Monthly Archives: December 2014

Secret Santa Baby by Robin Covington-a review

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Secret Santa Baby by Robin Covington-a review

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Secret Santa Baby
by Robin Covington
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance
Release Date: December 2012

Secret Santa Baby

ebook only .99¢–Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

Tessa Stoneman hasn’t been able to get long-time friend and business partner Nicholas Boone out of her head since they shared a single kiss in college. Even when she dated Nicholas’s best friend. Now that she’s giving up her position at GameNerdz to strike out on her own—and now that she’s single—maybe it’s the right time to see if there’s still something between them.

Nicholas knows once Tessa leaves the company she helped found, they might drift apart. Before she starts her own company in the new year, he wants to woo the woman he fell in love with during college. So he poses as her Secret Santa, gifts her with items from the song “Santa Baby,” and plans a big reveal at the company holiday party. But when his best friend wants to rekindle his romance with Tessa, will Nicholas lose his last chance?

•••••••••••••••

Does an honorable man ignore the “bro code”, no poaching your BFF’s ex-GF, when said ex is about to walk out of his life (Ok, they’ll no longer work together, but these are the actions of a desperate man!) If he asked for a Christmas miracle he might!? Secret Santa Baby by Robin Covington makes you want to believe.

Tonight, at the party, she’d find a way to make Nick see that they were meant to be together. She’d spent years with the wrong man, but if she played her cards right, she had enough time to make sure she spent Christmas with the right one.

Things are finally headed forward…toward love…for Nick and Tessa. Those lingering gazes mean something more. Tessa’s moving upward professionally and Nick’s, well, he’s already the co-owner of a thriving company…he…just can’t let Tessa go without admitting his feelings (presenting her with the little, black box aside).

These two have been friends for years. Co-workers for nearly the same. What’s the hold-up? Tessa dated Nick’s best friend, and co-owner, Damien. Complicated much? Insert the bro code that’s kept Nick immobile. Bah humbug! Tessa and Nick have been in love from afar for far too long.

Will Nick bow out gracefully, allow Damien to right his wrong, or fight for Tessa, the only woman he’s ever wanted?!

A sweet, second-chance, sexy, seasonal swoon!

Reviewed by Carmen

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Dragon Her Back (Las Vegas Dragons #3) by Susannah Scott-a review

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Dragon Her Back (Las Vegas Dragons #3) by Susannah Scott-a review

Dragon Her Back

ebook only .99¢: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 15, 2014

How To Claim Your Dragon…

As the head of security of Vegas’s Crown Jewel casino―and its hidden dragonshifter sanctuary―ice dragon Darius Dachien commands respect. Unfortunately, that respect isn’t always reciprocated. In fact, when it comes to the stunning Mei Chen, hostility might be a better word. Which makes things even harder for Darius, since Mei is his dragon mate. Without her, his dragon form is fading fast… and once lost, will be gone forever.

Mei can’t deny the fierce chemistry that simmers between them. If Darius were ever to discover who―or rather, what―she really is, she wouldn’t just lose him, but her place with the dragonshifters. The moment Mei’s past comes crashing into her present, she realizes her time for secrets has ended. Now she must reveal her true self… and risk both her life and her heart with the one man who could destroy her.

••••••••••••••

REVIEW:   DRAGON HER BACK is the third installment in Susannah Scott’s adult, contemporary Las Vegas Dragons paranormal romance series focusing on dragon shifters and the Crown Jewel Casino in Las Vegas. The Crown Jewel Casino is a Las Vegas sanctuary for dragons and their mates. This is ice dragon Darius Dachien and Mei Chen’s storyline-a second chance story between destined mates but Mei’s refusal to acknowledge Darius in close to six years pushes Darius closer to losing his dragon-forever. Without a mate, the male will lose his dragon and in doing so, quite possibly, lose his life. Although this is the third book in the series, it can be read as a standalone with any difficulty.

The storyline follows Darius and his attempts to ‘woo’ Mei Chen. Mei is well aware that Darius is her mate; she wears his mark from their first sexual encounter but Mei has a secret and if revealed could very well end her life. To protect Darius, Mei tries to keep her distance but Darius’s dragon is too close to the edge. When Mei’s past resurfaces, Alec Gerald, The King of Dragons will demand a fight to the death.

The relationship between Mei and Darius is fraught with sexual tension, some humor and miscommunication. Mei has withheld important information from the Las Vegas Dragons and in this, has placed everyone at risk including her destined mate. Mei is not the easiest dragon to get along: her attitude and emotional withdrawal leave something to be desired but in the end, she is trying to keep to the shadows so as to protect everyone that she loves.

The supporting and secondary characters include the casino staff and the previous storyline couples- Alec and Lucy; Tee and Leo- as well as Mei’s less than cooperative family of dragons. The world building reveals a darker side of the dragon heritage-one that demands retribution for dragons that commit a host of sins.

My only complaint is about some ‘incomplete’ and unfinished business with regards to a certain plot point involving Darius and another female-there is no closure for the reader.

Susannah Scott’s world of dragon shifters is a contemporary look at the paranormal. Some history and prior knowledge is revealed about one of the exiled races of dragons-a race that is considered dangerous and deadly, but a race that may be making a reappearance in the world of dragons.

If you are a fan of dragon shifters and paranormal romance with a little mystery and suspense, the Las Vegas Dragon series is yours to enjoy.

Copy supplied by the publisher.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Caribou’s Gift (A Hero With Antlers) by Eve Langlais-a review

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Caribou’s Gift by Eve Langlais-a review

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Caribou’s Gift
(A Hero with Antlers and Attitude)
Kodiak Point
by Eve Langlais
Release Date: December 16, 2014
Genre: paranormal, romance

Caribou's Gift

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble /

.99¢–Caribou’s Gift can be found in KISS OF CHRISTMAS MAGIC 20 stories of the paranormal anthology: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 16, 2014

Darn it, a man had his pride and a caribou a certain majestic presence, all of which could wind up ruined if he abased himself to play a simple-minded reindeer in the town’s Christmas parade.

No way was he wearing tinsel in his antlers.

Like heck was he sporting a red nose and pulling a sleigh.

But he changes his mind when he meets the woman in charge of the event.

Single mom, Crystal, is doing her best to offer her daughter the best Christmas ever. It’s their first in Kodiak Point, and she’s not about to let some vain jerk ruin it.

If playing dirty is what it takes…then bring on the Christmas games.

As Crystal and Kyle butt heads, they discover more than goodwill this holiday season. They’re gifted with a second chance at love.

•••••••••••••••••••

Kiss of Christmas Magic (collection by various authors)

I recently purchased a collection of short stories for a little Christmas reading…Kiss of Christmas Magic is a collection of 20 Paranormal Holiday Tales of Werewolves, Shifters, Vampires, Elves, Witches, Dragons, Fey, Ghosts, and More….

The first of the stories is by Eve Langlais

This delightful tale of Kodiak Point pack is a wonderful read. The characters are delightful and very alpha male.

This starts as the Alpha of the Kodiak Point pack asks Kyle (a caribou shifter) to fill in for a reindeer in the upcoming Christmas parade. And not just any old reindeer…Rudolph the Red Nosed himself! Kyle being a very alpha male was absolutely not giving in to this request. He was an alpha male and had his pride to consider and, of course, his rep with the ladies. However to turn it down, he has to inform the lovely cougar shifter Crystal that he’s not the type to play Rudolph.

The lovely Crystal (of pillowy rack and heart shaped ass) lets him know exactly what she thinks of him and the reason for turning the community down. Needless to say, he took her point of view as a challenge and was even more convinced he really needed to see more of her and “get to know her”.

Being a very talented techno/electrician type, Kyle comes to the parade building to help out with the various floats and try to win back points with the lovely lady. She ignores him, driving his alpha personality totally bonkers…

Crystal and her daughter Gigi are on the run and hiding from a very nasty ex-boyfriend type who has them scared and hiding. The alpha of Kodiak Point took them in and promised a safe haven. The daughter runs and hides at every loud voice and never goes to strangers.

Kyle tries to make more points with Crystal, but bombs out in the stable building where the “real” reindeer are kept. He finds Gigi hiding in the hay and doesn’t know whose child she is. They strike up a friendship and then when he returns her to her mom the sparks begin to fly in another direction.

Okay, that’s the setup. This is a wonderfully witty, funny and just plain feel great story. It’s a quick read and very entertaining. I was really delighted with the banter and resulting romance. It’s a great story and I highly recommend reading it! So if you need to cuddle up by the fire and have a quiet but remarkably good read, try this one out.

Merry Christmas everyone and enjoy, I certainly did.

Reviewed by Georgianna S

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Wanton Christmas Wishes anthology-a review

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Wanton Christmas Wishes Anthology-a review

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Wanton Christmas Wishes Anthology
by various authors
Release Date: November 18, 2014
Genre: erotic, romance

Wanton Christmas Wishes

ebook only .99¢: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

HIS TO COMMAND by bestselling author Monica Burns. Book 2 (Novella) Self-Made Men series. A Christmas Eve blizzard and one small act of discipline compromises Charlotte Clayworth, but she refuses John Fordyce’s proposal. Now, years later, the Self-made Men decide to reunite the lovers for one more wanton Christmas wish.

THE KISSING BOUGH by NYT & USA TODAY bestselling author Madelynne Ellis. Percy Gilling and Lord William Ricborough share a special bond and require a very particular woman to satisfy their needs. When they encounter Viola Marsh beneath the mistletoe, they know she’s the perfect choice. Now all they need do is persuade her that some things are worth sacrificing ones reputation for.

HAMISH by Samantha Kane. Book One of The 93rd Highlanders. During the Crimean War, injured Captain Hamish Fletcher is sent to the hospital in Scutari, where he finds his old friend and lover Dr. Phineus Harper treating the wounded. Finn can keep him at the hospital until Christmas. Will it be enough time to convince widowed nurse Edith Lambeth to grant both men their Christmas wishes?

ALL A MISTRESS WANTS by Eliza Lloyd. Eloisa Larkin wishes for the one thing she can’t have—the love of the powerful Duke of Sterling. Being his mistress provides many luxuries but being hopelessly devoted to a man who loves another as left her feeling alone and the last thing she wants is to spend Christmastide with him and his family.

LOVING MICHAEL by NYT & USA TODAY bestselling author, Kate Pearce. Since returning from the peninsular wars, Michael Waterstone has learned to live within restricted boundaries and taught himself not to yearn for what he can never have. Fortunately for him, ex-courtesan Angelique Delisle is no respecter of boundaries of any kind, and offers him a provocative Christmas wager that might change his life forever…

A CHRISTMAS KISS by Jess Michaels. Tricked into spending time alone with the husband who made it clear he doesn’t care about her, the Countess of Blackgrove, Amelia, has no idea how to react. But Stephen only wants seduction… and love.

REVIEW

5 out of 5 for this reader folks!

HO HO HO ….. well steam up my Christmas happy why doncha! LOL I am not normally a big fan of anthologies, but this one I LOVED! Historical erotica is one of my all time fave genres and a good storyline can be hard to find because it is out shined by some serious “cheese factor”. Well every one of these stories was beautifully written and provided me not just some yummy Christmas spirit, but introduced me to a few new authors. I am not going to highlight all the stories but my two fave instead (which happen to be new authors to me as well). Believe me when I say though, that every one of them is worth the purchase of this book!

The Kissing Bough by Madelynne Ellis may have some smutty moments but it was the storyline that snagged me. Poor Viola is a ruined woman living with her aunt resigned to a life alone. Once a year (every Xmas Eve) she gets to go out without her aunts escort and participate in the Xmas festivities. Standing under The Kissing Bough, making wishes for true love is always the first thing she does. This year she is noticed by cousins and lovers Percy and Will. They are on the hunt to find a woman who can complete their circle and appreciate their lifestyle. Once they see Viola they know she is the one. Viola’s father wants to marry her off to any old man who will have her, so she must decide quick if she will agree to the proposal that Percy and Will have made .. unsure she decides to indulge in a night with them and see how it goes. Can these two men convince Viola into not just a Christmas happy but a whole life of it??? READ ON! 🙂

Hamish by Samantha Kane was my absolute fave. While the Xmas theme seemed to be a bit of an after thought, the story completely made up for it. Hamish and Finn were childhood playmates who grew up together. They also shared one night of lust before going their separate ways. Finn became a physician and Hamish became an officer of the 93rd Highland regiment. Fighting in the Crimean war, Hamish finds himself injured and sent to Scutari hospital where Finn happens to be a top physician. Edith is a recent young widow and nurse who works closely with Finn. Over the short time they have worked together, they have fallen for the other and find time to sneak stolen moments. When Hamish and Finn reunite however, the spark still exists an is ready to blow the roof off the hospital. It also seems that Edith has bonded with Hamish. In such a lonely time of war, these three provide a strong sense of love and unity that is actually really endearing to read. Yes the steamy moments and steamy, but the story is so good! I am happy to hear that this will be turned into a series.

Again .. every one of these stories is worth a review and is amazing. I am excited to dive into my own Xmas indulgences by snagging a few more books by these authors. I can see my feet up in front of the fireplace, eggnog and book in hand, feeling steamy under the collar (and not by the fireplace …lol), and enjoying the occasional giggle. Sounds just about PERFECT! 😉

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY HOLIDAYS. XOOX

HAPPY READING! 🙂

Reviewed by Rachel T

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A Curvy Coldwater Christmas by Jenn Roseton-a review

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A Curvy Coldwater Christmas by Jenn Roseton-a review

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A Curvy Coldwater Christmas
Coldwater Springs #5
by Jenn Roseton
Release Date: September 2014
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

A Curvy Coldwater Christmas

FREE—Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK:

When Kate is asked by her friend, Sarah McCord, to appear as Mrs. Claus in the Coldwater Springs Christmas parade, she doesn’t know what to think! After all, she’s only twenty-nine. And although she has a very curvy figure, she’s not matronly and gray-haired – yet.

But when she finds out that the hunky guy she’s admired for the last few months, Flynn Winters, will play opposite her as Santa, she’s glad she agreed to take part. Especially when the script calls for them to kiss ….

This is a sexy contemporary romance novelette of approximately 6,800 words. Although it’s part of the Coldwater Springs series, it can be read as a stand-alone.

Sarah and Chase, Libby and Jake, Cassie and Luke, and Emma and Cade’s romances are in the boxed set, Curves and Cowboys (BBW Romance – Coldwater Springs 1-4) available on Amazon.

•••••••••••••••••••••••

A Curvy Coldwater Christmas is book 5 in the Coldwater Springs Series by Jenn Roseton.

Kate Richmond left Chicago six months ago to open a bakery in Coldwater Springs, Wyoming. Having had enough of the big city she decided that she needed a place where life took on a slower pace.

At twenty-nine she has a curvy figure which is why she thinks she has just been asked to play Mrs. Clause in the town Christmas parade. With a slight reluctance she agrees. That is until she finds out who will be playing Santa to her Mrs. Clause.

Flynn Winters… Tall, dark and handsome is an understatement when it comes to this man. And from the moment she met him she was smitten. Once they find out they actually have a script to follow for the parade, Flynn decides that they must practice to get it right. Kate is quite pleased when she finds out the scene they are portraying involves kissing. And she is quite happy to practice as much as Flynn would like. But she is worried that all the kissing will end after the parade is over. And that she will never get to touch Flynn Winters again. But Santa has other things in mind…

This was a short novelette and was quite wonderful. I found myself giggling like a school girl and smiling like a Cheshire cat. The characters were warm and welcoming and from page one you felt like a friend. I read this book as a stand alone, without previously reading the rest of the series. But after finishing it, I promptly ordered the rest. A romantically, adorable Christmas read!

Reviewed by Erin

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Home for Christmas by Nora Roberts-a review

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Home For Christmas by Nora Roberts-a review

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Home For Christmas
by Nora Roberts
Genre: contemporary, romance
Re-release: November 2014

Home For Christmas

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Re-released November 2014

After years of world travel, prizewinning reporter Jason Law was back in Quiet Valley, New Hampshire, with the most difficult assignment he’d ever faced: winning back Faith, the woman he’d loved then left ten years before. Jason had found that home was where the heart is, and Faith held his.

•••••••••••••••••••

HOME FOR CHRISTMAS is a reissued novella by the great Nora Roberts. Prizewinning reporter Jason Law is returning home to New Hampshire after ten years. He left to seek fame and fortune and he has returned to win back the woman who slipped through his fingers.

Faith is a single mother to Clara and she owns her own small business. Seeing Jason, the man who walked out on her ten years ago has Faith feeling again. This is a very short, dated novella about forgiveness and finding love again. Christmas traditions are a secondary character in this novella. Nora Roberts even shares some of her favorite recipes in the book’s prelude! This is a sweet story about misunderstandings, forgiveness and second chances. Faith was an outstanding heroine who did the best she could with her circumstances. Jason is carrying some major hurt thinking that Faith didn’t wait for him. There are a few twists and turns before a big secret is revealed. In short, this is a perfect holiday read!

Reviewed by Jules C

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Deadly Race by Elke Feuer – a Review

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Deadly Race by Elke Feuer – a Review

 

Deadly Race

Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Description:
Race car driver Remy Borden likes fast things: bikes, cars, and men. Her plans to become the first woman from the Cayman Islands to race internationally gets sidetracked when she’s injured and pulled from the final race because of a fiery confrontation with another driver.

Life goes from bad to worse when the racetrack owner is killed and she’s suspect number one because his death puts her back in the race. But racing again proves difficult when Dr. Jackson Wilson insists she stop racing until she heals, making her wonder if his ‘doctor’s orders’ don’t have ulterior motives-the racetrack owner was his friend.

She and Jackson search for the truth behind the murder when accidents start happening at the racetrack, and an adoring fan gets too close. Soon the simmering attraction between her and Jackson boils over, forcing her to admit Jackson makes her think of a life beyond racing.

 

 Review:

Deadly Race is the second installment to Feuer’s Deadly Series and focuses on Remy and Jackson. In my honest opinion I’d have to say Elke Feuer has a hit on her hands with this series. This addition to the series is just as entertaining as the first. It’s fast paced, action packed, suspenseful, keeps you turning page after page to find out who done it, and has a sexual chemistry between the hero and heroine that just sizzles. You could cut the sexual tension between these two with a knife. Ms. Feuer definitely has a talent for writing suspense and romance and making it all work.

Remy is a hell of a heroine, she cracked me up many times. She’s feisty, smart mouthed, independent, knows what she wants and goes for it no matter what, and isn’t afraid to be herself, no matter the situation. Oh and she’s a hell of a racecar driver and knows it. She isn’t afraid to show it or brag about it in front of her fellow competitors in a male dominated sport. I’d have to say Remy is a kickass heroine and she drove our hero absolutely nutty. Oh Jackson, what a tangled web you’ve weaved for yourself where Remy is concerned. Yes he’s sexy in a nerdy kind of way, but he also annoyed me many times, and made me want to slap him silly. You see he’s been hung up on Angel(heroine in first book), for the past two years and hasn’t dealt with it, even though she’s with someone else. So for most of the book he keeps trying to keep Remy at arms length even though it’s obvious to both of them he’s attracted to her. It’s because of this attraction that Remy purposely drives him crazy and keeps coming onto him trying to seduce him. I have to admit I chuckled many times during those scenes, and wasn’t feeling so sorry for Jackson after a while. If you ask me, he asked for it and them some. Until he deals with his ‘feelings’ for Angel, he can’t decide what to do with Remy. All the while he’s trying to sort through it all, the sexual tension between the two just keeps building to the point it explodes when they finally get together. However, even then the two of them can’t seem to be happy. Between a murder rap hanging over Remy’s head, a stalker, and her career ambitions as a racecar driver internationally, things just seem doomed between the two.  

However, somehow, Ms. Feuer manages to weave all this into a very suspenseful and nail biting story about murder, sabotage, and who done it. The last half of the book just rolls along and carries the reader with it as we try to unravel the mystery behind Dirks’s murder, Remy’s stalker and will there be a HEA for our seemly doomed in the romance department hero and heroine. I was literally on the edge of my seat and would get annoyed every time I was interrupted while reading because I wanted to find out how it would all play out. I love a good mystery wrapped up in a romance, and having to put the book down to go back to work, do errands, etc anoyed me. I hate not knowing what’s going to happen next in a good book I’m reading and Ms. Feuer managed to wrap me up in this one to the point where I was getting the jitters waiting to see who done it in the end. If you enjoy a good suspenseful read with a sizzling romance weaved into it, then you won’t be disappointed with Deadly Race.

Until next time, happy reading everyone.

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Author

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Unexpected Gifts by Elena Aitken-a review

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Unexpected Gifts by Elena Aitken-a review

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Unexpected Gifts
Castle Mount Lodge #1
by Elena Aitken
Re-release:December 2014
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

Unexpected Gifts

FREE: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

Follow Elena: Goodreads / Website / Facebook

ABOUT THE BOOK

Christmas represents everything Andi Williams is supposed to have, and doesn’t. Running away to a remote mountain lodge in the Canadian Rockies, sounds like the perfect way to escape, until a mix-up finds her sharing a villa with sexy, rough around the edges, Colin Hartford.

Colin’s determination to enjoy the holiday he’s missed for the last five years, sweeps Andi into a season of joy that she’s not sure she’s ready for. Can Andi open herself up to everything the holidays have to offer… including love?

••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: With all the pain and loss she had dealt with lately, Andi was not in the mood for Christmas this year. She didn’t want to see all the holly jolly decorations, happy families and festive activities. All she wanted was to escape and hide until the holidays were over. So off to a mountain lodge getaway she went. But life has a funny way of turning things around when you least expect it. When she gets to the lodge, she discovers that she doesn’t have a reservation and of course the lodge is full and there are no vacancies. That is when her knight in shining armor comes to her rescue and saves the day. Although she doesn’t know he’s her knight…………Colin is standing in the background and overhears that Andi doesn’t have a room to stay in so he offers his. After meeting Colin, Andi realizes they have someone from her past in common, the one person who hurt her the most, Blaine. Andi accepts Colin’s offer for a place to stay but she isn’t happy about it at all, especially now that she knows Colin knows that dirtbag Blaine. Andi will be in for the experience of her life now that she has met Colin!

This was a very romantic, Christmas themed story. I enjoyed reading all about Andi and Colin. Even Blaine was enjoyable as your typical scumbag of the book It is always fun to read a romance where after the heartbreak and tragedy someone experiences, they find happiness that helps them overcome what was lost. The mountain lodge was the perfect backdrop for a romance to begin. If you want a quick Christmas story read that is enjoyable and will give you that warm and fuzzy feeling, this is the one!

Reviewed By Tricia

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