What Happens Under the Mistletoe by Sabrina Jeffries, Karen Hawkins, Candace Camp, Meredith Duran (Anthology)

Title: What Happens Under the Mistletoe
Classification: Adult Fiction/Anthology
Genre: Historical Romance
Format: Paperback; 400 pages
Publisher: Pocket Books; October 27, 2015
ISBN-10: 1476786089
ISBN-13: 978-1476786087
Authors' Websites 
Sabrina Jeffries - http://www.sabrinajeffries.com/
Karen Hawkins - http://www.karenhawkins.com/
Candace Camp - http://www.candace-camp.com/
Meredith Duran - http://meredithduran.com/
Notes: I bought this one.

It's the most wonderful time of the year....Christmas with its seemingly endless array of traditions can be a truly magical time. This anthology features four novellas (aka short stories) about four couples who figuratively fall in love under the mistletoe. If you're looking for quick holiday read to squeeze in between wrapping present, decorating the tree, or cooking a big holiday meal, then you may want to check out "What Happens Under the Mistletoe". One things for sure, what happens under the mistletoe doesn't stay there. A splendid collection of stories which will have you remembering or give you an idea of what its like to fall in love.

The Heiress and the Hothead (Sinful Suitors #1.5)

by Sabrina Jeffries

Amanda Keene is an American heiress who owns Montague Mills.

Lord Stephen Corry is a reporter bent on exposing the cruel treatment of workers by Mill owners

He believes she's just as bad as her English counterparts

She thinks he is a narrowed minded reporter who embellishes the truth for the sake of a good story.

Romance is the last thing either would expect, but after one kiss under the mistletoe ...

Love will find a way.

This was a fun story that centered around a couple who should by all accounts dislike each other, but can't seem to. Each has preconceived notions about the other that slowly need to be chiseled away before they can see the person who truly stands before them. Seeing the process as it happens is what makes this story such an utterly delicious read. I can't help wondering if this was the tiniest bit inspired by the movie North & South and only because it has a cotton Mill in the story. I loved the movie as have many others and the mistletoe kiss brought to mind the kiss in that movie, although no mistletoe was involved with that one.

I gave this one 5 out of 5 roses. A great short story that read like a full one. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

Twelve Kisses to Midnight 

by Karen Hawkins

It's the same old sad story...Once upon a time Marcus had been engaged. His fiance had broken his heart when she broke off the engagement and married another. He's never really gotten over her. The man she'd married having died, she is once again free to marry. After being bitten and smitten by her once, he vows never to fall for her charms again. That is until one kiss under the mistletoe changes everything...

This was a fun read with a lot of things happening in a very small time frame. Yet, despite all that, it didn't feel rushed. It was a little steamier than I recall Ms. Hawkins stories to be, and had a dash of naughty added into the mix.

I gave this one 5 out of 5 roses. It had a fast pace, a couple with an intriguing past, and a lot of fun situations that allowed them to work things out. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a STEAM rating bordering on a SHOWER rating (a cold shower is necessary (need I say more?). Some books should come with a warning - make sure your significant other is handy or your shower is in working order. lol)

By Any Other Name 

by Candace Camp

Amaryllis "Rylla" Campbell is trying to find her brother and bring him home before Christmas. To accomplish her task, she's going around to some of the seediest clubs around dressed as a young man in hopes of finding him. When her disguise is uncovered (quite literally), she'll do everything she can to save her reputation while hoping the man who saved her from a near fatal attack doesn't discover who she truly is.

Gregory Rose smelled trouble when he noticed a young lad being followed out of a bar by a man he guessed had less than honorable intentions. As he trails behind the two, he finds his suspicions are true. What he never could have guessed, however, is that the young lad he followed isn't a young lad at all, but a beguiling lassie who'll lead him on a merry chase as he tries to discover her true identity.

This was such a delightful tale that I wished the author had made it into a full length book. I love when a young miss tries to disguise herself as a male counterpart and gets caught. They are usually some of the funnest stories and Ms. Camp did not disappoint. Fast paced and full of good humor, I couldn't help adoring this one and giving it 5 out of 5 roses. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a STEAM rating.

Sweetest Regret 

by Meredith Duran

She thought he'd left her and didn't return her feelings.

He thought she didn't think him good enough for her. 

Each was hurt and feels the other has wronged them

Reunited, the truth will be set free, but can true love prevail?

This was a fun story where two people have been led to believe the other doesn't share the strong feelings they have for the other. It was entertaining seeing these two finally come to the conclusion that someone interfered with their budding romance and mislead them. Things could have gone so wrong between these two, but luckily they don't. The interaction between Georgie and Lucas when they still believe the other has toyed with their emotions was a pleasure to watch. I couldn't help but give this one earned 5 out of 5 roses. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a STEAM.

Overall, this was one of the best romance anthologies I've ever read. A very talented group of authors came together and cranked up the heat making our holiday season all the more warm and snuggly for it. I couldn't help but give it 5 out of 5 roses. I highly recommend this one. It would make the perfect stocking stuffer, gift for under the tree, or reward for oneself. A truly delightful read that I am glad to own. 

Notes to Keep You in the Know:
"It wasn't until the 18th or 19th centuries, though, that the British started hanging mistletoe as part of Christmas celebrations. In an 1820 story, Washington Irving described Christmas decorations that included "the mistletoe, with its white berries, hung up to the imminent peril of all the pretty housemaids." In The Pickwick Papers(1836), Charles Dickens paints a scene of mass sub-mistletoe kissing: Young women "screamed and struggled, and ran into corners, and did everything but leave the room, until … they all at once found it useless to resist any longer and submitted to be kissed with a good grace." In this context, mistletoe was supposed to bring luck to two people who kissed underneath it and bad luck to those who didn't. Some say proper etiquette is to pick a berry off for every kiss and stop when all the berries are gone. Just don't eat them: Some species of mistletoe are poisonous." (Via the article 'What's the Deal With Mistletoe? How the plant came to be associated with Christmas kissing.' in the Explainer written by By Christopher Beam. For more information regarding Mistletoe, check out the full article at:
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2010/12/whats_the_deal_with_mistletoe.html )

Hot and Haunted (Anthology) by Saranna DeWylde, Lauren Hawkeye, Megan Hart

• Title: Hot and Haunted
• Classification: Adult Fiction
• Genre: Erotica
• File Size: 388 KB
• Print Length: 100 pages
• Publisher: Avon Red (October 23, 2012)
• Sold by: HarperCollins Publishers
• ASIN: B008XO8T8A

Notes: Books published under the Avon Red name are erotic. I keep forgetting Avon has erotic reads and, therefore, accidentally downloaded this when they set me a bunch of eArcs they wanted me to read. So instead of rating these based on my like of the romance these will all be rated on the story portion themselves. I'll also include things I think some may have an objection to.

Nothing Else Matters by Megan Hart

A few weeks ago the world as we knew it changed..
'First came the storm, then the flowers that spread the seeds of infection. People turned violent just before the seeds, which had taken root inside them exploded out of their faces infecting others even as it killed the hosts, then somehow brought them back from the dead.' Resurrected is the name that was given to these 'reborn' individuals and while they were alive, human was not a term one would use for them.

Lira and a handful of other individuals who managed to find refuge in a local synagogue are attempting to stay alive. Lira has been subjected to the spores from the deadly flowers time and time again and has  proven she has some inborn immunity to whatever the deadly spores do. She has been tasked with the mission of providing for herself and the others in the shelter by venturing out and scavenging whatever she can from what is left in the city of Pittsburgh, the city they all resided in when disaster hit. When Lira encounters someone new while out scavenging, he warns her the army is coming with the intent of wiping out everything in its path whether it's dead or alive, infected or not. Lira and her fellow survivors will have to risk all to get out in time. The question posed by those in the shelter is, "You believe him?"

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I truly enjoyed this one. The plants reminded me a little of a plant in an episode of The Adventures of Sarah Jane (a Doctor Who spin-off) entitled 'The Gift' which also had spore plants which infected people, but differently. So when I read this one I already had a preconceived picture of what happened in my head. What makes this story more appealing is that the spores don't make people sick, they turn them into zombie like creatures and who doesn't love a good zombie tale? lol

Overall, I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. This one is full of action, questions and, well, 'loving', if you know what I mean. This is after all an erotic read. One thing some readers may be turned off by is that the Lira is in a relationship, although not fully committed, when she has an encounter of an intimate variety with another man. Sounds like this one will make for an excellent series although I could find no evidence to suggests Ms. Hart plans to expand on this story.

Pick Me Up by Lauren Hawkeye 

A lone woman walks a deserted rural road. It's raining and a car swerves to avoid her ending up in the ditch. The woman recently had a fight with her cheating fiance who then proceeded to abandon her on the side of the road. Determined to prove she's not cold or frigid she sets about seducing the man whose car she now sits in while they wait for Triple A. There's a reason they say never get in a stranger's car or pick up a stranger on the side of the road....
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This one is so hard for me to rate because it's mostly about the sex, but the twist was quite something and I felt made the story perfect for this time of the year. For me it was the spookiest of the bunch. I'm going to give it a 2 1/2 out of 5 roses. If I liked erotica it would have been rated higher.

Little Red's Big Bad by Saranna DeWylde

"He's dead, just like you will be, Little Red. The Wolf wants you to find him."

'Hannible, Misssouri, was famous for three things: Mark Twain, the brand-new, state-of-the-art, supermax penitentiary, and serial killer Dean Harvey Webster.' When the latter ends up escaping, they call in U.S. Marshal Miranda Garrick to head the investigation and the hunt him down. Dean apparently predicted Miranda would be the one they'd send to come after him and he wants her to find him. Teamed with special Agent Aden Brewster of the FBI, who Miranda finds herself unreasonably attracted to, will she be able to get her man or will the hunter become the hunted?
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This is one was my favorite of the anthology. There are a couple of twists at the end that I loved  and an encounter with a phone that had me recollecting the dryer scene with Monica on the TV show Friends that had me giggling. Overall, I gave it a 4 1/2 out of 5 roses.

My overall rating for the anthology is 4 out of 5 roses. A perfect book for the Halloween season. If you don't like erotic reads then this isn't a book for you, however, if you do, then I would recommend this one to you. It is definitely worth the 99 cents for the eBook.

Blood by Moonlight (Anthology) by Jocelynn Drake , Terri Garey, Caris Roane

• Title: Blood by Moonlight
• Classification: Adult Fiction
• Genre: Supernatural/Contemporary Romance
• File Size: 369 KB
• Print Length: 100 pages
• Publisher: Avon Impulse (October 23, 2012)
• Sold by: HarperCollins Publishers
• ASIN: B008XOA4YW

Of Monsters and Men by Jocelynn Drake

It's All Hallows' eve which marks a shift in power between the courts. A night in which the Winter Court celebrates their rise in power by conducting The Wild Hunt. This year the Elves have decided to conduct it in Low Town and the local werewolf pack is their target. The pack's alpha Jack has come to Gage, the town's local warlock, for help. Gage, however, is not an average warlock, he's one from the Ivory Towers, a group of the most feared, ruthless and powerful of warlocks. Jack had left the group 10 years ago due his objection to some of their practices. If those around him were to find out who he truly was, well they would probably try to kill him. Dare he risk all to save those in need? Plus, knowing something and seeing it aren't always the same. Will Trixie, his girlfriend, be able to deal with him in his full power?

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This was such a fun story and I want more!!! lol I adored Gage and Trixie and the world Ms. Drake created. I believe this is part of The Asylum's Tales series and I would love to read more about these two. I think those who like Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files series might like this one as well. From what I can gather, Gage is limited in what powers he is allowed to use and works as a tattoo artist which I'm guessing incorporates magic within them. This magical industry is governed by TAPPS, the Tattoo Artists and Potion Stirrers Society. I'm intrigued and would love to get a better glimpse of this world. Overall,  I gave this one 5 out of 5 roses and will definitely be reading the other books associated with this series.

The Ghoul Next Door by Terri Garey

It's All Hallows' eve as well as the eve of Samhain. A time when the veils between this world and the hereafter is at it's weakest. Cassie Calloway has decided it's time to call in the troops, well, her grandmother in an effort to get her neighbor, James T. Falco, to leave her family land. Cassie's father had sold the land to James' and she wants it back. She felt since the land had been passed down from her mother's side of the family her father had no right to sell it. Now she hopes by raising the spirit of her grandmother, that she'll haunt James to the point he'll leave. Things, however, don't quite work out as she'd planned. 

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This was a fun little story, but did have a little violence as someone is brutally murdered. It's perfect, however, for the Halloween holiday season. It includes witches, warlocks and ghosts. Oh my! lol I loved all the twists that were involved in this one and how the story didn't feel rushed. Overall, I gave this one 4 1/2 out of 5 roses.

Trick or Treathen by Caris Roane

A Treathen bond joins a human and  a vampire together until one dies. The name was derived from the first known woman to bind herself to a vampire. Treyne, a master vampire, who resides over the territory of  Prescott, Arizona was against them personally, but allowed them amongst those he presided over. To his utter dismay, however, he found himself extremely attracted to Jenna Shawe. A young woman who he'd come to know over the past year due to her wish to find information about her sister Britt's mysterious disappearance a year prior at a Halloween rave he'd hosted. Every time he is near Jenna he has a powerful urge to set a Treathen bond in place. Likewise, Jenna doesn't think much of human-vampire relations, but finds herself extremely attracted to Treyne. While Treyne has a good idea where Jenna's sister may have ended up, vampire law forbids him from interfering or disclosing anything that Jenna might use.  Will passion win out over beliefs? Well, you'll just have to read the story to find out.

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Overall, I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. I liked the world Ms. Roane created. I also liked how both Treyne and Jenna both were torn between their feelings toward one another and their beliefs that humans and vampires shouldn't mix. I also loved the drama created by Britt's disappearance and how Treyne's beliefs were put to the test and he ultimately had to choose between them and her.

My overall rating for the anthology is 4 1/2 out of 5 roses. A great value at only 99 cents for the eBook version. Plus, a nice way to be introduced to three authors whose books I'd personally never read before. This is a great read for the Halloween season. I totally recommend this one.