Showing posts with label Cassandra Carr. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cassandra Carr. Show all posts

Saturday, October 11, 2014

Seduced by the Game (charity anthology) by Toni Aleo and friends, (spotlight, GIVEAWAY, review)





Enter to Win
$10.00 Amazon eGift Card



It’s time to drop the gloves and fight! 


Support the Fight against cancer that is. 


This anthology of 8 brand new novellas is hot enough to melt the ice these players skate on. Featuring stories from popular New York Times & USA Today, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble bestselling authors, including Toni Aleo, Cassandra Carr, Cindy Carr, Jami Davenport, Catherine Gayle, Jaymee Jacobs, V.L. Locey, Bianca Sommerland, and Nikki Worrell.



TANGLED IN THE LACES

By New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author – Toni Aleo

In Tangled in the Laces, Karson King is on the fast track to the pros and Lacey Martin is coming back from a hard fight against cancer and is terrified of him but their love is too much to ignore. Will Karson prove that he will protect her heart at all costs, or will he leave Lacey to pick up the pieces of her life once again?


HOOKING HANNAH

By Cassandra Carr and Cindy Carr

When Hannah attends an all-star game, she doesn't expect a hockey player of all people to turn her world upside down. Her sister is married to a player and Hannah never wanted that life. But Scott could change everything. For Scott's part, he has to know the woman who stirred his blood with just a look, and once he does, he realizes he wants Hannah to be his forever. Now to convince her...


CRASHING THE BOARDS (Seattle Sockeyes 1.5)

By Jami Davenport

Professional party crasher, Izzy Maxwell, needs the cooperation of reluctant party guest Cooper Black, the team captain of Seattle’s new hockey team, but Cooper can’t get past his anger over the team’s relocation to Seattle. Can Izzy melt Cooper’s frozen heart or will this party crash along with her fledgling business?


TAKING A SHOT (Portland Storm 2.5)

By Catherine Gayle

Katie Weber has had a crush on Jamie Babcock for almost two years, since he joined her father’s hockey team, the Portland Storm as an eighteen-year-old rookie. When cancer takes her health, her hair, and even her friends, she can’t bear to go to senior prom…until Jamie intervenes.


A VALUABLE TRADE

By Jaymee Jacobs

Bryan's life gets turned upside down when he gets traded to the Dallas Comets, and things get even messier when he meets Georgiana, the Director of Team Services. He's got a lot of work to do to prove his worth to his new team, but Georgiana's sure he'll prove to be a valuable trade.


HEIR APPARENT

By V.L. Locey

Superstar Cam Evans is fighting to climb out of a slump that`s growing worse with each day of living in denial. Fresh from the minors, Jacobi Neal is hungry for this chance to play back-up for the legendary goalie. Can two men battle each other, their inner demons, and the sizzling attraction building between them?


BLIND PASS (The Dartmouth Cobras 0.5)

By Bianca Sommerland

Nothing could stop Tim Rowe, the assistant coach of the Dartmouth Cobras, from falling in love with Madeline, but love alone can’t satisfy every need. Sometimes, to reach the goal, you have to take the chance with a . . . Blind Pass.


CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN (Prequel to Scorpions Series)

By Nikki Worrell

Keith Lambert is the captain of the Flyers—until he’s not. To everyone’s shock, he’s traded to the San Diego Scorpions. As if that’s not bad enough, Phoebe, his girlfriend of two years, decides she doesn’t love him enough to follow.

All alone in a new town, Keith is drawn to Kelly, his take out delivery girl. When she shows up at ice girl tryouts, he’s lost. She’s all he can see. Can he convince her to forget her past and take a chance on him or is he destined to be alone in a new town a little bit longer?

**Proud Supporters of Hockey Fights Cancer








a Rafflecopter giveaway



Toni Aleo: 

Bianca Sommerland: 

Nikki Worrell:

V.L. Locey:
Jaymee Jacobs: 

Catherine Gayle: 

Jami Davenport:

Cassandra Carr:

Cindy Carr:







************************


                                             
 


My review:
Seduced by the Game - A Charity Anthology is a collection of eight delicious contemporary romance stories that center around the sport of hockey.  Most of these authors are new to me, and I can only groan, because my TBR mountain has exponentially increased, now that I have found some new favorites!
 

Tangled In the Laces by Toni Aleo centers on Karson King, whose attraction to his teammate’s sister, Lacey Martin, is complicated by not only her family members but also by her own scars, emotional and physical.  Karson is not easily daunted, on or off the ice, and must convince Lacey that he sees her as the strong warrior she is, whose femininity is not defined by her physical form.

This poignant story is a wonderful tribute to those who have had their lives forever altered by the grim specter of breast cancer, and provides a deliciously romantic tale that whets one’s appetite for a continuation, that, unfortunately, remains to be published!    This is a great introduction to several characters, but be forewarned, it does not have an ideal ending!  I will be drumming my fingers impatiently until next year!
 

Hooking Hannah by the daughter and mother team of Cassandra and Cindy Carr, tells the story of Scott Richards, who becomes intrigued by the sister-in-law of one of his opponents, Hannah.  The problem is, she doesn’t like hockey players.  Their sizzling attraction to each other surprises them both, but an unexpected injury makes them take a good look at whether they truly want a relationship or not.

A great combination of sensuality and romance, as well as a glimpse of some of the dangers of this exciting and physically challenging sport.  There are several charismatic players seen briefly and a delicious introduction to the sexy hero and his heroine and one can only hope that there are many more stories about these players and their loves.
 
Crashing the Boards  is part of the ‘Seattle Sockeyes’ series by Jami Davenport and follows captain Cooper Black as he and his team get abruptly relocated to a new city and saddled with a new coaching staff.  Professional party crasher Isabella Maxwell and her sisters have their work cut out for them to make the glum teammates start to feel comfortable about their new situation.

 A sizzling tale that gives a different perspective on all that is involved when a team is relocated plus introduces an unusual vocation.  Great chemistry between the main characters and a nice teaser to get one interested in reading more about Cooper and Izzy (and her sisters, not to mention the rest of the team!).
 
Taking a Shot by Catherine Gayle is part of the ‘Portland Storm’ series and is an emotional and touching tale about a young woman’s courageous fight against leukemia, and the support that she gets from her family and the entire team that her dad plays with.  Jamie (Babs) Babcock has been attracted to Katie Weber for a while, but knows that he will have to overcome her father’s objections...and finds a perfect excuse to spend time with her when prom draws near.

Wow, this is definitely a story that should be read while holding on to multiple tissues.  The poignancy of the situation combined with the realistic look at the struggles that have to be overcome, both by the person suffering from the disease and friends and family, makes this a very impressive tale.  It was interesting to also be presented with the perspective from both sides, as perceived rejection is not necessarily the reason that one becomes isolated, but rather the feeling of inadequacy or lack of knowing what to do can make friends withdraw.  Definitely a thought-provoking and beautiful story and I will be looking for additional tales by this author.


A Valuable Trade by Jaymee Jacobs follows Bryan Comstock through the upheaval in his life as he relocates to the new city following his trade to their hockey team.  Georgiana Pierson, Director of Team Services, tries to make everyone on the team comfortable and smooth their way, but her unexpected reaction to Bryan threatens to change both of their lives, significantly.

This is an enjoyable short sexy story that gives another glimpse into the business of the sport as well as its impact upon various members.  Great chemistry and a great start, hopefully there will be more to come.
 
Heir Apparent by V.L. Lacey centers on Jacobi Neal as he joins the team as backup for  his idol, Cameron (Cam) Evans.  His hero worship is complicated by his attraction to the older man who is understandably threatened by the fact that not only is his place on the team inevitably drawing to an end, but he is also being forced to face some truths about himself that he would rather not acknowledge.

This sizzling m/m tale presents a complex tale that explores the challenges faced by gay players who are still finding their comfort zone in the sport.  There is a poignant conflict between Jacobi’s attraction to someone who openly desires him and someone who hasn’t faced his own sexuality, not to mention the age differential that is complicated even more by the competition between the outgoing former hero and the incoming player trying to make a name for himself.  A lot of emotion in a compact story.
 
Blind Pass by Bianca Sommerland is the prequel to the ‘Dartmouth Cobras’ series and details the rocky path of romance traveled by Assistant Coach Tim Rowe and flight attendant Madeline, who have to work out how Madeline’s experience with her rambunctious brothers will color her interaction with the team, and more importantly, how their respective roles in the D/s lifestyle will affect any relationship they enter into.

This story blends compassion and eroticism as it provides a glimpse into the backgrounds of several of the key players on this team.  There is a bit of adjustment required while the characters become comfortable with each other, and the BDSM elements seemed a little forced but that is undoubtedly due to the limitations of trying to cram so much into a novella.  The story definitely whets one’s appetite to learn more about the various members of the team and I hope to read additional tales in the series.
 

Captain, My Captain by Nikki Worrell follows Keith Lambert as he takes up his duties with a new team as well as deals with the remarkable developments in his personal life.  Drama ensues until he figures out what he really wants.

This is not quite my kind of story even though it is probably reflective of reality.  Things were a little inconsistent and I was a little puzzled about the motivations behind one character’s actions, since I didn’t think that she was likely to be a puck bunny, despite her behavior, and I thought Keith was a little too obtuse, since some of the drama that ensued was predictable.  I really appreciated the glossary of terms which were very useful for a person who doesn’t have a lot of familiarity with the sport and I enjoyed the additional peek into the world of hockey.


A copy of this collection of fascinating stories was provided to me for review.

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Red Hot Valentine Collection (ADULT titles)

These are ADULT titles.

Looking For Some Brand New Valentine’s Stories? Red Hot Valentine Collection is Here!


The Red Hot Valentine Collection features eleven hot authors, each with a brand new story for only $.99 each.

                                    

Randi Alexander's story is Redneck Romeo: A Red Hot Valentine Story, and here's the blurb:

  When Genevieve Riley sneaks onto the O’Bannon Ranch to return a stolen heirloom, the boy she’d fallen in love with as a teenager, Nick O’Bannon, catches her before she can slip away. The problem is, he’s now a big, rugged cowboy, and those feelings from a decade ago resurface. She can’t concentrate on anything but picking up where they left off.
  Nick can’t believe what his dogs cornered. Beautiful ‘Jellybean’ Riley, all grown up and sexier than sin. He never knew what tore her from his life when they were teens, just as their relationship was starting. With the heat radiating between them, he knows he can seduce her, but can he make her stay this time?
  Click Here to read the first chapter.
 

Buy at Smashwords

Buy at Amazon for Kindle

Buy at Barnes & Noble for Nook

   

Other Books in the Red Hot Valentine Collection:


Quarterback Sneak (Red Hot Valentine) by Desiree Holt
  Stacy Halligan has spent her adult life focusing on her career, choosing men with far less care than she does her professional path. That’s probably the reason all of her relationships end in disaster. Now she’s senior editor of the magazine where she works and she was so sure this latest hunk would be the one. When he dumps her, just before Valentine’s Day, who does she complain to, as always, but her next door neighbor and friend, backup quarterback Max Sullivan. She sees Max as her best friend. Comfortable. Easy to be with.
  Max doesn’t mind hanging out with Stacy but in the three years they’ve lived next door to each other he’s hoped for a lot more. Now he sees his opening. When he offers to put on a blitz leading up to Valentine’s Day to make the guy jealous, he has an ulterior motive. He wants to show her he’s the one she should pick, because he wants Stacy for himself. His campaign includes, chocolate, flowers, little gifts and hopefully, really hot sex. Because he’d been dying forever to get her into his bed and keep her there.
  Will this work? He only has until Valentine’s Day to find out.
  http://www.desireeholt.com/
  * * * * * * * *
            

If You Dare: A Red Hot Valentine Story by Aliyah Burke

  When two people lost in their careers are thrown together, can passion kindle lost souls and ignite the flames of love?
  Justin Kapp is on an Alaskan cruise when he meets a woman that gives the vacation an entirely new outlook. From the very beginning he knew she was something special. Something more.
  Kathryn Maynard, a top divorce attorney in Virginia Beach, accepts a dare that puts her on an Alaskan cruise and rail package. She would rather be anywhere but here, however the arrival of an intense man, changes that. Changes her.
  When reunited in Virginia and Justin wants more than she's willing to allow herself to give. After he leaves, she realizes what is the most important. Will she take the chance and dare her heart to love?
  http://www.aliyah-burke.com/books/index.htm

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Tastes Like Chocolate: A Red Hot Valentine Story by Graylin Rane

  Viviana's heartbreak and betrayal by her ex-fiance' is poured into her sculpting. While working on a statue of pure milk chocolate, she finds herself talking to the man emerging about her hopes, dreams, and desires. Sprinkling gold dust over his stunning finished form makes his body glitter as he comes to life taking her into his arms. Their passion ignites a side of her she'd given up on, can they survive the jealousy of her former flame to find love?
  http://www.graylinfox.com/rhv-tastes-like-chocolate/
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Sweet Indulgence : A Red Hot Valentine Story by Shyla Colt

  This sexy short will help make your Valentine’s day sizzle.
  Born on February 14th, Chastity Roberts has never taken stock in the holiday for lovers. But this year Cupid has a little something special up his sleeve. Out on the town with her best friend, she runs into the green-eyed male who keeps her panties wet and her thoughts dirty at work.
  Eli Cole is a man who turns heads. But the only woman he has eyes for is Chastity. After six months of hiding his affection to allow her to settle into her new role, he’s ready to indulge in the sweetness only her body can offer.
  http://www.shylacolt.com/books/
  * * * * * * * *

                 

Sweet Sizzle: A Red Hot Valentine Story by Jodi Redford

  Valentine’s Day—the bane of Rory Sinclair’s existence. Hard to forgive the one holiday responsible for the single most moronic decision of her life. If it was up to her, she’d skip anything to do with cupid, but with her business partner home sick with the flu, she’s stuck delivering a bunch of cookie bouquets to a local firehouse. Who knows, maybe she’ll cure her Valentine’s Day neurosis and heat up the mattress with a hunky firefighter. Her plan of donning some edible undies and getting her freak on goes up in flames though the instant she steps through the doors of Station 5 and spots Bennet Jackson—the man responsible for her decade long Valentine’s Day boycott.
  No matter how hard he’s tried, Ben has never gotten over the innocent girl he foolishly let slip between his fingers. When Rory unexpectedly crashes back into his world, he figures it’s his only shot at righting the wrongs of his past and getting her back in his bed and his life. For good. Unfortunately, she has other plans. Ones that don’t include him. He’s well aware that she has every reason to despise him, but if there’s one thing he’s up for, it’s a challenge. Because there’s no way in hell he’s losing the woman of his dreams again. And this time he’s prepared to pull out every dirty, sexy, and hotter-than-sin trick to convince her to stay.
  http://www.jodiredford.com/More_Books.html
  * * * * * * * *
                     

Turnaround: A Red Hot Valentine Story by Cassandra Carr

  Becca and James don't date. Both are in their thirties and neither has found anyone they feel is potential spouse material. Becca attends a "We Hate Valentine's Day" party at a local bar where James is bartending. He knows from the first day they meet that Becca is someone special, but Becca's more cautious. James sets out to prove to Becca there really are happy-ever-afters.
  http://www.booksbycassandracarr.com
  * * * * * * * *


                                               

The Bet - A Red Hot Valentine by Ty Langston

  Meet Chris Knight, lead singer of the international Rock Band, Knight’s Armor. He’s successful, rich and is in deeply in love with his girlfriend, Gabrielle. Gabrielle is a music columnist for Rockline Magazine. Her love of everything music pales in comparsion to the love she has for her boyfriend, Chris Knight.What happens when two people love each other so much, but decide to change the rules? The dice is cast, a bet is made, how much will things change between them? Or will it end things for good?
  http://www.tylangston.com
  * * * * * * * *




Kiss from a Rose (A Red Hot Valentine Story) by Michel Prince

  Jenna Turner wasn’t looking for anything but a quick bite to eat when she met the sexy peace officer Marcus Peterson. While Jenna has always been singularly focused on her next big promotion at work, suddenly she’s distracted by alluring texts from Marcus.
  His evocative words and her naughty responses invoke emotions neither seem ready for, and luckily, neither have room in their busy lives to follow through on all their sexting.
  Can two career driven people find the time to take their relationship to the next level? Or will careers and the pressure to achieve goals cause the end to a budding love?
  http://www.michelprincebooks.com/
  * * * * * * * *
 (sorry, can't find the buy link for this one)

Falling for Cupid by Christin Lovell

  Cupid Valentine, a.k.a. Coop, is the worst divorce attorney in the entire Northeast. Ninety-eight percent of his clients reconcile before the gavel hits the block. He's dedicated his life to love; yet he's never experienced it for himself...until Daisy.
  Plus size Daisy and her best friend, Brad, made a pact when they were younger: if they weren't married by thirty, they'd marry each other. Two years later, they've learned that love has many forms, and a passionate love is needed to have a fulfilling relationship.
  The pair confounds Coop. His job has always been to repair relationships, but what happens when he suddenly finds himself rooting for the opposite of all he stands for? He does what any smart cupid would do and flies away. But you can only escape Cupid's arrow for so long, even if you happen to be Cupid.
  http://christinlovell.com/
  * * * * * * * *

                                       

True Love's Fire: A Red Hot Valentine Story (Hell Yeah!) by Sable Hunter

  While vacationing at a cabin in the Ozarks, Scott Walker - Austin neurobiologist, gets snowed-in and has to be rescued by local, Lia Houston. She brings him food, helps him fix his heat and tries to get his car on the road. A monster storm has paralyzed the mountain and as she’s trying to chain his car to her truck, a huge ice-covered limb falls, crushing the front of her pick-up and almost flattening Scott. If she hadn’t moved fast, he’d be a memory – but the brave action on her part comes with a price, she’s injured and stuck with Mr. Know-It-All until the weather abates. Scott doesn’t believe in love, much less love at First Sight. So when he meets Lia, he welcomes the attraction, but fights the tenderness with every breath in his body. Join Sable Hunter as she chronicles their journey from lust to love with a lot of fireworks in between. They meet at the dawn of the New Year, and by Valentine’s Day the fires of True Love are burning bright.
  http://www.sablehunter.com/





I had the privilege of editing Redneck Romeo, hope you enjoy it!

Friday, December 27, 2013

Bring on the Heat boxed set (Adult titles)--Ten Days and Counting! (plus excerpt from Adriana Kraft)

ADULTS only

I am happy to have the opportunity to present the upcoming release of a collection of sizzling stories with a very short excerpt from the team known as Adriana Kraft to whet your appetite.


We’re holding a party and you’re invited!



Hubs and I, who co-write Erotic Romance for Two, Three, or More under the pen name Adriana Kraft, are thrilled to have a novella in the upcoming exciting boxed set Bring on the Heat. Release day is January 6, and the authors are holding a two day release party on Facebook. Click on the link to rsvp and come celebrate with us January 6 and 7 – games, prizes, snippets from the authors.

https://www.facebook.com/events/691291417556830/?notif_t=plan_user_joined



Bring on the Heat


A collection of erotic tales from today’s hottest authors, featuring BDSM love stories, ménage romps, and everything in between. No matter what your taste in erotic romance, we’ve got you covered and then some! Warning: These stories may require readers to seek out a cold drink and a hot man…




PRE-ORDER LINKS
Available for pre-order NOW at special price of just $.99



Kobo 

Barnes & Noble



 

AUTHORS AND THEIR NOVELLAS

Eden Bradley - Breaking Skye Contemporary BDSM

Cassandra Carr - Caught Contemporary BDSM

Stephanie Julian - An Indecent Proposition Contemporary ménage

Amber Kallyn - Burned (Dragos, book 1) Paranormal/shifter

Keira Kohl - Laundry Day Contemporary

Adriana Kraft - Cherry Tune-Up Contemporary ménage

Emma Lai - Riding Rodeo Contemporary Western ménage

Anh Leod - Clockwork Captive Paranormal/steampunk

Ann Mayburn - First Kiss Contemporary BDSM FemDom

Cari Quinn - Jingle Ball (More the Merrier book 1) Contemporary ménage

*********************************

CHERRY TUNE-UP
Our story, Cherry Tune-Up, has already received 4.5 Blue Ribbons at Romance Junkies and has a Five Star rating at Amazon! Here’s the blurb and a short excerpt to entice you:

BLURB
Desperate for a crash course in lovemaking, Bobbi Jo Martin seeks out her childhood best friend. A successful contractor with NASCAR dreams, Jack Day has never forgotten her—but how will he protect his heart?  In a moment of sheer genius he decides to play the role of master…

WARNINGS

Explicit sex: m/f, f/f; ménage: f/f/m; light bdsm; anal play; sex toys


EXCERPT

"I won't hurt you,” Jack said. “That, I promise. But, you will follow my instructions, or you'll find out how intertwined pain and pleasure can be."

"You're kidding!" Bobbi Jo’s eyes widened with shock.

"Do I look like I'm kidding? What will it be?" Jack chuckled, taunting her. "Are you joining me in the classroom, or are you going to run back to your tight-assed banker?"

Bobbi Jo's hands rose to her reddening neck.

"Just talking about sex has your heart pumping strong, doesn't it?" Her slight shake of the head told him what he already knew.

"Damn, you're going to be an able student. I don't wait well, Bobbi Jo. Are you in or out? Your master is about to ring the bell. And I'll let you know when it’s time for recess." He tilted his head.

Bobbi Jo parted her lips. "I'm in." 


****************************************

AUTHOR BIO 

Adriana Kraft is the pen name for a husband/wife team writing Erotic Romance for Two, Three or More. The award-winning pair has published over thirty erotic romance novels and novellas to outstanding reviews. Romantic pairings include straight m/f, lesbian, bisexual, ménage and polyamory. Website  Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest 

Monday, May 6, 2013

See the Light and Velocity (Adult titles)

See the Light      
by Cassandra Carr is a yummy ADULT tale.

This is a spicy m/m novella that centers around hockey player Jason ‘Roney’ Monroe and older coach Patrick Parker, neither of whom has come out about their attraction to males, which sorely complicates their growing desire for one another.  Patrick is reluctant to deal with the ethical and professional implications of becoming sexually or romantically involved with a player that is he responsible for helping groom to represent their country at the Olympic games.  Josh is decidedly still in the closet and apprehensive about his reception in his chosen profession if he comes out.  Both men must decide whether their hearts and spirits will overcome their misgivings, hopefully before it is too late for them both.


A sensual m/m romantic tale that combines the excitement of the world of hockey with the challenges that face anyone who doesn’t conform to the conventional norm.   The author does a wonderful job of presenting the dilemma that each man faces as well as the frequently harsh censure that they may have to overcome from family, friends and colleagues, let alone strangers.  The sizzling attraction between the two men and the lengths that they go to, first to avoid one another and then to find a way to deal with their lust for each other is deftly portrayed and the deepening of the relationship is delightful to watch.  It is wonderful to see that there are some mature people in this couple’s world who are supportive and accepting even as one knows that, unfortunately, this is a work of fiction and real life doesn’t always have such a positive atmosphere.  Another enjoyable tale from a talented author.



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My review of Impact (one of her bull rider's novellas) is at this link

Velocity        


is also an ADULT title that is the fourth novella in the ‘Buckin’ Bull Riders’ series and features Paolo D’Allesandro, younger brother of Marco (who was featured in book 3, “Momentum”). Paolo left Italy to follow his older brother to the United States and join the bull riding circuit but he has never felt the same passion or expertise for the vocation. Meeting the graduate student Savannah Harrington seems to exacerbate both his disenchantment with his sport and his sense of inferiority which continues to plague him even more as his broken English prevents him from saying everything he wants to. Savannah’s study of adrenaline junkies leads her to Paolo and neither of their lives will ever be the same.

This entertaining novella continues the saga of bull riders, set after the events in “Momentum” which focused on the elder D’Allesandro brother. Written with the author’s usual dexterity for creating an engaging and spicy tale, this heartwarming story reminds the reader of the importance of being true to oneself and following one’s own dream, not someone else’s. The added twist of the challenges faced by an immigrant to the country gives depth to the story and makes one hopeful that there will be additional cameos by this engaging pair in future tales. Glimpses of the stars of the previous three books in the series help tie them all together yet this title can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Another fun read.

© Night Owl Reviews

I received a copy of these titles in return for an honest review.



I was delighted to see these titles offered for review as I think that this author tells wonderful and sensual tales that have characters one can relate to (although not necessarily emulate, lol).  I always look forward to reading Ms Carr's stories because I know that they will be both spicy and well-written.