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: 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.