I really enjoyed the Briefs I read this time around, and I'm again very impressed by the courage and quality of the writing. I love the variety in this line.
No Apologies by Tracy Wolff
Rating: Good
I didn't really like the heroine in this one, and it took me a while to warm up to the relationship. However, the writing was strong and I liked the longer length (a little over 50 pages).
I'd read another by Wolff but wouldn't call this a favourite.
Soul Strangers by Eden Bradley
Rating: Very Good
I didn't like the cover art for this one, but at the time I was out of Briefs and so read it anyway. I'm glad I did. There's not really a plot, it's more about a moment of time, about place and sense. It's quite lovely and bittersweet.
The Invitation by Lacy Danes
Rating: Okay
Ooooh, very pretty cover art! The story didn't really work for me. The writing style was a bit precious and there was no sense of character, of who this woman was beyond the personality she put on for sex.
The Eden Bradley story above was "just" sex but there was real emotion, plot, and character developed through the sex...this story didn't have that.
This is What I Want by Megan Hart
Rating: Excellent
This is a longer story, almost 50 pages, and one of my favourites. The romance kept me interested and eager to see what would happen next, and the story structure (the heroine blogs about her fantasies) was a great way to explore a variety of scenarios. Really enjoyed this. At first I felt a little let down by the ending (I wanted more!) but thinking back, I like it.
Tokyo Rendezvous by Jina Bacarr
Rating: Good
This was an interesting peek at another culture, and the writing is fine, but I don't remember much else about it.
Worth a read but not one of my favourites, I think because I didn't gel with the setting. Gorgeous cover art.
East of the Sun and West of the Moon by Nancy Madore
Rating: Good
I like the way Madore plays with the taboo through her fairy tales. They're a lot of fun, even if they don't really stay with me later the way the Megan Hart or Eden Bradley stories did.
Goldilocks and the Three Barons by Nancy Madore
Rating: Good
Short and fun. I enjoy the variety of writing styles Madore uses her in fairy tales.
The Empress's New Clothes by Nancy Madore
Rating: Very Good
This was my favourite of the three fairy tales. I thought the premise and the twist and the end were quite clever.
I'm....
going to have to try some of these Spice briefs eventually, I suppose. They sound interesting!
The D2K Paranormal Junkies 2008 Challenge Blo
re: Spice Briefs
They are a lot of fun if you like erotica. I think the Megan Hart one (This is what I want) would be a nice place to start if you're not sure if you'll like them...it has a bit more of a romance-y feel to it, and there's nothing too taboo in it. Plus, it's nice and long, so you get more for your $3!
If there's anything in particular you're interested in or want to avoid (some of them do push the boundaries a bit) feel free to ask.
Hey Lady_Amalthea!
Of the eight you posted, I have read
I actually have really loved all the Briefs by Nancy Madore, so I bought a copy of Enchanted. There is a story in there about Bluebeard that was very interesting
It is great that Spice is publishing such a variety of stories, and heat levels. There seems to be something for every taste now.
I am glad to see you reviewed and enjoyed Megan Harts Brief up there, I have it, and will get to it soon. I think I put it on the back burner since I didn't care for her other Brief as much.
Take Care,
Tammy
"I would be the most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves"...Anna Quindlen
Hey Lady Am - I've read a few of these
but not the Nancy Madores or the Tracy Wolff. I find it interesting how we all react differently to the various Briefs
Hugs
Sadhbh
May's Member of the Month
Dream Team 2008 Challenge blogs
re: Spice Briefs
Tammy: This Megan Hart Brief is completely different from her other one...it's contemporary, not a fairy tale, and has more character development and story to it.
I should have bought Enchanted rather than continuing to buy the stories individually...oops! I'll see if the Bluebeard one is released as a Brief too or I might have to buy it...you have me intrigued. He's the one with the secret in the locked room, yes (don't want to say what it is in case others aren't familliar with the legend)?
Sadhbh, so true about the different reactions...in addition to Soul Strangers that Tammy and I had totally different opinions about, I really disliked the one I read from the Mistress stories (Jeneshi Ash), but they seem to be a popular series--interesting!
Lady Am - I didn't like the Jenesi Ash stories either
something about the way she writes her heroines just doesn't hit the right spot for me
Hugs
Sadhbh
May's Member of the Month
Dream Team 2008 Challenge blogs