Kindle Edition, 78 pages

Published November 2nd 2010 

by Dark Rose Publishing

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It was one last mission. Shannon, a demon hunter with the agency, is looking forward to leaving behind the small town and the vampire she’s been stuck with for the past two years. Things are getting complicated fast and she wants out. A fresh start, free of her vampire partner, awaits her if she can survive their final mission and the lonely Christmas holidays.

It was one last mission. Rafe, a vampire doing time with the agency, watches it approach with dread weighing heavily in his stomach. Two years of working with Shannon has been difficult, especially since he started falling for her, but he doesn’t want their partnership to end. He has barely a few days to make her face her feelings and stop her from leaving, and he intends to do just that.

When a slimy demon threatens the season of peace and goodwill, it’s the chance Rafe has been waiting for and the moment Shannon secretly fears. Rafe’s determination to prise open her heart and her own resolve to keep it closed clash as violently as they do with the demon, and threatens to end as messily.

Can Rafe make Shannon see that his love for her is real and that she feels something for him too? Can Shannon face her fears and her past, and stop herself from running away from both? Will a wish on a star bring her what her heart truly desires—a vampire for Christmas?

My Thoughts

I thought this was quite well done. The characters are well developed, the story is simple, but well told and fleshed out. 

Shannon wants to work alone and now that her two years with her vampire partner are up, she wants to continue her work as a vampire/demon hunter on her own. She's spent two years trying to keep Rafe at a distance, but oddly enough, finds she can't do that anymore. 

Rafe has spent two years trying to make Shannon realize he's not a monster. That he has feelings for her. He's not ready to let her go, and is in fact certain that if Shannon leaves, he'll be heartbroken. He's spent two years protecting her, and isn't sure he can let her go. 

I loved the way this novel opens up, with Rafe watching Shannon through her window as she admires her Christmas tree. It's a bit voyeuristic to be sure, but it demonstrates the depth of his emotion quite well. And I like that it takes Shannon a bit of time to realize that really, the last thing she wants is to be away from Rafe. 

A light read, with just the right amount of action, steam and Christmas cheer. 

4 glittering stars

Paperback, 201 pages

Published November 2nd 2010 

by St. Martin's Paperbacks 

(first published October 14th 2008)

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It’s Christmastime in London and Rafe Bowman has arrived from America for his arranged meeting with Natalie Blandford, the very proper and beautiful daughter of Lady and Lord Blandford. His chiseled good looks and imposing physique are sure to impress the lady in waiting and, if it weren’t for his shocking American ways and wild reputation, her hand would already be guaranteed. Before the courtship can begin, Rafe realizes he must learn the rules of London society. But when four former Wallflowers try their hand at matchmaking, no one knows what will happen. And winning a bride turns out to be more complicated than Rafe Bowman anticipated, especially for a man accustomed to getting anything he wants. However, Christmas works in the most unexpected ways, changing a cynic to a romantic and inspiring passion in the most timid of hearts. 

A Wallflower Christmas takes a trip to Victorian London, under the mistletoe, and on a journey of the heart. With her trademark charm, sensuality, and unforgettable characters, there’s no one like Lisa Kleypas to make you believe in the magic of Christmas.

My Thoughts

A sweet novella by Lisa Kleypas and a lovely holiday read. I loved that I got to see each of the Wallflowers as married women with their husbands, their love stories continue as Daisy marvels that she wakes up next to Matthew every morning, Evie "accommodates" St. Vincent (what a wicked, wicked man he is) and Simon and Annabelle share a tender moment while Lillian learns never to doubt Westcliff's love for her. 

Rafe and Hannah are both delightful characters and a pleasure to read about. Rafe is a rake--though perhaps not so thoroughly as St. Vincent--and Hannah despises him. On paper that is, she despises him. He is everything a man ought not to be besides being American to boot. But she cannot help but rise to his bait and thus intrigues the rakish Rafe. And for both of them, intrigue turns into something far more meaningful. 

If only Rafe were not promised to another! If only he cared for Natalie as he does for Hannah. If only Hannah could not care that he is promised to her cousin. But in the end, naturally, the Wallflowers ban together and decide that love is worth risking everything and they can clearly see that Rafe and Hannah are clearly in love. Since the Wallflowers are loved by Lady Luck, a little of that luck rubs off and before long, viola! Our herione and hero are celebrating a most wonderful Christmas Eve ♥ I have to say, I love how devoted Rafe is; underneath his snide scorn is a good, solid heart that I know will worship Hannah with steadfast faith. It's romantic and endearing, as as moonlight proposals. 

A delightful holiday romance that will not leave you disappointed. 

5 glittering stars

Paperback, 384 pages

Published October 29th 2013 

by Harlequin HQN

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Once upon a time, Christmas was Kayla Green's favorite time of year. Now all the workaholic wants for Christmas is for it to be over—as fast as possible! So when duty calls her to snowy Vermont to close a deal with a new client, Kayla is grateful for an excuse to avoid the holidays for another year. 

Jackson O'Neil left a thriving business behind to return home and salvage his family's resort—it's in his blood, and he can't let it fail. Now that he's got marketing whiz Kayla Green working with him to put Snow Crystal on the map, success is on the horizon. The fact they strike enough sparks off each other to power all the Christmas lights in Vermont is just an added bonus. 

Kayla might be an expert at her job, but she's out of her depth with Jackson—he makes her crave the happy-ever-after she once dreamed of, and it's terrifying. As the snowflakes continue to swirl, will the woman who doesn't believe in the magic of Christmas finally fall under its spell?

My Thoughts

Le sigh. The perfect holiday romance I think. I've read a few novels by Sarah Morgan and find her stories are always well done. This setting really appealed to me. And the cover just drew me in--winter setting, a great title, it has something of a magical feel about it, and romance always need a bit of magic in my opinion. 

Kayla Green is an uptight, false, corporate cutout of a woman. She moves through life, finding her thrills in landing the biggest PR jobs and her work shines like tinsel. She's excellent at what she does, but her life is all work. No play. And she likes it that way. It's sad. Kayla is sad. It's lonely. And Kayla is very lonely. So when Christmas rolls around and the shiny tinsel of real life begins to close in around her, Kayla is miserable. Naturally she doesn't mind working through the holidays. The woman is unnatural that way. But she wasn't expecting Snow Crystal. Or Jackson O'Neil. 

Because Jackson unwraps Kayla like a Christmas present--layer by layer, he brings out the real Kayla, and she's deep and human. Not at all a cutout. That's what she's made her life into, because it's safer than facing real relationships, but Jackson refuses to let her continue to be that woman. He shows her the glory of Snow Crystal--and I'd holiday there in a heartbeat so it's easy to see why Kayla fell in love with the place. Snow Crystal is magical, returning you to simpler times and yet maintaining an edge of sheen modernity and that's because Jackson is working so hard to save the family business, a business that he loves. And works every bit as hard to stop Kayla from running away from life, from him. He romances her, teaches her to live and Kayla glories even in it--even though she doesn't want to. Doesn't want to enjoy the snow or skiing, and most especially does not want to enjoy Christmas. 

Sarah Morgan spun a romance tale in a romantic setting that is totally beautiful, magical and yet one hundred believable. I was delighted to find out there is more to come of the O'Neil brothers and am eager for book two. 

4 glittering stars

Kindle Edition, 320 pages

Published November 9th 2010 

by HarperCollins e-books 

(first published January 1st 1999)

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Five years in prison for a crime he didn't commit—that's how long Austin Leigh has waited to clear his name and return to his old life. But when he is finally released, that life is no longer waiting for him. Determined to find the real killer, Austin goes on a hunt for justice—and revenge. But what he finds is something quite different: Loree Grant, a woman with her own tragedies, whose strength scatters the shadows of his past—and whose beauty eclipses the Texas sun...





My Thoughts

I guess I first thought, "whoa, Becky didn't wait for Austin?" What a b*tch! But I quickly got over it, because Austin finds Loree. I absolutely loved their romance. Slow burn, vulnerable, this novel was delicious reading. And could have made wonderful Christmas reading too. So it was lucky I read it this month!! 

Austin: We've gotten to watch him grow from a boy into a man. And I think I love him best of all the brothers. Don't get me wrong. I'll always have a soft spot for Houston, but Austin just proved himself to be so wide open and giving that I couldn't help but fall in love with him. He and Loree come together to seek comfort because it's been years since they've endured anything but pain. Heartache brings two people together in odd ways at times. In this case, Loree and Austin find a love that is soul searing and lasting. Austin doesn't want Loree because he has nothing to offer her except a tarnished name. But when everything changes, Austin isn't sorry one bit. He needs Loree. And deep inside, he loves her and regrets how the first time drove them together and yet apart as well. 

Loree: I think she's my favourite of this trilogy's heroines. Gentle and kind, Loree is a bit broken but she wants everything for Austin. Because he's not a murderer. Loree knows that by his eyes, by his hands. She knows his heart has been broken, but what she can't really imagine is Austin loving her if he finds out about her past. And she'd do anything for Austin to have his good name back, so that he can play music again. I died inside when Loree realizes just how hurt he is to discover that Christmas traditions in his family have changed in his absence. How life has changed. And yet, he promises her a good, happy life. And Loree wants that with Austin, desperately. But she wants his happiness enough to do something selfless...and stupid. I'm just glad justice was done right this time. 

If you want to find out what Loree is hiding, and who the killer is, well you'll have to read this book. Because I cannot spoil. No sirree. I cannot and will not. But I will tell you, this book's focus is on Loree and Austin. And their romance, which as I've said, is achingly beautiful. 

5 glittering stars 

ebook, 480 pages

Published October 1st 2010 

by Zebra Books

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Her Only Hope For The SeasonWith their father gone this Christmastide, Bronwyn de Breton and her two younger sisters are utterly vulnerable at unprotected Hunswick Castle. And their troubles are compounded when a fearsome knight arrives on the king's orders to take Hunswick as his own--and the youngest de Breton daughter as his wife.

Is A Man She's Never Met

Bronwyn would never let her little sister be forced to marry a man as rough and wild as the new lord is whispered to be. Yet someone must form an alliance with him, or all of Hunswick will be at risk. So she steps forward, pretending to be her own sister.

And A Love She Never Expected

But the new lord is not so easily fooled. He knows Bronwyn is not the woman he has promised to marry. And yet, no matter how duty-bound he may be, there is no resisting the golden-haired beauty who so fearlessly gives herself to him. . .and awakens a passion unlike any he's ever known. 

My Thoughts

So I read this recently because tis the season. I thought it was extremely well done and I loved the time period the novel was set in. Both characters are extremely interesting and fascinated me. 

Ranulf: A scarred, wounded warrior who believes the world has shunned him always makes for compelling reading, and it's no different for this character. I liked that he was so stubborn, controlled and yet totally out of control when it came to dealing with Bronwyn. He loved her, felt her love him in return, but he also had doubts about himself that made him doubt Bronwyn. It did get a little obessive at times, how much he worried about his appearance disgusting her, and testing her but it fit his character because he honestly thought women only fawned over men that were (by today's standards) GQ models. He had really convinced himself he would be alone because he'd been so repulsed in the past by others. 

Bronwyn: Well, the woman was independent and she knew how to manage people--except for the new Lord of course. It was funny reading them argue and banter back and forth, and they both liked that the other had the guts to try and manage them, but Bronwyn had also always been under-appreciated by others. With two sisters supposedly more beautiful than her, she never felt beautiful herself. So Ranulf's interest in her is unexpected and her attraction to him dangerous she thinks because really, he's supposed to marry her younger sister. And although I might have cringed at the way Ranulf put their love to the test, I cringed at Bronwyn's insecurity too. It took both these characters a bit too long to communicate with one another, but in the end, it was the romance that fit them so well that made it all click into place beautifully. 

The novel, naturally had a nefarious villain and I quite enjoyed the court politics as well. I don't think there are more novels but I'd love to read them because Bronwyn's sisters were clearly becoming involved with their own romances and I was truly invested in them as characters as well. 

4 glittering stars