Customer Reviews

Hot And Bothered: Four Steamy Tales of Love and Seductionthat Will Leave You...

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

 

 

Writing a novella is an art form all its own, and one I think is more difficult and demanding than writing a novel. In a novel, an author has time to develop characters and plot -- to make the characters and the developing relationship between them believable. In a novella, the author somehow has to establish decent characters and a believable romantic conclusion in a much shorter time.

This particular novella compilation is of somewhat uneven quality, with an exceptional story balancing out two average and one not-so-good.

"Luring Lucy" is definitely the best of the bunch, with a believable romantic plotline and an incredibly erotic tone. Lori Foster is one of the best at creating indelible erotic images, and "Lucy" is definitely one of her better stories. Both characters were very well-developed and seemed very real to me. I especially appreciated that Lucy was a very -real- sort of person, with insecurities about her 40-year old body (the "bulges" that come with age and child-bearing). I loved it that Bram appreciated her so much for all of who she was, not just for how she looked.

"Truth or Dare" is a decent novella, with good characterization. Sometimes the writing was a little tough to follow, and I wondered about some of her descriptions. But, decent hero, decent heroine, and the mystery was cool (with an unexpected ending).

"Compromised" was by far the weakest story of the four. The hero is actually wonderful and rather sweet, but the heroine is a spoiled brat, and there was no real romantic development between the two at all. The whole thing felt rather forced.

I really appreciated the heroine in "Treading Dangerous Waters" because she was Latino, and it was cool to read about her. Unfortunately, although the plot was cute, the relationship seemed forced and completely based on sex, and the hero's proposal of marriage seemed totally unrealistic. Good writing, though, and hot hot chemistry.

All in all, this was an uneven mix, with some very good stories and some I almost skimmed through, wanting to get them over with. However, this anthology is almost worth it solely for the Foster story.

"Luring Lucy" by Lori Foster. Four years ago, Lucy caught her husband in bed with another woman. Following the divorce, she swore off males, but now wants a brief fling to satiate her hormones. Long term friend Bram plans to be that man except with one change in her definitions, brief in his mind means lifetime.

"Truth or Dare" by Laura Bradley. In Texas, Shay goes undercover pretending to be a reporter in order to learn who killed the bullriders. To her chagrin she begins to fall in love with the prime suspect.

"Compromised" by Gayle Callen. In 1589 London, Lady Elizabeth meets John in a party. They are caught in an uncompromising position in the nearby garden and forced to wed. Stunned that she finds this country bumpkin attractive, Elizabeth wonders if he loves her too?

"Treading Dangerous Waters" by Victoria Marquez. Sofita wants Aunt Lucita to wed Daniel, but his son James opposes the marriage. Sofita plans to distract James with her feminine wiles so the older couple can marry in peace and harmony. However, she never expected to want to join her aunt in holy matrimony with the sexy James as her lifetime lover.

The four tales are quite different occurring in radically diverse settings. Yet each contains a sexy hunk, a gorgeous female protagonist, tons of torrid passion, and entertaining plots that are well written. HOT AND BOTHERED lives up to its title as each contribution seduces the reader.

Harriet Klausner

I purchased the anthology, Hot and Bothered, to enjoy the latest novella by one of my favorite authors: Lori Foster. In the process, I was introduced to three writers I might have overlooked otherwise. The four stories have something for everyone -- whether you're into sexy contemporaries, cowboy mysteries, Regency era historicals, or multi-cultural romances.

Lori's story, "Luring Lucy," is very erotic and more than lives up to the anthology's title. Understanding that the length of a novella limits the author's ability to develop the hero and heroine's (H&H) relationship over time, Lori wisely creates an H&H who have known each other for most of their adult life. They already have a deep affection and friendship, which makes the consumation of their long-denied but mutual sexual attraction very compelling. This novella alone makes the anthology worth purchasing. I would rate this story 5 stars.

Laura Bradley's "Truth or Dare" romantic suspense novella has a very appealing hero (a rodeo bullrider) who is "saved" literally and figuratively by the strong heroine (a private investigator). If this had been a full-length book versus a novella, there would have been more time to develop the H&H relationship. I still enjoyed the story and would give it 4 stars.

Gayle Callen's Regency era historical romance story, "Compromised," seems out-of-place in this anthology, which appears to be targeted to fans of sexy contemporaries. Possibly that is why the heroine appears weak and is sometimes unsympathetic in the eyes of readers who expect more from their heroines. I would give this novella 3 stars.

Victoria Marquez' "Treading Dangerous Waters" also suffered some from having to condense a new H&H relationship into a couple of days. However, I enjoyed the multi-cultural aspect of the story and liked both the Irish-American hero and the Latino-American heroine. I give this story 4 stars.

Hot and Bothered is the title of the newest anthology to hit the bookshelves. It promises a steamy tale of love and seduction by four different authors. After reading it, I can vouch that a couple of the stories are definite scorchers.
First up is Luring Lucy by Lori Foster. I must admit I am a big fan of hers. Reading this story did not disappoint me. The hero, Bram and the heroine, Lucy have known one another for years. When he finds out she is going to a cabin looking for a fling to ward off bad memories, he wants to be the one she has the fling with...and he wants it to last forever. In reading about Bram and Lucy, I envied Lucy. Bram is a lusty guy, but a considerate friend and lover. Warning: this is what is meant by the title Hot and Bothered. You will need to cool yourself down after reading this. Very enjoyable story. Just too bad it was not longer.

Truth or Dare by Laura Bradley is the second story. The heroine, Shay, is a P.I. hired to investigate suspicious accidents involving bullriders. Luke is the sexy hero who is a bullrider, who is also a suspect. I am not one to read stories involving the rodeo, but the author did a good job of developing the story, including the sexual tension between the couple. Another enjoyable story.

The third story, Compromised by Gayle Callen seemed out of place in this anthology. I never really got into the story. While the other three stories took place in modern times, this story did not. The basis of the story is that the couple did not know one another and got caught kissing. Her father forced them to marry. The rest of the story centered on them getting to know one another. Considering the other stories were different in depicting the hero and heroine and the settings, this story seemed old fashioned. I did not enjoy it.

Treading Dangerous Waters by Victoria Marquez was the final story. It started out all right, but I could never detect much sexual tension between the hero, James, and the heroine, Sofia. I felt the story seemed stilted at times and the couple had no spark. The couple spent little time together getting to know one another, but we were expected to believe that two people who can be described as "cautious" could almost instantly fall in love. I did not dislike the story, but felt the premises could have been dealt with better.
I would give the first two stories a rating of "5", the third one a "2" and the last one a "3". Based upon the first two stories alone, this anthology is worth buying.

Luring Lucy by Lori Foster*****
Bram is Lucy's deceased husband best friend and once he figures out Lucy wants to have a fling before her 40th birthday, he decides it's finally time to let her know how he really feels. Hot and steamy contemporary romance, the anticipation will keep you turning the pages until you finish this one.

Truth or Dare by Laura Bradley****
Shay McIntyre is pretending to be a reporter so she can snuff out a killer. Bull rider Luke Wilder is as stubborn as they come and determined to prove to his family that he is not worthless. These two challenge each other constantly to win by betting and playing truth or dare. This is a good contemporary romance story however it shouldn't follow Lori Foster's story.

Compromised by Gayle Callen***
John Mallory is 5 days away from his Yorkshire home looking for a bride. Lady Elizabeth Stanwood wants to marry Lord Wyndham and decides to use this strange newcomer in order to make Lord Wyndham jealous. After boldly approaching John she allows him to escort her outside into the garden where things get a little heated. Well, little did she know, someone saw her leave and her disheveled appearance when she returned. John is summoned by her father early the next morning and agrees to marry her in order to save her reputation. Elizabeth is not happy about being forced to marry a stranger with no money or title. This story is funny at times but it was unrealistic for this couple to fall in love. John wanted a wife to work by his side and Elizabeth wanted a farthingale with servants. Typical historical romance however couple never seemed to really bond-this anthology seems to be going downhill.

Treading Dangerous Waters by Victoria Marquez*****
Whoa, wait a minute; this one is definitely worth hanging in there for.
Daniel Connor is in love and getting ready to get married, again. James, his son knows his Dad is up to something because he's avoiding him and doesn't return his calls. He decides to confront his dad at his favorite Saturday night hangout and watches "the brazen little fortune hunter" with the "tantalizing derriere" affectionately squeeze his Dad's arm and sidle up to him. After being informed of his dads' plan for a two-week cruise complete with his lady friend, a family member and possibly a marriage ceremony, he puts his skills as a divorce attorney to work to immediately breakup this engagement. But, what is the world is he going to do about his instant attraction to his alleged future stepmother, Sofia. This is an excellent contemporary romance. Sofia is no pushover, she's been bossed around too long and refuses to let the "too brutally handsome barracuda lawyer" ruin this wedding.

In "Luring Lucy" by Lori Foster, Bram Giles knew the instant Lucy decided to have an affair. And he was determined that the widow of his best friend would not have that affair with anyone but him. He thought thirty-nine-year-old Lucy with the extra padding on her hips and waist after having had two children was just about the sexiest woman he had ever seen. After looking after her and the kids all the years since David's untimely death, he'd be damned if he was going to let her give away her "virginity" to somebody else! For all those ladies out there past your twenties, this is a story that will stir your heart ... Lori Foster has put into this short story all the dreams (and fears) of every woman who no longer has that "perfect figure" and fantasizes on meeting that one sexy lover of her dreams. In "Truth or Dare" by Laura Bradley Shay McIntyre stood staring at the magnificent specimen in front of her, a bull rider. When it came to a devil-may-care attitude, Luke Wilder was the worst of the lot. He took chances and rode bulls that no one else in their right mind would go anywhere near. But that's what made him a champion and one of the sexiest men Shay had ever met. She was at the rodeo on official business, undercover as a magazine writer, to find out who was behind the mysterious "accidents" that were plaguing the rodeo circuit. And, unfortunately, at the moment Luke Wilder was her number one suspect. In "Compromised" by Gayle Callen when Lady Elizabeth Stanwood decided she would find someone suitable to flirt with, she never imagined the consequences that would follow. She only wanted to make Lord Wyndham jealous. So when the gentleman in the outdated country clothes arrived at their home on the night of the ball, Elizabeth knew she had found the right man and innocently proceeded to ply him with kisses out in the garden. John Malory, country baron, wondered why the delectable young lady was willing to go into the garden alone with him, but since he had ventured into London specifically to find himself a bride, he figured he would go along with whatever she wanted. In "Treading Dangerous Waters" by Victoria Marquez, Sofia Sandoval knew favorite aunt was up to something when asked her if she wanted to go on an all expenses paid two-week cruise whereby the only hitch was that she had to keep this certain barracuda of a lawyer "occupied" while on the cruise so that he didn't bother Tia Lucita. When Sofia first met James, she knew immediately that he didn't like her. When she realized that James was under the impression that she was the one marrying his dad, Sofia figured the easiest way to keep him out of her aunt's and his dad's hair until they were married was to let him keep thinking that misconception.

Hot and Bothered is an anthology featuring the increasingly popular Lori Foster, with Laura Bradley, Victoria Marquez and Gayle Callen. Lucy goes to her cabin to find someone to have an affair with and Bram rushes there to make sure that someone is him. Bram, although he was her late husbands' best friend, has been in love with Lucy for years. This story alone is worth the price of the anthology. Lucy and Bram are different from the normal heros/heroines in that they are both older then the average couple. Lucy is a mother of teenagers and is selfconcious of her body, but Bram sees none of that. She is shocked to find out that she has been the source of his fantasies for years and he intends to act each one out. Truth or Dare by Laura Bradley is about a female private investigator who is hired to find out who is killing the bullriders. She soon finds he attracted to one of the main suspects. This one was my second favorite, it was hot and the characters were all likeable. You will be surprised to find out who is doing the killing. In Compromised, a young woman is forced to marry after being caught in a compromising situation. I wanted to slap the heroine in this story. She was spoiled rotten and whined way too much. If I were the heroine, I would have dropped her off at the nearest house and divorced her as soon as possible.

- "Luring Lucy" by Lori Foster
(My favourite!) Lucy was the woman who had driven Bram crazy for more years than any man should suffer. According to Bram, at 39, Lucy was one sexy-as-sin woman, all lush curves and mature angles, but Lucy thought she was lumpy and fat, average at best. She couldn't believe that Bram, who had a wide, hard chest with clearly defined muscles that could make a female of any age hungry, could be interested in her. Not when her own husband had preferred a younger woman, and had cheated on her.

It's a pity it's just a short story, the characters deserved a whole book.

- "Truth or Dare" by Laura Bradley
P.I. Shay McIntyre goes undercover as a reporter to find out who is behind the suspicious deaths of two bullriders, and finds herself playing a wicked game of truth or dare with Luke Wilder.

- "Compromised" by Gayle Callen
Lady Elizabeth Stanwood only wanted to make Lord Wyndham jealous. She never expected to be compromised or marry a man whose affections she does not seem to welcome.

- "Treading Dangerous Waters" by Victoria Marquez
Sofia's plans to relax on a cruise are ruined when she meets James, her aunt's future son-in-law, who will try to stop his father's wedding one way or another.

Hot and Bothered promises a steamy escapade with four stories and by Lori Foster's Luring Lucy alone - the sensuality is overwhelming and the accolades justified. Ms. Foster's writing at creating sexual tensions is impeccable - she weaves a tale of Bram seducing his best friend Lucy who is widowed after her philandering huband is killed in a car crash. The story is simple yet deliciously scandalous when the graphic sex scenes makes you breathless. The other story that matches the sizzle is Victoria Marquez's Treading Dangerous Water - which intoxicates with a multiracial romance where James Conner is keen on seducing Sofia, whom he thought is the intended for his Dad. To prevent him from being bewitched and plundered of his wealth, he romanced Sofia only to find the innocent Latina capturiing his heart. "Compromised" by Gayle Callen feels out of place juxtaposed with the contemporary and the heroine Elizabeth is forced into marriage with a baron John when caught in a most scandalized position. There is sizzle but it is essentially hearttugging and a revelation on how love changes everything even the most stubborn of minds. Lastly the story from Laura Bradley tells of Shay McIntyre as an undercover assigned on a mission to uncover the deaths of two prized bullfighters, and she falls in love with Luke Wilder - who is the prime suspect.

Hot and Bothered lives up to its name - an anthology that is smoldering hot enough to tempt you to grab it with the naughty cover. It provides a good night read to keep you up with kinky dreams of Prince Charming. Recommeded anthology.

The only reason why I got this book was because of Lori Foster. They started her off with the first novella, but then followed up with three authors. I thought they would at least put authors in of her caliber, which I thought they didn't. The rest of the novellas were "just okay" in my opinion, and the level of the story as well as the sensualness went down with each story.