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No Strings
Diane and Zeke have one tragic thing in common—they’ve lost their spouses. Despite years of group therapy, neither has been able to move on with their life. So when Zeke suggests a one-night, no-strings fling, Diane decides she has nothing to lose. It will take a passionate evening to reawaken desires, fantasies and sexual pleasures they’ve long forgotten. And before the sun rises, they’ll discover letting go isn’t as bad as it seems.
**No Strings is a short story complete at approximately 9,000 words.**
**No Strings is a short story complete at approximately 9,000 words.**
41 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 26, 2011
2 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Aline Hunter
30 books829 followersAline Hunter is the alias of multi-published author J.A. Saare, who has written stories featured in horror magazines, zombie romance anthologies and flash fiction contests. Her work has a notable dark undertone, which she credits to her love of old eighties horror films, tastes in music and choices in reading, and has been described as "full of sensual promise," "gritty and sexy" and "a breath of fresh air."
Currently she is penning multiple projects within the urban fantasy, erotic and contemporary, and paranormal romance categories. You can visit her online at alinehunter.com and jasaare.com.
Currently she is penning multiple projects within the urban fantasy, erotic and contemporary, and paranormal romance categories. You can visit her online at alinehunter.com and jasaare.com.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 16, 2013
3.5 stars.***Review posted October 16, 2013
I really liked No Strings but it was too short.
What I enjoyed were the MCs and their interesting background, especially Zeke's particular situation was an emotional challenge . What didn't work for me, however, was the length of the novella. There wasn't enough page time to neither develop the plot nor the characters. Also, I must admit that I've had a hard time to buy Zeke's reason of proposing the no-strings-attached ONS. That was more than a little bit brash if I may say so and a bit too far-fetched for my liking. Another aspect of the story that was kinda too much for my understanding was the fact that these two were talking about "healing" each other after one night of passion. As I see it, it can serve as a first step in the right direction but healing? Nope, not really.
Still, it's a good read and provides solid writing and a steamy sex scene. Hence, if you are on the lookout for something hot and quick then I'd say you should give this one a shot. Enjoy!
Warning
There is
I agree, Zeke.
http://baba.booklikes.com
I really liked No Strings but it was too short.
"Leave with me, right now. Don't think. Don't hesitate. I'm going to put money on the table and we're going to walk to my truck. One night, Diane. Let yourself go for one night."
What I enjoyed were the MCs and their interesting background, especially Zeke's particular situation was an emotional challenge . What didn't work for me, however, was the length of the novella. There wasn't enough page time to neither develop the plot nor the characters. Also, I must admit that I've had a hard time to buy Zeke's reason of proposing the no-strings-attached ONS. That was more than a little bit brash if I may say so and a bit too far-fetched for my liking. Another aspect of the story that was kinda too much for my understanding was the fact that these two were talking about "healing" each other after one night of passion. As I see it, it can serve as a first step in the right direction but healing? Nope, not really.
She wailed as she came, thrashing against the wall, the muscles in her legs flexing. Her nails raked into his shirt until he could feel a slight sting in his arms, and he basked in the mixture of pleasure and pain. He didn't lift his head until she sighed softly and went limp in his arms.
"Jesus, woman, I knew you'd be like this." He grasped her head in his hands and gazed down at her. "You look like a kitten but you're all fucking lioness. I can't wait to feel your claws in my back."
Still, it's a good read and provides solid writing and a steamy sex scene. Hence, if you are on the lookout for something hot and quick then I'd say you should give this one a shot. Enjoy!
Warning
There is
I agree, Zeke.
http://baba.booklikes.com
November 2, 2011
A very hot, emotional read that definitely leaves you wanting more from this engaging couple. Ms. Hunter succeeds at giving us a quick taste of strong yet emotionally flawed characters and how they take the first step toward embracing life after tragedy. I look forward to the author revisiting their lives in a full length novel next year!
November 4, 2011
This was a short hot romp!! I'm definitely looking forward to more of this couple.
Zeke was smexy with his dirty talking self, I loved him.
Zeke was smexy with his dirty talking self, I loved him.
January 19, 2012
Nooooooo! It can't end there!!! I need more!!!!! And this isn't really a bitch about how short it is, just that it was such a good story.
It was a Quickie, which means it's short. Normally short stories are lacking in character development or plot or both, but this one was really well done. We don't know a whole lot about Zeke and Diane at the beginning, but we get more little tidbits of info all the way through. And Zeke... that boy was a wonderful dirty talker! And he had tattoos.... and my favorite combo of dark hair and blue eyes... and he was a mechanic, which means he knows what to do with his hands. ;-) Yum-oh! And he was totally smitten with Diane, even though he didn't really want her to know how much.
Alas, this ended up a happy for now, which is why I want more. I want to know that Zeke and Diane reunite. I want to see that Zeke's plan -- to help Diane get past the death of her husband -- worked. And I want to know how it changed Zeke, how he will ultimately deal with his wife.
I understand that the author will be writing a full-length follow-up to this, but I need it now! NEEEED it. I really liked this story. It wasn't what I expected. I'm sure I would have liked what I expected, but this was different in a good way.
It was a Quickie, which means it's short. Normally short stories are lacking in character development or plot or both, but this one was really well done. We don't know a whole lot about Zeke and Diane at the beginning, but we get more little tidbits of info all the way through. And Zeke... that boy was a wonderful dirty talker! And he had tattoos.... and my favorite combo of dark hair and blue eyes... and he was a mechanic, which means he knows what to do with his hands. ;-) Yum-oh! And he was totally smitten with Diane, even though he didn't really want her to know how much.
Alas, this ended up a happy for now, which is why I want more. I want to know that Zeke and Diane reunite. I want to see that Zeke's plan -- to help Diane get past the death of her husband -- worked. And I want to know how it changed Zeke, how he will ultimately deal with his wife.
I understand that the author will be writing a full-length follow-up to this, but I need it now! NEEEED it. I really liked this story. It wasn't what I expected. I'm sure I would have liked what I expected, but this was different in a good way.
November 5, 2013
3 stars
No Strings is a very hot and short read with a good story that had a lot of prospective and could've been a good book but the end hasn't lived up to it. For me it feel like the book hasn't been finished and that's a shame cuz i quite enjoyed it and would've been much dif if had another end or let's say that if actually had a proper end.
I must admit the sex scenes were extremely hot and sexy but sometime a good book need more than that to be a good book. I was very disappointed with the end to be honest and quite grateful that the other books by Aline Hunter they weren't the same as this one.
No Strings is a very hot and short read with a good story that had a lot of prospective and could've been a good book but the end hasn't lived up to it. For me it feel like the book hasn't been finished and that's a shame cuz i quite enjoyed it and would've been much dif if had another end or let's say that if actually had a proper end.
I must admit the sex scenes were extremely hot and sexy but sometime a good book need more than that to be a good book. I was very disappointed with the end to be honest and quite grateful that the other books by Aline Hunter they weren't the same as this one.
July 29, 2013
Talk about a hot and steamy short story. Wowza! I loved Zeke and want more of him please. :) This story had more of an emotional feel to it than I initially thought it would so it was a nice treat and well worth the read.
October 27, 2011
Holy Smokes. Hot! Very quick read but worth it. I was naughty and read it while at a conference. Review coming soon.
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September 28, 2012
My review contains spoilers and they're mostly my thoughts as I went with the book...
So I totally picked this quickie up on pure whim. New-to-me author, not sure if I should take the chance but... But, the blurb sort of got me hooked and here I am! I devoured it in one sitting, loved the story to bits... until the end. Let me explain though...
Two grieving people, who have lost their spouses, get together to forget; if only for one night, so be it. Would this be just another one-night-stand or would there be something special?
Diane has lost her husband Mark 2 yrs ago in a robbery-gone-wrong incident. She went from a woman anxiously planning to start a family to a grieving widow. And why won’t it feel like her life is finished when she loved her husband and was happily married? With grief, came the need to share… At first, in those therapy sessions, she didn’t talk, which is totally understandable. But it was a solace nonetheless to be able to listen to people who can understand her situation because they have gone through it themselves.
And then, there is this tattooed man, big and handsome Zeke, who never really talked much, unless pleasantries and that his wife has died very unexpectedly. Diane has noticed him, looks have been exchanged (and I don’t necessarily mean lustful glances). Diane was attracted but of course, she knew nothing could come of it. What she didn’t know that Zeke feels the same way about her.
2 years have gone by already, so we can’t really say that our protags are out and out strangers. There has been this unlikely bond to begin with, even though they never talked to each-other that much. When Diane informs the group that it’s probably time to move on, Zeke, who has always been glad to look at Diane from afar, makes his move... It’s simply now or never. He fears he’ll never see her again if he let’s her go.
Even though I love doing spoilerish reviews, I won’t say anything else. Just know that it was sexy, intense. None of them were into short term flings, which I found amazing. Kind of made me believe in their chemistry more, rather than those stories where it’s nothing but sex, more so in any one-night-stand setups. Zeke is totally crazy about Diane and let her know in his sexy way. There is a twist too, about Zeke’s marriage...
I wasn’t particularly happy with the ending because it didn’t end on a HEA note, not even a relationship way but that after this little incident between them, which was so honest and open and powerful (instant chemistry was everywhere around them IMO), after all they’ve suffered in their lives, now probably they can learn to live again. But, surprise, surprise! While I was going through some reviews, in one, I came across something; that AH is writing a full length novel for Zeke and Diane. Next installment? I’m just so happy that she is and can’t wait to grab it because there’s just HAS TO BE a HEA for them. No one is more deserving than these two.
So grab No Strings if you have an hour or so to spare and you won’t regret it! 4.25 stars. Lovely writing and story, with two lonely, broken hearts. Ah! *sigh*
So I totally picked this quickie up on pure whim. New-to-me author, not sure if I should take the chance but... But, the blurb sort of got me hooked and here I am! I devoured it in one sitting, loved the story to bits... until the end. Let me explain though...
Two grieving people, who have lost their spouses, get together to forget; if only for one night, so be it. Would this be just another one-night-stand or would there be something special?
Diane has lost her husband Mark 2 yrs ago in a robbery-gone-wrong incident. She went from a woman anxiously planning to start a family to a grieving widow. And why won’t it feel like her life is finished when she loved her husband and was happily married? With grief, came the need to share… At first, in those therapy sessions, she didn’t talk, which is totally understandable. But it was a solace nonetheless to be able to listen to people who can understand her situation because they have gone through it themselves.
And then, there is this tattooed man, big and handsome Zeke, who never really talked much, unless pleasantries and that his wife has died very unexpectedly. Diane has noticed him, looks have been exchanged (and I don’t necessarily mean lustful glances). Diane was attracted but of course, she knew nothing could come of it. What she didn’t know that Zeke feels the same way about her.
2 years have gone by already, so we can’t really say that our protags are out and out strangers. There has been this unlikely bond to begin with, even though they never talked to each-other that much. When Diane informs the group that it’s probably time to move on, Zeke, who has always been glad to look at Diane from afar, makes his move... It’s simply now or never. He fears he’ll never see her again if he let’s her go.
Even though I love doing spoilerish reviews, I won’t say anything else. Just know that it was sexy, intense. None of them were into short term flings, which I found amazing. Kind of made me believe in their chemistry more, rather than those stories where it’s nothing but sex, more so in any one-night-stand setups. Zeke is totally crazy about Diane and let her know in his sexy way. There is a twist too, about Zeke’s marriage...
I wasn’t particularly happy with the ending because it didn’t end on a HEA note, not even a relationship way but that after this little incident between them, which was so honest and open and powerful (instant chemistry was everywhere around them IMO), after all they’ve suffered in their lives, now probably they can learn to live again. But, surprise, surprise! While I was going through some reviews, in one, I came across something; that AH is writing a full length novel for Zeke and Diane. Next installment? I’m just so happy that she is and can’t wait to grab it because there’s just HAS TO BE a HEA for them. No one is more deserving than these two.
So grab No Strings if you have an hour or so to spare and you won’t regret it! 4.25 stars. Lovely writing and story, with two lonely, broken hearts. Ah! *sigh*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2012
Can't wait for the full length "Twisted in Knots"..
December 12, 2012
Diane has been going to group therapy for nearly 2 years, since her husband was killed in a robbery. She knows she needs to stop going and get on with her life but she can't seem to find the strength. Zeke, one of the other members asks her for coffee. It turns out his wife isn't dead but she's in a coma, brain dead with no chance of waking. He offers to help her move on, one night, no strings, but can she do it?
For such a short read Aline Hunter has developed an engaging plot with interesting characters that will have the reader begging for more.
Also reviewed for Affaire de Coeur
For such a short read Aline Hunter has developed an engaging plot with interesting characters that will have the reader begging for more.
Also reviewed for Affaire de Coeur
January 2, 2012
Jaime (aka Aline) sent me this today to test out the loaning feature on our Kindles; I read it tonight in one sitting and it was fantastic. Hot, quick, emotionally engaging (no small feat given that this is a short novella, which speaks to her tremendous skill as a writer), with a bittersweet ending that left me very, very grateful Jaime has said she'd like to revisit the characters in a longer work.
Now I'm off to buy my own copy. And you should too.
Now I'm off to buy my own copy. And you should too.
October 29, 2011
Sexy read about two people who need to move forward in their lives. Smoking hot sex scene. I wanted more after it ended. That's the one bad thing about novellas. LOL! What's next for Zeke and Diane? We'll have to come to our own conclusion.
January 21, 2012
This is a really short story, but the author managed in those few short pages to lay down some truly intriguing characters, and a healthy dose of steam.
I truly hope to see more stories (or a long novel) in the future about these characters into the future.
I truly hope to see more stories (or a long novel) in the future about these characters into the future.
October 31, 2011
Yet another sexy, emotional story from this author. Really liked getting to know Zeke and Diane and can't wait to read more about them!
July 15, 2012
Shortest stand alone I have read - one typo - really great characters and believable set up. Nice read....
February 10, 2013
I freaking loved this book!! *but* I needed more.. I know it was a short story, but I needed more of an ending.. a different, dare I say it, better ending.
May 27, 2013
La mejor historia corta y erótica que he leído. Los protagonistas necesitan un libro completo para continuar la historia.
October 28, 2013
A very good short story. I look forward to the full length book telling more of Zeke and Diane's story. Happy reading!
July 10, 2014
In true Aline Hunter form, this is nice and smexy. and super short!
February 22, 2015
For a short read this packed an emotional punch, a bittersweet tale that makes you want more.
January 4, 2017
It's really short so there's not much history in there. But it wasn't badly written so I think I'll give this author a shot with something more substantial.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews