HOT NIGHTS, DARK DESIRES - Eden Bradley, Sydney Croft, Stephanie Tyler
Bantam
ISBN: 978-0-553-38517-5
May 2008
Erotic Contemporary Anthology

The sultry bayous of New Orleans add to the air of sensuality in this anthology by three very talented erotic authors. 

The Art of Desire - Eden Bradley
New Orleans, Louisiana - Present Day

Sophie Fiore has always wanted a tattoo, but that is something her repressive family would never condone.  Even after leaving home, Sophie never got one, still seeking the approval of her family.  But when Sophie’s neighbor, Crystal, asks her to go with while she gets a tattoo, Sophie does.  After meeting the artist, the very sexy Tristan Batiste, Sophie knows that she won’t be leaving without fulfilling her wildest fantasy – getting a tattoo of her own.  In itself, this is a sensual experience for Sophie, and having Tristan working on her only makes her want to do this, and other things, again and again.

A woman finally gives into her most secrets desires with a man who is perfect for her in THE ART OF DESIRE.  There is an instant and deep connection between Sophie and Tristan, but issues from their pasts may come between them in this interesting story.

Shadow Play - Sydney Croft
New Orleans, Louisiana - Present Day

Brenna St. James is living a nightmare.  Not so long ago, she was a famous supermodel but, after Hurricane Katrina, things started to go wrong.  In helping her mother clean up the mess left in Katrina’s wake, Brenna attracted a ghost, and now, no photographer has been able to capture anything but a blurred image of Brenna.  Her only hope is Hex, a photographer who has the ability to capture ghosts on film.  What Brenna doesn’t know is that Hex has this ability because he’s a medium.  In addition to his freelance photography assignments, Hex also works for the Agency for Covert Rare Operatives (ARCO), and he helps ghosts cross over.  Hex quickly realizes that Brenna’s ghost is strong and very possessive of her, but so is Hex.  Will he be able to fight off the ghost without losing his heart – or his life?

Though SHADOW PLAY is a part of the Storm series, it does well on it’s own.  The fight between ARCO and another similar agency with purposes less altruistic is absent in this story, putting the focus squarely on Hex and Brenna.  The attraction between them is strong, and the passion runs hot – and could be the only thing that will save them.

Night Vision - Stephanie Tyler
New Orleans, Louisiana - Present Day

After the devastation of Katrina, the Bon Temps bar outside of New Orleans quickly became home to a very rough crowd.  A crowd that Catie Lanford, who’s just inherited the bar, finds that she can’t control.  Through her former boss, Catie hires Bat Kelly, a man well-known for his ability to clean up the roughest bars.  Catie becomes more determined than ever to sell the bar and go to art school after her meeting with Bat inspires her to start drawing again.  She feels no ties to her mother’s hometown or her uncle’s bar, yet for the first time in years, Bat does feel the desire to put down roots.  Part of that comes from being back in the bayou, and part of it has to do with Catie herself.  Never before has Bat felt this need to be with one specific woman, but Catie’s dreams are leading her in another direction, in spite of the deepening relationship between them.

Catie and Bat have a lot more in common than mutual lust, but will it be enough to keep them together in NIGHT VISION?  Catie and Bat both had to shoulder a lot of responsibility at a young age, neither has had much of a chance to enjoy life, and they quickly realize they are kindred souls. 

Three erotic tales in an exotic location make up the very enjoyable anthology HOT NIGHTS, DARK DESIRES. 

Jennifer Bishop