novella

Breaking Brodix by Anne Rainey

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

Breaking Brodix (Blackwater, #3)
Grade-C
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Low
Series-Blackwater #3
Reviewed by Kay

Brodix is one of the Jennings brothers of Blackwater. He’s the financial guy, helping with the Grand Opening of the family restaurant. He and his brothers have privacy issues with their lives prior to adoption by the Jennings family.

Sarah Greer is a divorced reporter in their small town and she’s trying to live down a lead who gave her false info she went to print with. She wanted to do a human interest story on the Jennings’ and hopes it will help with increasing profits at the restaurant.

Brodix agrees she can interview him and him only. They go have dinner and then sex at his house. Feel a little rushed with the way I’m reviewing it? I felt that way when I was reading it. This wasn’t a bad story just a short one and short love stories are very rushed. I really like the series and am awaiting the next one.

Retreat Hell! She Just Got Here by Heather Long

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

Retreat Hell! She Just Got Here (1 Night Stand, Always a Marine, #2)
Grade-C
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Low
Series-1 Night Stand, Always A Marine #2
Reviewed by Kay

This is the second installment in a short story series. It involves Jazz, Logan and Zach. Logan and Zach do a favor for a friend of theirs. Jazz wants to feel girlie since she is always around alpha males and some of those males have to report to her. She has a spa day and then goes to basically an escort service where she meets Logan and Zach.

Logan was injured while on deployment and discharged on permanent disability. His injuries are severe enough he fears he may be emasculated for the rest of his life. Zach just wants his best friend back but if he gets to have sex with a hot girl in the process, hell yeah.

It really was kind of a sweet story in that Logan’s fear of rejection was dealt with. Also through Zach’s desire to see his friend whole again. I was grateful for no I love yous with this story, just an agreement that they would get together on her next leave. Whether I’d read more in the series remains to be seen.

Ballroom Blitz by Lorelei James

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

Ballroom Blitz
Grade-B+
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-None
Series-No series, but there is a McKay appearance.
Reviewed by Anne

I really enjoyed this contemporary novella.  Jon White Feather is something of a rockstar drummer in a Native American rockband.  His teenaged niece, Raven, talks him into attending a ballroom dance class with her while he’s taking a break from touring and deciding what he wants to do next with his life.  Jon is a softy and easily agrees to take the class with Raven, though he warns her that he’s not a very good dancer.  This turns out to be quite an understatement!  Jon is a horrible dancer, and Jon and Raven end up getting quite a bit of extra help in class because of his lack of rhythm. 

Maggie is teaching the class with her Gay Best Friend [TM] (that has to be a trademarked cliche somewhere right?)  The attraction between Jon and Maggie is immediate and intense.  Jon invites Maggie to come see him play.  She’s heard of his band before, but has no idea what a huge following they have.  Jon asked her to stay after their set to see him, and she does.  When Jon comes out after the set, they are all over each other.  Unfortunately they get caught by a bevy of fans, AND Maggie’s older brother.  Older Brother is NOT pleased to see Jon and his little sister together.  Right on the heels of this confrontation, the fans show up and Jon has to finish cleaning up and Maggie feels ignored and ends up heading home alone.  (I thought she gave up too easily here.)

Never fear, because Jon tracks her down and good times follow. The conflict in this book comes from Maggie and Jon’s careers and whether they can make time for each other.  I thought this conflict was very believable!  At the same time, I didn’t like the pacing of the resolution and the very end of the story.

Overall, the book was a winner for me.  Lorelei James writes good banter and good sex.  I smiled and laughed a lot.  Here’s a favorite quote:

     “My life – sex and otherwise – has been very tame compared to yours.”
     He flashed her that pure bad-boy grin. “Lucky thing you have me here to further your raunchy education.”
     Maggie raised an eyebrow. “The student becoming the teacher? Bring it.”
     “Well, I have had this fantasy of smacking your ass with a ruler.”
     “Not a chance, little drummer boy. But if you do well on the oral exam I might let you bang my erasers.”


This would have been an A read for me without my frustration with the pacing of the ending.  I still really enjoyed the story and would recommend it!