Limecello’s review of Baddest Bad Boys by Shannon McKenna, E.C. Sheedy, Cate Noble
Contemporary Romance Anthology released by Brava 6 May 08
Anytime, Anywhere by Shannon McKenna
I’ve been waiting for another MacNamara story ever since I read Meltdown in Bad Boys Next Exit, years ago. Anytime, Anywhere is a good novella, don’t get me wrong, but I think I was expecting more. Robin was a little shaky in the beginning, but she really came into herself at the end. Jon was a typical McKenna alpha hero, someone who forces you to like him, even though you might be wondering why you’re in his corner. I felt the emotional connection between Robin and Jon a little lacking. She’s had a thing for him for fourteen years.
He’s… really angry and strung out though most of the book. And a jerk because he’s mad he breached the code of friendship by doing the nasty with his best friend’s baby sister. Still, I absolutely love the ending. Major warm fuzzies. The happy ending is a good thing, because Ms. McKenna puts her reader through the wringer. Especially in this book. The villain deserves a shout out, because everything is so very twisted, and shocking. I was appalled, yet impressed at the same time. This is a villain I’ll remember for a long time, and Ms. McKenna has had some very memorable ones.
Grade: B+
Summary:
For years, Robin MacNamara has been secretly in love with her big brother’s friend Jon Amendola, but the sexy cop has never seen her as anything but a kid. Until Robin follows him to an isolated cabin to prove she’s all grown up. Unfortunately, Jon’s last case isn’t quite closed-and someone wants payback…
Read an excerpt here
After the Lovin’ by E.C. Sheedy
Tommi Smith and Mac Fleming don’t get along. She’s six years older than he is, and never gave him the time of day. Tommi also used to date his older brother Hugh. She was the girl everyone wanted, and unfortunately didn’t act with as much grace as she could or should have. Still she’s in trouble, and Mac helps her as a favor to his brother, letting her hide out in his secluded cabin. This book is hot, but nothing special. I liked it, but some things that jumped out at me. Tommi’s a bit of a TSTL (too stupid to live) heroine. I know there are reasons she acted as she did, but I don’t think they were very good reasons. It wasn’t that Ms. Sheedy did something other authors wouldn’t, it’s just that I expect more from a modern day heroine who is take charge and independent. A nice story, but I wasn’t blown away. Tommi and Mac were interesting characters, but they didn’t really draw me in. I mostly felt like a dispassionate observer.
Grade: B-
Summary:
In need of a place to hide, Tommi Smith finds herself on the doorstep of a high school classmate’s remote fishing lodge. Though Mac Fleming never trusted this knockout’s reputation for breaking hearts, nothing’s going to stop him from seducing her into his bed now. Until Tommi’s past comes back to haunt them…
Read an excerpt here
Deal with the Devil by Cate Noble
I liked this story, but it was extremely short. Ellie and Max have history, but she ended up marrying his brother. The characters were strong, and the emotions believable. However, there was some unnecessary drama due to mixed signals or miscommunication. The story about the reconnection between Ellie and Max was enjoyable. The “main point” that provided the drama and suspense, however, had some holes. I think it was supposed to culminate into something the reader didn’t expect, but for me it ended up falling a bit flat due to too many unexplained events.
Grade: B
Summary: All Ellie McMann DeLuca wants is one night with the only man she’s ever truly loved -Max DeLuca, dubbed the Devil by the Italian paparazzi. Max agrees on one condition: they extend it to seven nights of sensual pleasure on a private island. But after a whole week of fulfilling each other’s deepest desires, how will they go back to the way things were?
Read an excerpt here (highlight to read it).
I’m glad I read this book, because I definitely wanted to read Robin’s story, but I didn’t form any great attachment to it. An ok Brava Anthology, but not one of my favorites. I’d recommend this to the author’s fans, but I’d suggest reading their other works to those who aren’t.
Overall Grade: B-
Summary:
These are the sexy bad boys no woman in her right mind would mess with. Except that they’re wickedly irresistible, and will do anything to protect the woman they love – even if it means risking everything…
I gotta read Robin’s story if nothing else. I, too, fell in love with the MacNamaras (Mac, Danny and Robin) in MELTDOWN, another story where she runs the reader through the emotional ringer. Glad it got a good grade and I’m looking forward to reading it.
I loved Tommi Smith! I thought she was a great depiction of a young woman with too much going on and not enough understanding of the power it gave her. Now, she’s grown up and payback’s in her face.
I thought After the Lovin’ was a really fun read…and no one ‘offs’people quite like EC. Coolly and with hardly a thought.
Bonnie
Trish – I loved Meltdown too. 😀 So much that I referenced it above.
Bonnie – good point. I like Tommi, and how she deals with Mac once they’re together in the here and now. But I had a very hard time getting over her decision which made it so she did have to go hide in the woods. That to me felt lacking, but that might be my background. I felt it wasn’t realistic, and therefore she never should have been in the cabins with Mac. [Or there would need be some other reason.]
McKenna and Sheedy… le sigh loved them both
My biggest issues with the E.C. Sheedy’s was it wasn’t the book I wanted 🙂 but I really want that one in a full book I think. So I will just have to wait. If you have never read her before this isn’t her best, but it is pretty good. I am beyond the moon for Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye and Without A Word (both of which should have fabu excerpts on the blog – I will double check tomorrow and make sure the are search able).
I loved Tommi and Mac from the get go but I tend to adore Sheedy’s work. So that could be the difference… Of course I think it is her fault I read as much RS as I do now.
Anytime, Anywhere was a story I really liked but the end nags at me a bit. I finally just let it go. I just can’t see how that will work but whatevs, HEA and all that jazz. It is a fabu ending in the way she she brings them back together and I thought it was a great suck up scene. I give her total and complete HUGE ass room to write alpha assholes and trust her to make me believe in them. And she can almost always sell them. And the villain was great the way she played it not AT all what you would expect.
Haven’t gotten to the Noble yet.