WICKED WAYS by Cynthia Eden
I'm too dangerous for her. I know it, but I can't get my sexy new neighbor out of my head. When I hear her scream one night, the absolute last thing I expect to see is Miranda Shaw-star of my hottest fantasies-being attacked by a vampire. Now the undead jerk is after her, and I'm the only thing standing between the beautiful lady and a killer who just won't stop. Well, too bad for him, because that vamp has just made the worst mistake of his afterlife-he's tangled with a shifter.And Miranda, well, she's so busy watching out for him that she won't see me closing in on her-not until it's too late-and I'm about to show her just how wild I can get...

MISS CONGENIALITY by Shelly Laurenston
It's those damn stockings that get me every time. They have this sexy little line down the back and I can't help but stare at her legs...constantly. And you'd think she'd be all over me like every other female in the Seattle area. I'm young, good looking, and one day I'll be Alpha Male of my family's Pack. But Professor Irene Conridge acts like I don't even exist. How is that possible? Now she's got enemies coming out of the woodwork and I have to protect her. Why? Because that's the kind of man I am. Yes, I am that amazing. Of course, it doesn't hurt that while I work to secure her safety, she'll be hanging out at my house. That's hours...days even that I've got Irene Conridge right where I want her. ( )

When He Was Bad is an anthology featuring stories by Cynthia Eden, author of Hotter After Midnight, and Shelly Laurenston, author of The Mane Event. Both of these authors are new to me, so this novel was one of those great finds.

Miss Congeniality by S. Laurenston
I’ve heard of this author mentioned before, but never to the point where it made me want to pick something up from her and now I’m kicking myself for it. While the story had it’s moments of being dragged out, overall it was hilarious. The last chapter had me rolling with laughter and made it really hard to finish the story. I really liked the female lead, Irene Conridge. Her whole personality was very straight forward and brutally honest and because of the situations Laurenston put her in, it just made her come across all the better. As for the male lead, Niles Van Holtz, his character was okay, but he was way to sex oriented. I’m not complaining about the sex in the novel, but for someone who likes to read the trashy romance novels and has no problem with romantic elements in any sense of the word, it was kind of overdone and tended to get annoying. I could have done with a little less sex and more on the plot. The plot of the story was actually really good and I could totally see this more as a full length novel rather than a short, but it was still good as a novella. Overall, if the rest of Ms. Laurenston’s stuff is as good as Miss Congeniality, then I’m really going to enjoy the novels I’ve added to my TBR list. Edited: I was just perusing Laurenston’s website and noticed that this story is part of a series. It’s the fourth story set in her Magnus Pack series, however, I never felt that I was missing out on anything prior to this.

Wicked Ways by C. Eden
For another unknown author, I was completely floored by the story Wicked Ways. Cynthia Eden had been from the first paragraph and she really didn’t let me go until the end. I’ll be honest, I did put the book/story down a couple of times, but only because I had to (stupid paint doesn’t apply itself). The story’s plot had all the elements for a full length novel and they were all exceptionally well written in this short novella. Both of the main characters were well developments and their interaction with each other was pure chemistry. We were given a plot that had danger and entanglements that kept us guessing at every page. I really have nothing bad to say about this story. The pacing was great, the characters were engaging, and the plot kept you interested; what more can a person expect out of a novella. I’m definitely going to be adding Eden to my TBR list and I am sorely tempted to hunt up one of her books tomorrow.

Overall, When He Was Bad was an awesome anthology featuring two authors who I should have heard about a long time ago. The book kept my attention all day and I can honestly say that it has driven my reading mood out the door. Where it took me days to get through the last novel, this one didn’t let me go until it was finished. If you’re looking for new authors and want to test out their material, then you really need to get your hands on this book because you’ll be searching for any Laurenston or Eden novels once you’re done.

http://www.literaryescapism.com/2008/... ( )

'When He Was Bad' consists of two novellas featuring shapeshifters - a werewolf in the first story and a werejaguar in the second. Both stories were entertaining but "wicked ways" by Eden was better. Cynthia Eden grabs your attention from the very first page and keeps you immersed in the storyline until the very end. the hero and heroine have vulnerabilities and personalities that really endear them to the reader. ( )

OK, it's really more like 3.75 stars...
This book includes two stories. A very funny story written by Laurenston back in the 80s and a new one by Eden. If you don't or can't remember the 80s, Laurenston's story might not be as funny, but I did enjoy it. It is, however, more romance than erotica.

Miss Congeniality by Laurenston
Irene is a prodigy biophysicist. She considers her greatest asset to be her brain and everything else in her life is just what she does to use that brain. She is socially inept, wardrobe challenged, and can't understand why anyone would want to have sex...much less a relationship.

Van will be Alpha of his pack one day and his life is just as he likes it. Money to burn, sex on demand, and no real responsibilities. Now if he could just stop fantasizing about Irene.

Wicked Ways by Eden
Miranda can sure pick 'em. After dumping her second fiance, she tries to be selective...and ends up with a date who bites her neck with some wicked long fangs and tries to drain her!!

Cain hasn't been able to get his new neighbor out of his lustful thoughts. When he saves her from a vampire, he decides she's obviously open to some interspecies dating.

Eden's story is hot, hot, hot. I want a Cain of my own!!. ( )