Big Guns Out of Uniform

Rating:
Summary: three fine contemporary stories
Review: "Bad to the Bone" by Sherrilyn Kenyon. Thirty year old high school teacher Marianne Webernec dreams of being tall, thin, and terrific, but knows she is average. However, she looks forward to playing out her favorite romantic fantasy at a "sex camp". However, instead of pretend, Marianne finds herself underneath and in other positions with real life espionage agent Kyle Foster as she is on the wrong side of the vacation island.

"Let's Talk About Sex" by Liz Carlyle. Radio host Dr. Delia Sydney provides advice to callers on her show "Let's Talk About Sex" though her own personal life has been a bit cold lately. When the power company cuts down her trees, she meets Sergeant Nick Wooduff. He teaches the sex doctor what lovemaking is all about when it is with the right person.

"The Nekkid Truth" by Nicole Camden. Photographer Debbie Valley is so good at her work especially shots of naked people that even the police use her at crime scenes. Thus though he would prefer anyone but her Detective Michael Scott asks Debbie to take pictures of a homicide. Debbie has wanted Michael for five years, but he ignores her except on a case though she flirts outrageously with him. Now she is helping him on a murder investigation, but also hopes this intimacy will lead him to her bed.

The three tales are fine contemporary stories that readers will enjoy as each entry contains delightfully charming lead couples that the audience will like. Whether the hero is in his official uniform or his birth attire, fans of erotic romance will enjoy the hi-jinks of this collection.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: One of the best books i have read in a while.
Review: Big guns out of uniform was a book that i could not put down. I loved every page of it. It was so interesting, attractive, and i didn't want it to end. I flew to each page and i before i knew it i had finished. I think this is a very good book. I can't wait to read more.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best books i have read in a while.
Review: Big guns out of uniform was a book that i could not put down. I loved every page of it. It was so interesting, attractive, and i didn't want it to end. I flew to each page and i before i knew it i had finished. I think this is a very good book. I can't wait to read more.

Rating:
Summary: Goes from Good to Great to Stellar in that order!
Review: Having never read any of these authors prior to this and not particularly caring for the cop theme in my books, I settled down to read this book quite by accident and will now never let it go. Kenyon's story had a majorly weak and contrived plot but it was still enjoyable to read. Liz Carlyle's gets much better with excellent dialogue and characterizations. Reminds me of a less desperate Stephanie Plum and a Joseph Morelli on vacation. I will definitely be seeking out more of Liz Carlyle. Nicole Camden blew me away. I have read plenty of erotica and romance in my time and she combined the best of both worlds. Characters I loved. Sympathetic situations. Heroine had a great vocation. Everyone was comfortable with their own sexuality. Ms. Camden is very comparible to Emma Holly, Jennifer Crusie, Janet Evanovich, Laurell K. Hamilton, Robin Schone, with a touch of Linda Howard all wrapped up in one. I am terribly disappointed that her backlist consists of zilch and her website is pretty much a "coming soon" zone. Patience I tell myself.

Rating:
Summary: Goes from Good to Great to Stellar in that order!
Review: Having never read any of these authors prior to this and not particularly caring for the cop theme in my books, I settled down to read this book quite by accident and will now never let it go. Kenyon's story had a majorly weak and contrived plot but it was still enjoyable to read. Liz Carlyle's gets much better with excellent dialogue and characterizations. Reminds me of a less desperate Stephanie Plum and a Joseph Morelli on vacation. I will definitely be seeking out more of Liz Carlyle. Nicole Camden blew me away. I have read plenty of erotica and romance in my time and she combined the best of both worlds. Characters I loved. Sympathetic situations. Heroine had a great vocation. Everyone was comfortable with their own sexuality. Ms. Camden is very comparible to Emma Holly, Jennifer Crusie, Janet Evanovich, Laurell K. Hamilton, Robin Schone, with a touch of Linda Howard all wrapped up in one. I am terribly disappointed that her backlist consists of zilch and her website is pretty much a "coming soon" zone. Patience I tell myself.

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable anthology
Review: I bought this book mainly to see what Liz Carlyle's first contemporary would be like (terrific!) and also to check out Sherrilyn Kenyon's new BAD/Sex Camp series. I was not disappointed in either story. Both were fun and sexy and enjoyable. But I have to confess that I did not really read Nicole Camden's story, I skimmed it. The title turned me off, the sex was a bit coarse for my taste and it was told in the first person, which I rarely enjoy. Perhaps I'm being unfair to Ms Camden (whom I'd never read nor heard of before), but though her premise was easily the most creative of the three (a photographer that loses her ability to recognize faces), it just wasn't my cup of tea.

Personally I enjoyed Ms. Kenyon's story, though other reviewers did not and that may be because I've not read any of Ms Kenyon's other books and so had no particular expectations. I've read all of her books under Kinley MacGregor and have enjoyed them. BAD TO THE BONE kicks off her BAD (Bureau of American Defense)/Sex Camp series and, though at times you may find yourself rolling your eyes and saying "puh-leeze!" you'll likely be giggling while you do it! This one is pure "Fantasy Island", so check reality at the door. Mild mannered high school teacher Marianne has come to Sex Camp to participate in a fantasy acting out one of her favourite romance/suspense author's stories. But when she stumbles onto BAD agent Kyle who is on a forced leave from his job as a covert government agent, he decides that if she's going to have a fantasy, he's the one she's going to have it with! He kidnaps her and together they have their own little weeklong steamy fantasy. But what happens when it's time to return to reality? I loved Kyle's character - a sexy and sweet nice guy. And Marianne is the proverbial "everywoman" - average to everyone but Kyle! Fun, sexy and sweet.

Liz Carlyle's LET'S TALK ABOUT SEX was witty, sexy and fun. Dr Delia knows all about sex in the clinical sense and shares her knowledge with the listeners to her radio show. But her real life sexual experience is more limited than one would think and since her divorce, she's bordering on uptight. But when she meets her hunky, sexy neighbor Nick, a cop on forced administrative leave, she is shocked to discover her interest in a fling with a total stranger! What is it about this guy that leaves her willing to do things she'd never even consider before? He's a heartbreaker for sure, so she'll need to be careful not to fall for the guy. But given their mutual passion can either come out of this steamy relationship unscathed? I loved this story and as another reviewer pointed out, it's much lighter in tone than her historicals. Her style reminded me a bit of Susan Donovan who happens to be one of my faves. I look forward to more contemporaries by Ms Carlyle!

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable anthology
Review: I bought this book mainly to see what Liz Carlyle's first contemporary would be like (terrific!) and also to check out Sherrilyn Kenyon's new BAD/Sex Camp series. I was not disappointed in either story. Both were fun and sexy and enjoyable. But I have to confess that I did not really read Nicole Camden's story, I skimmed it. The title turned me off, the sex was a bit coarse for my taste and it was told in the first person, which I rarely enjoy. Perhaps I'm being unfair to Ms Camden (whom I'd never read nor heard of before), but though her premise was easily the most creative of the three (a photographer that loses her ability to recognize faces), it just wasn't my cup of tea.

Personally I enjoyed Ms. Kenyon's story, though other reviewers did not and that may be because I've not read any of Ms Kenyon's other books and so had no particular expectations. I've read all of her books under Kinley MacGregor and have enjoyed them. BAD TO THE BONE kicks off her BAD (Bureau of American Defense)/Sex Camp series and, though at times you may find yourself rolling your eyes and saying "puh-leeze!" you'll likely be giggling while you do it! This one is pure "Fantasy Island", so check reality at the door. Mild mannered high school teacher Marianne has come to Sex Camp to participate in a fantasy acting out one of her favourite romance/suspense author's stories. But when she stumbles onto BAD agent Kyle who is on a forced leave from his job as a covert government agent, he decides that if she's going to have a fantasy, he's the one she's going to have it with! He kidnaps her and together they have their own little weeklong steamy fantasy. But what happens when it's time to return to reality? I loved Kyle's character - a sexy and sweet nice guy. And Marianne is the proverbial "everywoman" - average to everyone but Kyle! Fun, sexy and sweet.

Liz Carlyle's LET'S TALK ABOUT SEX was witty, sexy and fun. Dr Delia knows all about sex in the clinical sense and shares her knowledge with the listeners to her radio show. But her real life sexual experience is more limited than one would think and since her divorce, she's bordering on uptight. But when she meets her hunky, sexy neighbor Nick, a cop on forced administrative leave, she is shocked to discover her interest in a fling with a total stranger! What is it about this guy that leaves her willing to do things she'd never even consider before? He's a heartbreaker for sure, so she'll need to be careful not to fall for the guy. But given their mutual passion can either come out of this steamy relationship unscathed? I loved this story and as another reviewer pointed out, it's much lighter in tone than her historicals. Her style reminded me a bit of Susan Donovan who happens to be one of my faves. I look forward to more contemporaries by Ms Carlyle!

Rating:
Summary: A Great Set Of Stories!!!
Review: I found this book to be a fun read which highlighted the first of a new series by the very talented Sherrilyn Kenyon. The other contributing authors Ms. Carlyle and newcomer Nicole Camden also pen hot steamy romances that were entertaining and fun to read.

Sherrilyn Kenyon's story "BAD to the Bone" takes us to an island get away where mid-west teacher Marianne Webernec finds herself the winner of a "Hideaway Heroine Sweepstakes". She gets to live her favorite romance novel. Problem is the guy that is cast as "the hero" is a wet rag and less then romance inspiring. While on a stroll along the beach she finds herself literally swept away by a muscled yummy man Kyle Foster. Kyle is on a forced vacation in order to heal from wound that he sustained in the field. He is a Bureau of American Defense (BAD) agent and a real honest to goodness secret agent. Kyle finds himself drawn to Marianne and finds out why she's there and then kidnaps her in order to fulfill more then just her fantasy. What they find out is that truth can be sexier then fiction.

Liz Caryle's "Lets Talk About Sex" centers around Dr. Delia Sydney. She is a divorcee living in an ugly house, driving a wreck, and wishing that her life was a little more exciting. She can give great advice about relationships she just can't seem to find her own happily ever after. Then just when she thinks life can't get any worse her car breaks down in front of Nick Woodruff's house. She has already met the handsome and rugged cop and was not impressed with the first meeting. The second one does not look like it's going to be any better but then things are not always what they seem. Eventually these two find that they have a lot in common and that the attraction that they both feel can not be ignored. This was a very witty and fun read not to mention the fact that there was great chemistry that really added to the story.

Nicole Camden's "The Nekkid Truth" was different but still a fun read. Debbie Valley is a photographer that occasionally works for the local police department. Debbie was in an accident several years earlier and as a result she does not recognize faces. She even doesn't recogonize her own face. This leads her to recognize a person by identifying peoples bodies. Despite her problem she still finds herself drawn to Detective Marshall Scott. Marshall is drawn to the flirty Debbie but is not sure if a relationship between the two of them is a good idea. See he was in the car that hurt Debbie and now he is not sure if she blames him for her condition. Still despite how hard they both work to avoid the mutual attraction they find themselves getting together and eventually they quit fighting their feelings. On top of this there is an unsovled murder that Marshal is investigating and it looks like the only one that can help him solve the crime is Debbie with the use of her body recognition. This story was told from the prespective of Debbie and as a result is written in the first person. That took awile to get used to I must admit. This story would have probably been better as a full lenghth story rather then a short story but it was still worth reading. I would have liked to have seen the relationship between Debbie and Marshall as it was before the accident since I feel that it was important to how they later reacted to each other. Still this was a good effort for a first time read.

All said this was a real good book and one that I would not miss. I think that it's important for people to realize that when you read short stories like these that the stories will move at a rather fast clip and some details may be left out that would normally be included in a full lenghth title. Still if you are a fan of any of these authors it would be a crime to miss out on their latest offerings!

Rating:
Summary: A Great Set Of Stories!!!
Review: I found this book to be a fun read which highlighted the first of a new series by the very talented Sherrilyn Kenyon. The other contributing authors Ms. Carlyle and newcomer Nicole Camden also pen hot steamy romances that were entertaining and fun to read.

Sherrilyn Kenyon's story "BAD to the Bone" takes us to an island get away where mid-west teacher Marianne Webernec finds herself the winner of a "Hideaway Heroine Sweepstakes". She gets to live her favorite romance novel. Problem is the guy that is cast as "the hero" is a wet rag and less then romance inspiring. While on a stroll along the beach she finds herself literally swept away by a muscled yummy man Kyle Foster. Kyle is on a forced vacation in order to heal from wound that he sustained in the field. He is a Bureau of American Defense (BAD) agent and a real honest to goodness secret agent. Kyle finds himself drawn to Marianne and finds out why she's there and then kidnaps her in order to fulfill more then just her fantasy. What they find out is that truth can be sexier then fiction.

Liz Caryle's "Lets Talk About Sex" centers around Dr. Delia Sydney. She is a divorcee living in an ugly house, driving a wreck, and wishing that her life was a little more exciting. She can give great advice about relationships she just can't seem to find her own happily ever after. Then just when she thinks life can't get any worse her car breaks down in front of Nick Woodruff's house. She has already met the handsome and rugged cop and was not impressed with the first meeting. The second one does not look like it's going to be any better but then things are not always what they seem. Eventually these two find that they have a lot in common and that the attraction that they both feel can not be ignored. This was a very witty and fun read not to mention the fact that there was great chemistry that really added to the story.

Nicole Camden's "The Nekkid Truth" was different but still a fun read. Debbie Valley is a photographer that occasionally works for the local police department. Debbie was in an accident several years earlier and as a result she does not recognize faces. She even doesn't recogonize her own face. This leads her to recognize a person by identifying peoples bodies. Despite her problem she still finds herself drawn to Detective Marshall Scott. Marshall is drawn to the flirty Debbie but is not sure if a relationship between the two of them is a good idea. See he was in the car that hurt Debbie and now he is not sure if she blames him for her condition. Still despite how hard they both work to avoid the mutual attraction they find themselves getting together and eventually they quit fighting their feelings. On top of this there is an unsovled murder that Marshal is investigating and it looks like the only one that can help him solve the crime is Debbie with the use of her body recognition. This story was told from the prespective of Debbie and as a result is written in the first person. That took awile to get used to I must admit. This story would have probably been better as a full lenghth story rather then a short story but it was still worth reading. I would have liked to have seen the relationship between Debbie and Marshall as it was before the accident since I feel that it was important to how they later reacted to each other. Still this was a good effort for a first time read.

All said this was a real good book and one that I would not miss. I think that it's important for people to realize that when you read short stories like these that the stories will move at a rather fast clip and some details may be left out that would normally be included in a full lenghth title. Still if you are a fan of any of these authors it would be a crime to miss out on their latest offerings!

Rating:
Summary: Okay
Review: I love Sherrilyn Kenyon novels, that was why I bought this anthology. "Bad to the Bone" was okay, but not Ms. Kenyon's usual. I personally thought "Let's Talk About Sex" was a much more interesting story about a rather unlucky woman and a cop.