More contesty goodness – because I promised you it was coming! Read on, gentle readers, and try your luck! After all, it is an anthology set in Vegas!

 WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS…AFTER DARK anthology

 Release Date: May 1, 2009

 Anya Bast’s story in this anthology is called THE PROMISE. It’s a prequel to THE DEAL, (WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS… the first anthology, released in 2008), and tells Damian’s story and how/why he came to jilt Cassidy at the altar on their wedding day.

Here’s the whole blurb for the book:

Las Vegas… it’s the town that lives up to the promise of its nickname, Sin City. A gamblers’ paradise for innocent tourists, it conceals a darker, sexual world where the ethereal and wraithlike meet to play a different game….

If there’s one thing succubus Deitre understands it’s revenge. That, and enticing men into arousing, exciting and, okay, perilous sex (for him).
Beautiful on the outside, demon on the inside, she’s going to get back at the naughty firefighter in Darkness…unless he plays his cards right…

Bounty hunter Nell is a hell of a tracker. Now she’s in Vegas on the tail of the witch who dared to steal from her clan. She’s going to get to the unsavory harlot through the woman’s ex-fiancé, and nothing about their charged encounters will be shallow, quick or friendly.

When the half-blood fae male comes to club Darkness, Elena can’t resist acting on the mind-blowing heat coursing between them. She might be betrothed to another, but fae culture says sex with other men until marriage is most definitely foretold.

Tattoo artist Devi is the latent vampire the warlocks need to heal all wounds. But taking her power is a sexually exhausting and dangerous task requiring dark deception…and gambling on her life.

*******

In Anya’s story, The Promise, the heroine, Elena, has known her entire life she would have to marry someone she didn’t love. Family duty binds her and resigns her to her fate, though there’s a part of her that wishes to be free. To enter to win a copy of What Happens in Vegas…After Dark, name a time in your life when you felt duty bound to do something you didn’t want to do.

Three winners will be selected.  

What Happens In Vegas

by Jodi Lynn Copeland, Lauren Dane, Kit Tunstall, and Anya Bast

UPDATED: Lauren Dane has picked a winner for the copy she is giving away of What Happens in Vegas! Yes this is just how lazy sybil really is . Congrats Liviania!

Contests are fun. Especially when a random commenter on this post with the excerpt from Anya Bast’s part on the anthology, gets a signed copy of the book (signed by Anya Bast)! Makes me want to go to Vegas. . .even though I haven’t read it yet. . .

Our lucky winner is Dina!!

Be sure you email Syb at redwyne@gmail.com with your physical address so you can get your signed copy (signed by Anya Bast) of What Happens in Vegas!

Book Summary:

Winning it big.

That’s the name of the game at Las Vegas’s Liege Hotel and Casino, where the hottest fantasies hinge on the roll of the dice and the tantalizing knowledge that anything could happen before sunrise.

Cocktail waitress Carinna wants a man to tie her up, not tie her down. Little does she know that her most willing partner yet has something else planned for this fiery Latina bombshell.

Dahlia is a burlesque dancer with a brain for business and a bod for sin. Her latest admirer may be a sweet talking Casanova, but despite what he thinks she’s not giving anything away for free.

Meanwhile Amy has the perfect plan to rob the Liege Casino blind…until the intimidating owner catches her red-handed. Now she knows she’s going to pay with both pleasure and pain.

Professional shill Cassidy is ready to experience a breathless rendezvous with her “friend with benefits.” But when he proposes five delicious nights of sexy blackjack, the stakes have never been so high

Limecello’s review of What Happens In Vegas by Jodi Lynn Copeland, Lauren Dane, Kit Tunstall, and Anya Bast
Erotic Romance anthology released by Harlequin Spice 1 May 08

Drum roll, please, for LC’s first evah review for TGTBTU…

Hot For You by Jodi Lynn Copeland

I hate to say it, but I didn’t really like this story. I actually read this book out of order, and am glad I didn’t start with this novella. Something didn’t click, and Hot For You simply didn’t work for me. [I know, that’s a lot of “didn’t”s – but nothing else works.] I love the premise of it, but too many things just don’t come together. I felt that the author tried too hard with her character. Carinna is supposed to be a badass bad girl, who loves ‘em and leaves ‘em – queen of the one night stand. However, the uncertainties and indecisiveness within her character just don’t fit her personality.

This story is written in the first person. I’m not sure if that explains some of my dislike, but it’s much too wordy, and the obvious is often stated. Rhetorical questions are answered, and there are some writing issues. I found myself noticing editing mistakes, such as the word “mew” being used when it should have been “moue.” I was distracted by things I shouldn’t have been.

Hot For You is hot, but the emotional connection between Carinna and Jack came too late for me. When they open up, the story comes together. There’s a scene near the end I probably would not have liked otherwise, but turns into my favorite part due to the Carinna and Jack’s relationship truly emerging. I didn’t enjoy this novella, but this is an author I would try again and if you like 1st person point of view, it might work for you.

Grade: D

Stripped by Lauren Dane

I really enjoyed this novella. It starts out with Dahlia performing her number at the Dollhouse, the burlesque lounge where she works. Stripped draws you in from the start, and you can almost see Dahlia’s dance. There are a few minor kinks in the novella, but they’re easily forgiven.

Dahlia Baker is a graduate student at UNLV, and lives like one. Nash Emery is a business man, who comes from money. A lot of it. He propositions her after seeing her dance, and she shoots him down fantastically.

The reader follows Nash pursuing Dahlia, and her capitulation. Both characters have a lot to work on. Dahlia has hang ups about the class differences between them. She doesn’t want everyone to think she’s a gold digger, or that she’s easy because of her looks. Nash has to understand that Dahlia’s concerns are real to her, and that he has to be sensitive to her needs and emotions.

I loved how genuine this story was. The characters are very well written. Nash and Dahlia are very human, and had flaws that they work through. I liked how each could admit they were being silly or unreasonable, suck it up, and move on. I felt that I had a true grasp as to what made Dahlia and Nash tick, and could really believe that they were a couple who would make it work.

I’ve read a few of Ms. Dane’s books, and I would say that Stripped is my favorite by far. I’m looking forward to her upcoming books.

Grade: B+

Red Handed by Kit Tunstall

Red Handed was ok, but certain parts rubbed me the wrong way. It starts with Roan interrogating Amy, and punching her out – he thinks she’s a man. It bothered me a little that this incident was just passed over.

Then, Amy Gerard agrees to become Roan’s love slave. She makes the offer to prevent him from going to the Gaming Commission and reporting her cheating. Red Handed includes some naughty scenes and a foray into the world of BDSM, but it doesn’t show the development of a relationship, and I have a hard time believing Amy and Roan really do start falling for each other. Their situation began to make me feel a bit squicky, but it’s addressed after a scene where Amy is attacked. (Not by Roan.)

I liked the ending and the storyline; I just had a hard time believing that such a relationship did develop between Amy and Roan. They spent too much of the novella isolating their emotions, and the ending was disjointed. I know that was the “point” – but it felt too contrived for me.

Grade: C

The Deal by Anya Bast

Cassidy and James are two very fun characters that I enjoyed reading about. Cassidy has decided she’s going after James, and that’s that. She took an emotional hit after her fiancé stood her up at the altar, so to protect herself, but still “take care” of herself, she’s going to address her attraction to James with a “friends with benefits” proposition.

For his part, James has been hot for Cassidy since the first time he met her. Unfortunately, she was taken by his friend. In fact, he was supposed to be their best man. He held off because he doesn’t poach, and later, because he’s a good guy and doesn’t want to rush Cassidy into something she’s not ready for.

I love “friends to lovers” stories, and The Deal is a great example of one. Not only is it hot, but you can feel the connection between James and Cassidy. They’re three dimensional characters that you find yourself rooting for, and sympathizing with.

A great contribution to the anthology, with a very cute ending.

Grade: B+

Overall, I enjoyed What Happens in Vegas and am being won over to the Spice Line. This is a fun anthology and a nice intro into the line and a great way to dip your toes into the erotic romance seas if you haven’t taken a dip yet.

Overall Grade: B-

Summary:

Winning it big.

That’s the name of the game at Las Vegas’s Liege Hotel and Casino, where the hottest fantasies hinge on the roll of the dice and the tantalizing knowledge that anything could happen before sunrise.

Cocktail waitress Carinna wants a man to tie her up, not tie her down. Little does she know that her most willing partner yet has something else planned for this fiery Latina bombshell.

Dahlia is a burlesque dancer with a brain for business and a bod for sin. Her latest admirer may be a sweet talking Casanova, but despite what he thinks she’s not giving anything away for free.

Meanwhile Amy has the perfect plan to rob the Liege Casino blind…until the intimidating owner catches her red-handed. Now she knows she’s going to pay with both pleasure and pain.

Professional shill Cassidy is ready to experience a breathless rendezvous with her “friend with benefits.” But when he proposes five delicious nights of sexy blackjack, the stakes have never been so high.

Check out an excerpt here and here.

What Happens In Vegas by Jodi Lynn Copeland, Lauren Dane, Kit Tunstall, and Anya Bast

The Deal is the only story I have read in WHIV (so far I am going to get to Dane’s soon as I have an excerpt for it too and, oh yes, need to review this *g*).

Anya has long been one of my favorite eBook to print authors and this will be my first read of the other two (not Dane, read her before ). Great book to pick up for those two alone. And hey you get a chance here to not only get a sneak look at Anya Bast THE DEAL but to win a copy.

Woot!

Book Summary:

     Winning it big.

     That’s the name of the game at Las Vegas’s Liege Hotel and Casino, where the hottest fantasies hinge on the roll of the dice and the tantalizing knowledge that anything could happen before sunrise.

     Cocktail waitress Carinna wants a man to tie her up, not tie her down. Little does she know that her most willing partner yet has something else planned for this fiery Latina bombshell.

     Dahlia is a burlesque dancer with a brain for business and a bod for sin. Her latest admirer may be a sweet talking Casanova, but despite what he thinks she’s not giving anything away for free.

     Meanwhile Amy has the perfect plan to rob the Liege Casino blind…until the intimidating owner catches her red-handed. Now she knows she’s going to pay with both pleasure and pain.

     Professional shill Cassidy is ready to experience a breathless rendezvous with her “friend with benefits.” But when he proposes five delicious nights of sexy blackjack, the stakes have never been so high

Excerpt from The Deal by Anya Bast
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“We could be more than friends.”

She glanced away. He glimpsed shadows in her eyes before she turned her head. Bad. Shadows were very, very bad. She licked her lips nervously.

“We could be friends with benefits,” he amended, backpedaling. Judging by her body language, he needed to take this slow. He was losing her fast. James had always suspected another relationship might make her scared, even something as casual as the one he was proposing. Guess he’d been right.

All he knew was that he wanted her, in whatever capacity she would allow. James would always want more of her, whatever amount she was willing to give. For the time being, friendship with benefits sounded damn good to him.

“Cassidy?” he murmured, sliding his hand to her waist. She felt so warm, so perfect. “Listen to me.”

She looked back at him and her breath hitched in her throat. Her eyes were dark, heavily-lidded, and her lips were parted a little. She looked interested…turned on.

Good. That was very, very good. He’d always wondered if she was attracted to him. Guess she was.

“I’ve been attracted to you since you were with Damian,” he continued. “I’ve wanted you in a bad way for a long time, Cassidy girl. I don’t want to be just friends with you; I want you in my bed.” He paused. “I want to have a very skin-on-skin kind of relationship with you.”

Cassidy looked stunned. His heart pounding, fearing he was about to crash and burn and lose a friend in the process, he let his face drift closer to hers. She didn’t move away.

“I’ve been attracted to you too, James. I always thought it was against the rules, you know?” she murmured practically against his lips. “Since we’re friends.”

“Let’s make new rules.”

Their breath mingled, lips brushed, and then he kissed her.

Her lips felt wooden beneath his for a moment, and then she melted and kissed him back. Every nerve in his body shot to life with hunger.

She twisted, leaning into him so he could feel her breasts against his chest, and eased her hands slowly up his arms and over his shoulders.

James let his hands find her waist, then slanted his mouth over hers and flicked his tongue against her lips. Damn it. He wanted to pull her over onto his lap. He wanted to undress her, set her up on this bar and fuck her senseless.

She opened for him and he slipped his tongue inside. He could taste whiskey in the hot, soft interior of her mouth, but that wasn’t what made him feel drunk.

They broke the kiss, both breathing heavy. “Cassidy, come home with me,” he murmured against her lips.

“But…” She bit her lower lip for a moment. “How do I know you’re any good in bed?” she asked with a little teasing grin playing around her lips.

He groaned and eased a hand between her knees. “What, you want a demonstration?” he murmured. He didn’t wait for her answer; he just eased his hand up her inner thigh, underneath the hem of her skirt. His actions were hidden from anyone’s view by the overhanging ledge of the bar and the dim light.

His fingers found the edge of her thigh high stockings. Oh, hell. His brain was going to melt. Thigh high stockings. This was the outer limits of heaven itself.

His cock was rock hard now. James raised an eyebrow in question at her as he rubbed his index finger over the bare skin at the top of her stocking.

“They’re more comfortable than the other kind,” she answered breathlessly in explanation, a blush faintly tingeing her cheeks.

“Lucky for me you think so,” he purred into her ear. He hooked her hair behind her ear with his free hand and whispered, “Spread your legs for me, baby. I need to touch you.”

She shifted on the stool, giving him room to move. He traveled up further and soon felt the heat of her pussy against his hand. Yes, he’d reached the gates of heaven. She’d spread her thighs as much as her skirt would allow. It was enough. He eased his fingers over her sweet, plump little clit through the cotton of her panties. He wanted to feel it against his tongue.

Cassidy inhaled sharp and fast as he stroked her, teasing her clit into a swollen, needy thing. He brushed his lips against hers, then kissed her again, sliding his tongue in between her lips, while he pushed the panel of her panties to the side and touched her bare pussy.

Around them people talked and laughed, and ignored them. That was good because he had every intention of making Cassidy orgasm right here and now.

© Anya Bast Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Anya is giving away one copy of What Happens In Vegas to a random commenter. Good Luck .