I really didn't like this story. First, David Adams is dead, and his widow, Mary Scott finds this out in the midst of getting a divorce (because he's inattentive and controlling). Then suddenly David turns up very-much-alive on Mary's doorstep and they immediately fall into bed. Of course he's clueless that she wants a divorce, but when he finds out, he goes overboard in making it up to her and convincing her to stay with him. These two do nothing by fight all through the story. Then all-of-a-sudden, they've made up and plan to live happily-ever-after. I realize you can only do so much in a short story, but the resolution was severely lacking. The only real redeeming thing about this story was the hot love scenes, but you can only get so far with sex.

Surprise Package by Shirl Henke

Gilly Newsom has given up on ever finding her Prince Charming, until one day she literally knocks him (Jeff Brandt) off his feet at the library. Luckily, they hit it off and start dating and fall hard for each other. Unfortunately, Gilly has already led Jeff to believe she's from a prominent family and is a high-powered non-fiction editor at the most sought-after publisher in NYC. And Jeff, he really IS from a prominent family and a long line of legal eagles with positions at only the best (and most expensive) law firms. The catch is that he wants nothing to do with that life and has been disinherited by his obstinate father so now he's just a financially-challenged law student who plans on taking a job as a low-paid ADA. Naturally, his father disapproves.

So because of his limited funds, Jeff has paid his way through law school by taking whatever jobs came along, but he becomes very secretive about the latest one, which makes Gilly furious. Gilly thinks he's hiding something big (like a wife and maybe kids), so they break up and Gilly nurses he broken heart by going out for a girls' night out with her best friend where she finds out exactly what Jeff's been doing to make ends meet. Shortly after, Gilly fesses up to all of her lies and forgives Jeff for breaking all their dates once she realizes that he really is a good guy just trying to pay the bills without depending on his family. They get back together and alls well that ends well.

This story was really good, and very hot!

Man With a Golden Bow by Nina Bangs

Nina Bangs is one of my favorite authors for a reason. Her stories are terrific whether they're short stories or full-length novels, and she does well with fantasy genres AND regular romance. Jenny Saunders is a real-life, 28-year old virgin who's tired of it. She wants a man bad, and she's willing to settle for just about anyone until her old high-school pal, Sloan Mitello, comes back into town. Of course Sloan has carried a torch for Jenny ever since high school, but Jenny never realized it. 10 years later, they've both matured. Jenny's a gorgeous, but overly cautious, accountant who never takes chances (part of the reason she's still a virgin). Sloan's a fly-by-the-seat-of-his-pants (rich & successful) adventurer who believes dreams were made to be fulfilled (he's made a lucrative career out of making dreams come true), and his dream has always been to have Jenny.

These two seem like an unlikely couple, but they immediately begin to steam up the pages. He's determined to make Jenny admit that she has dreams, and to bring them about. He begins by playing Santa and giving Jenny the horse she always wanted. Of course, it's a beautifully-restored, antique carousel horse, but she loves it anyway. On through the story Sloan, makes Jenny remember all the fun they had as teens and all the little memories she thought she'd forgotten. One of those memories was the wish for a man with a golden bow. Eventually, she begins to dream of a life with him. She can't comprehend how she never realized what a great guy he was for all those years. By the end of the story, Sloan makes that wih come true when he gives Jenny himself...complete with a golden bow.

This story really WAS hot, hot, hot. Made me remember my own years as a teen and all the dreams, even the unrealistic ones, that I had in my younger years.



Joby (Canada) (2007/12/14):
Back cover synopsis:

Naughty or Nice?

Sometimes the best things don't come in small packages.

Sometimes a girl has visions of more than sugarplums in her head.

Sometimes we're dreaming of something a lot steamier than a white Christmas.

For every woman who has better plans than sitting on Santa's lap, who fantasizes about washboard abs instead of a bowl full of jelly...

Here are the hottest, happiest love stories of this holiday season!
~*~
Back cover doesn't tell you diddly squat about the stories inside. Truth be told two things made me get this book. Nina Bangs is one of the authors and the front cover. Just look at the guy! Kathy's review gives you more info about the stories inside, so I won't repeat it.