I recently read three eBook short stories by a new (to me) author, Cassidy Kent: Dear John, What Lies in Winter, and Raleigh in Rio.  Since these were three short stories, I thought I’d do three short reviews.  All three books are available now from the publishers listed below.

First a note about Cassidy Kent’s writing style – it’s smooth and tight.  She has a very fluid style that takes you easily from one arc to the next and doesn’t lose you when discussing the character’s mindsets; her characters are all very different and remain true to their personalities.  AND, more importantly, she avoids Romance Author Style Guide phrases (you know the ones I’m talking about).  I found myself enjoying her writing immensely and will be looking for her longer works.

You can find Dear John and What Lies in Winter in her anthology, One Wicked Winter.

Now to the reviews:

Dear John by Cassidy Kent
Published by Amber Heat (Amber Quill)

This story is set in Pittsburgh (a very pretty city with some bittersweet memories for me) and is about teenage sweethearts who are torn apart and meet again 10-years later.  After some mildly predictable misunderstandings, they manage to get back together for their HEA.

Here’s the book blurb (almost as long as the story!):

Dane Harley grew up on the wrong side of the tracks, a foster kid with no true home and no direction. In her last year of high school, she met John Stratton, a Pittsburgh rich kid with a penchant for trouble. When they both ended up in jail for petty theft, Dane realized she’d been dragging John down. She left town in hopes that he’d have a better life without her.

Ten years later, Dane is a social worker devoted to placing foster kids in stable, nurturing homes. She returns to Pittsburgh two weeks before her ten-year reunion to reconnect with her childhood friend, Roxy Jordan. While reminiscing about their high school days as goth-girls, Roxy reminds Dane of her turbulent relationship with John and their messy break-up. Dane decides to get in touch with her first love again, with disastrous results.

When a pretty young woman answers at his door, Dane knows he’s moved on. Perhaps John hasn’t exactly been holding his breath for her return, but he can’t resist the allure of Dane and their subsequent affair speaks of the torrent of passion and love that still ties them together.

Will they be able to reconcile their past and have a future? Or will Dane accept the inevitable and settle for a life without him…

I found myself really enjoying the story.  Kent managed to engage me with her characters in very few pages.  They are normal, flawed people who had normal concerns and are just looking for a way to be happy.  It was fast reading with some very sensual and erotic scenes that had me wishing I slept with more than an extra pillow.

Grade: B- (but only because I got frustrated with the misunderstandings)

What Lies in Winter by Cassidy Kent
Published by Amber Heat

This story is set mostly in a cabin in Mammoth (there are fewer prettier places in the US), and a bit in LA and NYC.  In this story, a girl meets a boy, they quickly fall in lust, then love.  All despite a humorous beginning involving him throwing her squarely out on her ass and a funny scene with a snowball (not what you’re thinking!  gutter-minded sorts that you are).

Here’s the book blurb:

When workaholic Hayley goes on a much-needed holiday to her favorite cabin hideaway tucked deep in the mountains of the Mammoth ski resort, she doesn’t expect to meet the beast of a man occupying her rental.

Bestselling mystery author, Nicholas Rhiordan, happens to have the same plan in mind, vacationing in his luxury cabin. He wants nothing better than to be left alone to finish his next novel, but when Hayley makes a surprise appearance, he discovers she’s hell-bent on disrupting his peaceful balance. Like any feral beast, his only recourse is to throw her out on her ass in a heap of snow and hope that she gets the hint.

When a relentless blizzard forces them to share the same quarters, their fiery personalities and equally combustible attraction could melt the ice caps off the snowy mountains. Once the storm blows over, will their connection fizzle like a snow flurry or will they pen a perfect ending?

This was my favorite of the three stories.  So much so, I wanted it to be twice/three times as long.  I wanted to get to know these characters more and see more of their interaction.  I thought the heroine was a blast and I wanted to jump the bones of the hero (what can I say, my daughter’s father is English – I’m a sucker for the accent).  I finished this story so fast, I nearly lapped myself.  LOVED it.

Grade: A

 

Raleigh In Rio by Cassidy Kent
Published by Phaze

This book is set partially in Miami and mostly in Rio de Janeiro.  It’s about a soon-to-be-divorcee who goes to Rio with her girl-buddies and has a ripping good time, including meeting a smokin’ hot man, with whom she has smokin’ hot sex.

Here’s the book blurb:

Raleigh Campbell just learned that her five year marriage was a sham. Not only did she find her husband in their bed with a co-worker, but he has been carrying on the affair for four years! To cheer her up, Raleigh’s friends take her to Rio during Carnivale to celebrate her 30th birthday and pending divorce.

Little does she know that her soon-to-be ex has cheated his company more than her. Private investigator Cristo Santiago has been assigned to watch Raleigh’s every move in search of twelve million dollars of embezzled corporate money and that’s landed him in the hot waters of obsession. His love for Raleigh is sealed under the starry Rio sky, but can he find the missing money without losing Raleigh’s trust?

I have to start by saying that what the heroine does in Rio with Cristo (the hero) is a personal fantasy of mine.  She meets a tall, dark, and handsome stranger.  Gets swept off her feet.  Has a night of wild, passionate sex.  Contrary to what she does, I would go home with a smile on my face (and an STD, with my luck). 

This was a very fun read and, if you’re a recent divorcee, you’ll really like it – the ex gets his.  Well worth the very few dollars to buy.

Grade: B+ (but only because she was such a doormat for her loser ex for so long)