MERRY CHRISTMAS, BABY
October 2004
Kensington Brava
ISBN 0-758-20886-3

MAKING WAVES

The one thing brand-new yacht captain Burke Morgan didn’t need is a last minute replacement cook who also suffers from motion sickness.

But once he sees luscious Kamala Apolo, he’s got a perfect idea for getting her body in sync with the rhythm of the water…

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Christmas is coming! What’s underneath your tree?

Making Waves – Donna Kauffman
Barbuda

"Burke Morgan is aghast when his friend, first mate, and cook, Dorsey Apolo, tells him that he won’t be sailing with Burke on his maiden voyage. Dorsey has always had itchy feet, but Burke expected him to at least stay with him on his first charter as captain and owner of the boat. The guests certainly won’t enjoy eating hot dogs for the next two weeks at the price they paid. But not to fear, Dorsey has talked his granddaughter, a chef, into taking his place. When Burke gets a look at Kamala, he knows the kitchen won’t be the only place where something is cooking on this voyage.

Add one gorgeous captain, one sexy chef, and a cruise through the Caribbean and you have a wonderful recipe for love and romance in Making Waves . Get the fans ready. The tropical sun is not the only thing generating heat in this story."

Let it Snow – Nancy Warren
Chicago, Illinois

"There’s nothing like a near death experience to make you sit up and take notice of life. Weather girl Marisa Langley is upbeat and perky as she reports the wintry conditions, even though she’s freezing to death in her thin coat and gloves in the middle of a blizzard on top of the WLPX station building. When the electricity goes off and the roof door automatically locks, Marisa is not too happy about being trapped with a cameraman who hates her. Or does he?

Hmm…winter’s coming but the nights are getting warmer as Marisa and Rob make their Christmas wishes under the stars. Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow …"

You, Actually – Erin McCarthy

"Josh Black and Cassidy St. George have been best friends forever. They’ve always spent Christmas Eve together, and although this year is no different, something has changed between them. Cassidy has been reading Josh’s nationally syndicated cartoon strip, which usually parallels his life. She is heartbroken because the strip indicates Josh is in love, and Cassidy, who has been in love with him for years, is afraid to lose him. If this is the last Christmas they will spend together, Cassidy intends to make it one to remember.

Tight jeans, a game of twister, an attack reindeer, and Christmas panties all work together to make sure this is one holiday neither Cassidy or Josh will ever forget. Christmas wishes really do come true in You, Actually."

Undercover Claus – MaryJanice Davidson
Minneapolis, Minnesota

"Corinne Bullwinkle (that’s right, just like the moose — laugh now and get it out of your system) can’t believe she’s stuck in a Santa suit ringing a Salvation Army bell as she watches out for a serial purse snatcher. The mayor has been up in arms about the crimes ever since his wife was victimized by the mugger. Now Corinne is stuck in the cold until he or she strikes again. Still, it’s not all bad. A handsome businessman walks by every day, and he definitely improves the scenery. When a patch of ice brings these two together, the sparks start to fly.

Scrooge, Moose, and Squirrel, and a Gucci-stealing thief come together in a hilarious tale of romance and fashion faux pas in Undercover Claus , one of my favorite stories in the anthology."

Silver Bella – Lucy Monroe
Dallas, Texas

"Bella Jackson is a model with a bad-girl reputation that lands her a lucrative deal as the cover model for Lexi Creations, a line of ultra sexy clothing. Unfortunately, as a twenty-six year old virgin, Bella’s image is totally undeserved. She’s worked so hard to get to the top of the business that relationships took a back seat. No man has ever turned her on enough for her to risk exposure…until now. Catching Jake Barton’s eyes as she walks down the runway sends a bolt of heat racing through Bella’s body. Has she found the man of her dreams?

Sexy and heartwarming, Silver Bella is a must read. Readers will immediately fall for the innocent but sassy model as she hopes Santa puts something really sweet in her Christmas stocking."

Snow Day – Susanna Carr

"Karen Price has always felt like an outsider. Insisting on staying in the small town that was just one of the many stops in her nomadic family’s life, she has broken soundly with tradition by settling down. But that sense of home still eludes her, along with any sense of direction. Tyler Stevens, the man she had a crush on when they were both teenagers, has returned to town. Karen is determined to avoid him, especially after the fiasco of his last visit when, trying to surprise her boyfriend Max, Karen went into the wrong room and was discovered naked in Tyler’s bed by all of their friends, including Max. When another wrong turn puts Karen in Tyler’s path and his bed once again, she has to ask herself what her personal compass is trying to tell her.

A thoroughly engaging look at the search for a home and the realization that home is not necessarily a physical structure but a place where love lives. Snow Day is a wonderful ending to an uplifting anthology."

"These six fantastic and sexy stories about Christmas wishes fulfilled are a magnificent way to start the holiday season. As winter draws near, these tales will warm both the heart and the blood and make you wonder — What should I ask Santa for this year? MERRY CHRISTMAS, BABY!" ~ Kathy Samuels, Romance Reviews Today

"MERRY CHRISTMAS, BABY is one hot collection of holiday romances. Each author has written a story guaranteed to knock your socks off. You definitely want to set some time aside to read this one over and over again.

The island setting in MAKING WAVES by Donna Kauffman may not be what you expect, but oh is it a great story. Burke Morgan’s sailing partner has just decided to up and leave him for the reefs of Australia. He doesn’t plan to leave Burke completely in the lurch and has set up his granddaughter to take his place. Unfortunately, while Kamala Apolo is an excellent chef, she suffers from horrible seasickness. But when the sparks fly between these two very different people, their passion may be
just the cure for what ails her.

I found it amazing that Kauffman could write such a satisfying and sexy story in such a small amount of space. Burke and Kamala definitely heat up the waves as their passion flares. MAKING WAVES is an excellent beginning for this sexy, sensual anthology.

LET IT SNOW is Nancy Warren’s excellent addition and it doesn’t disappoint. Marisa Langley can’t believe she’s stuck up on the top of her news building in a snowstorm with a man who loathes her. Rob Sheridan, her cameraman, just can’t figure out why he’s so attracted to this irritatingly perky woman. When they need to stay together to survive this snowstorm that’s taken out the power all over Chicago, things certainly heat up between them.

In YOU, ACTUALLY by Erin McCarthy, Josh Black has spent weeks hinting at his interest in his long-time friend Cassidy St. George in the cartoon that he writes. Cassidy, on the other hand, is afraid that the story line means that he’s in love with someone else. She’s loved him for what seems
like forever, too scared to let her feelings known. Will this Christmas change their relationship for the better?

Although there is plenty of heat in YOU, ACTUALLY, I found the tale quite sweet. After all, friends sometimes can become the best of lovers and partners. I loved how Josh and Cassidy worked on finally showing their true feelings. I was able to empathize greatly with their problems and found them to be quite likeable characters. Full of passion, wit, and love, this was one of my favorite stories in this anthology.

Santa Claus finally makes an appearance as an undercover cop in UNDERCOVER CLAUS by MaryJanice Davidson. Corinne Bullwinkle is said Santa, working a corner in a ploy to catch a purse-snatcher. Grant Daniels is a Brit visiting on business who senses there is more to Corrine than she shows the world. Will this workaholic cop and British businessman have a chance? Christmas is a season of miracles, after all.

Corinne and Grant are unable to resist each other, and sparks fly between them. Plenty of wit and humor make this an unforgettable read as this unconventional couple gets to know each other. Ms. Davidson is a wonderful writer and UNDERCOVER CLAUS shows her incredible talent and wit.

Lucy Monroe’s SILVER BELLA takes us to the catwalks of the modeling world. Supposed bad girl Bella Jackson’s image is cracking as tabloids picked up the tale that she is an ice queen from an ex-boyfriend. Unfortunately, the world has no idea that the woman who supposedly had scores of lovers is actually a virgin. Jake Barton is supposedly helping his writer sister out by attending fashion show. The sparks fly between these two and the passion is hot hot hot.

Lucy Monroe has penned another winner. Amazingly, she’s written a short story that doesn’t feel as if things have been hurried along. Sweet and sexy, this is my favorite. Bella and Jake are an amazing and enticing couple and you’ll turn the last page with a smile, content that this romance will last. SILVER BELLA is as heart-warming as it is hot, displaying Ms. Monroe’s excellent story telling.

Snowed in with friends, Karen Price tries to avoid Tyler Stevens and hide her attraction to him. Tyler, on the other hand, wants more from Karen than just a passing friendship. When Karen accidentally ends up in his bed, he plans to make the most of it and take the first step in keeping Karen by his side, where she belongs.

SNOW DAY by Susanna Carr is the perfect ending to a sensual and satisfying anthology. Karen wants what she thinks Tyler can’t give her. Tyler, though, knows her more than she thinks, more than any of her friends, and isn’t about to let her walk out of his life. Incredibly sexy and enchanting, this is one SNOW DAY that has a very happy ending." ~ Nicole Hulst, CataRomance Reviews, 5 stars