Review: Stuffed Stockings - K.A. Mitchell

Have a holly, very jolly Christmas…

Lucas doesn’t usually do the anonymous holiday gift exchange. But when his office crush, Zane, extends an invite, how could he say no? A little holiday cheer might be nice for a change.

What he doesn’t expect are the bonus presents accompanying the bulge in his Christmas stocking—increasingly kinky gifts that have him wishing he’d torn into them in the privacy of his bedroom.

Though Lucas can’t stop fantasizing—in vivid detail—that his seductive Santa is Zane, he can’t quite believe it’s true. That is, until Zane starts dropping clues that have Lucas blushing almost as much as the erotic gifts themselves.

One thing is for sure: Christmas may be right around the corner, but waiting to unwrap his final sexy surprise is going to be a challenge…

This book is approximately 26,000 words

One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!

The Dirty Bits from Carina Press: what you want, when you want it. Over-the-top sexy microromances designed to be read in an hour or two.

Visit K.A. Mitchell's website for more information

Review:
Coming in at around 90 pages Stuffed Stockings is a fairly short read that is very easy to read in one sitting which is a great thing because once I stared reading about these two I couldn't put it down! Lucas is shy and socially awkward with people he doesn't know well, he's not great at reading social situations and tends to be pretty oblivious when someone is flirting with him so he hadn't picked up any signals at all from his sexy colleague Zane. Zane on the other hand is much more confident and outgoing, he knows exactly what he wants and he sets out to get it by convincing Lucas to join in the company's secret Santa gift exchange.

In the run up to the holidays the secret Santa is supposed to leave two gifts a week for their partner and they'll only reveal who has been giving them the gifts at the office Christmas party. Zane has made sure he is partnered up with Lucas and let's just say the gifts get more and more kinky as the weeks go by! Lucas spends a lot of his time fantasising about using the gifts with Zane but in spite of the increased flirting he still isn't sure whether Zane is actually the one leaving the presents.

Stuffed Stockings was the perfect combination of really sweet and incredibly spicy. Yes, you have to suspend belief a little that colleagues would take quite so many risks with gift giving in the workplace but I was enjoying the story so much that I was able to completely gloss over that aspect. I loved both Lucas and Zane and really enjoyed getting to know them. Lucas had a hidden dominant side that was just waiting for Zane to bring out while Zane appeared super confident but had a more vulnerable side once you got to know him better. They made a ridiculously adorable couple but damn their chemistry was intense. The addition of the secret Santa gifts was perfect and I was just as eager to see what was inside each parcel as Lucas was! I would LOVE another story about this couple, not because their story felt unfinished but because I was having so much fun reading about them, either way I definitely need to check out more books by K.A. Mitchell.

Source: Received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Christmas in the City - Anthology

Twelve bestselling authors have come together to brighten your holiday with six ALL NEW co-written novels. Travel through six cities and fall in love with these enchanting love stories.

L.J. Shen & Helena Hunting
Just The Tip
It’s not every day you meet a stranger who knows how to jingle your bells…

Corinne Michaels & Melanie Harlow
Baby it’s Cold Outside
My Christmas list did not include a broken heart, freezing temperatures, or my tree stuck in the door to my apartment building, but that’s what I got. Just when I thought Santa had failed me, I got something I never thought to ask for …

Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward
Kissmas in New York
It was just supposed to be a simple kiss with a stranger. I'd done it to prove a point--that I hadn't lost my sense of adventure. But you know what they say about the best laid plans. Maybe I'd get something in my stocking after all this holiday season...

Sierra Simone & Kennedy Ryan
The Christmas Crown
Noelani, queen of Manaroa, has one mission on her diplomatic visit to the States: forge strategic alliances for her homeland. When she meets brooding security specialist Brock Grimsby, their unexpected alliance heats up the holiday. One night. No promises, but come Christmas, will either be able to walk away?

Penny Reid & L.H. Cosway
Songbird
Two lonely souls find companionship in Dublin for one magical night. Broderick Adams doesn't mind his solitude, until she walks in. Ophelia Kelly sings to heal her heart, but has no idea he's listening.

Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy
EPIC
Jamie and Wes are having a blast living and working in Toronto. Until a scout for another team swoops in to make one of them an offer that might complicate the life they've built together.

CHRISTMAS IN THE CITY is a holiday gift as a thank you! It is available for a LIMITED TIME!

For more information about any of these authors you can visit their websites by clicking the links below:
L.J. Shen
Helena Hunting
Corinne Michaels
Melanie Harlow
Vi Keeland
Penelope Ward
Sierra Simone
Kennedy Ryan
Penny Reid
L.H. Cosway
Sarina Bowen
Elle Kennedy

Review:
Christmas in the City is a collection of six novellas written by twelve bestselling authors being offered free for a limited time. Overall this is a great collection and it contains some really sweet Christmas stories so I'd definitely recommend grabbing a copy while you can!

Just the Tip by L.J. Shen & Helena Hunting

I've read and loved books by Helena Hunting before so I had high hopes for this story but unfortunately it ended up being a total miss for me. There were loads of editing errors that were REALLY noticeable (particularly to me as a Brit but perhaps not so badly for an American) and kept throwing me out of the story but even without those I can't think of a single thing I enjoyed about this story. The romance was ridiculous (he proposed within hours of meeting her!), the humour missed the mark every single time and had me rolling my eyes so hard that they nearly fell out of my head so I came very, very close to DNFing the story even though it's only short.

Baby it's Cold Outside by Corinne Michaels and Melanie Harlow

Imperfect Match Series:
Imperfect Match
Baby it's Cold Outside (novella in the Christmas in the City anthology)

This story restored my faith in the anthology and actually ended up being my favourite in the collection. Corinne Michaels and Melanie Harlow are both new to me authors but I've already gone on to read one of their full length books (Imperfect Match, which is loosely linked to this story and you can actually get a free copy of via a link included in this ebook!). Baby it's Cold Outside had everything I want from a holiday short story, it's a perfect Christmas romance that was sweet, hot, full of holiday cheer and had that feel good factor that leaves you with a smile on your face.

Kissmass in New York by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward

This was another fun and sweet Christmassy story about a woman who is dared by a friend to kiss a stranger. I'm not going to say much more because it would be too easy to give spoilers but I liked both of the main characters and thought they made a great couple. As a bonus the authors have included a link to download one of their other co-written books, British Bedmate, completely free. I really like their writing style (I've read a couple of Christmas shorts by them now) so I'm looking forward to trying a full length novel by them too.

The Christmas Crown by Sierra Simone & Kennedy Ryan

All the King's Men Duet:
Kingmaker
The Rebel King
The Christmas Crown (Novella in the Christmas in the City anthology)
The Killer and His Queen (2020)

I was a bit nervous starting this one as it's linked to the author's All the King's Men duet which I've not read before BUT that wasn't an issue at all and I really enjoyed Noelani and Grim's novella. It was slightly less Christmassy than the previous two stories but it made up for that with the super high heat level and boy do these two have fantastic chemistry! I've added the original duet to my wish list so I can spend time with Lennix & Maxim (who are just briefly mentioned in this story) but I'm also incredibly excited that we're going to get to see more of Noelani and Grim in a new novella The Killer and His Queen which will be released next year.

Songbird by Penny Reid & L.H. Cosway

Songbird is about two lonely people who spend a magical evening together one Christmas Eve, it was a sweet story and I really liked both of the main characters but it just felt a little rushed and unfinished. I wanted more about these characters and what would happen to them so would love to read a further book / novella connected to this one.

Epic by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy

Him Duology:
Him
Us
Epic (Novella in the Christmas in the City anthology)

This story is part of the Him duology about couple Jamie and Wes. I was a bit nervous going in because I've not read the rest of the series but I thought they were absolutely adorable! I'm sure I'd have enjoyed this one even more if I was already invested in their relationship but this DEFINITELY made me want to go back and read Him and Us so it totally worked as a hook for the series. I was disappointed that a story in a Christmas anthology had absolutely nothing to do with Christmas though, it was set in March so would probably have been more suited to an Easter anthology LOL.

Source: Downloaded for free via Amazon

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Review: Sleigh Bells Ring - Jodie Griffin

Vixen loves Nicholas, but as her stay in the North Pole grows short, this reindeer-shifter worries that her time spent with the Master Elf has ruined her for any other dominant out in the real world. But Nic has other plans for the little doe who caught his eye . . . and his heart.

This story was published at the author's website as a free holiday story: http://jodiegriffin.com/2015/12/sleigh-bells-ring/

Visit Jodie Griffin's website for more information.







Review:
Sleigh Bells Ring is a short but spicy free Christmas story that you can read on Jodie Griffin's website here.

Just imagine that Santa's reindeers are actually shifters and think about all the kinky things they could get up to with Master Elf Nic during all those long winter days while they wait for Christmas.

The trouble for Vixen is that she's fallen in love with the immortal elf and she knows she'll never be happy when she's finished her time working for him and has to return to her mortal life and the real world. Luckily for her Nic has no plans on letting her go.

Like I said before this was a really quick read but it was also a really fun one with lots of interesting uses for peppermint candy canes and icicles. It's not for the faint of heart - these reindeers all have their kinks and there are lots of multi-partner situations going on not to mention some BDSM elements but I enjoyed the story and thought reading it was a fun way to pass 20 minutes.

Source: Read for free on Jodie Griffin's website

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Review: All Wrapped Up for the Holidays - Anthology

Six standalone holiday short stories!

The Merry Mistake by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward

Note to self: Ask Santa for glasses this year. When I accidentally mistook a gorgeous man resting outside my building for a homeless person in need of lunch, we got into it. I’d only been trying to do a good deed around the holidays, but he called me righteous. I called him something far worse. If only I didn’t have to see him again. But fate had other plans.

Finding Perfect by Colleen Hoover

A short story that brings back several of Colleen’s most beloved characters. Told from the point of view of Daniel from Finding Cinderella, readers will finally get the story they’ve been begging for more of. For the best reading experience, make sure you’ve read all three books that come together to make up this heartwarming and fun holiday short story; Finding Cinderella, Hopeless and All Your Perfects.

A Rock Chick Christmas by Kristen Ashley

What's Christmas with the Starks like? Get a peek into the Rock Chick world and how Luke copes with Ava going Christmas gaga and just what he will, and won't, do for his girls during the holidays.

Just Say When by Jill Shalvis

When the one you want …

Is the one you can’t seem to have…

Can love conquer all?

The Pact by Elle Kennedy

Thanks to my hectic schedule as a pro hockey player, my girl and I are spending more time apart than together. Luckily, I have a solution—a romantic New Year’s Eve getaway in the mountains, just me and Grace and plenty of sexytimes. Except this blizzard has other ideas...

The Package by K. Bromberg

Christmas week can’t get any worse for Jules Jilliland. Dumped by her boyfriend, rear-ended on the freeway, and fired from her job, she finds herself stuck in an elevator with a handsome stranger. When their packages are accidentally swapped, will it end up being a misfortunate accident that suddenly brightens her holidays?

For more information about any of these authors you can visit their websites by clicking the links below:
Vi Keeland
Penelope Ward
Colleen Hoover
Kristen Ashley
Jill Shalvis
Elle Kennedy
K Bromberg

Review:
All Wrapped up for the Holidays is a collection of six short stories offered for free to fans of the authors involved. You can download your copy via BookFunnel here for a limited time.

The Merry Mistake by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward

I've heard great things about both Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward but this is the first time I've read one of their books. I'm not sure if The Merry Mistake is linked to any of their other books but it worked perfectly as a stand alone. It's a really cute romance between Piper and Mason, two characters who meet when Piper mistakes Mason for a homeless man and buys him lunch. He is rather insulted by her assumption and calls her a self-righteous do-gooder so they don't get off to the best of starts! However fate has a way of throwing them back together and they find they have a lot more in common than they could have imagined.

I really enjoyed this one, it was the right amount of sweet without being over the top, there was a good amount of humour and both characters were extremely easy to like. I definitely plan to check out more books from both of these authors in the future.

Finding Perfect by Colleen Hoover

Colleen Hoover recommends reading this story after her books Finding Cinderella and All Your Perfects so, since I've not read either of those books yet I skipped this one. I will come back and update this review at a later date when I get around to reading it though.

A Rock Chick Christmas by Kristen Ashley

This story is about characters from Kristen Ashley's Rock Chick series. I did try to read it but there were so many different names dropped in the first few pages that I was totally confused. I'm sure this is brilliant for fans of the series who get to catch up with familiar characters but it didn't really work as an introduction to the world so I didn't even finish reading it. Again I'll come back to it at a later date if I ever read the Rock Chick books.

Just Say When by Jill Shalvis

Heartbreaker Bay Series:
Sweet Little Lies
The Trouble with Mistletoe
One Snowy Night (Novella)
Accidentally on Purpose
Chasing Christmas Eve
Holiday Wishes (Novella)
About That Kiss
Hot Winter Nights
Just Say When (Short Story included in the All Wrapped Up for the Holidays anthology)
Playing for Keeps
Wrapped Up in You
Twist of Fate (Novella)

Just Say When is part of Jill Shalvis' Heartbreaker Bay series so I'm sure anyone who has read this series will already be familiar with the characters involved but I'm happy to say it's still a really enjoyable read even if you're new to the series.

James and Julia have been dating for several months but he's becoming increasingly frustrated by the way she always sneaks out of his bed in the middle of the night. He wants more from their relationship but he's scared to push her as he knows she's been hurt before and it's made her gun-shy. I won't say any more than that but I thought these two made an adorable couple and I really enjoyed seeing them figure out what they both want from the future. I hope we get to discover what happens next for them in the main series and this story has definitely given me a kick to get reading the rest of the Heartbreaker books.

The Pact by Elle Kennedy

Off-Campus Series:
The Deal
The Mistake
The Pact (Short Story included in the All Wrapped Up for the Holidays anthology)
The Score
The Goal

The Pact is part of Elle Kennedy's Off-Campus series and is all about characters Logan and Gracie who feature in the second book of the series, The Mistake. I've not actually read any of the books in that series so I was a bit worried I wouldn't enjoy this story but I couldn't have been more wrong. I loved both of these characters and reading this has DEFINITELY made me want to read the other Off-Campus books.

Logan and Grace are already a couple here but they're finding it increasingly difficult to spend time together as she's busy with her studies and he's travelling the country as a professional hockey player. This story is about putting in the effort to keep a relationship alive, it's about making time for each other even when you're exhausted and basically it's just about remembering what's important. I'm sure if you'e already read The Mistake you'll love the chance to catch up with these two but even if you're new to the characters it's still a really sweet and pretty hot read.

The Package by K. Bromberg

K. Bromberg is another new to me author that I've heard good things about but never got around to reading. I'm not sure if The Package is linked to any of her other books or series but I was able to enjoy it as a stand alone so it wasn't an issue.

This was the very definition of a meet cute as characters Julia and Archer bump into each other when they get trapped in a broken down elevator. Julia is having the worst day ever and ends up ranting about the company and her job to Archer completely unaware of the fact that he owns the company. I found both of these characters likeable and I was left feeling that they could become a great couple in the future. I did find a couple of things completely unbelievable (like her job offer and bonus cheque) but overall this was a cute and funny read.

Source: Downloaded for free via BookFunnel here

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Review: Naughty but Nice - Donna Kauffman

ʼTis the season for sweet surprises . . .

Businessman Griffin’s never believed in luck . . . until sassy-sweet small-town baker Melody turns his world around. Except there’s a catch: There’s no way he’ll be able to build his empire and hold on to her. This new love could destroy all his dreams—or make this Christmas better than he ever imagined possible . . .

Originally in the The Naughty List anthology

Hamilton Christmas Series:
Unleashed
Lock, Stock & Jingle Bells
Naughty but Nice

Visit Donna Kauffman's website for more information.

Review:
Naughty but Nice is a novella by Donna Kauffman that was previously published in the The Naughty List anthology and has now been rereleased as an ebook as part of the Hamilton Christmas series in time for the holidays.

Melody gave up a stressful career and big city life and hasn't looked back once since she became a baker in a small town. She loves the more relaxed pace of life in her small but charming town so is absolutely horrified when she finds out a developer wants to give the place an upgrade to put it on the map. The last thing she wants is to see an influx of tourists destroy the friendly atmosphere she moved here for so she is determined to work alongside other small business owners to stop the development from going ahead.

Griffin is struggling to deal with the revelation that he had a whole other family that he never new about and the fact that he is the heir to the Hamilton fortune. Unfortunately things aren't all what they appear in Hamilton Industries and unless he manages to turn things around Melody's town is going to be in serious financial trouble. He knows exactly what he needs to do to make things happen and he has a track record of getting it right but first he needs to get Melody and the other locals to accept his plans and help him implement them.

This story is more of an enemies to lovers trope. Melody is determined to stop Griffin from making the changes the town needs but she doesn't understand the motives behind his choices. The attraction between them is instant and since this is a novella the romance moves at a quick pace between them but it was still a fun story and it was nice to see the conclusion to questions about the Hamilton family that were raised in the first book in the series, Unleashed. Overall I've really enjoyed this series, it got me in the mood for the holidays and was a perfect December treat.

Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Lock, Stock & Jingle Bells - Donna Kauffman

The best holiday gifts aren’t always under the tree . . .

Holly hates the yuletide season more than ever since she received her very early inheritance: her mother’s Christmas novelty store. Now she has to put her life on hold to deal with the shop, while her parents settle into their busy sunny Florida retirement. But Holly’s childhood pal, Sean, is determined to warm her up—to Christmas and to him. When they uncover a diary concealing secrets involving both their families, this could be the Christmas that changes their lives forever . . .

Originally part of the Kissing Santa Claus anthology.

Hamilton Christmas Series:
Unleashed
Lock, Stock & Jingle Bells
Naughty but Nice

Visit Donna Kauffman's website for more information.

Review:
Lock, Stock & Jingle Bells is a novella by Donna Kauffman that was previously published in the Kissing Santa Claus anthology and has now been rereleased as an ebook as part of the Hamilton Christmas series in time for the holidays.

Born on Christmas Eve to parents who are obsessed with the holidays and who run their own Christmas novelty store Holly grew up hating the season and couldn't get away from her hometown fast enough. Now suddenly her parents have decided to retire early and have given her her inheritance early so she finds herself the owner of a Christmas store and no real idea what to do with it. She's taken two weeks leave from work and plans to dismantle the shop as quickly as possible so she can return to her life. That was before her childhood friend and crush Sean walks back into her life though and now she finds herself considering other possibilities.

As much as I enjoyed the first story in this series (Unleashed) I did feel that the romance was a little rushed so the friends to lovers / second chance romance theme of this story worked much better for me in that regard. Holly and Sean grew up together so although they had never been more than friends there is a long history between them and that made their romance feel less rushed and more believable. They make a really sweet couple and I appreciated that Sean didn't put pressure on Holly to make huge decisions without taking the time to think things through. He wanted her to take a chance on them as a couple but he also understood that she couldn't make any promises when her whole life was in another country.

This whole series has had a nice festive feel to it and stories they've been really quick and fun December reads.

Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Unleashed - Donna Kauffman

A raging winter storm and a holiday spent pet-sitting reveals there’s more than one kind of animal in the house . . .

When Emma Lafferty is hired by a billionaire CEO to watch his pets over the holidays, she expects to enjoy a quiet Christmas in opulent surroundings. What she doesn’t expect is to spend the week trapped in the mansion with Trevor Hamilton, the CEO’s sexy great-nephew—and heir—whose motives are as shady as his desire is crystal clear . . .

Originally in the To All a Good Night anthology

Hamilton Christmas Series:
Unleashed
Lock, Stock & Jingle Bells
Naughty but Nice

Visit Donna Kauffman's website for more information.

Review:
Unleashed is a novella by Donna Kauffman that was previously published in the To All a Good Night anthology and has now been rereleased as an ebook as part of the Hamilton Christmas series in time for the holidays. I've not read anything by this author before but I love Christmas stories at this time of year so I couldn't resist giving this one a try.

Emma is a pet sitter who has been hired to look after a billionaire's pets over the holidays, she didn't really want to spend Christmas alone but the money is too good to resist and she's hoping a recommendation for doing a good job could bring an influx of wealthy clients to her new pet care business. She's supposed to be the only one in the mansion so it comes as quite a shock when her client's nephew turns up & thanks to a storm they end up stuck there together.

Since this is a novella events happen very quickly and the relationship between Emma and Trevor develops at warp speed, in fact I think the entire story happens within 24 hours with a short epilogue set about a year later, but I can forgive that in a sweet Christmas read. The characters were fun, there was a nice amount of banter and they had good chemistry. The addition of the animals Emma was looking after was cute and the story left a smile on my face which is all I ask for from a quick holiday read. I'm looking forward to reading the next one!

Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Holiday in Death - J.D. Robb

She smelled it, fresh death. Both metallic and fruity. Easing the door all the way open, she found it . . .

It's Christmas-time in New York City, but homicide lieutenant Eve Dallas struggles to get into the holiday spirit. Finding a woman strangled to death by a murderous Santa doesn't help. And he's left behind a present: a partridge in a pear tree, pinned to the victim's hair.

With a creeping dread, Eve watches the bodies mount and realises the key - the killer is counting down the twelve days to Christmas. And there is only one connection. The victims had been using the same dating service.

Eve enters a dark world where searching for The One is fraught with terror, leaving her racing to find the murderer, as things get much too close to home.

In Death Series:
Naked in Death
Glory in Death
Immortal in Death
Rapture in Death
Ceremony in Death
Vengeance in Death
Holiday in Death
Midnight in Death (Novella)
Conspiracy in Death
Loyalty in Death
Witness in Death
Judgement in Death
Betrayal in Death
Interlude in Death (Novella)
Seduction in Death
Reunion in Death
Purity in Death
Portrait in Death
Imitation in Death
Big Jack (Available in the Remember When Anthology or separately)
Divided in Death
Visions in Death
Survivor in Death
Origin in Death
Memory in Death
Haunted in Death (Novella)
Born in Death
Innocent in Death
Creation in Death
Eternity in Death (Novella)
Strangers in Death
Salvation in Death
Ritual in Death (Novella)
Promises in Death
Kindred in Death
Missing in Death (Novella)
Fantasy in Death
Indulgence in Death
Possession in Death (Novella)
Treachery in Death
New York to Dallas
Chaos in Death (Novella)
Celebrity in Death
Delusion in Death
Calculated in Death
Thankless in Death
Taken in Death (Novella available in the Mirror, Mirror anthology or separately)
Concealed in Death
Festive in Death
Obsession in Death
Devoted in Death
Wonderment in Death (Novella)
Brotherhood in Death
Apprentice in Death
Echoes in Death
Secrets in Death
Dark in Death
Leverage in Death
Connections in Death
Vendetta in Death
Golden in Death

Visit J.D. Robb's website for more information.

Review:
With the holidays fast approaching and Eve still not fully recovered from previous injuries you might think she'd be taking things easy work-wise but murderers never rest and the latest serial killer she's chasing seems to have a goal they want to achieve by Christmas. Dressing as Santa to gain access to the victims and leaving behind trinkets linked to the Twelve Days of Christmas song it looks like they're going to have bodies piling up very quickly if Eve doesn't manage to figure things out fast enough.

As always with this series the murders were gruesome, the suspense kept me guessing and the story was fast paced and easy to read. As much as I enjoy the mystery element my favourite parts are definitely the ongoing relationship development between Eve and Roarke, they're coming up on their first ever Christmas together and Roarke is determined to start some new holiday traditions and give them both the Christmas that they never had as children.

Eve on the other hand is panicking about having so many important people in her life to buy gifts for, as if choosing presents for her friends wasn't hard enough she has to try and come up with something for Roarke, the man who literally already owns everything anyone could possibly want! I really loved the way she sneaked her shopping in around catching a serial killer, she would be interviewing potential witnesses one second and then being gifts the next in perfect Eve efficiency.

Add in the banter between Peabody and McNab and there was plenty of humour to give relief from all the death and destruction. Sparks are already flowing between those two and no matter how much Peabody claims to hate him I have a feeling that things will really start to heat up in the not too distant future!

It's going to take me a while to catch up with the books in this series but I'm still quite excited that I have so much more to look forward to.

Source: Purchased

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Review: The Christmas Truce - Tiffany Reisz

After months of fighting a cold war with Søren, Kingsley and Mistress Nora sneak over to Sacred Heart in the hopes of declaring a Christmas Truce for one night with their infuriating priest. When the offer of a truce is accepted, the UnHoly Trinity celebrates the holiday together as only they can.

The 7th Annual Original Sinners Christmas Story
This story takes place three Christmases before THE SIREN during Nora and Søren's five-year estrangement. It features Nora, Kingsley, and Søren and one very Merry Christmas Eve night...

The Original Sinners Series:
Seven Day Loan (Novella) (This novella was also released with the title The Gift)
Little Red Riding Crop (Free short story found on the author's website)
Submit to Desire (Novella)
The Last Good Knight (Serialized Novella published in 5 parts)
The Christmas Truce (free short story for the author's newsletter subscribers)
The Siren (The Red Years book 1)
Something Nice (Free short story for the author's newsletter subscribers)
The Angel (The Red Years book 2)
The Prince (The Red Years book 3)
The Mistress Files (Short Story Collection)
The Mistress (The Red Years book 4)
The Saint (The White Years book 1)
The King (The White Years book 2)

Visit Tiffany Reisz's website for more information.

Review:
The Christmas Truce is a short story set about three years before The Siren at a point when Nora and Kingsley are fighting with Soren and have pretty much cut him out of their lives. They both still love him though and Christmas gives them the perfect excuse to call a one night truce between them. As a huge fan of the Original Sinners series I love that Tiffany Reisz still gives fans little snapshots of her character's lives in her free short stories every Christmas.

This one was brilliant, I love these three together and there are some really heartfelt and emotional scenes between them. Of course this being an Original Sinners story means it's also incredibly hot and it just wouldn't be the same if the three of them hadn't ended up in Soren's bed! This may be a quick read but it packs a punch and it left me contemplating a reread of the series.

Source: This is a free short story that is sent to subscribers of Tiffany Reisz's newsletter

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Review: Ice Planet Holiday - Ruby Dixon

All this snow and no holidays? What's a stranded human to do?

Create a new holiday, of course. Georgie and the other women decide to bring some new traditions and cheer to the sa-khui. More babies are born, presents are exchanged, and a new romance blossoms between a human woman desperate for a change, and the alien determined to protect her.

This 25,000 word novella is NOT intended as a stand-alone. Looking for a place to start? Try ICE PLANET BARBARIANS, book one in the series.

Ice Planet Barbarians:
Ice Planet Barbarians
Barbarian Alien
Barbarian Lover
Barbarian Mine
Ice Planet Holiday (Novella)
Barbarian's Prize
Barbarian's Mate
Having the Barbarian's Baby (Short Story)
Ice Ice Babies (Short Story)
Barbarian's Touch
Calm: Slice of Life (Short Story)
Barbarian's Taming
After Shock: Slice of Life (Short Story)
Barbarian's Heart
Barbarian's Hope
Barbarian's Choice
Barbarian's Redemption
Barbarian's Lady
Prison Planet Barbarian
Barbarian's Rescue
Barbarian's Tease
The Corsair's Captive
The Barbarian Before Christmas (Novella)

Icehome Series:
(Set in the same world as the Ice Planet Barbarians series but introducing new characters)
Lauren's Barbarian

Visit Ruby Dixon's website for more information

Review:
Ice Planet Holiday isn't so much a stand alone story in this world but more of a chance to catch up with previous couples and see the women try to explain the traditions of Christmas to the aliens of Not-Hoth. Can you imagine trying to explain the tradition of mistletoe to someone who has never heard of Christmas? Georgie and the other women have been talking about holidays they miss and thinking about creating their own traditions for their new home but confusion abounds when Georgie tries to explain Christmas to Vektal. Of course he would do anything to keep Georgie happy but understanding what she actually wants is a whole world of fun.

It surprises me how much I enjoy seeing day to day life in the caves and I liked seeing some of the new, youngest, tribe members arrive far more than I expected to. Often babies can be my kryptonite and they're not usually something I want to read about, especially in smut books, but they were actually fun here & I'm enjoying seeing the tribe slowly expanding.

Even though this is a fairly short novella (less than 100 pages) Ruby Dixon still treated us to a new romance between Claire and Ereven, they don't get so much page time as the previous couples did in their books but I didn't feel that their relationship was particularly shortchanged and I'm sure we'll see more of them as the series continues. Ereven was adorable and I thought he was a great match for Claire. This is such a fun series and I'm glad there are already so many books published so I have plenty more already waiting for me to read them.

Source: Purchased

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Review: The Night Before Christmas - Clement C. Moore (Illustrated by Richard Johnson)

"'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse."

This classic Christmas verse is well known to every parent and child preparing for Christmas and this beautifully illustrated new edition is the perfect Christmas gift for young and old.

Visit illustrator Richard Johnson's website for more information

Review:
I have read this story every Christmas Eve for as long as I can remember, it's always been part of our Christmas traditions and it will always have a special place in my part because of that.

I don't think there are many people out there that aren't familiar with this poem by Clement C. Moore that was originally published in 1823. Theres a reason it's a classic and that's because it captures the magic of Christmas. We've had many versions of the book over the years but the one we read from now is beautifully illustrated by Richard Johnson, this is such a gorgeous book and I can't imagine a Christmas without it!

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN!

On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONNER and BLITZEN!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!

Source: Purchased

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Review: Make Me Believe - Shiloh Walker

Chelly is going nuts-she thinks. And she's fighting for the right to keep her little boy. Right before Christmas, her ex announces he is going to sue for custody of their child. Because she is losing her mind. She is talking to a man who doesn't exist. A tall, sexy creature with wicked blue eyes and magic in his hands. And he can't possibly exist. After all, elves aren't real.

Visit Shiloh Walker's website for more information

Review:
Ever since Chelly was a child she's had an invisible friend that nobody else has been able to see, people expected her to grow out of it but even now she's a mother she still sees Nikolai in her dreams. When her son is badly injured her life is turned upside down when Nikolai literally steps out of her dreams to save him. Their lives will never be the same again but can Chelly forgive Nikolai for taking away her choices from her?

I should point out that this is a short and very quick read that comes in at about 50 pages so you have to go in expecting things to be resolved fairly quickly. This was a fun read and I enjoyed the author's take on elves and Santa, it's a hot read too and there is plenty of attraction between Chelly and Nikolai but I can't help thinking how much better this could have been if their relationship had been a slower build. Yes, he's been part of her life for as long as she can remember but she never believed he was real before and after everything that happened when her son was injured I think I just needed a little more time with them talking things through and discussing their future before they jumped into bed.

This is definitely a nice Christmas story though and I'd be quite happy to read more stories about these characters, or some of the other elves we met, in the future.

Source: Purchased

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Review: All He Wants for Christmas - Anthology

From six of your favorite New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors…

Here’s to finding spies, cops, rockers, SEALs, professional hockey players and billionaires under the Christmas tree this year!

MELT FOR ME by Elisabeth Naughton

Yuletide Spirits pub owner Ella McKinley doesn’t do holidays. Not after everything she lost on a cold, snowy night long ago. In fact, she’d be perfectly happy if the calendar jumped from November to January, bypassing December all together. Then rock’s latest “it” guy, Tate Kendrick, rolls into town, and though Ella tries to resist his wicked charm, the heat they once shared flares hotter than ever. When trouble linked to the rock star strikes at her pub, Ella suddenly starts to wonder if the return of her first love is a holiday miracle or nothing more than her nightmare before Christmas.

SWEET RAPTURE by Alexandra Ivy

Meg Anderson has returned to her home in Holly, North Carolina after she discovered her relationship with Dylan Cain was nothing more than a lie. The last thing she expects is for Dylan to be her new tenant. Or the realization that he might be the only thing standing between her and a killer…

THE SPY WHO CAME FOR CHRISTMAS by Cynthia Eden

Everyone in town thinks that Jemma White is as sweet as the delicious treats she makes at her chocolate shop—but they’re wrong. Jemma is ready to let her wild side out, and she’s just found the perfect man to make all of her fantasies come true. Grayson Cole is a too-sexy-to-be-true stranger who has escaped to Holly for the holidays. He is her perfect temptation, and Jemma can’t wait to steam up the cold winter nights with him. But when danger from Grayson’s past follows him to town, she realizes that the man she is falling for has been keeping some very dark secrets…secrets that may just get them both killed.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, BABY by Katie Reus

After unexpectedly inheriting a bookstore, Nora and her younger sister settled in Holly, NC, a place where it’s Christmas year-round. As the legal guardian for her sister the past few years, romance has been the last thing on Nora’s mind. But she broke her rules for the town’s golden boy—former SEAL Jackson O’Connor. When Jackson does something stupid and almost loses Nora for good, he realizes just how far he’s willing to go for the woman who’s stolen his heart. But it might take a Christmas miracle to get Nora to give him a second chance.

SINFUL IN SNOW by Laura Wright

Billionaire Back In Town: Gabriel Fox is a ruthless, heartless, soulless grinch. His only goal in coming to Holly, North Carolina is to ruin Carol Cardini's Christmas. Like she ruined his—and his life—ten years ago. Now that her business is in trouble, he's finally found the way. But the beautiful owner of Christmas Carol's Shop and Crafts won't allow her dream to be destroyed. Not by revenge, and certainly not by the sexiest man she's ever known. She can, however offer an apology, and a chair at her holiday table. But can a grinch’s cold heart be warmed and healed by the love of a good woman—and the magic of Christmas spirit?

HOME ADVANTAGE by Skye Jordan

NHL super star, Meier Grant, finds himself sidelined for a bum shoulder and sentenced to three weeks recovery—in his hometown of Holly, North Carolina. But an extended family stay isn’t on his holiday wish list, especially when his parents are more interested in capitalizing on his fame than much needed family bonding. So when he learns the high school beauty and so out-of-his-league Faith Nicholas is suddenly single, and even sexier ten years later, home doesn’t seem so bad. Not when it includes spending some quality bonding time with Faith. Meier may have some of the best moves in the league, but will they be enough to win a woman deserving of forever?

For more information about any of these authors you can visit their websites by clicking the links below:
Elisabeth Naughton
Alexandra Ivy
Cynthia Eden
Katie Reus
Laura Wright
Skye Jordan

Review:
All He Wants for Christmas is a brilliant holiday anthology with six different authors all writing books set in the same festive town called Holly where there is a Christmas atmosphere all year around but they make an extra special effort around the holidays. I don't think the anthology is available to purchase anymore (I bought it over a year ago) you can buy all of the stories separately. You don't need to read these books in any specific order although you will recognise a few names and places if you read them all.

These stories are all fun little Christmas reads and they were just what I wanted at this time of year. The anthology also includes an extended little epilogue that shows how all six couples spent their first new years eve together.

Melt for Me by Elisabeth Naughton

Against All Odds Series:
Wait for Me
Hold on to Me
Melt for Me

Ella may live in one of the most festive towns in America and she may be the owner of the Yuletide Spirits pub but she hasn't celebrated the holidays since her husband died on Christmas eve two years ago. Instead she is focused on making the money she needs to pay off her debts so she can sell up and move away from her memories as quickly as possible. Tate is a member of a very popular rock band but he has never forgotten the woman who broke his heart nine years ago. He's decided it's long past time for him to do something about it and he's tracked Ella down in the hope of picking things back u where they left off.

The last thing Ella is looking for is love, she had her heart broken by Tate once already and losing her husband has just made her even more wary of letting anyone get close to her. Can he get past her hard outer shell and convince her to give them another chance? I love a good second chance romance so Melt for Me was right up my street, the Christmas atmosphere combined with two really sweet characters and a hind of danger when someone starts trying to sabotage Yuletide Spirits added up to a really fun read.

Sweet Rapture by Alexandra Ivy

The Rapture Series:
First Rapture
Sinful Rapture
Sweet Rapture

Meg returned to her hometown to lick her wounds after getting her heart broken by her ex-boyfriend Dylan when she found out he was actually an undercover FBI agent who only started dating her to get insider information on her roommate. The last thing she was expecting was for Dylan to come chasing after her, or for him to end up having to protect her when she starts being targeted by a stalker.

Sweet Rapture is a sweet second chance romance with Dylan desperate to do whatever it takes to prove how much Meg really means to him. She's wary about giving him a second chance but it's hard to deny how much she cares about him and as danger draws them closer together she realises she doesn't want to be without him.

The Spy Who Came For Christmas by Cynthia Eden

Republished as Christmas with a Spy

Jemma is the owner of Holly's chocolate store and she's well known for the delicious treats she creates. The locals consider her as sweet as her creations but most of them don't realise she has a wild side that she's been desperate to let out for a long time. A wild side that she is able to let loose when Grayson comes to town looking for a fresh start. Grayson spent years working undercover as a spy for the CIA and is desperate for some normality but he may just have brought danger with him to Holly and it could cost Jemma her life.

This story was originally titled The Spy who came for Christmas in the anthology but was renamed Christmas with a Spy when it was rereleased as a standalone title. Jemma and Grayson's relationship develops quite quickly but that is expected when you're reading a novella and I still found it completely believable. This was sugary sweet but also hot and spicy and I enjoyed every minute of it.

Merry Christmas, Baby by Katie Reus

O'Connor Family Series:
Merry Christmas, Baby
Tease Me, Baby
It's Me Again, Baby (May 2017)

Nora has spent the last few years focused on raising her teenage sister and running the bookstore she inherited from her aunt. She's turned the business into a success but it hasn't left her much time for romance until her best friend Jackson made a move. Jackson was persistent and spent months worming his way into Nora's affections but just when things started going really well between them and she thought they were going to have a future together he spooked and did a disappearing act. Now several weeks later Nora has totally given up on the idea of a relationship and has gone back to focusing on her work and her sister but Jackson regrets his actions and will do whatever it takes to get Nora to give him another chance.

I think this was my favourite story in the anthology, it's incredibly sweet and I just loved both Nora and Jackson. They make a great couple but add in the Christmas setting and the antics of Nora's younger sister and this was a perfect fun holiday read. Jackson was a bit of an idiot when he panicked and bailed on Nora but he was pretty irresistible so I couldn't blame Nora for forgiving him.

Sinful in Snow by Laura Wright

Spurs and Stripes Series:
Sinful in Spurs
Sinful in Snow

Gabriel has never forgiven Carol for costing him the only home he ever had and now he's come back to Holly looking for revenge. He has bought the building she rents for her beloved shop and is planning on knocking it down to turn into a hotel just to spite her. Carol never forgot Gabriel and often wondered what happened to him after he left Holly. She broke a promise to him when she told her parents about the way his foster family abused him but she did it with the best intentions and has always hoped he moved on to somewhere better. She's thrilled when he comes back to town and there is no denying the spark between them but what will happen when she finds out his plan for revenge?

I have to admit I was a bit worried about the premise of this story, I didn't think someone looking for revenge would be very Christmasy but I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly Gabriel realised he was in the wrong. He starts the story as a bit of a grinch but Carol loves the holidays and her exuberance quickly gets him into the Christmas spirit. This was probably the story that had the most holiday atmosphere in the anthology, I enjoyed seeing them spending time together doing things like sledding and I was really pleased that Gabriel took time to think about things from Carol's point of view before he put his revenge plan into action.

Home Advantage by Skye Jordan

Republished as Quick Trick

Rough Riders Hockey Series:
Quick Trick
Hot Puck
Dirty Score
Wild Zone

Hockey superstar Grant is off the ice recovering from a shoulder injury and he had planned to spend his time surrounded by hot women. Unfortunately family obligations have him spending Christmas back in his hometown Holly, pretty much the last place he wants to be. Until he runs into his high school crush Faith and realises that she's currently single that is. Now he has one goal in sight - getting Faith to spend a night with him.

The last thing Faith has time for is a playboy hockey star, it's only been a few months since her father died and she's facing her first christmas alone while struggling to keep the family hardware store open and trying to turn a profit. She's not interested in a one night stand no matter how hot Grant is or how weak he makes her knees. Grant isn't willing to take no for an answer though and it's not long before he realises that one taste of Faith will never be enough, if he can only convince her to give him a chance to prove it.

This story was originally titled Home Advantage in the anthology but was renamed Quick Trick when it was rereleased as a standalone title. I believe there has been extra material added in the newly published version (there was definitely a name change for a major character) but I've only read the original version. I actually loved this story as it was so the fact that it's been extended just makes me think the new version will be even better, I might have to read that one too at some point but I definitely want to continue the series.

This was my first story by Skye Jordan but definitely won't be the last, it was funny, sweet, sexy and just all out fun to read. I loved Grant and Faith, they're both brilliant characters and I really enjoyed the slow build relationship between them. This was just everything I want from a holiday romance!

Source: Purchased

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