In Hayden’s satirical novel, dueling commercial directors go head-to-head in an unusual contest.

The absolutely awful Laird Killebrew is the perfect foil to Cory Osaka, grandson of the Emperor of Japan; despite their differences, the advertising industry views them as the top dogs in their field. They’re tapped by U.S. Vice President Jacqueline Farmington to take part in a contest (and “sham marketing ploy”) to determine who can shoot the best “beer pour” in all the world. Hayden writes, “Most directors lacked the aptitude to pursue the artistry and the patience needed to build their careers around shooting for beer companies. There were no clients more demanding or particular than the owners of mega-billion-dollar breweries!” (The author also gives readers a glimpse at some behind-the-scenes trickery: As it turns out, they really don’t use beer in beer commercials.) It soon becomes clear that the hotheaded Laird is hopelessly outclassed. His unhappy, handsome business partner, Paul, starts a steamy affair with the vice president while hip-deep in the foamy mess; the two can’t keep their hands off each other and steal every opportunity to jump into bed—all with the full cooperation of Jacqueline’s Secret Service detail, who are thrilled their boss is getting some action. Hayden pushes this farcical romp to its satirical limits, continuously maintaining an absurdist tone (Laird’s company is called Lead Balloon, so his trajectory is hardly in question). The author conveys much of the sardonic fun through dialogue—in one scene, an intruding Laird is strong-armed away from the vice president with a note of bracing insincerity: “The two men stared into each other’s eyes for a long moment. Then, with a broad smile and booming voice, Bryce added, ‘She’ll see you first thing in the morning! Have a good night!’” Unfortunately, an unnecessarily complex plot burdens the story, and a more restrained pace would help this brew to go down even easier.

Funny but overly complicated—readers with beer goggles may want another round.

Hayden presents an erotic romance novella about a 30-something TV executive’s love affairs.

Mable LaCroix is an executive that works on an American reality TV show. She’s living the dream with a career that’s “fascinating, financially rewarding, and prestigious.” She’s worked alongside a woman named Julia Frank for the last five years, who’s attracted to Mable—something that seems to come up at least once a year. Mable isn’t typically attracted to women, but in this case, she makes an exception: “I knew Julia would be the only woman I would ever become intimate with.” Initially, all seems fine, with no strings attached, and she has another casual relationship going on at the same time with Daniel, a famous British rock star with whom she hooks up in Australia. Further down the road, when all three are in Paris, Julia becomes jealous of Mable’s affection for Daniel. To complicate matters further, the press think that Mable is dating Daniel’s sister, Grace. What will things be like when Mable returns to Los Angeles? Hayden’s jet-setting adventure moves quickly from place to place, with Mable graphically recalls her steamier activities along the way. As such, it’s an entertaining read throughout, even if the details of Mable’s professional life don’t always leap from the page; for example, the protagonist unnecessarily explains the showbiz aspects of reality TV: “Our program needed considerable fake tensions built between contestants in case there wasn’t enough actual tension.” Nevertheless, Mable’s personal life has its share of engaging surprises as the story speeds to its quick conclusion.

A well-paced, globetrotting romp with a protagonist that works and plays hard.

A woman is caught between lovers in Hayden’s erotic romance.

Flicka is a young woman who works in film production in Hollywood. At the beginning of the story, she develops a longing for a co-worker named Julian. The fact that Julian is married is not a big deal to Flicka; nor is the fact that she slept with Julian’s brother, Jackson, some years before. Flicka is into living in the now, and she likes nothing better than to fill the now with sex. She first meets up with Julian in Monterey before their work schedule takes them both abroad, where they have trysts in exotic locales like Thailand. Flicka breezily narrates the encounters: “Gripping Julian’s solid eight inches to guide it into me made me gasp!” Julian is not the only one in Flicka’s lusty sights—she also has a casual relationship with a movie star she refers to as “D.” D is a “gorgeous hunk on screen with a sense of humor.” Flicka gets to indulge in both of these handsome men as her work, and theirs, takes them around the world. About halfway through the story, Flicka discovers she is pregnant; will the news dampen her libido? The answer is no—this is not a morality play, but rather a freewheeling romp through various bedrooms and anywhere else two people can have sex. (As Flicka exclaims at one point, “My third time fucking in a pool!”) There is not much tension in the narrative, just a lot of fun. Some interference from the paparazzi raises a few eyebrows, but the characters are not particularly bothered. Likewise, the pregnancy issue is resolved without fanfare (Flicka remarks, “my boobs had increased one cup size”). The questions that keep the story moving are all about with whom, and where, will Flicka have her next orgasm.

A playful adventure that is low on drama and high on adult activities.

Edwards’ debut novel follows an unscrupulous lawman in Appalachia dabbling in assorted crimes.

Devon Highbrand is elected sheriff of a large county in an unnamed state—one with a small population and only nominal crime. He’s married with four children, and outwardly seems like a typical family man. But the “morally malleable” Devon has no qualms about cheating on his wife; he also has no difficulty skirting the law he’s supposed to uphold. For example, he has an arrangement with a local attorney who appraises estates as worth more than their true value and splits his inflated fee with him. Other vile “good ol’ boys” surround Devon, as well, including a county prosecutor who’s guilty of sexual assault and a deputy who’s troublingly fixated on a female criminal informant. Devon’s latest potential score is his wealthy Aunt Lois’ inheritance, which is supposed to go to his developmentally disabled niece, Mallory; however, as co-executor of Lois’ estate, Devon aims to get those millions for himself. His sinister plan may even involve killing his own family member. Edwards’ short novel has a huge cast of mostly thinly developed characters. Many are unsavory types, including Devon’s wife, who’s just as greedy as her spouse, and his mother, who despises girls so much that she had a hysterectomy “to prevent the accidental birth of a daughter.” Nevertheless, the story’s criminal endeavors have a realistic feel; the plot involving Mallory’s trust fund entails copious legal wrangling, and people in power, especially men, seemingly believe that they can get away with anything. The author adds welcome touches of humor, as well, as when Devon assures himself that a “pang of guilt” he feels is merely gas brought on by his fried scrapple breakfast. It’s also not as dark a tale as it may appear, as Mallory has more than one person on her side, and this fact steers the novel to a convincing, worthwhile denouement.

A diverting, believable plot makes up for this crime story’s static characters.