Customer Reviews

Born to Be BAD (B.A.D.: Bureau of American Defense)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

If I understand correctly, some of the stories in this anthology were previously published in other anthologies, but since I've only recently "discovered" (read: finally caved in to friends' recommendations) Sherrilyn Kenyon's books, that wasn't a problem. I've also only read a couple of the Dark Hunter books so far, so I didn't have any preconceptions in that direction either.

The stories are loosely connected, all about agents of BAD (Bureau of American Defense, an ultra-secret agency).

In "One BAD Night," our heroine is sent to capture our hero, who has apparently gone over to the other side. She's been torn between disapproving of, and being attracted to him, so she takes the opportunity to torment him a little. Fun and games is over, though, when the terrorists catch up to them.

"BAD to the Bone," the second story, has our heroine winning a fantasy vacation--a trip to an island where she'll act out her favorite romance novel. It's a little boring... until she stumbles across our hero, a BAD agent recuperating on the other side of the island, who kidnaps her and gives her the fantasy of a lifetime.

In "Captivated by You," two BAD agents are going undercover to catch a drug lord. She has to pose as a dominatrix, and he is tasked with helping her train for the role... much to their mutual delight, as both of them have been secretly attracted to each other for a while.

The Good:
The humor. Much of it derives from the James-Bond-like, over-the-top tone. You can read the stories seriously, but they lose some of their charm that way.
The pacing. These stories are fast-moving and exciting, and since they're novellas, that makes them go even faster. They all feel complete, though, and not rushed or curtailed.
The characters. Although the novella form doesn't allow for much in-depth characterization, the characters are vividly realistic. I particularly liked the depiction of the loneliness of living undercover.

The Bad:
It is over-the-top. If you're looking for more realistic romantic suspense, this isn't it.
Some (all?) of the novellas have been published elsewhere. Make sure you check before buying.
The sensuality is self-conscious in spots. Most of the sex scenes are good, but I wouldn't buy this for the sensuality alone.

The Verdict:
The first story is the most emotional, the second the funniest, and the third the sexiest. All three are vastly entertaining, particularly if you're a fan of James Bond, or movies like American Dreamer (I'm both.). I intend to catch up with more BAD stories.

I am a fan of Sherrilyn Kenyon's writings, but this book was just soft-core porn, and not even erotic porn! I was so disappointed while reading these three short stories. Really, I can enjoy a good (or bad) sexy Dark Hunter with everyone else, but reading about these uninspiring heroines and their sexual (but not at all sexy) encounters was just sad.
I really thought the worst thing she had written prior to this was Vane Kattalakis humping Bride McTierney in Night Play, which to me read just like a National Geographic desription of how dogs have sex. Now she's just fallen into bad role-playing. I would not recommend this book to a Kenyon fan.

Ms. Kenyon is an automatic buy for me. Her name is on the cover I'm buying the book! This is a fun set of stories but only one is "new" as in never before being published. The two other stories have been previously published in two other anthologies with other authors. So a benefit is having all three B.A.D. stories in one book!!! Downside, this was pretty much a re-read for me when I wanted fresh.

"One Bad Night" features Jason Banks, one bad agent of B.A.D. who plays by his own rules. Samantha has been sent to bring him in because they think he has gone rogue. But when they are both double crossed and the truth comes out these two are both the winners.

"BAD to the Bone" features Marianne who has won a trip to a fantasy hide-a-way where she gets to play the part of a heroine in a romance story. But dreams become a reality when she is paired off with B.A.D. agent Kyle Foster. This bad boy kidnapps her and brings all of her fantasy to life...which, brings all of his to life...

"Captivated by You" is Rhea's story. She has gone undercover as a dominatrix in order to capture a deadly terrorist. She is sent in with a former agent named "Ace" who has set her blood to boil in many ways. But what will happen when acting becomes reality? Will these two finally hook up like they've always wanted to?

Ms. Kenyon has a great imagination and she has brought that to her new series. Fan's of the Dark Hunter novels will have to switch gears but Ms. Kenyon's trademark "bad boys" and sensuality are plenty evident. I look forward to her next effort in this series which is a full length read! Yeah!!! Ms. Kenyon though has managed to give her loyal fans something to read while we wait for her next effort.

Official Reviewer for Romance Designs

"One Bad Night". The Bureau of American Defense (B.A.D.) has assigned Agent Samantha Winslow to rectify the Road Runner problem as Jason Banks betrayed them by giving another agent's name to terrorists. In Berlin, Sam shoots and abducts Jason to interrogate him. Though she hates him, she also finds herself attracted to the traitor.

"Bad to the Bone". Thirty year old high school teacher Marianne Webernec dreams of being tall, thin, and terrific, but knows she is average. However, she looks forward to playing out her favorite romantic fantasy at a "sex camp". Instead of pretend, Marianne finds herself underneath and in other positions with real life B.A.D. espionage agent Kyle Foster as she is on the wrong side of the vacation island, but the right side of her lover.

"Captivated by You". To capture a terrorist B.A.D. Agent Rhea Stevenson is preparing for an undercover assignment as a dominatrix. Training with her for her role is Agent "Ace" Krux, who she has secretly desired. As they rehearse, passion flows between them.

These three good B.A.D. novellas are tongue in cheek (literally perhaps more so than figuratively) erotic romantic suspense tales with "One Bad Night" being new; the other two were in relatively recent anthologies. The B.A.D. collection is fun for Ms. Kenyon's fans, but not on a par with the author's Dark Hunter fantasies.

Harriet Klausner

I have read most of what this author has published. I like all of her books, some more than others. I have my own favorites that I love, which is most of them.
This is the start of a new series, so no dark hunters or hunters of any kind. I thought that they were too short. The first story espically, I did not see the end comming at all, so when I turned the page it was like thats it? Where is the rest of the story. It was like runing into a brick wall. I thought all three stories were ok, I just know that each and every one of them could have been way better. There were not enough details, not enough development, not enough history. There was just alot that was missing. Im gonna take it like it is a fluke because they are short stories.
I honestly thought that I would love everything she wrote, so I was disapointed to find that I didnt really care for the book once I was done reading it. I have never been disapointed by this author yet, so even the small disapointment is hard to take in.
I am still a faithful reader and have all the confidence that the novels will be much better. If only for the fact they are longer and a lot more detailed.
If you are planing to read the new series, I would get it and read it anyway, no matter the reviews. Like it or not, it is the start down a new road. You dont want to miss the first three stories lacking or not. And while they are lacking and could have been better, i still enjoyed reading the book, I thought it was still pretty good, just that it could have been much better.
So, I would recommend this book to Sherrilyn Kenyon readers, the faithful ones. Dont know about anyone else.

Sherrilyn Kenyon is great as always. She can take a hoaky situation and make it a good sizzling read. I never miss one of her books, and Amazon is the place to get them!

I had hoped for better since I have been a fan of the Dark-Hunter series. Unfortunately, I didn't get too far in this one. It is highly unusual for me to stop reading a book regardless of how bad it is, but I managed with this one. The Bad series reads like fast money for it's author.

Another fun read from Sherrilyn Kenyon. All the Men have hearts of gold under rough exteriors and all the women are adored by them. What more could you want? The scenes between the couples are very sexy and very funny! Sure there's a little bondange, but what's a little bondage among friends?

I LOVE Sherrilyn Kenyon's books! I buy her books just because her name is on the cover. However I feel it is bad form to sell a "new" anthology of short stories that contain two of the 3 stories that have been published in other ***VERY RECENT*** romance anthologies. Next time I will check the contents *before* I spend almost $8.00 for one of her books.

This steamy book has three novellas by author Sherrilyn Kenyon. BAD is the Bureau of American Defense, a group of agents who are trained to fight the enemy in any way they have to. But, there's time for war, and there's time for love...

I have never read any of Ms. Kenyon's books before, so I didn't know what to expect. Well, I was not disappointed! "One BAD Night" tells the story of Agent Samantha Winslow's capture of rogue agent Jason Bank, a man she finds strangely attractive. (It rather seems like the prequel to the movie Undercover Blues!) In "BAD to the Bone," agent Kyle Foster is on enforced leave, but when he meets Marianne Webernec, he must find a way to her heart. And finally, in "Captivated by You," Agent Rhea Stevenson must train to go undercover as a dominatrix, but little does she realize just where her training will take her.

These are three great stories, with hot and steamy sex scenes, and lots of love. I highly recommend this book to everyone!

(Review of Born to Be BAD by Sherrilyn Kenyon)