These are reviews of five short, erotic titles from various publishers, in various flavors. They are a bit too short to review on their own without the review being almost as long as the story, so I have put together five “Lightning Reviews.” 

Read on if you’re wearing rubber soled shoes…

The Good Lawyer by Rachel Carrington
Contemporary erotic romance released 2006 by Whispers Publishing 

This is a super-short story. The fantasy is sexy and the emotion is anchored by a plot twist that I loved. Recommended for a quick erotica fix.

Grade: B+

From the back cover:

     When Deidre Manning’s days get long, she allows herself to escape into wild fantasies. Locked inside the sanctuary of her office, she enjoys more than just the satisfaction of the moment, especially once a visitor makes it a party for two.

     Read an excerpt.

Mr. Fix It by Donelle Carroll (author doesn’t appear to have her own site and this looks like her only title)
Contemporary erotic romance released Oct 06 by Wild Rose Press

Also, a super-short story. Calling up the cute repair guy for a fling is a common fantasy, I’m sure. The problem is the characterization. Obviously just a sexual encounter between strangers, the author forced a level of emotion at the end that didn’t fit. But where some more sexual tension would have benefited the story, instead we get some faltering on the leading lady’s part that does nothing for the story.

Grade: D

From the back cover:

     Looking like he just fell from Hunk Heaven, Ryan stepped into the elevator. Jill shamelessly sized him up. Building Maintenance. Handy with tools. But could he fix her broken heart?

     No excerpt available.

Sweet Shoppe: Her Wicked Warrior by Melissa Schroeder
Time travel erotic romance released Mar 06 by LooseId (Title is out of print)

This one is sexy and fun. It has some unreal marathon sex but this is an erotic title, so that’s allowed. The characters are enjoyable and I wanted them to be together. Don’t expect deep relationships or plot development. It is adult fairy tale stuff but it’s good. I got some real giggles here and there as well as some “squirm in your seat” moments.

Grade: B

From the back cover:

     Librarian Paige Turner isn’t having the best of weeks. Work has been hell, her sometimes fiancé seems only to pay attention to her when he needs research help, and on top of that, she has been losing sleep thanks to some pretty erotic dreams. So, at the end of the day, one week before St. Patrick’s Day, she stops by The Sweet Shoppe for some Irish Truffles. Before falling asleep, she wishes her dream lover were real. When she wakes up in the morning, she finds out he is.

     Seamus can’t remember exactly how he ended up in Paige’s bed. One minute he is in a battle, the next he’s in bed with the woman who has been stealing into his dreams. Instinct has him seducing her before he even knows her name, but soon he is confronted with a strange new world, and the possibility that Paige just doesn’t understand he is her soulmate.

     Paige decides to keep her warrior, but soon everything goes awry. Thanks to Seamus, her life is disrupted, her career almost ruined, her fiancé has called off their wedding, and she finds herself falling in love with Seamus. But will Paige be able to accept the changes he has wrought, or will her fear of change bring disaster for both of them?

     Read an excerpt.

The Seduction of Sean Nolan by Treva Harte
Time travel erotic romance released (unknown date) by LooseId

This story has some seriously yucky parts. She notices he’s filthy and bloody and probably has lice… and he’s dying from an infected leg wound. So of course she can keep herself from going down on him? Eeewww! The plot resolution completely out of left field and unexplained. I really can’t recommend this one.

Grade: F

From the back cover:

     Wounded and near death, Sean prayed for the thing he wanted most. “Dear God, don’t let me die a virgin.”

     When Nell appeared, she didn’t look like any angel he’d ever imagined. And she sure as heck didn’t kiss like one. But she might just be the answer to his prayers.

     Read an excerpt.

Come, Sweet Creature by Tilly Greene
Contemporary erotic romance released 2005 by Whiskey Creek Press

I saved the best for last. This story is light BDSM. It may disappoint the hard-core power exchange lifestylers. However, it is a good story for those who like sex games. There’s no humiliation, but there is titillation. I liked the characters, but, really, get this one because it’s hot… then put down a towel on your chair before you read it.

Grade B+

From the back cover:

     Jena Flyno works for Tilton Spidermach, CEO of TS Properties. As PR Director she’s got her hands full cleaning up after his debauched peccadilloes. She’s heard about his playroom and she’s not about to become his latest prey.

     Spider has been watching his lovely, but oh, so prim and proper PR lady for months. Jena is elusive and unattainable, and he has just figured out a way to ensnare her. All he needs is one little sign of weakness and she’ll be caught up in his web.

     Read an excerpt.

Devon’s review of Ride ‘Em by Tilly Greene
Erotic romance ebook novella published 11 Jan 08 by Ellora’s Cave

If you look at separate elements of Ride ‘Em, they seem to add up to typical erotic romance absurdity. Icky cover model? Check. BDSM Western Novella? Check. Suggestive title? Check. Overtly sexual and somewhat ridiculous first meeting? Check. Small town peopled by kinky folk? Check. H/H have instantaneous sexual connection? Check. However, on the whole Ride ‘Em was a well-written, enjoyable read, both hot and romantic. Despite having its share of silliness.

Sunflower Forever Free (I know, right?) was raised on a commune until she left when things got a little too touchy feely. She has carved out a new life for herself in Montana, running a diner and attending local BDSM parties, held in a barn. One wild night, Sunny is riding a leather saddle enhanced with a little somethin’ extra when she is spotted by Court Dickerson, a former movie star returned to town after a few brushes with the law. Two things: first off, the “riding” the leather saddle thing kinda grossed me out, especially when the onlookers were commenting on the wetness. Yikes! Unsanitary. Secondly, though the hero and heroine came from unusual backgrounds, it didn’t really play into the story at all, which I thought a bit weird. But I guess it showed how they were two adults who had both been through a lot, and now both knew what they wanted from life, which was something I liked about the book.

Anyhow, moving on…so they meet and are instantly drawn to each other. Court gets their mutual friend to introduce him to Sunny, and next thing you know, they’re…going on a date. And getting to know each other. How different. It was nice and sweet and romantic. I found myself wondering where the sex was. Where the BDSM was. But not missing it either, just enjoying the story. And then, BAM, we fast-forward two months. What? While I understand length constraints, and I appreciated the time spent on the romance, I didn’t like the way it skipped to them being an established couple. But this made way for the big old ménage scene, as they decide to incorporate BDSM into the relationship. I’m not a big ménage fan, but it was hot!!

Ride ‘Em was distinguished by the hot sex scenes, the nice relationship development and the mature, likeable characters. I liked Sunny, silly name and all. She was a grown up and refreshingly self-aware regarding her sexual needs. She has submissive tendencies, she likes sex and that’s that. Court was a bit more bland, but he was sweet and in lurve. The BDSM elements were there, Court and Sunny are into D/S play and bondage, but it wasn’t too heavy. Although I did have some issues with the book, Ride ‘Em definitely satisfied as a quick, hot read. I would read Tilly Greene’s work again.

Grade: B-

At a young age, Sunflower Forever Free is put in a position where she must take control of her life. A gentle soul who has never chosen how or where she lived, she decides to stay in a small town she stumbles upon and start over. Here she has hopes of finding her white-picket-fence dream.

Rehabilitated bad boy Courtland Dickerson returns to the town of his childhood, the last place he was happy. He starts his horse-breeding business and settles on the normal path he’s always wanted, one far away from the destructive influences of his past.

Kinky games are being played behind barn doors. After one particularly wild ride, Sunflower and Courtland discover how well matched they are and together they embark on a new path.

Read an excerpt.

Read more from Devon at Is That a Stake in Your Pocket?