Naughty and Nice Anthology
Contemporary Romance
December 6, 2010
E-Book
Carina Press


Reviewed by Mandi


Holiday Sparks by Shannon Stacey

When Chloe Burke blows the fuse at her parent’s old house while housesitting, she calls electrician Scott Quinn to come turn the lights back on. Scott has had a crush on Chloe since high school, but running in different circles, Chloe doesn’t remember him. Now working in Boston, Chloe is enjoying being back at home for a few weeks, and enjoying the sight of Scott. When Chloe decides to get her parent’s house rewired for a Christmas present, she is able to see Scott every day for a few weeks. Their fast friendship soon turns to a very sexy romance.

This is an absolutely adorable story. It is a very simple love story really, without a lot of conflict. Just two people who meet, dance around each other for a few days, and have a wonderful romance blossom between them. They are both easy going, casual people. Scott has been lusting after Chloe for years, and can’t believe he actually has a chance to do wicked things with her now. Chloe doesn’t remember Scott at first, but can’t get over how nice and sexy he is. With her living in Boston, and him living in her small hometown of Maine, they start their fling with the intention of keeping it casual. But by the end, there is true love, and a story that will have you smiling. Super cute!!


Rating: B+


All She Wants for Christmas by Jaci Burton

Country music star Riley Jenson returns to her hometown after leaving ten years ago to film a biography. She left a young adult those ten years ago not only searching for a big music career, but running from heartbreak. She caught her best friend Amanda and her boyfriend Ethan in bed together.
Now ten years later, Ethan is a single parent after Amanda’s death. When he sees Riley that flare of passion ignites within him again. Riley has been singing about the betrayal and her eventual forgiveness in her songs. Can the man from small town, make it with the big star?

This story packs an emotional punch. First Riley must come to terms with the betrayal that happened ten years ago, but in a sense, she is also coming to terms with her fame. She doesn’t feel comfortable back in her own town, not having a lot of confidence. She feels more unsteady when she realizes how much she has missed, by not being in contact with anyone the entire time she has been gone.

With the amount of drama in this one, Ethan and Riley act mature throughout which is very appealing to me. There is a lot of time spent analyzing the past, and I think it is odd that it was such a big deal that Riley runs out of town because of Amanda and Ethan’s betrayal, yet no one contacts her to let her know when Amanda dies? That made me scratch my head a bit.

However, I really enjoyed this one! Ethan and Riley have great chemistry and I really hope Jaci Burton writes the stories for Ethan’s two brothers who are very intriguing.


Rating: B


Unwrapped by Megan Hart

Leah and Brandon are in Vail, CO celebrating their first Christmas married. Leah may not be the best skier, but most of their fun happens inside the bedroom. Having a good rhythm in bed, Leah knows she likes to be in control, and Brandon is more than happy to follow her lead. As they enjoy one another, Leah gets a bit heartsick thinking of having kids. Afraid children would cramp Brandon’s style, she is unsure how to bring the subject up, but she can’t get it out of her head.


Unwrapped  is an erotic short story with some very spicy love scenes. I like Leah as a dominant and Brandon “forced” to do her bidding. I have no complaints with the love scenes. I did kind of feel like I didn’t know this couple very well. We kind of get dumped into this week of their lives, and I felt like we were missing important things about who this couple is. So, while it was nice just for the sex scenes, I missed having a connection to these characters. These two characters are in her other two books, Taking Care of Business and No Reservations, which I have not read.
Rating: C+


Believe by Lauren Dane
Jude and Rori want to make their own Christmas tradition. Now in love, they have overcome much in their life, including the murder of Rori’s husband who was also Jude’s good friend. Together they made it out of that terrible time, and found love with each other. Jude is a dominant, and Rori loves to be topped by him. As a gift, Jude takes Rori to a resort, where they will have days of uninterrupted naughty play, and a time to make a Christmas memory of their own.


Believe is the most naughtiest of the stories in this anthology. Lauren Dane has such a way with words. Her descriptions are so vivid and raw. It makes for an extremely sensual book. This is an excellent erotic story of two people in love, who have moved past horror in their lives and just enjoy the time spent with one another. There isn’t conflict, just the two of them experiencing the love they share for one another. It is very sexy, and I loved both Jude and Rori. It is an epilogue to her previous book, Second Chances, which I have not read and but had no problems following this short story.


Rating: B+

I am very impressed with this anthology! Even for those who shy away from anthology books, I definitely recommend this one.


Overall Rating: B


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