends on a believable note (no marriage proposal and no heroine knocked up with triplets in final chapter), which is fitting for a story featuring two characters who are, how shall I say this?, living in a moral gray area.

So there you have it. If you're looking for a smokin' hot erotic romance? This is good stuff. It's a quick, sexy read that screams "Beach Read!" However, if you're hungry for an involved, intense, romantic suspense novel? Yeah, this novella is a bit like Chinese food. It's tasty, but you'll be hungry again an hour later.

Final Grade = B-

This story can be purchased via Ellora's Cave.

eBook Review: Parker's Price

Ever read a book that you know you should really dislike and yet...you don't? I can count on one hand how many times it has happened to me, but happened it has. And now I have a new title to add to my list of examples: Parker's Price by Ann Bruce. In this instance, I credit the author's skill for keeping me engaged in the story and a jaw-droppingly, sexy-beyond-words hero.

Parker Quinn is working overtime to make sure her charity auction is a rousing success, but instead she's dealing with an ex-boyfriend who just won't catch a clue. She counts her blessings when a devastatingly handsome stranger comes to her rescue, but then she finds out that said stranger is none other than Dean Maxwell. The same Dean Maxwell who knocked up her sister and abandoned her. Talk about a mood killer!

Dean's a little confused when the sexy woman he was flirting with immediately turns cold after he tells her his name, but he's not about to take no for an answer. So just as the charity auction is about to wrap up, he drops a very tidy sum of money to win a date with Parker. She's not happy, but is effectively cornered and there is no way to extricate herself. He immediately puts on the full court press in wooing her, and in doing so, Parker begins to question what she thinks she knows about the man.

Essentially what readers are going to get here is a category romance. If I were to label this one, using the print Harlequin lines, I would say this is a cross between a Harlequin Presents and a Silhouette Desire. Somewhere in that ball park at any rate. Dean certainly fits the mold of those types of heroes. He's Alpha all the way, sexy as sin, with plenty of money to throw around, and is also protective and persistent. Readers who generally gravitate towards hero first, heroine second, are going to be very happy with this guy. Yummers!

What didn't work so well for me in this story was the biggest aspect of the conflict and Parker's reaction to it. She's confronted by the guy who supposedly knocked up and abandoned her sister. What does she do? Nothing. Seriously? OK, unless you think your sister is a skank-tastic ho bag and you essentially have no relationship with her, who does that sort of thing? Dean tries to ask her about her cold shoulder and she brushes him off. Really? Really? Granted I love and adore my sisters, but even if we didn't have a strong relationship, had I been confronted by a guy who did something like that to them the very least I would have done is toss my drink in his face and let loose a string of expletives that would make a Marine blush. Parker does nothing. She stews. Oh and she spends time with him, flirts with him, and barely manages to keep her panties on around him. And I mean....barely.

Now, blessedly, this doesn't drag out for the whole story. And I do like that when confronted by aspects of Dean's personality that don't mesh with what she thinks she knows about him already, Parker does begin to question. But her not confronting him immediately with this perceived douchebaggery just did not ring true to me. At all.

With that aspect of the plot dealt with, the author throws in a suspense sub plot that is pretty light in the pants, but does keep the story moving along. While Parker does have trust issues, this isn't a real angst-y internal conflict driven read. Dean is blessedly free of stereotypical hero angst (OMG, a hero who had a happy childhood?!) so the job of keeping this story moving is thrust on Parker, the external conflict, and some smokin' hot love scenes that bring sexy back.

So what does that leave me with? A yummy beyond words hero (seriously, to die for), a heroine whose conflict response didn't ring true for me (at all), sexy love scenes, and external conflict that did the job, but didn't light my world on fire. Yep, we're left with a mixed bag.

Final Grade = C

This title can be purchased at Carina Press and other fine digital book outlets.

It's Raining Men

I know a lot of romance readers who aren't wild about romantic suspense because in their words, "Too much suspense, not enough romance." I'm exactly the opposite. When I read the genre, I like suspense first, romance second. Ann Bruce's first novel, Fall Dead, should fit the bill for those readers who like the genre heavy on the romance. Unfortunately I found aspects of that romance a bit problematic.

NYPD detective Nick Markov's partner has had another fight with his gorgeous, model wife and that means it's up to Nick to roust a drunken Ethan out of the bar and haul his sorry butt home. Parked in front of his partner's high-rise apartment building, Nick is pulling a surly Ethan out of the passenger seat when the sky opens up and a dead body lands smack on top of Nick's SUV. The two guys that flee the scene tell Nick that the swan dive was no suicide.

The dead body is Andrew (Drew) Langan, business mogul and son of one of New York's most prominent families. Needless to say, the heat is on to solve this case and immediate suspicion falls on Augusta Langan, Drew's soon-to-be-ex-wife. But his gut (and his Mr. Happy) tell Nick that she didn't do it. When her life is threatened, his gut (and his Mr. Happy) have confirmation.

Augusta has a traumatic past, and married her best friend for emotional security. Then Drew confesses to an affair and Augusta realizes that their passionless marriage isn't terribly fair to either of them. She wants the divorce, and while Drew doesn't, he's agreed to give it to her. There's oodles of money involved, and naturally Augusta (who is still Mrs. Langan) stands to benefit. Cops tend to follow the money, as does the press. Life becomes Hell rather quickly. Which means relying on the one person who actually thinks she didn't kill her best friend - none other than Detective Nick Markov.

This is a pretty good debut novel, and the author certainly opens it up with a bang. I was immediately intrigued by the suspense angle, and was curious about who wanted Drew dead enough to kill him in such a gruesome fashion. Unfortunately, the romance didn't work as well for me, namely because by page 50 Nick and Augusta are making out like two horny teenagers in his car. He's a cop. She's a suspect. He's shoving his tongue down her throat before he has any "proof" (other than "his gut" and Mr. Happy) that she didn't hire someone to toss her soon-to-be-ex off his penthouse balcony. Then before we get to page 70 he's practically molesting her in a police interrogation room.

Is it hot stuff? Damn skippy! Terribly believable? Hell no.

I also found the timeline a bit problematic. We're talking about a week, and within that time Augusta (remember, traumatized past) decides to chuck her birth control and get down to the business of procreating. She tells Nick, who is all for the idea. I have a hard time believing a woman with Augusta's past would happily think of becoming a baby-making factory after knowing a guy for a week - but hey, that's me.

But the romance isn't an entire wash - there is the chemistry. While Nick and Augusta have a tendency to bicker early on, once they're past that the sex practically sends the pages up in smoke. Even as a reader who wasn't convinced of their twu-wuv, I totally got the lust. Hot dog!

It's the suspense that's really interesting here, but frankly it's hard to remain disinterested with such an imaginative opening chapter. Suspense relies heavily on "hooks." You've got to have a crime that will "grab" the reader or what's the point in reading the whole story? And that's why I kept reading. Even though the romance left me lukewarm, I had to know who killed Drew Langan and why they threw him off his balcony. But I'm a morbid girl by nature.

I found some of the transitions in the writing a bit awkward, but I suspect it was more due to the formatting than the author. I read a print edition from Cerridwen Press (it's also available as an ebook) and they didn't clearly mark page/paragraph breaks when the focus in the story shifted. Suspense stories often employ head-hopping, as Bruce does here, and the style can work, but the publisher really needs to toss in those page breaks. Just saying.

Final Verdict? Good suspense, so-so romance. Final Grade = B-