HEATING UP THE HOLIDAYS anthology by Lisa Renee Jones, Mary Ann Rivers and Serena Bell-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: REVIEW: Release Date October 28, 2013

As leftover turkey and stuffing give way to stockings and little black dresses, this tantalizingly sexy eBook bundle offers up holiday-themed novellas from a trio of beloved romance authors. Lisa Renee Jones gives a dedicated reporter and a powerful businessman a chance to count their Thanksgiving blessings in Play with Me; Mary Ann Rivers presents Snowfall, the story of a woman who confronts a life-changing event—hopefully with a special man by her side—just in time for Christmas; and in Serena Bell’s After Midnight, an explosive New Year’s kiss leaves two strangers wondering whether they’ll ever see each other again.

PLAY WITH ME by Lisa Renee Jones

Kali Miller has spent three years reporting fluff stories, waiting for the article that will launch her career to new heights. When she suddenly finds herself forced to take a job as an executive secretary at a Vegas casino, Kali meets the subject of what will surely be a shocking exposé: her boss, Damion Ward, the arrogant and undeniably sexy CEO. But after Damion invites her to help him plan a Thanksgiving charity event, Kali begins to see another side of the man. And when she surrenders to the exhilarating tension simmering between them, Kali hopes her story will have a happy ending.

SNOWFALL by Mary Ann Rivers

Jenny Wright can’t get enough of her erotic conversations with someone she knows only as “C.” Flirting online helps Jenny temporarily escape confronting the changes to her life as she slowly loses her vision. Jenny’s occupational therapist, Evan Carlisle-Ford, is helping her prepare for the challenges ahead, but the forthright, trustworthy man can no longer ignore his growing attraction to his fiercely intelligent client. Now Jenny must choose between the safe, anonymous “C”—or the flesh-and-blood Evan, whose heated kisses can melt snow faster than it can fall.

AFTER MIDNIGHT by Serena Bell

The clock is ticking down to midnight on New Year’s Eve, and all Nora Hart and Miles Shephard can think about is kissing each other—even though they met just minutes before. Then, as fast as Miles enters Nora’s life, he’s gone . . . and she never even gets the name of the man she thinks might just be “the one.” One year later, Nora and Miles are reunited. The chemistry between them is just as strong as they remember. But Miles broke her heart once before—and this time around, Nora’s not sure whether she can give love a second chance.

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REVIEW

PLAY WITH ME by Lisa Renee Jones is the first storyline in the HEATING UP THE HOLIDAYS anthology. The premise focuses on Vegas casino CEO Damion Ward and Kali Miller.

It is a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving and we find Kali Miller starting a new job as secretary to the very sexy and very busy Damion Ward. But before the week is through, Kali will discover that there is more to the man and the job than meets the eye. Damion is a man possessed and he wants Kali for his very own.

The storyline is one of forbidden love and a building relationship. Lisa Renee Jones pulls the reader into a sensual and erotic storyline about two people who will fall in love over Chinese food, secret pasts and, personal and business betrayal.

The characters are as colorful as the world in which they work-it’s Vegas, baby and no where is there a more interesting collection of employees with axes to grind and secrets to reveal. And you will fall in love with Damion and Kali as they wind their way through a maze of potential heartbreak, embarrassing revelations and falling in love.

PLAY WITH ME is another wonderful short story that will make you believe in fairy tale endings and happily ever afters.

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SNOWFALL by Mary Ann Rivers

SNOWFALL (written by Mary Ann Rivers) is the second storyline in the HEATING UP THE HOLIDAYS ANTHOLOGY and one that addresses a difficult subject-retinitis pigmentosis-an inherited disorder of the eye and one that will eventually lead to complete blindness.

The storyline focuses on two people, who under any other circumstance would never have met had it not been for their connection to medical research and Jenny’s slide into the dark. It is a story of forbidden love; the thrill of the unknown; and a glimpse into the future for two people who have more in common than they had ever thought possible.

The reader watches as one woman discovers the true identity of the man with whom she is falling in love and the reality of her waning sight. The relationship develops slowly; the sex is passionate, hot and forbidden but in the end, it is just what the doctor ordered.

The storyline is detailed in medical language and at times gets lost in the descriptive nature of the disorder but overall, Snowfall is a wonderful look at the possibilities for two people to fall in love.

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AFTER MIDNIGHT by Serena Bell

AFTER MIDNIGHT is the third storyline in the HEATING UP THE HOLIDAYS ANTHOLOGY and one that takes place from one New Year’s Eve to the next. Miles and Nora meet at a New Year’s Eve party-there is great chemistry between the two-but no one bothered to exchange names and it would be months later before Nora discovers that someone has been looking for the woman from the year end party.

Miles Shephard has been charged with embezzling and he has spent the last year caught between proving himself innocent and deflecting accusations. Innocent of the crime, Miles will soon discover that not everyone is one hundred percent sure of his innocence including the woman with whom he is falling in love and the heartbreaking realization will find Miles confronting the reality with his co-workers and friends. Miles and Nora both have some major issues of trust and getting past these issues will be the first step towards a happily ever after for both.

After Midnight covers a year in the life of two people who met minutes before midnight on New Year’s Eve and have spent that year wondering about the what-ifs and why nots of a relationship that never occurred. And in true romance fashion with a happily ever after, our couple will find each other but not before Miles must face the demons that have hounded his reputation and life.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy