Review: To Serve and Protect (Ellora’s Cave) by Arianna Hart, Kit Tunstall, Trista A Michaels, and Delilah Devlin

A touch of suspense, some paranormal elements and even a futuristic setting make this anthology notable plus enjoyably gratifying. Arianna Hart, Kit Tunstall, Trista A Michaels, and Delilah Devlin have created exceedingly enticing heroes who care for their spirited heroines with much fervor yet also tender affection. The abundance of sizzling sexual encounters in To Serve and Protect will cause your heart to race and your emotions to overheat.

“Convince Me” by Arianna Hart

Though Sareena Wilton and Brogan Donahue have worked closely together while volunteering in numerous ways at a shelter for battered women, neither has acted upon the unspoken attraction intensely felt by each of them. She is an extremely wealthy heiress and he is a NYC cop, so Brogan believes they can never have any type of meaningful relationship. Sareena, on the other hand, sees their different social status as unimportant and is determined to get closer to the charming cop. When an irrational man attacks her and the way in which she is rescued needs some explaining, Brogan soon becomes intimately knowledgeable about many aspects of Sareena’s life.

There is satisfaction on every page of the story, as numerous genres are interwoven to make this contemporary tale rewardingly enjoyable. With an unexpected paranormal ability and occasional danger from time to time, the story grabs your interest and keeps it. When combined with the blazingly sensual love scenes between Brogan and Sareena, the reader will be affected by the genuinely realistic portrayal of this spirited couple. Arianna Hart knows how to entertain plus titillate, which adds fiery heat to her emotive story. “Convince Me” delights with scenes brimming with plenty of sensuality plus heartfelt sincerity.

“Ablaze” by Kit Tunstall

When a fire at the academy where she teaches causes Miriam Zorga to become trapped inside the building, it is local firefighter Nick Martin who rescues her from almost certain death. Miri is extremely grateful to the handsome man and offers to buy him dinner. Their conversations are strained when they meet for a meal later in the week, so she believes they will probably never see each other again. Surprisingly, Nick says he is following her home to make certain she arrives safely. When they reach her house, he states how they obviously want each other sexually and should act upon this mutual attraction, no strings attached. Miri is fine with this until it seems Nick might want more than just a good time from her.

Each of the numerous love scenes in this contemporary novella are filled with much sexual hunger and fervent eagerness. Kit Tunstall lets her characters express themselves with scorching sensuality, while also letting their inner emotions come into play and dictate their actions. Nick and Miri never saw a lasting relationship emerging from their casual affair which began because of an act of gratitude, and Ms. Tunstall has this couple reacting with genuine responses when confronted with unforeseen feelings. Also, Nick might always be a courageous and commanding firefighter when the need arises, but he also has a compassionate side which is shown with much tenderness. Burning hot describes the fired up desires of “Ablaze” as passions ignite.

“Fantasy Bar” by Trista A Michaels

Having two exceedingly different careers helps Kira Vordak to successfully escape from the planet where she is an admired university professor when she was forced to kill a man in order to survive. Kira was the unfortunate victim of a prominent yet sadistic government official and is now hiding out on Klindor where she is part owner of Fantasy Bar, where drink names become reality when ordered. When one of the male bar patrons catches her eye, their sexual teasing turns into a true fantasy for both of them. However, Kira does not know Jerrod Scollin is investigating the death of his friend and evidence has led him to her area. What should have been simply a physical relationship between two people quickly becomes very complicated.

With a perfect balance between sexual encounters and emotional impact, every page of this compelling story has an effect on the reader. There are certainly some titillating scenes, especially in the bar, while the conversations and reactions of characters to each other are always overflowing with genuineness. Trista A Michaels lets her imagination soar in this tale where mysteries must be solved and desires are fully experienced. This story may take place in the future, but the convincing inner feelings conveyed by Jerrod and Kira could take place in any time period as their natures are portrayed with such realistically potent emotions. “Fantasy Bar” takes an innovative look at the future as yearnings are brought to life in a most tantalizing way.

“Ride a Cowboy” by Delilah Devlin

After Katelyn Carter arrives at her new home in a small Texas community, she is determined to start a fresh life and forget about her unhappy past. While she is contemplating her recent purchase and what can be done to improve the forsaken look of the house, Daniel Bodine drives by and stops to talk. Though he is appealing, the conversation she has with the younger man is not very friendly, mostly because of her insecure emotional state where she is determined to not become involved with anyone at this time. When the same man ends up rescuing her when a rattlesnake enters her home, his offer to help fix up her neglected home is one she cannot refuse. Daniel is delighted as he is more than willing to aid his nearest neighbor in any area she needs his assistance, especially in her bedroom.

The hero is temptingly charming and his masculine behavior had me liking him from the very start, while his appeal only intensified as his inner thoughts become known. When paired with a woman whose trust in men is almost nonexistent, their scenes are at once poignant while the shared desire Daniel and Katelyn feel steadily builds to explosive heights. Delilah Devlin expertly sets the stage for her couple, as destiny may have put them together while undeclared yearnings fuel any future actions. “Ride a Cowboy” certainly lives up to its name, as sexual cravings are fulfilled with much sincerity. Packed with loads of earnest dialogue at times and sharp banter at others, this contemporary tale is sure to please.