That's What I'm Talking About

*NOTE: this is a duo review for two books...
My Ratings:
Lightning: 4 stars: Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
Thunder: 3.5 stars: Liked it - recommend (B+)
Originally posted on 1/18 at: http://www.twimom227.com/2013/01/reviews-lightning-thunder-two-books-by.html

Both Lightning and Thunder are novella-length books in Decadent Publishing’s 1 Night Stand series. For those unfamiliar, the 1NS series is a set of loosely-tied, yet completely stand alone stories, written by several different authors, all based on a dating service run by the mysterious Madame Eve. Although we never meet her, Madame Eve’s name appears in every story, and she has a exemplary track record for making perfect matches for anyone and everyone - no matter how simple or complex.

In Lightning, our heroine Lily Night is a celibate succubus, refusing to have sex with a mortal man for 10 years since she sent her first and only love to the emergency room and into a 6-week coma. Campbell Jones hasn't forgotten Lily or that night which changed his life forever. Now the pair are reunited thanks to Madame Eve, where they may find a second chance at love.

I adored that this couple had a prior history and both still deeply cared for (and lusted after) the other. This history allowed me to feel a deeper connection with the couple right from the start, and the “I love you” didn't seem out of place after coming so quickly. Lily and Camp had great chemistry, although I’m not sure why Camp was instructed by 1NS to blindfold Lily for so long. That piece didn’t add to the story and was a little odd. Their uncertainty giving over to lust created a wonderful atmosphere for their reunion. Overall, Lightning is an enjoyable romantic and lusty novella.

In Thunder, Ms. Kincaid’s second story from Sleepy Hollow, Camp's younger, playboy brother Sean fantasizes about the widow Veronica Hardwicke to the point that he is having performance issues with the models he normally dates. But since he is the construction foreman for the revisions of Veronica’s multi-million dollar mansion, he would never get involved with the boss, no matter how hot she is. Meanwhile, lonely Veronica dreams of Sean day and night. Having been celibate for the past 5 plus years, Veronica finally decides to give Madame Eve a try, signing up for the 1NS service after the referral from Camp. Of course, Madame Eve always knows the perfect match...

Once again, Ms. Kincaid is extremely adept at creating just the right amount of backstory, creating a pre-existing history between the individuals, which makes this shorter length story more satisfying. While allowing for an emotional connection, this story is also full of heat, sex and fun. Although Thunder was slightly more erotic than Lightning, I felt some of the dialogue between Sean and Veronica was a little cheesy, which was mildly distracting. However, the story was another fun romp and a pleasurable read.

Both stories are primarily contemporary with a slight paranormal edge. Each can be read independently, but since the Jones brothers are featured in both, it makes it a little more fun to read them together. Lightning and Thunder are both entertaining reads and fun quickies!