Night Before Christmas [Paperback]

The anthology "The Night Before Christmas" is an early Christmas present to loyal fans from the contributing authors, and one that you'll want to pick up. Lori Foster, Erin McCarthy, Jill Shalvis, Kathy Love, Katherine Garbera, and Kylie Adams have all contributed fun, sexy, and romantic holiday short stories that will warm you on cold holiday nights and put you in a festive mood!!!

Lori Fosters' "White Knight Christmas" is a sweet story of two neighbors that seem to have nothing in common. Lily is young and likes the holidays. Parker is a tired detective that has seen too much and can happily do without the Christmas headaches. Lily though is about to show him what Christmas is all about, and it's not the shopping and hassle of crowds. It's about finding the sweetest gift right in front of your eyes.

Erin McCarthy entertains loyal fans with "Snowed Under." When Claire is almost buried after a snowplow passes by she thinks a quick to trip to her brother's empty apartment is just the thing in order to thaw out. She has no idea that her warmest fantasy man Derek is staying there for the holidays. Derek is her brother's friend and her secret love. Will she be able to finally unwrap the Christmas gift she's always wanted...Derek?

Jill Shalvis' "Ms. Humbug" is a nice story of two co-workers that seem to be destined to irritate each other. That is until Cami realizes that she can unbend and have a good time, and that Matt is just the man for her. He understands her and doesn't care that she is just a tad anal when it comes to organization. Will they be able to finally spark the smoldering attraction that they have both been trying to avoid?

Kathy Love brings together two soul mates in her romantic but funny story "I'll be Home For Christmas." When a snowstorm ground the airlines, Rob unbeknownst to him is about to face his destiny, his high school sweetheart Erica. Will Rob make sure that this second chance doesn't get away from him this time and that Erica forgives him for the fool that he had once been?

Katherine Garbera's story "Seducing Scrooge" is a creative take on "The Christmas Carol." Krista Miller is going to prove to her boss Jackson that the holiday spirit lives in him if he would just give it a chance. She's also going to prove that the attraction between them is real. Will Jackson accept this holiday gift or will he let work become more important?

Kylie Adams' "The Good Girl's Guide To A Very Bad Christmas" is a fun story where one strong but aspiring actress realizes that fantasy do come to true when one naughty list makes it into the "right" guys hands. Peri has no idea that her "wish list" of things she'd like to do to television start Chase McCloud. The fact that this yummy man also wants Peri is just an added benefit. Will these two people finally find the right time and place to make their dreams come true?

All six authors offer readers sexy, sweet holiday reads. Keep in mind that these are short stories but despite the word count, none of the contributing authors have skimped on the details, in other words, plenty of romance, and holiday spirit. This is just the read to put you in mind of sleigh bells, cozy fires, and holiday cheer!

Official Reviewer for Romance Designs

The Night Before Christmas is an anthology featuring six wonderful stories. There wasn't a single story in this book that I didn't enjoy. Truly a book that captures the magic of the Christmas season my single complaint has to be that the stories left me wanting more!

Lori Foster's White Knight Christmas is the first story. For months, Police Detective Parker Ross has watched his neighbor Lily Donaldson, watched and wanted her. But Lily is everything he thinks he shouldn't have. She's too sweet, too optimistic, too young and too into Christmas. But Lily's not giving up on Parker and before long he finds himself falling head over heels. With a hunky hero and a spunky, determined heroine, White Knight Christmas is another wonderful treat from Lori Foster.

Snowed Under by Erin McCarthy was my favorite tale in this anthology! When Claire Robbins is soaked by a passing snow plow she heads to her brothers place to try and dry out only to find that while her brother and his wife are out of town his best friend Justin Fairbanks is staying at his apartment. Claire has been attracted to Justin for years but never acted on it but now that she's got him trapped right where she wants him she's determined she's going to have him, if only for one night. For his part, Justin has wanted Claire for years also, but has always felt bad about it because she was in college when he first met her and the age difference made him feel just wrong. With Claire taking off her clothes in an attempt to get warm and letting him know in no uncertain terms that she wants him and has wanted him for years he doesn't stand a chance. But will they both realize that the feelings that they've had for each other for years may go beyond attraction and lust? When I first read Claire's brother Derek's story, Smart Mouth, I was hoping that Erin McCarthy would do a story for Claire and I certainly wasn't disappointed! Snowed Under is a hot little tale that is loaded with emotion.

In Ms. Humbug by Jill Shalvis, Cami Bennett has never felt like she fit in. She used to be the ugly duckling in a family of swans before she went to college and although she lost weight and has become attractive she can't seem to see herself in any other light except the one she grew up under. In her job as City Planner this has given people the impression that she is cold. Mayor Matt Tarino has been attracted to Cami for awhile now but once they share a kiss he knows that he is going to have to prove to Cami that he is not the skirt chaser that everyone thinks he is. A sensual tale with just right touch of suspense Ms. Humbug is a welcome addition to this anthology!

Kathy Love gives us a story about second chances with I'll Be Home For Christmas. When he is stranded at the airport due to snow storm the last thing Rob Marsten expects to see is Erica Fetzer, the woman that he had dumped years ago but had never really forgotten, or that due the storm he would find himself sharing a hotel room with her. Rob had hurt Erica badly when he had left her to pursue money and success but she can't help but find herself still attracted to him. It doesn't take long for passion to rekindle between them but the next morning they say their goodbyes again and go their own ways. But Rob begins to wonder if money and success are worth it if you have no one to share it with. Can he convince Erica to give him another chance? Kathy Love has penned an outstanding short story of realizing what's really important in life.

The final story in this book was The Good Girl's Guide To A Very Bad Christmas by Kylie Adams. Peri Knight breaks her engagement, much to her mother's displeasure, when a friend sends her an online link to a video "Bankers Gone Wild" featuring her fiancé having sex with a stripper. However, she's far from heartbroken, she's been fantasying about actor Chase McCloud ever since he began regularly visiting the coffee shop where she works while waiting for her "big acting break". When Peri finally lands a part playing opposite Chase on the same television show it doesn't take long for things to heat up between them. A Good Girl's Guide To A Very Bad Christmas is a feel good story that I believe that all readers will enjoy for the happy ending!

All in all The Night Before Christmas is jam packed with great stories that you can't go wrong with and will leave you with a smile.

Melissa

Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

This was a reread for me. I am usually not a fan of anthologies... They always seem so rushed to me.

I am not going to summarize each story as I'd give most of the story away.

This book contains 6 stories by 6 different authors. Each story averages about 50 pages, give or take. I think it's very good. Each story is unique and different. And I didn't feel like any of them were rushed. I think this book is nicely written and each story is beleivable, despite it's 50 pages. All of the "couples" were either long time crushes finally coming together, or coming together again. I liked that part, it helped make the stories seem more real.

My 2 favorite stories were by Lori Foster and Erin McCarthy.

This is a quick, fun read. Be sure to check your book shelves though before buying it, it was originally released in 2005, same title, purple cover.