Review: Talking Dirty With the Boss by Jackie Ashenden

Title: Talking Dirty With the Boss (Talking Dirty #3)
Author: Jackie Ashenden
Source: Entangled Indulgence
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: December 9, 2013
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Marisa Clair wants to get her artist dreams back on track after a life detour. That means no partying, no shopping…and definitely no men to distract her. Should be easy, but there’s something about her hot and exceedingly uptight boss and she can't seem to stop herself from ruffling Mr. Tall, Dark and Irritating.

Financial consultant Luke McNamara lives his life strictly by schedule – his OCD simply won't allow him to do anything else. And the very last thing he needs is a sassy blonde putting lipstick on his collar and messing with his routine. She annoys the hell out of him so why can’t he stop thinking about the color of her panties…and how free he feels when he’s with her?

Marisa and Luke’s plans to steer clear of one another are shot to hell after a hot office encounter. Now the two of them will have to learn to get along as they face a much more permanent reminder of their lack of self-control – a pregnancy.

I'm always a fan of some good sarcastic comebacks and wordplay.  The Talking Dirty series (at least book two and three) had delivered on this and then some.  The dialog is the highlight of these romances for me, and book three delivers in many ways.  I was cracking up about their email fiascos and watching the crazy and uninhibited Marisa tackle the OCD and orderly Luke was entertaining every step of the way.

I like how seriously the author took Luke's OCD (he has a more severe case) and how disruptive it can be to a person's life.  I love how supportive his friends were of his condition and how Marisa came to accept it as just another part of the man she was growing to love.  They have a lot to figure out in the novella, and the have the added complication of a baby on the way.  A sweet and snarky novella that really hit the spot.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

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Review: Tis the Season Bundle

Title: Tis the Season Bundle
Author: Amy Andrews, Heidi Rice, Kate Hardy, Aimee Carson
Source: Entangled Indulgence
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas, New Years
Release Date: December 9, 2013
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Tis the Season to Kiss Santa by Kate Hardy

With the help of a sprig of mistletoe and some snow angels, a recently single pastry chef teaches a highly successful and sexy Scrooge the true meaning of the holidays on a snowy Christmas Eve that quickly heats up.
 

‘Tis the Season to Get Lucky by Heidi Rice

When a Christmas Day blizzard strands an up-and-coming marketing manager and her boss’s very off-limits, very hot playboy son in his department store, the two toe the line between naughty and nice as they unwrap their holiday presents—and each other!
 

‘Tis the Season to be Kissed by Amy Andrews

A down-on-her-romantic-luck kindergarten teacher plans to drown her New Year’s Eve sorrows in a gallon of spiked eggnog, but the arrival of her best friend’s sexy brother threatens to melt the snow piling up outside the tiny Vermont cabin.
 

‘Tis the Season to be Tempted by Aimee Carson

After the worst year ever, a jilted music manager rings in the New Year alone, swearing off men forever. But things get complicated when her brother’s best friend, the perfect man with the perfect body, tempts her to break her vow—if only for one hot night!

This holiday bundle comes with two Christmas stories and two New Years stories - just in time for the holidays.  I've been reviewing them individually as they were released on their own so I'm going to do some cheating with cut and paste here.  The bundle should be available for purchase tomorrow!

Title: Tis the Season to Kiss Santa
Author: Kate Hardy
Rating: 4 stars

When a business man who is proud of his Scrooge like reputation is asked to fill in as Santa at a local children's hospice, he meets a very sexy head elf helper.  When a blizzard strands them in her house she gets to show him what the holiday can really mean.  A bit of a traditional storyline with a very cute twist, this was a great way to start getting in the holiday season and in the mood for Christmas.

Title: Tis the Season to Get Lucky
Author: Heidi Rice
Rating: 4 stars

Entangled has been doing well this season with their Christmas novellas.  Tis the Season to Get Lucky puts Kate, a PR manager snowed into a department store with Ryder, the son of store's owner.  I wish I had a chance like this - it would be so much fun raiding the different deparments for "survival supplies".  Ryder jumps at the opportunity to get closer (and fulfil his dream of raiding the store as well) to the uptight Kate, and Kate decides to let her guard down and enjoy herself for just one night.

Of course things get interesting and just maybe this could be more than just one night.  But they have a few issues to get over before that could ever be a possibility.  Two people from two different worlds may just have what it takes to make the most of the situation.  Both characters had some really amazing moments and had such great personalities I fell in love them right away and was cheering for them to get together the whole way through.

Title: Tis the Season to be Kissed
Author: Amy Andrews
Rating: 5 stars (favorite of the bunch)

I'm not even sure where to get started with this book.  It was so very amazing that I think I will go back and read it every holiday season - maybe closer to New Years next time.  Tamara was beyond perfect for a character.  It can be difficult to really delve deep into a personality with a novella, but within the first few pages Tamara was coming to life beautifully as she goes on a drunken rambling to her best friend's little brother.  The "little" brother, Luke, is on a surprise trip home and stumbles upon Tamara using the spiked egg nog to keep warm in the family's cabin.  Luke's personality was just as big and he was everything I could ever want in a hero.

The story is full of humor, as both characters are very intelligent and can use their words to make some very interesting conversation.  The scrabble game was amazing - won't say more or I'll ruin it.  You must go read this book the holiday season.  I don't think I would change a single word.  I need to make a bonfire image because five flames just isn't enough.

Title: Tis the Season to be Tempted
Author: Aimee Carson
Rating: 2 stars (least favorite)

Evie and Wes are complete opposites.  Evie is the wildchild that never follows directions and Wes had followed the perfect path and does everything right.  Wes isn't thrilled to find Evie causing a scene on the plane, but something is different about her now - or maybe it's him that's different.  It sounds like an intriguing storyline, but I had a hard time connecting to either character.  It seemed just a little too one-night-standish to me.

Overall I would have to give the bundle a good 4 stars.  It's pretty good when three out of four of the stories are really good.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

Goodreads - Amazon - Barnes & Noble

Review: Tis the Season to be Tempted by Aimee Carson

Title: Tis the Season to be Tempted
Author: Aimee Carson
Source: Entangled Indulgence
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, New Year
Release Date: November 22, 2013
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

After the worst year ever, free-spirited Evie Lee rings in the New Year alone, swearing off men forever. So when her brother’s childhood friend, the perfect man with the perfect life, winds up on the same plane home, she’s determined to ignore him. Wes is determined not to take her seriously. Unfortunately a snowstorm traps them at the airport with no way to finish their commute, and his perfect body is tempting her to break her vow—if only for one hot night!

CEO Wes Campbell is famous for always doing the right thing, and running into Evie again is torture. He’s determined to continue his hands-off attitude. But he wasn’t counting on the little hellion’s infectious smile, her killer body, or the vulnerability in her eyes. For the first time in his life, Wes is tempted to do the wrong thing…

Evie and Wes are complete opposites.  Evie is the wildchild that never follows directions and Wes had followed the perfect path and does everything right.  Wes isn't thrilled to find Evie causing a scene on the plane, but something is different about her now - or maybe it's him that's different.  It sounds like an intriguing storyline, but I had a hard time connecting to either character.  It seemed just a little too one-night-standish to me.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

Goodreads - Amazon - Barnes & Noble

Review: Tis the Season to be Kissed by Amy Andrews

Title: Tis the Season to be Kissed
Author: Amy Andrews
Source: Entangled Indulgence
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, New Years
Release Date: November 15, 2013
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

A down-on-her-romantic-luck kindergarten teacher plans to drown her New Year’s Eve sorrows in a gallon of spiked eggnog, but the arrival of her best friend's sexy brother threatens to melt the snow piling up outside the tiny Vermont cabin. 

I'm not even sure where to get started with this book.  It was so very amazing that I think I will go back and read it every holiday season - maybe closer to New Years next time.  Tamara was beyond perfect for a character.  It can be difficult to really delve deep into a personality with a novella, but within the first few pages Tamara was coming to life beautifully as she goes on a drunken rambling to her best friend's little brother.  The "little" brother, Luke, is on a surprise trip home and stumbles upon Tamara using the spiked egg nog to keep warm in the family's cabin.  Luke's personality was just as big and he was everything I could ever want in a hero.

The story is full of humor, as both characters are very intelligent and can use their words to make some very interesting conversation.  The scrabble game was amazing - won't say more or I'll ruin it.  You must go read this book the holiday season.  I don't think I would change a single word.  I need to make a bonfire image because five flames just isn't enough.

Goodreads - Amazon - Barnes & Noble

Review: Tis the Season to Get Lucky by Heidi Rice

Title: Tis the Season to Get Lucky
Author: Heidi Rice
Source: Entangled Indulgence
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Christmas
Release Date: November 8, 2013
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Unlucky-in-love PR manager Kate Braithwaite doesn’t think her Christmas could get any suckier. Until a trip into work on Christmas Day leaves her snowbound in the Fifth Avenue department store with her boss’s far-too-tempting playboy son Ryder Sinclair. Ryder’s rugged, reckless and none too pleased to be stuck in a place he hates with an uptight workaholic like Kate—but as the night draws on, the lights go out and the temperature rises, until they’re both wondering is this the season to get lucky?

Entangled has been doing well this season with their Christmas novellas.  Tis the Season to Get Lucky puts Kate, a PR manager snowed into a department store with Ryder, the son of store's owner.  I wish I had a chance like this - it would be so much fun raiding the different deparments for "survival supplies".  Ryder jumps at the opportunity to get closer (and fulfil his dream of raiding the store as well) to the uptight Kate, and Kate decides to let her guard down and enjoy herself for just one night.

Of course things get interesting and just maybe this could be more than just one night.  But they have a few issues to get over before that could ever be a possibility.  Two people from two different worlds may just have what it takes to make the most of the situation.  Both characters had some really amazing moments and had such great personalities I fell in love them right away and was cheering for them to get together the whole way through.

Goodreads - Amazon - Barnes & Noble

Review: Falling for Mr. Wrong by Inara Scott

Title: Falling for Mr. Wrong (Bencher Family #3)
Author: Inara Scott
Source: Entangled Indulgence
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: November 11, 2013
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Looking for Mrs. Right...

Single father of three, Ross Bencher, knows the kind of woman he wants: someone predictable, reliable, and safe, who can give his kids the security they deserve. Someone entirely different from high-altitude mountaineer Kelsey. Kelsey bewitches him with her long legs and wild passion and is about as far from his ideal as a woman can get, but try telling that to his body. Or his heart...

Falling for Mr. Wrong...

When Kelsey agreed to fill in as a temporary nanny for her best friend’s agency before a big climbing expedition, she had no idea she’d be working for drop-dead sexy Ross Bencher, a man she can’t seem to keep her hands off. She knows if she wants to bring herself—and her father—back alive from the Himalayan Mountains, she can’t afford second-guessing, attachments, or distractions. But Ross’s blue eyes and strong hands leave her gasping...and questioning everything she’s ever known about love...

On the surface Ross and Kelsey are all wrong for each other.  Ross wants a stable, reliable, and safe woman.  Kelsey is far from that.  She hikes deadly mountians and risks her life, no challenge is too big for her.  So why can't they seem to keep away from each other when Kelsey takes a temporary position as the nanny for his three kids (I loved all three of them by the end).

As they grow closer and closer they both realize that neither one of them really knows what they want out of life.  But Kelsey is about to leave to attempt the most dangerous summit in the world, and they are running out of time to figure it out.  This was a fantastic book, with just the tiniest hint of danger on the horizon.  Kelsey was so very relatable - while appearing perfect at first, I grew to love each and every one of her flaws as they showed up.  One of my favorite romance novellas of the year.

Goodreads - Amazon - Barnes & Noble

Review: Tis the Season to Kiss Santa by Kate Hardy

Title: Tis the Season to Kiss Santa
Author: Kate Hardy
Source: Entangled Indulgence
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas
Release Date: November 1, 2013
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

With the help of a sprig of mistletoe and some snow angels, a recently single pastry chef teaches a highly successful and sexy Scrooge the true meaning of the holidays on a snowy Christmas Eve that quickly heats up.

When a business man who is proud of his Scrooge like reputation is asked to fill in as Santa at a local children's hospice, he meets a very sexy head elf helper.  When a blizzard strands them in her house she gets to show him what the holiday can really mean.  A bit of a traditional storyline with a very cute twist, this was a great way to start getting in the holiday season and in the mood for Christmas.

Goodreads - Amazon - Barnes & Noble

Trick or Treat with Charlie and Entangled Indulgence

Charlie is such a memorable character in The Billionaire's Matchmaker - he really made all the stories come together in an amazing way.  So let your puppy join Charlie for a Halloween event with Entangled Indulgence.  Just click on the banner above and check it out.

Hot Reads from Entangled Indulgence

Title: The Best Man's Baby (A Red River Book)
Author: Victoria James
Release Date: August 12, 2013

Florist Claire Holbrook has always played by the rules her entire life, but breaks them to spend one night with sexy lone wolf Jake Manning, a man she's adored since she was a teenager. Six weeks later things get complicated when she discovers they created a bond that will last a lifetime...Jake has never played by the rules. Getting Minister Holbrook's daughter pregnant wasn't part of any life plan, but he won't run from his responsibilities. He'll step up and be the best man he can, even if he doesn't have a clue where to begin. The more time he spends with Claire, though, the more he wants her, and the harder it is to get close because that would mean sharing the one thing he hasn't with anyone--the truth and his heart. 

Barnes & Noble: The Best Man's Baby (A Red River Book)
My review: 4 Stars

Title: Something's Cooking
Author: Meg Lacey
Release Date: August 12, 2013

Tess Banyon has turned her brilliant recipe and crafting ideas into a multimedia empire. Landing her own TV show throws her into a panic. If she's not careful, the public will discover she isn't the domestic diva everyone thinks she is. Investigative reporter Josh Faraday smells something smoking in Tess's world. His goal to expose the real Tess goes into overdrive when she lands a television show deal. He secures an assignment to shadow her, reporting on her program, but what he's really doing is getting dirt for his expose. Things get even stickier when Tess's family play matchmaker. There's no shortage of fire between them, and after an impulsive night together, Josh discovers a story he never expected--or bargained for.

Barnes & Noble: Something's Cooking
My Review: 3 Stars

Title: Talking Dirty With the Player (Talking Dirty #2)

Author: Jackie Ashenden

Release Date: August 12, 2013

Up-and-coming photographer Judith Ashton is pretty sure she has everything in her life under control. That is, until a blast from the past comes back to taunt her, in the shape of Caleb Steele, her older brother's best friend...and the man who broke her heart eight years ago. Their chemistry is combustible, but she's been fooled once by this player, and she's not going there again. To pro rugby player Caleb, Judith has always been his Kryptonite. But his former playboy lifestyle is the last thing she wants to be involved in. In the midst of her brother's threats to back off, and the deal of his career sending him far away from her, he knows he's playing with fire. And this is one game he's going to lose.

Barnes & Noble: Talking Dirty With the Player: A Talking Dirty Novel
My Review: 4 Stars