Merry Christmas, Baby! by Various

Uninspiring Christmas collection
3 stars

Harlequin Blaze always bring out an anthology near to Christmas and this year’s offering has stories from Vicki Lewis Thompson, Jennifer LaBrecque and Rhonda Nelson.


It’s Christmas, Cowboy! by Vicki Lewis Thompson
Lacey Evans expected to spend the holidays holed up in a remote cabin with her fiancé. As it turns out, it’s unexpected blast from the past ranch hand, Tucker Rankin, that’s keeping her warm by the fire this Christmas.

This was a nice tale that definitely felt the most festive of the three stories. Having said that, Lacey seemed slightly fickle in her affections and Tucker wasn’t exactly the ambitious or hard-working type that I would prefer to swoon over. Still a sweet enough tale.



Northern Fantasy by Jennifer LaBrecque
Stockbroker Jared Martin is in Good Riddance, Alaska for his best friend’s wedding when he meets tempting Theodora “Teddy” Monroe. Teddy dreams of life in the big city while all Jared wants is to find a quiet town to call his own. But neither can deny that they each want the other – but for how long?

This story forms part of LaBrecque’s Alaskan Heat series and while other characters appear it does stand alone just fine. I didn’t really get why you would write a series about a small town when all the characters hate it and want to leave. Couple that with the fact that neither Jared nor Teddy were particularly interesting and I didn’t much care for this story. The fact that all the heroines in these stories also appear to have unusual names that shorten into men’s names was the final irritation for me.



He’ll Be Home For Christmas by Rhonda Nelson
Soldier Silas Davenport has decided to come home to surprise his parents for Christmas. But it’s him that gets a surprise when rather than his parents he finds lovely Delphie Moreau at his house and she’s one gift he can’t wait to unwrap.

This was a pleasant enough story even if it was fairly forgettable. I liked Delphie and could empathise with her and Silas was likeable too. It was realistic which is fine but in a Christmas anthology I was looking for something a little more ‘happily ever after’ or even a little cheesy.


All in all this was an average anthology that didn’t really delight and just didn’t feel festive enough or put me in the Christmas mood. Not bad but really not great. 3 stars.

Born on the Fourth of July

Fairly lacklustre romantic anthology

2 stars

This Blaze anthology is a collection of stories based around military heroes and the woman who love them.

FRIENDLY FIRE by Jill Shalvis

Cord Madden is stunned to return from active duty to find his best friend and neighbour, Lexi McGowan, pleasuring herself in his shower. He’s stunned by his reaction to her but the wounds that ended his career are holding him back. Can they both move past it?

This was a fairly bland story with little in the way of deep emotion. I can understand that recovering from wounds suffered while in the army is tough to come to terms with but it doesn’t really make for interesting reading.

THE PRODIGAL by Rhonda Nelson

Major Chase Harrison has only returned from Iraq to attend his father’s funeral even though there was no lost between the pair. But he still has to deal with his father’s secretary, the lovely Rorie Whitaker, who makes his blood boil in a completely different way.

This was the best story in my opinion but still nothing overly special. It was quite sad that father and son could never work things out and while I appreciate that’s real life – that’s not what I read romance for. The romance was nice but I could have done with a more concrete ending.

PACKING HEAT by Karen Foley

Throughout his tour of duty in Iraq, Matt Talbot has been exchanging letters with lovely school teacher, Megan O’Connell. Now that he’s back in the US he plans to get to know her a whole lot better.

This was an okay story although I had a lot of trouble believing that a sweet teacher would be so free and loose the first time she met a guy. It again was a little low on the emotion and excitement but wasn’t terrible overall.

This is a book that is probably more aimed at an American market as I think they would more enjoy the military heroes angle.

Personally, I didn’t think any of the stories delivered particularly well on emotion or drama and while I did get through it, it wasn’t overly exciting or a book I would read again. 2 stars.

Better Naughty Than Nice

Slightly sizzling Christmas romance

4 stars

Blaze brings together it’s annual collection of short stories to keep you heated during the cold nights through the Christmas season. In this selection, Damon Claus, Santa’s naughty brother, decides to help some people have the ultimate naughty Christmas treats.

NO MISTLETOE REQUIRED – Vicki Lewis Thompson

Ten years ago Riley Kincaid broke Hayden Manchester’s heart but a little Christmas competition could be just the thing needed to get this pair back on track and enjoying every second under the mistletoe.

This was a fun, hot romance with a likeable couple that were likeable and relatable.

HER SECRET SANTA – Jill Shalvis

Ally Dauer is in charge of this year’s toy drive but to her mortification, someone keeps sending her adult toys. Firefighter Eddie Weston is out to convince Ally that maybe the best gifts can be shared this Christmas.

I really enjoyed this story and especially Ally. It was sweet, hot and enjoyable all round.

SNUG IN HIS BED – Rhonda Nelson

Viv Foster hates Christmas. Hank Bailey owns a Christmas tree farm. When they’re forced into each other’s company they realise it’s more than sizzling chemistry they have in common.

This story was a little slow with little excitement. It was fine but nothing special.

Overall this was a nice anthology and one that is worth a read over the Christmas holidays. The stories were all linked by Damon Claus, a storyline that lacked any real direction or purpose but it’s still a fun collection if you love Christmas and like your romance with a bit of heat. 4 stars.

The Soldier by Rhonda Nelson

Entertaining and sexy romance

4 Stars

Being a soldier is in Adam McPherson’s blood until a horrific roadside bomb takes away part of his leg and his career. At home and injured, Adam knows he wants to get back into the army but doubts and fears haunt him.

Winnie Templeman has been in love with Adam for years and she’s determined to make sure he heals and she knows just how to go about it. Her sexual healing method is guaranteed to get Adam back on track but will it be enough to keep them together?

This book follows on from Letters From Home which dealt with Adam’s brother and Winnie’s best friend. It’s probably okay not to have read the first book but I do think that it might give you more background into the story if you have.

This story is very focussed on the developing relationship and love between Adam and Winnie. The pair are perfect for each other and I loved the relationship between them. There is plenty of heat in the story and it’s interesting, exciting and sexy.

Although the book deals with some real and serious issues, it never feels heavy or bogged down in melodrama. Rather it is a page turning, romantic story that will leave you with a smile on your face. 4 stars.

Letters from Home by Rhonda Nelson

Sexy and romantic

5 Stars

Levi McPherson’s tour of duty in Iraq has one serious benefit – the sexy, x-rated love letters he’s getting from home. If only he knew which person from home was sending him these red-hot, explicit fantasies in her letters.

When he gets leave, he heads home determined to discover the author of the letters only to find it’s his brother’s best friend – Natalie Rowland – the very girl who stars in every one of his own fantasies.

Soon the pair are working through each one of their fantasies. But with Levi’s leave set to end in a few days and Natalie tied to her home town routes – can this ever be anything other than a fling?

This was a strong, romantic and sexy book despite the fact that the letter plot wasn’t really the main source of conflict and really didn’t feature too highly (apart from the snippets at the beginning of each chapter).

Levi was the all-male, all-American hero with a big heart while Natalie was a likeable, real girl you could really root for. Together the pair had sizzling chemistry and the book was deliciously hot and sexy.

Overall, this was a really well-written, romantic and at times emotional read. The characters and the plot were strong and the ending satisfying and realistic. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series (The Solider) and would recommend this book to those who enjoy a good, sexy romance.

Blazing Bedtime Stories

Fun, magical anthology

4 Stars

This is an anthology of tales based on bedtime stories that are given the sexy, Blaze treatment. Days before Valentine’s Day, Cupid needs to prove that love still exists by helping three Valentine-hating women.

Once Upon A Bite – Kimberly Raye

Beauty salon owner, Shay Biggs, is through with the bad boys – she’s now on the look out for Mr Right. She doesn’t think she’ll find it in new guy in town, Matt Keller, but there’s some animal magnetism pulling the pair together. Do beauty and the beast stand a chance?

This story didn’t really do it for me, I’m afraid. I didn’t really get the whole werewolf/vampire thing and the whole story lacked any romance and was wrapped up far too quickly for my liking.

My, What A Big… You Have! – Leslie Kelly

Children’s author, Scarlett Templeton, doesn’t believe in fairy tales. But all that changes when she meets a sexy hunter in the woods on the way to her Grandmother’s house.

Despite being pure fantasy, this tale was believable and very sexy. I loved both Scarlett and Hunter and felt really drawn into the world of fairy tales.

Sexily Ever After – Rhonda Nelson

Ugly duckling Juliet hates Valentine’s Day with a passion but secretly wants someone to make her feel beautiful. Hunky Gareth is determined to win Juliet and make her see that she truly is a beautiful, sexy woman.

This was the only one of the three stories that didn’t have any magical element to it and was also my favourite of the three. Juliet was such a likeable character and you really wanted her to get her happy ending.

Magical, fantasy tales aren’t my usual choice but I have to say I enjoyed this anthology. The first story wasn’t particularly memorable but the other two were fun and well-written. If you like something slightly mystical or simply want to see if fantasy stories are your cup of tea then I would recommend this book to you. 4 stars.

The Player by Rhonda Nelson

Sexy start to a new series

5 stars

Former Ranger Jamie Flanagan is very happy to finally be free of the military - especially after his last mission which left him guilt ridden and emotionally scarred. But in his haste to leave, he and his friends promised their former commanding officer one favour. Anything. Anytime.

Now Jamie's favour is being called in and he has to protect the lovely Audrey Kincaid at her de-stressing camp in the middle of Maine. But it isn't long before he realises he's actually there to woo her away from another man. But there's one, hard and fast rule. No kissing, no touching and no seducing. Jamie always follows orders - but Audrey is testing his limits - and he's not in the military anymore.

This was a fun, enjoyable romance that is the perfect start to a new series about Jamie and his two ex-military buddies.

Jamie himself is a to-die-for hero. Sexy, rugged and alpha with a wounded soul to go along with it. And Audrey is the perfect match for him as he tries to rid himself of his demons while fighting his attraction to her. The chemistry is real, the sex scenes spicy and satisfying and there is enough humour to keep the book light. Although potentially dealing with some heavy issues such as ill-health, grief etc. - at no point does this book become melancholic or too dramatic - it's a romance and the author has written it as such.

As I mentioned, this is the first book in a new series by Rhonda Nelson with The Specialist and The Maverick following on from this.

All in all, this is a better example of a Blaze romance - fun, sexy, smart and definitely worth a read. 5 stars.

Three Guys You'll Never Date

Three Stories You’ll Love

5 Stars

This collection of stories all revolve around three friends who have had some bad luck trying to find a decent man. So together they make a pact – no more losers, geeks, used-car salesmen, ditch-diggers or unsuitable men of any type. From now on they are only going to date the very best that the male species has to offer. But will they stick to it?

You Can Leave Your Hard Hat On – Stephanie Bond

Successful architect Samantha Stone is set to make her mark on the building world with an innovative new design. But the only person who can help her realise her goal is construction worker Teague Brownlee – with whom she once had a one night stand then cruelly dumped when they were younger. But as the sparks fly on and off the construction site – can they both put aside their prejudices of the other?

Stephanie Bond’s story was packed with sexual tension, chemistry and sex. Teague and Sam are fun characters who have very real emotions and feelings – you can see why they act the way they do. I did feel that the ending was emotionally quite raw and personally I’m not sure if I could have forgiven Teague quite so easily for what he did to Sam! But it was still a sexy, enjoyable story.

The Total Package – Jennifer LaBrecque

Software genius and self-certified geek, Deke Foster wants a wife. And he wants marketing whiz Abby Carmicheal to fix his image so that he can get one. But as Abby starts to change Deke she realises that perhaps he was perfect already – pocket protector and all.

This story was absolutely adorable. I loved how Abby and Deke interacted and how their relationship progressed. This wasn’t written as a typical 'make him over and suddenly she finds him attractive’ type story which made it all the more believable and enjoyable. And the love scenes were enough to scorch the pages which is always a bonus!

Her Hero? – Rhonda Nelson

When prestigious clothing store owner Carley DeLuna’s vintage car breaks down she is quite shocked to see her devastatingly sexy, yet less than ambitious high-school sweetheart Jackson Harper stop to give her a tow. 10 years has changed a lot of things but not the passion that the pair felt for one another. But can Carley get over the fact that Jackson is a perfectly content used-car salesman and will she finally follow her heart?

This was the shortest story of the three but it still was a very satisfying story. Carley and Jackson’s chemistry sparkles and the pair are perfect for each other. Despite Carley’s opposition to Jackson’s career, you never feel that she is snobbish or shallow as she has valid reasons for the way she feels. The story was well-written, very sexy and highly enjoyable.

It is often a surprise when you find an anthology with three very strong, enjoyable stories but this book is certainly one of them. Sexy, fun and romantic – if you’re looking for a book to escape with for a while then you really can’t go wrong with this one. Highly recommended.