Hot Redemption

Penn (the pseudonym of Kenya Wright and D.Y. Dyllin) offers a tense, erotically charged, futuristic adventure, in which three siblings who burgle strip clubs run afoul of a dancer determined to beat them at their own game. When Phoenix robs Epicaderous “Epic” Brownstone and his brothers of their hard-earned loot, it sparks a contest of wills and skills. Eventually they bury the hatchet and team up for one last great heist that will see them all wealthy enough to fulfill their dreams. But partnership becomes something deeper, and Epic and Phoenix go from butting heads to indulging in sizzling, sensual escapades. Each is broken in body and spirit, but the two lovers may have found their perfect match in each other, until the heist goes horribly wrong. While it’s sometimes hard to sympathize with psychotic Phoenix and needy Epic, the story is solid and the romantic conflict engaging, and the erotic moments practically set the pages on fire. (Dec.)