The Tease Of Darker Pleasures Is Yours For The Sampling In "Wicked Shots"

Title:  Wicked Shots
(Wicked Exposure Novella)
Author:  Katana Collins
Format:  ERC
Length:  70 pages
Expected Publication Date: February 24th, 2015
Rating:  3 Stars
 


Living on the edge…

Cassandra Walters has always followed the rules…until now. Introduced to the erotic pleasures of total submission, she spends her nights in the company of her master, doing as she’s told and surrendering to exquisite ecstasy. But indulging in her newly discovered passion is a problem for Cass. She’s caught in a drug smuggling ring with no way out and nowhere to turn. Cass is not just running scared. She’s running for her life…  -Goodreads




My Thoughts 
This is a very enticing tidbit of a read.
There are however, more than a few very pronounced issue which plague it as a novella.
It is very clear that Katana Collins, as a writer, is very comfortable writing full-length novels.
As such she has fallen into the trap that many novelists do when attempting to pen novellas.

The mini-me dilemma.

This is where a writer forgets to streamline plot elements such as: number of characters/character interactions, the number of differing scenes, and the number of varying plot twists.
One must remember that a novella is a very up close and personal look at one particular aspect of a story.
As such,there should have been a concentration on either the dramatic and suspenseful 'drug mule' storyline, or the or the eroticism of the sub/dom.
By attempting to combine the two within the restrictions of a scant 70 pages, the reader is often left confused by the seeming revolving door of change, and is never quite sure of the story's overall direction.

While it may be true that the scope of this story is a little too ambitious for the confines of a novella, that fact does little to diminish the the stellar quality of the writing and character development found here.
One is able to gain a very clear understanding of who each of the characters are, their motives, likes and dislikes, etc.

Since this is a prequel, detail character descriptions will be forgone in this review in order to avoid spoilers.
It should be noted however, that Wicked Shots does leave the reader wanting to delve much further into the back story of leading lady Cassandra, and the how's and why's of the relationships she maintains within its course.

Reviewer's Note: This book deals with mature sexual themes. As such it is recommended to readers 18+.
This novella comes with a sneak-peek at follow-up title Wicked Exposure. 

About Katana
Katana Collins grew up in a lot of different places. She has called PA, NC, GA, FL and NY all her home. Pretty much in that order, too. Her dream was to always be an author. A photographer. A teacher. A veterinarian. A dolphin trainer. A ballerina. And an actress. She’s proud to say that a few of these even came true.

Katana attended the Savannah College of Art and Design where she took only one writing class–but it was the class that changed the course of her life forever. One amazing professor and one semester later, she emerged with a new set of skills and was finally able to develop what was always a passion into that of a career. Or in Katana’s case, one of many careers. She showed up her first day of undergrad in overalls and flip flops…and graduated in a strapless silk dress and a pair of Manolos. She has never since worn overalls. Though, she does admit to the occasional flip flop.

Katana’s “double life” entails photographing portraits (boudoir and glamour portraits, pet portraits and baby/kids/family photographs). Katana currently lives in Brooklyn, NY as a newlywed with her husband and two rescue dogs…one mastiff and one chihuahua. 

Find Her:  Website / Facebook / Twitter