 Erotica, Christmas, Anthology TBR Reviewer: Shyla Review  Once again I had the privilege of reviewing another Sextet by the fantastic authors: Elizabeth Raines, Cheryl Brooks, Mellanie Szereto, Bethany Michaels, and Niki Hayes. As always the ladies bring the heat, and provide variety, presenting a story for ever yromance reader. Home for Christmas by Elizabeth Raines Janynie , Steve and Matt have been best friends since they were children. When both men admit to being head over heels for her, she’s forced to choose one or the other; but not before one incredible night of passion, decadence, and self-discovery. Who will Jaynie chose? Can the three musketeers survive this new test? This really opens your eyes to the possibilities that are out there right under your nose! Elizabeth Raines approached this threesome from a completely different angle! I loved the background, build up and realistic feel of this ménage. I found the hopping from the past to the present to be a bit disconcerting. But overall I found it to be a good read. Angel on Broadway by Cheryl Brooks Ariel is a widow still reeling from the loss of her husband five years previous. Living a half life she’s shocked when she forms an instant connection with a drummer during a set in a bar. When the drummer whose name is Nico tracks her down after she flees, Ariel discovers she knows him and his cousin Alexei from her past. They were both a part of the music scene at the same time as her husband Todd. She can’t pin-point what makes them special but they make her feel alive in a way she hasn’t’ experienced since Todd passed. Does she dare take the next step and listen to her instincts? This story mixed two of my favorite things, music and romance! With its setting steeped in the music scene in Nashville, Angel on Broadway is a contemporary tale with a twist. Ms. Brooks added just a dash of the otherworldly aspect in, along with amusing banter, and amazing sex. I was a fan of the concept. This, however, thew threw me off: The main character Ariel went from suffering from severe depression due to the tragic loss of her husband to coveting two men too fast. Ariel still wasn’t ready to let go of her husband after five years, so it’s a hard pill for me to swallow when she finds herself ready to move on in one night. For me that abrupt change of gears kept me from being able to immerse myself in the story and enjoy the journey the characters took, but admittedly that could just be me. There are plenty of other reasons for a reader to enjoy with this one. Thrice Upon Yuletide by Bethany Michaels Stephen, Anna, and Phillip have an arrangement that is scandalous to most people in their time. Friends since they were young the three can’t imagine life without one another. So, the two men who were once both brothers in arms in the military agree to share the brunette beauty. Though an inheritance leads to marriage between Anna and Stephen it changes nothing in this polyamourous relationship. When whispers began to circulate about their odd relationship, Phillip takes it upon himself to protect the two people he loves most in the world. If Stephan and Anna become social pariahs it would be a death blow to their social standing, and wealth. Phillip believes he’s doing the right thing by cutting ties with his lovers, and getting engaged to someone else; but can he really marry a woman he doesn’t love? Ménage meets historical in this saucy short.There’s something extra naughty about their open foreplay in the time of the buttoned up Victorian Era. It made the story feel that more erotic to me. Of course some say the forbidden fruit is always the sweetest. ;) Ms. Michaels is a master of character development. I really felt the camaraderie between the male heroes and their love for the heroine was a bright beacon that shone through the ups and downs that the three went through. Thrice Upon Yuletide is a hidden jewel I highly recommend. Especially to those who love a good historical. A Little Elfin Magic by Mellanie Szereto Close since they were children Noelle, Chris, and Nick have always had each other’s back. But we learn very quickly part of the reason Noelle is so easily coerced is her well hidden desire for the two men. They ask her to step in and be Ms. Claus at a gift give away. Chris and Nick assure her the event it strictly PG rated, and she agrees to play the role with one condition. They need to be elves. That means, tights, curly shoes, pointy hats, the works. Things take an erotic turn when she promises to take care of their penis’s after their imprisonment in tights. This lands her in a situation that excites and terrifies. Will living out her fantasies ruin their life long friendship? Once again Ms. Szereto has delivered another fabulous story full of humor, heat and kink. I laughed aloud at the ridiculous situations Nick and Chris manage to land their best friend Noelle in. No really! The boys still owe her for the time she ended up doing a show girl style dance for a bachelor party at a retirement home. Where does Ms. Szereto come up with this stuff! This story is a must read and perfect for the holiday season. If I knew Santa was delivering these kind of elves I might have gotten in line at the mall. ;) Even if kink isn’t your thing, this is a nice intro into the world of more than vanilla. Two Kisses Under the Mistletoe by Niki Hayes Julie left town after her senior year with a broken heart, and never looked back. With the exception of her beloved grandmother’s funeral she hasn’t set foot back in Irish Hills until now. Ten years later the tenant Julie has been renting too has moved out after getting married and she’s brought back to deal with her past. It was no secret Julie’s ex John hurt her badly. When you base a character on someone and decapitate them, it makes one hell of a statement. Julie writes under a pseudonym but everyone knows there’s no such thing as privacy in a small town. Being back in town brings back good memories, and a run in with her best friend Keith leads to an explosive rendezvous under the mistletoe. Julie realizes she has more reasons to stay then she thought. An equally satisfying encounter with her ex John opens her eyes further, and possibly her heart. This is the perfect read for the season. Full of love, loss, and forgiveness, Two Kisses Under The Mistletoe gets you in the mood for the holidays and delivers enough passion to get you past what I refer to as the Christmas Crazy. The sex was yummy, and the message behind it warmed my heart. Ms. Hayes wrote a fantastic short. Excerpt and purchase hereContestMs. Raines is giving away an ecopy to one lucky winner. Comment below to enter. Contest ends January 1st. Comments12/29/2011 22:27
I thought I was done with Christmas stories this year, I WAS WRONG!!!! I would SO love to read this one! Thank you! June M. 12/29/2011 22:33
I love anthologies to try out new to me authors. They are great especially at bedtime, so hopefully I won't stay up all night reading, lol. Laura H 12/29/2011 22:44
I would love to read this anthology! 12/29/2011 22:46
WOW I would so love to win one, now that I am on a laptop at home! Erotica reads arwe xquite interesting in that I like to see just how graphic the author gets. Mary W 12/29/2011 23:29
Yes! More Christmas! Renee Bennett 12/30/2011 09:04
Loved the blurbs for the stories in this fantastic anthology. It has 3 authors who are new to me and I love the other 2. I would love the opportunity to get to know the authors I'm not familiar with and definitely want to read the stories from Elizabeth Raines, and Cheryl Brooks. Thank you for the chance to win. Darcy 12/30/2011 17:21
Would love to read this! Thank you for the giveaway! Mellanie Szereto 12/30/2011 17:52
Thanks for a wonderful review, Shyla! MJB 12/30/2011 18:35
I love reading anthologies, especially when I am not familiar with the authors. I have only read Cheryl Brooks and the other stories sound promising. I have definitely found many of my all-time favorites: Lora Leigh, Shiloh Walker and Delilah Devlin to name only a few who I first read in an anthology. Would SOO love to win it! chris Bails 12/30/2011 18:53
I love christmas stories and love anthologies more. All these are new authors for me. I love anthologies because you get a chance to try out new authors and see if you like them. Would love to win and read this book. Thanks for the chance to win Niki Hayes 12/30/2011 19:19
Thanks for the nice review. Glad you like our stories! Kim S. 12/31/2011 08:06
Christmas and Menage?? What could be better? (uhh..it happening to me!! ;)) Would love to read this one!! JayneW 12/31/2011 16:53
I've never read anything by these authors. This sounds a bit steamier than I normally read, but Christmas stories are my favorite. Hope I win. JayneW 12/31/2011 17:07
The contest guidelines say we can enter until January 1st. Just saw that winner's already been chosen. Renee' S. 01/01/2012 00:21
"Mistletoe and Menage The Sextet Anthologies Volume 5" sounds like a fantastic read by 5 graet Authors; Elizabeth Raines, Cheryl Brooks, Mellanie Szereto, Bethany Michaels, and Niki Hayes. What more could a Romance Reader ask for, Sensual Christmas Stories with Yummy Erotic Sex? Works for me!!! ;) I hope I didn't miss the contest because it says the contest ends on the 1st? Well I hope not :( Leave a Reply | 
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