In between reading some spooky Halloween books, I read another Christmas book. Twelve Nights of Christmas: A Holiday Anthology is filled with twelve short stories by multiple authors. An anthology can be tricky, because some stories can be better then others.
I loved what this anthology was for though and enjoyed myself while reading the stories. Today you can see what I thought of all twelve stories!
Title: 12 Nights of Christmas Anthology
Authors: Kate Allenton, Cd Brennan, Gemma Brocado, Carrie Elks, Stacy Finz, Alice Gaines, Kim Golden, Sarah Hegger, Rebecca Hunter, Tawdra Kandle, Kristi Rose, and MK Schiller
Genre: Sexy Contemporary Romance
Release Date: October 15, 2018
AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME!Twelve bestselling and award-winning authors each bring you a sexy night of romance, fun and a little magic. ‘Tis the season for falling for the right guy!
Two people stuck in an elevator, snowed in, on an all-night bus trip, locked in a store… Can a magical fruitcake be the special ingredient they’re all looking for?
**‘Tis the season for giving**
20% of the proceeds will be donated to the hunger relief organization Feeding America
December 25: “Scrooge You” by MK Schiller
Christmas is the worse time of the year for Eva. It’s nothing but a reminder of her tragic past. To make matters worse, her boyfriend invites his entire family over…so she goes into total Scrooge mode.
When three ghosts visit her, will she be able to remember the joy in her heart and the true meaning of Christmas?
December 26: “Unexpected Daddy” by Gemma Brocato
She let him go to pursue his dreams without telling him she was pregnant. Five years later, he’s back in town and her secret’s out. Can they get over past hurts to seize a future for their small family?
December 27: “The Meant to Be Girl” by Tawdra Kandle
When Ashley Webbar meets Zane Fletcher, the new lawyer in Burton, it’s insta-lust . . . but she soon realizes he’s already smitten with someone else, even if Zane himself doesn’t seem to know it.
Ashley is so busy matchmaking that she might miss out on her own happily-ever-after . . . if something or someone doesn’t intervene first. This just might call for a Christmas miracle.
December 28: “For One Night Only” by Carrie Elks
When two strangers are stranded at a rest stop in the middle of Nowheresville—thank you, Mr. Bus Driver—they’re forced to spend the night together. Not that it’s exactly a hardship, thanks to the sizzling chemistry between them. But when morning, and rescue, comes, they both find themselves asking one question. Will they see each other again, or was their connection for one night only?
December 29: “Best Friends for the Night” by Alice Gaines
Every year, Steve has been cheering up his army buddy’s widow with popcorn and zany movies on the anniversary of her husband’s death. Will a little holiday magic make Steve and Hannah more than friends?
December 30: “Entwined” by Kristi Rose
Donovan survived combat, but can he survive being stranded over Christmas with the girl of his dreams? He swore he’d stay away from his best friend’s kid sister years ago, but after a near-death helicopter crash, this sailor knows second chances don’t come around often. Loving Bailey would mean risking not only his friendship but his heart. And that would be one wound that would never heal.
December 31: “Rekindled” by Stacy Finz
The last place Branna and Drex want to spend New Year’s Eve is stuck on a broken-down elevator, together. They’ve finally put their divorce behind them and don’t want to open old wounds. But fate and a fruitcake step in, making them question whether love could be better the second time around.
January 1: “New Year’s Negotiation” by Kate Allenton
When Detective Elizabeth Cross’s high school crush and star of all of her what-ifs shows up at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve ready to take her on a trip down memory lane, she’ll have to decide if this is a second chance at having her happily ever after or the start of another broken heart.
January 2: “Playing House” by Kim Golden
Cassie Delk isn’t having the best holiday season. With her ex-husband about to get remarried, she’s not very excited about still being single. The last thing she expects is for a second chance at love to turn up on her doorstep.
January 3: “Book of Love” by Cd Brennan
Hey, wait a minute, Mr. Postman! Where’s your Christmas spirit?
Nothing infuriates Melanie more than the one-armed, ex-army hunk who chucks her mail at her book shop door. When Nick delivers a special package at the end of the day, she’s ready to give him what for. Except a blizzard strands them together, and the fruitcake delivery sparks magic between them instead. Now, Melanie isn’t sure what she wants to give him—a piece of her mind or all of her heart.
January 4: “A Winter Wonderland” by Rebecca Hunter
Coming face to face with Jace Wilkenson after ten years is a reminder of everything Selena left behind when she moved from Delilah’s Cove. And this particular reminder is even more dangerous when mixed with a little magic…
January 5: “Wild Honey” by Sarah Hegger
Two people who couldn’t be more different. One elevator, a dark and stormy night, and a magical, bourbon-laced fruitcake. What could go right?
To review this book, I wrote a little bit about each story and my rating! There wasn’t really a story that I disliked, but only a couple that I didn’t really connect with as much.
Christmas Whodunnit in Seaside Town’s Crime of Passion
Maddie Stein
I love the thought of all these random people getting fruitcake and falling in love. I am not sure if this is just a story or actually based on something that has happened. I will have to check that out.
December 25th: Scrooge You – MK Schiller
5 stars
What a perfect way to start off this holiday anthology with A Christmas Carol retelling. We get the Boyfriend of Christmas Past and so on in this story.
Eva has a hard time with Christmas and during the story we learn why. I loved Jack right away, I mean who wouldn’t want a boyfriend that loves Christmas so much?!?
I loved the journey Eva goes on to realize it’s okay to open backup her heart and that she has more loved ones than she realizes!
December 26th: Unexpected Daddy – Gemma Brocato
3 stars
I have to start off by saying I don’t like the word ‘engorged’ in romances, because it is anything but romantic.
Harper is back at her childhood home to settle her mother’s estate. Not something she expected to be doing the day after Christmas with her five year old. Running into her ex, who just happens to be Kai’s father but doesn’t know, definitely wasn’t on her to do list. Thanks to Braden’s mother, he never knew he had a son.
I loved how loving Braden and Harper are and I could definitely feel their connection. In all honesty though, I really dislike stories where a father doesn’t get to know he has a child. These just rub me the wrong way. On top of that, things went a bit too fast, even if these are happily ever after holiday stories.
December 27th: The Meant to be Girl – Tawdra Kandle
4 stars
Ashley has built up her own styling studio and Zane just happens to walk in all stressed, because he needs a quick haircut. It’s clear that
they feel sometime of connection. If only Ashley wasn’t so focused on him maybe feeling something for his assistant she wouldn’t be so sure they didn’t belong together.
I loved the slowburn romance here and looking back at the moments before the reveal. It was nice reading a little romance about leading up to the feelings than them ending up in bed together.
December 28th: For One Night Only – Carrie Elks
3 Stars
Carys is food at number and her job had kept her busy over Christmas. Being single didn’t make this a big issue, except her family in Portland didn’t agree. Finally having time to go celebrate with the family, nothing goes right, or does it? She just happens to end up on a bus with Jesse and getting stranded at the rest stop with him.
I loved Jesse to be honest, he seemed so sweet. Carys being so careful and cautious needed these things to happen. She can’t always control everything. I loved the instant connection between the characters. That being said, there wasn’t enough to completely connect to. Ienjoued this story, but it’s not my favorite. I just love the message that love can be found in unexpected places.
December 29th: Best Friends for a Night – Alice Gaines
3.5 stars
I can’t imagine going through what Hannah has gone through. Losing the love of your life to a suicide bomber when he was deployed. That id always awful, but close to the holidays doesn’t help any.
That’s where Steve comes in. He’s her husband’s best friend and he helps her through the anniversary of his death with beer, popcorn and funny movies. This year is different though. It’s clear there are feelings.
I love that Steve and Hannah can be there for each other. I love how this day is something they share together. I guess it was only a bit too predictable for me that he was in love with her for years. Other than that, definitely a story that warms the heart.
December 30th: Entwined – Kristi Rose
4 stars
Cape Horn Falls sounds like the perfect scenic place to spend the holidays. And I would love to spend the day curled up near the fireplace that was described. The setting to this story is perfect!
Donovan didn’t have a great family, but found his very own growing up. His feelings for their daughter Bailey makes things complicated, because he doesn’t want lose them or his best friend Beau. Especially after his accident.
I loved this story, the setting, the characters, the atmosphere all fit together. I really hoped they would get their happily ever after. And it is a good sign that I would love to read more than just a novella! The only reason this didn’t get 5 stars was because at times it wasn’t clear what POV there was or it switched without warning in the middle of a chapter.
December 31st: Rekindled – Stacy Finz
5 stars
What could be more awkward than spending New Year’s Even at a friend’s house with your ex? Getting stuck with said ex in an elevator for over an hour.
I was really afraid this story would be very predictable, but the elevator started working before Branna and Drex could let anything happen. The divorce hurt them both and it’s clear that seeing the other is bringing old feelings to the surface.
I really enjoyed the warm feeling I got from this story. Some time away from each other made it clear that they needed some changes, but the feelings were still very much there. New year, new chances. This was very well written!
January 1st: New Year’s Negotiation – Kate Allenton
5 stars
Ben and Elizabeth have a past, so when he shows up drunk on New Year’s things don’t go as planned. An unexpected trip down memory lane make it clear that little misunderstandings have big consequences.
I loved this story and characters. Ben was funny and pushy and I just couldn’t help but smile. Another set of characters I wouldn’t mind reading more about!
January 2nd: Playing House – Kim Golden
4 stars
Cassie is trying to move on from her divorce and going to her ex-husband’s engagement party isn’t on her list of things to do. Neither is her ex Michael showing up on her doorstep. This story proves that certain decisions really can take your life in an unexpected direction.
This was another romantic story. I loved that Michael showed up to see her and that it was still so clear there were feelings there. The snowstorm was the perfect weather to rediscover their romance. This story left a smile on my face.
January 3rd: Book of Love – CD Brennan
4 stars
Mel has every bookworm’s dream, her own bookstore. The heavy winter weather isn’t helping business, but she is determined. Only her mailman is getting on her nerves. Instead of bringing everything inside he throws it in front of the door.
Nick was a soldier and now a mailman. The weather doesn’t do his arm any good, so if he had to go in and out of the cold it would be even worse.
Nick’s attraction for Mel surprises even him, but he can’t help it. So an alarm malfunction leaving them together for the night gives perfect timing.
I loved the setting once again and how even though Mel doesn’t like Nick she can’t avoid the attraction. I think the story went a bit slow at times, but was an enjoyable read.
January 4th: A Winter Wonderland – Rebecca Hunter
4stars
I loved how the fruitcake we read about plays a role in all twelve stories. The advice given with the package is a good one though “Enjoy the magic of Christmas and prepare to fall on love”.
Stacy Finz is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance. After more than twenty years covering notorious serial killers, naked-tractor-driving farmers, fanatical foodies, aging rock stars and weird Western towns as a newspaper reporter, she figured she finally had enough material to launch a career writing fiction. She is the author of the Nugget Romance series, the Garner Brothers Series and the upcoming Dry Creek Ranch series. She lives in Northern California with her husband.
Sarah Hegger. Born British, raised South African, and married Canadian, Sarah Hegger is never happier than when she’s reading or writing romance.
Kate Allenton has lived in Florida for most of her entire life. She enjoys a quiet life with her husband, Michael and two kids. Kate has pulled all-nighters finishing her favorite books and also writing them. She says she’ll sleep when she’s dead or when her muse stops singing off key. She loves creating worlds full of suspense, secrets, hunky men, kick ass heroines, steamy sex and oh yeah the love of a lifetime. Not to mention an occasional ghost and other supernatural talents thrown into the mix.
Tawdra Kandle writes romance, in just about all its forms. She loves unlikely pairings, strong women, sexy guys, hot love scenes and just enough conflict to make it interesting. She lives in central Florida with a husband, kids, sweet pup and too many cats. And yeah, she rocks purple hair.
Rebecca Hunter writes sensual, emotional adventures of the heart. Her first book, Stockholm Diaries, Caroline, won the 2016 National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award in the Contemporary Series category, and she writes books about hot, edgy bodyguards in Australia for the new, super-sexy Harlequin DARE line.
Kim Golden is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic fiction. Born and raised in the City of Brotherly Love, Kim left the US in 1995 and moved to Sweden for love with a capital L. When she isn’t writing fiction featuring sexy Scandinavians, she writes copy for a Swedish cosmetics firm. She writes stories for people who know that love comes in every color.
Gemma Brocato‘s favorite desk accessories for many years were a circular wooden token, better known as a ’round tuit,’ and a fortune from a fortune cookie that said she was a lover of words; some day she’d write a book. It took a transfer to the United Kingdom, the lovely English springtime, and a huge dose of homesickness to write her first novel.
Cd Brennan has lived and traveled all over the world but is now settled in a wee town in remote Michigan. Married to an Aussie fella, they have two devilish boys, a puppy that still pees inside, and a hamster who is about to cack it in and run that hamster wheel in the sky.
Kristi Rose grew up in central Florida but lives in the Pacific Northwest. She’s a tea-drinking-yoga loving, mom of two and wife to one. Because who has the energy for more than one man? Kristi likes to laugh, watch action flicks, and has a hard time saying no to a cookie.
Alice Gaines is a USA Today bestselling author who writes ultra-steamy romance for Entangled Publishing’s Scorched line and for Changeling Press. She has a Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley and lives in Oakland with her pet corn snake, Casper.
Stories about love and other four-letter words.
Not knowing a word of English, MK Schiller came to America at the age of four from India. Since then, all she’s done is collect words. With the goal of making her readers both laugh and cry, MK Schiller has penned more than a dozen books, each one filled with misfit characters overcoming obstacles and finding true love.
Carrie Elks writes contemporary romance with a sizzling edge. Her first book, Fix You, has been translated into eight languages and made a surprise appearance on Big Brother in Brazil. Luckily for her, it wasn’t voted out.
Carrie lives with her husband, two lovely children and a larger-than-life black pug called Plato. When she isn’t writing or reading, she can be found baking, drinking an occasional (!) glass of wine, or chatting on social media.
If you love holiday romances and want to support a good cause, I definitely recommend this anthology!
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