Category: Holiday

REVIEW: Weekend Magic by Elyzabeth M. Valey

2/2/2021

Title: Weekend Magic

A Christmas Realm Tale - standalone

Author: elyzabeth M. Valey

Genre: HOliday, Romance, Erotic, Paranormal, shifter

TBR Reviewer: Bella

Rating: 5 stars - A Must Read!

Heat: 5/5 - Orgasmic!

Mia is having an incredible weird dream. She’s at a Christmas party in the North Pole. Her shifter guide, Karnon, is ridiculous sexy for one of her dreams though. Even the orgasms feel real. She almost doesn’t want to leave and then she’s left wondering if she can leave. Is this really a dream or something so wild it’ll change her life forever?

I admit, I haven’t had a dream that felt quite as real as Mia thinks her dream is. I kind of wish I had though. Weekend Magic is such a fun little story that was exactly what I was craving. I like how Mia learned about the magical world she never knew existed before. The chemistry between Karnon and Mia is fantastic! There is so much sizzle I am glad its winter time reading this so I can open my window a bit and cool down. I don’t rate too many books with a 5 heat rating. Most books are very sexy and a solid four but very few go over the top to make me give it 5 heat. This book definitely deserved that reading! Wow!

With the current events going on around the world, I really need this story. It’s light, fun, sexy and there’s no major angst to think about. Even though Christmas is past I think this is still enjoyable.

Weekend Magic is a must read for romance readers!

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REVIEW: The Holiday Grouch by Beth D. Carter

1/5/2021

Title: The Holiday Grouch

Author: Beth D. Carter

Length: 73 pages

Genres: Contemporary romance, Holiday romance

TBR: Fiona

Rating: 4 Stars - Highly Recommended Read!

Heat: 3/5 - Blush Worthy!

Reece Greene had a terribly childhood. His mother left when he was very young, and his father was an alcoholic who never gave him any presents, despite his birthday being on Christmas Day. His dad never said he loved him, but did tell him he was lucky he wasn't being "thrown away," like people do with the unwanted gifts they get for Christmas. Grinch-award for that despicable man! Reece is now a very rich man in his early 50's, who makes his living designing homes for the very rich, who expect their smart-technology to control every aspect of their lives. He's never been married, and in the first chapter gets his ring back from the blonde gold-digger he'd proposed to. Life has been very unkind to this man, so it's no wonder he's such a grouch! Reece's partner convinces him to take some time off--both to forget his unfaithful ex-fiancée, and to scout out a new location for them to build luxury condos. Calliope Whobrey was divorced many years ago when her husband insisted she get plastic surgery to keep her looking younger and thinner. She escaped to lick her wounds to a bed and breakfast on the side of a mountain in Colorado, run by her grandmother, Martha Whobrey. They've made a comfortable living by hosting repeat customers year-after-year, for the different holidays. Christmas is their favorite time.

Of course, Reece and Calliope feel an instant attraction to each other, in this short romance. We get alternating chapters giving each one's point of view. Martha keeps inviting Reece over to enjoy the holiday season with them, and he's the grinch who tries to steal their holiday cheer and good will. Repeatedly. Until his heart starts to grow warmer, and he realizes the error of his ways. In the Dedication, the author says she is trying to write a Hallmark Romance. Since I've never seen one, I don't know if she succeeded but this is a cute love story that brings together two people who shouldn't have anything in common. Reece has a hole where his heart should be until Calliope and her grandmother fill that hole with love. Through them he learns to love himself, and Calliope finds a man who will stay with her because he loves the image of himself he sees reflected in her eyes. Her love makes him feel lovable, and she's the first and only person who has ever done that for him. He's a grouch no more!

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GIVEAWAY: The Magic of Christmas by Christi Barth

12/7/2020

9 Comments

Title: The Magic of Christmas

Author: Christi Barth

Genre: Romance, Sweet, Holiday

TBR Reviewer: Bella

Rating: 4 stars -
Highly Recommended Read!

Heat: 2/5 - Flirty!

The blurb is actually a little confusing. I’m not sure if words are missing or some things are out of order. Basically, Rowan and Jeremy are thrust together to save a Christmas theme park. They start out as annoyed partners but end up actually enjoying each other’s company.

I really love the details of the park. It sounds like such a lovely treat to go there for the holidays. The descriptions are so vivid! I want to go on each ride and meet all the elves. Rowan is hard to like. There is something about her attitude that just doesn’t rub me right. Jeremy is easy to like. He has a good personality. I would have loved to go traveling with him. There really isn’t any action, although a misunderstanding gives Rowan and Jeremy some friction. The Magic of Christmas reminds me of those Hallmark movies. They’re a little cheesy but super romantic. Sometimes you just need to forget the world for a little while and this book does the trick for me.

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Giveaway:

Ms. Barth is giving away an ebook from her back list!

The TBR Pile is giving away a $10 gift card from Amazon or a book from our prize list!

TO ENTER COMMENT BELOW:
1. Why do you want to read The Magic of Christmas?
2. Have you read Christi Barth before?

For extra entries share this post using the Facebook and Twitter buttons below.

Winners:
Ms. Barth backlist book: Linda
Prize list book: ELF
Gift card: Christina

9 Comments

REVIEW: Wicked Christmas by Angela Addams

12/7/2020

Title: Wicked Christmas

Author: Angela Addams

Genres: BDSM, CHRISTMAS, CONTEMPORARY, EROTIC ROMANCE, MÉNAGE

TBR Reviewer: Fiona

Rating: 3 Stars - A Good Read!

Heat: 4/5 - Smoking Hot!

Vivian Hayes is one very lucky woman. She has two men who adore her--twins, though not identical. Since the genres listed older woman, the twins must be younger than her. They're all committed to their relationship, which involves love as much as great sex. Ever since her mother remarried years ago, Viv's been lusting after her step-brother Noah. They had a kiss once, and she's tried to avoid him ever since. She's already got two men so why complicate things? So she told Noah they needed to do alternate Christmases with her mom and step-father. This is her year to show up with her twins in tow. Much to her chagrin, Noah is there this year also. Now what? Can he convince her that it's fine to have a harem of three? And what will her guys think?

This was an easy read. The writing was smooth, and characters were clearly described. I found it odd that Vivian's mom and step-father are not only fine with her bringing her two men into their house for the holidays but they're both aware of how Noah feels about her. Indeed, her mom encourages her to give him a chance to be a part of her life. How...enlightened. Vivian's job is at Cowan Enterprises, run by Sabine, who values Vivian highly. They sell sex toys, but also run parties where employees, called Kitty Cats, dress seductively and weasel important secrets out of rich and powerful men. Her escort business is actually an information collection agency, and "her database could ruin the lives of many very powerful men." What does she use this information for? We don't really find out. But the whole idea struck me as rather sexist--kind of a Playboy club run by women who delight in using men--only occasionally having sex with them.

There's a sub-plot about Vivian's mom who has a soft spot for some cats who've been living in a barn that the town owns by default, after the owner died. There's a group of rich powerful men who want to knock the barn down to build something else, and Vivian is enlisted to help her mom help the cats. How? With a Kitty Cat party, of course.

I wanted more focus on the sexual relationship enjoyed by the soon-to-be harem of men that all want Vivian, with no jealousy, no possessiveness, and no touching of each other. Although considering that two of them are brothers, that would be weird and gross. There are frequent and inventive sex scenes. The one I was waiting for, the three-way penetration scene, was described from Noah's point of view, not Vivian's. What? A woman gets to have three hot men at once, and I only read about how much the new man in the group enjoyed himself? I felt cheated.

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GIVEAWAY: His Holiday Pact by Ayla Asher

9/10/2020

3 Comments

Title: His Holiday Pact

Author: Ayla Asher

Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Erotic, Holiday

TBR Reviewer: Bella

Rating: 5 stars - A Must Read!

Heat: 4/5 - Smoking Hot!

Kayla is a successful attorney and loves her life. Her mother however, is instant she finds a man. To keep the peace, she makes a deal with her sexy neighbor. It leads to a friendship and a romance that sweep them both off their feet.

What a sweet story! His Holiday Pact was perfect for the season! I loved Kayla. She’s worked hard to get where she is. She loves life and she loves her mother but she’s tired of that kind of annoyance. So what she’s single. Isn’t like more about being happy? Carter is happy a bachelor but his sick mother is sure that a woman would be his best hope at a good future. Together they make a pact to help each other. What follows is a totally romantic story. This was such a sweet story! I know I said that already but really it is.

If you love holiday themed romances than His Holiday Pact should be at the top of your list!

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Giveaway:

Ms. Asher is giving away an ecopy of His Holiday Pact!

The TBR Pile is giving away a $5 Evernight gift card and a book from our prize list (1 each.)

TO ENTER: Comment below on why you love holiday romances!
Have you read Alya Asher before?
For extra entries share this post using the Facebook and Twitter buttons below.

Winners:

Gift Card: Romance
Ecopy of His HOliday Pact: Vanessa
Prize list book: Lisa

3 Comments

GIVEAWAY: All I Want for Christmas by Michael Buzzelli

12/10/2019

5 Comments

Title: All I Want for Christmas

Author: Michael Buzzelli

Genre: Holiday, sweet romance,

TBR Reviewer: Bella

Rating: 4 Stars - Highly Recommended Read

Heat: 1/5 - Tame

Kate is a writer living in Los Angeles who returns home for Christmas to Connecticut. Her trip isn’t going to well. Her luggage is lost and some guy in a Santa suit knocks out her tooth. What a great start to the holiday. Tony is the Santa that accidentally collides with her. He’s apologetic and smitten at first site …

This is a classic holiday story like the one’s on Hallmark. Lonely girl has a terrible Christmas, meets cute guy, falls in love. It’s warm and fuzzy, bringing out all the Christmas feels. I felt for Kate. We’ve all had those days/weeks when nothing goes right. You just want to call it quits and sink into a pint of ice cream. Tony is a former navy seal who is just trying to make Christmas memorable for his family. I really liked him. He has this heroic, sweet, tough personality that makes the ending so much sweeter. There isn’t really any heat in the story but a few sweet kisses. Although I liked the story there is nothing that really makes it stand out from all the other holiday stories out there. If you like the Hallmark holiday movies then you’d definitely enjoy All I Want For Christmas by Michael Buzzelli.

Giveaway:

Mr. Buzzelli is giving away a paperback copy of All I Want for Christmas.

The TBR Pile is giving away 2 ebooks from our prize list (1 each).

To ENTER: Comment below on why you want to read All I Want for Christmas by Michael Buzzelli!

Winners:
Paperback copy: Linda
Prize list book: CJ and Appalachian Girl

5 Comments

REVIEW: Bear's Beauty by Elyzabeth M Valey

1/2/2019

Title: Bear's Beauty

Author: Elyzabeth M Valey

Length: 107 pages

Genre: Romance, Paranormal, Shifter, Christmas

TBR Reviewer: Bella

Rating: 5 stars - A Must Read!

Heat: 4/5 - Smoking Hot!

We’re in a world of Santa, elves and pixes. There’s also shifters and mates. That’s exactly what happens when Magnus sees Melody. He knows she’s his mate but Melody is a half pixie. How can anyone possibly love her?

Melody has no self confidence being half pixie so she doesn’t understand Magnus’ interest in her. Magnus knows she’s his mate from the first moment they meet. The Santa world is a cute addition. I like how Santa has an app and that there’s a real problem with marketing. Comedy comes off subtle and entertaining in this story. The romance really shines through. I absolutely love that even though they’re mates and that they’re attracted that the romance is a slow sizzle. It doesn’t feel rushed or slow but it’s the perfect pace to get you hot and bothered. The sex is seriously hot! They have such great chemistry.

Bear’s Beauty is a sexy tale you can read all year long!

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GIVEAWAY: Winter Symphony by Jean Maxwell

3/14/2018

8 Comments

Title: Winter Symphony

Series: Overtures #1

Author: Jean Maxwell

Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Holiday/Christmas

Length: 147 pages

TBR Reviewer: Christine K.

Rating: 5 Stars - A Must Read!

Heat: 4/5 - Smoking Hot!

Jenna loves her musical career but the problem is everything else in her life. Her marriage is falling apart and she becomes unhappy with the direction of her future. When her high school sweetheart returns it may just be the miracle she was hoping for but secrets still keep them apart.

I don’t even know where to start this review. It’s one of those books that so amazingly romantic that it’s hard to sum it up in one sentence. Jenna, oh Jenna. I want to scoop her up into a hug. Her husband’s a jerk and then Brand is back in her life. Total swoon. Talk about complicated. He’s also got a medical secret that’s really heartbreaking. Oh, Jenna’s got a freaking huge secret of her own. When Jenna final breaks it off with her husband she knows life is too short to pass on what she wants. And what she wants is Brand. Although I’m not musically inclined I had no problem following this genre story. In fact, I found it wonderfully interesting.

If you like contemporary romance you’re going to love Winter Symphony!

Purchase Here

GIVEAWAY

The TBR Pile is giving away a $10.00 Amazon Gift Card and 3 ebooks from our prize list (1 each).

TO ENTER: Comment below on why you want to read Winter Symphony by Jean Maxwell!

For extra entries, share this post using the Facebook and Twitter buttons below.

Winners:

$10.00 Amazon Card: Melissa
Prize List Ebook: Linda, Tammy and Kiran

8 Comments

REVIEW: The Beauty of Forever by Elyzabeth M Valey

1/9/2018

Title: The Beauty of Forever

A Christmas Realm Tale #1

Author: Elyzabeth M. Valey

Genre: Holiday/Christmas, Fantasy, Romance, Vampires, Paranormal

Length: 90 pages

TBR Reviewer: Bella Star

Rating: 5 Stars - A Must Read

Heat: 4/5 - Smoking Hot

This is such a weird idea. A vampire working at the north pole. Yeah, it made me giggle. It is actually a really great story! Christopher is a tired Chief Toy Officer who happens to be a vampire. Samantha is tasked by Santa to be his assistant but both of them are having a hard time keeping it professional…

Quirky. Yeah, that describes this book. I love the twist in the story with Santa being a businessman rather that the jolly guy we know. The world is more of a modern factory type of place. I really like that twist. The chemistry between Christopher and Samantha is immediate. Both of them feel that pull but sneaking off to make out when toys are due is seriously frowned upon. I love, love, love (yes that needed to be written three times) these characters. Once the lust goes over the edge for these two it’s a steamy sleigh ride. (See what I did there?) Samantha is a bit awkward and Christopher is so damn sexy. But Samantha isn’t going to just fall into his arms, despite how hot he is, which makes me like her even more. I love this story and I’m not usually one for Christmas tales. The Beauty of Forever may have just changed my mind about reading more holiday books.

A must read no matter the time of the year! I cannot wait to read more books in this series!

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REVIEW: Frost and Claus by Matilda Janes

12/11/2017

Title: Frost and Claus

Author: Matilda Janes

Length: 68 pages

Genre: Romance, Erotic, Holiday, Christmas

TBR Reviewer: Bella Star

Rating: 3 Stars - A Good Read!

Heat: 3/5 - Blush Worthy!

Christy is Santa’s daughter and the sexy muscular frosty has had a thing for her. He resisted and left but on his return, he may just give in. When Christy is taken by his old enemy he knows it’s time to claim his mate…

I found the beginning of the book very stiff and telling. The plot itself is fun and interesting if not very fleshed out. I don’t understand why there are mates like a shifter book and are they in the North Pole? Did I miss that part? The world building isn’t very extensive. The editing is also rough in places. Anyway, Christy is stiff but the Jack point of view is fantastic. I had no problem connecting with his character and wishing I ‘m a baker so I could catch his attention! There’s even a bit of action and suspense. The romance is good but again not quite there. She accepts him too quickly. The plot shows real imagination! This is a cute story that has the makings of being fabulous. I’m really looking forward to seeing what else this author can create.

Purchase Here

<<Previous

REVIEW: Weekend Magic by Elyzabeth M. Valey

REVIEW: The Holiday Grouch by Beth D. Carter

GIVEAWAY: The Magic of Christmas by Christi Barth

Giveaway:

Winners:
Ms. Barth backlist book: Linda
Prize list book: ELF
Gift card: Christina

REVIEW: Wicked Christmas by Angela Addams

GIVEAWAY: His Holiday Pact by Ayla Asher

Giveaway:

Winners:

GIVEAWAY: All I Want for Christmas by Michael Buzzelli

Giveaway:

Winners:
Paperback copy: Linda
Prize list book: CJ and Appalachian Girl

REVIEW: Bear's Beauty by Elyzabeth M Valey

GIVEAWAY: Winter Symphony by Jean Maxwell

GIVEAWAY

Winners:

REVIEW: The Beauty of Forever by Elyzabeth M Valey

REVIEW: Frost and Claus by Matilda Janes

Categories

Archives

Giveaway:

Winners:Ms. Barth backlist book: LindaPrize list book: ELFGift card: Christina

Giveaway:

Winners:

Giveaway:

Winners:Paperback copy: LindaPrize list book: CJ and Appalachian Girl

GIVEAWAY

Winners:

Categories

Archives

Winners:
Ms. Barth backlist book: Linda
Prize list book: ELF
Gift card: Christina

Winners:
Paperback copy: Linda
Prize list book: CJ and Appalachian Girl