All She Wants for Christmas by Jaci Burton

Big Star, Small-Town Christmas

Country singer Riley Jensen would never have returned to her small Missouri hometown if her publicist hadn't come up with the scheme to tape a Christmas special there. So she never would have known that the man who broke her heart at eighteen—causing her to flee to Nashville—was now a widower with a seven-year-old daughter. Riley has ten years of angst-filled hit songs and Grammy awards to prove she doesn't need Ethan Kent. But suddenly, she can't help thinking of all she gave up by running away...

Ethan Kent knew Riley had the talent and the drive to make it as a singer. He also knew she wasn't going anywhere if she stayed in their nowhere town for him. Then one night and one huge mistake sent her running on the road to fame. Which doesn't mean he ever stopped loving her...

But with so much separating them, can Riley and Ethan find their way back together one magical country Christmas?

Christmas reads for me aren’t complete without an offering from Jaci Burton and this year she not only delivered but her book was centered around a famous country music store. Second to read music is my favorite thing and country seriously tops my list. So when I saw this book was coming out I was anxiously counting down the days till it’s release. December 6rth couldn’t get here fast enough and well real cut in and ALL SHE WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS sat languishing on my hard drive waiting for me to read it. The wait was brutal I tell you but so worth it.

Riley is a strong woman even though it seems as though she doesn’t see it. At eighteen she ran away when her heart was broken and took a chance on her dream. That to me is brave and well scary, but she did it and it paid off. She has fame, fortune, everything a girl could want right? Wrong, but this trip home may end up being the one thing she really needs. Jaci could have gone so many different ways with this, she could have made Riley bitter and mean, but she chose to make her genuine and friendly. I liked her from the word go, she wasn’t some over inflated ego, she was a woman, one who'd been hurt and who used her pain to build a career she could be proud of.

Ethan, well from the blurb I was unsure if I was supposed to like him or not, but I figured that was the point. Without ruining the story I will say that Ethan was in the wrong when he and Riley were teens, but I believe him when he says he never meant to hurt Riley and he paid for his mistake a million times over IMO, but darn it I like him, he’s a good dad, a good brother and a good friend. There is nothing sexier than man who’s a good father, a nice body and good looks are pluses and hello I have eyes don’t I, but a man who loves his kids now that is Sexy!

Jaci is the queen of back story when it comes to short novellas. I always learn so much about her characters is a short amount of time, I have no idea how she does it but she’s good at it and I end up devouring her books in one sitting only to be disappointed when I’m done. Not because the story is bad, but because IT’S OVER!

I really enjoyed going to Riley’s hometown, I felt a real connection to her, she came across real and true to me and I was thrilled she got her HEA, but I have so many questions about characters that appeared in this book.

Like will Wyatt ever be happy again and what happened with his wife Cassandra? Will Brody and Tori hook up? What will Zoey be when she grows up and what will happen to her? So much depth and character development in so short of a book.

So this book is a keeper for sure and I hope just the beginning for some of the secondary characters, It’s well written, sad is some place, happy in others and sexy enough to be enjoyable for any romance reader.

ALL SHE WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS is a firm 9.5 out of 10.

You can grab a copy here.

Holiday Sparks by Shannon Stacey

House-sitting for her parents seemed like a good idea, until the microwave blew up and the lights went out.

Now Chloe Burke thinks upgrading the electrical system of her childhood home while they are away would make the perfect Christmas gift. Fortunately, there's an electrician in town who can get the job done by the holidays.

Scott Quinn has wanted to get his hands on the Burkes' wiring for almost as long as he's wanted to get his hands on their daughter. Chloe didn't notice Scott back in high school, but she's noticing him now, and soon they're indulging in a little festive fun: no strings, no expectations. After all, Chloe plans to get out of this goldfish bowl of a town and back to her real life in Boston by New Year's.

But Chloe and Scott discover they enjoy each other's company just as much out of bed. Could their holiday fling turn out to be the real thing

I’m finally getting a chance to get back to blog land and to read some of the Christmas themed books I accumulated this season. Shannon Stacey is a Auto-buy for me and HOLIDAY SPARKS reminds me again why she is on my must have list.

First we have Chloe, she’s my kind of heroine, she smart, independent and most importantly not TSTL. The power goes out or at least partially and while she is willing to investigate she knows not to mess with it herself. She calls for help and lucky her the help is handy as well as easy on the eyes.

Of course we have Scott local electrician, former geek and current local hunk. He knows Chloe but she doesn’t remember him from school and why would she. Her lost weight, his glasses and his bowl haircut. He lusted for Chloe all through high school and even though he’s looking for more that a casual relationship, he knows Chloe is not home for the long haul. So he agrees to a three week fling while he fixes the electric in Chloe's parents house.

Sparks fly and it has nothing to do with electricity. Chloe and Scott are well formed and extremely likable characters. They connect in way that is believable and that’s saying a lot. Building a realistic relationship in a shorter novel is hard and Shannon Stacey delivers. They have enough history to be quickly comfortable with each other, but enough differences in the past for me to believe they didn’t know each other that well in High School.

All in all HOLIDAY SPARKS was a fun, sexy read that was well worth the time invested. It was in fact juts what I needed and it fed that quick read fix I needed after spending the day with family. I will have no problem reading this again and placing it on my virtual keeper shelf.

HOLIDAY SPARKS is a 9 out of 10

Check out HOLIDAY SPARKS here.

Long time, No posts.

I have been reading but the blog well it kind of just stopped. I want to pick it back up. So it's the same rating system. 1-10 a 1 being not worth the time and a 10 being top dog. LOL!! So when I finish the very next book I read I'll be back to post my quick review. Till then Happy Reading!!!

Chased ~ Lauren Dane ~ Chase Brothers 3

I love Liv Davis, she's sassy, smart, and sexy. She knows what she wants and she goes for it. Of course she does end up thinking she needs to date a more marriage minded man than ladies man Marc Chase, but other than that I think she's brilliant.

Of course fans of this series may be a little jealous of Liv, she did have the distinction of dating sexy firefighter Matt Chase and then getting sexy as sin Matt Chase to be her very own personal trainer.

This series gets better with each book, her witty dialogue, sexy heroes and intelligent heroines will have me buying more from Lauren Dane in the years to come.

9 out of 10

Taking Chase ~ Lauren Dane ~ Chase Brothers 2

I love the Chase Brothers series. Each book has a Phenominal woman in it that brings another sexy Chase brother to his knees.

In Taking Chase we meet Cassie Gambol, she is the epitome of femine strength. She lived through a nightmare of marriage and came out the other side, somewhat damaged yet stronger and IMO ready to know the joy of what real love has to offer.

Enter Shane Chase, town sheriff, oldest Chase brother and probably the most stubborn when it comes to falling in love. Watching him fall for Cassie is a pleasure, seeing his iron control falter and give way to his need for Cassie is utterly satisfying.

Together they heal, they grow and come out the other side better people ready to love and be loved.

9 out of 10

Wolf Signs ~ Vivian Arend

I bought this book after reading great things about it over on Samhain's Reader Loop. I'm glad to say I wasn't disappointed. This story was heartwarming, sexy and has me waiting for more from Vivian in the future.

It is also the book I reviewed for this month's TBR Challenge. You can check out the full review here.

8.5 out of 10

Past Promises ~ Jamesville ~ N.J. Walters

Today my very good friend N.J. Walters has a new release with Samhain Publishing.

PAST PROMISES is wonderful, I loved it. I reviewed it here.

It gets a big ole 10 out of 10

Montana Creeds: Tyler ~ Linda Lael Miller

What a great way to end a great trilogy. I loved Logan, I loved Dylan and I definitely Loved Tyler. I don't know that I could pick just one Creed man over another, but Tyler may have them by just a little.

Tyler's story ties up all the loose ends of what seperated the brothers in the first place and brings closure to all the doubts the brother's had about themselves and the women they love. Lily is Ty's perfect match, she makes him stronger and helps him find the man he was always meant to be.

The Creeds have made me a Linda Lael Miller fan, now I just have to find the cash to begin buying all her McKettrick novels, just don't tell my husband.

8.5 out of 10

For Her Pleasure ~ Maya Banks *SPOILERS*

I love Maya Banks she writes sex so hot I wonder if her novels are going to melt my hardrive. For Her Pleasure has all the hot sex I expect from a Maya Banks novel and Ryder Sinclair is ALPHA Hot all the way, but it's his story that had me torn as I read this collection of novellas. I really felt like he needed to find a special woman all his own.

His love for Kit was believable, but when her and Mac commited to one another I was sure Ryder was destined to find his special woman. When his novel cleary had him returning to his relationship with Kit and that he would share her with Mac I admit I was a little sad.

I still love Maya's books and will continue to devour them as she releases them, yet I can't help but to want Ryder to find his own woman to love.

7.5 out of 10

Amazon Rank Shunning Readers Since 2009

Two little words with enormous meaning behind them.

AMAZON RANK

The meaning however in this case far out exceeds the impact of them. I was shocked when I read this morning about Amazon and it's new ranking system. One that is not consistent and is insulting to the publishing industy as a whole.

The every same people Amazon makes money off of are now being stipped from the front pages and from the tops of searches because they are labeled "adult" and not suitable.

I'm not by any means an expert on the law, I'm not an author or a publisher, but I am a consumer so aside from hitting them with this Google Bomb, I'm hitting them in the wallet.

We are in a recession, yet I still faithfully buy books, but after this I can tell you I won't be buying them from Amazon.

Facing It Linda Winfree

I admit I am a total Linda Winfree FAN GIRL. LOL !! :)

I love her Her Hearts of the South Series. So when I saw that Chris and Ruthie's book was being released I had to buy it that very day. I sat up till 12 am reading, there was no way I was sleeping, I just had to know what happened. Hop over to my other Blog to read the full and in depth review of this fabulous book.

9.5 out of 10

Covert Lessons Mari Carr

I discovered Mari Carr when I read her first Samahin release Erotic Research, it was well written, had a great storyline and was extermely sexy. She hooked me and now many releases later I purchase her books as soon as they come out.

COVERT LESSONS unfortunately went the way of many of my purchases, I but them and read them later. So yesterday when I was looking for a quick and sexy eBook to read I naturally thought of Mari. This book is hot, smoking hot and has one seriously sexy and dominated police Lt. than could cuff me anytime, well plotted, fast paced and panty melting hot COVERT LESSONS is another satisfying read from one of my new favorite Authors.

8 out of 10