Sexy Silent Nights

by Cara Summers

It never should've happened: club owner Jonah Stone was the best friend of Cilla Michaels's boss. But one look into his stormy gray eyes and the security specialist was all-in: a mind-blowing one-night fling in his sumptuous suite. No talking. No strings...

No such luck.

Because it turns out that Cilla's not the only one who's developed a taste for forbidden fruit. When Jonah starts receiving threats from a vengeful ghost of Christmas past, he hires Cilla on as a bodyguard...and makes no secret about how close he wants her to be. Of course, that makes him more forbidden than ever.

Still, a girl can only resist so much....

Genres: Romance, Harlequin Blaze, Harlequin, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Fiction

218 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Carolyn Fulgenzi was born on 28 July 1940 in Detroit, Michigan, USA, daughter of Janet (McLaughlin) and Andrew Fulgenzi. She graduated from Dominican High School in Detroit and completed her undergraduate education at Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. She continued her studies attending Syracuse University receiving her Master’s in English Education. After retiring as a teacher with the Fayetteville-Manlius School District, she joined the faculty at Syracuse University as an adjunct professor in the writing department. Concurrently, she was also teaching at Onondaga Community College.

Carolyn blamed her tenth grade English teacher for nudging her into the writer's life. Sister Rose Terrence insisted that she enter a short story contest sponsored by the Detroit News, and Cara won! Of course, she was thrilled with the award -- a dictionary that still sits on her desk -- but at that time, her goal in life was to become an actress, and eventually, she attained that goal. She married Mr Hanlon, and had three sons: Kevin D., Brian A, and Brendan J. Hanlon. Only after her three sons were born that she turned her full attention to writing again. She sold her first Temptation to Harlequin in 1994, and that book, C.J.'s Defense as Carolyn Andrews, also sits on her desk -- right next to the dictionary. Since 2000, she wrote under the pseudonym of Cara Summers. She believed that her background in theater had influenced her writing, allowing her to create new characters and bring them to life for the reader. She passed away on 10 September 2013.

Reviews

[Saly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book quite a lot, more than the other friend's books I think mainly because it wasn't all about the sexy moments but had a danger element as well.

Cilla and Jonah spent a night together, both deciding it would be one night only but they can't forget each other and when Jonah receives some threatening notes, Cilla comes back into the picture with security. She tries to keep it professional but their attraction keeps getting in the way.

Enjoyable.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable hot romance with a Christmas theme.

[Carol Storm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this story of Jonah, the swinging night club owner, and Priscilla, the no-nonsense bodyguard who's hired to protect him from a deadly stalker. The sex was sizzling, but more than that the connection between them was built on mutual respect and professionalism from start to finish.

There's just one thing that bothered me, and it's the way Jonah kept calling the heroine "Cilla." There's only one man that's got a right to call his woman Cilla. That man is the King. And the King is gone, baby. The King is gone!

[Jo Reads Romance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay read but no real spark
3 stars

Club owner Jonah Stone knew it was wrong but a one night, no strings fling with his best friend's sexy employee, Cilla Michael's, was just too good an opportunity to pass up. He just wasn't sure that one night would ever be enough. When Jonah starts receiving death threats he's got the perfect excuse to see Cilla again - she is a bodyguard after all.

Hired to look after Jonah is not exactly a hardship but Cilla knows that she has to be professional and keep her hands to herself. Easier said than done when Jonah makes no secret of just how much he wants her. But they've a potential killer to catch and they can't afford to get distracted. Even if they really, really want to.

I don't really know how to begin when describing this book because it was a bit hit and miss for me. The premise was fine and I was looking forward to some Christmassy cheer in amongst all the cloak and dagger stuff that was going on. That was somewhat lacking which is always a little annoying when they try to sell these books as being at least a little festive.

Putting that aside, it was fairly obvious from early on that the romance between Jonah and Cilla was going to take a back seat to the "mystery". That was a little disappointing in itself as I always expect Blaze books to be sexy and romantic but ultimately with heroines that you aspire to be like. As a result I didn't feel the romance between the pair had much emotion or depth.

Add to that, both Cilla and Jonah annoyed me for different reasons. Jonah because he kept referring to Cilla and Priscilla (her full name) as if they were two people. And Cilla because she got so wrapped up in Jonah she was useless when attempts were made on his life. Fine for any other occupation except bodyguard!

The story itself also ebbed and flowed. At times I was a little bored and then it picked up and I really wanted to keep reading. It wasn't truly terrible but not one I can really recommend. The writing was okay but all in all I can only give it 3 stars.

[Sandra Dagg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished this one...first book read in 2018! Fun read with a good story line and it was sexy but not overdone. A definite recommend to anyone who likes Contemporary Romance with suspense, sexiness and some funny moments as well. This is a keeper for me, will definitely read again. The author mentions (on one of the cover pages) two previous books that have some of the same characters, but I didn't feel at all lost by reading this one first. Definitely gonna hunt up the other two books though! I like this author's style of writing, have read a few of her books previously and will continue to search them out.

[Delacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, a nice enough romance. The suspense element was the binding for this story, allowing two relationship shy people to interact together. Overall good.

[Doris · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great ending to the trilogy of three friends, working together for justice.

[Jessi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cilla Michaels is a professional bodyguard. She had one passionate night with Jonah Stone but now he's in trouble. As one of the best friend's of her boss, Jonah becomes a priority when he starts receiving death threats and Cilla's one of the best. They decide to put aside the explosive feelings they have for each other so that Cilla can do her job. (Hint: this is a romance novel. Guess whether or not they're successful with that).

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jonah Stone is receiving threating messages talking about Christmas past. Cilla Michaels's becomes Jonah's bodyguard as they race against the clock to find the sender of the threats who plans a Christmas day end for Jonah. A good mystery.

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: Forbidden Fantasies

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun easy read. I enjoy Cara Summer's tales of intrigue and romance.

[Netanella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another Christmas Blaze with a little mystery thrown in for good measure. Nicely done, but I think I'm blazed out.

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good easy-reading book with elements of romance and suspense.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8