Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by rihoward
Celebrity Roulette by Jennifer Bene, Renee Rose, Maren Smith, Measha Stone, Livia Grant, Sue Lyndon, Maggie Ryan, Lesley Clark, Dani René
5.0
For the past three years, I would have to say that one of my favorite things about Valentine's Day is the release of a new collection of stories in The Black Light series. After reading the introduction and Switched by Livia Grant and Guarded by Rene Rose, I can say this with absolute certainty. I cannot wait to read the additional stories because this initial introduction and story only wet my appetite and left me craving more. I will add reviews on the other stories as once the entire book is live.
Introduction:
This is always one of my favorite parts of the story. The authors do a great job building up the story by giving background information that leads to the actual event and then builds up the actual anticipation of the individual stories that the reader will ultimately be reading through this collection. The roulette always lands on some very interesting scenes and leaves me with my interest piqued. Some I am familiar with, others I have limited knowledge, and some I REALLY like. I can tell already that this book is going to be really good already just based on the scenes that were chosen/ I enjoyed getting glimpses of Jaxson, Chase, and Emma again since they were the originals in this series.
Switched by Livia Grant
This was a fantastic prequel to what I hope will become a full story. There is history between the characters of Nolan and Piper that definitely needs closure or a new understanding so that the characters can move past their issues. Piper, otherwise known as Ice Princess, definitely has some demons haunting her and because of that left me wanting to know more about what was under the mask. While portraying that she is a Domme, there was a vulnerability there that seemed to cry out for someone to take away that control and allow her to be cared for. Nolan, also a Dom, was just the person to do that for her if she would only let him. There was not a resolution to this story and it was left open-ended but I hope that the author continues with an extension of this story because there is so much that I still want to know. Fantastic characters, great details of the scenes that the roulette chose which is also one of the important aspects that I like about this series because in this sense I get to learn about aspects of BDSM that I do not know anything about. I cannot wait for more from this author.
Guarded by Renee Rose
This author is one of my favorites when it comes to writing true and realistic BDSM. She was one of the first authors that I read that I relied on to give me a true and accurate account of what it meant. Lincoln and Scarlett were great characters. I enjoyed the dynamic that she had originally been his boss and now the roles have changed because in this setting he was in charge. The author did a great job of giving a backstory and showing the importance of aftercare. Even though this story was short, it didn't lack details.
Determined by Maren Smith
Sweet lord. This was the story I was looking forward to the most in the story based on the first spins on the roulette wheel. It did not disappoint. At first, I was trying to figure out how this tied into the theme and where it was going but then the magic started. Sweet Holy Hell did it ever. I loved the determination of Claire to see this through considering she was a novice and I loved that she was the perfect match for Adam. HOT! HOT! HOT. I want more of them!
Hooked by Jennifer Bene
This author is one of my favorites when it comes to this series. She always gives 110% to her story. This was definitely the case in this novella because she created so many extra details in making ballet and BDSM merge. I adored the devotion that Wyatt had for Vanessa and what lengths he went to in order to get her to fly and overcome her own issues. Definitely would have loved seeing this turn into a full book and relationship.
Pressure by Measha Stone
This story was perhaps the most interesting for me because of how it started between Michele and Egan. I liked how Egan was able to read the situation and see what she needed which was far out of Michels's comfort zone and her usual taste of what she liked. It was a pleasure to watch them both grow together. One of my favorites from this author.
Savor by Maggie Ryan
Looks like I have a new favorite couple in the Black Light series. Sweet holy hell. EVERY scene these two did took hot to a whole new level. Like Hotter than Hades times ten. I loved the back story of how Ronan came to be in this event and also get to see three of my original favorites. I also really appreciated how the author tied in the other stories and how Carnegie ended up with her position. I hope these two will be in additional stories in the future.
Cherished by Sue Lyndon
This author did the unthinkable. She made me interested in one aspect of BDSM that usually makes me cringe. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that was possible. It was tasteful and sexy as hell. I enjoyed the dynamic between the characters and really really really did not want the story to end. I would read a whole book about these two in whatever type of crazy scenes they wanted because they were that great together.
Jazzed by Lesley Clark
This story BETTER become a full story or I am going to be really UPSET. There was so much alluded to in Jass's past that I need to know more. If anyone can do it and help her heal it will be Michael. Sweet holy titfire. If he wasn't the hottest thing ever. The second scene was HOT. This was the second time it was presented in this series and who knew that it could have such an appeal to it. I know that it is normally something I dread in real life but it was very well crafted in this story. I hope the author reads my words and writes a full story between these two.
e
Control by Dani René
I so wanted this story expanded on because Jed totally had the dark sinister side down. Almost a quality of anti-hero. He had me as soon as he talked humiliation and rough. I really liked Kaelin as well because she had a fire in her and wasn't afraid to go after what she wanted. I could see more coming out of this story because of who her father was in his career. I would be very interested in continuing this story to completion. Especially, because this author is like a drug dealer and her words are the crack.
Conclusion by Livia Grant and Jennifer Bene
The conclusion filled in all the parts that I was missing. I was worried that with the new rule of none of the older couples having time at the wheel that I wouldn't get to see them. While there weren't actual scenes, it was inferred and had me longing for more. I had big questions about Madison and I hope that how it ended is a hint there will be a story to come. I never want the Valentine's Series to end because there is a reason that it is the best out there. Every author always writes stories that are authentic in how they portray BDSM and never make it cheesy. Is it too soon to wish it was Valentine's Day 2020?
Introduction:
This is always one of my favorite parts of the story. The authors do a great job building up the story by giving background information that leads to the actual event and then builds up the actual anticipation of the individual stories that the reader will ultimately be reading through this collection. The roulette always lands on some very interesting scenes and leaves me with my interest piqued. Some I am familiar with, others I have limited knowledge, and some I REALLY like. I can tell already that this book is going to be really good already just based on the scenes that were chosen/ I enjoyed getting glimpses of Jaxson, Chase, and Emma again since they were the originals in this series.
Switched by Livia Grant
This was a fantastic prequel to what I hope will become a full story. There is history between the characters of Nolan and Piper that definitely needs closure or a new understanding so that the characters can move past their issues. Piper, otherwise known as Ice Princess, definitely has some demons haunting her and because of that left me wanting to know more about what was under the mask. While portraying that she is a Domme, there was a vulnerability there that seemed to cry out for someone to take away that control and allow her to be cared for. Nolan, also a Dom, was just the person to do that for her if she would only let him. There was not a resolution to this story and it was left open-ended but I hope that the author continues with an extension of this story because there is so much that I still want to know. Fantastic characters, great details of the scenes that the roulette chose which is also one of the important aspects that I like about this series because in this sense I get to learn about aspects of BDSM that I do not know anything about. I cannot wait for more from this author.
Guarded by Renee Rose
This author is one of my favorites when it comes to writing true and realistic BDSM. She was one of the first authors that I read that I relied on to give me a true and accurate account of what it meant. Lincoln and Scarlett were great characters. I enjoyed the dynamic that she had originally been his boss and now the roles have changed because in this setting he was in charge. The author did a great job of giving a backstory and showing the importance of aftercare. Even though this story was short, it didn't lack details.
Determined by Maren Smith
Sweet lord. This was the story I was looking forward to the most in the story based on the first spins on the roulette wheel. It did not disappoint. At first, I was trying to figure out how this tied into the theme and where it was going but then the magic started. Sweet Holy Hell did it ever. I loved the determination of Claire to see this through considering she was a novice and I loved that she was the perfect match for Adam. HOT! HOT! HOT. I want more of them!
Hooked by Jennifer Bene
This author is one of my favorites when it comes to this series. She always gives 110% to her story. This was definitely the case in this novella because she created so many extra details in making ballet and BDSM merge. I adored the devotion that Wyatt had for Vanessa and what lengths he went to in order to get her to fly and overcome her own issues. Definitely would have loved seeing this turn into a full book and relationship.
Pressure by Measha Stone
This story was perhaps the most interesting for me because of how it started between Michele and Egan. I liked how Egan was able to read the situation and see what she needed which was far out of Michels's comfort zone and her usual taste of what she liked. It was a pleasure to watch them both grow together. One of my favorites from this author.
Savor by Maggie Ryan
Looks like I have a new favorite couple in the Black Light series. Sweet holy hell. EVERY scene these two did took hot to a whole new level. Like Hotter than Hades times ten. I loved the back story of how Ronan came to be in this event and also get to see three of my original favorites. I also really appreciated how the author tied in the other stories and how Carnegie ended up with her position. I hope these two will be in additional stories in the future.
Cherished by Sue Lyndon
This author did the unthinkable. She made me interested in one aspect of BDSM that usually makes me cringe. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that was possible. It was tasteful and sexy as hell. I enjoyed the dynamic between the characters and really really really did not want the story to end. I would read a whole book about these two in whatever type of crazy scenes they wanted because they were that great together.
Jazzed by Lesley Clark
This story BETTER become a full story or I am going to be really UPSET. There was so much alluded to in Jass's past that I need to know more. If anyone can do it and help her heal it will be Michael. Sweet holy titfire. If he wasn't the hottest thing ever. The second scene was HOT. This was the second time it was presented in this series and who knew that it could have such an appeal to it. I know that it is normally something I dread in real life but it was very well crafted in this story. I hope the author reads my words and writes a full story between these two.
e
Control by Dani René
I so wanted this story expanded on because Jed totally had the dark sinister side down. Almost a quality of anti-hero. He had me as soon as he talked humiliation and rough. I really liked Kaelin as well because she had a fire in her and wasn't afraid to go after what she wanted. I could see more coming out of this story because of who her father was in his career. I would be very interested in continuing this story to completion. Especially, because this author is like a drug dealer and her words are the crack.
Conclusion by Livia Grant and Jennifer Bene
The conclusion filled in all the parts that I was missing. I was worried that with the new rule of none of the older couples having time at the wheel that I wouldn't get to see them. While there weren't actual scenes, it was inferred and had me longing for more. I had big questions about Madison and I hope that how it ended is a hint there will be a story to come. I never want the Valentine's Series to end because there is a reason that it is the best out there. Every author always writes stories that are authentic in how they portray BDSM and never make it cheesy. Is it too soon to wish it was Valentine's Day 2020?