EROS - Indie Erotica Author Challenge 2015

by Don Abdul

INTRODUCTION: In an effort to showcase the amazing talent that exists in the world of independent (Indie) authors, and to offer a variety of styles of creative writing to romance and erotica readers around the world, a concept was born in 2014 to pull together a compilation of authors from all sub-genres of romance and erotica for a common goal. The challenge...to write a short story 10,000 to 30,000 words in length in a sub-genre that none of the authors had ever published in...sci-fi and post-apocalypse. The result? EROS – Indie Romance/Erotica Challenge 2015. What better way to display the versatility of these incredibly gifted authors and gain exposure for both well-known and lesser known Indie literary personalities to the general public in a more broadly accessible publication. Each and every author included within these pages retains rights to publish this collection of short stories as well as to publish their individual stories separately to reach the widest audience possible. Included at the end of each story is a brief biography of the author to get to know her/him better and gain insight into their individuality and style of writing. We are very fortunate to have writers from around the globe included in this inaugural volume of EROS, and look forward to adding writers from more countries in the next annual volume, so if you know a great Indie author from a nation not included here, let them know we'll be looking for new talent for the 2016 issue!

Science fiction is a pretty broad term. It can encompass everything from a space odyssey to time travel to adventures into the deep mysteries of the oceans and beyond. Interesting isn't it, though, that much of what was called science fiction in the past has come to pass as science FACT over the decades and centuries since it was first written. A submarine capable of traversing the globe underwater in 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (Jules Verne)...today a reality...a science fact. Airplanes, spaceships, galactic probes exploring space beyond our own solar system, cloning, and a myriad of other impossibilities that are, today, a collection of common occurrences. Fascinating isn't it that what you read within these pages may very well one day become reality and commonplace? Perhaps, then, science pre-fact would be a more accurate term for our romance and erotica stories contained within these pages?

Post-apocalypse. After the destruction of the modern world as we know it. Total destruction by asteroid? Nuclear wasteland? Chemically or biologically mutated life forms? Cities in ruin? Depraved and debauched human existence beyond annihilation of our governmental and societal systems? Who knows what life would be like after any one of these worst case scenarios took place? Well, as a matter of fact, there are possibilities we haven't thought of...and you can read about them here. From the greatest Indie romance and erotica author minds, you get a glimpse at their alternate reality in a future wasteland of post-apocalyptic disaster, complete with stories of the primal romantic and erotic desires of humanity that can never be extinguished as long as our species persists against all odds.

We (the authors) genuinely hope you enjoy our stories, and look forward to earning you as a loyal fan of our writing. Though you may not love every story here, we hope you find authors here whose stories inspire you to read more and share your love for reading with others. It is truly our PLEASURE to present our tales of science fiction and post-apocalyptic romance and erotica to you, and we thank you for reading Indie!

Genres: Science Fiction

574 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 10, 2015

Reviews

[Sarah Reads "Reading in Sarah's Corner" · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first heard about this anthology I knew I had to have it. I mean sci-fi and sexy-times! Not just yes but hell yes! I knew I would like it just by the list of authors on that beautiful cover. I already adored and respect so many of them. But I didn’t just like this anthology, I loved it!

Each story was unique, original, well written. I was glued to the pages until I finished it. It only took me a few evening to finish this bad boy too! And that is saying a lot, ‘cause this baby is one huge book! 574 pages! Just sayin’!

I mean where else are you going to find hot sexy stories ranging from the end of times, to hot futuristic reads, to zombies, to aliens, to swoon worthy shifters?! Nowhere, I tell ya! There is nowhere on the plant you will get such a diverse book filled with steamy pages for just .99!
After reading this anthology I now have even more authors added to my drop everything and read list. And I need 10 of these babies to continue! Please! Don’t make a girl beg. Screw that, I will beg to know what happens next in a few of these.

On a serious note, when you buy this anthology 100% of the proceeds go to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

One more thing, I want to know if I am the only one who thought of Katy Perry’s E.T. when they read Time in a Bottle, The Reaper, and Invaded. I swear I was bopping along to the beat as I read. Or maybe I am the only one.



The first story by Don Abdul 'TIME FOR JUSTICE'
Rating 4-5 Hearts

This story grabbed my attention from the moment I started reading it. The way Don referenced the apocalypse to a large pyramid company being brought down. After the Enron a few years ago, it made this story stand out in my mind. I could picture heads corporations acting just like this.

What I did not expect was the twist that Don surprised me with. When I finally caught what Robert Rapapport was up to I was like you clever devil. Robert went through a lot of trouble to do what he did. He jumped through many hoops to get where he was.
What he wasn’t expecting were two women who wouldn’t rest until they figured it out as well.
Watching Pamela French and Sheree Huxtable piece the entire puzzle together had me turning the pages to keep up with them. These two ladies just could not let it lie that Robert had just vanished.
If you are looking for a story filled with twist and turns this story is for you.
Melissa Bell ‘2113'
Rating: 5 of 5 hearts
This futuristic story had my little mind a racing. Author Melissa Bell did a fabulous job at detail. There were numerous times I felt as if I was right there with Qhoi and Malachi. I loved her concept on that in the future we will all just me a number assigned to us to match our job.

Her lead character is a computer genius who has been researching what the countries have been up to with the Breeders program. She knows something is off and is dead set in proving it. She will not accept she has been assigned to reproduce the way they have destined her to.

Qhoi had me snorting a few times. This girl had brains and did not take crap from anyone. Qhoi knew what it would take to get her out of the breeders program and was fine with it. She was just lucky that the man she met was someone she could eventually trust.

I loved how she had no problem lining Malachi out a few times during the story. Malachi may have been dominate but Qhoi let him know she was the one in control.

Malachi knew something was not right with his mission. He just needed someone else to confirm his suspicions. He was drawn to Qhoi from the moment he saw her. He felt he needed to protect her even if he was not sure why.
I did a full on pout when the story ended. I was wrapped up that I did not even realize it was about to end. I really hope Melissa adds to this story.

Jami Brumfield 'THE MATING CHALLENGE'
5 of 5 Hearts

Oh! How I love me some sexy were’s. This futuristic story revolved around Andrea as she comes to realize that not only was she in the future but that she was also part werewolf. Not only was she a werewolf, but an alpha female that had six men fighting to gain her companionship.

Rules: The winner of the three fights gets a night with Andrea. After the three nights she must choose a mate or the final three men battle to the death.

I loved how Andrea analyzed each of the three winning men before her date and tried to figure them out. Then once they won she would get to see if what she thought was the truth. Andrea learned quickly that you cannot judge a wolf by his first impression.

Would she chose strong and dominate? Sweet and charming? Or the one she connected with but may not be able to protect her like the other two?
Females are rare and men go nuts on finding new blood… I mean mates in the future.

I do not want to give too much away with this story. I am just thrilled that Jami will be continuing this story in the future. Because I NEED to know more. This made a fantastic start for a future book. I am hoping the next book goes into more detail. I would’ve loved some more on each one of the dates.

Riley Bryant- ‘Breeders’
4.5 of 5 Heart

This story is one I could actually picture happening in the future. Riley Bryant tells a fantastic story on how a virus kills off most of the male population leaving only a few men to repopulate the earth. I was mesmerized by Riley’s description in his story.

Riley’s take on how the U.S. is split up into sections and that the Father’s run the sections made me think. If something does happen how will we all really act.

The Father’s had power. These men could practically do anything and get away with it. There sole purpose was to breed with as many women as possible and that is it. No responsibilities at all. They never met their children or have to worry about what they need to do.

Father Finn was raised this way. He knows no different then what he has become accustomed to. He gets his fill of sex every day and that is it. Finn longs for more than what his life is. He is tired of all the sex with people who mean nothing to him. He is drawn to a beautiful Kailiss that sleeps in his bed most nights, knowing it can never be more.

What happen’s when Kailiss notices Finn isn’t keeping to his schedule. I’ll tell ya. You get a great love story laced with action and steamy sex!
This story takes some great twist and turns I did not see coming. I could not turn the pages fast enough to see how it turned out.

I really want to say more but I am afraid I will get away some of the plotline. Just know I thoroughly enjoyed it.

R.J. Cree – Shadow of the Hunter
4.5 of 5 Hearts

Such a great story! I could visualize this story as a miniseries on TV. R.J. Cree had it all in this baby from the corrupt government, controlling families that took over, to the hot sexy scene that played out. Cree did a fantastic job at sucking me in and keeping my full attention from start to finish. I could not put down my Kindle.

The thought and description R.J. put into Cody Linman’s community was fantastic. You felt the sense of family. How Cody would do anything at all to protect his friends and family.

Cody Linman is a protector who does not tolerate anyone treading on his tuff hurting his friends. When people whirl into town and harm someone he is close to he makes it his mission to go after them. Cody becomes a hunter and stalks after his pray.

This book takes on a suspenseful feel while Cody avenges his friend. I loved how R.J. Cree gave us some much detail during the hunt.
Holy hot drugstore sex is all I’m saying!

What started off as Cody dominating two beautiful women ended up becoming so much more. I am really curious if R.J. is continuing this story someday, even though I loved the ending.

Max Cummings – Time in a Bottle
Rating 5 of 5 Hearts

LOVED IT! From the moment I started reading this story I felt as though Max Cummings was leaving me breadcrumbs to follow. And boy was I right! I had to devour this bad boy. There was no stopping me once I started this story. I needed to know how it ended! Then I sulked ‘cause it ended and I needed more!

Max packed this story with sexiness, humor, and a little mystery. His Characters are full of life and keep you wanting more from start to finish. From Norm and Kendra’s banter that turns hot and sensual to how Kendra taught Norm to be whom he always wanted to be.

Like how in the world is Norm stopping time and why is Kendra still cruising about? Seriously, these things had my little mind racing.

Norm was misunderstood and miserable. All he ever wanted in life was a beautiful woman to look his way. He was a doctor after all. I wanted to smack Norm in the beginning. But this goofy guy quickly grew on me. Like he did Kendra.

Watching Kendra pull Norm out of his shell was great. She knew what he could become and nursed it out of him.

I absolutely adored Kendra. She was such a Sexy Minx! And freaking gorgeous! The way Max described her had me visualizing how she looked instantly. I could picture her magnificent eyes and blue tinted skin as she took Norm out for the night of his life.

She was so darn funny and full of life. I could not help but snort at her sass towards Norm. Then we get to meet a sexy Holly. She added just the right amount of sexiness to balance these two out.

AND she has a major secret! My jaw hit the floor and I tilted my head as I worked through the possibilities.

The loveseat scene in this story is absolutely smokin’! I mean HOLY COW HOT! I wanted to high-five Norm and tell him he was a freaking rockstar after I finished fanning myself.

I do not want to give away anything to do with Max’s fantastic plotline full of twists and turns. Just know that I am dying for him to write more because his ending had me message him that I needed more!

Al Daltrey- Doom and Domination

Rating 5 of 5 Hearts

Wow! I enjoyed this story so much! The detail Al Daltrey gives us paints a perfect backdrop while his story unravels. My mind instantly started picturing this futuristic world. I was thinking wouldn’t this be great, followed by crap this would suck within a few short pages of each other.

Al as always did an amazing job keeping me all hot and bothered with his detailed sexy scenes. But this story is so much more. His writing and detail blew me away with this one. This is my favorite piece of Al's so far.

Let me start off by saying that I don’t always love third person. I feel that I cannot connect with the lead character(s). That is not the case here at all. You can feel the emotions that Lekia processes in each and every scene.

Lekia Biggs is just your average girl doing what she is told to do in life.

When along comes a pesky journalist TJ Carson filming a slot in ‘A Day in the Life’ she had no clue what he was up to or what a whirlwind her life would become after that interview. She is scrutinized and punished for being who she is.

Poor Lekia is innocent but in the eyes of the law she is guilty. Not only is she guilty and scared someone benefiting from her submissive nature.

Steve is one of those characters you just love to hate. He was hot, sexy, and is dominating as hell. He demands respect and takes it. Throughout the entire story I could not decide if wanted to throat punch him or love him. I think this is the first time I have ever thought one of Al’s characters as a villain. It was a glorious love hate relationship I had with Steve.

By the end of this story I was all wound up and dying for more. Mr. Daltrey you know I need more of this story! I really hope one day I get to see more!

Lynessa James – The Reaper
5 of 5 Hearts

After reading this story I have become a Lynessa James fangirl. She owned me from the moment I started reading this captivating story. The detail she put into this story swept me away until the very last line. Then I signed and pouted a little ‘cause it was over. I can see this story as a full novel easily.

Lynessa fills this story with sass, humor, and creative detail that makes your mind think outside of the box at all the what ifs.

I was mesmerized and became completely consumed by the elaborate detail Lynessa gives us as she describes Farren’s experience. You could feel farren’s emotions as she worked through what she was experiencing.

Farren is one of those sweet souls you want to scoop up and give a huge hug to. She had been through a really tough time. She has lost her mother and feels as though she has lost her dad. And to top it off a guy at school get under her skin and driver her mad.

Plus, she keeps losing track of time and has no clue why. Her father wants her to see someone about it and see if they can figure out why.

When Farren realizes that she just isn’t losing track of time I was giddy. The way Lynessa describes her experience was so freaking creative and HOT!! I mean full body tingles when he touches her all over at once! He hadn’t even made love to her and I was like DAYUM!

When he takes her to their parallel universes and describes their love story to her my heart melted. This man loved her no matter what.

I grinned like such a loon at the last two lines of this book.

P.T. Macias – My Dragon’s Love

3 of 5 Hearts


This was a fun story filled with shifters and aliens. Author P.T. Macias wrote a fantasy story blending shifters with other worldly beings.

Prince Landon is a dragon shifter that is granted access to visit the earth realm. He is on a mission to find his mission when he meets Heather. He knows instantly this is his mate. The only problem is he senses trouble.

Heather is working on a debt and is summoned to earth to lure Landon back to her room. She never thought in a million years he would be her mate. Now that she has she is forced to give him can she live with it or fight to get him back?

For some reason I just was not able to connect with this story. There are a few editing things that did not flow with me. They threw me off and I was unable to connect.

J.M. Nash- Invaded
5 of 5 Hearts

Wow! This story was absolutely fantastic! I would love to see this as a series on the Syfy channel. The amount of detail that author J.M. Nash filled this story with had me right there with her characters.

The way J.M. sets up this story had me holding onto her every word. Her lead character has been held captive and walks us through what has been going on in the galaxy sense she has been born.

Tatiana is an alien from Akron. She has been held captive in a dungeon with some of her fellow people. She is the only female being held captive and wants to know why. She has the abilities to read others minds, project things into others minds, and she can move things with her mind.

This girl is strong willed and even though she knows at any moment someone could harm her she stands her ground against Tron.

Tron is a man of many secrets. He knows Tatiana is his true mate. If they are to mate and she is able to carry his child it will mean something huge to his people. Only problem is that he is lying to the one person he loves most.
I did want to punch him in the arm at the good when he turned into a butt. I really want to know more about why he is acting like this.

I just say I loved loved loved J.M.’s description on the changes her characters were going through during their mating process. And do not get me started on the hot sex! I mean the thought she put into it was crazy good!
Only one problem! I need more now! I huffed and crossed my arms when this story ended. I mean that ending! God! I need more!

Amy Rachiele- Winter’s World

4.5 of 5 Hearts

This post apocalypse story takes place when the earth is covered in a snowy blizzard. People have learned to survive the storm with clothing and riding out the storms. Amy Rachiele does a fantastic job describing how devastating this time is for Winter her lead character.

The devastation and heartache that Winter went through pulled at my heart. This girl raised herself, had to deal with a mother who was a prostitute and made her feel unwanted. Men looked at this young woman as if he was meat.
This girl had to become hard as nails to survive all these years alone. When she realizes that just maybe someone did love her she isn’t sure what to do.
Liam was another broken sole that was raised by a controlling father who ran the Dens. The one place Winter despised going to.

This story was just taking off when it ended. I am curious if the author will leave it until a later date or continue it when she can.

Salice Rodgers- The River House

4.5 of 5 Hearts

Whoohoo! Last but not least, we get some zombie action going on! Oh. Wait, not zombies. I mean the “Don’t Eat Mes” or the “Oh no stay aways.” I wished this story was longer. There is so much that Salice Rodgers could do with it.
This story had me cracking up as Amber, Olivia, and Zander learned to co-live together to survive.

When this story starts Amber has been trying to survive this event while she waits on the government or whomever it is to come to the survivors rescue.
She is not happy when Zander beats on the door to the house she is crashing at the time being. I was rolling at Zander and Amber’s banter. He pushed every button this poor girl had. He was in overprotective mode as he tries to get is sister safely to the river house.

Amber’s internal turmoil as she tries to fight what Zander is doing to her made me snort. He description of him was great. He was such a bossy butt. A hot bossy butt but still.

Zander leads a small group towards the river house while battling the “Oh no stay aways.”

[Kimber · Rating 5 out of 5]

**ARC COPY**
I was picked to read this anthology and give my honest review by Melissa Bell.
She has out done herself with 2113. As an avid reader of all things Melissa I know this was a knew experience for her.
2113 is one of the best post apocalyptic books I have read. I did not want it to end.
Qhoi is a female security guard. She lost her parents when she was young and has learned to protect herself. Though she knows that she is nothing but a number and it is only a matter of time until hers is called. She knows more about thw breeders program than most and would rather die than be used to procreate.

Malachi is in a sense no more than a collector. He hates his job and wishes he knew how to change what he is collecting females for. He has never agreed with it. The night he collects Qhoi everything he knows changes. He also does the one thinf that Qhoi asks that will get her out of the program and both of them killed. Of course thag was before they all became rogue.

Qhoi and Malachi and his entire team and all the other breeders are now safe from the program but still endanger due to being rogue and the information they have. Will they be able to live happily or will they give their lives trying to destroy the breeders program?
I cannot wait to read the rest of this anthology and pray that Melissa will continue writing more to 2113.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received this ARC to review BREEDERS by Riley Bryant*


This was my first chance to read Riley
Bryant's work. I was blown away by this post-apocalypse short story. I was pulled into a strange world, with a near nonexistent human race. While humankind tried to erase the threat, their basic humanity was almost completely eradicated by the means in which they tried to survive. I loved the twists in the story, changing the assumed dynamic of the stronger sex. While surrounded by a bleak atmosphere, there is a strong erotic element, that is unique to the story and makes the ending all the more sweeter.

[Nannette Coffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melissa Bell has gone out of the box and her norm writing this absolutely amazing book.
Finding out you're just a number (359) was hard enough, but to find out that you are only there to birth children 359 (Qhoi is going to be different. Getting ready to be shipped off due to Armageddon (all bees were killed off). Malachi is attracted to Qhoi and also has become her protector. Qhoi being there for one duty only; Malachi has made it happen being put into danger several times. Qhoi and Malachi can hopefully start their lives together as a couple.

[K.S Dexter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book because there are so many authors in one book with different stories. A good friend of mine wrote in this book and I wanted to buy it for her story :) I have to say that I am so glad she did this challenge she did an amazing job with her first zombie story and the rest had me sitting in my bed reading until my eyes hurt.
If you are into zombies and the end of the world stuff, you should grab a copy of this book today. I am not finished with the whole thing, but I know I will love the rest of it just the same.

[Jojo Bungenaar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am reviewing Winters World by Amy Rachiele. I was gifted a copy of this as an arc by the author! This is part of the whole book.

I really enjoyed this short story the characters were really good and interesting as it looked into the lives of people and how they dealt with every day life after certain events. I think as a short story it left me wanting more as great stories always do! But I think it ended appropriately! Another fine read by Amy I love her books!

[Storm Chase · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given an ARC in return for a review. Always interesting to have an anthology and this one is a nice collection of erotica shorts. My top three faves were Jami Brumfield's Mating Challenge, Melissa Bell's 2113 and Riley Bryant's Breeders. Worth checking out.

[Kay Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a dilemma on how to write the review for this book. My problem was that though each story is in one book. I prefer to write individual reviews for each author and their book. Limited to only 5,000 words. In my opinion it can take away from each author. Since there are 12 books in this anthology if you write a somewhat long review to one book then you have to write a shorter on for the next and so on. So i wrote to Amazon to seek their advice on how to be able to write for each book. I was told it had to be in one review only. Then i posed the question to one of the authors Melissa Bell. Understanding what i was trying to do she suggested I write a review for the book in it's entirety and wait until each book came out separately to write the review as I wanted to. Thank you Melissa.

Eros is an eclectic collection of books by various authors that are well know to some but not by others. In these short stories you go through a variation of great imaginative futuristic could one day be scenario's. Each book has it's own takes and twists to their story. Do they have outrageous imaginations. Sure they do that is what makes each story spell binding to the point that you can imagine yourself as a character in each book. You travel from one extreme to another. Though each book may not be to the readers preference others will connect to them all in one way or another.

[Lena Winfrey Hayat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melissa Bell’s science fiction romance erotica short story “2113” in the EROS short story anthology of 2015 warrants five stars! It is an intriguing story set in a futuristic society that begins at Armageddon Station in Australia.

Bell takes us on an adventurous escape with her colorful, complex characters Qhoi and Malachi. Qhoi is forcibly taken to join the breeder’s program, but we learn there is a conspiracy going on and that she has collected information that puts her life in danger. Malachi is the commander supposed to take her in, but he is struggling with his conscience. He cannot allow Qhoi to suffer the same fate as his sister.

I have to warn those under age 18 that this story is not for them, as it is an erotic romance.

Qhoi and Malachi are drawn together both body and soul in a “forbidden love.” The scenes are done creatively and tastefully.

I enjoyed both the exciting and action-filled plot as well as the well-designed characters who bring this story to life. I recommend this story to those who enjoy both science fiction and romance.

I received this short story in exchange for an honest review. The rating and opinions are solely mine.

[Roxie's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

" Super fantastic collection"
I first got this book because one of my favorite Author's P.T Macias has a story in it. I promised myself with any box set or collection I get I would give each writer a fair reviewing. I found that each story in this collection was great. The characters and story lines are amazing. Oh course P.T Macias's story "Dragons love" is my favorite!. P.T Macias just has a way of writing that gets you hooked on her stories!. With all her stories and books she has the concept of soul mates that will just charm your heart!. Dragons Love is of course about dragons only it is more then that it is about suspense,action , humor and the amazing soul mate love!. You can not go wrong in purchasing book because I know you will find several stories in it you will love!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The elements that make a story great include an organized plot, amazing writing, strong characters, and a believable conflict. Add to it HOT erotic sex (a 4some to make you blush) and an extremely powerful woman and you have a hit! THAT is Breeders. I have read many stories with strong, confident and brave women, but Kailiss is now on the top of my list! You will fall in love with sexy Flynn, hate the loathsome villains and be proud that Author Riley Bryant gave us an amazing woman named Kailiss! No matter what genre you read I highly recommend Breeders! As a whole this entire Anthology is fantastic! I look forward to hearing a lot more from author Riley Bryant!!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked Riley Bryant's short story Breeders. The post-apocalyptic short story drew me in from the start. Man kind was almost wiped out by their own doing. Now they have to repopulate. This short story had unexpected twists, an erotic atmosphere, and a surprise ending. Well done Riley! Breeders is an excellent story!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading the short story Beyond My Dragon's Love by P. T. Macias!!! For me, it was very heart-felt story and quite an enjoyable read. I experienced a myriad of emotions throughout the story. Heather and Prince were an awesome couple that were meant to be with each other....it was a wonderful story and I highly recommend it!!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't tell you enough about how awesome it is to have a huge collection of different authors writing sexy books. In this collection you get more then your bargain for. I totally recommend this to everyone. It's hot, sexy and did I say hot? I got introduced to new authors and new stories I can't wait to read

[Zorha Redwolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

The King of Erotica has a flair to make you need a Fan! Great read, but never alone!