When He Was Bad

"Miss Congeniality": I love Irene & Holtz! The two of them are seriously funny. Irene kind of reminds me of Brennen on "Bones" but even more brutally honest. Holtz is your classic alpha male with a sweet center. The 2 of them are hot and entertaining and just plain fun. Irene is one of those child prodigy types who is a genius. Holtz, the only son of the local wolf pack alpha, has been intrigued by Dr. Irene since he met her. She figures men don't really notice her and would just banter back and forth with Holtz not thinking anything of it. Since she's a genius, her brilliant mind gets her in trouble. She creates a little something that has quite a few governments after her invention and decides to dispose of it in the woods. Oops, how was she supposed to know it was the Rubicon where the various shapeshifter clans hunted, fought, etc. Of course her being there causes some issues and it's up to Holtz to get her out of it. Irene is one of those smart, funny women who doesn't necessarily need the hero to rescue her. Just in those instances where blowing out the wall of a building isn't an option. And even more hilarity, action and very hot love scenes ensue. If you want a funny story with some very steamy scenes and very likable characters, pick up this book. "Wicked Ways": This one was OK. The first story was my favorite, but I would give this story a score of about 3 1/2 stars. Nice and steamy. Fairly likeable characters. It wasn't bad. Just liked Irene and Holtz more. Overall, I would give Ms. Laurenston's story 5 stars and Ms. Eden's story 3 1/2. The book is definitely worth reading.

As with all multi-author books, a good one is joined with a so-so one. This book introduced me to Ms Laurenston and I love her. Cynthia Eden is not so bad but it was the Laurenston book that I re-read over and over again. It is the kind of story that I regularly use before bed to insure a nightmareless sleep. She always leaves me in a good mood because her stories are full of funny characters.

Both of the stories in this book were excellent! Of course, Ms. Laurenston made me laugh & made me get all hot & bothered. Van was a great hero, totally alpha all the way, and Irene was the quirky heroine that I've come to expect and love from Ms. Laurenston. This was my first read from Ms. Eden, and I'll have to admit, it won't be the last. Her characters are great, and her way with words is a definite winner. Cain was a hot, yet sensitive hero (and my first jaguar), and Miranda was the strong, sexy heroine that I enjoy reading about.

Shelly Laurenston's Miss Congeniality did not disappoint. Fast paced, funny and characters you want to hear from again. I'll be looking forward for her next book. Cynthia Eden's Wicked Ways was much darker but interesting none the less. It was not as fast a read as Shelly Laurenston's and I would only give it a 3 out of 5. This was the first of her writings that I have read, I will hold out futher judgement till I read the next. C.Moore

MISS CONGENIALITY by Shelly Laurenston Professor Irene Conridge had been a childhood prodigy who excelled academically but never learned any people skills. She's brutally honest and has absolutely no interest in making friends or entering a romantic relationship. The one little glitch in her workaholic life is Van. He doesn't seem to understand that she has no interest in him. Niles Van Holtz is extremely sought after by the females of the Seattle area. However, he's set his sights on Professor Conridge who obviously wants nothing to do with him. She's so button down serious and unemotional that he wants nothing more than to break down her barriers and unleash the passionate woman he's sure is lurking just beneath the surface. Van doesn't believe that marking a woman makes you mated to her for life so when Irene accidentally comes to the attention of other shifters in the area, the only option he has to save her is marking her as `his.' Irene has no intention of becoming Van's anything and no way does she have any intention of engaging in intercourse with him. All that sweaty exchanging of body fluids - GROSS! So why is she suddenly consumed with thoughts of him and all the sinfully wicked things they can do together. Shelly Laurenston had me laughing out loud at the deadpan reactions and comments Irene has throughout this story. She's so deadly serious that I absolutely adored her! Van's self confidence is challenged by the simple fact that she really doesn't want him. Hisis vulnerability makes him absolutely lovable. MISS CONGENIALITY fit my mood perfectly when I read it and really brightened my day - especially when we discover exactly when the concoction she created that leads to her downfall is revealed. WICKED WAYS by Cynthia Eden Miranda Shaw isn't having any luck finding a man through the normal channels so she's resorted to the internet to help her find Mr. Right. Unfortunately the man she chooses turns out to be very wrong - in fact, he's a vampire, far more interested in draining her than dating her. Too bad she didn't consider her new neighbor Cain as potential dating material. Cain Lawson moved in next door to Miranda five days ago. He has every intention of making her `his' but he was trying to be gentlemanly and give her a chance to get to know him. After rescuing her from an undead bloodsucker he's decided to step up his plan a little bit. If Miranda's looking to take a walk on the wild side then he's just the guy for her. After having been attacked by the vampire, Miranda is force to admit that there are paranormal beings walking amongst the living. Cain has a feral side that she's positive isn't simply human possessiveness. Amanda caves into her craving for Cain but soon finds herself immersed in putting a stop to the bloodthirsty vampire who's apparently been using the internet to pick up vulnerable women. She's determined to stop a killer and Cain's going to do everything in his power to protect