For What It's Worth


Monday, December 9, 2013

Heating up the Holidays–3 Story Bundle


18283138As leftover turkey and stuffing give way to stockings and little black dresses, this tantalizingly sexy eBook bundle offers up holiday-themed novellas from a trio of beloved romance authors. Lisa Renee Jones gives a dedicated reporter and a powerful businessman a chance to count their Thanksgiving blessings in Play with Me; Mary Ann Rivers presents Snowfall, the story of a woman who confronts a life-changing event—hopefully with a special man by her side—just in time for Christmas; and in Serena Bell’s After Midnight, an explosive New Year’s kiss leaves two strangers wondering whether they’ll ever see each other again.

Goodreads

I have had such good luck with novellas this past year so when I was heating a mild reading slump earlier this week I decided to get into the holiday sprit with this sexy sounding collection of holiday tales. I guess I jinxed myself because there was only one story that really hot the spot for me.

PLAY WITH ME by Lisa Renee Jones – This was my least favorite story. I don’t know if this would have worked better as a full length novel but I was just not on board with Kali and Damion’s instant connection or the contrived reasons to keep them apart. Damion’s had security breaches that were so frequent and bad I wondered how he was able to keep his job. I still have no idea how Kali was qualified for the job as his assistant. The sex was right out of the gate and - OMG everything has been leading to this moment – after knowing each other less than one day. That’s just not my thing – if it’s yours – you may like it more.

SNOWFALL by Mary Ann Rivers – I really like River’s unique writing style and characters. She brings a sense of realism and detail to her stories that you don’t always find. I enjoyed several aspects of this story, especially Jenny and Evan’s adversarial turned supportive relationship, but ultimately I thought the writing bordered on over dramatic. There were at least four pages dedicated to how wonderful one kiss was. And more with the graphic sex talk (cybersex at that) – again that’s not my thing. Also there’s a bit of a twist that made me unsure of the heroes intentions for the heroine if things turned out differently. I don’t know….not bad…but it’s didn’t give me warm holiday fuzzes.

AFTER MIDNIGHT by Serena Bell – I was ready to give up and not even bother reading this last one but I’m so glad I didn’t’ because I loved it! It had all the steam, romance and passion that I was looking for. Wonderful couple – and the only one of the group that really felt like a holiday story.

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A few Christmas novellas that I do recommend - Stranded With a Hero Christmas anthology. It’s fade to black but super sexy and definitely festive or if you want more heat -  Ripped by Sarah Morgan.

NICE hero alert! Ripped has your requisite alpha hero but he loves that Hayley can stand toe to toe with him – in and out of the bedroom. Really liked that one.

8 comments:

  1. maybe I should read these short romances ;)

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  2. These sound fun and he sounds mega hot.

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  3. I love novellas during the holidays...less pressure and quicker rewards!

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  4. At least there was one to your liking. In a way it was good it was the last or perhaps the other two may have been even more of a disappointment. Will look at those recs!

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  5. Okay, I need to talk about Ripped. That was an excellent holiday novella and I can't wait for the next one! Stranded with a Hero was fun too.

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  6. Darn, this sounded promising!! After Midnight sounds cute though!

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  7. The last two stories sound really fun! I like Christmassy books around the holidays, so I'll have to keep this one in mind.

    Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

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