Her Christmas Prince

Author:  Caroline A. Godin

Release Date: 12/11/12

Genre: Light Romance

Source: Provided by Author

Purchase Links: Amazon

Description

Two weeks before Christmas, Callie's jerk of a boyfriend dumps her. Now it's looking like she'll not only be deflecting her mothers marriage talk but she will also be spending it single. Until a handsome stranger comes into town and sweeps her off her feet.

Review

This was a sweet Christmas time story of two people from opposite life styles and opposite sides of the world yet they still manage to find genuine love in times when that is so so hard to find! 

This book was sent to me by the author for review so when I got it I had no idea what to expect. What I got was something new and refreshing from what my normal tastes in reading are. The romance is light, meaning no sexy stuff, but that didn't make too much difference for me. I enjoyed the characters and the story, it's very rare to find a book where a huge part of the story is the characters faith in God. That played a big part.  

Overall this was a nice sweet read and liked it ok. It is a very predictable book though and got a bit too corny during some parts but if you are someone who likes the sweet romances then this one is for you. I'm not sure that I will be reading another story from this author simply because I like my romance sexy but that doesn't mean other readers wouldn't love this one!

(My copy of this book was provided for me by the author in exchange for an honest review.)

Explain HOLIDAY JINX in your own words – no blurb! :)

Hi, Thanks for having me here!

Well, without the blurb, I’d say Holiday Jinx is a story of self-acceptance and forgiveness. Chris, the hero, has many inner issues to overcome. He doesn’t like himself in the beginning. I like to think of him as kind of a Scrooge, but he has good reason to be bitter and angry. Natalie, the heroine, has also been hurt. During the course of the story, someone she loves and admires dearly hurts her terribly. She has to learn forgiveness in order to be happy. These two have their own inner battles to fight in order to come together and fall in love. And they need to help each other get past these issues in order to do that.

As for Jinx the elf, she has her own lesson to learn. There were many paralels I had to work through and ends to tie up for this book. I loved every minute of it.

Tell us a little bit about your secondary character Jinx.

Jinx was the first character that showed herself to me. She was “that elf” for the longest time. LOL The first scene with Chris and Jinx was what came to me initially. I didn’t know much about who Jinx or any of the other characters were at that point. All I knew was there was this naughty elf who had a debt to repay. She pissed Santa off enough to have her magic taken away. And after I figured out the why’s, the story took off from there.

I really didn’t think I’d write a story featuring Jinx as the heroine, but I’m seriously considering it for next year. I really fell in love with her character.

What does Jinx bring to the storyline?

I think she adds a magical element to the book. She provides some comic relief when things get heated between Chris and Natalie. She also adds another layer of conflict to the story. I found myself hoping things would work out for her too come the end of the book. And I’ve always loved holiday stories with Santa and his elves. Granted, Jinx is certainly unconventional with her candy cane gun that shoots tinsel. LOL.

How does the setting help contribute to the story?

My hero and heroine hate being stuck together. If there wasn’t a blizzard, she’d leave, which is the worst thing she could do. I tried adding some romance with the fireplace and snowball fight. Huh? Yep, snow can be romantic. I think the cabin and blizzard add to the overall romance and even conflict of the book because the nasty weather forces them to face their own issues within themselves and the problems between them.

Do you think Christmas setting stories naturally bring an air or romance and a sense of magic to them?

Yes, I think so. To me though, it isn’t just about including the usual trappings of Christmas like the tree, Santa, elves, decorations, etc. It can also showcase the spirit of the holiday season of charity, caring, love and kindness and how some characters need to either learn or relearn these traits..

What is a gift that each the hero and heroine would love to see under the tree?

Ah, well they do each receive a gift at the end of the book. One that has sentimental meaning to them. *grin* I’m not telling. [wink]

What do you hope readers feel, or take away, once they finish the last page of your book?

I hope after finishing Holiday Jinx you smile and hug those you love close. No, no one dies in this book, but maybe you haven’t always gotten along with a family member or friend. Perhaps you’ve lost touch because of an argument you had years ago that tore you apart. Everyone makes mistakes. We all hurt each other, especially those we love. We might not mean to, but it happens. The holidays are a time to set aside all hurts and wrongdoings. They’re a time to forgive as my characters learn.

And heck, if you feel all awwwwww, too, that’s awesome!!

A Post from Justin Cooper

You ever wonder what it’s like to be one of Santa’s helpers? Yeah, I didn’t think you did. But now look at me, one of Santa’s executives. Before all of this, I didn’t think Santa was real.

I mean, sure, I knew witches and ghosts were real because I’ve seen them. Matt, my brother, is an ex ghost, while Jordan, his fiancée is a witch.

So I knew the whole paranormal thing was real.

But who knew about Santa.

Well, apparently I should have known considering I’d met the guy when I was younger. But I was kind of unconscious at the time since I’d just been in an accident. But really, it wasn’t my fault.

Okay, so I should have remembered something about a big dude in a red suit, but whatever.

Now I’m Santa’s executive, complete with holiday magic. Thankfully I’m not alone. I got to meet my Rina, one of Santa’s elves.

The very sexy kind.

She helped me figure out how to do this whole Christmas thing. Plus, I got to be by her side.

Now, we had a little issue with a  Christmas baddie, but we’re okay now.

And I get to find my sexy elf under the mistletoe. What more do I need.

—Justin Cooper

 Description

 Justin Cooper wasn’t always the straight-laced Holiday Elementary School principal. In his youth, he broke all the rules and enjoyed being the bad Cooper brother.  One Christmas Eve night he got a little too rowdy and things changed forever. Now the consequences of that fateful night have come back in full force and the myths of Christmas might be more real than he thought.

Rina Brewer is one of Santa’s elves. Not the tiny cute little toy maker, but the sexy, petite, energy filled bombshell kind. She’s come to Holiday to aid Justin in his new role as Santa’s executive, but as soon as she sees the sexy ex-bad boy, she realizes the job may be more than she bargained for.

As they work together to make this Christmas one to remember, an old foe has come to town to make sure that this holiday is the coldest yet.

Warning: Contains a perky elf who dreams of something more, a Christmas myth who may be a baddie, and a sexy ex-bad boy who craves Christmas cookies…and a certain perky blonde.

Carrie Ann is giving away a swag pack to a reader! Be sure to leave your email address!

Breath on Embers

Author:  Anne Calhoun

Publisher: Carina Press

Release Date: 12/3/12

Genre: Erotica

Source: Provided by The Novel Sidekick

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Author’s Website: www.annecalhoun.com

Description

Christmas is the perfect time for Firefighter Ronan O’Rourke to take things to the next level with his sexually adventurous girlfriend. He knows she has feelings for him—and he’s sure of his feelings for her—but when Thea refuses his invitation to sample Christmas in New York City because what they share is nothing more than sheet-burning sex, Ronan sets out to change her mind.

Deep down Thea Moretti knows she cares for Ronan, but she can’t move past her grief over her late husband. Loud music and sex with Ronan are the only things she’s got that her feel alive, so she takes as much of both as she can get. She knows Ronan wants more, but during the darkest time of the year finding her way won’t be easy.

Ronan gambles everything and challenges Thea: one night of passion with him and another man. Can he prove to her that what they share isn’t just great sex but an emotional connection strong enough to last forever?

Review
Oh man, I need a cold shower after reading this sexy little novella! Anne really knows how to write the steamy stuff!!! I was really taken with both Ronan and Thea but Ronan was my favorite of the two. He's the typical big sexy alpha male and he's firefighter. What is better than that? And he was perfect for Thea, who was no longer really living because she lost her husband a couple of years before. They are such the match made in heaven. Thea needed to be rescued and him having his hero complex needed someone to rescue. And let me tell you, he did a really REALLY good job of rescuing her. ;)

I had one little issue with the book but it didn't affect how much I enjoyed it. The scene with Thea, Ronan and Tim was a bit awkward to me. Maybe it's just me but I don't really see how sharing your woman will show her that she really only needs you. But like I said, maybe it's just me. I enjoy a good menage story every now and then but this part of the story fell kind of flat for me.

All in all, this was a great holiday read! Fun, sexy and a little sad at times. Made for a great one sitting kind of book. I really enjoyed it and I plan to look into this authors other books now! If you enjoy erotica and you like those big sexy fire fighters that have a hero complex, well then this book is for you!!!