I must admit I was hoping for more from this. ( )

Arresting Desire - Shayla Black Two years ago FBI Agent Jon Bocelli was working undercover within the DiStefano mob family. He had been very attracted to the youngest daughter but in the end thought she was to young and innocent and walked away. Now he is back because his brother is in jail for killing a judge and he needs Lucia DiStefano to get evidence he didnt do it. He also decides to finally give in and take Lucia and I have to say when he went all caveman it was damn sexy...

On Fire - Sylvia Day There has been 3 cases of arson in the small seaside town of Lion's Bay and fire inspector Darcy Michaels thinks they need to bring the Feds in. Darcy came back to Lion's Bay when her twin sister was brutally murdered. All three of these fires were to businesses that she and her sister had frequented as children. She know there is a connection there but cant quite figure it out. When Deputy Marshal Jared Cameron arrives in town to investigates the series of arson attacks the instant attraction between her and Jared is so freggin hot. These two burn it up and down and then back up again - WHEW they were smoking together. During the investigation alot of secrets come out about Darcy's sister that both shock and hurt her. This was the best of the three in my opinion.

The Unwilling - Shiloh Walker Colby Mathis is a powerful psychic. He was once with the FBI and fell hard for another psychic he went through training with but she was freaked out about her gift and left him 15 years ago. After a bad judgement call that almost got another fellow agent and a child killed Colby walked away from the FBI. He now works for his father in a bookstore and sits on the beach and drinks. The woman that walked away 15 years ago is now a police lieutenant. Mica Greer has just found her third mutilated body. The gift that she doesn't want is telling her this wont be the last. Mica's captain decides they need help and calls the FBI. Colby and Mica's old boss doesn't have anyone to spare at the moment but recommends they seek out Colby to help them much to Mica's dismay. Neither Colby nor Mica really want to work together - Colby because he is still in love with Mica and Mica because Colby makes her face her gift but when Colby realizes that Mica is the next victim he will do anything to save the woman he loves. ( )

I only read Shiloh Walker's story. I love the FBI series and just had to read it. It was a very good story, but not as good as the books. I guess that is usually the case with short stories. I hope to get to the other stories eventually, but my TBR list is TOO long. I have to make choices on what I'm reading. Off to my next book. :) ( )

I took my time getting through this one because of the three different stories. I haven’t read many anthologies before and I really enjoyed the experience. I’ll keep a lookout for more.

While I enjoyed all three of these stories, “On Fire” was my favorite. Maybe I just love the way Sylvia Day writes or something. I just know there was a connection between her characters that hooked me much more than the other two stories. It’s kind of ironic since the characters in her story had never met and the characters in the other two stories had known each other already. I also liked the way she incorporated suspense into her story. It’s certainly present in the other two, I just liked the way it fit into her story. I found the suspense in Shiloh Walker’s story to be a little on the creepy side, but in a good way. I was pleasantly surprised by the paranormal element in her story. That’s what really set her story apart from the other two. The weak link for me was Shayla Black’s story. It makes me sad because I was hoping for this to be my sample of her writing before I read one of her full-length novels. The story was still good is just seemed a little pale in comparison to the other two. I hope that her novels will stand out a little more.

All in all, this is an enjoyable anthology. It would be a nice book for a trip with some reading time or if you only have short bursts of time to read. ( )

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: This anthology delivers three smexy tales reminding us that handcuffs are more than for restaining the bad guys and resisting arrest never felt so good.

Excerpt: “Arresting Desire“, “On Fire“, “The Unwilling“

The Review:

This anthology is all about law enforcement and the “toys” they use. I must say that the author lineup is impressive. Each contributor is well known for their imagery in and out of the bedroom scenes. Though, in all fairness, I must warn you that it’s not all about the lovin; there is also great storylines to go with them! So sit back and relax and imagine all the possibilities of handcuff accessorizing.

“Arresting Desire“ by Shayla Black

There is a whole lot going on in this novella, and I’m not just talking about the sex scenes! Jon Bocelli is an undercover FBI agent with an agenda. He is looking for evidence to clear his brother’s name and the only way he can think to do it is by going back to the family he helped investigate years ago. Of course now that he is back, his priorities include someone other than his brother; the beautiful and intelligent Dr. Lucia DiStefano.

Lucia is about to turn 25 and is still a virgin. The only man she has ever desired has waltzed back into her life and looking for her help. She may be willing to if he could see his way to “help” her out in return. While following the clues left by her dead father, Lucia and Jon get some time to explore each other physically and emotionally.

Rating: 3/5

“On Fire“ by Sylvia Day (Shadow Walkers miniseries – Book 4)

Things are heating up in small town Lion’s Bay when several local businesses seem to be victims of an arsonist. Darcy Michaels is a local fire inspector that calls in extra support to help solve the crimes being committed. What she didn’t count on is the dark and sexy US Marshal, Jared Cameron, to light her libido aflame.

When Jared and Darcy first spot each other, the sparks flying between them should have set everything around them on fire. When they do decide to give into temptation, their desire becomes incendiary. But there is more to these fires than meets the eye; can Jared and Darcy find the culprit before he strikes again?

This novella has some very “hot” scenes. I am a little surprised (and slightly disappointed) that their dirty talk and rough bed play didn’t set the pages on fire. On Fire is definitely my favorite story in this anthology.

Rating: 5/5

“The Unwilling“ by Shiloh Walker

Colby Mathis is a man in hiding; hiding from his past and hiding from his gift. He once used his psychic gifts to find and bring to justice the bad guys, but no longer. Holed away on a beach, he tries not to think about the dreams and visions that bombard him; including his hot and steamy dreams of his ex-lover and partner, Mica Greer.

Lieutenant Mica has a six sense for solving crimes, but this serial killer has her baffled. Teaming up with Colby may be the only way she can prevent another murder. Can she safeguard her heart while she links up psychically with the man she has never gotten out of her system? Most of the time Colby and Mica are “on the job”, though they do have a brief and intense interlude of sexual release. Can they reconcile their past to make way for their future?

The bad guy here is freakin’ crazy and the story reflects the tension and darkness that a sociopath is capable of. I enjoyed the sense of danger and edginess that this story draws out from the pages; all the things that I come to expect from a gifted writer like Shiloh Walker.

Rating: 4/5

FTC Advisory: Penguin / Berkley graciously provided me with a copy of Hot in Handcuffs. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. The only things I received for payment are hugs and kisses from my little boys. ( )