Eight authors bring cheer, romance, and a whole lot of steam to the Big Apple this holiday season as they hang some “Mistletoe over Manhattan” in the very first Book Hoarder’s anthology.All proceeds from eBook sales of this anthology will benefit Solar Responders, a non-profit dedicated to installing solar and battery-powered storage systems in first responder stations.
This Anthology of Christmas stories is awesome and chock full of wonderful books from some of the best authors around! I am reviewing two of the tales in Mistletoe Over Manhatten.
Pining by Stephanie Rose is a sweet, no angst novella about a young couple learning the intricacies of love.
Victoria (Tori) was raised by her single Mom who struggled hard to take care of her until she turned 8 and suddenly got a wonderful Stepdad and her real Dad and Stepmom. Her life took a drastic turn for the better but she never forgot those dark days and how unhappy her Mom was during that time.
Now she is home for Christmas break and working at her Dad’s garage and crushing on Anthony, one of the mechanics that works there. She is unsure if he just considers her a friend or more. And Anthony has a secret he doesn’t want anyone to find out.
Santa is it You? by MC Decker is a Second Chance Friends to Lovers Novella (sort of?) Calista’s (Cali) boyfriend breaks up with her a few weeks before Christmas in a Christmas tree lot and she is sad and depressed on Christmas. She gets a text from an unknown number and she responds to it. It is from “Santa” and they end up talking. She is his “Angel.” He helps her move on with her life until her phone breaks and she loses his number.
Five years later she is back with crappy boyfriend who broke up with her in Christmas tree lot. They are going to NYC together and Cali hopes he will propose. She gets a chance to meet Santa. Will they get a 2nd chance to be friends or something more?
These are just 2 of the stories in this AH-MAZING Anthology and you will love them all as much as I loved these two!! So one click it, make a cup of cocoa, and settle down under a blanket by the tree and get into Christmas reading these Holiday stories.
So far, I have only read Pining by Stephanie Rose. As I read more, I will add to my review.
Pining- This is Victoria’s story (Josh and Sara’s daughter). Tori is working at her father’s cutom bike shop and meets and falls for Anthony, one of the mechanics. I loved this litle glimpse at Victoria’s love life! I could totally picture her and Anthony. I felt the pull these two felt toward each other; I just wish there was more!
There is something so magical about Christmastime in New York City. So when I saw this collection with holiday romances set in my town, I knew I had to give them a read. And let me tell you this anthology gave me the wonder and joy that I know exists here this time of year.
Even though I enjoyed all the short stories,I’m gonna talk a minute on my favorite four from this set.
STRANGERS IN THE CITY
JA Low is a totally new to me author and this title was steamy and shocking from the first page.
Even with the crap circumstances they met under, their attraction was instant. I adored Callie and her spirit. I hated what happened to her but was so glad that Rhys was there because holy hotness that man breathes power and authority. I loved how he stepped up and in to help Callie. And she returned the favor in turn. But jealously and resentment weren’t far away and threw a wrench is what they had been building…
SANTA’S SLAYINGS
Andrea Bills is another new to me author but holy crap! Yes, there was some romance but this one was a lot of mystery-thriller (which I LOVE).
Both Lorilie and Beryl were strong characters. Determined not to let the twisted “Santa” killer strike again. It was a whirlwind of trying to stay two steps ahead and put the pieces of the puzzle with uneven edges together. And through it all, they showed each other sides to themselves that most didn’t know. Lorilie’s inner strength was revealed as was Beryl’s tender hand.
I also really enjoyed that this took place not in present times. It was fun to experience the city in an unknown to me era.
PINING
It is no secret that I am BIG Stephanie Rose fan. So getting to see the kids all grown up is a true treat. And yes, all the parents make an appearance!
I really liked Victoria. I saw so much of her parents in her. Her strength. Her kindness. Her take no prisoners attitude. Her tender heart that yearned for Anthony. HOLY HOTNESS!! That man, and he is indeed all man, was her perfect match. If only he would get out of his own way.
BELIEVE AND IT WILL HAPPEN
Ginni Conquest is another new to me author (reason 374 I love anthologies). Maddy and Lukas’ story couldn’t have happened without a spunky kid. The imagery was so vivid, I could see myself in the North Pole at the store. Throw in two fabulous best friends and a meddling Santa and it was the perfect holiday wish come true.
**
Full of whimsy and charm the Mistletoe Over Manhattan is a recipe for Christmas delight. Each story was like reading a Hallmark movie- a little predictable but even so, I wasn’t able to stop reading. And best of all, most of the stories are open ended so my fingers are crossed that all of these characters will pop up in the future!
So much fun!!! Loved Stephanie Roses book pinning!!! Yay for romance and holidays
This collection is perfect for sweet light reading. Pining was Victoria and Anthony’s story. Victoria is the daughter of Josh and Sara from Rewrite and Simmer by Stephanie Rose. It is not necessary to read them before this story but it is so much better if you know all of the characters. Anthony loves Victoria but he thinks he is not good enough for her and keeps pushing her away. Victoria is having none of that and goes after what she wants. It’s a really sweet HFN story and worth the read.
Thank you for the privilege of reading this book!
Pining is not your typical holiday story. It is so much more. It’s a continuation of a family ( if you’ve read Stephanie Rose’s previous books) we came to know and love. However, don’t worry if you haven’t read the previous stories because you will be able to follow Victoria’s and Anthony’s story. It clearly stands on it’s on. The thing is you after you read this story you will want to go back and read the books of this beautiful family. It will touch your heart in all kinds of emotional ways.
Victoria has grown up and is working at her father’s motorcycle shop. This is where she meets and develops a friendship with Anthony. Anthony has some baggage of his own. I don’t do spoilers so I won’t get into details. What I will say is that there is a definite lesson to be learned and a realism to this story. How many of us can’t forgive ourselves for something? It begs the question is a second chance meant for everyone? Is everyone entitled to one? This is a story of forgiveness, love, and hope. The fact that it takes place during the holiday season just adds to the story’s depth. Many of us take for granted the holidays are happy for everyone. In reality many are just trying to get through them. Not everyone has happy memories or their situation isn’t ideal in the present. It also deals with selfless love. A lot is packed into this story. So much that I would love to see a follow up. Stephanie has unique concepts and beautiful creativity in her writing. She adds little touches and her writing is very vivid. You feel and see the story as it’s played out.
This is a family you never want to leave. They’re current, eclectic in nature and a treasure, so much so that I want to go back and re-read Simmer and Rewrite. So sit back grab a hot chocolate and enjoy, this holiday tale. I did!
P.S.- prepare to be filled with the holiday spirit!
What a wonderful idea to bring these very talented authors together to create a collection of fun, steamy romances to support a very worthy cause!
Pining by Stephanie Rose
This sweet and sexy forbidden holiday romance is a great example of the perfect short story. It is so beautifully written, capturing my heart right from the beginning and making me fall hard for both characters. This is about Victoria who we met before as a little girl in both Rewrite and Simmer. She is now a strong, self-assured young woman with a bright future. She has made friends and is falling for Anthony, a mechanic at her father’s motorcycle shop. Anthony is so sweet, and a talented artist who made a horrible mistake in his youth, and paid the price. He is falling for Victoria but doesn’t feel he is worthy of her. I loved how this all played out, starting as friends and then growing into so much more, it felt very real, and heartfelt. I especially loved the overprotective father scenes with Josh and Drew. This slow burn, friends to lovers romance is a wonderful Holiday read that will warm your heart.
What an amazing holiday anthology! I loved reading all these shorts from multiple amazingly talented authors I already loved to new ones I now have to read more from. Mistletoe Over Manhattan is romantic, steamy, and absolutely perfect for the season.
PINING by Stephanie Rose
This was a fantastic friends-to-lovers romance with a splash of forbidden mixed in and everything worked beautifully. Victoria and Anthony were flawless. They both had me at hello and it got better with every page I turned. Victoria is such a strong heroine. The girl is perfection and our hero? Wow! Stephanie Rose can’t anything other than heroes I completely lose my heart to and it’s the best thing ever. I’m praying…and begging…that this becomes a full length story at some point because, WOW! 5 stars.
SANTA, IS IT YOU? by MC Decker
This story was freaking adorable! A sweet romance through and through. Nick and Cali are the cutest and so is their romance. It’s a super quick read, but wholly satisfying. It gave me just the right amount of feels and left me with a smile. I call that a win! This was my first read from this author and now I’m totally intrigued. 5 stars.
I am reviewing Pining by Stephanie Rose.
My favorite books by Stephanie Rose are definitely Rewrite & Simmer, which are Josh & Brianna and Sara & Drew’s stories. So when I heard that Josh & Sara’s daughter Victoria was getting her own story, I couldn’t wait to see what was happening in these characters’ lives.
I loved every word! Victoria & Anthony together was everything. I loved watching them go from friends to more.
I am hoping that either Victoria & Anthony will get a full story or another character gets their own story in this series. I’m not ready to leave these characters & world behind.
I am excited to read the rest of these stories in this anthology!
I voluntarily reviewed this book.
4.5 Stars for Stephanie Rose’s Pining
I Love that we are seeing Stephanie’s “kids” in her stories! We got just the right amount of the past to make this shortie work. Victoria’s Dads ROCK….her Moms are pretty awesome too. But simply put, I Victoria and Anthony!