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: Small Town Christmas by Jill Shalvis, Hope Ramsay, Katie Lane

Title: Small Town Christmas

Authors: Jill Shalvis, Hope Ramsay, Katie Lane

Release Date: November 1st, 2011

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Age: Adult

Three heartwarming holiday stories to prove that love is the greatest gift of all. 

Kissing Santa Claus (Lucky Harbor #2.5)

NASCAR driver Logan Perrish returns to Lucky Harbor, Washington, with love in his heart and a ring in his pocket. But can Sandy Jansen forget the past and give him a second chance? Or will Logan be spending another Christmas alone? 

I'll Be Home for Christmas

After ignoring the advice of Miz Miriam Randall, local matchmaker, Annie Roberts expects another hum drum holiday in Last Chance, South Carolina. But when a stray cat arrives in the arms of Army sergeant Matt Jasper, a calico named Holly just may be the best matchmaker of all. 

O Little Town of Bramble

All Ethan Miller wants for Christmas is to celebrate in Bramble, Texas, with family and friends. But when his childhood neighbor, Samantha Henderson, comes home for the holiday, Ethan realizes that the girl-next-door could be the girl of his dreams.

I've been reading holidays anthologies this month, and I'm glad I read Small Town Christmas. It features three very short stories, very sweet and romantic.

Kissing Santa Claus by Jill Shalvis is part of the Lucky Harbor series and it's about NASCAR driver Logan Perrish, who returns to Lucky Harbor with a ring in his pocket for Sandy, the woman he couldn't forget. He's used for women to throw themselves at his feet, but Sandy isn't exactly happy with him. Maybe because it has been five months since they spend a week together. I'm not familiar with the Lucky Harbor series, but it does sound sweet. Sandy and Logan's story is very quick and I really wanted to slow down and learn more about them, but I guess I have to read the series for that. Still, I enjoyed it.

I'll Be Home for Christmas by Hope Ramsay is about Annie Roberts, who is alone for this Christmas until she met Army sergeant Matt Jasper. He's in Last Chance to deliver a gift, but he found a stray cat and he doesn't have a place to go. This story is extremely sweet, about two lonely people finding love when the least expected it. Definitely one of those stories that makes you cry. 

Little Town of Bramble by Katie Lane was probably my favorite, because it's the funniest and sweetest story of all. Samantha Henderson, a veterinarian, is back to her home town and the first thing she wants to do is see Ethan Miller. her childhood friend. Ethan Miller is very surprised to see her, all grown up. Still, he finds it difficult to talk to her, so he's about to give up until Samantha's sister decide to intervene. This story had me laughing out loud with the live nativity scene, and even when it's a little bit unrealistic sometimes, it was so sweet that I just felt happy for the characters.

Overall, if you want to read quick, sweet and happy holiday stories, this is your book. They were short, clean, full of romantic gestures and very enjoyable.

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.