Heating up the Holidays–3 Story Bundle

As 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.

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.