Cupcakes and KissesBy Victorine E. LieskeSparks fly when Candice gets trapped in an elevator with her nemesis, Liam Russell. Can they learn to overcome their differences, and find love for the holidays?The Christmas BodyguardBy Tamie DearenMariah doesn’t want a bodyguard… especially not Mack, her brother’s super-hunky head of security. Then Mack gets mistaken for her boyfriend! What else could … mistaken for her boyfriend! What else could go wrong?
A Fake Date for Christmas
By Michelle Pennington
Lane’s food truck was the perfect place for Aubrey to hide from her matchmaking sister, but asking him to be her fake date to the Candy Cane Ball backfired. Falling for him was not part of the plan.
Christmas Bet
By Annie Houston
Winning a Christmas bet will get Ben a brand new car. Will he be able to win Lilly over, and what will he do when he finds out she’s the girl of his dreams?
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I enjoyed this set of 4 Sweet Christmas Romance, by 4 different authors. I received this for free and I voluntarily chose to review. All four authors, Victorine E Lieske, Tamie Dearen, Michelle Pennington, and Annie Houston, did a nice job on clean, sweet Christmas stories that were fairly short and interested in sweet relationships around Christmas. I liked the variety of situations and they lasted for a good evenings read. I’ve given it a 5*. These authors did a nice job.
This sweet holiday romance collection features some of my favorite clean romance authors! Michelle Pennington, for example, writes in several genres and she never stops impressing me with wonderful stories. The only author that I’m not so familiar with is Annie Houston. Each of these stories is set over the Christmas holidays, but each one is so different from the other! They are quick reads that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside. Some of the stories have a few cheesy moments too. They’re all standalones, although The Christmas Bodyguard is a companion novella to The Limitless Clean Billionaire Romance Series. It’s hard for me to choose a favorite, but I’ll go with A Fake Date at Christmas. I’m sure that after reading each novella, you’ll find a favorite too!
4 stars averaged out for the collection.
This is a great Christmas anthology with novellas by four different authors, two of which are new to me. All of them are clean romances with happily-ever-after endings. I like how each story is so different from the others so there’s probably something for everyone in this collection, plus there’s a recipe at the end of each story. How sweet (wink, wink) is that!
Cupcakes and Kisses by Victorine Lieske–who knew you could find love being stuck in an elevator while delivering cupcakes for a swanky office Christmas party? Candice finds out that what she grew up believing about Liam Russell and her dad’s car accident isn’t necessarily the way things actually happened. I like learning some of Liam’s family’s Christmas traditions. Some were kind of funny.
The Christmas Bodyguard by Tami Dearen–Mariah needs a bodyguard, but doesn’t want one, and to top it off her boyfriend flakes out on attending a wedding with her, but she doesn’t tell anyone because she doesn’t want to have to answer questions. Mack decides to be Mariah’s bodyguard without telling her, but when he arrives at the wedding rehearsal dinner he’s mistaken for her boyfriend, and goes with it so the bridal party doesn’t find out why he’s really there.
I really liked the banter and chemistry between Mariah and Mack, and telling everyone he has social anxiety and she has to sing “Hush Little Baby” to him was hilarious. These two had chemistry from the get go. Oh, and what kind of name is Pewter Harbinger Masterson, III? LOL
A Fake Date for Christmas by Michelle Pennington–Aubrey is looking for a job anywhere else so she can get away from her mother and sister who seem to rule every aspect of her life. While in line at her favorite food truck, Son of a Biscuit Eater (I love that name), Aubrey sees her sister coming with a guy that’s got to be a potential date. Where can she hide? In the food truck of course, which takes Lane by surprise. After explaining her situation Lane agrees to be her fake date to the Candy Cane Ball, but is this really a fake date?
I really liked this story. You can’t judge a book by it’s cover as Lane has a business degree and left the high pressure corporate world to do something he really loves. The scene with his mom was cute. These two make an adorable couple and the cinnamon biscuit rolls sound heavenly.
Christmas Bet by Annie Houston–Ben has a bet with his friend, and if he wins he gets Greg’s sweet expensive car. Of course the bet doesn’t go as planned, and as Ben gets to know Lilly he realizes he really likes her and wants to call the bet off. Before he can do that Lilly finds out about the bet and naturally doesn’t want to see or speak to him anymore. Ben has to find a way to make it up to Lilly even if she doesn’t want to talk to him.
All of these stories are a delight to read. I was introduced to some authors new to me. Each story is a different situation that will bring Christmas joy to you. Even though the stories are short, the characters are developed and the story line complete.
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
Cupcakes and Kisses by Victorine E. Lieske
Sparks fly when Candice gets trapped in an elevator with her nemesis, Liam Russell. Can they learn to overcome their differences and find love for the holidays?
The Christmas Bodyguard by Tamie Dearen
Mariah doesn’t want a bodyguard… especially not Mack, her brother’s super-hunky head of security. Then Mack gets mistaken for her boyfriend! What else could go wrong?
A Fake Date for Christmas by Michelle Pennington
Lane’s food truck was the perfect place for Aubrey to hide from her matchmaking sister, but asking him to be her fake date to the Candy Cane Ball backfired. Falling for him was not part of the plan.
Christmas Bet by Annie Houston
Winning a Christmas bet will get Ben a brand new car. Will he be able to win Lilly over, and what will he do when he finds out she’s the girl of his dreams?
MY TAKE
Such a fun collection of short Christmas stories by some of my favorite authors! Most are standalone stories, though The Christmas Bodyguard has characters from Dearen’s Limitless Billionaire series. Each story is swoonworthy and full of Christmas fun.
Sweetness and light for the holidays!
4.5stars
This batch of holiday romance novellas is sweet, clean and low angst with all the HEA and holiday trimmings you could hope for.
My favorite in the set, Victorine Lieske’s Cupcakes and Kisses, only took place over a three day period but the meet cute elevator ride was awesome and Lieske managed to provide a good deal of moving backstory. One major event has affected both of their lives; once Candice and Liam discover that, they also realize the real story is not so black and white as either had always assumed. Altogether a really enjoyable holiday treat of a story.
Michelle Pennington’s contribution to the set was a bit out of the ordinary. I mean, who ever considered whether romance could bloom in a food truck?!
Just be forewarned, some of these stories provide mouth-watering descriptions of yummy food (and all of the authors include a recipe at story’s end), so you may need to exert some self control!
I read a complimentary advance copy of the set; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Cupcakes and Kisses by Victorine E. Lieske: Trapped in an elevator with Liam Russell, the man responsible for her father’s brokenness, Candice discovers that he is nothing like the man she believed he was. When one has nothing else to do but eat cupcakes and chat whilst waiting to be rescued, some surprising truths start to come out. The story is heartwarming and gentle and although the couple does have to get over some painful hurdles, the book closes on a happy note.
The Christmas Bodyguard by Tamie Dearen: Independent Mariah doesn’t want her overprotective brother’s interference in her life, not realising that it’s Mack’s need to protect her that is the source of her frustration. However, when the aptly named Pewter ditches her as her wedding date at the very last moment, she is actually grateful for Mack’s presence. The threat to her family is real but it’s her heart she has to guard. Romance, comedy, and action form part of this story that leaves one smiling.
A Fake Date for Christmas by Michelle Pennington: With a persistent mother and an even more persistent sister, Aubrey has to keep her wits about her trying to avoid their ambition and matchmaking tactics. Knowing that her sister is following her with a potential date in tow, Aubrey hides in Lane’s food truck. The attraction between Lane and Aubrey has been simmering for some time, disguised as light teasing banter. However, when her sister forces the issue, Lane agrees to be Aubrey’s date to the annual Candy Cane Ball. The story is sweet, entertaining and definitely romantic. I found myself cheering Aubrey on when she finally stands up for herself and makes her own choice.
Christmas Bet by Annie Houston: Challenged into taking a bet, Ben little realises just what it will take to win. He finds himself pursuing the girl but in addition, he receives a whole new understanding of life. As Ben gets to know Lilly his heart gets involved but before he can call the bet off, the truth comes out, leaving hurt feelings. The story is sweet and also educational as it gives some insights into the realities of living with celiac disease. Ultimately, even though Ben knows he has lost the girl through his irresponsible bet, he still does the right thing. The story does close on a happy note.
This was a fun Christmas collection. I enjoyed each story.
Cupcakes and kisses
It’s amazing how easy it is to misconstrue things. Candace and Liam have some big misunderstandings about each other, but they also have incredible chemistry. This was a sweet story and I loved the Christmas traditions. My only question is, why is there an egg in the frosting and how is it safe to eat it raw?
The Christmas Bodyguard
Loved this story! This is a spin off from the Limitless series, but you don’t have to read thise beforehand to understand this story. It can stand on its own. Mariah and Mack have great chemistry. I love the push and pull between them. I don’t want to give things away, but there is plenty of romance and enough suspense that you don’t want to put it down.
I love the gluten free monster cookie recipe. I love monster cookies and love that there is no flour. I don’t need gluten free, but a sweet friend of mine does and this looks simple enough and I don’t need to buy several ingredients I will not use otherwise.
A Fake date for Christmas
Wow, when I heard Lane makes cinnamon biscuit rolls my first thought was i want that recipe. Then I remembered each book comes with a recipe I was giddy. Making biscuits intimidates me so I don’t know if I will dare make it, but at least I have the recipe if I ever feel daring enough.
Ok, on to the story. This story moved fast. I almost felt it was over before it started, but I loved it. Lane is so fun and quick witted. I loved his banter. Aubrey was also great, though frustrating at times, but I understood her desire and thinking. These two had great chemistry and it was fun to read their story.
Christmas bet
Guys, I know a lot of you don’t watch rom-coms, but you should never bet on a woman. She always finds out and it is bad. If she interests you, ask her out, but never bet you can.
This is another one that felt like it was over way too fast. I wish there had been more. Lilly is my kind of girl. I would much rather read than go to a party. I don’t know if I’d ever be bold enough to bring a book to a party, although I’ve been tempted to pull out my phone a time or two. Lilly is an amazing selfless individual and you can’t help being inspired by her. Ben didn’t seem to have many redeeming qualities in the beginning, but he turned things around and was a really sweet guy.
Who doesn’t love a great Christmas anthology? Full of heart, and written by some of my favorite authors, this one is sure to please.
How many ways can you meet Mr. Perfect during the Christmas holidays? How about stuck in an elevator, an unexpected bodyguard, a food truck, or maybe as a bet?
Each of these stories is filled with chemistry, family and love, with just a little bit of faith sprinkled in. You may also find some suspense, some big ugly shoes, cupcakes, and surprises along the way. Each story is followed by a bonus recipe—yay!
I really enjoyed this book, and recommend it for a cozy winter night.
Cupcakes and Kisses – Victorine E. Lieske
I would never have expected being stuck in an elevator during a power outage as the first step to romance especially after Candice’s opening comments. Who knew a “shared” past would have so much power. A wonderful story of how facts can be incorrect and first impressions can be totally wrong. I enjoyed this story.
The Christmas Bodyguard – Tamie Dearen
I have totally enjoyed this series and Tamie Dearen has brought us another good story. This book has twists and turns and I did not see the right villain. I felt sorry for Mack having to convince Mariah she needed protection. The story is funny and romantic with lot of action. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I love the last line, “And he kept his promise.” What could be better than that?
A Fake Date for Christmas – Michelle Pennington
Michelle Pennington had me at cinnamon biscuit. What follows is a delightful story of finding one’s own way regardless of what pressure family exerts, even if it is in the name of love. Aubrey has to learn to break away from big sister, Heather, and follow her own heart. Enjoyed this story and I will enjoy making the biscuit recipe included.
Christmas Bet – Annie Houston
This is my first story by Annie Houston and enjoyed it enough to look for other books. Normally a relationship started with a lie has a poor chance of making it but Ben really works to make up for the hurt the truth caused Lilly. I recommend this story.
Three great clean Christmas romances and one fantastic Christmas romantic suspense! I thoroughly enjoyed reading all four of these stories. I recommend them to clean/wholesome romance readers, lovers of holiday romance, and readers of clean romantic suspense. I received a complimentary copy. I chose to write a review and share my opinion of this delightful set of romances.