By Firelight by Janice Maynard

Maybe it’s the mistletoe—or maybe there’s something magical in the air this Christmas...

Hot Arctic Nights
In North Pole, Alaska, Christmas spirit is everywhere—except in Hallie Prentiss’s heart. At least her
two-week stint managing the Dancing Elves B&B will pay the bills. Then she gets a look at long-term guest Daniel Reynolds. Whether dressed as Santa or (even better) wearing next to nothing, the man is gorgeous, charming, and sexy as hell. Workaholic Hallie is tempted to take a walk on the naughty side for once. But when she does, will she ever want to leave?

By Firelight
There’s nothing like nearly freezing to death on the Appalachian Trail to make a woman want to live a little. And when Madison Tierney stumbles upon Grant Monroe’s mountain cabin during a blizzard, she’s gripped by something more than gratitude. Soon, the glow of firelight sparks hot, sweet kisses… and the start of a Christmas adventure she’ll never forget.



------------------------


As everyone knows, I can’t resist a Christmas romance - add in some chocolate and you have a trifecta of awesomeness that means I’m in heaven.

The first thing I noticed about this book is that the cover is just amazing. It’s got a sparkly tree, Christmas lights, a fire and a snog between a hot man and a girl with good hair. Love it.

And then we have the stories, both by Janice Maynard…


By Firelight

If I’m honest, it took me a good long while to wade through this story. I could get behind the premise and who doesn’t like the fantasy of being stranded in a log cabin in a blizzard with a hunky man? It just didn’t ever feel quite right.


Maddy has had a near-death experience and I could kind of understand why she would want to jump straight into sex with Grant. Yet…it felt creepy somehow. Maddy felt too innocent (although she would change to sexually aggressive at certain moments) and Grant was too keen to say he knew how she ticked.

It wasn’t offensive - although the end was a bit daft - but it wasn’t my cup of tea.


Hot Arctic Nights

In North Pole, Alaska, Christmas spirit is everywhere—except in Hallie Prentiss’s heart. At least her
two-week stint managing the Dancing Elves B&B will pay the bills. Then she gets a look at long-term guest Daniel Reynolds. Whether dressed as Santa or (even better) wearing next to nothing, the man is gorgeous, charming, and sexy as hell. Workaholic Hallie is tempted to take a walk on the naughty side for once. But when she does, will she ever want to leave?


Another cute premise and, for me, a better story than the first. It was more drawn out and I felt Hallie was a more relatable character although she did have some unnecessary back story that felt out of place in a short story.

The relationship between Hallie and Daniel built slowly after a quick attraction and I believed in their budding feelings for each other.

Unfortunately, like the first story, the ending was rushed and a happily ever after came about quite suddenly. There was a sweetness to it but little believability.



For me, both stories were sweet, festive and a slow burn. There wasn’t a lot of depth to either but an awful lot of conversation. I think I would have preferred the stories to be half the length they are but a bit more punchy. For me, I’m giving 3 stars.


Previously published as By Firelight in A Very Merry Christmas and Hot Arctic Nights in Wicked Wonderland.

* I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *



------------------------

150 pages


* I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *






0 comments:

Post a Comment

Powered by Blogger.