Naughty List: Thirteen Naughty Holiday Stories - Romantic Christmas Short Stories for Adults, Perfect for Cozy Winter Nights by the Fireplace

Naughty List (collection)This collection of thirteen erotic stories are set in the Christmas holidays. You may recognize many of the authors as being reviewed for the Naughty Hearts collection just a short time ago. As before, the collection was provided by one of the authors for review. Buckle up! Here we go again. My favorites are the last two stories in the collection, “Holding On” by Alexa Silver and “Viking in Tartan” by Suz deMello, but all of the stories have something to give to the erotic reader. Overall the collection is 3.5 out of 5.“The Nightwind’s Visit” by Charlotte Boyett-Compo(m/f) Margeaux is agoraphobic, not caring that a severe snow storm may cause a whiteout on the one day that a doorway between worlds opens. It meant nothing to her. Until she sees the figure of a man standing out in the storm.What a fascinating universe Boyett-Compo has imagined. There is a slight thread of dub con (dubious consent) due to Cree’s entry into Margeaux’s dreams, but he means no ill toward her. More importantly, he is careful to check for any resistance or fear on her side. And, as Cree says, it was merely dream sex, not actually physical. I really did like this one a lot. 4 out of 5.“Dear Santa…I Want a MAN for Christmas” by Marianne Stephens(m/f) Melissa Thomas has never received what she asked for at Christmas, not as a child nor as an adult. Everyone always thought they knew better. This year she’s decided to order her own life-size, fully functional male doll that she has named Rex. She gets much more than she was expecting when Nick, the inventor, delivers Rex.Real or replica? Melissa has a big decision to make. While an interesting premise, I’m personally not a big fan of stranger sex. Because they don’t know anything about each other, there’s no real emotional connection for me. 3 out of 5.“Prelude to a Most Unusual Marriage” by Katherine Kingston(m/f) Elizabeth Fitzhugh has a very unusual request for her late husband’s guardian. She’s surprised when Richard Moreton, Earl of Chisenham, has a request of his own.Warning: this tale contains spanking and caning. Lovely buildup, not the crap of 50 Shades. We’re given a hot historical tale of discipline and love. 3.5 out of 5.“No Gentleman” by Francesca Hawley(m/f) The new librarian, Abigail Kelly, was constantly at odds with board member, William Goldwolf, who thought books were a waste of money.This tale from the turn of the 20th Century is a delightful shifter tale. Great buildup of the characters and their relationship, how Abby handled the truth about the town’s inhabitants, and the world that everyone inhabits. 3.5 out of 5.“Jewel’s Ménage Christmas” by Berengaria Brown(m/f/m) Jewel wants to bring life and love and sex back into her threesome with Donovan and Oscar.As I’ve said in the past, I’m not a big fan of multiple partner relationships, although some stories are the exception rather than the rule. Unfortunately this isn’t one. I just couldn’t connect with the characters. However, I found extremely realistic the idea that you must work to keep a relationship fresh and exciting. 3 out of 5.“Tune Me Up” by Lainey-Jo Charles(m/f) Jason Grier was walking to his friend Dani’s garage after an accident on the ice. He was shocked at what he finds her doing.Friends into lovers. Auto mechanic heroine. A real sized woman. It’s like the author was ticking off my favorites list. That said, I honestly thought this read more like a man’s fantasy piece. 3 out of 5.“On the Eighteenth of January, ’78 or, A Night at Valley Forge” by Regina Kammer(m/m) Barnabas and Zebulon came together to keep from freezing in their two man tent. As their twelve man hut is almost completed, Barn wants to make their last night together special.Interesting, a fantasy woven to increase Zeb’s enjoyment as well as feeding into his man crush on George Washington. The author does a lovely job weaving this tale. But there is also an undercurrent of sadness. You can feel that Barn is more emotionally invested in the relationship than Zeb. 3.5 out of 5.“The Christmas Leopard” by Lynne Connolly(m/m/f) Sandi releases a demon that will require the unusual assistance of Gianni and Fabrizio to banish.Banishing a demon through the power of sex? Wow, that’s different! Very nice and inventive. 3.5 out of 5.“Christmas Bad Girl” by Trinity Blaico(m/f) Hood is forced to help Nicholas deliver Christmas presents on Earth. He never expected to find his mate.This tale contains alien sex, bondage and adult toys. As well as imagination and good, if weird, writing. 3.5 out of 5.“How the Alien Stole Christmas” by Belle Scarlet(m/f) Captain Christie Trent was stuck at the North Pole, recovering after being shot down during the war. Her one joy is sexting with a mysterious male codenamed “Blitzen”.Our heroine is a willing submissive engaged in cybersex with an alien. Beautiful imagery, fascinating premise. I’ve always wondered why there isn’t more good science fiction romance. This story is good. 4 out of 5.“Merry Christmas, Kitten” by Nicole Austin(m/f) Sirena Petra just wanted to experience orgasm. A shape-shifting lioness, she’s been unable to find a man or a vibrator who could do the job. Not even the one custom made for her by inventor Kenyon Fort.Phone sex fully and graphically described. The desire for monogamy from Sirena drives her search for satisfaction from non-felines. 3.5 out of 5.“Viking in Tartan” by Suz deMello(m/f) A Highland Vampires Tale. A Viking warrior rescues a Scottish woman who was flying an unwanted marriage. Erland Blodson is taken with Rhona Kilbirnie from the moment he pulled her from the rough waters. But will he reveal his biggest secret?I adore Viking heroes! And to have a vampire twist took it out of the ordinary and added to the delight. Very subtle rendition. This isn’t a traditional vampire or Viking romance. 4.5 out of 5.“Holdin’ On” by Alexa Silver(m/f) Max Hawthorn, lead singer of the rock band Breakway, is waiting out his last Christmas at his beachside house when he hears a cry for help in the cold Pacific Ocean. He rescued her, but can she rescue him as well?Sexual healing is more than just a song in this tale of second chances and fulfilling love. Sweet and sexy and wonderful. 4.5 out of 5.