Sweet Charity by Lauren Dane. Eight years after a horrible one night stand,Charity and Gabriel finally find themselves in bed again. Trouble is, he thinks she’s too nice a girl to accept his darker sexual urges, so he’ll only agree to a short term fling. Gabriel’s about to find out that even sweet girls have their limits.
Unraveled by Jaci Burton. Entrepreneur Mitch Magruder wants to buy old friend Greta Mason’s rundown motel. Greta loves the motel and intends to hang tight, despite the feelings between her and Mitch. Can a man afraid to commit and a woman bruised by the past find a love worth building a future on?
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It’s that time of year again—the…I hate to say it…but it can’t be avoided, so I’m going to utter the “H” word. The Holidays are creeping up on us.
I know, it makes me shudder too. All the shopping and the decorating and the shopping and the cooking and the wrapping paper and the shopping and the cleaning my house so family can come over and the shopping and the endless lines and the shopping and the stress and the shopping. And did I mention the shopping?
But you know what I do love this time of year? Holiday romances. This is actually the first year in a long time I haven’t written a new holiday romance. I love writing them, and I love reading them…in all genres. As much as you have to drag me, kicking and screaming, into the holidays, the one thing that’s guaranteed to put me in the mood for this crazy time of year is a holiday romance. It doesn’t matter if it’s a sweet category or a family romance or an erotic or a historical, I love them.
Maybe it’s because there are so many different types of holiday romances. Romance and the holidays just go so well together. It’s a season for warmth and family and miracles and of course—love. And hey, we romance writers are in the love business, so what better time of year to set our stories than at the holidays. And this time of year tends to be cold outside in many places of the world. Fireplaces are sexy ya know. All that snow, and the possibility of being stranded in a snowstorm, cuddled up with the hot hero…yum and oh so sexy.
And romances with kids in them? Love them at the holidays. There’s nothing better than seeing the holidays through the eyes of a child. Add in a couple trying to fall in love to the mix and you have a winning recipe for happily ever after. Sometimes the child is the catalyst for the romance in these types of stories.
I also love holiday reunion romances, where two lovers have been torn apart and are reunited at the holidays. The forgiveness factor is strong in these romances, and the holiday is integral and bringing them back together again. These are the sweetest types of romances and they really pull at the heartstrings. These types of stories tend to be loaded with emotion, making them powerful reads.
The holidays are all about second chances and forgiveness and granting those special wishes, like telling someone you love them. I just get all warm inside thinking about the potential for romance this time of year.
And speaking of romance, I’m going to give away Holiday Seduction and Holiday Heat to one winner. The erotic romances contain connected stories by me and wonderful author Lauren Dane. J
So tell me what holiday books are on your to buy list this year. I’m always on the lookout for great holiday romances, and this is the time to buy!
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Many thanks to Jaci for being our guest today. Don’t forget to leave a comment for the chance to win copies of HOLIDAY HEAT and HOLIDAY SEDUCTION. For more information on Jaci and her books, please visit her website here.
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UNWRAPPED Amy’s kind of fantasies wouldn’t cut it in the straight-laced law firm where she’s fought her way to partnership. And she refuses to let a younger man use her to advance in the firm. Justin might be brilliant, gorgeous and sexy, but he’s firmly implanted in the look-but-don’t-touch realm. Until a corporate acquisition in Hawaii over Christmas gives Justin the opportunity to show Amy he’s interested in her as a woman. And he has the ideal plan to help unwrap the perfect Christmas gift for Amy.
TO DO LIST Since she could pick up a pencil, Belle has used lists to map out her life. But now, she realizes the life she thought she wanted exacts too high a price. Exhausted, she heads home for Christmas to make a new to-do list. She didn’t factor in Rafe, her brother’s best friend kissing her under the mistletoe! Belle finds herself with a whole new set of goals to balance with what she thought she always wanted. Rafe’s plan is to seduce Belle back home where she belongs.
I have read Donna Vanliere’s Christmas Secret – her latest – v.g. and Debbie Macomber’s The Perfect Christmas – also v.g. And looking forward to getting Kissing Santa Claus by Jill Shalvis, and crew and Snow Angels anthol. with Fern Micahels I think it is.
I have several Christmas books on my tbr. I love the holiday books; gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling.
I’m getting ready to read Diana Palmer’s The Winter Man and looking forward to Kissing Santa Claus by Jill Shalvis, etal, and Linda Lael Miller’s A Creed Country Christmas. As for re-reads, I always get a kick out of Debbie Macomber’s Angels.
I have several Christmas romance anthologies, and I am doling them out…one new story between my traditional books! They’re great motivation for me to keep up with the rest. Thanks for visiting today. Good luck with Christmas shopping.
Jaci~~I love Holiday romances, too!! I have a whole list of fav’s I pull out every year and some I do total rereads, and some I just skim over, and sigh over some of those great moments. And I always find new holiday stories every eyar~~and you’re right, the stories span all ranges, from historical to futuristic, to paranormal. There’s a little bit of everything in there, because the holidays are just great when celebrated with someone you love whenever or wherever you are!!
This year? I’ve already bought and read Ice by Linda Howard, want Wrapped In Seduction by Lisa Renee Jones and Cathryn Fox, got Sant Baby by Lisa Renee Jones on it’s way, and I can’t find my copy of Simple Gifts by Judith McNaught, the new Lora Leigh and Anya Bast antho, and Jude Devereaux so I’m buying that again. It’s an old fav of mine. I usually will pick up any holiday romance I see that catches my eye!!
I don’t go out looking for a specific holiday book but if I see them and they interest me I’ll get them…anytime of the year too.
I remember seeing that Debbie Macomber has some re-issues coming out that are holiday themed I think. I want to look into getting them.
I already have Holiday Heat and Holiday Seduction. Read both and loved both.
I’m sure the person that wins them will love them.
I love Christmas romances. I have a number of anthologies I saved for now. Three of them are The Magicla Christmas Cat, I’m Your Santa, and The Perfect Gift.
Just wanted to come by and say hi to Jaci. I was kind of hoping you & Lauren would have another holiday romance out this year 🙂
Some of my favortie Harlequin Intrigue authors will have holdiay themed books out in December – Debra Webb, Rita Herron, Cassie Miles to name a few.
Please don’t include me in the drawing – I already have both books 🙂
I’ve already read The Perfect Christmas by Macomber, Lakeshore Christmas by Robyn Carr, and The Christmas Secret by Donna Van Liere. Last year one of my favorites was A Virgin River Christmas by Robyn Carr.
I like Christmas Anthologies even though I haven’t bought mine yet this year because I get new stories from favorite authors and the chance to try some new authors at the same time!
I have yet to read these books. Love the holidays mixed with romance
Hey Jaci, I tend to like Christmas stories with humor, or very dramatic. Some of my favorites, that I read over and over are: “All Boxed Up” by Anne Douglas, “In The Spirit” by Shannon Stacey, “Secret Santa” by Jamie Hill, “The Christmas Gift” by Mary Suzanne, “Loving Scrooge” by Anna Leigh Keaton, and “How to Ruin Christmas for a Vampire” by Crymsyn Hart – this one leaves me howling with laughter!
I always wanted big holiday get-togethers – but alas, my family is almost non-existant, and my husband is the original scrooge – so it’s a holiday dinner with just the two of us, nothing special, and no company. LOL I need the books that make me laugh just to get in the spirit!
Have a great thanksgiving.
Missy Martine
missymartine@comcast.net
Oh boy… the Holidays are coming so fast, and I have barely started shopping… as for holiday romance books, I am all for them! I have a few in my TBR pile, but I am definitely on the lookout for more! 😀
Great post! I love holidays actually. It’s probably because I shop online and avoid the stores, the horrible traffic, and hiking for what feels like miles because parking is always so horrible. Plus… My UPS guy is cute and flirts so… always nice to give him a reason to stop by and brighten my day. LOL!
I love holiday novels too. It’s part of my tradition to read some of them every year and no holiday would complete without a little romance.
Jaci,
I love your books, I especially love holiday specials. These books are in my TBB pile, but have not yet made it home to my shelves. I would LOVE to win them.
Patty D
Oh I LOVE the holidays!! Christmas is truly my very favorite time of year (I say “time” not day cuz we really like to stretch it out LOL)
I don’t have either of these books and they both look fabulous – my Christmas wish list is like a mile long!!
I’m wanting to get “Bound For the Holidays” by Mackenzie McKade, and of course the two books here 😀
I always like to re-read Johanna Lindsey’s holiday romances, and Jude Deveraux & Judith McNaught have a couple holiday anthologies I like.
I am so stoked for the holiday season!!! Thanks for the blog subject, and the chance to win!! *hugs*
I’m a huge fan of holiday anthologies. In fact, that’s how I got started writing when I first got divorced. I had read two Christmas anthologies and two Valentine’s Day ones and realized how much I missed the romance genre.
I’m hoping to pick up Lizzie T. Leaf’s “Forget the Mistletoe” at Aspen Mountain Press. It has that humour and romance combination I especially enjoy during the stressful holiday season.
There are a lot of holiday books out there, and I’ve not had a major chance to go shopping for them yet– but give me a weekend off soon– and watch me shop! LMAO
I collect holiday books all year and save them to read during the holidays. I use them every year to get in the holiday mood. I have most of them bought already!!! I prob should be reading a few by now but haven’t. I do not have these books and I would gladly add them to my TBR pile!!! Right now I have, That Holiday Feeling, Hot For the Holidays, Santa, Honey, To All A Good Night, and Yule Be Mine. I seem to pick up mostly anthologies. I always read a D. Macomber every holiday. I may or may not get through all of these , then they move to next year’s reads. Thanks, Sue
This looks like a good read for the upcoming Holidays!
I don’t think that any of mine are Holiday romances. I don’t really pay attention, that is just so sad! I am looking forward to a lot of new ones coming out next year. Maya Banks, Jaci Burton, Lora Leigh, Beth Kery…all have lots of new ones planned for early next year, and I cannot wait. So, does that count for an answer? Sort of, maybe? 🙂
Amy M
I’m looking forward to reading Holiday Heat and Holiday Seduction.
On my other holiday treats are: A Highlander Christmas and The Heart of Christmas.
I love holiday romance books and have bought “The Perfect Christmas” by Debbie Macomber, “3 Angels” by Debbie Macomber” and just ordered “A Highlander Christmas” anthology and “Nicely Naughty” which is an ebook holiday anthology. I’m really looking forward to them. I like holiday romance because there always seems to be a spirit of generousity and forgiveness that isn’t present the rest of the year. Plus the holiday movies just seem to have more romance too.
Hi Jaci 😀
*lol* I see you really love shopping, mh? Me too – can’t wait to go in a shopping center full with people and their shopping bags…
My holiday books are: A Highlander Christmas by Janet Chapman, The Magical Christmas Cat by Lora Leigh…, Red Hot Holidays by Shelby Reed… and Dark Celebration by Christine Feehan and some more 😉 but I’m not sure if I can wait…
and I will put Holiday Seduction on my wishlist – that sounds really great and I love the cover *sigh* the lights are great!
Wish you all the best!
Ina
I’m not typically big on holiday romances, but Holiday Heat and Holiday Secduction sound great. They also have great covers. Adding to buy list now.
Hi everyone!
So glad you stopped by. And thanks so much for all the holiday book recommendations. Though now that my holiday reading pile is growing by leaps and bounds, I’m not so sure I should be thanking you 😉
Seriously though, keep those recommendations coming, and thanks again for being here today!
I just got done reading Hot For the Holidays and very much liked the Lora Leigh story in it (can’t get enough of those Breeds). I’m hoping to get A Regency Christmas anthology with Lyn Stone since her story involves disabled characters which is a theme I’m always on the lookout for.
Both of the Hot Christmas books you’re giving away sound amazingly good! Really hoping Santa will gift me with them.
I have some holiday books and I enjoy them. Will need to get these two!
I’m looking forward to Linda Howard’s “Ice” and Lori Foster’s “Yule Be Mine.”
I love holiday books and these are just fabulous!
Holiday Heat and Holiday Seduction sound great.
I’m also looking forward to reading Hot for the Holidays anthology. And A Highlander Christmas.
This book looks great and I really hope that I win a copy!!!
Hot for the Holidays is the only Holiday book that I have so far, but I want to add to my list!
I’m looking forward to A Creed Country Christmas by Linda Lael Miller.
I’m a sucker for holiday books, Jaci! The new ones on the TBB so far are A Highlander Christmas and Wrapped in Seduction. I do need to get Holiday Heat and Holiday Seduction too! 🙂 Hope you find some terrific holiday reading!
Unfortunately, I don’t have any holiday books on my list this year! I’ll just check out the lists posted here!
Thanks, Folks, for the suggestions.
Tracey D
haven’t seen any must have holiday books this year but these are two of my favorite authors so these are on my tbb list. I think I have a couple of these is ebook version. Need to check
I don’t have any holiday books on my list. I’ll look into these since I’m a big fan of Lauren Dane!
Well obviously Holiday Heat and Holiday Seduction are in my Holiday romance shopping list, but I also cant’ wait to read Hot for the Holidays with Lora Leigh….and can I also say that I am more than excited about the anthology Nauti and Wild with you and Lora Leigh coming out next year. That is most definitely going to be both naughty and wild 🙂
I like reading holiday romances, but I don’t specifically look for them while I’m book-shopping. I have to say, though, the cover for Holiday Heat is gorgeous!
I don’t have anything specific in mind, I like all holiday books. It doesn’t even have to be the holidays for me to read them. I enjoy them the year around.
Hot For The Holidays and Holiday Heat were the 2 books on my Christmas wishlist. What a great combo….you and Lauren!!! Love the excerpt and can’t wait to read it.
Great books ! i just love the excerpts.
so far, i still don’t have any Whislist. I guess, your books will on my whislist now ! 🙂
I have been wanting to read Lauren’s Sweet Charity, but both of these holiday books are on my to buy list for the this time of the year. I also want to pick up Lori Foster’s Yule be mine. Thanks so much for the giveaway and I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!
I enjoy holiday themes in general, something about the season makes everyone’s emotional capacity increase it seems.
On my list is “A Wallflower Christmas” that’s the only title that comes to mind currently but that’s because I generally go to the bookstore to look at all the holiday books available.
Thanks for stopping by. Your two titles sound great, sexy, holiday affairs…what’s not to like? hope I win, lol!
oh wowo hot books on a col d nites lol
love it
love the authors
Please count me in
I love reading holiday romances. Some of my favorite holiday anthologies include The Magical Christmas Cat and An Enchanted Season (can you tell I like Nalini Signh and Erin McCarthy?). Your holiday books look great and are on my list!
I just bought KISSING SANTA CLAUS and A HIGHLANDER CHRISTMAS. I love, love, love Christmas stories!
I’ve read HOLIDAY SEDUCTION, which was fabulous! HOLIDAY HEAT looks like it will be another great holiday read too!