Stalkers by Various Authors
Over thirty of your favorite USA Today and bestselling authors have come together to create an epic collection of forbidden, dark romance stories.
Get lost in this unputdownable mixture of short stories. From heroes to bad guys, there’s something for everyone.
stalk·er
A person who stalks: a person who pursues someone obsessively.
Stalkers is a taboo romance collection jam-packed with captivating stories.
Authors Included:
Abigail Davies · Yolanda Olson · Ally Vance · Jessica Ames · N. Isabelle Blanco · D.S. Wrights · Faith Ryan · Sam Destiny · S. Firecox · Cole Denton · Ker Dukey · Petra J. Knox · Kara Dawson · Brianna Hale · Alice La Roux · Emery LeeAnn · Raven Amor · Claire C. Riley · Shannon Youngblood · Kat T.Masen · Logan Fox · Cassia Brightmore · Leaona Luxx · A.K. MacBride · Ryleigh Sloan · Erin Trejo · C. Firecox · Michelle Pace · M.A. Foster · Cora Kenborn · Catherine Wiltcher
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This collection was full of all kinds of darkness. From heroes to anti-heroes, from 'romantic' stalkers to full-fledged run-for-your-freaking-life stalkers, it literally had it all. Some were winners, some not so much. I have to say that quite a few new-to-me authors surprised the heck out of me and I will DEFINITELY be giving them a second look in the future. All in all, if you like your romance on the dark side, then come take a walk with this anthology!
Okay... so here's where I break down what I thought of each story...
Infatuation by Jessica Ames (new-to-me author) — 3 stars
Fury is sick and he knows it. There's just something about sliding his knife into someone that really speaks to him. He doesn't like to be touched and he finds it hard to fight the impulse to hurt people. Then Amalia enters his life and what he feels for her is something he's never felt before. It's not love, it's obsession. While I didn't really get the chance to know these characters in this short, I'm interested enough to find out more about them in Fury's upcoming book.
Devious Obsession by Erin Trejo — 3 stars
Devious is the president of his MC. Harley is the daughter of the president of a rival club. Whatever they want to happen, can't happen. Or can it? After stalking each other, they both know that nothing that grows between them can go anywhere, but when her life is in danger, how far will Devious go to claim his girl? This ended up being entertaining and I only wish it could have been longer. I have no idea who these characters are, but I would like to.
Always Second Best by S. Firecox (new-to-me author) — 3.5 stars
Camilla married the wrong brother. Warren and Kaiden were twins and couldn't be more different. While Warren would brutalize her, Kaiden would be the one to make her flourish. Unfortunately, Warren was older and, in their dystopian society, he was the one to get the marriage contract. But Kaiden isn't content to watch from the sidelines and this story takes on a life of its own. I really enjoyed this story and I was thrilled to see that it will be a full-length story in the future. I will keeping my eye out for it :)
I Can See You by D.S. Wrights (new-to-me author) — 2.5 stars
This story actually had a lot of potential. Kate was a woman who was often ignored and unwanted. At least she felt that way. When the opportunity comes to get noticed, she's the one doing the noticing. She's inexplicably drawn to Hiroshi Tanaka and starts stalking him. Or is she? Who's really doing the stalking around here? The game these two played was a lot of confusing fun and I think this would have been a winning story if it had the chance to be fleshed out more.
Ensnared by Ryleigh Sloan (new-to-me author) — DNF
Raine was a hot mess of epic proportions and for the most part, she was allowed to be. For what she had lived through as a young girl, she had every right to be messed up. However, it all proved to be too much for me to wrap my brain around and I wasn't willing to suffer through it.
Karolina by Yolanda Olson (new-to-me author) — DNF
Nope. No. Not gonna. This story wasn't written in a way that I would want to read it. Which sucks because the premise seemed interesting.
Take You by Brianna Hale — 3.5 stars
I'm still trying to figure out why I thought this story was hilarious! The author keeps you guessing as to who is taunting her heroine, Alaina. Someone is obsessed with her and is scaring her out of her wits. She ends up turning to the one man who always makes her feel safe - Rhys. Now a homicide detective, he's just the man to catch a stalker and get the girl. Definitely worth the read.
Veil by M.A. Foster — DNF
It starts out with the hero being blown away at his first sight of the heroine. Cannon wants Makayla, but she's already got a man. This wouldn't be a problem for me if the author didn't then go ahead and give us a descriptive sexual scene between Makayla and her man. And then what? Cannon is supposed to... what? I'll pass.
Daisy Chains by Petra J. Knox (new-to-me author) — 3 stars
Historical tone, hippies, flower children, free love and cults. This story was a mixed bag and I quite enjoyed it. After serving in the Vietnam War, Sonny decides to honor a dying soldiers wish that he watch out for his daughter. And watch her he does. Across the country into some questionable situations. It all works out, but wow!
Venor by Emery LeeAnn (new-to-me author) — 2 stars
I really liked the concept of this story. It is not a romance. It's about a killer, a hunter, a depraved human being. There are no happy endings, but yet I still enjoyed it for the most part.
Needs by Cole Denton (new-to-me author) — 2 stars
Well, this story didn't turn out as I expected. Or did it? Again, not a romance. At. All. Riley is emulating his hero and has built up an obsession. I mean, seriously obsessed here. And by the end, things turn upside down and sideways and I think I'd be more interested in what happens next than what I just read.
Claimed by C. Firecox (new-to-me author) — 3 stars
Another story that was all sorts of messed up. I'm just figuring out that this author is linked to the one above, S. Firecox because the world their characters live in is the same. While the earlier book covered the Elite Brides program, this one covers the Elite Maidens. What happens when Hawk, the best tracker for the Elite, falls for one of his intended targets? Women are being kidnapped left and right, forced into sexual servitude, left broken. Ouch! The author did a great job of bringing this depravity to life.
For His Eyes Only by Abigail Davies (new-to-me author) — 2 stars
While this story had some potential - an MMA champion obsessed with the poor girl working at the burger joint - it fell flat for me. I think it had more to do with the length, stunting the story's growth, than the writing itself. The writing was actually good!
Monomaniac by Faith Ryan (new-to-me author) — 3 stars
Tate is looking for love. A true romantic, he keeps putting himself out there, hoping to find the one. However, he's also got a stalker who doesn't mind getting their hands dirty if it means one less guy to worry about. Lucky for Tate, he's got a best friend in Corvin, a man who would protect him with everything he's got. A man who is desperately in love with him. With a shocking twist, this M/M story was a delight to read!
Blossom in the Dark by Ally Vance (new-to-me author) — 3 stars
This was a non-romance that left chills down my spine. The more I read from Zach (a real sicko), the more I was captivated. I have no idea where this story is going, but as it serves as a prequel to something new, I'm sure I'll find out. Bravo to the author for giving me the creeps!
Dearly Departed by Michelle Pace (new-to-me author) — 3 stars
I've gotta say, I wasn't expecting that ending. I thought it was all about Murray getting his groove on funeral-style. I'm glad I was surprised. And I enjoyed the way the author did it!
Sinful Addiction by Kara Dawson (new-to-me author) — DNF
It led me to believe that it was a forbidden student-teacher romance. But I was in the guys head for way too long as he repeated himself over and over again about how what he felt was wrong and he needs to stop. Five pages of that and him pointing out the many ways he noticed things about 'her' and I was done.
I Got You by Sam Destiny (new-to-me author) — 3 stars
I really shouldn't find this story hilarious, considering it's about a girl being stalked and violated, but I couldn't help it. It was funny! Okay, so Maddie has a best friend, Dim, who she's in love with. He's coming home on leave (military), staying with her, and she's ready to take the leap. Luckily he catches her because he's in love with her too. But there's this intense stalker situation that needs to be dealt with. I'm still laughing!
Peek-a-boo by Shannon Youngblood (new-to-me author) — 3 stars
This story was so gross it was ridiculous. It had me laughing so freaking hard! Annie is insane. Seriously. She got murderously mad when she thought her best friend, Leon, had turned on her. She ended up killing her parents because they just didn't understand her and she killed Leon by lighting her house on fire with him tied up in it. And then the story got strange. I mean, really strange. So strange that I had to pause and ask myself 'Are you still gonna keep reading this?' Which I did. So maybe I'm a bit strange. There is something so twisted when the girl getting screwed by her victim's chopped off leg (which she chopped off) is the most mundane of all the craziness.
Playing with Fyre by Logan Fox (new-to-me author) — DNF
I'm always down for a forbidden love story, and at first, I was intrigued by what was developing between Charlotte and Gideon. But then I wasn't. I couldn't stand being in either of their heads for a minute longer. Repetitive and droning... Nope.
Limerence by Alice La Roux (new-to-me author) — 2.5 stars
This story was a bit basic, but still entertaining. Rebecca/Ruby is a cam girl. She gets off for a live audience. Carter is the camera guy. There are sparks between them, but he keeps fighting it. When he finally gave in, the story had a neat little (bloody) twist, which I liked.
What He Doesn't Know by Kat T. Masen — DNF
I was disappointed with this story. I've read and enjoyed this author before, but this didn't live up to my expectations. Dominic is stuck in a marriage of convenience and is obsessed with his mistress. When he decides he wants more with his girl on the side, she quits and finds a new man who becomes her husband. That doesn't stop Dominic's obsession or the pointless tripe that was his internal monologue. Yawn!
Born Sinner by Cora Kenborn & Catherine Wiltcher (new-to-me author) — 3 stars
Sam and Lola were two kids caught up in the middle of cartel war. They were playing at grown ups, but were in over their head. That didn't stop them from making whatever mistakes were necessary to be together. This story was super short so things happened quickly and then it was done. It was sorta cute. It also serves as a prequel to something so I might dive back in for more.
Sacrilege by N. Isabelle Blanco (an old favorite) — 4 stars
I won't even lie, this story was one of two reasons why I even wanted to read this anthology. There is just something about Blanco's writing that grabs me by the guts and I enjoy myself every time. This read was no exception. I couldn't help feeling sorry for Father Logan and his impossible dilemma. Here he is, a man of God, being tempted in the worst way. What sane man could resist Thali? I'm still unsure what happened (because so much happened - all of it good), but I know that I need more!! Seriously, you need to read this author's
Ryze series.
Make Me Yours by Claire C. Riley — DNF
I couldn't get into this one. I've decided (after a couple of tries of her other work) that this author's writing might be for a lot of people, but it isn't for me. And that's okay.
Prey by Raven Amor (new-to-me author) — DNF
I couldn't get into this one either. Which sucked because it did seem to have a good premise.
Right Side of Wrong by A.K. Macbride (new-to-me author) — 3 stars
This one had a decent revenge plot and I think if it had a bit more length, it would have made for a solid story. Santiago lost his sister to a man with no scruples. Bent on revenge, he decided the best way to hurt this man would be to take his sister from him too. He didn't count on the connection he would feel with Becca, but his thirst for revenge couldn't be forgotten. It would just have to come by other means instead. I liked the writing and would probably read from this author again.
Deviant by Cassia Brightmore (new-to-me author) — DNF
I simply couldn't get into this story. Try as a might, I struggled to make it through the first chapter.
Scent by Ker Dukey (an old favorite) — 4 stars
Dukey gives the darkness with her unique flair and I am hungry for more. Lola was a survivor of extreme horror and Detective Nick Adams is the man who helps her dispel all of her demons. Their bond is unorthodox and hot and everything a lover of depravity would enjoy!
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