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The Merry Widows #2
Her Christmas Pleasure
Damien Morton is madly in love. Unfortunately, it's with his best friend's widow, Lady Danver. Damien is not worthy of Celia. Or so he thinks. Desperate to escape his feelings for her, he plans to leave the country at the first of the year. Celia treats him as a family friend and nothing more-until they share a heated kiss beneath the mistletoe... Celia is shocked by the passions that surge within her at her dear friend's kiss. One touch and one taste aren't enough to satisfy her cravings, and she is startled into action. Damien has stirred something inside her that she never expected to experience again, and she must have more. Full of shameless desire and emotions newly discovered, she decides to pursue Damien and won't be deterred. Will she be able to convince him to stay-both in her heart and life-forever? 20,000 words
90 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2011
22 people are currently reading
277 people want to read
About the author
Karen Erickson
98 books1,436 followersUSA Today bestselling author Karen Erickson lives in central California with her family. Being a romance writer and bringing her characters to life is her greatest dream come true.
She also writes as NYT & USA Today bestselling author Monica Murphy.
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https://www.karenerickson.com/newsletter
She also writes as NYT & USA Today bestselling author Monica Murphy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
May 29, 2022
3.25 stars
A sweet novella featuring a hero who has loved the heroine for years, but never made a move because of the class difference between them (she's an earl's widow and he's a steward, or something like that) and because she's the widow of his best friend. Turns out she started to suspect he had feelings for her a few months ago and that opened her eyes to her own feelings for him. It all comes to a head over the Christmas holiday, when they confront their feelings for one another. It's a short novella; there's not even a conflict, just their going back and forth on how much to confess about their feelings for one another.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book
A sweet novella featuring a hero who has loved the heroine for years, but never made a move because of the class difference between them (she's an earl's widow and he's a steward, or something like that) and because she's the widow of his best friend. Turns out she started to suspect he had feelings for her a few months ago and that opened her eyes to her own feelings for him. It all comes to a head over the Christmas holiday, when they confront their feelings for one another. It's a short novella; there's not even a conflict, just their going back and forth on how much to confess about their feelings for one another.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book
November 11, 2011
Honestly, the blurb pretty much explains the tale. What makes the story is imagining what these two are going through emotionally as you read. You want so badly for them to find their happy ending, and you know it's right there within their reach. If only one of them would take the first step.
My thoughts: Passionate tale about a young man (Damien) who has secretly yearned for a woman he believes he can never have. Damien comes from a family who is of lower class, while the woman he yearns for, Celia, is from the upper class. To make matters worse, she also happens to be the widow of Damien's old friend.
It's Christmastime and two are coerced into sharing a kiss beneath the mistletoe, it's at this point you realize that Celia, too, feels an extreme attraction and love for Damien who has been one of her dearest friends for so long. Contrary to what we (the reader) know, she believes Damien doesn't reciprocate her feelings.
I love the friends-turned-lovers theme. The tale was short but I liked it. Both characters just keep falling deeper and deeper in love with each other but neither of them believing the other feels the same. This is actually my first tale by Karen Erickson and one I enjoyed. I'll definitely want to check out her back list. Any recommendations?
My thoughts: Passionate tale about a young man (Damien) who has secretly yearned for a woman he believes he can never have. Damien comes from a family who is of lower class, while the woman he yearns for, Celia, is from the upper class. To make matters worse, she also happens to be the widow of Damien's old friend.
It's Christmastime and two are coerced into sharing a kiss beneath the mistletoe, it's at this point you realize that Celia, too, feels an extreme attraction and love for Damien who has been one of her dearest friends for so long. Contrary to what we (the reader) know, she believes Damien doesn't reciprocate her feelings.
I love the friends-turned-lovers theme. The tale was short but I liked it. Both characters just keep falling deeper and deeper in love with each other but neither of them believing the other feels the same. This is actually my first tale by Karen Erickson and one I enjoyed. I'll definitely want to check out her back list. Any recommendations?
October 25, 2011
A short story about Damien who was in love with Celia the widow of his dead best friend and had been depriving himself of her out of respect for the family. Nothing spectacular about the story, just a typical setting of a man lusting after his friend's widow and was afraid to express his feeling. I know, it's one of those been there-done it-and had a hot book cover to prove it kinda story, but I rated it 4 star nonetheless for the crackling sexual tension and blazing love scenes.
Damien didn't dare look at her. Just a glimpse of that coquettish look, and he wanted to grab her. Haul her over his shoulder and flee the room. Throw her on his bed and tear her clothes off. Take her ferociously until the last drop of his seed filled her body. Yes, indeed he was demented.
Absolutely intense!
Damien didn't dare look at her. Just a glimpse of that coquettish look, and he wanted to grab her. Haul her over his shoulder and flee the room. Throw her on his bed and tear her clothes off. Take her ferociously until the last drop of his seed filled her body. Yes, indeed he was demented.
Absolutely intense!
December 9, 2011
Since his best friend's death, Damien has been doing his best to keep his promise to look after Lawrence's widow. But Damien can no longer bear being so close to a woman he thinks he can never have, and so he plans to leave England... until an unexpected kiss under the mistletoe causes them both to reevaluate their relationship.
If you like idyllic Christmas stories, this is for you. Everything is pretty much perfect. Damien thinks Celia’s an angel. Celia thinks Damien is much sexier and better hung than her late husband. Celia’s son wants a new father for Christmas. Even Celia’s in-laws love Damian and agree that it’s time for her to move on. Once the two admit their feelings for each other, it’s pretty much all over but the sexy times. In such a short story, that’s not really a problem, but the overall rosiness came off as insipid, for me.
(reviewed from e-arc provided by netGalley.)
If you like idyllic Christmas stories, this is for you. Everything is pretty much perfect. Damien thinks Celia’s an angel. Celia thinks Damien is much sexier and better hung than her late husband. Celia’s son wants a new father for Christmas. Even Celia’s in-laws love Damian and agree that it’s time for her to move on. Once the two admit their feelings for each other, it’s pretty much all over but the sexy times. In such a short story, that’s not really a problem, but the overall rosiness came off as insipid, for me.
(reviewed from e-arc provided by netGalley.)
November 9, 2021
Ex husbands best friend/dead best friends ex wife, friends to lovers romance. 2.5 stars with steamy 1 star.
December 23, 2014
...it had been the simplest and most devastating kiss of her life.
Charming, heart-warming, deliciously sensual, this friends-to-lovers novella is just perfect for bringing a little early Christmas cheer!
What I enjoyed…
Celia and Damien are such endearing characters and, even within the constraints of such a short story, Ms Erickson succeeded in giving them real emotional depth and made me care about them.
I really liked Damien from the start. He won me over with his intelligence, his charm, his sense of honour and his loyalty. Not to mention his sexiness! His overwhelming love for Celia which seemed so hopeless only made him more endearing.
I enjoyed watching Celia coming to terms with her changing feelings for Damien and cheered her for throwing caution to the winds in her bold pursuit of him. She’s also a kind, caring and protective mother.
How refreshing not to have danger or some long hidden secrets threatening the happiness of the hero and heroine; simply an engaging story of two people in love. Not that there isn’t conflict with Damien’s belief that he’s not good enough for Celia and Celia’s obvious concerns about what her in-laws might think about her re-marrying. I thought Ms Erickson resolved both issues in a believable way.
There were some blistering hot love scenes but Ms Erickson always excels in creating a wonderful blending of eroticism, emotional intensity and intimacy.
The secondary characters added appeal to the story. Celia’s five year old son, Theo, was a perfect little matchmaker and how nice to have understanding in-laws! Celia’s father-in-law, the Earl of Urswick is supportive of Celia and Damien’s relationship and even his wife comes round in the end.
HER CHRISTMAS PLEASURE is a delightful and deliciously sensual short story and so grab a sherry and a mince pie, put your feet for a few hours and enjoy!
RATING: ★★★★½
November 28, 2011
I've been a fan of Karen Erickson's contemporary books for a while now, so when I saw this historical, I thought I'd give it a try. Let it be know that I'm usually not a fan of historical romance in general, so I'm always surprised when I like one as much as I liked this one.
Damien has been in love with his best friends widow, Celia, for a long time now, and it's gotten so bad that he's decided to leave England to get away from the torture of having to see her and not have her. Wanting to see her for possibly the last time before he leaves, Damien and Celia end up under the mistletoe together at her husband's family holiday festivities. They share what is supposed to be an innocent kiss, but it sparks deep feelings of desire in Damien...and Celia.
I thought that the was a very cute holiday story of unrequited love that blossoms into so much more. I was rooting for Celia and Damien throughout the whole story because they were both characters that you come to care about.
This is a short story but I think the author did a great job of providing history between the couple so their relationship just seem too rushed. The passion between the couple was evident, and I was happy to see them get their HEA.
This is the second book in the Merry Widows series, and I'm going to have to read the first. HER CHRISTMAS PLEASURE was short, but sweet, and very satisfying!
Damien has been in love with his best friends widow, Celia, for a long time now, and it's gotten so bad that he's decided to leave England to get away from the torture of having to see her and not have her. Wanting to see her for possibly the last time before he leaves, Damien and Celia end up under the mistletoe together at her husband's family holiday festivities. They share what is supposed to be an innocent kiss, but it sparks deep feelings of desire in Damien...and Celia.
I thought that the was a very cute holiday story of unrequited love that blossoms into so much more. I was rooting for Celia and Damien throughout the whole story because they were both characters that you come to care about.
This is a short story but I think the author did a great job of providing history between the couple so their relationship just seem too rushed. The passion between the couple was evident, and I was happy to see them get their HEA.
This is the second book in the Merry Widows series, and I'm going to have to read the first. HER CHRISTMAS PLEASURE was short, but sweet, and very satisfying!
October 28, 2011
I'll always like this story set-up. Knowing the guy pines for the girl who belongs/belonged to someone else is food for my angsty desires. I love feeling the torturous urges and secret glances that usually accompany his need to see her, even though he feels he can never have her.
I just wish this novella had been a bit longer. As it stands 67 pages is not enough to satisfy me. However, having looked at Ms Erickson's backlist, I found her Fated series on my TBR list, which I can now push up the list since I know she can write very good steamy scenes.
I just wish this novella had been a bit longer. As it stands 67 pages is not enough to satisfy me. However, having looked at Ms Erickson's backlist, I found her Fated series on my TBR list, which I can now push up the list since I know she can write very good steamy scenes.
November 16, 2011
For a novella (20,000 words) it has a rich story that is fully developed with a wonderful setting which gives the reader a happy Christmas feeling. It is a great way to start off the festive season to get you in a Christmassy mood. The love story is well developed for a novella using the back story to set the scene. The length of the book is perfect at this season to fit into our busy lives. I recommend it to any historical romance lover who would enjoy the extra twist of a Christmas atmosphere.
November 4, 2016
If you are in the mood for a short story maybe HER CHRISTMAS PLEASURE will work. Enjoyed this sensual Christmas story of a man whose in love with his best friend's widow. Damien is a loyal friend and willing to walk away instead of living with the tormented desires of an impossible match. Nice chemistry.
October 29, 2024
Her Christmas Pleasure is the second erotic novella in The Merry Widows trilogy. Not as sensually free flowing as the previous story.
Lessons in Discretion: Garrett & Julia: 5- stars
Her Christmas Pleasure: Damien & Celia: 3- stars
Damien Morton is in madly in love with his dead best friend’s wife. He thinks himself unworthy of her as he is beneath her ranking in Society.
Widow, Lady Celia Danver, is a woman of quality. Raising her son under the watchful eyes of her in-laws, Celia has been single for three years.
Damien and Celia’s mutual desire simmers before it hesitantly takes off. Their sexy times are tentative and endearing.
I recommend this novella.
Lessons in Discretion: Garrett & Julia: 5- stars
Her Christmas Pleasure: Damien & Celia: 3- stars
Damien Morton is in madly in love with his dead best friend’s wife. He thinks himself unworthy of her as he is beneath her ranking in Society.
Widow, Lady Celia Danver, is a woman of quality. Raising her son under the watchful eyes of her in-laws, Celia has been single for three years.
Damien and Celia’s mutual desire simmers before it hesitantly takes off. Their sexy times are tentative and endearing.
I recommend this novella.
January 19, 2022
Another of my shelf from 2012 and read for the #GHRWAK group Spell it Challenge.
Short, impactful, sweet and you can literally feel the feelings Damien has for Celia. Like this should have been a full length book cos this author could have made it something emotionally spectacular..
Short, impactful, sweet and you can literally feel the feelings Damien has for Celia. Like this should have been a full length book cos this author could have made it something emotionally spectacular..
January 20, 2019
This book was nice and short, but too much reflecting, it got on my nerves.
April 22, 2024
Cute enough with potential. But as it is, a novella, gotta take it for what it is.
January 29, 2012
I reviewed this for TwoLips Reviews, LLC:
Damien Morton has plans to leave the country at the beginning of the New Year. Madly in love with his best friend’s widow, Lady Celia Danver, he feels unworthy of her love. She treats him as a friend of the family and nothing else—until they share a fiery kiss under the mistletoe…
Surprised at the passion she feels from a dear friend’s kiss, Celia realizes once is not enough to satisfy her cravings. Damien has awakened emotions she never expected to experience again. She must have more. Full of shameless desire and newly awakened emotions, Celia decides to pursue Damien and throws caution to the winds. Will Celia be able to convince Damien to stay in her heart and her life forever?
Her Christmas Pleasure is the delightful second story in Karen Erickson’s The Merry Widows series. While this story is a part of a series, each book can easily be read on its own. I enjoyed how Ms. Erickson developed the characters and their lively dialogue. The holiday setting enhanced the sweet love story developing between the young widow and her deceased husband’s best friend.
Damien Morton is an honorable working class man who has worked his whole life for the Earl of Urswick. Best friends with Lawrence Danver, the Earl’s only son, he’s secretly been in love with Celia, Lawrence’s wife, since they first met. His feelings have only gotten stronger since Lawrence died in the war. Knowing he is socially and economically below Celia, he’s decided to leave the country in order to avoid seeing her marry someone else in her social circle. He never imagined Celia could care for him too and that she’d want a future with a man considered beneath her. Ms. Erickson did a good job developing Damien’s character; he’s smart, business savvy, and friendly. His secret yearning for Celia is understandable; he just doesn’t realize how much he has to offer her and doesn’t know the Earl will approve a relationship between them.
Celia Danver is a young widow content to raise her five-year-old son under the watchful eye and protection of her in-laws. Valuing her friendship with Damien, her deceased husband’s best friend and manager of her in-laws estate, she’s recently begun to see Damien as a man and not just a part of the extended family. Longing for more in her life, she just doesn’t know how to pursue what she wants. She never thought the family’s Christmas gathering would open the door to her future and the arms of the man she wants more than any other. Ms. Erickson did a great job developing Celia’s character; she’s young, beautiful, and very conscious of what society expects from her. She’s always worked towards making others happy but now presented with a chance to get happiness for herself, she’s somewhat at a loss. Fortunately she gets help from an unexpected source.
The scenes between Damien and Celia are full of good chemistry, fun dialogue, and smoldering passion. They are both conscious of society and its rules and neither knows how to make an overture towards the other without breaking the rules. Fortunately the Earl of Urswick has been watching them watch each other for months and in an effort to help Celia and Damien both find happiness, he’s the one who prompts them to kiss under the mistletoe. He continues to place them in each other’s company. He’s also got an accomplice, his five-year-old grandson Theo, who already calls Damien “uncle” and announces to his mother he wants Damien as his father.
As the festivities around the holiday progress, will Celia and Damien explore the passion between them? Will Damien really leave the country at the beginning of the New Year? You’ll have to read Her Christmas Pleasure to find out. It’s the perfect Holiday treat.
Damien Morton has plans to leave the country at the beginning of the New Year. Madly in love with his best friend’s widow, Lady Celia Danver, he feels unworthy of her love. She treats him as a friend of the family and nothing else—until they share a fiery kiss under the mistletoe…
Surprised at the passion she feels from a dear friend’s kiss, Celia realizes once is not enough to satisfy her cravings. Damien has awakened emotions she never expected to experience again. She must have more. Full of shameless desire and newly awakened emotions, Celia decides to pursue Damien and throws caution to the winds. Will Celia be able to convince Damien to stay in her heart and her life forever?
Her Christmas Pleasure is the delightful second story in Karen Erickson’s The Merry Widows series. While this story is a part of a series, each book can easily be read on its own. I enjoyed how Ms. Erickson developed the characters and their lively dialogue. The holiday setting enhanced the sweet love story developing between the young widow and her deceased husband’s best friend.
Damien Morton is an honorable working class man who has worked his whole life for the Earl of Urswick. Best friends with Lawrence Danver, the Earl’s only son, he’s secretly been in love with Celia, Lawrence’s wife, since they first met. His feelings have only gotten stronger since Lawrence died in the war. Knowing he is socially and economically below Celia, he’s decided to leave the country in order to avoid seeing her marry someone else in her social circle. He never imagined Celia could care for him too and that she’d want a future with a man considered beneath her. Ms. Erickson did a good job developing Damien’s character; he’s smart, business savvy, and friendly. His secret yearning for Celia is understandable; he just doesn’t realize how much he has to offer her and doesn’t know the Earl will approve a relationship between them.
Celia Danver is a young widow content to raise her five-year-old son under the watchful eye and protection of her in-laws. Valuing her friendship with Damien, her deceased husband’s best friend and manager of her in-laws estate, she’s recently begun to see Damien as a man and not just a part of the extended family. Longing for more in her life, she just doesn’t know how to pursue what she wants. She never thought the family’s Christmas gathering would open the door to her future and the arms of the man she wants more than any other. Ms. Erickson did a great job developing Celia’s character; she’s young, beautiful, and very conscious of what society expects from her. She’s always worked towards making others happy but now presented with a chance to get happiness for herself, she’s somewhat at a loss. Fortunately she gets help from an unexpected source.
The scenes between Damien and Celia are full of good chemistry, fun dialogue, and smoldering passion. They are both conscious of society and its rules and neither knows how to make an overture towards the other without breaking the rules. Fortunately the Earl of Urswick has been watching them watch each other for months and in an effort to help Celia and Damien both find happiness, he’s the one who prompts them to kiss under the mistletoe. He continues to place them in each other’s company. He’s also got an accomplice, his five-year-old grandson Theo, who already calls Damien “uncle” and announces to his mother he wants Damien as his father.
As the festivities around the holiday progress, will Celia and Damien explore the passion between them? Will Damien really leave the country at the beginning of the New Year? You’ll have to read Her Christmas Pleasure to find out. It’s the perfect Holiday treat.
February 5, 2012
Her Christmas Pleasure by Karen Erickson, is a short, yummy candy cane of a story. And yes, I did want you to think of that particular holiday treat for a reason!
Damien Morton promised his best friend, Lawrence Danver, that he would look after the man's wife, just before Lawrence died. They were, after all, best friends, and it was the honorable thing to do.
What Damien hadn't counted on was falling in love with Lady Celia Danver. Hopelessly, irrevocably in love. Or that Lawrence's family would take him in, and come to rely on him in Lawrence's place. But Damien knows he's just a man with no family, an employee, however trusted. He can't really take his friend's place. His friend was the heir to Earl of Urswick. Damien is nobody.
A nobody who is in love with his friend's widow. And has been for years. This Christmas, when he and Celia are caught under the mistletoe, Damien gives in to his one chance to kiss the woman of his dreams, before he has to tell her that he'll be leaving England after New Year's Day.
That one kiss awakens Celia to something that she hasn't been willing to let herself see. Damien is more than a friend. And he's more than the man her five-year-old son wants to be his father. A man she has allowed to act as his surrogate father for several years now.
Damien is a very handsome man she wants to take to her bed.
These two people, Celia and Damien, have to negotiate the rest of their lives during a family Christmas gathering. Damien has the mistaken belief that his origins mean he has nothing to bring to a possible marriage with Celia, that she can somehow do better than a man who not only loves her, but also loves her son. The boy, Theo, already thinks of Damien as his father--Damien is the only father Theo has ever known.
Celia needs to convince Damien that she really loves him, even through she hasn't shown any sign of it until that mistletoe kiss. And she doesn't have much time. Will the course of true love, not to mention really hot lust, run smooth before the holidays are over?
Escape Rating B-: There was more sex than story in this holiday tale. And very hot and spicy sex it was, too. As far as the story goes, I found Damien's perspective easier to understand than Celia's. Her enlightenment came a little bit too suddenly for me to completely relate to, although once it was reached, it was understandable that she wouldn't want to let him go. My question was why she was that blind for quite that long.
His point of view made more sense to me from the beginning. Damien was simply tired of torturing himself by watching someone he couldn't have, so he decided to put himself out of temptation's reach by finding a new position--elsewhere. He kept trying to do the honorable thing, but there were limits to his self-control. When those were reached, the author treated the readers to another sensual interlude.
This story can be nicely summed up as a lovely sensual interlude, as was Karen Erickson's previous entry in her loosely connected Merry Widows series, Lessons in Indiscretion (review).
Damien Morton promised his best friend, Lawrence Danver, that he would look after the man's wife, just before Lawrence died. They were, after all, best friends, and it was the honorable thing to do.
What Damien hadn't counted on was falling in love with Lady Celia Danver. Hopelessly, irrevocably in love. Or that Lawrence's family would take him in, and come to rely on him in Lawrence's place. But Damien knows he's just a man with no family, an employee, however trusted. He can't really take his friend's place. His friend was the heir to Earl of Urswick. Damien is nobody.
A nobody who is in love with his friend's widow. And has been for years. This Christmas, when he and Celia are caught under the mistletoe, Damien gives in to his one chance to kiss the woman of his dreams, before he has to tell her that he'll be leaving England after New Year's Day.
That one kiss awakens Celia to something that she hasn't been willing to let herself see. Damien is more than a friend. And he's more than the man her five-year-old son wants to be his father. A man she has allowed to act as his surrogate father for several years now.
Damien is a very handsome man she wants to take to her bed.
These two people, Celia and Damien, have to negotiate the rest of their lives during a family Christmas gathering. Damien has the mistaken belief that his origins mean he has nothing to bring to a possible marriage with Celia, that she can somehow do better than a man who not only loves her, but also loves her son. The boy, Theo, already thinks of Damien as his father--Damien is the only father Theo has ever known.
Celia needs to convince Damien that she really loves him, even through she hasn't shown any sign of it until that mistletoe kiss. And she doesn't have much time. Will the course of true love, not to mention really hot lust, run smooth before the holidays are over?
Escape Rating B-: There was more sex than story in this holiday tale. And very hot and spicy sex it was, too. As far as the story goes, I found Damien's perspective easier to understand than Celia's. Her enlightenment came a little bit too suddenly for me to completely relate to, although once it was reached, it was understandable that she wouldn't want to let him go. My question was why she was that blind for quite that long.
His point of view made more sense to me from the beginning. Damien was simply tired of torturing himself by watching someone he couldn't have, so he decided to put himself out of temptation's reach by finding a new position--elsewhere. He kept trying to do the honorable thing, but there were limits to his self-control. When those were reached, the author treated the readers to another sensual interlude.
This story can be nicely summed up as a lovely sensual interlude, as was Karen Erickson's previous entry in her loosely connected Merry Widows series, Lessons in Indiscretion (review).
January 6, 2012
Her Christmas Pleasure (Merry Widows #2) by Karen Erickson
* I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Celia’s husband, Lawrence was killed two years ago while fighting for his country leaving her with a young son. Over the last couple of years she has become good friends with Damien, Lawrence’s best friend. She never dreamed that an innocent kiss under the mistletoe would leave her wanting more.
Damien has been in love with Celia for a long time but he doesn’t feel that he is good enough to ask for her hand in marriage. He doesn’t have much to offer her, he doesn’t have a title and his father was a servant at Urswick Manor. He is leaving England after the holidays to take a job in France because he can’t bear to be around Celia and not touch her. After their shared kiss, how will he ever be able to walk away from her?
Celia loves her family and would do anything for her son but it’s time that she starts living again. She has been a widow for two years and it’s been three since she was with her husband. She didn’t realize how much she missed the companionship of a man until that fateful kiss under the mistletoe. It made her stop and examine her reaction to Damien, while taking note at how handsome he was. Now that she has made up her mind, Damien is leaving for France.
Damien is an honorable man and he thinks he’s doing the right thing by leaving. He would love to be with Celia and Theo but he doesn’t think he is good enough for them. Theo needs someone that can guide and prepare him to take over after his grandfather. Damien is shocked when Lawrence’s father gives his approval for Damien to tell Celia how he feels about her.
The love that developed between Damien and Celia had a natural flow to it. They have been friends for a long time, both are lonely, and now they have the blessing of Lawrence’s parents to acknowledge the attraction growing between them. I love how they are already doing things together that a family would, like putting Theo to bed together. Even though Damien doesn’t think he’s god enough for them, he has been a positive influence in Theo’s life.
Damien is an alpha male whether he realizes it or not. It was nice to see him sit back and let Celia take control when she came to his room. He let her set the pace, while guiding her along the way. They were very sexy together and seemed to fill a need in each other.
Overall I enjoyed the second installment in the Merry Widows series. I give Her Christmas Pleasure 4 Flaming Hearts.
* I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Celia’s husband, Lawrence was killed two years ago while fighting for his country leaving her with a young son. Over the last couple of years she has become good friends with Damien, Lawrence’s best friend. She never dreamed that an innocent kiss under the mistletoe would leave her wanting more.
Damien has been in love with Celia for a long time but he doesn’t feel that he is good enough to ask for her hand in marriage. He doesn’t have much to offer her, he doesn’t have a title and his father was a servant at Urswick Manor. He is leaving England after the holidays to take a job in France because he can’t bear to be around Celia and not touch her. After their shared kiss, how will he ever be able to walk away from her?
Celia loves her family and would do anything for her son but it’s time that she starts living again. She has been a widow for two years and it’s been three since she was with her husband. She didn’t realize how much she missed the companionship of a man until that fateful kiss under the mistletoe. It made her stop and examine her reaction to Damien, while taking note at how handsome he was. Now that she has made up her mind, Damien is leaving for France.
Damien is an honorable man and he thinks he’s doing the right thing by leaving. He would love to be with Celia and Theo but he doesn’t think he is good enough for them. Theo needs someone that can guide and prepare him to take over after his grandfather. Damien is shocked when Lawrence’s father gives his approval for Damien to tell Celia how he feels about her.
The love that developed between Damien and Celia had a natural flow to it. They have been friends for a long time, both are lonely, and now they have the blessing of Lawrence’s parents to acknowledge the attraction growing between them. I love how they are already doing things together that a family would, like putting Theo to bed together. Even though Damien doesn’t think he’s god enough for them, he has been a positive influence in Theo’s life.
Damien is an alpha male whether he realizes it or not. It was nice to see him sit back and let Celia take control when she came to his room. He let her set the pace, while guiding her along the way. They were very sexy together and seemed to fill a need in each other.
Overall I enjoyed the second installment in the Merry Widows series. I give Her Christmas Pleasure 4 Flaming Hearts.
January 5, 2012
If you’re looking for the perfect way to pass an hour with a glass of wine this Holiday Season look no further. Her Christmas Pleasure is like a Christmas cookie, a little bon-bon, a piece of fudge. It’s short, sweet, and yummy…
I didn’t realize when I requested this book that it was a novella. I wasn’t sure how I felt about the length when I opened the ebook…
Short doesn’t usually mean good in the Romance genre…
It usually means underdeveloped characters I don’t connect to…
It means I feel gypped by a lack of fleshed out relationships and bedroom scenes that seem rushed and [pardon the pun] unfulfilling.
I could not have been more wrong in my prejudice of this book. I’ve waited a bit to write this review trying to figure out exactly how Erickson gave so much body to such a short book. Right from the start I felt involved in Damien and Celia’s lives. Probably because Erickson throws you right into the middle of things. The middle of a Christmas celebration, the middle of their relationship, and in the middle of Damien’s decision to stay by Celia’s side and fight for her affections…or run away to a new job and a new country. These characters have a history and you feel that connection and the tension right from the start.
By the time Damien and Celia make it to their first bedroom scene you’ll be thinking “What took you two so long?!” even though you’ll only be, like, 30 or so pages in! Erickson is just that good at setting her scenes and forming her characters. I was amazed to find that the novella was over. I think I kept clicking after the final page just hoping for a magical continuation of their story (hey, I’m sure some of Santa’s elves specialize in Romance novels…they’re the naughty ones Sorry couldn’t resist!)
Anyway, know that I wasn’t sad this book ended so quickly because the story wasn’t complete. Nope. Damien and Celia’s story comes to a satisfying conclusion [again, me and the puns today!]. I just wanted more because I loved the characters so much. I wanted to follow them into their happily ever after. I wanted more from their newly formed family.
Honestly, treat yourself to this little Christmas nugget. You’ll thank me for the hour you spent in the company of Her Christmas Pleasure…It’s the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the season.
Rating: 5/5 Still in awe of so much love in such a short package
http://thelibrarianreads.wordpress.com
I didn’t realize when I requested this book that it was a novella. I wasn’t sure how I felt about the length when I opened the ebook…
Short doesn’t usually mean good in the Romance genre…
It usually means underdeveloped characters I don’t connect to…
It means I feel gypped by a lack of fleshed out relationships and bedroom scenes that seem rushed and [pardon the pun] unfulfilling.
I could not have been more wrong in my prejudice of this book. I’ve waited a bit to write this review trying to figure out exactly how Erickson gave so much body to such a short book. Right from the start I felt involved in Damien and Celia’s lives. Probably because Erickson throws you right into the middle of things. The middle of a Christmas celebration, the middle of their relationship, and in the middle of Damien’s decision to stay by Celia’s side and fight for her affections…or run away to a new job and a new country. These characters have a history and you feel that connection and the tension right from the start.
By the time Damien and Celia make it to their first bedroom scene you’ll be thinking “What took you two so long?!” even though you’ll only be, like, 30 or so pages in! Erickson is just that good at setting her scenes and forming her characters. I was amazed to find that the novella was over. I think I kept clicking after the final page just hoping for a magical continuation of their story (hey, I’m sure some of Santa’s elves specialize in Romance novels…they’re the naughty ones Sorry couldn’t resist!)
Anyway, know that I wasn’t sad this book ended so quickly because the story wasn’t complete. Nope. Damien and Celia’s story comes to a satisfying conclusion [again, me and the puns today!]. I just wanted more because I loved the characters so much. I wanted to follow them into their happily ever after. I wanted more from their newly formed family.
Honestly, treat yourself to this little Christmas nugget. You’ll thank me for the hour you spent in the company of Her Christmas Pleasure…It’s the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the season.
Rating: 5/5 Still in awe of so much love in such a short package
http://thelibrarianreads.wordpress.com
November 5, 2011
***original review posted at Romancing Rakes***
Don't judge me! This is probably the 5th holiday themed book I've read this season and I'm going to keep on trucking!
Damien Morton, best friend to Lady Celia Danver's deceased husband and lowly servant's son, has been in love with her for quite some time. There's heavy staring, a bit of a half-massed seductive lid thing going on and a lot of blushing, on Celia's part. Maybe a little on Damien's. He's found another job on France with help from Celia's father-in-law and will be going to take up his new position at the first of the year. Damien thinks he's not good enough for Celia, seeing as his father served under Celia's father-in-law.
A sizzling yet innocent kiss under the mistletoe, egged on by the rest of the family, sets forth in motion the unraveling of their pent up feelings for one another.
Celia is reluctant to tell him how he feels and he in turn does the same but anything is possible around the holidays, right? Damien leaving sparks something in Celia, something that makes her want to hold on to him. He's great with Theo, her son and he's been there for her since the death of her husband. With a little push from her son, who wants a father and thinks Uncle Damien would be a good fit for her, Celia re-evaluates her feeling for Damien. After a sultry night of sweaty sheets, tender caresses and pure sexual magic (or maybe it was the magic of the mistletoe) , Celia and Damien must figure out their feelings for one another as well what the future holds in store for them.
FAVORITE QUOTE: "She'd been aware of him for months. She'd secretly watched him, yearned for him, wished he would notice her too." (***quote subject to change in finished copy***)
OVERALL: In Karen Erickson fashion, this story is a Kindle clutching, 'did I just moan out loud?' inducing, heart tugging, heady as mulled wine, wonderful holiday treat of a read. I just adored Theo, trying to play little matchmaker. Celia and Damien's passion sizzled and scorched the pages and their love for one another makes me believe that yes, anything can happen around the holidays.
***requested off Netgalley***
Don't judge me! This is probably the 5th holiday themed book I've read this season and I'm going to keep on trucking!
Damien Morton, best friend to Lady Celia Danver's deceased husband and lowly servant's son, has been in love with her for quite some time. There's heavy staring, a bit of a half-massed seductive lid thing going on and a lot of blushing, on Celia's part. Maybe a little on Damien's. He's found another job on France with help from Celia's father-in-law and will be going to take up his new position at the first of the year. Damien thinks he's not good enough for Celia, seeing as his father served under Celia's father-in-law.
A sizzling yet innocent kiss under the mistletoe, egged on by the rest of the family, sets forth in motion the unraveling of their pent up feelings for one another.
Celia is reluctant to tell him how he feels and he in turn does the same but anything is possible around the holidays, right? Damien leaving sparks something in Celia, something that makes her want to hold on to him. He's great with Theo, her son and he's been there for her since the death of her husband. With a little push from her son, who wants a father and thinks Uncle Damien would be a good fit for her, Celia re-evaluates her feeling for Damien. After a sultry night of sweaty sheets, tender caresses and pure sexual magic (or maybe it was the magic of the mistletoe) , Celia and Damien must figure out their feelings for one another as well what the future holds in store for them.
FAVORITE QUOTE: "She'd been aware of him for months. She'd secretly watched him, yearned for him, wished he would notice her too." (***quote subject to change in finished copy***)
OVERALL: In Karen Erickson fashion, this story is a Kindle clutching, 'did I just moan out loud?' inducing, heart tugging, heady as mulled wine, wonderful holiday treat of a read. I just adored Theo, trying to play little matchmaker. Celia and Damien's passion sizzled and scorched the pages and their love for one another makes me believe that yes, anything can happen around the holidays.
***requested off Netgalley***
December 23, 2011
by Karen Erickson
20,000 words, ebook, 67 pages
Published November 28th 2011 by Carina Press
ISBN 1426892705 (ISBN13: 9781426892707)
Penny's Rating: C+
Penny purchased the e-book for this review from Barnes & Noble.
If you're looking for a good romantic "quickie" read, this novella is not a bad way to go. I am not always a fan of novella's; quite often the stories are underdeveloped and over too quickly, but in Her Christmas Pleasure, author Karen Erickson, manages to turn out a fair short tale.
Damien Morton is in love with the lovely Lady Danvers (Celia), who used to be married to Damien's best friend. The basic plot is that Damien has carried a torch for Celia for years, but doesn't feel he's good enough for her. Celia's husband Lawrence, whom she loved dearly, has been dead for two years, and Celia is raising her young son Theodore alone. Damien has decided that if he can't be with Celia, that he needs to get as far away from her as possible, even going so far as to accept a position on the continent.
Damien plans to depart for the continent after the Christmas holidays, but everything changes when Damien and Celia are caught standing under the mistletoe (yeah, pretty cliché') at a holiday party and are encouraged by family and friends to share a kiss. Over the next few days sparks fly between the two friends who quickly become lovers. But will Damien decide he's worthy of the prize he's won?
There are no obstacles for the couple to overcome, other than Damien's own insecurities. Everybody else in the story approves of his suit, including the young Theodore, who wants Damien to be his new Daddy. So the whole thing is a wee bit of a stretch for me, and as a reader, you're left with the feeling that Damien is a bit of an idiot. However, Erickson does manage to pack a lot of passion into 67 pages, so if you are looking for a hot short story, go for it!
20,000 words, ebook, 67 pages
Published November 28th 2011 by Carina Press
ISBN 1426892705 (ISBN13: 9781426892707)
Penny's Rating: C+
Penny purchased the e-book for this review from Barnes & Noble.
If you're looking for a good romantic "quickie" read, this novella is not a bad way to go. I am not always a fan of novella's; quite often the stories are underdeveloped and over too quickly, but in Her Christmas Pleasure, author Karen Erickson, manages to turn out a fair short tale.
Damien Morton is in love with the lovely Lady Danvers (Celia), who used to be married to Damien's best friend. The basic plot is that Damien has carried a torch for Celia for years, but doesn't feel he's good enough for her. Celia's husband Lawrence, whom she loved dearly, has been dead for two years, and Celia is raising her young son Theodore alone. Damien has decided that if he can't be with Celia, that he needs to get as far away from her as possible, even going so far as to accept a position on the continent.
Damien plans to depart for the continent after the Christmas holidays, but everything changes when Damien and Celia are caught standing under the mistletoe (yeah, pretty cliché') at a holiday party and are encouraged by family and friends to share a kiss. Over the next few days sparks fly between the two friends who quickly become lovers. But will Damien decide he's worthy of the prize he's won?
There are no obstacles for the couple to overcome, other than Damien's own insecurities. Everybody else in the story approves of his suit, including the young Theodore, who wants Damien to be his new Daddy. So the whole thing is a wee bit of a stretch for me, and as a reader, you're left with the feeling that Damien is a bit of an idiot. However, Erickson does manage to pack a lot of passion into 67 pages, so if you are looking for a hot short story, go for it!
December 16, 2011
Karen Erickson's Her Christmas Pleasure is a quick read about two people who haven't admitted they love each other. Damien is a Napoleonic war veteran who has accepted a job in another country. He was Celia's late husband's best friend and has worked/lived with the family his entire life. He seemed to be in that nebulous grey area of not quite a servant, but not born to the family.
Celia's mourning period is almost over. She lives with her late husband's family, since her son is the heir. Her husband was an only child, and the holidays are difficult for his parents. She had a good relationship with her husband and has come to rely on Damien to be her friend - and a connection to her husband.
This Christmas, Damien realizes that he either has to tell Celia about his feelings or leave without telling her. But the timing has never been right....then they accidentally meet under the mistletoe. What follows is a somewhat rushed courtship - full of feelings of passion, guilt, confusion, and ultimately love.
I sometimes think these books rush the relationship too quickly. I understand that when you have a novella, that it just has to happen that way, and that a book like this calls for a certain suspension of reality. If you are looking for a quick read that involves Christmas and that doesn't require a whole lot of thought, this book is for you. Warning - there are a few explicit intimate scenes.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via the NetGalley system. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
This originally appeared on my blog: http://wp.me/pZ0RP-9x
Celia's mourning period is almost over. She lives with her late husband's family, since her son is the heir. Her husband was an only child, and the holidays are difficult for his parents. She had a good relationship with her husband and has come to rely on Damien to be her friend - and a connection to her husband.
This Christmas, Damien realizes that he either has to tell Celia about his feelings or leave without telling her. But the timing has never been right....then they accidentally meet under the mistletoe. What follows is a somewhat rushed courtship - full of feelings of passion, guilt, confusion, and ultimately love.
I sometimes think these books rush the relationship too quickly. I understand that when you have a novella, that it just has to happen that way, and that a book like this calls for a certain suspension of reality. If you are looking for a quick read that involves Christmas and that doesn't require a whole lot of thought, this book is for you. Warning - there are a few explicit intimate scenes.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via the NetGalley system. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
This originally appeared on my blog: http://wp.me/pZ0RP-9x
November 9, 2011
Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick
Damien has been in love with Celia for well over three years, but knows nothing can ever come of it. Not only is she his best friend's widow, but she is also a lady of quality and he is nothing more than a poor servant's son. Tired of being around her and not being able to be with her, Damien decides to take on a new job that places him outside country once the new year starts.
After the death of her husband, Celia grew extremely close to her husbands best friend Damien. She has always considered him a close friend of the family and an adoptive uncle to her young son. But in the last few months she has started to see Damien in a different light. She finds him extremely attractive and loves the way he helps take care of her son.
When both Celia and Damien are caught beneath a mistletoe at a family Christmas party, they exchange a brief kiss. The kiss is explosive and is just what they both have been secretly wanting from one another. Later, when Damien informs Celia of his decision to leave at the end of the year, she knows that she can't let him leave. She has to let him know of her true feelings for him.
This was a quick and charming read. I enjoyed both Damien and Celia and thought that they were explosive together. Both had so many pent up feelings, so it was great to see them let their walls come down and be honest with one another.
**ARC copy provided by NetGalley**
Damien has been in love with Celia for well over three years, but knows nothing can ever come of it. Not only is she his best friend's widow, but she is also a lady of quality and he is nothing more than a poor servant's son. Tired of being around her and not being able to be with her, Damien decides to take on a new job that places him outside country once the new year starts.
After the death of her husband, Celia grew extremely close to her husbands best friend Damien. She has always considered him a close friend of the family and an adoptive uncle to her young son. But in the last few months she has started to see Damien in a different light. She finds him extremely attractive and loves the way he helps take care of her son.
When both Celia and Damien are caught beneath a mistletoe at a family Christmas party, they exchange a brief kiss. The kiss is explosive and is just what they both have been secretly wanting from one another. Later, when Damien informs Celia of his decision to leave at the end of the year, she knows that she can't let him leave. She has to let him know of her true feelings for him.
This was a quick and charming read. I enjoyed both Damien and Celia and thought that they were explosive together. Both had so many pent up feelings, so it was great to see them let their walls come down and be honest with one another.
**ARC copy provided by NetGalley**
November 29, 2011
Damien has been desperately in love with his best friend's widow, Celia, for years, but doesn't believe he's worthy of her. Celia, grieving her departed husband, never before saw Damien as a man. Unable to stand to be around Celia, but not with Celia, Damien is leaving the country on the first of the year, but a shared kiss beneath the mistletoe will change things for both of them...
If you want electric tension, heat, and a smoking-hot sex scene, well, Her Christmas Pleasure might just be your bag, baby.
THE GOOD:
From page one, the tension between Celia and Damien is palpable. Their mutual yearning for each other is the driving force behind the story, and he two clearly adore each other. The scenes between Celia's five year old matchmaking son and Damien are adorable.
Also, I don't know about you, but I love a good novella. It's the romance novel stripped back to its bones. The tension is condensed and concentrated, the interactions more succinct, no dragged out 'will they, won't they' (it's a romance novel! Of course they will!). At 20,000 words (that's about 80 pages), Her Christmas Pleasure delivered everything I need and want when a romance craving hits me. It's a nice little Sunday afternoon 'me-time' read.
THE HMMM:
The book gave me a couple of unintentional giggles. Given the Regency/Victorian (I'm not sure which, read: eighteen-hundreds England) setting, the sometimes colorful language and actions of the leads seemed incongruous to the time setting. But hey, it's Christmas! Live and let live.
If you want electric tension, heat, and a smoking-hot sex scene, well, Her Christmas Pleasure might just be your bag, baby.
THE GOOD:
From page one, the tension between Celia and Damien is palpable. Their mutual yearning for each other is the driving force behind the story, and he two clearly adore each other. The scenes between Celia's five year old matchmaking son and Damien are adorable.
Also, I don't know about you, but I love a good novella. It's the romance novel stripped back to its bones. The tension is condensed and concentrated, the interactions more succinct, no dragged out 'will they, won't they' (it's a romance novel! Of course they will!). At 20,000 words (that's about 80 pages), Her Christmas Pleasure delivered everything I need and want when a romance craving hits me. It's a nice little Sunday afternoon 'me-time' read.
THE HMMM:
The book gave me a couple of unintentional giggles. Given the Regency/Victorian (I'm not sure which, read: eighteen-hundreds England) setting, the sometimes colorful language and actions of the leads seemed incongruous to the time setting. But hey, it's Christmas! Live and let live.
June 25, 2012
‘Simply magical’ is an apt phrase to describe the beauty found within Karen Erickson’s novella Her Christmas Pleasure. One of the things I love best about this novella is how quickly you become immersed in the lives and feelings of these characters. You don’t get much time to become acquainted with these characters, but the beautiful thing about that is you don’t need to. Erickson magically takes the characters straight to your heart and quickly engages you in their romance. Celia and Damien are truly stunning characters that are completely enamored with one another yet reluctant to let their feelings be known. Their unrequited love is simply touching and exciting to read about.
Yet it only remains that way for so long…from the first kiss to the last, Celia and Damien share a captivating passion. Erickson has a great talent for not only creating a novella that is sexy, but eloquently expresses the emotional side of love as well. You care about these characters just as much as if you had read 200 plus pages of a novel, which is a rare treat indeed. It’s hard to express how much I enjoyed this short tale and wished for it to go on longer.
Her Christmas Pleasure while it is short, is filled with striking emotion and vivid passion. Reading it will give you a brief escape into a fascinating story and possibly introduce you to a talented author as it did for me. Delightful, enchanting and sinfully wicked this is a story you should not pass up! It has everything a reader could possibly want and then some.
Yet it only remains that way for so long…from the first kiss to the last, Celia and Damien share a captivating passion. Erickson has a great talent for not only creating a novella that is sexy, but eloquently expresses the emotional side of love as well. You care about these characters just as much as if you had read 200 plus pages of a novel, which is a rare treat indeed. It’s hard to express how much I enjoyed this short tale and wished for it to go on longer.
Her Christmas Pleasure while it is short, is filled with striking emotion and vivid passion. Reading it will give you a brief escape into a fascinating story and possibly introduce you to a talented author as it did for me. Delightful, enchanting and sinfully wicked this is a story you should not pass up! It has everything a reader could possibly want and then some.
November 3, 2016
What a lovely little read for a Sunday morning! You know, some people read the paper over coffee? I read a novella. Ms. Erickson definitely had a winning combination with Damian and Celia's chemistry in Her Christmas Pleasure.
Even though Damian is the bestie of Celia's departed husband, it doesn't stop his heart from loving her. Even though the whole conflict of the plot arc centers on Damian's inner conflicts. He doesn't feel he's worthy of her love, doesn't feel that she even cares about him, and is wrestling with his upcoming move out of the country, where he won't even be able to see Celia for an indefinite period of time.
Celia, on the other hand, seems to be empowered to make things happen in her life. All it took was a teeny-tiny kiss under the mistletoe to set-in-motion a series of rather fortunate events, bringing Celia and Damian together *finally*. Strange thing? Celia's in-laws (yes, the parents of her dead husband) condoned the relationship. I actually thought it was pretty cool.
Even though historical fiction isn't really my cup-o-tea, Her Christmas Pleasure was a great read for Sunday morning coffee. Author & editors did a great job - the Grammar Police didn't have to prevent my latte from spewing on my Kindle this morning :) Strong characters, and detailed situations (and HOT 'coupling' - keeping it in the time period!) provided an excellent base for a novella that was a nice, quick read.
Even though Damian is the bestie of Celia's departed husband, it doesn't stop his heart from loving her. Even though the whole conflict of the plot arc centers on Damian's inner conflicts. He doesn't feel he's worthy of her love, doesn't feel that she even cares about him, and is wrestling with his upcoming move out of the country, where he won't even be able to see Celia for an indefinite period of time.
Celia, on the other hand, seems to be empowered to make things happen in her life. All it took was a teeny-tiny kiss under the mistletoe to set-in-motion a series of rather fortunate events, bringing Celia and Damian together *finally*. Strange thing? Celia's in-laws (yes, the parents of her dead husband) condoned the relationship. I actually thought it was pretty cool.
Even though historical fiction isn't really my cup-o-tea, Her Christmas Pleasure was a great read for Sunday morning coffee. Author & editors did a great job - the Grammar Police didn't have to prevent my latte from spewing on my Kindle this morning :) Strong characters, and detailed situations (and HOT 'coupling' - keeping it in the time period!) provided an excellent base for a novella that was a nice, quick read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2012
Although Lady Celia Danvers catches glimpses of possibly a man in love with her, one kiss under the mistletoe from her deceased husband's best friend, Damien Morton, confirms it. The problem is, she has more than feelings of friendship for him, too and his kiss sends heated sparks through her.
Trying to determine if what she feels is real and if his feelings echo hers, Celia persuades him to kiss her once again away from family's eyes. He confesses that he does have strong feelings for her, but after Christmas, he is leaving to take up a position at an estate in France. Just a commoner, he feels as he is not good enough for her and her 5 year old son.
Tension between them grows and finally, Celia can't take it any longer and sneaks into his room in the middle of the night where passions explode and they make the most of what he fears is only one night. She doesn't want this new and budding relationship to end, but not fully knowing what is in his heart, Celia holds back. Damian holds back too until, they both come to their breaking point and are determined that each other hears them out before Damien's departure.
This was a nice novella. Although it takes place during the Christmas season, little is said about the holidays/traditions of the times. Celia and Damien's story is entertaining and the passion between the two is written to be real and believable.
Nice little escape from the hustle of modern holiday times....
Trying to determine if what she feels is real and if his feelings echo hers, Celia persuades him to kiss her once again away from family's eyes. He confesses that he does have strong feelings for her, but after Christmas, he is leaving to take up a position at an estate in France. Just a commoner, he feels as he is not good enough for her and her 5 year old son.
Tension between them grows and finally, Celia can't take it any longer and sneaks into his room in the middle of the night where passions explode and they make the most of what he fears is only one night. She doesn't want this new and budding relationship to end, but not fully knowing what is in his heart, Celia holds back. Damian holds back too until, they both come to their breaking point and are determined that each other hears them out before Damien's departure.
This was a nice novella. Although it takes place during the Christmas season, little is said about the holidays/traditions of the times. Celia and Damien's story is entertaining and the passion between the two is written to be real and believable.
Nice little escape from the hustle of modern holiday times....
December 11, 2011
This was an absolutely charming little story provided by netgalley.
There is something heart-warming about a simple story told well, and this fell straight into that category. There are no unbelievable plot twists, no unnecessary characters, just some lovely scenes, some nice sensual touches and one of the best descriptions of unrequited love that I've read.
It is a nice little novella, which is in the same series as Lessons in Indiscretion (which has one sexy cover!), but the two are completely unconnected.
I'm not going to bother with any plot descriptions - it's bare-bones plot and doesn't have far to move from beginning to end, but the characterizations are excellent, and you really feel for both parties. I suppose there is what could be classified as a Misunderstanding, but it isn't really, and is so realistic and real-to-life that it totally hooked me in. The steam level is moderate, but it's a lush sensuality that I enjoy.
All-in-all a great little Christmas story, which would fit in nicely between turkey (or whatever you eat at Christmas) and leftovers, whilst everyone else is sleeping off huge mounds of food in front of the fire/TV.
4 stars. I really liked it.
There is something heart-warming about a simple story told well, and this fell straight into that category. There are no unbelievable plot twists, no unnecessary characters, just some lovely scenes, some nice sensual touches and one of the best descriptions of unrequited love that I've read.
It is a nice little novella, which is in the same series as Lessons in Indiscretion (which has one sexy cover!), but the two are completely unconnected.
I'm not going to bother with any plot descriptions - it's bare-bones plot and doesn't have far to move from beginning to end, but the characterizations are excellent, and you really feel for both parties. I suppose there is what could be classified as a Misunderstanding, but it isn't really, and is so realistic and real-to-life that it totally hooked me in. The steam level is moderate, but it's a lush sensuality that I enjoy.
All-in-all a great little Christmas story, which would fit in nicely between turkey (or whatever you eat at Christmas) and leftovers, whilst everyone else is sleeping off huge mounds of food in front of the fire/TV.
4 stars. I really liked it.
November 28, 2011
I'll warn you right off the bat, this novella is short; it's not even 70 pages. But it's a sexy and satisfying read in that small package.
Celia is the widow of Damien's best friend. He made a vow to her husband before he died to take care of her. But he never expected to fall in love with her. Damien is the son of servants... not nearly good enough, he believes, for a lady like Celia. So after years of loving her in silence, he makes plans to move away.
Celia has come to care deeply for Damien, but only recently has desire come into the picture. And once they share a kiss under the mistletoe, she can't deny her feelings any longer. But is too late for them? And can she convince him that he is more than enough to make her happy?
OK, we already know the answers, but I still enjoyed the ride. I'm always a sucker for a hero convinced he's not good enough for the heroine. Oooh --and did I mention the hot sex?? Good stuff. The story might have been even stronger if it were longer, but as it is, I liked it well enough. Almost 4 stars.
Note: This book is the 2nd in Karen Erickson's Merry Widows series, but the two novellas are completely unrelated.
*ARC Provided by NetGalley
Celia is the widow of Damien's best friend. He made a vow to her husband before he died to take care of her. But he never expected to fall in love with her. Damien is the son of servants... not nearly good enough, he believes, for a lady like Celia. So after years of loving her in silence, he makes plans to move away.
Celia has come to care deeply for Damien, but only recently has desire come into the picture. And once they share a kiss under the mistletoe, she can't deny her feelings any longer. But is too late for them? And can she convince him that he is more than enough to make her happy?
OK, we already know the answers, but I still enjoyed the ride. I'm always a sucker for a hero convinced he's not good enough for the heroine. Oooh --and did I mention the hot sex?? Good stuff. The story might have been even stronger if it were longer, but as it is, I liked it well enough. Almost 4 stars.
Note: This book is the 2nd in Karen Erickson's Merry Widows series, but the two novellas are completely unrelated.
*ARC Provided by NetGalley
December 31, 2011
Damien has always been in love with his best friend's wife - Celia. Having never felt worthy enough for Celia he decides it's time to leave England and hope that he can escape the feelings and move on with his life. Unfortunately for Damien - this isn't meant to be!
With one kiss Celia and Damien shocked by the chemistry between them. Surrounded by family and friends they try and keep their growing passion under control. With a young son to think about Celia is torn - is she betraying her husband's memory by falling for Damien? What will her son think of the situation?
I'm always so surprised at how much information is packed into so few pages. Karen Erickson did a fabulous job pulling me into the story and keeping me hooked until the last page. I loved reading about Damien and Celia's growing love and how they learned to trust and find one another.
This was my first by this author, and I love how she tells a story. I will be definitely picking up more by Karen and adding them to my ever growing library!
With one kiss Celia and Damien shocked by the chemistry between them. Surrounded by family and friends they try and keep their growing passion under control. With a young son to think about Celia is torn - is she betraying her husband's memory by falling for Damien? What will her son think of the situation?
I'm always so surprised at how much information is packed into so few pages. Karen Erickson did a fabulous job pulling me into the story and keeping me hooked until the last page. I loved reading about Damien and Celia's growing love and how they learned to trust and find one another.
This was my first by this author, and I love how she tells a story. I will be definitely picking up more by Karen and adding them to my ever growing library!
December 27, 2011
Her Christmas Pleasure was a quick and sweet read. Celia and Damien have a one of a kind friendship and you can tell they have been friends for a long time and care about each other very much.
Damien was an interesting character, a perfect gentlemen and very careful when he was around Celia. Which was nice, it's always good to have a close friend like that. Even though he yearned for Celia, he was very loyal to his extended family and to his deceased best friend by keeping his distance and convincing himself that nothing could or should be. Celia was a typical emotional woman, and sadly there isn't much else to say about her. She wasn't a horrible character, but sometimes you just wanted to shake her and force her to calm the hell down! Ironic these two are perfect for each other.
Her Christmas Pleasure was an enjoyable read with steamy scenes and a tale about two best friends who deserve to be more.
Damien was an interesting character, a perfect gentlemen and very careful when he was around Celia. Which was nice, it's always good to have a close friend like that. Even though he yearned for Celia, he was very loyal to his extended family and to his deceased best friend by keeping his distance and convincing himself that nothing could or should be. Celia was a typical emotional woman, and sadly there isn't much else to say about her. She wasn't a horrible character, but sometimes you just wanted to shake her and force her to calm the hell down! Ironic these two are perfect for each other.
Her Christmas Pleasure was an enjoyable read with steamy scenes and a tale about two best friends who deserve to be more.
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