Kimberly Kaye Terry

3.5 stars

Read this for 12 Tasks of the Festive Season:
Task the Fifth: The Kwanzaa:
- Read a book written by an African-American author or set in an African country.

I was impressed that all three felt like complete stories, not rushed, which is usually my biggest complaint about novella/short stories. The first story Holiday Heat had a very believable compatible couple, the second Candy Christmas was the most sexual with plenty of dirty little scenes, and the third Chocolate Truffles was my favorite with the build up of love with the balance of sexy times and relationship building being fantastic.
I rounded down because I didn't really get a holiday feel from the stories, they take place on or around the holiday season but it wasn't really focused on.… (más)

'Twas the Season - Nikki Danes is generally not the kind of woman for a one-night stand, but she has NEEDS. And her needs have cobwebs on them. So she decides to use the company holiday party to pursue gorgeous temp office manager Max Hardaway (could there be a more porntastic name?).

I alternately loved and got ticked off by this story. I'm kinda over the little bitty sexpot woman with the big muscular guy thing. However, the author made me bust out laughing more than once, and the sex is steamy good, so... overall it's a win.

Mistletoe in Memphis - Essence Sinclair, lush vibrant caterer and reality show star, both entices and repels exec Lincoln Davenport, who it seems has a stick permanently implanted up his nether parts. Essence came recommended by his receptionist (her best friend) and his board of directors has directed him to "do" Christmas and mingle with clients and contacts, little as he likes it.

Lincoln is somewhat problematic for me: he's unhinged when Essence is a few minutes late, he prepares an exact list of what he demands she serve to his guests, he freaks out when Essence decorates the party area, and when overcome with jealousy/irritation, he BERATES her at the conclusion of a very successful party. While lust/love seems to overcome his anal tendencies, and these two enjoy one of the hottest sex scenes in this collection, I've been there, dated that. When the honeymoon period (6-8 months) wears off, those OCPD types tend to be just as (if not more) critical, controlling, and obnoxious, so I simply couldn't root for this couple with a whole heart; I wanted to scream at Essence to run fast, in the opposite direction. But if you've never known one of "them" IRL, you will probably love this story, and believe Lincoln can change. And why not - he's fictional, AND it's Christmas.

Second-Chance Christmas - Having had her teen heart thoroughly smashed to bits, Ayana Taylor is determined to keep it - and herself - as far away from her first love Jackson Richards as possible. Not so easy to do at her brother's wedding, when Jax is lined up as best man. And when Ayana's brother plays runaway groom, they are thrown together to find him, and then the smoldering attraction between them threatens to burn them up despite the snow.

I loved that all these women (and men) were (relatively) successful businesswomen, assertive and unafraid to pursue what they wanted in life, be that a career or a lover. The men were suitably hot; the Christmas elements well done, and the sex scenes deliciously brought to happy climaxes. Don't wait for Santa - put it in your own stocking, for your holiday reading pleasure.… (más)