Adam Rutledge, Viscount d'Arque, really rather loathes Christmas. The banal cheerfulness. The asinine party games. And, worst of all, the obligatory trip to the countryside. His grandmother, however, loves the holiday—and Adam loves his grandmother, so he'll brave the fiercest snowstorm to please her. But when their carriage wheel snaps, they're forced to seek shelter at the home of the most maddening, infuriating, and utterly beguiling woman he's ever met.

Sarah St. John really rather loathes rakes. The self-satisfied smirks. The sly predatory gazes. Oh, and the constant witty banter rife with double meaning. But in the spirit of the season, she'll welcome this admittedly handsome viscount into her home. But as the snowstorm rages, the Yule log crackles, and the tension rises, Sarah and Adam find themselves locked in a fiery, passionate kiss. If love is the true meaning of Christmas, it's the one gift this mismatched pair can't wait to unwrap.

Title: Once Upon a Christmas Eve
Author: Elizabeth Hoyt
Series: Maiden Lane series
Pages: 90
Genre(s): Historical, Georgian, England, Christmas, Short
Hot Buttons: /

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This is part of the Maiden Lane series but it stands completely alone - you don’t have to have read (or have knowledge of) any of the previous books in the series to read and enjoy this one. Having said that, there is an hint of a story between Dr Manning and Charlotte and I’d be interested to know if that’s a previous Maiden Lane story or perhaps one yet to come.

I can’t resist a couple that hides a deep attraction with bickering and banter and Adam and Sarah certainly do that. I loved them both, believed in them and completely believed the pair’s emotions even with the shortness of the tale (it’s just 90 pages long). Their journey from distrust to friends to love was sweet with hints of hotness. Yes, there’s a little bit of sex in here.

The festive touches were also nicely done in the story. The snow, the gathering of the holly, the warming fires and Christmas games - it all added up to a story that brought the feeling of the Christmas season. It really was the perfect festive tale.

There was an added bonus of a short tale of the Frog Princess at the start of each new chapter. This was a fun addition and I laughed along as I was supposed to.

I had one major irk about this story - and it’s a pet peeve of mine - there was no epilogue. I would have loved an epilogue to just round out the story. I know it couldn’t have worked with the conclusion of the Frog Princess but aargh - I always want an epilogue to see how my couple are working into the future. Still, since the story was so lovely, I’m not letting my personal preferences affect the rating.

If you love a short, Georgian romance to get you into the mood for the long, dark nights at Christmas then I would recommend this to you. 5 stars.

Blogger's note: Yeah, yeah - I know that the cover I have above is the US cover but I just so prefer it to the UK cover. 

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It’s been years since June Bell shared a stolen moment with her girlhood crush, Kase McCasker. It’s been just as long since Kase’s father nixed the sale of the McCasker farm to expand the grounds of the Bell’s grand hotel. Now that Kase is back home for good, June might be the only person who can persuade him to reconsider the abandoned plan. But how can she face him again after he left her without a word?

Four years ago, unexpected news shook the foundation of Kase McCasker’s world. Escaping Falls Edge for college was the perfect excuse to chase his demons and bury his pain. Now, with a degree in hand and a void he can’t fill, he’s back in the little mountain town he thought he’d never call home again. Searching for purpose, he’s determined to put down roots and take over the struggling farm that’s been in his family for generations. 

Time and distance haven’t taken the edge off his preoccupation with June, the spitfire daughter of his father’s rival. He hasn’t forgotten their time together and all the things they did and didn’t do. One look at her has him reconsidering the future and making a dangerous deal to win her over.  Is a chance at her heart worth risking everything else?

Title: Misadventures of a Virgin
Author: Meredith Wild
Series: Misadventures
Pages: 224
Genre(s): Contemporary, US
Hot Buttons: Young People

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This book is part of the Misadventures series a set of fun, sexy and modern romances that offer a light yet satisfying read. Like all the other books in the series so far it stands completely alone and has a HEA. It is written in first person, present tense - which I felt jarred a bit at times - and is written purely from our heroine’s point of view except for a couple of instances towards the end of the book when it’s from our hero’s.

The book got off to an alright start. I like any kind of second chance at love, even if it’s two kids who liked each other when they were younger and now, as adults, they have a real opportunity to get together. And that, right there, is what my main problem with this book was. This pair, to my eyes, were still kids.

Almost from the start, when Kase and June saw each other for the first time in 4 years, they got hot and heavy with each other. We had no anticipation and no build-up. Then, it says that the pair didn’t even know each other back in high school - they had one encounter when they kissed and fondled and that was it. Hardly the basis for the obsession/love they seemed to feel for each other.

As I mentioned, the pair were young - 20 and 24. This isn’t in itself a problem except for the fact that it was clear in the pair’s actions that they were immature - especially June and to a lesser extent Kase. It was also clear that the author wanted us to know and remember that the pair were younger. June remarks about Kase, “Today…he looks like a normal college kid, in khaki cargo shorts, a plain white T-shirt, and sandals.” Maybe this would have turned me on when I was younger but now it just feels a bit wrong to be expected to lust after a college boy when I’m in my 30s.

I also had problems with the plot line and the ‘secrets’ that were presumably there to drive the story and keep the couple apart. It was slightly ridiculous but worse was the way that June especially reacted to the situations. She cried. And cried. And cried. I myself am an emotional sort and cry at the most ridiculous things but even I wanted to shake her and tell her to grow up.

In general the writing was alright - although as I mentioned above I didn’t much care for the writing being in the present tense. There was a little bit of flowery language and cliches going on which was a little surprising. We had ‘tornadoes of lust’, ‘gnawing hunger’, ‘velvet kisses’ etc. And with this being about a virgin (but not for long!) we had a few too many instances of “not being ready” etc for my liking. Luckily there were no mentions of flowers or maidenheads!

There was also sex here. I felt nothing.

Overall, this book wasn’t for me; I wasn’t a fan of much. Having said that (and all of the above!), perhaps I just wasn’t the right demographic for this book. I suspect it’s aimed more at the young adult / new adult market and sadly that’s just not me anymore. Only 2 stars from me but don’t dismiss this if you like the sound of it - I hope that others love it more than I did.

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Hotel clerk Abby Medford has always enjoyed the quiet solitude of the night shift. The long, boring hours allow her time to study her law books. But when bad-boy-rocker Lucas Ford checks into the penthouse suite one night and demands Abby personally deliver his room service request, her formerly quiet nights are quickly filled with Lucas’s erotic games.

But as Abby soon learns, if she thinks she can indulge her innermost desires with Lucas without giving him her heart, she’s dead wrong.

Title: Misadventures on the Night Shift
Author: Lauren Rowe
Series: Misadventures
Pages: 280
Genre(s): Erotic
Hot Buttons: /

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This is the 6th book in the Misadventures series - a set of fun, sexy and modern romances that offer a light yet satisfying read. Like all the other books in the series so far, this book is a stand-alone and doesn’t contain a cliffhanger. It’s written in the first person but, unlike the others, this book only contains Abby’s point of view. But that works well in this story as we’re left just as in the dark about Lucas’ feelings and motivations as Abby is.

I loved Abby as a character. She was fun, feisty and the banter between her and Lucas was fresh and, at times, laugh out loud hilarious. The author made you like and care for Abby from the first and she managed to get me to love Lucas despite his arrogant behaviour and entitled attitude. I didn’t really understand Abby’s ‘issues’ as we went through the book but, as we find out near the end, there’s a reason for this which makes perfect sense as it tallies with what I was beginning to suspect.

One thing that irritated me was the scene where Abby tries, maliciously, to get Lucas to break one of his cardinal rules. He catches on but instead of getting mad at her, teases her for trying to manipulate him. Then she gets grumpy for his mocking of her and tries to make him the bad guy. Eh, no, love - that’s not the way it works.

The first full sex scenes in the book is a threesome - MFM - and boy, it ain’t half scorching! Only Lucas gets to really ‘do the deed’ which I was happy about in a strange kind of way while also enjoying the show. The premise to this sex was a bit silly - ‘let’s play act a time in my life when I wrote my previous hit single’ - but what do I know about the lives of rock stars and their strange fancies and creative processes!? It’s not about the premise, though, it’s about the sex and it burnt me right up!

Other than the threesome, everything was else was fairly vanilla between Abby and Lucas - but still sexy as hell. There is talk of anal and dp but that’s mentioned by Abby in a flashback of sorts - ‘we did all this last night’ - with no detail which was completely fine by me.

I would have given this book 5 stars except I have to admit that the run-up to the ending left me a little bit disappointed. The time lapsed in a couple of large chunks - 1 month later, 3 months later, 1 year later etc. This really killed the momentum of the story which had whizzed along up until that point. Then there was the addition of the movie star. Why? What was the point? I just don’t like this in any story. While we have the happy ever after and the book left me with a smile on my face, I had a twinge of annoyance added in with it which was a shame.

The writing of this story was fresh, kept me interested and hooked me from the first page. As I mentioned, it was also hugely funny in parts. I will be looking out for other books by Ms. Rowe and would recommend this book to anyone following the Misadventures series or looking for a fresh, light and enjoyable romance. 4 stars.

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Misadventures Series:

Misadventures is a romantic series of spicy standalone novels, each written or co-written by some of the best names in romance. The stories are scandalous, refreshing, and, of course, incredibly sexy. They’re the perfect bedside read, a ‘quick blush’ for the reader who loves a page-turning romance.

 

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Charlotte Daley is the daughter of the newly elected POTUS. An only child, she’s both spoiled rotten and entirely neglected by her powerful family. She’s been forced to eat with the right forks, smile at all the right times, and be the picture of perfection for months. Now that her father is in office and too busy to know she exists, she’s determined to exercise her new freedom before she heads back to college in New York.

Zane Parker has one job—to protect the President’s daughter, all day, every day. But she’s been on a partying spree since the inauguration, heading down a dangerous path that threatens to ruin her reputation and cause a major scandal for her father. Zane will lose his job if he can’t get her under control. Except he wants to sleep with her as badly as he wants to set her straight. She needs discipline. And he might be just the one to give it to her.

When unexpected circumstances tie Charlotte to D.C. for the foreseeable future, Zane makes her an offer that’s anything but honorable. He’ll give the first daughter all the thrills she’s seeking in exchange for one thing… Her obedience. Fascinated by Zane’s dark promises, Charlotte agrees. Submission has never felt so good. But as Zane brings her deeper into his forbidden desires, enemies surface and danger lurks…

Title: Misadventures of the First Daughter
Author: Meredith Wild and Mia Michelle
Series: Misadventures
Pages: 280
Genre(s): Erotic
Hot Buttons: Spanking, deep throating

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This is the 3rd book in the Misadventures series. These books all stand alone and are complete novels with heas. They are characterised by being fresh, fun and sexy with stories that keep the pages turning.

We’re suspending reality a little bit with this one (although I’ll admit not as much as we did in Misadventures with a Super Hero!). I’m honestly not sure that anyone could have risen through the ranks to become a secret service agent assigned to the president’s detail at the tender age of 25 but, hey - maybe they can and this cynicism is yet more evidence that I’m getting old!

The other bit that made me laugh with the sheer convenience was when Charlotte and Zane have a ‘moment’ in the pool room of the White House. But not to worry, this is one of the few rooms where there are absolutely no cameras or security.

If you’ve come to this book and are excited by the BDSM element then you might be in for a little bit of a let down. There’s the club, there’s some spanking, some ‘yes, sir’ ‘no, sir’ and that’s probably it. Oh, apart from the deep throating which even made me gag. Maybe others disagree but that is not sexy to me. Boke!

All that aside, I really did enjoy this book. No, I really did! It was fresh, feisty and oh so sexy. Zane and Charlotte’s chemistry was always simmering away in the background (and foreground!), wholly believable and the sex scenes were deliciously hot!

I’m not normally into books with college aged heroines so I was surprised when I really liked Charlotte. She was bratty at times and occasionally spoiled along with it - and lord, she liked to make the same mistakes multiple times to make sure she really learned her lesson. But, with all that, she was honest, real and owned her mistakes and bad behaviour. I was rooting for her almost from the first.

Now Zane - whew - he hit all the right buttons for me. The strong silent types are just my thing, especially one who’s tempted beyond measure for someone or something that should be forbidden to him. The fact that it was Charlotte just ramped up all that sexual tension and simmering attraction. A great guy, a great character and a great foil for Charlotte’s personality.

The story was fast-paced and I was really drawn into all the twists, turns and excitement of this world so alien to most. The ending was a bit of a twist and slightly unusual - but it worked. And it was happy which is all I really care about!

A sexy book with great characters and a page-turning plot - this is a book that I would happily recommend. 4 stars.

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

Misadventures Series:

Misadventures is a romantic series of spicy standalone novels, each written or co-written by some of the best names in romance. The stories are scandalous, refreshing, and, of course, incredibly sexy. They’re the perfect bedside read, a ‘quick blush’ for the reader who loves a page-turning romance.

 

Click to see other books by Meredith Wild

Click to see other books by Mia Michelle

 

The menfolk of Buckshot, California are rattled – Emma Taylor is back from finishing school, and she wants to fancify them. She insists they wear suits to the annual Valentine’s Day dance. Suits! When Emma sets her mind to something, she don’t give up. Look at how she chased Sheriff J.T. Phillips for years before her pa finally sent her away!

J.T. would do anything for Emma now that she’s all grown up – he’d even learn to dance. She’s the most breathtaking woman he’s ever seen. But when she offered her heart to him once before, he broke it… will she ever trust him with it again?

Title: Paper Hearts
Author: Maureen Child
Series: /
Pages: 59
Genre(s): Historical, American
Hot Buttons: /

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This short book is set in a small town in the American West - probably in the late 1800s at my best guess.

It’s written in gosh shucks language that I would characterise as typical of the American old west which I personally thought was well done. It was actually really adorable. However, I’m very much aware that I’m not American so I don’t have the cringe factor that some might have if it’s not 100% accurate.

Emma was quite young and, I suppose, a little bit bratty, but I strangely loved that about her. I saw parts of myself in her that just wants everything to be perfect and wants everyone to improve. She's got a determination and her good intentions tend to make her so single minded she forgets to check if it's actually for the best or if the other townsfolk really want her 'improvements'.

J.T. was Emma’s complete opposite. Calm, cool, collected and completely befuddled by Emma and what was going on in her mind. It was hilarious to watch him scramble about trying to figure things out, especially while she was doing her best to avoid him and stop herself from loving him.

There was a spark of sexiness in the book - and surprisingly a sex scene despite the book being so short (59 pages) but it definitely falls on the cute and sweet side of the scale for me.

I’ve never read Maureen Childs’ before but I liked her style. She made me laugh, she made me sigh and she made me fall in love with her characters as they themselves fell in love.

If you’re looking for a quick afternoon read to make you smile - I’d recommend this to you.

This story was first published in the 1993 anthology, Sweet Hearts, under the pen name Kathleen Kane.

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