Yuletide Enchantment by Cindy Spencer Pape

Yuletide Enchantment: 1 (Holiday Hearts)
By: Cindy Spencer Pape
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Published: December 9, 2009
Genre: Contemporary, Historical, Erotic Romance, Fantasy, Holiday, Inspirational, Mystery
Content: M/F, Oral Sex, Toys
Length: Short Story
Heat Level: Scorching
Reviewer: Suki
Date: June 20, 2015

 

The company Christmas party goes awry in an erotic way when quiet accountant Shelby Carter is magically whisked into a miniature Victorian village with the boss's gorgeous son, Noel Holiday.

Noel has always honored the policy against fraternization, but when he's trapped for several days with sweet, sexy Shelby, he decides it's time to start breaking the rules. While exploring the enchanted surroundings, they delve into their deepest fantasies, even acting out scenes from a collection of erotic Victorian postcards. After all, what's Christmas without a little magic and a whole lot of sexy fun?

Though Shelby's crazy about Noel, she's sure he'll forget all about her once their interlude is over. But Noel has fallen head over snow boots in love with Shelby. Now he just has to convince her that holiday wishes can come true, and his devotion will last beyond their Yuletide Enchantment.

Yes I am reading a Christmas book in June.  Perhaps I am hoping for some of that snow we got this winter to cool things off a bit. This book is not going to cool anything off. In fact I think it rose the temperature a degree or two. 

Noel Holiday (HERO) works for the family greeting card company as a designer and is asked to check out the new Christmas display to see what is missing from it. When he gets there what he finds is Shelby Carter from accounting who is intent on the village. When they touch hands and the village at the same time they find themselves transported to the Victorian village or at least the house.  Complete with Victorian clothing and condoms. 

Once they discover there is no real way to escape they decide to make the best of it and let their attraction for each other takeover. But will it last when they are returned to reality?

I really enjoyed this book. And when you read any Ellora’s Cave book you know you are going to get sex scenes that are hot and detailed. I personally would have liked more about when they got back to reality, it seemed rushed. A couple more pages might have done the trick. But the book was very well written and edited and I fell in love with the Characters.

If you are looking for something to heat things up, this will do it.

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Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts

Whiskey Beach
By: Nora Roberts
Publisher: Berkley
Published: April 16, 2013
Genre: Contemporary, Action/Adventure, Mystery, Romance, Suspense, Thriller
Length: Novel
Heat Level: Spicy
Reviewer: Suki
Date: January 24, 2015

 

For more than three hundred years, Bluff House has sat above Whiskey Beach, guarding its shore - and its secrets.

To summer tourists, it's the crown jewel of the town's stunning scenery. To the residents of Whiskey Beach, it's landmark and legend. To Eli Landon, it's home...

A Boston lawyer, Eli has weathered an intense year of public scrutiny and police investigation after being accused of murdering his soon-to-be ex-wife. And though there was never enough evidence to have him arrested, his reputation is in tatters as well as his soul. He need sanctuary. He needs Bluff House.

While Eli's beloved grandmother is in Boston, recuperating from a nasty fall, Abra Walsh has card for Bluff House, among her other jobs as yoga instructor, jewelry maker, and massage therapist. She is a woman with an open heart and a wide embrace, and no one is safe from her special, some would say over-bearing, brand of nurturing - including Eli.

He begins to count on Abra for far more than her cooking, cleaning, and massage skills, and starts to feel less like a victim - and more like the kind of man who can finally solve the murder of his wife and clear his name. But Bluff House's many mysteries are a siren song to someone intent on destroying Eli and reaping the rewards. He and Abra will become entangled in a centuries-old net of rumors and half-truths that could pull them under the thunderous waters of Whiskey Beach...

Passion and obsession, humor and heart flow together in a novel about two people opening themselves up to the truth - and to each other.

Whiskey beach starts in a way that had me checking that I didn’t miss a book before, perhaps a sister or family member of the Hero because when we start the story so much has already happened. Eli, who not an Alpha male I adored, has spent the last year in a state of depression because he is the main suspect in his wife's murder. So I think we were supposed to feel invested in him in the beginning. He has returned to the family estate after a long absence to feel and take care of the place for his Gran, Hester who I also adore.

In walked our heroine, Abra. Note I did not state I adore her. Because to be honest I had a hard time liking Abra. Abra who does a little bit of everything to perfection, who (Spoiler alert) seems to only carry around a ‘small carryon bag” of baggage from a past of tragedy. So even healing, she does perfectly. She, as Eli also wonders in the book, must own stock in little post it notes, which she posts like a mother all over the house and they drove us both crazy. She came off as meddling, holier than thou, and mothering. Not what I personally want from my heroines. I just couldn’t relate to her.

This is one of NR’s Romantic Suspenses and I pretty much figured out who killed his wife in the first few chapters. Who threw his Gran down the stairs took a bit more. That didn’t change the fact that I enjoyed the mystery part of the story. Though I would have liked to see the reactions to his innocence and some comeuppance from those who hounded Eli… I am speaking to you Officer Wolf.

Let me say that if you are a Nora Roberts fan, this one has all the things you love in a Nora book but I believe you will find much of the story, you have seen before in other books. Perhaps it is a case of kicking out too many books too fast, I don’t know. Overall I enjoyed it and don’t regret picking it up. To me if you are looking for a good NR Romantic Suspense try Carnal Innocence.

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Gold, Frankincense, and Murder by Barbara Early

Title: Gold, Frankincense, and Murder

Author: Barbara Early

Publisher: White Rose Publishing

Publication Date: 12-01-2011

ISBN: 978-1-61116-123-6

Genre: Christian Romance, Mystery, Holiday

Length: 93 pages

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Heat Level: Sweet

Reviewer: TJ

Date: January 15, 2012

High school geometry teacher, Donna Russell likes her life well-ordered and logical, even if it is a tad solitary at times. But when a charming co-worker at the local food bank disappears just before Christmas, Donna is left with more questions than solutions.

After the missing man’s neighbor, muscle-bound EMT Sam Holton, volunteers as Donna's crime-fighting sidekick, sparks fly between them. Donna wonders if Sam can be trusted, or if he's trying to throw an unknown into her calculations—and her life.

And when police recover a body from the icy Niagara River, Donna is faced with the most frustrating equation of all: can murder plus mayhem ever equal romance?

Gold, Frankincense, and Murder is a sweet, short, sleuthy story. While I would have preferred a little romance to go with this holiday treat, I enjoyed the tone and pace of this story. Donna is not your typical romance heroine and it was rather refreshing to see the world through her eyes.

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Murder In Hum Harbour: A Seaglass Mystery by Jayne E. Self

Title: Murder In Hum Harbour: A Seaglass Mystery

Author: Jayne E. Self

Publisher: Harbourlight Books

Publication Date: 9-30-2011

ISBN: 978-1-61116-100-7

Genre: Christian Mystery

Length: 264 pages

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Heat Level: Sweet

Reviewer: TJ

Date: October 13, 2011

There's a sleuth on the loose.

Part-time medical receptionist, part-time jewelry crafter, Gailynn MacDonald thinks she knows everything about everyone in Hum Harbour, Nova Scotia. That's the way she likes it. But when her former employer Doc Campbell turns up dead aboard his beached yacht, and her sister-in-law becomes the prime suspect, quirky, over-excitable Gailynn vows to unmask the killer. With Geoff Grant, Doc's handsome replacement, by her side Gailynn uncovers secrets and confronts childhood fears. And in the process she discovers that catching a killer is a lot like crafting her seaglass jewelry… it’s all in the details.

Murder In Hum Harbour introduces readers to a fabulous heroine and I cannot wait to read her next adventure. Gai is so endearing and she is such a bumbling detective that I’m surprised the culprit came to light at the end of the story. Geoff is a wonderful man with hidden depths and a kind disposition. Sweet cozies are a rare treat and this one offers laughs, secrets and intriguing human behavior. Having lived in a very small town myself I know how interesting the residents can be. The quirky individuals we meet might seem over the top if they weren’t so darn realistic. The location comes to life with amazing clarity and I can almost smell the fresh ocean air and feel the brisk winds in my face. The characters and setting are what made this book such a winner for me. If you are looking for a mystery with some maritime charm then you have to pick this one up.

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A Honeybun In Hell (Honeybun Hunks series 4) by Sam Cheever

Title:  A Honeybun In Hell (Honeybun Hunks Series: Book 4)

Author: Sam Cheever

Publisher:  Red Rose Publishing

Publication Date: September 16, 2010

ISBN: 978-1-60435-780-6

Genre: Mainstream Romance, Multicultural Interracial, Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense

Length: 318 pages

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Heat Level: Sensual

Reviewer: TJ

Date: April 18, 2011

Edric Honeybun is in Hell, Indiana on Halloween, doing research for his latest book in a haunted hotel. His brothers and their honeys decide to join him and make an adventure out of it. During this holiday in Hell, Edric fully expects to do some research, enjoy a few laughs over non-existent "ghosts", and debunk local superstitions about the Le Diablo hotel. What he doesn't expect is to bump up against a flesh and blood killer, fall in love with a beautiful witch, and come face to plasma with a surprise in the local cemetery. 

Bella Rawnie is a gypsy whose family has nurtured a special "gift" for centuries. Her ability to speak to spirits makes her a laughing stock in the cozy town of Hell. Bella protects her family's legacy, despite the fact that tragedy has been a constant companion for the Rawnies as long as Bella can remember. But this Halloween, someone with a grudge is trying to kill Bella to end the Rawnie blood lines for good.

Maybe this time, the love of a good man...and his family...will be what the beautiful Wiccan needs to stay alive, ending the Rawnie curse once and for all.

These Honeybun stories just keep getting hotter! I loved the paranormal aspect to this story and how in stride the Honeybun hunks handled these elements. With every new book in this series I love them more and more. Sam Cheever has once again outdid herself with this one. Edric is a phenomenal hero and his calm analytical personality shines in this situation. He is the perfect counterpart for the unconventional Bella. Our latest honey is a treat, with her special gifts and true heart she is a wonderful addition to the clan. They experience an instant attraction and I enjoyed watching them deal with the growing affection they were developing amidst a dangerously deadly situation. The story itself has a little bit of everything; mystery and intrigue, action and adventure, sexual chemistry and sweet romance, not to mention a kick-butt spooky location. The Honeybun men have a reserved spot in my heart. This is a fast and fun read complete with a Halloween mystery and a bunch of sexy red-headed men who won't let ghosts get the better of them. These Honeybun brothers are more than eye candy and I for one cannot get enough of them. Once again Sam Cheever's witty tone and quirky characters give reader's a quick and lively caper. This is one that I will read and enjoy over and over again.

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Fast Track to Honeybun by Sam Cheever

Title:  Fast Track to a Honeybun (Honeybun Hunks Series: Book 3)

Author: Sam Cheever

Publisher:  Red Rose Publishing

Publication Date: May 27, 2010

ISBN: 9781604357066

Genre: Mainstream Romance, Multicultural Interracial, Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense

Length: 71K

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Heat Level: Spicy

Reviewer: TJ

Date: April 16, 2011

Sexy Indy car racer Warwicke Honeybun isn’t looking for love. But when he stumbles upon a beautiful woman being abused by a fellow driver one night, he wastes no time delivering a painful message to the man abusing her. Unfortunately, the man turns up dead the next day and the woman shows up on Warwicke’s doorstep covered in blood. Warwicke’s life gets eminently more complicated as he fights to protect her while working to clear her name; knowing all the while that she’s one of his fiercest competitors on the track. 

Fabiana Maricruz hasn’t had time for men since she started competing in the male oriented sport of open wheel racing. She’s worked hard to overcome her rough beginnings as a Cuban-American living on the streets of the barrio. But now, somebody wants her to walk away from the sport she loves, and apparently they’ll do anything at all to make sure she does. Fortunately for her she has the Honeybuns on her side!

I cannot say how much I loved this book! The Honeybun men have a reserved spot in my heart. After reading the last adventure I never thought Sam Cheever could outdo it but she definitely has. This was a fast and fun, thrilling, adventurous read. The story has everything you could want all in one place, adventure and romance, comedy and seriousness, thugs and gentlemen, fast cars and sexy racers. This was realistic and romantic while still keeping you on the edge of your seat from the mystery and fanning yourself from the sexual chemistry. Fabiana is a complex heroine who ends up in over her head by trying to take care of things all by herself. Warwicke is near perfect, just like all the Honeybun brothers, each in their own way. I've never been a fan of red-headed men but this hottie and his clan have me changing my mind. The couple are so wonderfully suited as their similarities and differences balance so nicely. This quick and quirky story is full of interesting secondary characters and I cannot wait to see what the rest of the brothers get themselves up to. I loved the tone, as the author has a wonderfully wry sense of humor and uses it in a fresh and fun way. If you're looking for a swift and sweet escapade this one's for you.

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Author's Demise by Franny Armstrong

Title: Author’s Demise

Author: Franny Armstrong

Publisher: Red Rose Publishing

Publication Date: 2010

ISBN: 978-1-60435-678-6

Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Mystery/Thriller

Length: 405 pages

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Heat Level: Sensual

Other:  Oral

Reviewer: Cassandra Parker

Date: 10/27/2010

“The CEO of Brinkman-Bonnette Publishing, Lana Anderson, is a psychic with telekinetic abilities. When her emotions run out of control she blows up electronics and makes dishes fly or smash into pieces. With a serial killer out to get her, she finds her family, friends, authors and staff members in grave danger and sets out to stop them at all costs.

Undercover cop, Brett Colton, is hired by the Lana's boss to protect her. Doing his best to elude a tail, Brett sees a stunningly beautiful woman waiting for an elevator and uses her to hide in plain sight, capturing her lips in a passionate kiss. It turns out that she's his client and he's able to read her mind, dogging her every step as he fights to keep her safe.

They lose their hearts to each other while trying to figure out who among her staff members is the true killer. When Lana is kidnapped, Brett rushes to save her, praying that he'll be in time to stop the killer from acting out the scene from a novel that twisted the mind of a child and created the ultimate murderer.”

This book was good but it ran a little long for me. I really enjoyed the premise and was interested by the story line but a good chunk of the middle was unnecessary and made the story drag. The tension came back at the end when the story was wrapping up though so that made up for it. I liked both of the main characters but since the story dragged on I felt like a lot of their conversations/actions, became a little repetitive. Also, this might have just been a formatting issue, but this story had really short scenes that became really annoying and pulled me away from the story. Lana’s ability was an interesting addition to this story and added a lot of humor to this piece. I found Brett’s ability to read Lana’s mind a little odd because of it was limited to her and it was an unprecedented ability. Still they made a very sweet couple and were fun to read. I gave this book 3.5 diamonds because it was good read but it could have been better.

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Daniella by JoAnn Carter

Title: Daniella
Author: JoAnn Carter
Publisher: White Rose Publishing
Genre: Miniature Rose
Rating: Sweet
Page Count: 121
Release Date: 11/2009
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Heat Level: Sweet
Reviewer: Minnie

When Harrison Beckman meets his father’s secretary, Daniella Duncan, she’s shy and self-conscious. Harrison, however, is determined to get to know her better. Before he gets to do that a rival comes along to steal Dani’s heart as quickly and thoroughly as the company’s contracts, which have been disappearing.

As the mystery unfolds, Harrison has to fight for the woman he loves, even though this means crossing swords with his father and his determined adversary. Will Harrison be able to find the love that could await them or will it be too late?

REVIEW

Daniella is an evolutionary tale of hope for every person who has ever doubted themselves. Ms. Carter’s story features a heroine we can all get behind - Daniella. Lovely inside and out, despite being overweight, she tends to lend much credence to what she sees as her physical flaws but learns, through love and embracing her faith anew, that God, and the man of her dreams, loves her – as is – and without condition.

Ms. Carter fills Daniella with intrigue and back-room corporate maneuvers that lend spice and suspense to each page, while never detracting from the growing romance between Harrison and Daniella.

Harrison seems, to Daniella, unattainable on a number of levels which makes her susceptible to a secondary suitor who’s not all he appears to be. After all, Harrison is the bosses son, he’s handsome and successful, and fully attuned to a God Daniella seeks – but not with a fullness of heart and belief. Further, she doubts he’d ever be able to see past her size to the heart beneath.

The time they spend together solving the mystery of disappearing bids and documents from the company where they work brings them together and helps their relationship to bloom.

I strongly recommend this heart felt and heart warming romance from the skilled pen of JoAnn Carter.

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Honor Thy Neighbor - A Myerson Mystery by Valerie J. Patterson

Title: Honor Thy Neighbor - A Myerson Mystery

Author: Valerie J. Patterson

Publisher: Book Strand

Publication Date: September 2009

ISBN: 1-60601-541-9

Genre: Mystery

Length: 232 pages

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Author WebsiteHeat Level: Sweet/some sensuality Reviewer: Emma Edwards Date: 29 November, 2009

Mystery writer Ashlynn Taylor already recovering from a tragic family incident is once again swept into the middle of a troublesome situation. Although, she's very interested in entering the Police Academy especially after the death of her friend Eliza, her husband Sean Myerson, the Captain of the Homicide Division is far from convinced that this was a wise move on her part. However, he does have her join him while going undercover as a newly wed couple to continue work on a case where one of his co-workers was severely injured. Ashlynn in the midst of all this notices various suspicious activities taking place in her neighborhood and tries to get Sean to investigate. She isn't successful but in the mean time, people who were bothered by her curiosity kidnap her to figure out exactly what role she is playing. It becomes a game for survival as Sean desperately tries to figure out a way to save his wife before the worst happens.

This story had a good mystery scenario plotted out although at times there were too many questions left up in the air. I liked Ashlynn's character, she was quite relatable and you could definitely identify with her many ups & downs. She is a very brave and courageous individual and this story definitely needed that. In fact, I would say that she was the key character that drove the story. Sean's character was also quite easy to like and I certainly empathized with him as he struggles internally about whether he did the right thing by involving Ashlynn in his work. One of the big downsides to the story for me was the lack of heat between the two characters. I wanted there to be more emotion and sensuality in the story. It felt a little outdated to me in that sense but other than that it was an interesting and sweet mystery.

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