Skin on Skin

Two outta three ain't bad... "China Doll" - Although a little rough in places, the author, Sunny, created engaging characters that pull you into the story. Anna, having been used and abused, was looking for someone to help exorcize the bad memories of her ex. Rand was looking for someone to have some fun with, wanting to pass the time. Rand got more than he bargained for when he fell in love with her, LOL! I've read the author before, and she's really good. "Tempted" - I've never read Jami Alden before; you can bet I'll be reading her again! Her characters were very believable, some of them even quirky and making you laugh. The plot turned from a simple "I need to bring a date so no one bugs me about being single" to a full blown sexual relationship. I really liked how the characters had already known each other for a while, and how, even after the agreement that everything would go back to normal, there was no going back. Especially when one had the other for the other - and vice versa. A really good read! One teeny-tiny thing that I was disappointed about: They never used anything in the "gift basket" in the hotel room. *frown* Too bad. I was looking forward to that. "Hot Wired" - I've never read the author before, and I'm not sure if I'll ever read her again. Her story was filled with stereotypes, her characters appear shallow - very much so. And they appeared rather ... high-school'ish. And while, I'll admit, she knows how to write a really hot sex scene, that was about all that was going for the story. All in all, I'm glad I picked this book up, and encourage you to do the same. WORD OF CAUTION: Sexually Explicit!!!

Dr. Anna Huang is in Indonesia helping with tsunami efforts and relief. Finally throwing caution to the wind after 20 years of celibacy, she craves the touch of a man. Not just any man will do. She wants a man who will be gentle, yet forceful. Loving but willing to settle for just one night. She finds such a man in Rand, a bearded giant who comes to her rescue as she is swarmed by men all wanting something from her; something that she is unsure she will be able to give. Rand Weatherby aches to feel the touch of a woman. Years of honoring vows to a wife now deceased, he wants to lose himself inside of a woman to alleviate the ghosts that haunt him. Past decisions have influenced Rand's life and he vows that they will not influence him on this. Looking for and waiting on the perfect woman to walk through the door of the bar in which he sits, he has almost given up hope. Until she walks in. Five feet two inches of pure and snow white innocence. When she is surrounded by men immediately, Rand decides then and there that she is his to save. And so the seduction begins. Great things do come in small packages! Anna Huang was tiny, angelic and a complete surprise to me. Past hurts kept her from reaching out to men and I could sense her vulnerability. When she and Rand came together they were passionate, loving and I felt their connection to each other right down to my toes. The fact that Rand was so honorable just kept me spellbound wanting to find out his story. He was tenacious and I became entranced by his unwillingness to give up on Anna. China Doll is a tantalizing tale set in the humidity of Indonesia. I could feel the sweat of the two characters and could envision their complete abandon with each other. As I read the last word, I just sat and thought about this book. How one author could make something so real that I felt the touches, I smelled the scents and have my heart pounding in tune with the characters. Steamy and sultry romance at its best, China Doll is a perfect addition to any bookshelf. Talia reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Purchased this kinda by accident. Unusual that I would like more than one story in an anthology (so I avoid them), but two of the three here were actually very good. Tempted by Jami Alden. A story of best friends & co-workers becoming more. The characters and plot were fun, engaging and believable. Good Well done and very enjoyable read, I will be watching for more from this talented author. Hot Wired by Valerie Martinez. What to say...hummm. Propogates racial stereotyping, and would be a scandal if written by an author from a different race than the heroine. If there was any indication of an HEA, I missed it, the story ends..."It hadn't been love between us, but rather pure lust." The characters are all loosers, the plot has heroine more sexually involved with a different looser than the hero, nothing uplifting or happy here. Seriously, when viewing a mans chest tatooed with multiple x-girlfriends...what woman fantasizes seeing their own likeness & name tatooed there? Not an author I will read again. China Doll by Sunny. Typical of this author if you have read her before. Well written & engaging. Although a little choppy in places, pulls reader into the story. Very enjoyable. The book warning "This is a REALLY HOT book, sexually explicit" is true...have fun with this one!

"China Doll" by Sunny. In Indonesia, Rand and Anna meet for the first time with both sharing in common a need to get past their respective pasts. Both desires a one night stand that they each believe will allow them to move on. Neither anticipated the desire for much more. "Tempted" by Jami Alden. Coworkers Lauren and Tony have been best friends for years, but both hide their desire for much more from the other out of fear the relationship would die. However, an out of town weekend gala leaves them sharing a room in which the temptation proves stronger than the trepidation. "Hot Wired" by Valerie Martinez. Lola visits San Francisco for a last summer fling before starting her career. However, she was unprepared for the hunk owner of a fiery red pickup that is his truck as much as his body. This is turning out to be the most wonderful summer of her life. These three well written erotic romantic novellas star interesting protagonists who though they spend a preponderance of the story line (defined as pages) in bed have enough down time to make them seem genuine and their relationships real. SKIN ON SKIN is hot fun in the summertime. Harriet Klausner