Book Review: All I'm Asking For #ChristmasAnthology

Book Title: All I'm Asking For: A Contemporary Christmas Anthology

Authors: Brighton Walsh, Kat Latham, Christi Barth.

Publication date: December 2013

Age: Adult

Put love on your wish list with the romance anthology "All I'm Asking For." Included in this holiday anthology are three romantic holiday novellas: Tinsel My Heart, Season of Second Chances and Mine Under the Mistletoe.

Tinsel My Heart by Christi Barth: This Christmas, the producer of a small town holiday spectacular is swept away by a handsome Hollywood director.

Season of Second Chances by Brighton Walsh: Being stranded in a snowstorm offers a couple a second chance at a future together.

Mine Under the Mistletoe by Kat Latham: An American in London helps a brooding Brit put the ghosts of Christmas past behind him.

Wherever you are, however you celebrate, this collection of three festive novellas will bring warmth to your holiday season.

I LOVED this anthology!! I'm usually very easy to please when it comes to Holiday novellas, but All I'm Asking For has three very well written novellas that will warm your heart and feel like it's already Christmas!

Tinsel My Heart is a story about two kids who liked each other but never saw again. Now one of them is famous and comes back to their little town, to find he still likes the girl of his dreams and maybe he can have her now. I liked this couple, they were fun and loved their HEA.

Season of Second Chances was a story about a couple who break up two years ago but now will have to spend a night together again, and it's impossible to turn off their attraction and love for each other. But if nothing have change, they can't have a future. I liked it because it was not only about second chances, but also about changing and understanding the importance of family.

Mine Under the Mistletoe is a story of a couple who is supposed to do a house swap but the weather leave them both stuck at London. Christmas is a difficult time for them, the plan was to spend it alone, but getting to know each other and enjoying the holidays together is the recipe to fall in love.... I really liked this story because the characters miss someone and it's really difficult to enjoy Christmas when you miss someone you were close too. :(

Overall, All I'm Asking For is one of my favorite holiday anthologies. The stories are so cute, but with the right sexy spark. They are short novellas, but I promise they will keep you reading until the end and satisfied with the characters and their development.

More about this book at Amazon, Goodreads, Book Tour.

Book Review: A Very Scandalous Holiday

Book Title: A Very Scandalous Holiday

Authors: Nancy Fraser, Sophia Garrett, Amber Lin, Crista McHugh.

Published October 14th 2013 by Entangled: Scandalous

Age: Adult

Entangled Publishing presents…A Very Scandalous Holiday Anthology. Four very spirited vignettes of holidays past.

Erin’s Gift by Nancy Fraser

Chicago 1920

Widower, Seth Harrison, has no intention of falling in love again but will he be able to resist the sweetness of his son’s nanny, Erin O’Mara—his sister’s best friend?

An Eternity of You by Sophia Garrett

England 1833

The Duke of Sharrington left Rebecca with more than a broken heart six years ago—he left her with a son. His return rekindles their passion, but only a Christmas miracle will convince the town surgeon to believe in his promises of eternity again.

Letters at Christmas by Amber Lin

England, late Regency

After three years at sea, Captain Hale Prescott has the means to marry the love of his life and his best friend’s sister, Sidony Harbeck. However, she might never speak to him again. Despite their whispered adolescent promises, he never wrote her a single letter…at least, none he ever sent.

Eight Tiny Flames by Crista McHugh

1944 Ardennes, WWII

Lt. Ruth Mencher has always secretly admired Capt. Joseph Klein, but it takes the lighting of a Hanukkah candle to uncover the spark of mutual attraction. Each night awakens a new facet of their relationship, but as the Battle of the Bulge begins, the approaching Nazi forces threaten to tear them apart.

I like to read holidays anthologies, for me it's the perfect way to get in the holiday mood. So when I saw A Very Scandalous Holiday at NetGalley I didn't wait to request it.

Eight Tiny Flames by Crista McHugh was a surprise for me because I thought I wasn't going to enjoy it, but did. Lt. Ruth Mencher is proud of her religion and wants to share Hanukkah with Capt. Joseph Klein, who she secretly admires. Their attraction was strong but their romance is very sweet, mixed with the horrible WWII. I was also surprised to discover some things from this story really happened. I think it got the real meaning of the holidays, you can find and share hope and love even in the most awful situations.

Letters at Christmas by Amber Lin is about promises. Captain Hale Prescott has been three years at sea and finally can return to marry Sidony Harbeck, but she doesn't want him anymore....he promised to write but never got one letter. In just a few days, he will make Sidony trust in him again, not only with her body but her heart too. Their romance is very passionate and it would have loved to know more about these characters.

An Eternity of You by Sophia Garrett is about forgiveness. Rebecca, the poor town surgeon and mother of a bastard, can believe when The Duke of Sharrington, the father of her son, returns to his home with his new family. She doesn't want anything to do with him, but they soon discover he never knew about his son, and still have feeling for her. A little bit predictable but very cute.

Erin’s Gift by Nancy Fraser is about finding love. Widower Seth Harrison is attracted to his son's nanny, Erin O’Mara, his sister’s best friend. She's poor and alone, so he offers her the job, but he isn't sure he can handle their attraction. It's a very sweet romance, definitely felt the Holiday spirit, and is has a little bit of passion...the perfect combination!

Overall, I enjoyed A Very Scandalous Holiday. It was a great read to start the season and I'm definitely checking for  more books from the authors.

More about this book at Goodreads, Amazon.

Book Review: Romancing the Holiday by Jaci Burton, HelenKay Dimon, Christi Barth

Title: Romancing the Holiday

Authors: Jaci Burton, HelenKay Dimon, Christi Barth

Release Date: December 3rd 2012

Publisher: Carina Press

Age: Adult

We wish you a merry Christmas…and a happily ever after!

A memorable three-night stand gets rekindled in a cabin in West Virginia. An office romance is sparked by an impulsive holiday kiss. And two best friends scout locations for a marriage proposal and discover that they make a perfect match. 'Tis the season for laughter, love and a lifetime of happiness.

Edited by Angela James this anthology includes:

We'll Be Home for Christmas by HelenKay Dimon

The Best Thing by Jaci Burton

Ask Her at Christmas by Christi Barth

We'll Be Home for Christmas (Holloway #3) by HelenKay Dimon follows the story of Spence and Lila, who met before at a hotel and spent three nights together, but never thought about seeing each other again. Lila is at his home town to stay, and Spence only wants her out....or maybe 'rescue' her and take her to bed again. I can say this one was my favorite story, it was realistic the way Spence and Lila fell in love. I remember reading another story of HelenKay Dimon, that is actually linked to this one so it was great to see old characters.

The Best Thing by Jaci Burton (Kent Brothers #3) was another sweet surprise, because I found characters from another Christmas story I read last year hehe. I actually liked more this one, Brodi and Tori kissed each other last Christmas and it hasn't been the same since then. This year, Brodi is ready to easy things, but instead ends up spending the whole weekend with her! Everything is perfect, except Brodi's family, who keep asking him when he's getting married. Brodi is the perfect example of why you should never pressure someone to get married! You should be able to make the decision yourself, without all your family watching you and warning you not to hurt the other one.

Ask Her at Christmas by Christi Barth is a very cute story of two best friends, Caitlin and Kyle, who find sparkles in their relationship, just before Kyle gets engaged with another woman! Caitlin has always loved Kyle, but Kyle hasn't explored his feelings for her, mostly because of his fear to his father. Kyle was very weak most of the book, and maybe that's why I didn't love this story. I wanted him to fight more.

Overall, Romancing the Holiday offers three sweet (and sometimes sexy) love stories perfect to read for Christmas! You shouldn't miss it :)

More about this book at Goodreads, Amazon.

Book Review: Kiss Me, I'm Irish by Roxanne St. Claire, Jill Shalvis, Maureen Child

Title: Kiss Me, I'm Irish

Author: Roxanne St. Claire, Jill Shalvis, Maureen Child

Release Date: March 1st, 2012

Publisher: HQN Books

Age: Adult

The Sins of His Past by Roxanne St. Claire

For one incredible night, Kendra Locke gave Deuce Monroe everything she had. Then he walked away without a backward glance to chase his big-league dreams. Now after one too many daredevil stunts, he's back in his hometown ready to pick up where they left off—but Kendra has no intention of giving in so easily…. 

Tangling with Ty by Jill Shalvis

Dr. Nicole Mann, a child prodigy who graduated high school at the age of thirteen, has no room in her mind or her schedule for romance. But when the architect renovating her apartment turns out to have a charming Irish accent, all bets are off—and Ty Patrick O'Grady plans to use every trick in his book to stay in her life for good. 

Whatever Reilly Wants by Maureen Child

Connor Reilly only has a few weeks to go in his "no sex for ninety days" bet with his brothers—and he figures no woman is safer to be around than his best friend, Emma Jacobsen. Until Emma shows up at a bar in a short skirt and high heels, and suddenly seems anything but safe!

If you like Irish men, this is your book. What's not to like about them? Hot, tall, dark hair, light eyes....

Kiss Me, I'm Irish is a collection of three different stories, where the protagonists are in love with an Irish man. In The Sins of His Past, Deuce is a famous baseball player who is back home to take the family business. Except Kendra, the best friend youngest sister is part of the business now, and she isn't ready to let Deuce take everything from her, again. Deuce was very selfish sometimes, but Kendra had some secrets she should have told a long time ago.

Tangling with Ty was a very fun story, about Nicole, a young doctor, and Ty, the architect renovating her apartment. Ty was hot and sweet, and Nicole was working too much. But Ty had some secrets and trust issues, while Nicole just didn't have time for life. They were very sweet and I really liked Nicole and her friends.

Whatever Reilly Wants is the story of Connor and Emma. Connor and his brothers have a ninety days without sex bet with his brothers. He's sure he's going to win, since he's staying very far from women. Expect from Emma, but she's a friend...not sexy at all. Of course, Emma doesn't think the same, and she's going to teach Connor a lesson, without falling in love with him!

I liked all the stories and really enjoyed them, but perhaps my favorite was Whatever Reilly Wants by Maureen Child. Emma and Connor were fun, and I'd love to read the stories of Connor's brothers!

Overall, Kiss Me, I'm Irish was a fun and light book. Perfect for a day when you need a healthy dose of hot Irish men ;)

More about this book at Goodreads, Amazon, The Book Depository.

Book Review: Holiday Kisses by Alison Kent, Jaci Burton, HelenKay Dimon and Shannon Stacey

Title: Holiday Kisses

Authors: Alison Kent, Jaci Burton, HelenKay Dimon and Shannon Stacey

Release Date: December 5th 2011

Publisher: Carina Press

Age: Adult

A man gives the gift of trust and receives a second chance at love in return. A woman helps to heal the wounded heart of a soldier. A couple finds that true love knows no distance. And a young widow learns that there can be two great loves in a lifetime. Love, romance and passion come together in this collection of four seasonal shorts.

Anthology includes: This Time Next Year by Alison Kent, A Rare Gift by Jaci Burton, It's Not Christmas Without You by HelenKay Dimon, Mistletoe and Margaritas by Shannon Stacey.

Holiday Kisses is my last holiday book. It's an anthology that includes four romantic stories that will warm your heart.

This Time Next Year is a story about Dillon, who is tormented by his past at war, and Breena, a nurse who is going to visit her grandmother for her last Christmas before following her dream. By a snow storm they were stranded at Dillon's cabin, and Breena discovers Dillon need someone who listen to him and love him. This story is very sweet, and I really liked the ending.

A Rare Gift is a story about Wyatt, a divorced man, and Calliope, a sweet woman who is her ex wife sister. I was a little uncomfortable with the idea of Wyatt and Calliope together, because I think it would be weird to be with your sister's ex. (I have sisters!) But still, I liked the story and I'm glad the characters could find a way to be together, because if you really are in love, would you say no because of being afraid about what people will say?.

It's Not Christmas Without You was so sweet and romantic! Carrie left Austin, again, to follow her dream job in a museum in D.C., but Austin isn't going to accept that. So he follows her to make her understand that  they should be together. I loved this story because they already loved each other, but it was more about wanting their relationship to work together instead of leaving each other. Both of them made mistakes and were a little bit egoist, but in the end their love was stronger. Also, I really wanted to know more about the secondary characters!

Mistletoe & Margaritas is about Claire, whose husband died two years ago and Justin, a friend of both who has been in love with Claire since forever. I think this one was definitely my favorite, because I loved Claire and Justin's relationship. They were such good friends but their attraction was always there, and it was difficult to forget Claire was Justin's best friend wife. It was so emotional and realistic, I really felt happy for the couple and I think they deserved each other.

Overall, if you want to read sweet romantic and heartwarming holiday stories, Holiday Kisses is a must read.

More about this book at Goodreads, Amazon.

Book Review: Holiday Hideout by Vicki Lewis Thompson, Jill Shalvis, Julie Kenner

Title: Holiday Hideout: The Thanksgiving Fix, The Christmas Set-U, The New Year's Deal

Authors: Vicki Lewis Thompson, Jill Shalvis, Julie Kenner

Release Date: November 1st 2011

Publisher: Harlequin Anthologies

Age: Adult

The Thanksgiving Fix by Vicki Lewis Thompson

Finding Mr. Right is the furthest thing from Beth Davis's mind when the Reno professor takes Thanksgiving break at a colleague's Lake Tahoe cabin. Until Coinneach McFarland arrives to fix a suspicious leak. It looks like somebody's playing matchmaker for two people sworn to stay single. But as things heat up, Beth is astonished to find she has discovered her soul mate just as she'd given up looking. 

The Christmas Set-Up by Jill Shalvis

Competing architects Zoe and Jason have two weeks to come up with the design to win a coveted new project. But when a snowstorm strands them together at a secluded cabin, Zoe sees her chance to show Jason how she really feels. With romance blooming under the mistletoe, can she get the gorgeous Scrooge into the true Christmas spirit? 

The New Year's Deal by Julie Kenner

Five years ago, Cleo Daire and Josh Goodson said goodbye and went their separate ways. But first they made a promise to reunite. Now the ex-lovers are spending New Year's Eve in a romantic cabin, where passion takes them by surprise and long-wished-for dreams can sometimes come true.

I don't usually read anthologies, but I have found that I enjoy holidays anthologies. Not sure why, maybe because more couples = more love!

The three stories of Holiday Hideout are connected by Lake Tahoe cabin, that is rumored to rekindle love, brings couples back together or create new couples. I enjoyed the fact that the three stories happened in the same place and of course all the couple found love one way or another.

The Thanksgiving Fix is about two people who are tired of not finding the perfect person. But when they met each other, it's obvious there is more than attraction between them. So what if they spend Thanksgiving Day just enjoying each other without ties?

The Christmas Set Up is about two coworkers who have two weeks to make a design, and the one who win is going to be ascended. But what is one of them steals your pendrive and you have to follow him to the cabin?

And the New Year's Deal is about a couple who broke up in the past and made a promise to meet each other in five years, and see if they still have the spark. What if they still have the spark? Will they finally make the effort to be together?

I have to say I liked the three stories, but my favorite was The Christmas Set Up. Two coworkers attracted to each other  but always in competition. They met at the cabin and it's to hard to fight their attraction, even if that means that one of them is going to loose the ascension. Who is going to be?

Overall, I liked Holiday Hideout because all the stories were sweet but also very hot! (which is not usual on Christmas stories). I definitely recommend it if you are looking for a light reading.

More about this book at Goodreads, Amazon, The Book Depository.