Customer Reviews

Everlasting Bad Boys

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Paranormal Bad Boys yum, well two are dark, dangerous and yummy and one is light (literally) and perky.

Shelley Laurenston continues her flames and chains streak with another Dragon story "Can't Get Enough". This time it is Ailean the Wicked (AKA Ailean the Bold, Ailean the Killer) a powerful warrior dragon who lately has bcome better known for his conquests in the bedrooms of human females and has added Ailean the Whore to his list of monikers. When a naked flight from one of those bedrooms with an angry father and local guardsmen in hot pursuit leads Ailean to the studious Shalin the Innocent, he can't help but steal a kiss that seals both their fates. --- I really liked the first half of the story. Ailean's relationship with Shalin is steamy but Laurenston connects them out of the bedroom too so it is easy to see why Ailean is so smitten with Shalin. And I was really enjoying Shalin, who was a much different heroine from Laurenston's norm, until Shalin goes psycho on Ailean. This was so out of character for Shalin that I didn't quite get back to my previous level of enjoyment with the `new' Shalin who finished out the story. This is the third of Laurentson's dragon shorts out this month -- she's reissuing these previously epublished Dragon Kin stories (the leads' crazy dragon siblings are a fun part of these stories). Ailean's son and grandson have their stories in Dragon Actually (Dragon Kin, Book 1) published as Laurenston's alter ego G.I Aiken. The reissue of the very hard to find cheaply The Distressing Damsel: Book 2 of the Dragon Kin is coming later in the year as About A Dragon (Dragon Kin, Book 2).

Cynthia Eden's story "Spellbound" is a paranormal quickie. Witch Selena summons Luis - demon soul-hunter and death dealer to wayward paranormals- hoping that he can save her and her coven from being the next victims of a Warlock who plans on killing the witches to steal their powers. -- Both Selena and demon Luis were interesting characters and I would have liked to have seen them in a longer story so that they, and their relationship, could have been fleshed out a bit more. Instead we get a couple lustful hookups that voila' turn into a soul connection.

The last story "Turn Me On" by Noelle Mack was just strange, and also oddly paced with huge jumps in time between the chapters. The hero Justin was light energy somehow embodied in a gorgeous wrapper and he was exceedingly perky. I didn't find the relationship between him and the heroine Beth very engaging, I thought it lost its focus once they consummated their relationship and he revealed his secret. I ended up skimming through the last half of the story.

So two pretty good stories but I thought that Laurenston and Eden's last shifter collaboration When He Was Bad was much better.

This collection of short stories contains three very different tales, each with their own charm.

'Can't Get Enough' by Shelly Laurenston follows the playboy dragon Ailean who's always getting in trouble, usually at the hands of a woman. When he has to take responsibility for Shalin the Innocent, a quiet dragoness, he discovers that there's more to Shalin than the other dragons think. As he teaches her how to live with humans, and that horses and puppies aren't dragon food but are pets, he begins to discover what's important and what's worth fighting over. This story was the longest of the three, taking up about half the book, and although original in its ideas I found it slightly lacking in other ways, but it was a decent read.

'Spellbound' by Cynthia Eden had a storyline which was slightly familiar but still enjoyable. Serena is a witch and in order to protect her coven from a warlock who is attempting to bind them decides to summon a special kind of demon, a cazalone, who is extremely powerful and can hopefully defeat the warlock. Unfortunately the demon that she summons, Luis D'Amil, isn't too keen about being wrenched from another job - and he's less keen when he realises how attracted he is to Serena. The two have to work together to track down the Warlock - but Serena's opinions of assassins like the Soul-Hunter might begin to change. This was a good read with both hero and heroine being well written and with good pacing.

'Turn Me On' by Noelle Mack was the shortest of the three stories and, although enjoyable, I found the pacing a bit odd. Beth Danforth goes for a job interview at SpectraSign and finds the new CEO, Justin Watts, a very attractive man. However when their working relationship moves to something more personal she finds out Justin's not quite what she originally thought. Can a being of light and a human woman be together without some of his energy rubbing off on her? This story moved in odd leaps occasionally where a couple of weeks had suddenly passed, and it wasn't very easy to get to grips with how Beth thought. Justin was written in a rather childlike manner and I felt some disbelief that he could be a successful CEO. I also felt the ending didn't entirely wrap things up as I wasn't too sure about the resolution of some of Beth's issues. Still, this story was a reasonable read and an original plotline.

Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008

Everlasting Bad Boys by Shelly Laurenston, Cynthia Eden, and Noelle Mack

Everlasting Bad Boys is a winner from word one! I don't often splurge on anthologies but I couldn't resist this trio of sexy paranormal stories and I'm so glad I didn't!

Shelly Laurenston-Can't Get Enough

When dragon Ailian the Wicked suddenly bursts unexpectedly into Shalin the Innocent's life again, neither of them expected the flames of passion that grip them. Although attracted to each other earlier in life, they never managed to get together. Now they needed to forgive the past and figure out how to survive the present. Enemies abound and Ailian will protect Shalin at all costs. If he can show her a good time while doing it, well who can complain. Watch the sparks fly between Shalin and Ailian. You won't be sorry!

Cynthia Eden-Spellbound

Witch Serena Tyme needs help finding and destroying the warlock that is stalking her and her coven. But who in their right mind would call a merciless soul-hunter! But that is exactly what Serena does, but what price will she have to pay to keep herself and her coven safe. No matter the cost, Serena needs Luis D'Amil's help in finding the warlock and destroying him. But since Luis is a tall, dark and sexy as hell assassin, maybe the cost won't be so bad after all. Definitely a wonderful read!

Noelle Mack-Turn Me On

Beth Danforth needs a new job and when she interviews with sexy Justin Watts, CEO of Spectasigns, she thinks she has finally found her niche. Immediately drawn to the warm and charming Justin, Beth is shocked to find that he is more than he seems. A man, literally of pure light, he brings some bright and dazzling changes into her world. Can two such different beings make it as a couple? Find out in this engaging story.

Authors shelly Laurenston, Cynthia Eden and Noelle Mack pull us into their vibrant stories of dragons, witches and other paranormal beings and I can honestly say I hated for each and every story to end. I will definitely be looking for more of these wonderful writers books!

5 Stars for Can't Get Enough - Shelly Laurenston
I absolutely love the humor and writing style of Shelly Laurenston. This is a wonderful addition to the Dragon Kin series. Shalin was the perfect balance of smart, strong, forgiving and stubborn. Ailean was... a really good bad boy. I loved him and his family with their can do attituide no matter how grim the situation may appear.

5 Stars for Spellbound - Cynthia Eden
This is the first I have read of this author and it will not be the last. Well written story that moved fast. A lot was squeezed into this short story and yet it could have been a full book, I almost wish it was. The sex sizzled and the chemistry between Serena and Luis came across rather well. I will definitely be looking for more of her books.

1 Star for Turn Me On - Noelle Mack
Yet another new author for me and I was not impressed. I didn't care for the characters or the story. The story was written from Beth's POV, lacked purpose and just fizzled. Justin was not a bad boy, he was more like a little boy. I had a hard time not skimming over the pages.

CAN'T GET ENOUGH by Shelly Laurenston
Ailean the Wicked has earned himself a myriad of nicknames over the course of his lifetime. His fighting skills and success with females have garnered him attention that he never desired. The most troubling of all is Princess Adienna's obsession with him. She's taken her rage over Ailean's disinterest in her out on the one female who does hold his affection - Shalin the Innocent. It's going to take every skill in Ailean's dragon arsenal to save his dragoness but he's going to discover that Shalin is neither `innocent' nor appreciative.

Ms. Laurenston had me laughing out loud through much of this story. These characters are absolutely a riot and I couldn't help but adore them. Shalin's a fireball with an attitude that equals Ailean's. He may have a reputation for being wicked but she's just as wicked - just far more `innocent' appearing which results in some hysterical scenes.


SPELLBOUND by Cynthia Eden
Serena Tyme will do anything to save her coven from the warlock who's marking the witches. That's why she's chosen to summon a soul-hunter. Luis D'Amil isn't happy about being yanked from his normal existence but he can't deny that having Serena indebted to him is extremely appealing. Will Luis be able to catch the warlock before he marks Serena a third time and binds her to him? During the course of their time together Serena and Luis share an unforgettable passion - what will happen when it's time for him to return to his `normal' life?

Ms. Eden delivers a tale full of passion, magic and a bit of suspense that keeps readers eagerly turning pages awaiting each new scene. Serena's sensuality and fear of the warlock play a pivotal role throughout this story. Luis may live forever but he's lonely and that becomes glaringly obvious as you read. At first `glance' Luis and Serena don't appear to be a likely couple but by the time I finished reading I couldn't help but think that they're perfect for each other.


TURN ME ON by Noelle Mack
Beth Danforth has finally found a job that she loves working with SpectraSign. The best part of the job is her employer Justin Watts. Beth can't help but find herself incredibly turned on by the dynamic man. What she doesn't realize is that Justin is literally made of light - that is until they share a heated sexual encounter and she wakes up to find him radiating light. How on earth will Justin explain about his unique abilities so that Beth doesn't bolt?

Ms. Mack's truly stunned me with this tale. I'd never considered light or any of the other elements as having a `life of their own' but TURN ME ON gave me a new perspective. Beth's willingness to accept Justin's oddity fascinated me and Justin's adoration of her really charmed me. I loved the unique way Justin gets himself into trouble and who he has to `call' for help.


The EVERLASTING BAD BOYS anthology continues Brava's fine tradition of presenting readers with the bad boys we can't resist. Shelly Laurenston, Cynthia Eden and Noelle Mack delve into the unusual and tempt us with stories that capture the imagination. Each story is full of passion, laughter, and enough wonder that I found it very easy to `slip' into each story and become a part of it rather than a bystander. EVERLASTING BAD BOYS is a wonderful addition to the BAD BOYS line and I'm very happy to add my copy to my keeper shelf.

Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies)

This is an excellent book, well worth the money paid for it. I read anything by Shelly Laurenston and Cynthia Eden and can't wait for their next books. I had not read anything by Noelle Mack before but found this story very good. If you do not like sex and paranormal themes do not buy the book and complain about it later. I highly recommend anything by these two authors.

I bought this book for the Cynthia Eden book, but they all were pretty good. The only one I wasn't crazy for was the last one.

Now this was what I was looking for--tall, dark and handsome bad boys who just know how to treat their women right. And that's what I got. Lots of hot, sexy stories abound in this really delicious anthology. I can't wait to read more bad boys!

I didn't even know the story "Can't get enough" by Shelly Laurenston existed till I was poking around her web site and found the list of all the Dragon Kin books (they are under the name G. A. Aiken). I love those dragons and anything to do with their family and kin.

Not finding it in any book stores, (till *after* I ordered it) I ordered it when I was out of town and it was here when I came home. I bought one of the used/new/"like new" ones and it is in good condition, a ding on the top of the spine and bit of a tare in one of the pages is what I've seen. Bout as good as if I bought it in the huge used book mine store I love.

Shelly Laurenston - Can't Get Enough 5 ½ stars

I love all of Laurenston books and she never disappoints. This tale was just a fabulous as her last books.

Ailian the Wicked, or Ailian The Whore or Ailian The Beautiful as he is known by many comes across Shalin the Innocent, a dragones that he has known and desired for a long time. Because of Royal machinations, both Ailian and Shalin have not been able to get together. Now, the jealousy of Princess Adianna, has prompted her to sell Shalin to the Lighting dragons of the North.

When Ailian finds out of Shalin's danger he feels responsible to save her as he desires her and wants no other to have her. The chemistry between Ailian and Shalin is off the charts. They relentlessly are attracted to each other and finally they succumb to their heated passions. But the sparks fly as Ailian's whole family promotes their union but Shalin doesn't want to be mated with an arrogant dragon who although is the sexiest specimen she has ever seen, he is too big and pig headed for his own good.

I loved this story! It was by far my favorite. Ailian's Clan is hilarious, uproarious, loud, constantly arguing - you will laugh out loud at the repartee - and at Shalin's frustration and their constant chatter. In the manner true to Laurenston's style she has created another memorable super sexy, and very steamy novel that will have you enthralled from the very first page!

Cynthia Eden-Spellbound - 5 stars

With her coven being threatened by a powerful warlock trying o destroy every witch, Serena Tyme summons a cazador - a soul hunter that is the only one with enough power to destroy the evil warlock wanting to kill her. Luis D'amil is pissed as hell at being so rudely summoned - even if the witch that asking for his help makes his blood boil and hot and bothered like never before.

Luis agrees to help Serena and though he thinks that hot and heavy sex will do the trick, he can't understand why he feels so protective of her and wants no harm to befall her. Luis has demanded Serena's complete surrender, she knows that she is falling for the sexy cazador - no matter how ruthless he may be. This was a great read, though it was short - it was full of emotion and action. Sexy and steamy - this was a wonderful story.

Noelle Mack - Turn Me On 3 stars

I read this story first and for some reason I found it lacking. Beth and Justin were likeable enough but the story was thin and it had little emotional appeal. I found the characters flat and though their sexual interludes were sexy - I just couldn't get past the lack of three dimensional characterization in the story. Her other books have been way better.

Even though the last story was a bit weak - the first two novels more than make up for the it. It was a wonderful anthology - one I highly recommend!