Wicked Pursuit & Divine Intervention

This unspeakably hot duo of novellas launches the Black Rose Auction series of BDSM-inflected fairy tales. Bestseller Robert (Neon Gods) delivers a decadent contemporary riff on “Little Red Riding Hood” in “Wicked Pursuit.” Spoiled and kinky Mafia princess Ruby Belmonte thinks she’s found love with a mild-mannered, upper-crust prepster named Luke—until a stalker who’s been trailing her reveals that Luke and rival Mob family member Casimir Romanov are one and the same. Virtues (Drag Me Up) takes on Goldilocks and the three bears in “Divine Intervention,” a complex paranormal romance featuring a lineup of angels, witches, and demons. Witch Tlalli, an expert thief, longs to sever ties with her unstable ex-boyfriend, Anthony. She gets a chance to do so in explosive fashion while on a mission with an angel, Elias, and Anthony’s father, Cahuani, to steal an auction item. After all, there’s nothing like hooking up with an ex’s father to send a message. The two stories intersect at the Black Rose Auction, a soiree for the über-rich hosted by the enigmatic Reaper where everything is on sale. Both authors raise the sexual tension to stratospheric heights while sketching multilayered characters and delivering big emotions. Dark erotic romance fans will be eager for more. (Feb.)