Yule Be Mine Anthology by Lori Foster ~V^^^V
This is a Christmas themed collection of short stories by Lori Foster. Overall I will say that I liked it. Her writing style, flow and descriptions were very good. I was just disappointed by the length of the stories, I would really have loved more.
He Sees You When You're Sleeping
Booker wants out of his current relationship because he has fallen hard for his neighbor and friend, Frances. This story skipped the relationship building because the couple are already friends. That I think is what stumbled me, I would have liked to witness it first hand.
White Knight Christmas
Officer Parker Ross hates Christmas, while Lily Donaldson, his neighbor loves it. Among other issues for these two is her hero worship and their age difference. I am not sure what it was about this one but something just didn't work for me.
Do You Hear What I Hear
Sergeant Osbourne Decker thinks Marci Churchill is a kook, and he wants nothing to do with that since his last relationship. However is ridiculously attracted to her. She also wants Decker, but he fights it hard. Really this had more time to develop but again was lacking something. I am suspecting there is a theme of prickly men that annoy me.
The Christmas Present
Levi and Beth had an out of control weekend after Beth discovered that her fiance cheated on her. Since then she has been running from Levi, ashamed of herself. Levi doesn't want it to be over. This story was another hard one to get into. I was uncomfortable with the stalkerish behavior of Levi, the bases were covered with her family present and at some point I got into it. The other thing is I think this goes with a series I haven't read.
Once again I will say these short stories were well written and have good flow, I just wish they were all longer. Overall a pretty decent holiday read. ~Michelle
The Naughty List Anthology ~V^^^V
Naughty but Nice by Donna Kauffman- I felt like this is a short from a running series? The back story just felt like I was missing something and being brought up to speed. The story had a good flow and well developed characters, ,I just couldn't get into it. There really didn't seem to have anything to do with Christmas in it either.
All I Want For Christmas by Cynthia Eden- I am really enjoying her stories. This one is about a holiday romance involving a couple who have known each other since they were young. Christie is a "good girl" and Jonah is a bad boy, together they are combustible. This is the highlight of the book.
Tattoos and Mistletoe by Susan Fox- I can say that I liked the writing style, the flow and the characters were well developed. However I have to say that I didn't much care for Charlie (the female main character) she was very brash and hard to like. I was able to understand the reasons for her personality, I just didn't care for her. L.J. is excellent, a sweet nerd turned hunk. I love me some hunky nerds. LOL I think the romance had a nice pace and the sex scenes were pretty good. Overall I would say this was a little better than average story.
Also as a whole the Anthology was pretty good. ~Michelle
A VAMPIRE FOR CHRISTMAS ~V^^^V
Enchanted by Blood- Laurie London (Sweetblood #2.5)~V^^^V
I have not read the Sweetblood series before nor have I read any Laurie London before, I walked into this one fresh. My first impression was, "huh, pretty interesting". I quickly marked the rest of the series to be read. I think there is some good potential there. However this novella kind of drug on. I felt like there wasn't any real dilemma to solve and the story was a little flat. Things jumped ahead to keep the story short and they felt like it took away from the story as well. Overall I would say this was OK, and I will still read the series, I guess it was perhaps a good teaser.
Monsters Don't Do Christmas -Michele Hauf~V^^V
This one REALLY did not work for me. The vampire angst was way too high and the fall right into bed thing was just beyond believable. The characters seemed well developed and the flow was good. I just couldn't get into it, possibly the secretiveness of the whole story. I am not sure, it just didn't click for me.
When Herald Angels Sing -Caridad Pinero~V^^V
Ugh, no matter how many times I try Angel stories never work for me. This one was no exception even if there were vampire pirates. I just can't get into an angelic romance. Immediately I thought I had read the story before, therefore I concluded this is an over done theme. After that I just couldn't believe the rest of the story or give a care as to any of the characters.
All I Want for Christmas -Alexis Morgan~V^^^^V
I think this was my favorite in the anthology. Della is a human diner owner, unknown to her most of her clientele are Supers. Eagan is a vampire detective, crimes in the area have brought him to Della's doorstep. In the course of the case, one thing leads to another. I found that I liked the flow, characters and the scene. This was my first Alexis Morgan story, I think I will try a full length. ~Michelle
