As soon as the mistletoe goes up, that’s when life gets really interestingDarcy Shaughnessy has gotten used to her overbearing brothers chasing away any man she wants to date. But a chance meeting with a brooding and deliciously handsome artist is about to make this holiday season one to remember.There’s only one thing Benjamin Tanner loves more than his woodcarving: solitude. Then he gets … woodcarving: solitude. Then he gets snowed in with Darcy in his cozy cabin in the woods, and their heated feelings begin to melt the icy barrier between them.
With Ben’s need for privacy and Darcy’s love of family and social life, will opposites still attract once the snow clears and the holiday festivities come to an end?
The Shaughnessy Brothers Series:
Made for Us (Book 1)
Love Walks In (Book 2)
Always My Girl (Book 3)
This Is Our Song (Book 4)
A Sky Full of Stars (Book 5)
Holiday Spice (Book 6)
What People Are Saying:
“Delightfully satisfying…a Christmas to remember. ” —USA Today Happily Ever After for A Christmas Cottage/Ever After
“So much more than just a romance.” —Night Owl Reviews for Always My Girl
“Fans of Susan Elizabeth Phillips may also enjoy Chase.” —Booklist for Love
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Loved it! I have enjoyed every book in this series and Darcy & Ben’s story did not disappoint. Two people who have lost important people in their past and in their own ways still grieving that loss. They learn together that it’s alright to say goodbye and learn to live again on their terms. There is a lot of angst & misunderstandings but also sexy times and sweet moments. This is a really touching story and you made need a kleenex or two to get through it.
A holiday treat! I must admit that I held my breath on this one. I wasn’t sure if there was going to be a happily ever after and I so needed Darcy and Ben to find the way to make their relationship work. It is a little touch and go for a while but, the story is great and Darcy and Ben are so good together. This is another Shaughnessy family romance that you don’t want to miss.
So this was fun and frustrating but really fun. The story itself wasn’t frustrating, but Darcy made me a little twitchy too many times. I fully admit it’s a maturity/age thing with me. I can’t do the whole hot/cold thing. I’m just way too old for it in real life and fiction LOL But she never took it too far that I didn’t fully enjoy the story. So that’s the frustrating part for me. And yes, the brothers were a little too OTT for me .. realistic, but a little OTT. But again, it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the story.
When this book first came up for review I was a little sad because I knew we were going to say goodbye to a really great family. Darcy is the last of the Shaughnessy pack. The only girl to boot. I knew she was going to be a force of nature and she proved me right! The perfect match for the loner, Ben. They made for a great couple to read. They made me laugh and smile and by the end, my heart was full, really really full.
This series has been an excellent reading experience. I’ve read it from the beginning and altho you can read these books in any order you want, I don’t really recommend it. They’re a family that sticks to each other and by each other at all times so it is best to read them in the order they were written. You’re just gonna have to trust me on that 🙂
During the Holidays I am always looking for holiday reads. I picked this one because of the pretty cover and holiday theme. This is my second book that I have read written by Samantha Chase. This is the 6th book The Shaughnessy Brothers series. I had no issues with starting so late in the series, I felt anything important that you need to know from the previous books was revealed where needed. This book was emotional, intense and also intriguing. The plot was well written, the chemistry between the two main characters was believable. I loved the cabin in the woods setting. This book had high and lows but they kept you turning the pages and wanting more. The ending made me cry. I will definitely be reading the rest of the series and other books by Samantha Chase.
I really loved Darcy & Ben’s story! I was so excited when I found the whole Shaunessey Brothers series at my Library I checked them all out. Waiting for Darcy’s book seemed like forever. Watching her grow up with her brothers and then falling in love was an amazing adventure. I highly recommend this book! I wish I could give it more than 5 stars!
I absolutely loved it. The whole series is great and the prologue/epilogue for this last installment had me in tears. So fantastic!!! It was the perfect story for Darcy and a great way to conclude the siblings stories.
Holiday Spice by Samantha Chase
I love the way Samantha Chase starts this story. Seeing Darcy as a young girl surrounded by her family at Christmas with everything she could possibly want but one—a mother.
Darcy Shaughnessy and Benjamin Tanner couldn’t be more opposite if they tried. Darcy’s love of Christmas and family is her driving force while Ben prefers to be left alone with his wood sculpting. When they end up snowed in together the attraction they felt upon meeting turns to something more. A week of hiding out in the Washington mountains cannot make a lasting relationship and with Darcy’s home in North Carolina their newly developing relationship couldn’t possibly last.
Against all the odds these two find a way to be together. As the holiday magic touches their lives, their love helps them heal the pain and bridge the gaps between them. Amid both of their families, Ben and Darcy learn what it means to be united. While not perfect, they are perfect for each other.
The ending of this story brings them full circle. The love of the Shaughnessy family despite the loss of mother and wife, is rekindled each year through shared memories and even though Darcy doesn’t remember the mother who died when she was just a baby, she inherited her mother’s love of the holidays and a family that protects her. Ben learns that everyone grieves differently and it’s okay to celebrate life even after those you love pass away.
I wish I could give Holiday Spice by Samantha Chase more then 5 stars. I have loved the Shaughnessy family from the very first book i read. I had always hoped that Ms. Chase would give Darcy her own book. Knowing Darcy she didn’t give her any choice, she was probably in the background saying “What about me?” “When is it going to be MY time?” Darcy and Ben road to love, happiness and being together was not an easy one. They both had some learning and growing to do. Each of them had to learn to step out of their comfort zone. The scene with Darcy at the cemetery talking to her Mom was a very emotional and heartbreaking. I felt for her as I can’t image growing up without a Mom. The ending was just beautiful! This book is everything you want a Christmas Romance to be. Beautifully written, full of emotions, heartwarming., sexy, sweet and funny. Well Done Samantha Chase, well done! I received an ARC from the publisher.
This book 6 in the Shaughnessy Brother Series and is about their sister, Darcy. Samantha saved the best for last. Though I think it’s fitting that the ‘baby’ of the family is the last book in the series. This is a series that I highly recommend you read in order, not that they can’t be stand-a-lone, just that I think you’ll get a deeper appreciation for them and get a better understanding overall of the family dynamics. This is a series that I’m going to miss. I loved getting to know the Shaughnessy family and ride along as they live their lives.
Darcy at first comes across as ‘flighty’ but as we read we get a better understanding of her that, that isn’t the case. She’s a brilliant young lady that wears her heart on her sleeve. She lives her life to please others, mainly, her family. She doesn’t even really know herself. She carries a lot of guilt with the passing of her mom.
Benjamin Tanner, woodcarving artist, hires Darcy to help him finish a book. They start off on the wrong foot with a misunderstanding but once they get that issue resolved, watch out, their attraction builds. Since the death of his parents Ben has lived a life of solitude. One thing he does not do is celebrate the Christmas Holiday not even with his own brothers. This is something that Darcy can’t relate to as Christmas is a huge deal with her.
I love all the words of wisdom that Darcy receives from her sister-in-laws, her dad and her brother, Owen. Sometimes she has a little bit of tunnel vision and these tidbits on realities of life really help her see a bigger picture.
Through Darcy Ben opens himself up not only more to her but to his brothers and to others around him.
I also love it when the author is describing the eagle that Ben is carving. Through her description I could actually envision it. It’s breathtaking. I love the way Samantha has a way of pulling the reader into the story.
Darcy is the only one that actually ‘gets’ Ben and vise versa. These two are soulmates.
These two will have to learn to compromise or their relationship will be over before it even begins.
This book has an overall fuzzy warm holiday feel to it.
WOW!! Words can’t describe my reaction to Holiday Spice by Samantha Chase. I’m not sure how she does it but each of Ms. Chase’s books is better than the last. Ms. Chase has the gift to create a sweet story with two people needing to find that confidence and understanding of themselves and their lives while finding love along the way. The manner in which she has created a family in which everyone is supportive of each other, no matter how difficult things seem is amazing. This is Darcy’s story; Darcy the baby, who never knew her mom and longed for the perfect two-parent family. Darcy flitted from temp job to temp job, not sure what she wanted to do. Then her sister-in-law sends her to Washington State to help Ben Tanner finish his book on wood crafting, craving, and creating. All he needs is help organizing everything, which Darcy is a master at doing, plus Darcy understands Ben’s vision misunderstanding, these two fell harder than either thought possible. With Darcy on the east coast and Ben on the west coast can these two find a way to meet in the middle.
I really enjoyed reading this book. Ms. Chase is an excellent storyteller, keeping me interested in this story so that I had trouble putting it down. I highly recommend this outstanding book to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Ok, I put off reading this book for several weeks. You see, I absolutely LOVE the Shaughnessy family and all the phenomenal stories about each family member the spectacular Samantha Chase has created. I did not want the stories about this family to end. Sorry, I am a bit greedy that way. But, I broke down and Darcy’s and Ben’s story is phenomenal!!! I think it is one of my favorites in this series.
My favorite type of romance is one that draws out a lot of emotions for me. Holiday Spice certainly does this, it is an emotional roller coaster ride from the prologue, thru to the epilogue. The tears both happy and sad started Christmas morning when Darcy came…. Oops, Sorry no spoilers from me. I will say I started crying like a baby, here and several additional spots in the book. AND I LOVED EVERY FREAKING WORD I READ!!!!
I love the family dynamics of the Shaughnessy family. You can see the love that comes through whenever the family is together. They are a family that anyone would love to be a part of. Each family member has met the “love of their lives” and Darcy is no different with Ben. I thoroughly enjoyed watching these two fall in love. Then, when her brothers found out, oops!! Both Darcy and Ben have issues dealing with the death of their parent or parents, they each are handling it different, but the same.
Ms. Chase certainly knows how to write the best kind of emotional romance books. She sucks you in from the very beginning until the very end. I have yet to find a book by Ms. Chase that I have not absolutely loved, and Holiday Spice is no exception.
I was gifted with a copy of this wonderful book for my honest opinion.
Thank you for reading my review. Now, what are you waiting for, go hit that one-click button, you will not be sorry.
Ms. Chase, phenomenal finish to a spectacular series. Kudos!!!
HOLIDAY SPICE is the sixth and final installment in Samantha Chase’s contemporary, adult THE SHAUGHNESSY BROTHERS romance series focusing on the Shaughnessy siblings. This is youngest child and only sister Darcy Shaughnessy, and recluse artist Benjamin Tanner’s story line. HOLIDAY SPICE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.
SOME BACKGROUND: Approximately twenty years earlier the Shaughnessy’s lost their mother to a drunk driver that left six siblings (including a one year old infant daughter) without a mother. Fast forward to present day where the now adult children continue to struggle with the loss.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Darcy and Ben) HOLIDAY SPICE follows the building relationship between Darcy Shaughnessy and artist Benjamin Tanner. Benjamin Tanner is in desperate need of some organization in his life but the shy, quiet and introspective woodcarver prefers the solitude of his cabin in the woods. Enter Darcy Shaughnessy, his friend’s sister in law, and the woman with whom he will fall in love. What ensues is the turbulent and emotional relationship between two people whose lives are the complete opposite.
Darcy Shaughnessy is a butterfly who enjoys the boisterous, family get togethers and social functions that allow her to express her ideas and have fun. Growing up the youngest child and only daughter, Darcy struggled with the over –protective nature of five older brothers who chased away all the men she wanted to date. Benjamin Tanner is a loner; a social misfit who battles the need to remain hidden from the paparazzi and social functions that come with being a successful artist but Benjamin also struggles with the holidays-the reminders of everything he has lost- and two younger brothers who would give anything to reconnect with the brother they love.
The relationship between Darcy and Ben begins as a business arrangement that quickly dissolves due to misunderstanding and Ben’s needs for privacy. Their attraction to one another is immediate and palpable but the potential for a long distance relationship begin to build a wall between our leading couple that may be too hard to pull down. The $ex scenes are all implied.
All of the previous story line couples and characters play secondary and supporting roles. The Shaughnessy’s are a close knit family, and their over –zealous attitude is too much for our story line hero.
HOLIDAY SPICE is a story of family, friendship and love. The premise is entertaining and emotional; the characters are colorful and dynamic; the romance is sweet. HOLIDAY SPICE is the perfect ending to a well-loved series.
Holiday Spice is the final book about the Shaughnessy’s. Throughout the five brothers books, Ms. Chase has given us characters that have stolen pieces of our heart & made us fall in love with them. During their stories, Darcy was always there encouraging, mothering & keeping them together. Before they could embrace their HEA & their true loves, they had to come to grips with unrealized emotions from their mother dying so young. What makes Darcy’s journey & acceptance so poignant is that she doesn’t have all the memories of her mother like her brothers do.
Benjamin Tanner has never gotten over the loss of his parents. They were on vacation when an accident took both of them. He keeps everyone at arms length, especially his brothers. His mother’s favorite holiday was Christmas & he hasn’t been able to decorate or celebrate it since her death. Basically, Ben has become a loner & pretty much a recluse. He’s a great sculptor that has been talked into creating a book & he’s totally lost. It’s so far out of his comfort zone that he needs help.
What a wonderful ending to this amazing collection. With each book, Ms. Chase had been building up Darcy’s emotional intensity. Why couldn’t she settle? When will she find her love? The journey that these two take us on as they find their way is unreal. They are both set in their ways & can’t see the others’ side. I’m wrung out just reading the story – crying, sympathy, anger, despair, grief, acceptance, laughter, & most importantly, love. This is the perfect ending. Darcy brought everything full circle.
A little holiday magic to experience all year round. That’s the best description for Holiday Spice. Every Shaughnessy has had their shining moment and taken a piece of my heart along the way, but Darcy sealed the deal. This time, Ms. Chase went for broke and laid claim to my heart in it’s entirety. Darcy, the lone girl in a sea of men has grown into a lovely woman with a beautiful caring soul, but she still has wounds. Ben is a loner. He eats, breathes and sleeps woodcarving. When a cry for help leaves him stranded with an optimistic beauty, this lone wolf, may just find his soulmate. With an open heart and arms wide open, Ms. Chase ends her Shaughnessy series with a romance that has classic written all over it.