M. Malone (1)

One of my favorite things about anthologies is how different the stories are going to be inside the collection. I was, especially, excited about this one because I was curious how the authors were going to tie their stories into a particular day from the 12 days of Christmas.

One Cruel Wedding Night-KA Linde
These were new to me characters but they definitely piqued my interest. The chemistry coming from these characters was fire and I was 100% invested in watching this story evolve. After discovering that they make several appearances in this author's previous works, I will be adding them to my TBR.

Two Turtle Doves -Skye Warren
I will take any chance to read about Gabriel and his Avery. ANY chance. This was a bonus story that I was not expecting to get in their world. It offered a perfect peek into the future for these characters. Highly recommend it to anyone that has read the Endgame series.

Goner- Fiona Cole
The Voyeur series by this author is one of the hottest series that I have ever read and has some of my all-time favorite characters in it (Ian and Carina). So, color me surprised that this book was going to take me back to cameos by my favorite characters but also include some SPICY and delicious scenes. This was almost too hot for such a short story. I wanted more and was actually pretty bummed that it was this short because I wasn't done with Atlas and Amara. I hope that the author expands this story in the future.

Four Calling Birds- Nana Malone
I am on the fence with this story because I felt a little lost with the characters and who they were because they were new to me. I am sure for fans of these characters from before that they wouldn't have been lost. Lucas was a prince but also a former jewel thief so I found myself scratching my head. While this story was not for me, I still admire the author for being able to write, which I could not do in a million years.

Five Golden Rings- Claire Contreras
I struggled with this story because I couldn't connect with the characters. It felt like there were a lot of details trying to set up who the characters were or fluff, so to speak, and then it was BAM straight to an instant connection between the characters. I have to think that this was because this was just too much story to fit into the length requirement for this Christmas collection. It is a shame because the story had potential. I hope that the author decides to expand it in the future because I think that will turn this into something more.

On the Sixth Day- Nikki Sloan
The characters in this story have come from a previous series of hers. They have been on my TBR since this author's books have been on my FYP of Tik Tok/BookTok. I can see why after reading this short story because it was steamy. OH. SO. STEAMY. I will be moving it up my list asap.

Swan Song- Giana Darling
Anything that this author writes is sublime. Regardless of the sub-genre, it becomes one of my favorites because of the special gift that this author has when it comes to writing. She paints a picture. This is particularly true with the Fallen Men series. Discovering that this book was going to be part of this world made me giddy. This story made me a bit sad because not only was it just a short time in this beloved world, but because I only got a taste of Swan and Curtains. This author left me dying to know more because this was just a prequel. I am not sure when these characters will get their story told in the series but I am eager for it. The angst was already forming and I just know that when it is their time for the story to be told that it will tug at my heartstrings.

My Present this Year- Sierra Simone
I was excited for this story because since I first discovered this author with the New Camelot Trilogy, I have been hooked on her words. I wanted this story to be more because it was taboo/forbidden. The premise was enticing but it was odd. For some reason, Nick and Nora just fit into this scenario too perfectly. Don't get me wrong, their steamy time was sexy, but somehow it lacked that spark of tabooness that I have come to associate with this author.

Nine Ladies Dancing- CD Reiss
WHA? I'm scratching my head because I am so confused. I LOVE this author. In fact, she is one of my one-click authors. So, color me surprised at this story. I'm kind of at a loss because it was that far out there. The book started pretty normally, but then things switched up and I had to pause and reread it to see if things were going the direction that they seemed. They were. It went even weirder after that. I had hopes that things would make sense by the end of the story. They did, and then it didn't. Definitely, not my favorite by this author. However, this story might live on in my head for a while so, in some ways, she succeeded at leaving her mark.

Ten Dirty Demands- Laurelin Paige
Donovan... Good Lord do I love this man. He is in my top book boyfriends. There is just something about this man. Getting a chance to dive back into his life with Sabrina? SIGN ME UP. I knew, instantly, once this story started that Donovan was going to bring the sexiness as a sort of repayment for a favor, a favor mind you, that was delicious in itself because it was so very out of character for him. The demands were kinky and titillating. I was a bit sad that the tenth demand was left as a maybe. Especially, as it is so rare to see him be vulnerable, and he so was in that moment. He sincerely wanted it. I hope that the author decides to continue this in the future because I think this would be a great segway into the future for these characters. I don't feel as if their story has finished.

Gift Me- M Malone
This was a pretty cute story. I was impressed by how this author managed to create such a complete story in such a limited amount of pages. It was very Hallmark movie-ish but that was okay because the happily ever after for Deacon and Noelle (great name for a Christmas story).

Twelve Drummers- Angelina Lopez
This story was very different. This is a new to me author so I wasn't sure what to expect. It definitely had some steam but felt a little jarring at times with the transitions. I'm on the fence with the story itself. However, I appreciated the culture that was tied into this story.

All in all, an interesting collection of stories that go towards a great cause.… (mer)

I started out a little excited about reading this anthology but it fizzled out after a bit. I get that it's supposed to be naughty but may have been a bit too much for me. Skye Warren, Nana Malone, and M Malone's stories were romantic and the steam factor kinda went with that but the rest were almost porn and not the classy kind. I don't mean to offend but Christmas and smut are not up my alley. I pretty much had to swipe the screen on my kindle through most of the novellas.

Advance review copy provided for voluntary review consideration… (mer)

"There are parts of me that are selfish and inconsiderate to others - inconsiderate of her - and like the monk who fails at keeping his eyes fixed on God, I consider this my sin."

This review is of the story "Ten Dirty Demands", by Laurelin Paige.

If you have followed Laurelin's Dirty Filthy Universe, you know Donovan is the ultimate Alpha-H*le, but Sabrina is the one that finally tamed the beast. Oh, make no mistake - he's no less alpha, and as demanding as ever. And this season, in exchange for bowing to Sabrina's will, and doing something he would never do for anyone else, he has some demands of his own.

The last demand was not one I would have expected out of Donvan Kincaid. Will Sabrina give him what he wants this time, or is it a line she can't cross - at least not yet.

What a great short story, and an amazing teaser for Donovan's book next year!!… (mer)