Set the mood for the Christmas holidays with three terrific tales of passionate romance that are fun to read.

The Christmas Present – Lori Foster
Gillespe, Kentucky

Beth Monroe hoped to escape for the holidays to her father and his new family’s home, but hot on her trail is the man who’s currently the bane of her existence, Levi Masterson. A wicked stolen weekend with Levi has Beth afraid to acknowledge that he means more to her than a revenge fling. She thinks being in the safe sanctuary of her family will protect her from Levi, but they’re all too willing to listen to Levi’s side. Will Beth be able to survive her Christmas visit?

Beth recently broke off her engagement to Levi’s best friend and planned revenge on her cheating ex by sleeping with Levi. Unfortunately, her plan worked so well that she couldn’t leave his bed for three whole days. Beth’s running scared, and Levi won’t leave her alone. Now that she’s free, he’s intent on claiming her as his. Throw in Ms. Foster’s sexy heroes with some wonderfully fun banter between the characters, and readers are in for a treat.

What a nice surprise to revisit with Noah and Ben from Lori Foster’s earlier stories! Beth is the daughter of Ben’s mother’s current husband, Kent. The Christmas Present is a deliciously fun gift for readers that will grab you right from the first page.

It’s a Wonderful Life – Karen Kelley
Two Creeks, Texas

Jeremy Hunter is an actor in desperate need of good PR. His agent proposes Jeremy prepare for a role in an upcoming movie by hitting the road in a saintly disguise masquerading as a preacher -- with a motorcycle as his mode of transportation. While reluctant at first, Jeremy agrees and makes a stop in Two Creeks for a meal, decked out as a man of the cloth named Trey Jones. But he soon has a little accident that calls for a bit of nursing. Pretty Bailey Tanner isn’t a nurse, but she offers him a place to stay and a promise to take care of him. Will Bailey be too much temptation for Jeremy/Trey? What will happen when Bailey learns Trey is really Jeremy, the actor she has a major crush on?

Whew! Jeremy is trying really hard to resist Bailey, but when he begins to have lustful thoughts about her, you know it’s only a matter of time before he gives in. I also love the play on the title as Jeremy learns to live as someone else and ends up learning a lot about himself. The dialogue is funny, as is the set up, and since readers know who Trey really is, they know there’ll be some fireworks when the truth comes out.

Will it be a wonderful life for Bailey and Jeremy? Find out in It’s a Wonderful Life by Karen Kelley.

Home for Christmas – Dianne Castell
O’Fallon’s Landing, Tennessee

It’s the Christmas season in O’Fallon’s Landing, but for newcomer Lulu Cahill it’s not necessarily a joyous time. She’s not only broke, she’s pregnant. After meeting and engaging in a conversation with a stranger in the town square, Lulu’s lips end up telling him a little too much about herself. However, that doesn’t prevent him from providing her with a bit of provocative sexual relief. Lulu figures he’s passing through town, but to her surprise, he’s sticking around.

Sebastian Moore thought he was leaving town once he broke it off with his fiancée, but his family pleads for him to stick around for a couple of days for a party. Meeting up with Lulu once again, he’s more inclined to stay and get to know her, and soon learns he’s being helped along when she’s hired to work the party.

Home for Christmas is not only emotional, but a fun, sexy read. Lulu’s life lately has been just one heartbreak after another, and the entrance of Sebastian into her life brightens what could have been her unhappiest Christmas. Readers will be introduced to the O’Fallon family once more, and all the amusing comings and goings in O’Fallon’s Landing. Just like the minor characters in Home for Christmas, readers will be rooting for Sebastian and Lulu to get together.

A terrific read, be sure to grab your copy of I’M YOUR SANTA for some hot holiday reading on a wintry day.

Patti Fischer