Christmas

A Christmas anthology of novellas by three contemporary authors. The only one I really liked was the one by Jennifer Crusie (whom I adore), and even it was not up to her usual good work.

From the back cover:
“Red-hot kisses. Secret wishes. A gift too scandalous to share…

Looking for a perfect sugar sweet Christmas holiday romance? Read this book!

Brody Taggert is struggling with Christmas seven years after his brother's death, but is forced to confront the cheerless season when newcomer Lila Grainger thrusts it upon him. Bitter and jaded Tag learns to deal with loss, and learns to love again in this sweet, small-town tale. Coming to Mills & Boon, October 2008. 

The Darkest Fire (Lords of the Underworld) by Gena Showalter (HQN Novella, 2008)

Copied Blurb:

He is the guardian of hell, more monster than man. She is the goddess of oppression, more angel than woman. Together they will enter the flames to battle a dangerous horde of demon lords--and discover a passion unlike any other.... Don't miss this sizzling prequel to Gena Showalter's breathtaking new paranormal series, The Lords of the Underworld! Though they carry an eternal curse, the Lords of the Underworld are irresistibly seductive--and unimaginably powerful....

A haven't read a Special Edition release in years. This book was a good one to get back into the line.

Score: 3 1/2

One of the Guys & Daughters trilogy

Grant's ex-wife is killed in an accident and he suddenly gains custody of his 4 year old daughter, Haley.  He loves her, but doesn't know how to relate to her.  Mia was best friends with Grant's ex-wife and Haley already loves her.  Grant asks Mia for help.

I know it isn't Christmas but this is exactly the sort of book to put one in the Christmas spirit any time of year!

     I read a review for this book last year and I'd been looking for it ever since... Ta da! I found it!  It was a very good story and I'm glad that it finally made its way into my hands.  This was a great Christmas story... and, while it is March, I could still get myself into the mindset of the season... without any of the stress!  Bonus. 

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  As for this month's challenge, Carrie Alexander is another NTM author bringing my total to 4 NTM harlequin imprints / lines and now, 24 authors.  My totals are 34 books for the month, so far, 26 of which are harlequin imprints and 8 that are "other".
 I'm not, however, doing well this month with the ratio of books from my TBR to new acquisitions:  I've read only 4, maybe 5, books that have been languishing in my TBR as opposed to 30 (or 29) recent acquisitions.  Ah well... the price of looking for NTM authors, I guess! LOL 

RATING:
Excellence: Great to Very Good ~ 3.0 stars
Steaminess: Romantic to Sensual

Last year, someone in the challenge raved about this book so I found a copy from an online source. Picked it up, didn't get into it, put it down. Picked it up again a couple of days ago, thought about just putting it in the giveaway pile without giving it another chance and I am glad that I didn't (put it in the giveaway pile unread). I guess that's a statement on how mood can affect enjoyment.

Fifteen years ago, Isabella Spencer and her dad took Michael Wulf in (Bella was 13, Michael 16) and Michael has never forgotten. He's become an uber-millionaire thanks to his computer programming