TARNISHED SAINTS CHRISTMAS (Tarnished Saints 0.5)

TARNISHED SAINTS CHRISTMAS                       ELIZABETH ROSE

Series Prequel 

The Taylor Twelve. Sons of a preacher but far from saints, these men are nothing but trouble. 

Tarnished Saints' Christmas is an introduction to each of the twelve Taylor men when they were children. Told by the eldest son, Thomas, the author lets the reader into their lives one memorable Christmas. Each chapter is devoted to one of the brothers to show the trouble they caused in their earlier days which carries into their present lives as well, therefore giving them the title of Tarnished Saints. 

The story is approximately 15,000 words followed by excerpts from some of the Tarnished Saints books. 

This is a twelve book series. Five of the books are now available with the next one coming this fall. Watch for another of the brothers' stories to be released every few months. Be sure to see the book trailer on the author's amazon page or website at http://elizabethrosenovels.com, where you can also read excerpts or see sneak peeks of the upcoming covers.

MY REVIEW:
     This was a sweet prequel telling the back stories of who the twelve men are in the coming 12 books in the series.  Before you were to get into the meat and potatoes of their own stories.
     This prequel is told from the POV of Thomas the eldest son who is 19 at the time.  He really doesn’t need to be under the thumb of his very strict preacher father but he does, as his brother Levi.  Did I happen to mention there are twelve boys altogether?  Each having the names of the saints.
     By the mishaps, they seem to get themselves into and to hear their pa tell it they are tarnished saints at that for sure.  Although, their father ruled with an iron fist there was still love and respect in the family.  Their mas was the one that kept them glued together as a family.  She would be the quiet saint loving her boys.

     Take the time to share in their cute escapades.  They are anything but holy giving their father a run for his money.  Remember it is just setting it up for the stories of each son of the preacher.  I give this: 4 stars.  Provided by author for honest review.  Follow us at: www.1rad-readerreviews.com.

WE NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS (Evergreen Lane #2)

WE NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS                     SIERRA DONOVAN

The best Christmas present? The unexpected romance that brings two former classmates together for a lesson in holiday magic…

With its festive Snowed Inn and year-round Christmas store, the pretty town of Tall Pine knows how to do the holidays right. But this year, Liv Tomblyn’s homecoming trip may be bittersweet. Liv’s grandmother died soon after Thanksgiving, leaving a lifetime of belongings to sort through. Soon Liv is surrounded by memories, including a retro silver Christmas tree. And there’s Liv’s old friend Scott Leroux—the one-time class clown who’s become the town’s go-to handyman.

Scott enjoyed helping Liv’s Nammy with little fix-it jobs in recent years, but now he’s wondering if the crafty grandma had a much larger project in mind. Everything—from Nammy’s mysteriously malfunctioning heater to that silver tree—seems to be conspiring to throw Liv and Scott together. Not that Scott objects. For though Liv insists she’ll leave Tall Pine when the holidays are over, he’s hoping their holiday kisses might thaw her resolve and make this Christmas truly unforgettable…


MY REVIEW:
     What a sweet heartwarming story of family and love of the heart.
     We all have a picture in our heads of how others see us but is it real or just what we have built up ourselves?  Liv Tomblyn is having to figure that out for herself in this fun story for the holidays.
     You see her grandmother has passed away and she had not seen her or family in four years.  Not to mention been home to Tall Pines in that long either.  To be home for this sad occasion just a few days after Thanksgiving is a killer.
     As she runs into friends and classmates’ she is asked over and over about her new business.  Funny never what it actually is, closet organizing.  She only could figure her Nammy had trouble understanding exactly what it was so she said what she thought what it was.  A lot of her classmates saw her as standoffish or stuck-up.  When really, she was just so unsure of herself.
     When she arrives, she expects to be picked up by her sister Rachel but it turns out her mom Faye slips and falls injuring her knee.  The sent someone they and Nammy trusted, Scott Leroux.  Who is an old classmate of Liv’s, also he is the local handyman?
     When Liv sees him at the airport though all she can see is the class clown from years ago, she grew up with him and she knew what he was like.  Yet, she had to wonder if he was still that same boy.  The guy who was quick to make everyone laugh.  Good old Scotty.  The one who stole a goose from our opposing team for sports.
     The ride home was tense since Scotty had to tell her the reason he was picking her up, which was her mother had fallen.  When he referred to her grandma by the name she called her she got jealous and she didn’t like it.  She didn’t say anything to him about it though.  She felt off center with him and she didn’t know why.  Over the next several weeks it would all be revealed. 
     I really enjoyed this story the way it unfolded and a little mystery of the heater and the tree were fun too.  I give this: 5 stars.  Provided by netgalley.com. 

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WELCOME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS (Hero's Welcome #4)

WELCOME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS                  ANNIE RAINS

The bestselling Hero’s Welcome series continues with a juicy Christmas romance, a short novel set in Seaside, North Carolina, where the bustling military base keeps this small town stocked with dedicated, lovable heroes.
 
Three-hundred-and-sixty-four days a year, Allison Carmichael doesn’t mind being single. It sure beats dating another loser, and it keeps her heart safe. Then there’s that three-hundred-and-sixty-fifth day: Christmas Eve, the traditional time her entire family gathers together—and gangs up on her, demanding to know when she’s going to get married. This year, she swears, is going be different. And that’s why, at a charity auction she’s throwing on-base, she buys herself a man.
 
Sergeant Troy Matthews insists that he’s not for sale. His time is, though, and he’s happy to donate it. Happier still when he learns the identity of the winning bidder: the redhead with the killer good looks and smart mouth who runs the veteran’s center. Allison needs Troy’s help to fool her family into believing they’re an item, and he’s all too happy to indulge her. But by the time Christmas Eve rolls around, their little charade is working a little too well . . . because Troy’s falling head over heels.

MY REVIEW:
     This was a truly heartwarming short story you won’t want to put down.  Allison Carmichael had become a woman who had learned not to trust her own judgement.  Thanks to someone who said they loved her.  She allowed her voice to be the one to be compass to guide her in love.  Needless to say, she was alone.
     Her mom although always bugging and judging her for choosing to be single.  Would be the first to give her a laundry list of things wrong with the guy after meeting them just once resulting in a break up.  To add to the bonus of pain every Christmas all the family from both sides would meet at her parents and judge her for the lack of a boyfriend or pity her.
     This year would be different.  You see she is the director at the Veteran’s center where she plans events.  One of the major events is the Christmas Party and this year they needed to raise money for the Mercy’s Place, a children’s home.  All their presents had been stolen and they had nothing to give the kids for Christmas.  They would have a auction, a Marine night.
     You get a Marine for five hours or a least the highest bidder does.  Troy Matthews an MP on the base is Scrooge himself this year.  Due to a family issue, last Christmas.  Well, a co-worker tricked him into being auctioned off.  He is not happy until he finds out who won his services.
     That would be the woman who needs the trick her crazy family into thinking she’s dating so they will leave her alone for at least another 364 days.  Find out how these two bring out the best in each other during this magically tense time called the holidays during the few days they have to get to know one another before the big day.
     I really enjoyed this story.  The characters were well developed.  The storyline was fun and engaging all the way through.  Most of all it was sentimental.  I give this: 5 stars.
Provided by netgalley.com.

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HOLIDAY WITH A TWIST

HOLIDAY WITH A TWIST                                  SHANNON STACEY

After a messy breakup, Leigh Holloway is ready to start her life over. Until her parents put the family home on the market and call her back for one final, memory-making Christmas. The last thing she wants to do is deprive her mom of the perfect holiday, so she'll lie her way through the visit and worry about her future in the New Year. Too bad the only bar in town is owned by a guy she seriously wronged in high school. 

Leigh's best friend broke Croy Dawson's heart, and Croy knows it was Leigh's fault. They've never liked each other, but Croy isn't cruel: he'd never turn away a pretty woman in need of some family-Christmas fortification. He doesn't expect her to drink just enough candy-cane martinis to tell him her secrets—and he definitely doesn't expect to get caught up in her holiday madness. 

Despite the surprising love and laughter, Croy and Leigh can't escape the truth: he can't walk away from his family obligations and she has a life and career to reboot. But anything is possible if your holiday comes with a twist…

MY REVIEW:
     Very short sweet Christmas story.  Of two old childhood friends who stopped when he was dating her BFF.  She and the BFF go off to college and the BFF dumps both her and her friend Croy Dawson the first week of college.
     It wasn’t until Christmas break when Leigh Holloway came home alone when things got real for Croy and he confronts Leigh.  He felt if she hadn’t talked his girlfriend into going away to college after all they wouldn’t have broken up after four years of dating.  Words were said and a friendship broken.  Leigh not coming home after that except major holidays every once not wanting to run into him.
     Until now, her parents were selling the family home to move into a condo.  Their three girls needed to come home and go through their rooms and boxes of keepsakes.  Leigh had her job cut out for her she was going to have to lie the whole time she was at home or at least dodge answering them.
     Except on her first night out she is desperately needing some Christmas cheer in the form of a drink.  But, her parents now have a dry house due after the day she had trying to get there to her parents.  Her father has high blood pressure so her mother had to give up her wine too. 
     Since her day was so, so bad she needed to have a cocktail for sure.  You see her flight to her parents had been delayed, her SUV she had order from the rental was delayed & she got a clown car, and facing her family who told her it was a dry house for the holidays.  Worst of all her oldest sister tells her the only bar in town is the Dawson’s and guess who the bartender is?  You got it Croy.
     See how these two manage their first meet and greet.  Turning an awful dismount of friendship into working one.  You will see how it affects those around them.  I give this: 4 stars.  Provided by netgalley.com. 

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OPENING HEARTS (Hero's Heart Series #1)

OPENING HEARTS                                             IONA FINDLEY

Pregnant and alone at 35! 

Jessalyn O'Donnell returns from her best friend's wedding with a surprise of her own. She knows how it happened -- three sex-filled nights with a smokin' hot guy, known only as Sam -- but she has no way to get in touch with him. 

When smokejumper Sam Ricci returns to his hometown after the annual firefighting season ends, he has no plans for fatherhood. His lifestyle is too risky, and he loves his job -- almost as much as he loves women. Everything changes when he runs into Jessalyn again and discovers her plans for single parenthood. 

Sam doesn’t want to be tied down. Jessalyn would rather go it alone than deal with an absent husband. So why, when a twist of fate brings them together again, does it feel so right? 

No Cliffhanger. Book 1 is a complete story in the Hero’s Heart Series 

Do you like firefighters, secret babies and second chances? If so, this contemporary romance is for you. 

Do you enjoy light, easy reads? OPENING HEARTS is perfect for a quick reading "getaway." 

MORE IN THE HERO'S HEART SERIES: 
Opening Hearts (Book #1) Sam and Jessalyn 
Risking Hearts (Book #2) Jake and Hope 
Joining Hearts (Book #3) Zoe and Marcus 

MY REVIEW:
     Wow, what a fun fast erotic story.  No bones about it this hunky firefighter story actually has a story actually has a story.
     It starts off with two people meeting on a cruise.  She’s there for her best friend’s wedding and he’s there with his smoke jumper’s unit on training.  They meet across a crowded bar and then when they bump into one another it’s on.  Three days and nights of hot and heavy sex.
     On the third day, they dock and the wedding party leaves to have the reception his team is called away to do a jump.  They part on great terms but know really nothing about each other.
     Jessalyn O’Donnell only the beautiful real head with green eyes only tells him her first name.  He had figured it out on his own.  She was older and cultured.  Age didn’t matter he felt a connection to her.  A week after he was still thinking of her and months later dreaming of her.
     Sam Ricci only told her he was a smokejumper she guessed that the chocolate eyed tall sexy Italian hunk was younger than her.  For her life was good it had been five years since she had any sex so she was feeling like okay so I was playing fast and loose once in my life.  He was a great guy.  She too was dreaming dreams. 
     Then there was her GYNO appointment.  And that one question they always ask when was your last period.  When she couldn’t remember right off and she was usually like clockwork she knew there was a problem.  For she did remember that there was a time that weekend that they didn’t use protection.  Oh, No!  But hey!  She could do this alone.  She knew she could.
     After two days in bed with the covers over her head.  Life got real.  She hired a contractor to renovate her old office in her brownstone to a nursery.  It just so happened it was a brother team.  Guess who one of those brothers happened to be?  Life has now gotten interesting…  
     This is a cute interaction of a couple who truly have the hots for one another.  But are dealing with the realities of bringing a child into the world.  Nothing ever goes as planned.

I give this story 4 stars.  Found free on amazon.  Follow us at: www.1rad-readerreviews.com.

SIZE MATTERS (A Perfect Fit #1)

SIZE MATTERS                                                 ALISON BLISS

The rules of (fake) engagement . . .
Leah Martin has spent her life trying to avoid temptation. But she's sick of low-fat snacks, counting calories, and her hyper-critical mom. Fortunately, her popular new bakery keeps her good and distracted. But there aren't enough éclairs in the world to distract Leah from the hotness that is Sam Cooper - or the fact that he just told her mother that they're engaged . . . which is a big, fat lie.

Sam sometime speaks before he thinks. So what started out as defending Leah's date-ability to her judgmental mother soon turned into having a fiancee! Now the plan is to keep up the fake engagement, stay "just friends," and make Leah's family loathe him enough to just call the whole thing off . But Sam has an insatiable sweet tooth, not only for Leah's decadent desserts but her decadent curves. Her full lips. Her bright green eyes. Yep, things aren't going quite according to plan. Now Sam has to convince Leah that he's for real . . . before their little lie turns into one big, sweet disaster.

MY REVIEW:

     Leah Martin a baker by trade who now owns her own bakery.  She and her girlfriend go out to a local bar.  Not by her choice for she is still licking her wounds from a break up of being dumped eight months earlier for a tiny thin girl.  You see Leah is a large full figured busty woman with hips and an ass.  Yet, her image says she’s just plain fat.
     Someone or several someone’s has fed her this crap.  Or at least that is the opinion of Sam Cooper who by accident at first keeps adding to that by insulting her.  You see she meets Sam at the bar when their two friends hook up.  They both have an attraction to one another but instead of Sam manning up and saying he just got out of a crazy bad relationship he says he’s just not really into Leah.  Starting a hysterical chain of events or maybe not.
     Feeling bad he shows up the next day she needs help delivering a cake, but he was only there to explain his rudeness in his remarks.  Being the gentleman he is he helps her delivers a cake to the wedding of her ex.  The ex who he figures out didn’t like her full figure.
     Now you see Sam has this problem when he tries be gallant and defends her from downgrading herself which irritates him.  Especially, to her ex he gets them both in hot water by announcing he’s her fiancé to the ex.  Which his mom is friends with her mom.  Not good.  Sam has a really bad habit of not knowing how to edit his thoughts before he speaks causing hurtful feelings. 
     Never meaning to, yet he speaks quickly to protect his heart at the expense of Leah’s.  So, the miscommunication and escapades are funny and some are prone to heartache. 
     I enjoyed this book a lot.  It was so funny you will be laughing out loud and in the next you will be feeling Leah’s pain.  Sam’s too!  I give this book 5++++ stars.  Provided by netgalley.com.  
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