2 in 1 Novellas - Friendly Fire and IOU Sex

Today, I have 2 very quick novellas put out by Carina Press. Both are between 18 and 20K words, so you can fly through them in no time. I did! First up is:

Friendly Fire:

Author: Megan Hart
Publisher: Carina Press (02/21/2011)

After Agent Kendall Frasier's partner is shot in "friendly fire" during a drug bust, she agrees to take a week's vacation on a tropical island as part of her psychiatric evaluation. Sand, sun, sea—what could be better to help her work through her guilt? Even if the presence of the man responsible for the shooting, Agent Zane Vincent, seems counterproductive to her mental health.

As Kendall gets to know Zane, and realizes he feels worse about what happened than she does, it becomes impossible to hate him. And their mutual attraction becomes impossible to deny.

Kendall and Zane soon agree to put the event that brought them together in the past—and spend the present exploring their most erotic desires. Do they have a future in the real world when their week in paradise is over? Previously published; newly revised by author.

I think out of the two novellas I am reviewing today, I liked this one the least. It was entertaining and the love scenes were steamy and well written. I just didn't really like Kendall or Zane. I'm not sure I bought into their attraction. It just seemed forced to me. I also thought that they both got over their trauma way to quickly. Perhaps I would have liked this a bit more had it been a longer story with more build up to their relationship. I honestly didn't really care whether or not they found their HEA. It wasn't awful and I did enjoy it, I just wanted more than it gave me.

Next up is I.O.U Sex:

Author: Calista Fox
Publisher: Carina Press

Fiona Carlisle didn't think anything could hurt as much as finding her fiancé in bed with her sister. But receiving an invitation to the happy couple's engagement party comes a close second. Determined to prove to her family and herself that she's moved on, Fiona has every intention of attending, looking red-hot and with an even hotter man on her arm. And there's only one man who will do: renowned photographer and reputed playboy Michael Houston.

Fiona's rebound fling with Michael was a brief but erotic romp. Michael has made no secret of the fact that he's still interested. So when Fiona asks him to escort her to the engagement party, he agrees, with one condition: she must spend a sensual weekend with him picking up where they left off.

Intensely attracted to Michael, Fiona can't resist his offer for long. But when the weekend is over, will she be able to resist giving him her heart?

I liked this one much better. I loved Michael and Fiona together. They had a history and I could really feel their attraction for one another. There was just enough back story that I felt I knew where both characters were coming from. I loved how Fiona handles herself at the engagement party. It was a hilarious scene and I was cheering her on all the way. The love scenes were steamy and very entertaining. Great story and one I definitely recommend reading!

--Kari

* Note: I read a complimentary copy of both books supplied courtesy of Carina Press. I was not compensated in any way for this review. By receiving a complimentary copy, I am in no way obligated to write a good or bad review. I am an honest reviewer and my reviews are based on my own opinion and only written by me.*