Stacey Espino

ABOUT THE BOOK: Callum O’Shea has segregated himself from a world that rejected him since childhood. His older brother, Arden, protected him from life…but even he can only take so much of the isolation.

When a young university student offers to help with Callum’s hog problem in exchange for room and board, he’s not in a financial position to refuse. He’s surprised when she doesn’t judge him for his Tourette’s Syndrome. But he’s learned that good things rarely last.

Hailey show more Watson tried to prove her parents wrong by being the best scientist she could be. When her research funding is cut off, her world spirals out of control. With the help of Callum and Arden, the reclusive Irish cowboys, she learns there is more to life than success at her job. But are the two hardcore cowboys capable of real love?

REVIEW: Ms. Espino caught my attention with this one from the first word. Very rarely today will we find a piece that also works in some sort of “medical issue” one of the lead characters may have. Espino managed to work Tourette’s into this piece and the way she did it was not only enlightening but oh, so sexy.

The character development was great and the only issue I had was that I wished it was longer – yes, that is how much I liked the book.

If you’re looking for a quick read that will spice it up along with giving you a completely new insight into a characters mind – check this piece out and add it to your TBR pile.

Five out of five stars for a great job. show less

Overall this was one hot, HOT anthology! Some stories were better than others, but on the whole they were well-written. This anthology isn’t your typical collection of shorts that feel like a chapter ripped out of a longer story. Each story was around four to five chapters long, so the majority of the stories had a decent character and plot development. The heroes were powerful men, both in bed and out, well endowed and cunning linguists. The majority of the stories had a few things in show more common: 1) virgin heroines 2) CEO heroes 3) older heroes and younger heroines. There was definitely something for everyone. A few mistakes here and there slipped through the cracks, but this book is still definitely worth getting. Out of the twelve stories, six of them were stand outs, in my opinion.

My rating for each story was derived from my first impression after reading it, the overall comparison to the writing level/content of the other stories and lastly how memorable the story was or whether I would read it again.

#1) The Billionaire’s Florist by Stacey Espino

Elements: Older hero, younger heroine, dirty-talk

Karlee Jones is up to her eyeballs in debt. Getting the job to cater for a wedding is her saving grace, until the man she mistakes for the groom hits on her and shows her pleasures beyond her wildest imagination. Will her prejudice stand in her way of a HEA will the older billionaire?

I liked it. I didn’t mind the age difference between the characters; at least Karlee was running a business , or trying to. As a hard-working woman trying to make ends meet and the stark differences mentioned in the story between her and Andrew made her prejudice against Robert Black quite believable. After their night together, I wasn’t surprised that she disappeared out of self preservation. The sex was oh so HOT! Robert was well-endowed, had the stamina of a twenty year old, and he delivered on the dirty talk. I didn’t really buy the heroine fancying herself in love after spending a few hours in his bed. Even though this story was around four chapters, it felt much shorter and a bit more rushed than any of the others.

Rating: 3/5

#2) The Proposal by Doris O’Connor

Elements: PNR, shifters, CEO

Interior designer Lara Butler is late for a business appointment. She’s about to be really late when the smell of the sexy stranger in the elevator makes her salivate and want to jump his bones.

I liked that the hero had been aware of the heroine for a year, so in a way, their meeting wasn’t simply fate intervening. Jameson Harold was one hot alpha male, and he had the moves to prove it. Another thing I appreciated was that he didn’t jump her at the first opportunity; instead he let he do her job and in turn he did his. The sex was hot, but since they did it three times in this story, there wasn’t much else to the story.

Rating: 3/5

#3) Seduced By the Millionaires by Shayla Colt

Elements: Interracial, ménage M/F/M, M/F, foreigners

Thirty-five year old Dmitry Arsenyev is a cleaner with the Russian mafia. He’s tired and lonely. That is until he meets sweet and pure Lila. Twenty-two year old Lila has led a very sheltered life thanks to the preaching of her parents. She fled home to go to college in the big city. She works in the Arsenyev’s club to put herself through college. The brothers are instantly drawn to her purity. She’s like the light to their darkness, and they want her. An attack sends them into lock down, Lila included. Her life as she new it will never be the same.

Another good story. The author did a very good job of introducing the characters to life. From the few short chapters I felt Dmitry’s loneliness and the burden of his job. In a world as dangerous as theirs, it was up to him to keep his family safe. He hadn’t been in a relationship since the last woman tried to play him and Val against each other.

Lila was described as being sheltered and her naiveté held true throughout the story considering she’d been working in that club for a while and had no idea who her employers were or what they did for a living. Her near brush with death made her want to experience what the two brothers were offering her.

The sex was hot, but I found it odd that the virgin had been playing with B.O.B. For a long time, yet she still had a hymen to break.

Rating: 3.5/5

#4) Slave Driver by Lila Shaw

Elements: M/F, contemporary, friends to lovers, widow, humor

Thirty-three year old Kristy Kreem let herself go after the death of her husband nine months ago. On doctor’s orders to get her health back up, she joins a gym. Not just any gym, but one known for the most grueling workouts at the hands of personal trainer Blake Smith. She’s surprised that Blake is really BJ, the notorious bad boy she knew from high school and who stood her up for homecoming. Blake can’t believe the goody two-shoes he once had a thing for in high school is in his gym. He never forgot her or the fact that she stood him up at homecoming. Maybe now that they’re older they’ll have a chance to explore that high school attraction and take things further.

This story was sexy and so funny! I think Blake got a kick out of torturing her during the workouts as a bit of payback for the past. Her snark both rolled right off of Blake and made him hot for her. I liked that every other chapter was a flashback to the past where we got a glimpse of just how different those two were. They ran in different circles and never openly flirted, but Blake pulled an older version of “pulling a girl’s pigtails”. I liked how their friendship evolved slowly until Blake addressed their communication issues from the past to help them get over that pesky hurdle. Their first time was sexily awkward, but it seemed to suit these characters. I’ve read a few other stories by this author and she never disappoints.

Favorite moment:

Blake let go of her with a yelp. Her legs collapsed beneath her and down she fell onto her back, her arms still bent in the gripping position.



Rating: 4.5/5

#5) A Whisper of Silk by London Saint James

Elements: First person POV, foreigner, M/F, virgin

Twenty-nine year old Luci Karins is reliable, predictable and boring. With no social life to speak of, she doesn’t protest when her boss gives her a moment’s notice to pack and jet off to Rio on a business trip. One night with a sexy stranger named Rafi leaves an impression on her. When she misses her dinner date the next night, she has no way of finding or contacting him. Once back in New York she can’t forget the man or what could have been. Will they ever meet again or was their time destined to remain a one time only experience?

I loved this story! It was so descriptive from sights, sounds and smells, but what really caught my attention was how I could instantly picture Rafi in my mind. He was the epitome of the Latin Lover. This story had a great, sensual flow to it, and I liked both characters equally. I definitely want to read more from this author.

Rating: 5/5

#6) The Mobster’s Promise by Sandra Bunino

Elements: Reunited lovers, M/F

Julia Hale is back in New York for an appeal hearing in the case of her father’s murder two years ago. The last person she expects to see is Roarke Velasco. She blames him for her father’s death, and she’s still hurt that he let her go so easily. Now he’s her bodyguard and constant shadow. She reluctantly puts up with him, but maybe all isn’t as it seems.

I really enjoyed the tension between the hero and heroine in this story. They may have loved each other, but she wasn’t about to compromise her own wishes and overlook Roarke’s job. The twist at the end was great. Not only was it a nice surprise, but I loved the reaction it got out of Julia and heightened the tension a little more. I thought keeping her waiting was a nice little payback for being a bit of a brat in the beginning. The love scene wasn’t as hot as what I’m normally used to from this author (pssst, check out her BDSM-lite series, The Satin Rose Experience).

Rating: 4/5

#7) Angels Incorporated by Katalyn Sage

Elements: M/F, fantasy, PNR, angels, virgin

Twenty-one year old Chloe Terranson is a third year college student working on the side as a barista. A regular and strangely persistent customer had been trying to talk her into modeling. She just may be desperate enough to do it now after getting laid off. When she meets the CEO of Angels Incorporated, Malcolm Thane, she feels a bone deep connection she can’t explain.

Not a bad story. I liked the PNR part of it, but the drama portion was so cliché. I thought everything about this story was rather predictable. The sex scene lacked the oompf factor, but perhaps it was because of the setting/circumstances.

Rating: 2/5

#8) Owning Desire by Nikki Prince

Elements: BBW, CEO, older hero, younger heroine, M/F, exhibitionism/voyeurism

Twenty-six year old Desiree Lawson has always been attracted to older men, especially her boss whom she’s had a crush on for years, fourty-four year old Sterling McKenna. When he returns unexpectedly from a business trip and calls her into his office, she knows something is wrong. She nearly cost him a deal, and his brand of reprimand is a double-edged sword. He has a proposal in mind that could either fulfill her secret fantasies or cost her her job.

At first glance, this story could have come across as the boss propositioning the hot secretary. Luckily the reader was given some pointers that the attraction was mutual, and therefore any agreement on either part would be consensual. This was one of those stories that you had to read and finish in order to get the whole picture because pieces of information were scattered throughout. Most times it felt as if an explanation was delivered right on the heels of what could be considered a questionable situation.

Overall, I was a bit disappointed with this story. I didn’t like the hero very much. He knew she was into the lifestyle, but instead of trying to court her, he basically blackmailed her and threatened her job in the process. He knew she was supporting her siblings yet he had no qualms about putting her between a rock and a hard place. His conversation with his lawyer, Ryder Yoshida, about golf could have been left out because that just interrupted the flow. Sterling’s matter of fact delivery that Ryder would be there to watch them for their first time kind of rankled, and Desiree’s repetitive insecurities about what would happen if he ever tired of her was a little annoying. To be honest, I was far more interested in Ryder than the other two.

Rating: 2.5/5

#9) Virgin Territory by Eve Meridian

Elements: M/F, CEO, older hero, younger heroine, virgin

Twenty-eight year old Sabrina vowed never to end up like her mother – always in debt, always moving. No, she would not get involved with the opposite sex, but she couldn’t help but notice her sexy boss. Forty-two year old CEO Drake Norton vowed never to get involved with an employee ever again. Not since his last lover accused him of sexual harassment in retaliation for ending their relationship. Will Sabrina let her guard down long enough to let a man in, and will Drake learn to trust his instincts again and end his loneliness?

I really enjoyed this story. The characters and the plot were fleshed out nicely, and I felt a connection to both of them. There was enough back story to help me understand them and care for them. My favorite trait of this story was the maturity they displayed throughout the story. Drake knew what he wanted and they had a great open and honest conversation about what was happened between them. No unnecessary drama. I would absolutely read more from this author. (I just realized this author also wrote a story for the Keyboards and Kink Anthology and I gave it 4.5 Stars back then).

Rating: 4.5/5

#10) Virgin Unbound by Persephone Jones

Elements: M/F, foreigner, professor/student relationship, virgin, dark, kink

Gertrude Tompkins has fallen for her professor, Dr. András Almássy. Of course, a man like him would never notice her, could never be interested in her. For her final exam in Sexuality in Literature, she wrote about one of her darkest fantasies. Not a problem since the essays were to be handed in anonymously. Professor Almássy has been pining for her and designed his entire course around the prospect of seducing her. Her story spurs him on to make his move and make her dark abduction fantasy and deflowering a reality.

Dark, sensual and well-written. This was one hot story, and Gertrude had one wild imagination. I loved that it started out with Gertrude’s story for her exam. It was unexpected, but it sucked me right in. I got the feeling that Gertrude was a young woman who knew what she wanted, but she wasn’t “there” yet in going after it. The fact that she didn’t outright try to seduce her professor made me like her a lot. As for András, his actions may have been a little creepy, but in context with the mutual attraction, Gertrude’s outward hesitance and the hidden yearning in her written words, he was the one with the most confidence to bring the dark seduction a life. Luckily, I enjoy stories like these, so I had no problem with their actions. If you want an erotic story with a slight edge to it, this is a great one to start with.

Rating: 4.5/5

#11) Firemen on the Move by Giselle Renarde

Elements: M/F, interracial, older hero, younger heroine

Twenty-seven year old Bindi is secretly moving out of her parent’s house while they’re away on vacation. She hires a moving company to help her move her belongings. The movers are retired firemen. Having one of them help her put her bed together might figuratively blow her mind.

Disappointing. After she described the more handsome of the two men as 25-30 years older than her and looked like Patrick Stewart. The more unfriendly one looked like Tim Allen in the movie Santa Clause. My problem wasn’t the age difference because she’s more than legal, but her “voice” was unappealing in its immaturity and annoying with her whining. When she’s put on the spot of offering them something to drink, she realizes she doesn’t have the basic kitchenware.

Bindi realized she had no wine glasses. She had no glasses of any kind. How could she have overlooked something so basic? She’d planned to go out the next morning and buy a set of dishes and cutlery, but she hadn’t even considered glassware.



Despite being 27 and living with the parents, at least she had been away at college, so I didn’t buy this brand of utter helplessness. The sex was hot, and Steve had the stamina of a twenty-something stud. Aside from that, a lot of the dialogue was inane conversation and didn’t help her case. This is the second story by this author that I’ve read and couldn’t get in to.

Rating: 1/5

#12) Running Mate by Jeremy Hosak

Elements: M/F, politician/intern

Senator Clark Crosby has the potential to not only become the youngest President but also the first single one. Heather Swift is an intern working on her master’s degree. When he accidentally elbows her in the eye, he feels bad and they get to talking about his campaign. Impressed by her knowledge and competence, he hires her on as his new campaign manager. Their work relationship eventually evolves into a romantic one, but in true political mud-slinging fashion, the opposition threatens to tear them apart. Can their relationship survive the run for the White House?

A great story! The dialogue was pretty humorous, but this story also had a nice, well-rounded feel to it. It had great characters, a bit of suspense and drama and hot love-making. I enjoyed the tie tugging and one scene that’s probably more typical of a male’s fantasy rather than a female’s. Overall though, I just really liked this author’s voice. Told in alternating first person POV, I never once felt annoyed by the character’s voice or thoughts, and that is usually difficult to pull off. I would definitely read more from this author.

Rating: 4.5/5

Overall, I’d give this anthology a 3.5 rounded up to 4, and six authors should be looked at more closely: Sandra Bunino, Lila Shaw, London Saint James, Eve Meridian, Persephone Jones and Jeremy Hosak.

Disclaimer: I received a review copy from the author for the purpose of an honest review. show less

I really liked this book. Although I’ve really liked everything of Stacey Espino’s I’ve read. This one will tug at your heart. It wasn’t like a lot of ménage out there where the men involved already know that’s the type of relationship they want. Josh, Matthew and Chance come to this decision when Cindy admits to loving them all and doesn’t want to choose.

Cindy was tormented her entire childhood and it has her convinced that she will always be alone. No man could want her once show more they know her secret. She molded herself into a strong self-sufficient woman, at least to the outside world. It was hard at times to watch (read) her deal with her hurt and anger. I’ll admit her lack of confidence was annoying at times, but it was relevant to the story. With the patience and love of the men involved she blossomed into a truly strong and loving woman who not only accepts love but expects it from “her men”.

What can I say about the men? Hot, sexy, alpha and once they love they love completely.
Chance is my favorite, for his patience and immediate acceptance of what Cindy needs.

Josh starts out a playboy and has a difficult time admitting that he’s in love. When he finally does he has the hardest time with the idea of a ménage.

Matthew is a childhood friend that was always there for Cindy. He has a hard time convincing her that he could want her. Let’s just say he take me on a picnic any day!

The sex scenes were steamy and very well done. They weren’t too long or drawn out and not quickies just to get through them. It didn’t come across as cheesy, which seems to be the case a little too often with these types of stories.

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Fate has never been kind to Delius. He is a fear demon - feeding on humans fears, creating terrible nightmares for sleeping victims. He is the boogeyman in the closet and he detests every minute of it. When he becomes trapped in Selina's mind, it is too much. He can't pull away. She's too tempting with her seductive thoughts. But for them to truly be together Delius will have to abandon his race and give up his destiny....

This is the first book in the Immortal Love series and one that I show more enjoyed. A curious story of demons and nightmares. I found the whole concept interesting. As demon stories go, I thought this one was unique. Fearless Desires is a compelling story. Full of passion and destiny, very seductive. I loved Delius and his brothers. Stacey Espino has written a delectable tale - that takes you away. show less