The Mammoth Book of Best British Mysteries 7 Book

Paranormal, futuristic, other worlds, very risque language, more erotic, less 'romantic,' a Dom, a cyborg, a mutant, an alien race, lots of mystery...that's kind of a nutshell to this 3 short story book.

3 stars

Beggarman, Thief by MaryJanice Davidson

It's 2072 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mitchell Hunter lives in the penthouse of a hotel he owns, in the city he owns 1/3 of and he's beyond wealthy, gorgeous, smarter, faster and stronger than all men but his only 1/3 man and lonely and alone.

Naturally blue haired Jamie Day is interested in only one thing: the Rock (The Medici Stone). It's kept in Mitchell Hunter's penthouse safe until tomorrow when it's being shipped to the moon. So her plan for the evening is to break in and steal it. But nothing and no one can get past Mitchell.

He's a voluntarily cyborg and she's an involuntarily mutant. He agreed to some experiments leaving him mostly plastic and metal, but now he regrets them. She was born of a volatile, most insane race but she's a rare specimen. Jamie is spunky and brave and bold. Mitchell is strong, lonely and fascinated by everything involving Jamie. He knows she's come to steal the stone. She's enticing to him and her special power is intriguing. Mitchell offers her a deal. She must stay with him for 72 hours, after which he'll willing relinquish the Medici Stone to her.

These two have a great dynamic, really fun dialogue, even some really sweet dialogue and lots (LOTS) of steam. Plus there's a bit of mystery involving this who new world (worlds). It's a good one.

3 stars

Stranded by Angela Knight

This one starts with bawdy language that just doesn't end. It's hard to explain without spoilers but here goes. Alexandria Kenyon is fantasizing about a Dom while pleasuring herself in her own bed in Atlanta. Right as she climaxes she's sucked into a hole where her ceiling used to be. She lands in what appears to be an ocean. She's rescued by a Tarzan like man. She asks where they are and he knows little more than her but he's clearly been here, wherever that is, for a while. His hair is long, muscled rippling, and he's wearing only a loin cloth. John Hawke has been stranded on this island for 2 years and Alex is the first human he's seen, and she's a fine one. This is his island and he takes what he wants from it, including Alex. In between his plans with his new treat he must battle less pleasing surprises that always attack in a pattern. He can't explain it but it's kill or be killed on this island and now in addition to taking what he wants from his new little sex slave, he must keep them both safe. This one is filled with mystery almost to the point where I couldn't stand it. The ending was great and overall it was a very hot little story.

2 stars

Light on Her Toes by Camille Anthony

This one had a whole lot going on to the point where it was too much for a short story. It's as long as the first two stories combined and though it was interesting it felt really long. I'm assuming there are longer novels or other short stories that delve further into this world and perhaps that's the place to begin. This story deals with a near rape, a very different approach to sex, a race badly in need of females and rampant with deprived males. The actual sex act involves some new and elaborate body parts and a great deal of (distracting) new words from their language. The main girl is Princess Dohsan 'abret Glenbrevchanka. I'm not sure I understood enough to explain the plot, especially since it's been over a week since I read this, but from what I recall, Dohsan lives in a secluded, convent type place. She is being groomed to be a high priestess sort where she'll be the dominate ruler in on old school matriarchal type society. She'll choose her mate (maybe mates? I can't recall) and apparently her lifestyle is the old way and some are reluctant to accept it. This planet they live on is a melding of two planet's races...somehow involving Earth since sometimes the men request that the ladies talk in 'earther'. In particular she has decided that she desires one man, D'ari ('Dari) (He has a super long name too) who is head of security for Dohsan's sister (Nnora) and brother in law (Dev) who are co rulers. D'ari ('Dari) is a dom for sure and he wants Dohsan, always has, but he's not keen on being the sub to her dom...if that's even the proper way to label it. Again, I apologize is this is off base but it's the best I can offer. It was only okay with some high moments and low moments but I think that a lot of the steaminess was less steam because of the new language. It's worth reading, for sure, it just distracted me and took a while to get through it.

*I don't know exactly how D'ari's ('Dari) name is to be abbreviated.

Nnora and Dev's story