Willow Sanders

Priscilla owns a diner with an Elvis theme. Her landlady "strongarms" her into the Secret Santa for their building. Presley, new to the town and the local college's swim coach, is also pulled into the landlady's scheme. As they give gifts to each other not knowing they are each other's Secret Santa, they grow close. When trouble arises, they help each other. Slowly falling in love that love is threatened by misunderstandings. Can they overcome those misunderstandings, or will they say good-bye?

I enjoyed this story. I'd probably have enjoyed it more had I been more familiar with Elvis, his songs, and his movies. It is a fun premise. I liked Priscilla and Presley. Priscilla has delusions of what others think of her because of her past. Presley also has a past, but it is not his past that causes problems for him. They do need to communicate just a little bit better. I loved Fitzy, their landlord. She provides comic relief when necessary.

I look forward to more of this series and this author.… (plus d'informations)

I loved this novel so much that I bought the next book in the series Found. The first few chapters...I wasn't sure if I would even like this book let alone love it. It does have a bit of a slow start. A few things could be slightly more condensed but I understand why Sanders included the build up of so many of the character even a few that could have been omitted such as Janet and Peter. I was constantly trying to fit the puzzle together between Ben and Camille since the chapters would switch between their point of view which was incredibly beneficial once their arcs crossed over. Ok...now for the overview of the novel and the characters which I completely love even if the novel does end on a cliffhanger. If you are one of those people who despise cliffhangers either buy Found or skip this book. Although, I recommend buying Found, both novels are well worth the money.
Camille works in the communications division of the Kansas City Chiefs football team. She works long hours especially during the football season, but Camille or Cammie is a bit of a loner. She was raised to not depend on other or to make new friends. She was taught those things because her mother was always moving them around the country. Cammie never thought much about any of these traits until after two very different attacks against her. The first was when her apartment was robbed and two months later, when she was attacked and nearly kidnapped. This is how she met the local Kansas City Police officer Peter Parker who she nicknamed Spiderman and her home health nurse Janet. The attack left Cammie with numerous health issues since she was hit at the back of her brain stem.
Agent Benjamin Vaughn has been chasing down the Jefe Cartel for the last six years of his career in the DEA. He has already taken down the Mercado cartel a direct competitor for Jefe. Vaughn has already lost his best friend to the cartel--he won't lose anything else. After he tracks down and puts Jefe behind bars--he's done. A nice quiet ranch in the middle of nowhere in Wyoming. Ben didn't expect to be sent to Kansas City. Why in the world would the Jefe cartel be there? It is land locked most cartels are along large port cities. He goes where the leads and the DEA sends him. He is working with the KCPD, CIA, FBI, and Homeland to capture Jefe. Vaughn is missing a piece to the puzzle. Why does his beautiful neighbor fall into the pattern of criminal activity within the Jefe organization. What does Jefe want from Cammie? More importantly, why can't Ben stay away from her?
… (plus d'informations)

Some really good stories within
4 stars

This limited-time anthology is packed with 12 contemporary stories all set around Christmas and all deliciously steamy.

Each story stands alone and is a short, novella length. All are either a continuation of an earlier HEA, an HEA or a satisfying HFN.

Christmas 911 - Cara Cee
A fairly confusing and gloomy story where Jarrod and Kelly try to spend Christmas with each other. Their main love story was told in The Art of Revenge.

Accidental Girlfriend for Christmas - Rosie East
A fake relationship turns to something more in a story I just didn’t like. It was too juvenile and the characters, Harry and Lou, hugely unlikeable.

A Coincidental Christmas - Michelle Fernandez
This one night stand story was adorable with well-rounded characters of Francesca and Brennan, who had delicious sexual chemistry. I really loved it.

Something More for Christmas - Kim Findlay
This was a new adult story between college senior, Penny, and semi-pro hockey player, Taranis. Their insta-connection was realistic and made me smile. I’ll look out for other books by Kim Findlay.

All I Want for Christmas - Lyla Grace
Callie and Chase are celebrating their first Christmas together after their full story in Whatever It Takes. Callie and Chase are HOT but also so lovely. I just adored this story. I’m definitely going to read more of Ms Grace.

Sleighing His Bells - Elizabeth Miller
A pure, small-town Christmas complete with a sweet and sexy second chance romance between Drew and Maggie. I enjoyed reading it and was satisfied with the way everything was resolved.

A Christmas Distraction - A. S. Roberts
Brody and Amy had their HEA in Brody: Default Distraction. Rockstar romance aren’t usually my favourite but this was a very sexy story and a lovely way to heat up a chilly evening.

The Christmas Surrender - Jade Royal
Mafia books are definitely not my thing but this second-chance story between Elijah and Kelsey was still well written and so, so hot. This book is part of the wider Savage King’s series.

Screwg’d - Willow Sanders
This story just wasn’t my bag. It had a very 90s vibe - and not in a good way. Bear and Marley (yes, really) weren’t really my kind of folk.

Home for Christmas - Kate Stacy
Drake and Hailee had their HEA in an earlier story - in this case Long Road Home. A simple but effective story and I loved reading their sexy shenanigans, friendship and love.

Our Christmas Surprise - S.L. Sterling
I’m partial to a dirty little age-gap, dad’s best friend story and this one was that. Not sure that Ainsley and Spencer are long-term material but I enjoyed myself none-the-less.

Snowed In - Venessa Kimball writing as V. Angelika
College student, Allison, and her professor, Mason, keep each other warm when a snow storm hits. A really enjoyable story, really well written and super steamy.

There are some really good stories in this anthology and although there were some stories that didn't work for me, the better ones outweigh the bad. You get a lot of bang for your buck with this book and I would recommend it for a very hot and sexy time.

Longer reviews for each book can be found on my website.

Although Loni Ree’s name is included on an earlier cover for this anthology, there is no story included from her.… (plus d'informations)

When it came to first impressions, Gemini was not standing tall when she met Finn. I mean this literally. Gemini had tumbled down a ravine and that is where Finn found her. Yet, Gemini still had plenty of her feisty side to her.

When it comes to the mountains and "mountain men", I want my man to be a tall, burly man. Someone who is not impressed by expensive items and can handle himself in the bedroom. That is someone like Finn.

Once, Finn and Gemini got to spend time in each other's company, you could feel the chemistry between them. Which I loved that they did not instantly fall for each other right away. It felt more nature that they hooked up later in the story. In addition, there were many moments where I found myself chuckling with laughter as well.

Beard on Tap is not to be missed by romance readers alike!… (plus d'informations)