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Harlequin Holiday Collection: Four Classic Seasonal Novellas
And a Dead Guy in a Pear Tree\Seduced by the Season\Evidence of Desire\Season of Wonder
A struggling B&B owner scrambles to hide the dead body wrapped in her Christmas tree from a visiting camera crew--and from her still-irresistible reporter ex.
A waitress and a sexy FBI agent mix business with pleasure while investigating a crime over the holidays.
A crime lab worker finds herself in danger six days before Christmas...and only her off-limits but oh-so-attractive coworker can help.
And two childhood friends rediscover their sense of wonder--and love--when reunited for the holidays.
A struggling B&B owner scrambles to hide the dead body wrapped in her Christmas tree from a visiting camera crew--and from her still-irresistible reporter ex.
A waitress and a sexy FBI agent mix business with pleasure while investigating a crime over the holidays.
A crime lab worker finds herself in danger six days before Christmas...and only her off-limits but oh-so-attractive coworker can help.
And two childhood friends rediscover their sense of wonder--and love--when reunited for the holidays.
485 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2011
254 people are currently reading
904 people want to read
About the author
Debra Webb
548 books2,369 followersDEBRA WEBB is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 170 novels, including reader favorites the Finley O'Sullivan and Devlin & Falco series. She is the recipient of the prestigious Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Romantic Suspense as well as numerous Reviewers Choice Awards. In 2012 Debra was honored as the first recipient of the esteemed L. A. Banks Warrior Woman Award for her courage, strength, and grace in the face of adversity. Recently Debra was awarded the distinguished Centennial Award for having achieved publication of her 100th novel.
With more than four million books in print in numerous languages and countries, Debra’s love of storytelling goes back to her childhood when her mother bought her an old typewriter in a tag sale. Born in Alabama, Debra grew up on a farm. She spent every available hour exploring the world around her and creating her stories. She wrote her first story at age nine and her first romance at thirteen. It wasn’t until she spent three years working for the Commanding General of the US Army in Berlin behind the Iron Curtain and a five-year stint in NASA’s Shuttle Program that she realized her true calling. A collision course between suspense and romance was set. Since then she has expanded her work into some of the darkest places the human psyche dares to go. Visit Debra at www.debrawebb.com.
With more than four million books in print in numerous languages and countries, Debra’s love of storytelling goes back to her childhood when her mother bought her an old typewriter in a tag sale. Born in Alabama, Debra grew up on a farm. She spent every available hour exploring the world around her and creating her stories. She wrote her first story at age nine and her first romance at thirteen. It wasn’t until she spent three years working for the Commanding General of the US Army in Berlin behind the Iron Curtain and a five-year stint in NASA’s Shuttle Program that she realized her true calling. A collision course between suspense and romance was set. Since then she has expanded her work into some of the darkest places the human psyche dares to go. Visit Debra at www.debrawebb.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
September 1, 2016
And a Dead Guy in a Pear Tree by Leslie Kelly
A struggling B&B owner scrambles to hide the dead body wrapped in her Christmas tree from a visiting camera crew—and from her still-irresistible reporter ex.
Holly is trying her best to save the family inn from going out of business. She's arranged to have a tv crew come in to do a story on them in an effort to get some publicity. When she finds a dead body in her Christmas tree, they have to find a way to hide it before the cameras arrive. When her ex, Zach, knocks on the door she thinks he's with the tv crew, but he's really an investigative reporter searching for diamond thieves. What follows is a hilarious case of "where's the body" as Holly and her employees try to keep Zach from finding it and he's determined to protect her. Terrific sparks between the two as they end up working together.
Seduced by the Season by Merline Lovelace
A waitress and a sexy FBI agent mix business with pleasure while investigating a crime over the holidays.
Sophie is a doctoral candidate in ancient art at Trinity College in Dublin and Clint is an FBI agent searching for an antiquities thief. They join forces when Clint realizes he doesn't have a clue what he's looking for but Sophie does. They're also incredibly attracted to each other. I loved the way that Sophie jumps right in to help Clint. She also loved showing him around Dublin and exposing him to her world. I loved the intensity of the takedown, and their reunion was great.
Evidence of Desire by Debra Webb
A crime lab worker finds herself in danger six days before Christmas...and only her off-limits but oh-so-attractive coworker can help.
Olivia is a new lab worker who has moved there from Boston. She is really attracted to Jacob, who doesn't seem to notice her at all. When she begins to experience a string of bad luck - computer files missing, emails going astray, car not starting, being followed - she appeals to Jacob for help. She sort of throws herself at him with her thanks as she works to get to know him. Jacob is attracted to her, but was hurt romantically in the past and doesn't want to get involved. I enjoyed the mystery aspect as well as the romance.
Season of Wonder by Marta Perry
And two childhood friends rediscover their sense of wonder—and love—when reunited for the holidays.
My least favorite of the four stories. Allison has brought her daughter to the island to rest up before a major surgery. She is also preparing the cottage in order to sell it. She meets her childhood friend David and he offers to help her with the repairs. He thinks she'll be moving back to the island and is looking forward to getting to know her again. I was bothered by her attitude toward him - she seemed to look down on him for what she sees as a lack of ambition. I liked David a lot. He was marvelous with Allison's daughter. I was glad to see him tell Allison what a pill she was being.
A struggling B&B owner scrambles to hide the dead body wrapped in her Christmas tree from a visiting camera crew—and from her still-irresistible reporter ex.
Holly is trying her best to save the family inn from going out of business. She's arranged to have a tv crew come in to do a story on them in an effort to get some publicity. When she finds a dead body in her Christmas tree, they have to find a way to hide it before the cameras arrive. When her ex, Zach, knocks on the door she thinks he's with the tv crew, but he's really an investigative reporter searching for diamond thieves. What follows is a hilarious case of "where's the body" as Holly and her employees try to keep Zach from finding it and he's determined to protect her. Terrific sparks between the two as they end up working together.
Seduced by the Season by Merline Lovelace
A waitress and a sexy FBI agent mix business with pleasure while investigating a crime over the holidays.
Sophie is a doctoral candidate in ancient art at Trinity College in Dublin and Clint is an FBI agent searching for an antiquities thief. They join forces when Clint realizes he doesn't have a clue what he's looking for but Sophie does. They're also incredibly attracted to each other. I loved the way that Sophie jumps right in to help Clint. She also loved showing him around Dublin and exposing him to her world. I loved the intensity of the takedown, and their reunion was great.
Evidence of Desire by Debra Webb
A crime lab worker finds herself in danger six days before Christmas...and only her off-limits but oh-so-attractive coworker can help.
Olivia is a new lab worker who has moved there from Boston. She is really attracted to Jacob, who doesn't seem to notice her at all. When she begins to experience a string of bad luck - computer files missing, emails going astray, car not starting, being followed - she appeals to Jacob for help. She sort of throws herself at him with her thanks as she works to get to know him. Jacob is attracted to her, but was hurt romantically in the past and doesn't want to get involved. I enjoyed the mystery aspect as well as the romance.
Season of Wonder by Marta Perry
And two childhood friends rediscover their sense of wonder—and love—when reunited for the holidays.
My least favorite of the four stories. Allison has brought her daughter to the island to rest up before a major surgery. She is also preparing the cottage in order to sell it. She meets her childhood friend David and he offers to help her with the repairs. He thinks she'll be moving back to the island and is looking forward to getting to know her again. I was bothered by her attitude toward him - she seemed to look down on him for what she sees as a lack of ambition. I liked David a lot. He was marvelous with Allison's daughter. I was glad to see him tell Allison what a pill she was being.
November 10, 2023
204 pages according to book details from Amazon
And A Dead Guy In A Pear Tree by Leslie Kelly 3.5* 11/8-9/23 (65)
Wheaton, Illinois; Holly Cavanaugh, Zach Weldon; inn owner, journalist
Second chance romance, journalist on the trail of jewel thieves
=> first two thirds very witty and fun, last third more graphic (supposed to be hot?) and sounding like there’re other stories preceding this one, ending a bit of a letdown and abrupt
Seduced by the Season by Merline Lovelace 3* 11/9/23 (32)
Dublin, Ireland; Sophie Hawthorne, Clint Walker; student/bar waitress, FBI agent
Insta-love, male MC’s trailing a prehistoric-art thief linked to a drug czar
=> settings and historical info are my favorite parts, the esoteric and insta-love elements just the opposite, no character development, very unrealistic though decent writing style
Evidence of Desire by Debra Webb 3.5* 11/10/23 (60) Kenner County Crime Unit #1.5
Kenner City, Colorado; Olivia Perez, Jacob Webster aka Mr. Unavailable; forensic scientists
Workplace romance, somebody’s stalking female MC, insta-love
=> very suspenseful though lacks depth of characters or their development, the romance felt flat and underdeveloped as well
Season of Wonder by Marta Perry ?* 11/10?/23 (47)
Caldwell Island, South Carolina; Allison March, David Caldwell; ill single mother, ?
Friends-turned-lovers?
=>
*
And A Dead Guy In A Pear Tree by Leslie Kelly 3.5* 11/8-9/23 (65)
Wheaton, Illinois; Holly Cavanaugh, Zach Weldon; inn owner, journalist
Second chance romance, journalist on the trail of jewel thieves
=> first two thirds very witty and fun, last third more graphic (supposed to be hot?) and sounding like there’re other stories preceding this one, ending a bit of a letdown and abrupt
Seduced by the Season by Merline Lovelace 3* 11/9/23 (32)
Dublin, Ireland; Sophie Hawthorne, Clint Walker; student/bar waitress, FBI agent
Insta-love, male MC’s trailing a prehistoric-art thief linked to a drug czar
=> settings and historical info are my favorite parts, the esoteric and insta-love elements just the opposite, no character development, very unrealistic though decent writing style
Evidence of Desire by Debra Webb 3.5* 11/10/23 (60) Kenner County Crime Unit #1.5
Kenner City, Colorado; Olivia Perez, Jacob Webster aka Mr. Unavailable; forensic scientists
Workplace romance, somebody’s stalking female MC, insta-love
=> very suspenseful though lacks depth of characters or their development, the romance felt flat and underdeveloped as well
Season of Wonder by Marta Perry ?* 11/10?/23 (47)
Caldwell Island, South Carolina; Allison March, David Caldwell; ill single mother, ?
Friends-turned-lovers?
=>
*
Read
June 15, 2023Seduced by the Season by Merline Lovelace.
2.5 stars
Nice but suuuper short.
The romance is sweet but rushed and there is not suspense. Not really. It´s more some background than plot.
Evidence of Desire by Debra Webb.
3 stars.
Super short story about a scientist who needs to make a life for herself outside her loving but overwhelming family and a man who is perfectly content on his own.
The romance was sweet and the suspense promising but the story was too short for any depth neither in characters nor in plot. I think it would have been a superb story if longer.
But I enjoyed it a lot.
2.5 stars
Nice but suuuper short.
The romance is sweet but rushed and there is not suspense. Not really. It´s more some background than plot.
Evidence of Desire by Debra Webb.
3 stars.
Super short story about a scientist who needs to make a life for herself outside her loving but overwhelming family and a man who is perfectly content on his own.
The romance was sweet and the suspense promising but the story was too short for any depth neither in characters nor in plot. I think it would have been a superb story if longer.
But I enjoyed it a lot.
free-on-amazon-today
April 15, 2022♥️Free 15/4/22♥️
♥️ 4 books
♥️Leslie Kelly, Merline Lovelace, Debra Webb and Marta Perry
♥️ 4 books
♥️Leslie Kelly, Merline Lovelace, Debra Webb and Marta Perry
January 1, 2012
The 1st story by Leslie Kelly is 'And a Dead Guy in a Pear Tree'. I didn't care for it very much. The hero was both beta and a reporter, two of my least favorite plot devices. There was also a cheesy "weekend at Bernie's" theme to the story which was an eye roller for me. 1 star/D-
Seduced by the Season by Merline Lovelace. DNF
Evidence of Desire by Debra Webb. 1 star. Very corny story. The writing seemed amateurish.
Season of Wonder by Marta Perry. 2 stars. I didn't find the story to be anything special.
Overall this was a disappointed.
Seduced by the Season by Merline Lovelace. DNF
Evidence of Desire by Debra Webb. 1 star. Very corny story. The writing seemed amateurish.
Season of Wonder by Marta Perry. 2 stars. I didn't find the story to be anything special.
Overall this was a disappointed.
January 7, 2019
And a Dead Guy in a Pear Tree - Leslie Kelly - 3 /5 - Holly is expecting a TV crew in two hours to drum up interest in her and her grandparents inn, but a dead guy just fell out of their new Christmas tree. Zach Weldon is tracking down and reporting on a notorious robbery and tracks one of the goons down to the Christmas tree and to Holly’s house. And that’s how he’s reunited with the woman he let get away. Holly and Zach work together to keep the dead guy under wraps until the TV crew leaves, but they can’t deny their attraction (and their love) has never gone away. This was an okay second chance romance. It was a bit too much for such a short story what with the dead guy, the lies, the TV crew and the romance under all of it. The grandparents were pretty cute secondary characters. As for the romance between Zach and Holly, they didn’t get enough time to really connect with one another again, though their sexual reunion was pretty hot. Also, I absolutely hate it when second chance romances end with the “it was for the best anyway” because it absolves everybody of blame (rather than accepting responsibility) and trivializes 8 years of lost time together.
Seduced by the Season - Merline Lovelace - 3 /5 - Clint is a special agent in Dublin to catch a notorious prehistoric art thief and he stumbles upon Sophie, an doctoral student on prehistoric art where she’s working in a pub. The attraction between them simmers, but professional matters first. He invites her to help him on his quest. When Sophie is hurt by the thief, Clint decides to stay and take care of Sophie, and this is all the time they need to fall in love. Because this was so short (and it probably could have easily made a full-length novella) the author had to resort to quite a bit of telling instead of showing throughout the story. This is still an interesting and engaging story, but it needed to be fleshed out a bit more, I think. Also, that ending needed a bit more emotional umph.
Evidence of Desire - Debra Webb - 2.5 /5 - Olivia is new in Kenner City and adjusting to her new job at the crime lab and the crush she has on her co-worker Jacob Webster. Problem is that Jacob doesn’t seem to act like she exists. When things start to go wrong at the crime lab and her tests start to go missing, and reports disappear and someone starts following her home, Jacob is there to have her back. Despite appearances, he’s fighting his attraction to Olivia and may even love her already. As a suspense story, this one isn’t half bad by itself. The mystery of how Olivia’s tests are being corrupted and how her reports are disappearing is a good one. And the action scene while Olivia is in the lab - also pretty good. But the romance here is bland and chemistry free. Not to mention, their HEA comes with almost no getting to know each other.
Season of Wonder - Marta Perry - 2.5 /5 - Ally returns to her hometown with her daughter having learned a cynical lesson about life and love. She’s greeted by childhood friend David, who lives with his large, loving family running the inn and dolphin tours. He accepts Ally and kristie unconditionally, but Ally can’t trust it and doesn’t want to depend on anyone but herself. She has to get her daughter through one more surgery and then she plans to sell the house and move on. But David offers her love like she’s never known before and she’s afraid to accept it. This one was good, but I didn’t love it. Like all the other stories in this book, it too suffers from being too short and there isn’t enough time for David and Ally to really connect so they have a believable love. Ally comes across as pretty jaded and cynical (kinda bitchy) and I don't think David took the time to get to know the new Ally...he just kept thinking of her as the little girl she used to be. And the ending here is also pretty abrupt.
Seduced by the Season - Merline Lovelace - 3 /5 - Clint is a special agent in Dublin to catch a notorious prehistoric art thief and he stumbles upon Sophie, an doctoral student on prehistoric art where she’s working in a pub. The attraction between them simmers, but professional matters first. He invites her to help him on his quest. When Sophie is hurt by the thief, Clint decides to stay and take care of Sophie, and this is all the time they need to fall in love. Because this was so short (and it probably could have easily made a full-length novella) the author had to resort to quite a bit of telling instead of showing throughout the story. This is still an interesting and engaging story, but it needed to be fleshed out a bit more, I think. Also, that ending needed a bit more emotional umph.
Evidence of Desire - Debra Webb - 2.5 /5 - Olivia is new in Kenner City and adjusting to her new job at the crime lab and the crush she has on her co-worker Jacob Webster. Problem is that Jacob doesn’t seem to act like she exists. When things start to go wrong at the crime lab and her tests start to go missing, and reports disappear and someone starts following her home, Jacob is there to have her back. Despite appearances, he’s fighting his attraction to Olivia and may even love her already. As a suspense story, this one isn’t half bad by itself. The mystery of how Olivia’s tests are being corrupted and how her reports are disappearing is a good one. And the action scene while Olivia is in the lab - also pretty good. But the romance here is bland and chemistry free. Not to mention, their HEA comes with almost no getting to know each other.
Season of Wonder - Marta Perry - 2.5 /5 - Ally returns to her hometown with her daughter having learned a cynical lesson about life and love. She’s greeted by childhood friend David, who lives with his large, loving family running the inn and dolphin tours. He accepts Ally and kristie unconditionally, but Ally can’t trust it and doesn’t want to depend on anyone but herself. She has to get her daughter through one more surgery and then she plans to sell the house and move on. But David offers her love like she’s never known before and she’s afraid to accept it. This one was good, but I didn’t love it. Like all the other stories in this book, it too suffers from being too short and there isn’t enough time for David and Ally to really connect so they have a believable love. Ally comes across as pretty jaded and cynical (kinda bitchy) and I don't think David took the time to get to know the new Ally...he just kept thinking of her as the little girl she used to be. And the ending here is also pretty abrupt.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2020
Harlequin Holiday Collection: Four Classic Seasonal Novellas
Four Christmas tales from Leslie Kelly, Merline Lovelace, Debra Webb, and Marta Perry. This is an oldie from 2011, filled with stories from earlier years. A freebie from the now defunct and much mourned Sony Reader Bookstore that has languished on my Sony eReader for years now. I felt that some HEA romance was just what I needed during this pandemic isolation. To be perfectly honest, none of these authors are favorites, but I have hopeful confidence that they will be able to distract me for a short while. 3.3 out of 5.
“And a Dead Guy in a Pear Tree” by Leslie Kelly
Holly Cavanaugh needed the publicity provided by a Chicago-based travel television show whose crew was due to arrive at her struggling B&B in just a few hours. She certainly didn't need the dead body on her living room floor, after falling out of the Christmas tree. Reporter Zach Weldon was following leads to suspects of a jewelry robbery when he finds himself back in his hometown, where the one he loved and lost still lives. A sweet setup, if a little trite and overused. Still can work in the right hands. Kelly does a decent job working with teenage misunderstanding and pride and adult miscommunication. First published in 2007. 3.5 out of 5.
“Seduced by the Season” by Merline Lovelace
Clint Walker is on the trail of an art thief who specializes in prehistoric artifacts. A tip has led him from the United States to Dublin where he enlists American student and pub waitress Sophie Hawthorne to help him learn more about megalithic art. The longer he's in her presence, the more Clint is reluctantly attracted to Sophie. Originally published in 2008, this is a wonderfully slow burn in the midst of an intriguing mystery. It had a sweet ending that was satisfying. I have to wonder if the choice of name for the hero was an accident or not. Clint Walker was the name of a 6-foot 6-inch actor, best known as the lead in the Western series CHEYENNE and the films NIGHT OF THE GRIZZLY and THE DIRTY DOZEN, among others. He was, by all accounts, a gentle giant as well as a better actor than many gave him credit for. 4 out of 5.
“Evidence of Desire” by Debra Webb
(Kenner County Crime Unit 1.5) There’s an unwritten rule that coworkers shouldn’t date each other. Forensic scientist and biochemist Olivia Perez knows this and tries to ignore her attraction to Jacob Webster. When someone begins sabotaging her work in the lab, then stalking her, the last thing she should be concerned with is her love life. This is from an old multi-author series originally published in Harlequin Intrigue back in 2008. I didn’t much like this the first time that I read it and my opinion hasn’t changed. I found it boring, which is a shame because romantic suspense and romantic mysteries are favorites of mine. 2.5 out of 5.
“Season of Wonder” by Marta Perry
It's been fifteen years since David Caldwell had last seen Allison March. Now she's back in Caldwell Island, South Carolina, with her daughter Kristie. Hurt, broke, betrayed, Allison has no time for someone from her past. She needs to focus on selling her cottage to get money for another operation for her child. I'm not a big fan of romances that are stalled due to miscommunication when a simple talk could solve a lot of the issues. I kinda understand why David held back on what he does for a living. This is more Christian based than the normal Harlequins, probably from their Inspired line. Sweet, funny, family focused, a prickly heroine finding the girl she once was, a patient hero who puts up with a lot. Published originally in 2002. 3.5 out of 5.
Four Christmas tales from Leslie Kelly, Merline Lovelace, Debra Webb, and Marta Perry. This is an oldie from 2011, filled with stories from earlier years. A freebie from the now defunct and much mourned Sony Reader Bookstore that has languished on my Sony eReader for years now. I felt that some HEA romance was just what I needed during this pandemic isolation. To be perfectly honest, none of these authors are favorites, but I have hopeful confidence that they will be able to distract me for a short while. 3.3 out of 5.
“And a Dead Guy in a Pear Tree” by Leslie Kelly
Holly Cavanaugh needed the publicity provided by a Chicago-based travel television show whose crew was due to arrive at her struggling B&B in just a few hours. She certainly didn't need the dead body on her living room floor, after falling out of the Christmas tree. Reporter Zach Weldon was following leads to suspects of a jewelry robbery when he finds himself back in his hometown, where the one he loved and lost still lives. A sweet setup, if a little trite and overused. Still can work in the right hands. Kelly does a decent job working with teenage misunderstanding and pride and adult miscommunication. First published in 2007. 3.5 out of 5.
“Seduced by the Season” by Merline Lovelace
Clint Walker is on the trail of an art thief who specializes in prehistoric artifacts. A tip has led him from the United States to Dublin where he enlists American student and pub waitress Sophie Hawthorne to help him learn more about megalithic art. The longer he's in her presence, the more Clint is reluctantly attracted to Sophie. Originally published in 2008, this is a wonderfully slow burn in the midst of an intriguing mystery. It had a sweet ending that was satisfying. I have to wonder if the choice of name for the hero was an accident or not. Clint Walker was the name of a 6-foot 6-inch actor, best known as the lead in the Western series CHEYENNE and the films NIGHT OF THE GRIZZLY and THE DIRTY DOZEN, among others. He was, by all accounts, a gentle giant as well as a better actor than many gave him credit for. 4 out of 5.
“Evidence of Desire” by Debra Webb
(Kenner County Crime Unit 1.5) There’s an unwritten rule that coworkers shouldn’t date each other. Forensic scientist and biochemist Olivia Perez knows this and tries to ignore her attraction to Jacob Webster. When someone begins sabotaging her work in the lab, then stalking her, the last thing she should be concerned with is her love life. This is from an old multi-author series originally published in Harlequin Intrigue back in 2008. I didn’t much like this the first time that I read it and my opinion hasn’t changed. I found it boring, which is a shame because romantic suspense and romantic mysteries are favorites of mine. 2.5 out of 5.
“Season of Wonder” by Marta Perry
It's been fifteen years since David Caldwell had last seen Allison March. Now she's back in Caldwell Island, South Carolina, with her daughter Kristie. Hurt, broke, betrayed, Allison has no time for someone from her past. She needs to focus on selling her cottage to get money for another operation for her child. I'm not a big fan of romances that are stalled due to miscommunication when a simple talk could solve a lot of the issues. I kinda understand why David held back on what he does for a living. This is more Christian based than the normal Harlequins, probably from their Inspired line. Sweet, funny, family focused, a prickly heroine finding the girl she once was, a patient hero who puts up with a lot. Published originally in 2002. 3.5 out of 5.
January 5, 2018
Very entertaining book with short holiday stories with characters that you will like. Stories are sweet and have happy endings with no cliffhangers. I enjoyed them and now are going to check out the other books the authors have written. Highly recommended if your still in the mood for feel good holiday stories.
December 17, 2019
Olivia started a new job as a forensic scientist in law enforcement. She notices that some of her work disappears or appears to be tampered with. She almost thinks that she isn't doing a good job. Then she notices that someone is following her.
A short novella with a great story line. A must read
A short novella with a great story line. A must read
May 26, 2019
Wonderful holiday stories. True to the heart.
These four classic stories are true to the heart. Great holiday stories. All are easy enjoyable reads.I feel whoever chooses to read this will enjoy them.
These four classic stories are true to the heart. Great holiday stories. All are easy enjoyable reads.I feel whoever chooses to read this will enjoy them.
December 23, 2021
Free harlequin in the season
The story was so-so, but because this is free, its worthy to read ;)
Four romance novellas here by the famous publisher, but we also knew that the story became predictable once you read a lot of their novels.
The story was so-so, but because this is free, its worthy to read ;)
Four romance novellas here by the famous publisher, but we also knew that the story became predictable once you read a lot of their novels.
November 27, 2017
Good Reads
All the stories were well written and interesting. The stories draw the reader into the lives of the characters. Worth the read.
All the stories were well written and interesting. The stories draw the reader into the lives of the characters. Worth the read.
January 10, 2018
I love these types of stories. Easy to read, keeps you interested, like the script of a great chick flick. Some of them should be chick flicks! Especially the one on the beach!
August 20, 2019
They were all good stories. I enjoyed reading them. They all were easy to read.
December 7, 2020
4/5=A Dead Guy in a Pear Tree
3/5=Seduced by the Season
2/5=Evidence of Desire
1/5=Season of Wonder
2/5=OVERALL RATING
3/5=Seduced by the Season
2/5=Evidence of Desire
1/5=Season of Wonder
2/5=OVERALL RATING
April 28, 2023
Formatting bad
This collection might be worth reading, but the formatting is too messed up to even try to make enjoyable sense of the stories. Disappointed in a Harlequin product.
This collection might be worth reading, but the formatting is too messed up to even try to make enjoyable sense of the stories. Disappointed in a Harlequin product.
November 16, 2024
2.5 stars
December 15, 2024
Special Christmas stories
Oh, what a pleasure to read these uplifting stories! As a Christian, I enjoy clean or mostly clean books. These put me in the mood to really celebrate .
Oh, what a pleasure to read these uplifting stories! As a Christian, I enjoy clean or mostly clean books. These put me in the mood to really celebrate .
September 17, 2013
Average 3* because i really liked the first 2 stories... The second two are nothing special...
And a Dead Guy in a Pear Tree - 3.5*
Holly and Zach have a long history and a misunderstanding in the past that has ruined their relationship. However, a murder in their small town reunites them and they get to rekindle their romance... I just didn't like the unrealistic abandon with which they keep having sex all over her grandparents' house (kitchen/living room, etc...) without any regard for the grandparents that could catch them at any moment...
Seduced by the Season - 4*
An FBI agent goes to Dublin to track an art theif. He meets an art history student and she helps him with his case... They fall in love... Cute...except the way she is American but speaks with a heavy Irish brogue, after only 2 years in Dublin!? Who are you kidding?!
Evidence of Desire - 2.5*
Olivia is new at work, at a forensic lab, and is attracted to her colleague, Jacob. Strange things start happening and Olivia begins to suspect that someone is sabotaging her work... This seemed like an interesting enough story until she started stalking Jacob who was clearly showing signs of not being interested in her! Then on top of that - the silly office murder mystery... Unrealistic...
Season of Wonder - 1.5*
Another reviwer put it the best - "Oh whatever!". My sentiments exactly. The woman is acting like a major b*tch to the guy the whole time, while shamelessly using him for repairing her house that she plans to sell. He is a pushover the whole time, but also gets annoying with "you don't need a well paid city job, just move to the village with me - who needs money??". I'm not sure how he thinks she is supposed to pay for her daughter's multiple surgeries... Even the author seems to have this whole "she is a money grabber from the big city" attitude and it is played off poorly, since the woman genuinly needs money for her daughter's medical care!! In the end, the woman just reaches an epiphany and quits her city job (real smart!). Finally, we are hinted at the fact that he might actually have money, but we don't know for sure. The end! Pretty stupid story where all the characters are annoying - even the poor sick girl is bratty...
And a Dead Guy in a Pear Tree - 3.5*
Holly and Zach have a long history and a misunderstanding in the past that has ruined their relationship. However, a murder in their small town reunites them and they get to rekindle their romance... I just didn't like the unrealistic abandon with which they keep having sex all over her grandparents' house (kitchen/living room, etc...) without any regard for the grandparents that could catch them at any moment...
Seduced by the Season - 4*
An FBI agent goes to Dublin to track an art theif. He meets an art history student and she helps him with his case... They fall in love... Cute...except the way she is American but speaks with a heavy Irish brogue, after only 2 years in Dublin!? Who are you kidding?!
Evidence of Desire - 2.5*
Olivia is new at work, at a forensic lab, and is attracted to her colleague, Jacob. Strange things start happening and Olivia begins to suspect that someone is sabotaging her work... This seemed like an interesting enough story until she started stalking Jacob who was clearly showing signs of not being interested in her! Then on top of that - the silly office murder mystery... Unrealistic...
Season of Wonder - 1.5*
Another reviwer put it the best - "Oh whatever!". My sentiments exactly. The woman is acting like a major b*tch to the guy the whole time, while shamelessly using him for repairing her house that she plans to sell. He is a pushover the whole time, but also gets annoying with "you don't need a well paid city job, just move to the village with me - who needs money??". I'm not sure how he thinks she is supposed to pay for her daughter's multiple surgeries... Even the author seems to have this whole "she is a money grabber from the big city" attitude and it is played off poorly, since the woman genuinly needs money for her daughter's medical care!! In the end, the woman just reaches an epiphany and quits her city job (real smart!). Finally, we are hinted at the fact that he might actually have money, but we don't know for sure. The end! Pretty stupid story where all the characters are annoying - even the poor sick girl is bratty...
May 14, 2013
Cute little stories that just happen to take place close to Thanksgiving/Christmas. Between all 4 stories, I liked Evidence of Desire by Debra Webb the best. It was about a crime lab worker that finds she is attracted to a coworker... one that doesn't seem to like her let alone know she's alive.
All that changes when she finds herself in danger. Next, i liked Season of Wonder by Marta Perry. It was abut 2 childhood friends that rediscover themselves and each other,during the holidays. Next one was Seduced by the Season by Merline Lovelace. This was about a waitress and a FBI agent. They help each other investigate a crime over the holiday season. The last one, and the one i liked the least was And a Dead Guy in a Pear Tree by Leslie Kelly. It was about a granddaughter that helps her grandparents save their home, by turning it into a B&B. They get a crew to come out and interview them, and tour their B&B, with the hopes of drawing in business. But the owners find a dead body wrapped in her Christmas tree. So they must hide it from a visiting camera crew.
Some stories are better if read during the holiday as intended, but in this case it wouldn't have made
a difference. I'm not the type to stop reading a book, but i almost did this one. Glad i kept going though, cause most of the stories were fairly decent.
All that changes when she finds herself in danger. Next, i liked Season of Wonder by Marta Perry. It was abut 2 childhood friends that rediscover themselves and each other,during the holidays. Next one was Seduced by the Season by Merline Lovelace. This was about a waitress and a FBI agent. They help each other investigate a crime over the holiday season. The last one, and the one i liked the least was And a Dead Guy in a Pear Tree by Leslie Kelly. It was about a granddaughter that helps her grandparents save their home, by turning it into a B&B. They get a crew to come out and interview them, and tour their B&B, with the hopes of drawing in business. But the owners find a dead body wrapped in her Christmas tree. So they must hide it from a visiting camera crew.
Some stories are better if read during the holiday as intended, but in this case it wouldn't have made
a difference. I'm not the type to stop reading a book, but i almost did this one. Glad i kept going though, cause most of the stories were fairly decent.
December 12, 2012
Disclaimer: snark and gifs. you have been warned.
How I felt going into this collection.
There was a lot of fluff and romance. I can't remember most of them.
The first one gets an F in forensics. They moved a dead body around and didn't call the cops until later. Idiots.
This is me after reading that.
The last story was the worst. It should be renamed Stalker-r-us. Her neighbor pretty much encouraged her to stalk the love interest, by showing up uninvited. She showed up with an x-mas tree, and decorations and it was pretty creepy. It was not romantic at all. wtf writer.
I see what you did thar.
How I felt going into this collection.
There was a lot of fluff and romance. I can't remember most of them.
The first one gets an F in forensics. They moved a dead body around and didn't call the cops until later. Idiots.
This is me after reading that.
The last story was the worst. It should be renamed Stalker-r-us. Her neighbor pretty much encouraged her to stalk the love interest, by showing up uninvited. She showed up with an x-mas tree, and decorations and it was pretty creepy. It was not romantic at all. wtf writer.
I see what you did thar.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2012
I am not really a fan of traditional harlequin books anyways because I find them to be unbelievable and perpetuating of a lot of messed up ideas. But they were all fun, easy reading and it's not like I read them expecting much character development. The third one was the best in my opinion.
Just once though I wish it was like "Well, that was spontaneous and fun but as it turns out our personalities and life goals don't jive so this isn't going to work in the long run" instead of falling instantly in happily-ever-after love-at-first-sight. Just to be different. If anyone knows a harlequin like that I would really like to know because I think there needs to be at least one book representing for honesty out there!
Just once though I wish it was like "Well, that was spontaneous and fun but as it turns out our personalities and life goals don't jive so this isn't going to work in the long run" instead of falling instantly in happily-ever-after love-at-first-sight. Just to be different. If anyone knows a harlequin like that I would really like to know because I think there needs to be at least one book representing for honesty out there!
December 3, 2011
Leslie Kelly's " And a Dead Guy in a Pear Tree"
I like Kelly's writing, smart and sexy. This one is funny, too. Wonderful holiday novella about a second chance romance.
"Seduced by the Season" is sweet and fun. Set in Dublin it is filled with references to pubs, Trinity College, and pagans. All I can say is white vinegar? Really? Not malt?
Debra Webb's "Evidence of Desire" is suspense offering. Few clues are given throughout the novella, so the wrap-up has a bit of the illusionist's trick to it.
"Season of Wonder" is a sweet, unobtrusive Christian story.
I like Kelly's writing, smart and sexy. This one is funny, too. Wonderful holiday novella about a second chance romance.
"Seduced by the Season" is sweet and fun. Set in Dublin it is filled with references to pubs, Trinity College, and pagans. All I can say is white vinegar? Really? Not malt?
Debra Webb's "Evidence of Desire" is suspense offering. Few clues are given throughout the novella, so the wrap-up has a bit of the illusionist's trick to it.
"Season of Wonder" is a sweet, unobtrusive Christian story.
December 15, 2012
This books was hardly worth reading...and I don't normally read anything "Harlequin" but it was free and I was looking for holiday books. That being said, I thought the first story was fun, I barely remember the middle two and the last story showed promise but they were all of course far too short. As such the characters were all flat and hard to get attached to. If the first and last stories were novels I think I could enjoy them. As short novellas (and hardly that) they didn't impact me much at all.
December 29, 2011
A great Christmas anthology. While the stories have your typical sweet holiday connection miracles this set of stories stand out a bit because there is a bit more to these story then just the hearts and flowers. With the bit intrigue, crimes to solve, and a lot of bitterness to overcome this set of stories make a refreshing change from the typical stories. I enjoyed this volume a lot more than I expected.
November 24, 2014
I had fun reading this anthology. Each of the stories is a mystery. And each of the stories gives a wonderful holiday love story along with the mystery.
These are quick reads and if you want to have a terrific time - reading and enjoying Christmas mysteries, this is the book for you. Fun plots and characters who keep the reader interested.
Enjoy and have a merry and mysterious holiday.
These are quick reads and if you want to have a terrific time - reading and enjoying Christmas mysteries, this is the book for you. Fun plots and characters who keep the reader interested.
Enjoy and have a merry and mysterious holiday.
November 24, 2013
I downloaded this book to my Nook when it was free from BN.com. I like the opportunity to read new-to-me authors. This collection gives me the opportunity to read from four authors.
There are all enjoyable, quick reads. My favorite was "Season of Wonder" by Marta Perry because it was sweet.
I recommend it for fans of the romance genre.
There are all enjoyable, quick reads. My favorite was "Season of Wonder" by Marta Perry because it was sweet.
I recommend it for fans of the romance genre.
December 6, 2011
These four novellas are all about falling in love around Christmas time. I enjoyed reading each novella, there was enough to keep you interested in reading about each character and they were just long enough to keep the momentum going.
This book was free so an excellent way to get into the Christmas spirit and enjoy reading about different characters finding and rekindling love.
This book was free so an excellent way to get into the Christmas spirit and enjoy reading about different characters finding and rekindling love.
January 11, 2012
And A Dead Guy in a Pear Tree
Idiotic premise...Who moves a dead body because a TV crew is coming and you want a good publicity for your (guest-less) inn?
Seduced by the Season
A rather redundant story, if you ask me.
Evidence of Desire
Rivalry in a forensic lab...Oh, please.
Season of Wonder
Whatever.
Idiotic premise...Who moves a dead body because a TV crew is coming and you want a good publicity for your (guest-less) inn?
Seduced by the Season
A rather redundant story, if you ask me.
Evidence of Desire
Rivalry in a forensic lab...Oh, please.
Season of Wonder
Whatever.
December 16, 2013
Christmas Romance mystery/suspense lovers unite! This was so enjoyable I had a hard time putting it down. Great authors that many of us know and love...
And a Dead Guy in a Pear Tree by Leslie Kelly
Seduced by the Season by Merline Lovelace
Evidence of Desire by Debra Webb
Season of Wonder by Marta Perry
...happy reading!
And a Dead Guy in a Pear Tree by Leslie Kelly
Seduced by the Season by Merline Lovelace
Evidence of Desire by Debra Webb
Season of Wonder by Marta Perry
...happy reading!
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