With all eight stories counted together, the total page count is 203 pages... hence I'm counting these as one book. I've been working my way through them; they're a perfect length to read when I'm severely limited for time, but I can finish one story in a matter of a few minutes... works for me!
Some of these stories I really, really liked, some were good and one or two were okay. And they certainly covered the erotica genre; a little bit of everything. This is a great way to sample an author's writing as well as enjoy a short, sexy story. So if you haven't investigated SPICE Briefs, give 'em a whirl.
1. Eden Bradley ~ Soul Stranger: She has come to Veracruz to heal. As the warm water of the Gulf envelops her, the ocean surges, swells, caresses her tender flesh. Suddenly he is standing there--a tanned, muscular stranger, beautiful and masculine, his smile brilliant and warm. She smiles back and he moves toward her. Soon, they touch, fondle, explore one another as the sensuous sea seduces them both. And as the sun descends, they discover new heights of passion and pleasure. Few words are spoken, no names are exchanged…yet for both of them nothing will ever again be the same.
Surprisingly, to me, this story is perfect. I usually don’t care for stories where sex, and only sex, is the driving force between two people. But in this story, even though neither of them ever knows the other’s name, there is a very basic and strong connection between the two of them. The ending was just right; everything about this story was just right. Perfect. Rating: 4 stars
2. Lacy Danes ~ The Invitation: Her lover’s gift--a unique erotic toy--was accompanied by an invitation: Wear this gift and meet me on the trail at dusk. Following his direction, she wore no bra or panties under her hiking outfit. As they entered the woods, the anticipation was more than she could bear. Soon their game would begin--dominant man in control of his spirited woman--and she would glory in the intoxicating thrill of submission.
Well…. This was certainly different than anything that I usually read; but even so the emotions between the characters (we only ever learn Eric’s name) are very obvious. Although their sexual practices are way out of my league, it wasn’t as disturbing as I would have thought. Definitely due to the relationship between Eric and his “woman.”
Rating: 3.5 stars
3. Cathleen Ross ~ Psychic Sex: She loves the sense of power being a personal trainer gives her--not to mention the access to a seemingly endless stream of sexy men. But when her latest object of desire doesn’t rise to the bait, she’s forced to spend the night with a good book--all about astral projection. As she drifts off to sleep, she’s shocked to suddenly find herself having the wildest, most satisfying sex of her life--and it all seems so real!
I had no problem reading this story, but I really didn’t much like Gabby. I did, however, want to know just how it was going to end; it was in keeping with the rest of the story, but overall nothing resonated with me. Okay. Rating: 1.5 stars
4. Jenesi Ash ~ Anything You Want: When the mirror over her bed comes crashing down from the ceiling, she knows it’s been tampered with. Juggling three lovers--giving them anything they wanted and setting the price--had given her a sense of power. But now one of them is trying to kill her--only, which one? In order to unearth the culprit she devises a plan of seduction to trick the guilty party into giving himself away...
Strong female character; she’s made her choice to be a professional mistress and is satisfied, for the most part. But when the mirror on her ceiling falls, she begins to rethink her options. She definitely underwent some emotional and mental changes and became surer of herself. Interesting concept and story; mystery was good. Rating: 2.5 stars
5. Charlotte Featherstone ~ Forever Yours: Despite their love for each other, lovemaking has become routine and predictable for the Duke and Duchess of Sutcliffe. Desperate to save their marriage, they begin exchanging passionate, erotic missives detailing needs and fantasies they never before dared to express. Soon, they’re acting out those fantasies and discovering a consuming desire like none they’ve ever known...
Not as overtly erotic as I had thought it would be; nevertheless I really enjoyed the story and the seduction that was happening between Elizabeth and Christian. I also felt a strong connection with both of them and with their problem… not easy to relate to characters so out of my own experience. Very nicely done. Rating: 4.5 stars
6. Kimberly Kaye Terry ~ Come Back to Me: As the host of an evening radio talk show about relationships, Sheena thinks she’s heard it all. But night after night, when she’s alone in the studio, she gets one last caller who offers up the best phone sex she’s ever had.
Quite a surprising story… it really went nothing as I expected, but it was a very pleasant surprise. I was quite intrigued as the story progressed, wondering indeed where it was all headed. I enjoyed getting to know more about Sheena and her caller. Excellent story and ending. Rating: 4 stars
7. Delilah Devlin ~ Invite Me In: On a sultry night in the French Quarter, alone in a room thick with desire, she is able to channel the wanton mating of the couple down the hall--each kiss, each sensation, each stroke is as real to her as if she were the one being ravished. In her desperate arousal, she unconsciously calls out to him, until he is at her door, in her bed, knowing fully what she wants and how to satisfy her completely...
Very, very interesting characters! Wonderfully erotic, but also a lot of emotion that I wasn’t expecting. Too bad this was a Brief… I’d love to see more of both characters! Rating: 3.5 stars
8. Sarah McCarty ~ Letting Go: Marc and Becky leave real life behind for a remote cabin in the woods--no kids, no pets, no television...all they've got to pass the time is a roaring fire, their hottest fantasies and a box of naughty toys designed to please...
I really loved the way that Marc was so open about how he felt; he loved her as she was and for who she was. And Becky loved Marc enough to let go and give him control. An erotic love story ~ and it only whets my appetite for more from this author. Wonderful! Rating: 4 stars
Books read to date: 35
Har / Sil ~ 26
Other ~ 9
October's MEMBER OF THE MONTH
kalyko ~ Reading: One of life's little joys and a much needed reward!
Hi Kathy - interested by your reactions to these
they were much the same as my own.
I was fascinated by my reaction to the Invitation, because it's SO
not my scene, and yet she came across as so totally happy with the
situation, she couldn't fail to win me over
I read two Jenesi Ash and couldn't identify with her mistress
characters - they were too self-absorbed to appeal to me, I had the
same problem with the character in Psychic Sex - no interest whatsoever
in knowing her "better"
Have you read Caine's Reckoning by Sarah McCarty? Will Letting Go tempt you to get her Hell's Eight series?
Hugs
Sadhbh
Dream Team 2008 Challenge blogs
re: Spice Briefs
Like Sadhbh, my reactions were similar to yours. Psychic Sex and Anything You Want did not work for me at all...though like you said, Anything You Want did have the mystery concept to keep me interested. I doubt I'd read another story by either author, though.
I loved Letting Go, Invite Me In, Come Back to Me, and Forever Yours. Like you did, I found a lot of great surprises in these little stories, and was really impressed by how much emotion the authors managed to work into them.
I haven't read The Invitation or Soul Stranger yet but I definitely plan to--glad to see good reviews!
SPICE Briefs
Sadhbh, I was going to be getting Sarah McCarty's Caine's Reckoning before reading Letting Go; mainly because of the comments that so many people have made about it. But after reading this Brief, I immediately ordered it ~ this short story totally convinced me.
Amalthea, Thank you! And you're right about the emotional component of the stories you mentioned... they were definitely my favourites and I'm certainly going to be looking for more by all these authors. Obviously I can relate, and strongly, to their writing and characters.
October's MEMBER OF THE MONTH
kalyko ~ Reading: One of life's little joys and a much needed reward!