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Rescuing Christmas
Holiday Haven by Vicki Lewis ThompsonAll Ben Rhodes wants for Christmas is to be left alone. And yet, in a fit of Christmas-cheer-induced insanity, he agrees to help beautiful shelter director Tansy Dexter find homes for all her rambunctious animals. Little does he know that the one truly in need of a loving home this season…is him.
Home for Christmas by Catherine Mann
Information from Ms Mann's newsletter: For those of you who enjoyed my Wingmen Warrior series, this story features Zach Dawson's daughter Shelby, all grown up and ready for her own happily ever after with a flyboy!
Shelby Conrad has had more than her fair share of silent nights. But even though her husband, Tech Sergeant Alex Conrad, is coming home in time for Christmas, Shelby isn't sure he's in time to save their marriage. Can a road trip to deliver three shelter dogs to their new homes teach the couple that the most precious gift of all is hope?
A Puppy for Will by Kathie DeNosky
Will Parker hasn't exactly had all his hopes and dreams met, but work has filled the gaps in his life. Or so he thinks…until an energetic and large Saint Bernard foster puppy and Will's cute neighbor Macie Fairbanks introduce him to the best thing about Christmas and life—unconditional love.
Home for Christmas by Catherine Mann
Information from Ms Mann's newsletter: For those of you who enjoyed my Wingmen Warrior series, this story features Zach Dawson's daughter Shelby, all grown up and ready for her own happily ever after with a flyboy!
Shelby Conrad has had more than her fair share of silent nights. But even though her husband, Tech Sergeant Alex Conrad, is coming home in time for Christmas, Shelby isn't sure he's in time to save their marriage. Can a road trip to deliver three shelter dogs to their new homes teach the couple that the most precious gift of all is hope?
A Puppy for Will by Kathie DeNosky
Will Parker hasn't exactly had all his hopes and dreams met, but work has filled the gaps in his life. Or so he thinks…until an energetic and large Saint Bernard foster puppy and Will's cute neighbor Macie Fairbanks introduce him to the best thing about Christmas and life—unconditional love.
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
8 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Vicki Lewis Thompson
498 books1,537 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestseller Vicki Lewis Thompson believes love makes the world go around and laughter makes the trip worth taking. The recipient of RWA’s Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award and the author of more than ninety books, Vicki pioneered a new kind of romance hero with Nerd in Shining Armor. Following the success of her nerd stories, Vicki launched a boisterous paranormal series featuring a matchmaking witch and wizard, an ADD dragon named George, and a black cat inspired by her own precocious feline, Eve.
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October 15, 2012
Holiday Haven by Vicki Lewis Thompson
It was only supposed to be a segment on the morning news promoting the holiday pet fostering for no-kill animal shelter, The Haven and asking for donations. But soon cameraman Ben Rhodes finds all kinds of other ways to help beautiful and sexy shelter director Tansy Dexter raise funds. Tansy can see that Ben has a natural way with animals, even the extremely unfriendly office cat, Max, when the cat warms up to him. But Ben won’t risk getting attached to another animal and go through the heartache of losing them. Can Ben and Tansy have any kind of future together when he has a no pets policy and her life revolves around pets?
This was a great story. At first Tansy was gentle with trying to get Ben to adopt an animal. But when that didn’t seem to have an affect on him she tried being more persuasive and had Ben doing some soul searching.
Home for Christmas by Catherine Mann
Shelby Conrad and her husband, Tech Sergeant Alex Conrad are a holiday away from divorce. Hopefully a road trip delivering three shelter dogs to their forever home in time for Christmas will result in some much needed communication that has been lacking in their marriage.
One of my favorite plots is a second chance storyline so naturally I loved this story. We are reminded that communication is very essential to any relationship.
A Puppy for Will by Kathie DeNosky
Will Parker has a soft spot for his grandmother. That was how he found himself fostering a large Saint Bernard puppy over the holidays. But he drew the line at adopting the puppy. Ever since his disaster of a marriage, he has let work consume him, until he meets Macie Fairbanks. Between Macie and Harley (the puppy), work takes a backseat.
Another feel good story with a little spice added into the mix. Just the way I like it. The author added some humor to the story, keeping it from getting too serious. I also loved seeing the many sides of Will. We had naked Will (with a little help from Harley), fun-loving Will, playful Will, caring Will, pissed off Will, remorseful Will and through it all he was sexy Will.
Even though these were shorter stories the authors still packed a lot of story into them. All three authors seemed to work closely together so the three stories had a common element. Hopefully next holiday season we are treated to more stories revolving around couples brought together by shelter animals.
It was only supposed to be a segment on the morning news promoting the holiday pet fostering for no-kill animal shelter, The Haven and asking for donations. But soon cameraman Ben Rhodes finds all kinds of other ways to help beautiful and sexy shelter director Tansy Dexter raise funds. Tansy can see that Ben has a natural way with animals, even the extremely unfriendly office cat, Max, when the cat warms up to him. But Ben won’t risk getting attached to another animal and go through the heartache of losing them. Can Ben and Tansy have any kind of future together when he has a no pets policy and her life revolves around pets?
This was a great story. At first Tansy was gentle with trying to get Ben to adopt an animal. But when that didn’t seem to have an affect on him she tried being more persuasive and had Ben doing some soul searching.
Home for Christmas by Catherine Mann
Shelby Conrad and her husband, Tech Sergeant Alex Conrad are a holiday away from divorce. Hopefully a road trip delivering three shelter dogs to their forever home in time for Christmas will result in some much needed communication that has been lacking in their marriage.
One of my favorite plots is a second chance storyline so naturally I loved this story. We are reminded that communication is very essential to any relationship.
A Puppy for Will by Kathie DeNosky
Will Parker has a soft spot for his grandmother. That was how he found himself fostering a large Saint Bernard puppy over the holidays. But he drew the line at adopting the puppy. Ever since his disaster of a marriage, he has let work consume him, until he meets Macie Fairbanks. Between Macie and Harley (the puppy), work takes a backseat.
Another feel good story with a little spice added into the mix. Just the way I like it. The author added some humor to the story, keeping it from getting too serious. I also loved seeing the many sides of Will. We had naked Will (with a little help from Harley), fun-loving Will, playful Will, caring Will, pissed off Will, remorseful Will and through it all he was sexy Will.
Even though these were shorter stories the authors still packed a lot of story into them. All three authors seemed to work closely together so the three stories had a common element. Hopefully next holiday season we are treated to more stories revolving around couples brought together by shelter animals.
October 14, 2012
Overall rating: 3 stars
All three stories are featured around The Haven, a charity run cat & dog shelter which take in strays and those needing new homes and try to find people/families to adopt them. It is Christmas time and the shelter is trying to finalise all the adoptions or find foster carers for every single animal over the Christmas period.
Holiday Haven – Vicki Lewis Thompson: 3.5 Stars
This is Ben & Tansy’s story. Tansy is the shelter director and Ben is a camera man with the local TV station who is running a series of programmes and pictures to try and promote and help the shelter. New pictures are required by the TV station and they send Ben along to the shelter to get them. Tansy instantly recognizes that Ben has an amazing talent behind the lens and asks him if he would become a volunteer and help the shelter with all further promotion pictures/films for their website. Whilst at the shelter Ben becomes friendly with Max which amazes all the staff. Max is a tom-cat who is moody and difficult and doesn’t interact with humans or the other animals, he doesn’t liked to be touched but all of a sudden he is purring and seeks Ben’s attention. Ben had a difficult upbringing as he was raised by his aunt and uncle who moved around a lot. The only constant in his life was his cat Mickey, but unfortunately Mickey was hit by a car and died and Ben vowed never to love another animal as he could not bear to go through the pain of loss again.
I liked all the characters and thought it was a really sweet little story with an underline message that although we may love our animals dearly and be devastated when they die, we can open our hearts to another animal as the rewards of having the time and loving that animal outweighs the pain of loss!
For me the star of this story was Max!
Home for Christmas – Catherine Mann: 4 Stars
The main reason I wanted this book was for this story. It features the story Alex and Shelby who is the grown up daughter of Zach Dawson, who featured in Ms Mann’s ongoing series Wingman Warriors. In Zach’s story we knew the character of Shelby to be a difficult teenager who rebelled against her father and Step-mother. We did get to see Zach (now retired) and his wife again but it was towards the end, and although this has links to the Wingman Warriors series this is completely stand-alone and does not tie into that series.
Shelby is married to Tech Sergeant Alex Conrad, but the unsuccessful infertility treatments and Alex signing up for extra missions have put a huge strain on their marriage and they have agreed to divorce. There is one problem with that agreement in that they both still love each other very much and neither really wants a divorce but don’t know how to resolve their problems. Alex has just come home from a mission and as the dutiful wife Shelby is at the base waiting for him to arrive. As it is Christmas they have decided to spend it together and then to part afterwards. Rather than spend awkward time at home or with Shelby’s family they go on a road trip to deliver 3 dogs that been adopted from the shelter. During this time Shelby and Alex finally talk and open up to each other and resolve issues that enable them to stay together. I really liked both characters and was pleased that they had both decided to find a way to save their marriage. Although it was hard for Alex he knew that the only way he was going to keep Shelby was to open up to her and learn to communicate. I also really liked that they both acknowledged that they did still want children and that it was obvious that conception probably wouldn’t happen and both was open to the idea of adoption.
A Puppy For Will – Kathie DeNosky: 2 stars
This story focuses on Will Parker and his neighbour Macie Fairbanks. Will’s grandmother works as a volunteer at the shelter and has volunteered him to foster a five month old puppy called Harley. Will arrives at the shelter to collect the puppy and expects a small fluffy thing but was shocked when he was faced with a huge animal as Harley is a St Bernard/Bernese Mountain Dog Mix! Macie has recently moved to the area and is inviting all her neighbours for a Christmas Eve party so that she can get to know everyone.
This was the story that I struggled with the most. I didn’t really like or connect with either of the characters and I actually got a bit bored of this story and found myself skipping through it just to get to the end. The only redeeming factor for me was Harley and his Houdini disappearing acts!
ARC kindly provided by Harlequin via Netgalley
All three stories are featured around The Haven, a charity run cat & dog shelter which take in strays and those needing new homes and try to find people/families to adopt them. It is Christmas time and the shelter is trying to finalise all the adoptions or find foster carers for every single animal over the Christmas period.
Holiday Haven – Vicki Lewis Thompson: 3.5 Stars
This is Ben & Tansy’s story. Tansy is the shelter director and Ben is a camera man with the local TV station who is running a series of programmes and pictures to try and promote and help the shelter. New pictures are required by the TV station and they send Ben along to the shelter to get them. Tansy instantly recognizes that Ben has an amazing talent behind the lens and asks him if he would become a volunteer and help the shelter with all further promotion pictures/films for their website. Whilst at the shelter Ben becomes friendly with Max which amazes all the staff. Max is a tom-cat who is moody and difficult and doesn’t interact with humans or the other animals, he doesn’t liked to be touched but all of a sudden he is purring and seeks Ben’s attention. Ben had a difficult upbringing as he was raised by his aunt and uncle who moved around a lot. The only constant in his life was his cat Mickey, but unfortunately Mickey was hit by a car and died and Ben vowed never to love another animal as he could not bear to go through the pain of loss again.
I liked all the characters and thought it was a really sweet little story with an underline message that although we may love our animals dearly and be devastated when they die, we can open our hearts to another animal as the rewards of having the time and loving that animal outweighs the pain of loss!
For me the star of this story was Max!
Home for Christmas – Catherine Mann: 4 Stars
The main reason I wanted this book was for this story. It features the story Alex and Shelby who is the grown up daughter of Zach Dawson, who featured in Ms Mann’s ongoing series Wingman Warriors. In Zach’s story we knew the character of Shelby to be a difficult teenager who rebelled against her father and Step-mother. We did get to see Zach (now retired) and his wife again but it was towards the end, and although this has links to the Wingman Warriors series this is completely stand-alone and does not tie into that series.
Shelby is married to Tech Sergeant Alex Conrad, but the unsuccessful infertility treatments and Alex signing up for extra missions have put a huge strain on their marriage and they have agreed to divorce. There is one problem with that agreement in that they both still love each other very much and neither really wants a divorce but don’t know how to resolve their problems. Alex has just come home from a mission and as the dutiful wife Shelby is at the base waiting for him to arrive. As it is Christmas they have decided to spend it together and then to part afterwards. Rather than spend awkward time at home or with Shelby’s family they go on a road trip to deliver 3 dogs that been adopted from the shelter. During this time Shelby and Alex finally talk and open up to each other and resolve issues that enable them to stay together. I really liked both characters and was pleased that they had both decided to find a way to save their marriage. Although it was hard for Alex he knew that the only way he was going to keep Shelby was to open up to her and learn to communicate. I also really liked that they both acknowledged that they did still want children and that it was obvious that conception probably wouldn’t happen and both was open to the idea of adoption.
A Puppy For Will – Kathie DeNosky: 2 stars
This story focuses on Will Parker and his neighbour Macie Fairbanks. Will’s grandmother works as a volunteer at the shelter and has volunteered him to foster a five month old puppy called Harley. Will arrives at the shelter to collect the puppy and expects a small fluffy thing but was shocked when he was faced with a huge animal as Harley is a St Bernard/Bernese Mountain Dog Mix! Macie has recently moved to the area and is inviting all her neighbours for a Christmas Eve party so that she can get to know everyone.
This was the story that I struggled with the most. I didn’t really like or connect with either of the characters and I actually got a bit bored of this story and found myself skipping through it just to get to the end. The only redeeming factor for me was Harley and his Houdini disappearing acts!
ARC kindly provided by Harlequin via Netgalley
December 18, 2012
Reviewed: Home For Christmas by Catherine Mann
Oh...How I loved this book!!! This story really got me right from the beginning. I just wanted to wrap Alex and Shelby up in a hug. They loved each other so much and were hurting so deeply that their emotions practically leaped off the pages. I was hurting right along with them.
One of my absolute favorite books and hero from Catherine Mann is Under Siege with Zach Dawson. I adore him!! I have reread his book more times than I can count and continue to enjoy it just as much as the first time. I was so excited to read that Catherine was writing the story of Shelby~Zach's daughter. I was so happy to read about Zach and Julia again and how their life had progressed from Under Siege.
I have to admit that I was a little disappointed that Shelby didn't end up with her high school boyfriend after everything that they had went through. But Alex quickly won me over and I just loved him. I especially loved him with Shelby and I was so rooting for their HEA. Shelby was such a great character and I couldn't get enough of her and Alex.
Home For Christmas definitely brought me to tears but I was so happy with the ending that those tears were definitely worth it!! Just another awesome story from Catherine Mann that is definitely going into my keeper pile to be reread. This book is also a perfect example of why I am such a HUGE fan and continually look forward to each new release. Reading Home For Christmas makes me want to go back and reread Under Siege.
BEST OF THE BEST rating!
***ARC obtained per Catherine Mann and Harlequin~Thank you so much!! :)
Oh...How I loved this book!!! This story really got me right from the beginning. I just wanted to wrap Alex and Shelby up in a hug. They loved each other so much and were hurting so deeply that their emotions practically leaped off the pages. I was hurting right along with them.
One of my absolute favorite books and hero from Catherine Mann is Under Siege with Zach Dawson. I adore him!! I have reread his book more times than I can count and continue to enjoy it just as much as the first time. I was so excited to read that Catherine was writing the story of Shelby~Zach's daughter. I was so happy to read about Zach and Julia again and how their life had progressed from Under Siege.
I have to admit that I was a little disappointed that Shelby didn't end up with her high school boyfriend after everything that they had went through. But Alex quickly won me over and I just loved him. I especially loved him with Shelby and I was so rooting for their HEA. Shelby was such a great character and I couldn't get enough of her and Alex.
Home For Christmas definitely brought me to tears but I was so happy with the ending that those tears were definitely worth it!! Just another awesome story from Catherine Mann that is definitely going into my keeper pile to be reread. This book is also a perfect example of why I am such a HUGE fan and continually look forward to each new release. Reading Home For Christmas makes me want to go back and reread Under Siege.
BEST OF THE BEST rating!
***ARC obtained per Catherine Mann and Harlequin~Thank you so much!! :)
October 4, 2012
#1
Holiday Haven by Vicki Lewis Thompson
All Ben Rhodes wants for Christmas is to be left alone. And yet, in a fit of Christmas-cheer-induced insanity, he agrees to help beautiful shelter director Tansy Dexter find homes for all her rambunctious animals. Little does he know that the one truly in need of a loving home this season - is him.
Three wonderful stories. Ben is a cameraman doing a story on Tansy's rescue shelter, The Haven. She is trying to find homes for her animals. Ben is attracted to her but knows he should stay away. He refuses to get emotionally involved with anyone or anything, having known more loss than he wants to experience again. Tansy has a talent for matching up people and pets and she can see that Ben has a lot of love to give. She can't understand why he refuses and keeps his distance. As they spend time together helping the animals, they start to care for each other, but Ben is afraid to take a risk. There is a lot of pain Ben must overcome, but Tansy is right there to help him. I loved both of the human characters and the animals were absolutely terrific. The cat, Max, plays an important role in this one as he and Ben help each other.
#2
Home for Christmas by Catherine Mann
Shelby Conrad has had more than her fair share of silent nights. But even though her husband, Tech Sergeant Alex Conrad, is coming home in time for Christmas, Shelby isn't sure he's in time to save their marriage. Can a road trip to deliver three shelter dogs to their new homes teach the couple that the most precious gift of all is hope?
This was a great story about second chances and hope. Shelby and Alex have been married for eight years, though he has been away for a lot of the time. Both of them have some serious issues that have affected their marriage but they have never talked about. Shelby wants better communication with Alex, but he tends to avoid confrontation by working more and going on more deployments. She has about given up on saving their marriage. When he comes home in time for Christmas she has volunteered them to deliver three dogs to their new homes and hopes that this trip will bring them closer together. Shelby has been frustrated by Alex's refusal to talk about any of their problems. During the trip they talk more than they ever have and she learns things about his past that explain the way he deals with conflict. She has always felt that she had to work extra hard to be a perfect wife because of the way her mother had walked out on her family when Shelby was young. Alex is still in love with Shelby, but he doesn't know how to convince her. He has always felt that he wasn't good enough for her and has tried to make it better by working extra in order to buy her stuff. He is stunned to discover her need to be perfect and the reasons behind it. By the end of the trip they realize that they want to make their marriage work and that now they have the tools to do it. I loved the three dogs in this story and the way they each help Alex and Shelby learn more about each other.
#3
A Puppy for Will by Kathie DeNosky
Will Parker hasn't exactly had all his hopes and dreams met, but work has filled the gaps in his life. Or so he thinks - until an energetic and large Saint Bernard foster puppy and Will's cute neighbor Macie Fairbanks introduce him to the best thing about Christmas and life - unconditional love.
After his divorce from his cheating, lying ex-wife, Will has given up on relationships and has focused on his work as a programmer. His grandmother worries about him and has talked him into fostering a puppy for the holidays in hopes of him keeping the dog. While chasing the dog he meets Macie who he is attracted to. He has no intention of getting involved, but can't seem to stay away from her. Thanks to Macie and Harley he is developing a little balance in his life. Macie has also been burned by love and has decided to stay away from men for awhile. She is very attracted to Will and loves being with him. But she has a secret that she's afraid will ruin their developing relationship. I loved Will's basic kindness, especially when it came to Macie's cooking. When he discovered her secret he was hurt and angry, but I loved the way that he came around at the end. I loved the way he went to her on New Year's Eve. I thought Harley was adorable, and his Houdini-like abilities were perfect for the story.
Holiday Haven by Vicki Lewis Thompson
All Ben Rhodes wants for Christmas is to be left alone. And yet, in a fit of Christmas-cheer-induced insanity, he agrees to help beautiful shelter director Tansy Dexter find homes for all her rambunctious animals. Little does he know that the one truly in need of a loving home this season - is him.
Three wonderful stories. Ben is a cameraman doing a story on Tansy's rescue shelter, The Haven. She is trying to find homes for her animals. Ben is attracted to her but knows he should stay away. He refuses to get emotionally involved with anyone or anything, having known more loss than he wants to experience again. Tansy has a talent for matching up people and pets and she can see that Ben has a lot of love to give. She can't understand why he refuses and keeps his distance. As they spend time together helping the animals, they start to care for each other, but Ben is afraid to take a risk. There is a lot of pain Ben must overcome, but Tansy is right there to help him. I loved both of the human characters and the animals were absolutely terrific. The cat, Max, plays an important role in this one as he and Ben help each other.
#2
Home for Christmas by Catherine Mann
Shelby Conrad has had more than her fair share of silent nights. But even though her husband, Tech Sergeant Alex Conrad, is coming home in time for Christmas, Shelby isn't sure he's in time to save their marriage. Can a road trip to deliver three shelter dogs to their new homes teach the couple that the most precious gift of all is hope?
This was a great story about second chances and hope. Shelby and Alex have been married for eight years, though he has been away for a lot of the time. Both of them have some serious issues that have affected their marriage but they have never talked about. Shelby wants better communication with Alex, but he tends to avoid confrontation by working more and going on more deployments. She has about given up on saving their marriage. When he comes home in time for Christmas she has volunteered them to deliver three dogs to their new homes and hopes that this trip will bring them closer together. Shelby has been frustrated by Alex's refusal to talk about any of their problems. During the trip they talk more than they ever have and she learns things about his past that explain the way he deals with conflict. She has always felt that she had to work extra hard to be a perfect wife because of the way her mother had walked out on her family when Shelby was young. Alex is still in love with Shelby, but he doesn't know how to convince her. He has always felt that he wasn't good enough for her and has tried to make it better by working extra in order to buy her stuff. He is stunned to discover her need to be perfect and the reasons behind it. By the end of the trip they realize that they want to make their marriage work and that now they have the tools to do it. I loved the three dogs in this story and the way they each help Alex and Shelby learn more about each other.
#3
A Puppy for Will by Kathie DeNosky
Will Parker hasn't exactly had all his hopes and dreams met, but work has filled the gaps in his life. Or so he thinks - until an energetic and large Saint Bernard foster puppy and Will's cute neighbor Macie Fairbanks introduce him to the best thing about Christmas and life - unconditional love.
After his divorce from his cheating, lying ex-wife, Will has given up on relationships and has focused on his work as a programmer. His grandmother worries about him and has talked him into fostering a puppy for the holidays in hopes of him keeping the dog. While chasing the dog he meets Macie who he is attracted to. He has no intention of getting involved, but can't seem to stay away from her. Thanks to Macie and Harley he is developing a little balance in his life. Macie has also been burned by love and has decided to stay away from men for awhile. She is very attracted to Will and loves being with him. But she has a secret that she's afraid will ruin their developing relationship. I loved Will's basic kindness, especially when it came to Macie's cooking. When he discovered her secret he was hurt and angry, but I loved the way that he came around at the end. I loved the way he went to her on New Year's Eve. I thought Harley was adorable, and his Houdini-like abilities were perfect for the story.
October 23, 2012
Vicki Lewis Thompson, Catherine Mann and Kathie DeNosky did a great job with the inter-related stories in Rescuing Christmas.
The book kicks off with Holiday Haven by Vicki Lewis Thompson. It introduces us to Ben and Tansy and the animals at The Haven, a no-kill animal shelter. While Ben doesn’t want to open his hear to Tansy or any of the animals at The Haven because of events in his past, he finds himself drawn to Tansy and begins to get into the holiday spirit and helping out, all the while denying it and his feelings for Tansy. I loved seeing Ben and Tansy overcome their insecurities so that they could be together.
Up next is Home for Christmas by Catherine Mann. A couple on the verge of separating, Shelby and Alex take a road trip to deliver three dogs so they can be in their new homes by Christmas and spend what they both think will be their last Christmas together as a married couple. I loved, loved, loved Shelby and Alex’s story and seeing them find their way back to each other when they both thought their marriage was over.
Rounding out the book is A Puppy for Will by Kathie DeNosky. Will is a workaholic who was coerced into fostering a mischievous Saint Bernard puppy for the holidays. Macie is his neighbor who is determined to get to know everyone in their houseboat community by having a Christmas get together. This was such a fun story. I enjoyed the interaction between Will and the puppy and the situations he kept finding himself in where he ended up getting help from Macie.
Overall, this is a great book that will get you into the holiday spirit right along with the couples. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys romance, holidays and adorable animals. Rescuing Christmas has it all!
The book kicks off with Holiday Haven by Vicki Lewis Thompson. It introduces us to Ben and Tansy and the animals at The Haven, a no-kill animal shelter. While Ben doesn’t want to open his hear to Tansy or any of the animals at The Haven because of events in his past, he finds himself drawn to Tansy and begins to get into the holiday spirit and helping out, all the while denying it and his feelings for Tansy. I loved seeing Ben and Tansy overcome their insecurities so that they could be together.
Up next is Home for Christmas by Catherine Mann. A couple on the verge of separating, Shelby and Alex take a road trip to deliver three dogs so they can be in their new homes by Christmas and spend what they both think will be their last Christmas together as a married couple. I loved, loved, loved Shelby and Alex’s story and seeing them find their way back to each other when they both thought their marriage was over.
Rounding out the book is A Puppy for Will by Kathie DeNosky. Will is a workaholic who was coerced into fostering a mischievous Saint Bernard puppy for the holidays. Macie is his neighbor who is determined to get to know everyone in their houseboat community by having a Christmas get together. This was such a fun story. I enjoyed the interaction between Will and the puppy and the situations he kept finding himself in where he ended up getting help from Macie.
Overall, this is a great book that will get you into the holiday spirit right along with the couples. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys romance, holidays and adorable animals. Rescuing Christmas has it all!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2012
Love these stories.
January 11, 2013
Loved, loved, LOVED this anthology! Three wonderfully written top notch, heart-warming and romantic story, a must read for the holidays!
And here is my detailed review:
Christmas and the holidays may be over, but this anthology was SO cute I absolutely had to tell you about it! Rescuing Christmas is a holiday anthology featuring three contemporary romance novellas all centred around The Haven a no-kill animal shelter and how its workers and volunteers try to make the holiday season a better place for their furry friends. But before you start yawning and just say this story isn't for you, listen to me and trust me, Rescuing Christmas was a wonderfully heart-warming, however not cheesy holiday romance anthology that I loved, so when you are debating what to read to get in the holiday spirit I urge you to put this book at the top of your list, trust me you won't regret it.
All 3 authors were new to me authors, their novella included in this anthology served as my introduction to their writing. And now let me tell you in detail what I thought about the individual stories:
Holiday Haven by Vicki Lewis Thompson
This was the first story and I was floored. Vicki Lewis Thompson writing style was captivating and beautiful. It was both poetic
"[...] refusing to help because he was conflicted about their relationship seemed petty, especially when he was fascinated by the kaleidoscope of cats arranging and rearranging themselves. He’d had fun capturing the changing expressions on the faces of the dogs. But his photographer’s soul belonged to the cats. They were art in motion, a feline version of Cirque du Soleil."
yet at times witty:
"Tansy stood beside him, her expression animated, her eyes bright with pleasure. She’d left her parka on, but it was unzipped. He was resigned to having her as a friend and nothing more, so he shouldn’t notice how her red turtleneck sweater hugged her breasts. But he did. He shouldn’t have watched her during the mopping session, either, but he had. The fit of her jeans had affected the fit of his."
Both Tansy and Ben were characters the reader starts rooting from the start as we feel very much involved and invested in their lives and romance. Tansy was a wonderfully sunny heroine, she truly oozed light and optimism, while Ben's vulnerability and emotional scars made him a hero we just wanted to hug. Besides them the story featured a whole array of very likeable and entertaining secondary characters, not in the least the many furry pets who truly got their time to shine :-D
Holiday Haven was a beautifully heart-warming, touching, funny and sexy story. I loved it! I enjoyed every second of this novella and have added Vicki Lewis Thompson to my list of authors to watch, trust me, you should too!
"The video began. It was a love letter, and he hoped she’d see that"
I give Holiday Haven 4.5 stars!
Plot: 8/10
Characters: 8/10
Writing: 9/10
Ending: 9/10
Home for Christmas by Catherine Mann
This was the second story in the anthology and the most emotional one. Shelby and Alex are a long married couple on the brink of a divorce. It was heart-breaking reading about how much both of them were hurting while still very much loving the other. A lot of insecurities and miscommunication or no communication at all during the 8 years of their marriage brought them to where they are now, where every silent moment is loaded with doubts and guilt-ridden thoughts, and every discussion ends in new or resurrecting old wounds.
He couldn’t ignore their problems, her anger over his deployments, his fear that he wasn’t good enough for her. She’d accused him of dodging conflict by disappearing. And he had, to a degree. But in spite of what she said, they had needed the extra money. The fertility treatments had put them thousands of dollars in debt, and when the treatments hadn’t worked, he figured if he couldn’t give her a baby, he could give her other things—the house, maybe even vet school. She was an awesome high school teacher, but he knew that wasn’t her dream. She’d given up a lot to allow him to follow his dream. To an extent, she’d even given up her family, since things remained strained between him and her father. Now all he could give her was a divorce.
Could she just shut down those concerns with the signing of the divorce papers? Or would she spend every Christmas wondering if he’d put up a tree or if he’d retreated even further from any kind of traditional celebration? Who would try to make him smile when he came home from work with the weight of the world on his shoulders? And most gut wrenching of all, she would be giving up her rights to hear if anything happened to him in the line of duty…
My heart went out for these two so much and reading about their emotional struggles made me tear up more than a few times.
The scent of raspberry, the taste of cocoa on her tongue—both would indelibly imprint this memory on his brain. Hell, Shelby was imprinted on him, she was a part of him, and she always would be. No divorce would end what he felt for her. The power of that tore through him, catapulting him over the edge. Her legs clamped harder around him, drawing him closer, taking him deeper as his orgasm racked through him. He pulsed inside her, claimed her. Loved her. Nothing had changed for him. He was still head over ass in love with his wife. And he didn’t have a damn clue how to keep her.
Catherine Mann definitely knows how to grab your heart and squeeze it. She conveyed such raw suffering in her story that it made my heart pulse with sadness for these two characters who felt so real.
Verdict: Home for Christmas was a wonderful story capturing the spirit and magic of Christmas: it was emotional, even heart-wrenching at times. A powerful and raw story that will affect you and make you appreciate love and your loved ones even more.
I give Home for Christmas 4 stars!
Plot: 8/10
Characters: 8/10
Writing: 9/10
Ending: 8/10
A Puppy for Will by Kathie DeNosky
This was the third and last story and what a way to end this wonderful anthology! This novella captured everything Christmas is/should be about: fun, love, caring, laughter and romance!
For the holidays Will promised to foster a puppy his grandma signed him up for from the Haven and what an adorable puppy it was! Huge and funny, I fell in love with his antics even through the pages :-D
I had so much fun reading what a crucial part the puppy became of both Will and Macie's life :-D
And speaking of Will, our hero *Le sigh* He was dreamy. Besides being described by Macie as a model gorgeous male specimen, he was wonderful. Considerate, warm-hearted and gentleman-ly. See for yourself:
(after a heated kiss they shared)
"“It’s all right, honey,” he said, meeting her intense gaze. “I know you don’t want this to lead to anything more and I give you my word that it won’t.” But to his surprise, she shook her head.
“That wasn’t what I was going to say.” His heart came to a screeching halt a moment before it started thumping a fast rhythm in his rib cage like a sultry jungle drum.
“What were you about to tell me, Macie?” he asked slowly.
“You make me want you, too.” Her throaty admission sent another wave of heat surging through his body.
“Before we take this any further, I need you to know that I didn’t kiss you with seduction in mind. I’m not trying to take advantage of you or the situation. I’m not that guy.”
“I know, Will,” she said, touching his jaw with her soft hand.
“Nothing would make me happier right now than carrying you into your bedroom and making love to you for the rest of the night. But I have to be absolutely certain that’s what you want, too.” He needed her to understand how important lovemaking was to him. “I’d rather stand in a cold shower until I spit ice cubes than have you waking up tomorrow morning regretting what we shared.” She stared at him for what seemed like an eternity, then rose from his lap to take him by the hand.
“My only regret will be if we don’t make love.”"
The romance was tender with some kissing scenes thrown in which truly escalated the steam factor: seriously with just one kiss Kathie DeNosky managed to make her characters (and her readers) all hot and bothered, bravo!
Verdict: A Puppy for Will was a wonderfully sweet, romantic yet passionate holiday novella. I loved how Will and Macie always shared just one kiss before being interrupted but that kiss made even my toes curl, as Kathie DeNosky described these scenes so wonderfully, I felt the shivers of excitement and passion myself.
I give A Puppy for Will 5 stars and have discovered a new favourite author!
Plot: 9/10
Characters: 9/10
Writing 9/10
Ending 8/10
Verdict: Rescuing Christmas was one of the best holiday anthologies I have read. All three stories were heart-warming and I loved how the pets really did play some major roles and were not just there for the set-up and cute cover. No, in these 3 novellas the dogs and cats became as important characters as their human counterparts and they most certainly added to the ambiance of the scenes. Rescuing Christmas was everything you could ask for in holiday stories: its novellas were fun, yet moving, so full of love and light, and all of them left you with a happy sigh at the end. A terrific holiday anthology I wholeheartedly recommend!!
I give Rescuing Christmas 4.5 stars!
And here is my detailed review:
Christmas and the holidays may be over, but this anthology was SO cute I absolutely had to tell you about it! Rescuing Christmas is a holiday anthology featuring three contemporary romance novellas all centred around The Haven a no-kill animal shelter and how its workers and volunteers try to make the holiday season a better place for their furry friends. But before you start yawning and just say this story isn't for you, listen to me and trust me, Rescuing Christmas was a wonderfully heart-warming, however not cheesy holiday romance anthology that I loved, so when you are debating what to read to get in the holiday spirit I urge you to put this book at the top of your list, trust me you won't regret it.
All 3 authors were new to me authors, their novella included in this anthology served as my introduction to their writing. And now let me tell you in detail what I thought about the individual stories:
Holiday Haven by Vicki Lewis Thompson
This was the first story and I was floored. Vicki Lewis Thompson writing style was captivating and beautiful. It was both poetic
"[...] refusing to help because he was conflicted about their relationship seemed petty, especially when he was fascinated by the kaleidoscope of cats arranging and rearranging themselves. He’d had fun capturing the changing expressions on the faces of the dogs. But his photographer’s soul belonged to the cats. They were art in motion, a feline version of Cirque du Soleil."
yet at times witty:
"Tansy stood beside him, her expression animated, her eyes bright with pleasure. She’d left her parka on, but it was unzipped. He was resigned to having her as a friend and nothing more, so he shouldn’t notice how her red turtleneck sweater hugged her breasts. But he did. He shouldn’t have watched her during the mopping session, either, but he had. The fit of her jeans had affected the fit of his."
Both Tansy and Ben were characters the reader starts rooting from the start as we feel very much involved and invested in their lives and romance. Tansy was a wonderfully sunny heroine, she truly oozed light and optimism, while Ben's vulnerability and emotional scars made him a hero we just wanted to hug. Besides them the story featured a whole array of very likeable and entertaining secondary characters, not in the least the many furry pets who truly got their time to shine :-D
Holiday Haven was a beautifully heart-warming, touching, funny and sexy story. I loved it! I enjoyed every second of this novella and have added Vicki Lewis Thompson to my list of authors to watch, trust me, you should too!
"The video began. It was a love letter, and he hoped she’d see that"
I give Holiday Haven 4.5 stars!
Plot: 8/10
Characters: 8/10
Writing: 9/10
Ending: 9/10
Home for Christmas by Catherine Mann
This was the second story in the anthology and the most emotional one. Shelby and Alex are a long married couple on the brink of a divorce. It was heart-breaking reading about how much both of them were hurting while still very much loving the other. A lot of insecurities and miscommunication or no communication at all during the 8 years of their marriage brought them to where they are now, where every silent moment is loaded with doubts and guilt-ridden thoughts, and every discussion ends in new or resurrecting old wounds.
He couldn’t ignore their problems, her anger over his deployments, his fear that he wasn’t good enough for her. She’d accused him of dodging conflict by disappearing. And he had, to a degree. But in spite of what she said, they had needed the extra money. The fertility treatments had put them thousands of dollars in debt, and when the treatments hadn’t worked, he figured if he couldn’t give her a baby, he could give her other things—the house, maybe even vet school. She was an awesome high school teacher, but he knew that wasn’t her dream. She’d given up a lot to allow him to follow his dream. To an extent, she’d even given up her family, since things remained strained between him and her father. Now all he could give her was a divorce.
Could she just shut down those concerns with the signing of the divorce papers? Or would she spend every Christmas wondering if he’d put up a tree or if he’d retreated even further from any kind of traditional celebration? Who would try to make him smile when he came home from work with the weight of the world on his shoulders? And most gut wrenching of all, she would be giving up her rights to hear if anything happened to him in the line of duty…
My heart went out for these two so much and reading about their emotional struggles made me tear up more than a few times.
The scent of raspberry, the taste of cocoa on her tongue—both would indelibly imprint this memory on his brain. Hell, Shelby was imprinted on him, she was a part of him, and she always would be. No divorce would end what he felt for her. The power of that tore through him, catapulting him over the edge. Her legs clamped harder around him, drawing him closer, taking him deeper as his orgasm racked through him. He pulsed inside her, claimed her. Loved her. Nothing had changed for him. He was still head over ass in love with his wife. And he didn’t have a damn clue how to keep her.
Catherine Mann definitely knows how to grab your heart and squeeze it. She conveyed such raw suffering in her story that it made my heart pulse with sadness for these two characters who felt so real.
Verdict: Home for Christmas was a wonderful story capturing the spirit and magic of Christmas: it was emotional, even heart-wrenching at times. A powerful and raw story that will affect you and make you appreciate love and your loved ones even more.
I give Home for Christmas 4 stars!
Plot: 8/10
Characters: 8/10
Writing: 9/10
Ending: 8/10
A Puppy for Will by Kathie DeNosky
This was the third and last story and what a way to end this wonderful anthology! This novella captured everything Christmas is/should be about: fun, love, caring, laughter and romance!
For the holidays Will promised to foster a puppy his grandma signed him up for from the Haven and what an adorable puppy it was! Huge and funny, I fell in love with his antics even through the pages :-D
I had so much fun reading what a crucial part the puppy became of both Will and Macie's life :-D
And speaking of Will, our hero *Le sigh* He was dreamy. Besides being described by Macie as a model gorgeous male specimen, he was wonderful. Considerate, warm-hearted and gentleman-ly. See for yourself:
(after a heated kiss they shared)
"“It’s all right, honey,” he said, meeting her intense gaze. “I know you don’t want this to lead to anything more and I give you my word that it won’t.” But to his surprise, she shook her head.
“That wasn’t what I was going to say.” His heart came to a screeching halt a moment before it started thumping a fast rhythm in his rib cage like a sultry jungle drum.
“What were you about to tell me, Macie?” he asked slowly.
“You make me want you, too.” Her throaty admission sent another wave of heat surging through his body.
“Before we take this any further, I need you to know that I didn’t kiss you with seduction in mind. I’m not trying to take advantage of you or the situation. I’m not that guy.”
“I know, Will,” she said, touching his jaw with her soft hand.
“Nothing would make me happier right now than carrying you into your bedroom and making love to you for the rest of the night. But I have to be absolutely certain that’s what you want, too.” He needed her to understand how important lovemaking was to him. “I’d rather stand in a cold shower until I spit ice cubes than have you waking up tomorrow morning regretting what we shared.” She stared at him for what seemed like an eternity, then rose from his lap to take him by the hand.
“My only regret will be if we don’t make love.”"
The romance was tender with some kissing scenes thrown in which truly escalated the steam factor: seriously with just one kiss Kathie DeNosky managed to make her characters (and her readers) all hot and bothered, bravo!
Verdict: A Puppy for Will was a wonderfully sweet, romantic yet passionate holiday novella. I loved how Will and Macie always shared just one kiss before being interrupted but that kiss made even my toes curl, as Kathie DeNosky described these scenes so wonderfully, I felt the shivers of excitement and passion myself.
I give A Puppy for Will 5 stars and have discovered a new favourite author!
Plot: 9/10
Characters: 9/10
Writing 9/10
Ending 8/10
Verdict: Rescuing Christmas was one of the best holiday anthologies I have read. All three stories were heart-warming and I loved how the pets really did play some major roles and were not just there for the set-up and cute cover. No, in these 3 novellas the dogs and cats became as important characters as their human counterparts and they most certainly added to the ambiance of the scenes. Rescuing Christmas was everything you could ask for in holiday stories: its novellas were fun, yet moving, so full of love and light, and all of them left you with a happy sigh at the end. A terrific holiday anthology I wholeheartedly recommend!!
I give Rescuing Christmas 4.5 stars!
Read
December 4, 2018A tv network tries to find homes for shelter dogs and cats for the holidays and maybe even beyond by having some of the animals on tv. One of the most unlikely pair gets shown and helped by their video castman when the dog starts getting away from one of the crew members who thinks she likes animals but mostly goes for the spot light. He ends up helping her shelter by video taping the shelter and she ends up adopting both needy dogs.
I jumped to book 3
Will’s gran always suckers him into helping her and this time its a puppy who is super huge. He gets into mischief like leaving the house and he winds up meeting jis new neighbor this way. Through the trouble of Harley, Will and Macie fall in love and decide later to adopt Harley because Will realizes how much he would miss Harley if he took him back after the holidays.
I jumped to book 3
Will’s gran always suckers him into helping her and this time its a puppy who is super huge. He gets into mischief like leaving the house and he winds up meeting jis new neighbor this way. Through the trouble of Harley, Will and Macie fall in love and decide later to adopt Harley because Will realizes how much he would miss Harley if he took him back after the holidays.
December 2, 2018
Cute love stories, 3 of them in one. Love the idea, but the rather explicit sex scenes were totally unnecessary and a total turn off for me!!! It was not needed, the stories were light and sweet till the porn started! This is a book I would have shared with my teenage friends and church friends. No way now! The message about adopting dogs and cats was wonderful!!!! The sex just distracted from an otherwise sweet story.
December 20, 2025
The problem with most romance novellas is that they're so short that there isn't enough time for a relationship to develop. Mann's story was strongest because her characters were trying to repair their relationship, not begin one. Thompson's characters had a tiny history, but not enough for the speed their relationship progressed, and I had real issues with the development of the relationship in DeNosky's story. The concept for all was fine and would work better with full-length novels.
November 15, 2019
I just loved all three of these adorable stories. They center around a pet shelter called The Haven. The romances are very sweet, but it's the animals that steal the show. It's the perfect heartwarming holiday book.
May 15, 2022
A very enjoyable read. I’m not usually a fan of short stories but I really liked this book. Loved the rescued animal component and the list of places at the end on where to go to rescue your own. I highly recommend this book!
Happy reading.
Happy reading.
December 10, 2021
I didn’t know this was in the romance genre. The dogs were cute but I wouldn’t have read this if I had known.
January 5, 2022
It was ok, I skipped most of the first story
March 3, 2023
A bit over-the-top sweet for me. Ugh.
December 6, 2012
Amanda's review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
5 Stars
I just love all holiday stories and these 3 in the Rescuing Christmas anthology were some of the best. Each in them revolves around The Haven Animal Shelter in Tacoma, Washington and the people that are connected to it. When you put cute animals with couples who might need a little rescuing themselves, you get 3 heartfelt stories just in time for the Christmas season.
Holiday Haven by Vicki Lewis Thompson story is about Tansy Dexter, the director of the shelter, who is out promoting the shelter at the local TV station when she encounters Ben Rhodes the cameraman. They fight their attraction for each of their own personal reasons but end up having one night of romance when it all falls apart. As much as Tansy wants Ben to adopt Max the cat, Ben doesn’t want to have anything to do with taking on a pet. Tansy might have been a little too pushy but I think it was the right push to get Ben over his fear of past hurts and opening his heart again.
Home for Christmas by Catherine Mann was my favorite of the three because it was about giving love a second chance and of hope. Shelby Conrad, a volunteer at the shelter, has offered her services to drive 3 dogs around the state to prospective owners in time for Christmas, and has done this in hopes to have a real honest talk with her husband.
Tech Sargent Alex Conrad has just returned from a deployment and things are quite strained with their marriage that they’ve agreed to separate and divorce right after the holidays. Lack of communication and failed pregnancies have put this marriage on the rocks and neither of them see any point of prolonging things. These two characters were very real with their feelings. They just needed a little time together to break down their barriers and pray that it was enough to halt their separation. The story was quite touching and the trip opened both their eyes that you can find your way back to love if you give it a chance to grow again. I don’t want to give too much away but it was a bit of a happy tears ending for me.
A Puppy for Will by Kathie DeNosky is the last story is about Will fostering a dog over the holidays because he just can’t say no to his grandmother Rose. While chasing after his runaway dog Harley he runs into Macie. Macie is his new neighbor in the boathouse community he lives in and invites him to a neighbor holiday party. Will wants no entanglements with her since he’s sworn off relationships since his divorce. He’s thrown himself into his work ever since and has gotten to the point where he’s overworked and on the verge of burnout. Macie herself has sworn off men too after her own failure at love. Will and Macie can’t fight the attraction but they too had a bit of a fallout and needed time to get over hurt feelings and learn to trust again. Will’s reaction might have been a bit abrupt but didn’t hurt the story in any way. Might have concluded a bit fast but it didn’t matter when love was fast and true for both Will and Macie.
I love it when an anthology has interwoven stories because it makes me feel like I’m reading one big story. I especially love Christmas stories and this one definitely had the Christmas spirit throughout. And how can you pass up stories with cute animals that are so adorable? I felt like I got 3 full length stories instead of shorts in this anthology so I didn’t feel shortchanged when the stories ended. I’m a fan of V L Thompson and her cowboy stories so that was a big plus, and was a great introduction to the other two authors. I hope you do too.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
5 Stars
I just love all holiday stories and these 3 in the Rescuing Christmas anthology were some of the best. Each in them revolves around The Haven Animal Shelter in Tacoma, Washington and the people that are connected to it. When you put cute animals with couples who might need a little rescuing themselves, you get 3 heartfelt stories just in time for the Christmas season.
Holiday Haven by Vicki Lewis Thompson story is about Tansy Dexter, the director of the shelter, who is out promoting the shelter at the local TV station when she encounters Ben Rhodes the cameraman. They fight their attraction for each of their own personal reasons but end up having one night of romance when it all falls apart. As much as Tansy wants Ben to adopt Max the cat, Ben doesn’t want to have anything to do with taking on a pet. Tansy might have been a little too pushy but I think it was the right push to get Ben over his fear of past hurts and opening his heart again.
Home for Christmas by Catherine Mann was my favorite of the three because it was about giving love a second chance and of hope. Shelby Conrad, a volunteer at the shelter, has offered her services to drive 3 dogs around the state to prospective owners in time for Christmas, and has done this in hopes to have a real honest talk with her husband.
Tech Sargent Alex Conrad has just returned from a deployment and things are quite strained with their marriage that they’ve agreed to separate and divorce right after the holidays. Lack of communication and failed pregnancies have put this marriage on the rocks and neither of them see any point of prolonging things. These two characters were very real with their feelings. They just needed a little time together to break down their barriers and pray that it was enough to halt their separation. The story was quite touching and the trip opened both their eyes that you can find your way back to love if you give it a chance to grow again. I don’t want to give too much away but it was a bit of a happy tears ending for me.
A Puppy for Will by Kathie DeNosky is the last story is about Will fostering a dog over the holidays because he just can’t say no to his grandmother Rose. While chasing after his runaway dog Harley he runs into Macie. Macie is his new neighbor in the boathouse community he lives in and invites him to a neighbor holiday party. Will wants no entanglements with her since he’s sworn off relationships since his divorce. He’s thrown himself into his work ever since and has gotten to the point where he’s overworked and on the verge of burnout. Macie herself has sworn off men too after her own failure at love. Will and Macie can’t fight the attraction but they too had a bit of a fallout and needed time to get over hurt feelings and learn to trust again. Will’s reaction might have been a bit abrupt but didn’t hurt the story in any way. Might have concluded a bit fast but it didn’t matter when love was fast and true for both Will and Macie.
I love it when an anthology has interwoven stories because it makes me feel like I’m reading one big story. I especially love Christmas stories and this one definitely had the Christmas spirit throughout. And how can you pass up stories with cute animals that are so adorable? I felt like I got 3 full length stories instead of shorts in this anthology so I didn’t feel shortchanged when the stories ended. I’m a fan of V L Thompson and her cowboy stories so that was a big plus, and was a great introduction to the other two authors. I hope you do too.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
October 24, 2012
Rescuing Christmas by Vicki Lewis Thompson, Cathertine Mann & Kathie DeNosky
3 books from 3 authors, animals around the holidays!
Holiday Haven by Vicki Lewis Thompson
Ben Rhodes worked behind the camera for KFOR and he was looking forward to the nights taping the PSA for The Haven, a no kill animal shelter..
Tansy Dexter is in charge of the center.
Her volunteer Rose made it a point to set up so Ben would be the one doing the retake photos of the dogs.
Ben, while there asks questions and I'm happy to learn right along with him, why things are done like they are, the housing for the animals in pentagon shapes, etc. He also gets to talk to many of the other volunteers.
All the female workers are all for Tansy getting together with Ben..
They can't figure out why he doesn't want a pet as he scratches the cats and they love him, whereas the cats would not go near other people at all.
Love the idea of the angel tree and how it can be used in any charity event.
He does volunteer to be the shelters photographer and that throws them together more often...
Love his idea, after they make love, they are talking and he comes up with an idea to fund the leaking roof and she's all for it...
With misunderstandings they broke up and even an emergency with an animal, could it be enough to bring them back together? After all it is Christmas time...
.
Home for christmas by Catherine Mann
Shelby Dawson Conrad was there with the dogs to welcome her husband home from the war.
Alex and her were not getting along and hadn't been for over 4 months now and had contacted a lawyer about a divorce.
Her holiday would be spent driving adopted dogs from The Haven=a no kill animal shelter to their new homes.
Lots of arguing and they say things they don't really mean but they will both go on the doggie delivery trip before Christmas.
He doesn't want her out there by herself and she'd worry if he was by himself, so they will stick together.
After 8 years she had couldn't conceive and the infertility treatments were too expensive to keep trying.
Because they'd also have a cameraman/reporter with them they'd not be able to really talk out their differences.
Love how the story also catches us up on what's going on with others lifes at The Haven.
The trip had an emergency which brings them closer but they still have to get through attending Christmas day at her mothers..
.
A Puppy for Will by Kathie DeNosky
Will Parker, divorced 3 years now, was the computer guru who had written the program for the animal adoptions, all the paperwork was now easy to fill in on the computer with a printout.
His grandmother, Rose worked at The Haven and was always trying to get him to take an animal home for the holidays.
She had raised him after his parents had died in a cr accident.
Marie Fairbanks also owns a floating house and she is neighbors with Will.
She invited everybody nearby to her Christmas Eve party, animals included...
She captures the wandering dog and returns him to Will and they each take an instant liking to one another and discover how the dog got out of the house...
Besides her dabbling in cooking recently, since her divorce, she is a writer, a software columnist..
Everybody warns him about the food prior to arriving at her party. There is SO much food left and after one taste he can see why her allergies have gotten in the way of her tastebuds.
He found out her secret and he was furious as he and Harley left on Christmas day...
When the dog goes missing ir brings them together til he's found and then they draw apart again, for the last time..
3 books from 3 authors, animals around the holidays!
Holiday Haven by Vicki Lewis Thompson
Ben Rhodes worked behind the camera for KFOR and he was looking forward to the nights taping the PSA for The Haven, a no kill animal shelter..
Tansy Dexter is in charge of the center.
Her volunteer Rose made it a point to set up so Ben would be the one doing the retake photos of the dogs.
Ben, while there asks questions and I'm happy to learn right along with him, why things are done like they are, the housing for the animals in pentagon shapes, etc. He also gets to talk to many of the other volunteers.
All the female workers are all for Tansy getting together with Ben..
They can't figure out why he doesn't want a pet as he scratches the cats and they love him, whereas the cats would not go near other people at all.
Love the idea of the angel tree and how it can be used in any charity event.
He does volunteer to be the shelters photographer and that throws them together more often...
Love his idea, after they make love, they are talking and he comes up with an idea to fund the leaking roof and she's all for it...
With misunderstandings they broke up and even an emergency with an animal, could it be enough to bring them back together? After all it is Christmas time...
.
Home for christmas by Catherine Mann
Shelby Dawson Conrad was there with the dogs to welcome her husband home from the war.
Alex and her were not getting along and hadn't been for over 4 months now and had contacted a lawyer about a divorce.
Her holiday would be spent driving adopted dogs from The Haven=a no kill animal shelter to their new homes.
Lots of arguing and they say things they don't really mean but they will both go on the doggie delivery trip before Christmas.
He doesn't want her out there by herself and she'd worry if he was by himself, so they will stick together.
After 8 years she had couldn't conceive and the infertility treatments were too expensive to keep trying.
Because they'd also have a cameraman/reporter with them they'd not be able to really talk out their differences.
Love how the story also catches us up on what's going on with others lifes at The Haven.
The trip had an emergency which brings them closer but they still have to get through attending Christmas day at her mothers..
.
A Puppy for Will by Kathie DeNosky
Will Parker, divorced 3 years now, was the computer guru who had written the program for the animal adoptions, all the paperwork was now easy to fill in on the computer with a printout.
His grandmother, Rose worked at The Haven and was always trying to get him to take an animal home for the holidays.
She had raised him after his parents had died in a cr accident.
Marie Fairbanks also owns a floating house and she is neighbors with Will.
She invited everybody nearby to her Christmas Eve party, animals included...
She captures the wandering dog and returns him to Will and they each take an instant liking to one another and discover how the dog got out of the house...
Besides her dabbling in cooking recently, since her divorce, she is a writer, a software columnist..
Everybody warns him about the food prior to arriving at her party. There is SO much food left and after one taste he can see why her allergies have gotten in the way of her tastebuds.
He found out her secret and he was furious as he and Harley left on Christmas day...
When the dog goes missing ir brings them together til he's found and then they draw apart again, for the last time..
December 10, 2012
A very touching, feel good Christmas anthology. All three stories are based around The Haven Animal Shelter who is trying to raise funds over the holidays for the animal shelter and to try and find people to take the animals just for the holidays.
First up is Holiday Haven by Vicki Lewis Thompson. Tansy Dexter is the director of the shelter and very passionate about her job. While doing the annual Christmas promotion of the shelter at the local tv station she catches the eye of Ben Rhodes who is the cameraman. Ben thinks Tansy is attractive but he wants nothing to do with adopting or caring for any animals which since that's Tansy's life neither think it’s worth acting on their attraction. Ben ends up volunteering a lot of his time at the shelter talking pictures of all the animals that need homes and one of their cats who doesn’t like anyone becomes very attached to Ben. Tansy see's this and pushes Ben to adopt him which Ben keeps rejecting. Ben has some scars from his childhood that is preventing him from ever wanting another animal. These two finally give into their feelings for each other but Tansy sees this as another opportunity to push the cat onto Ben with causes Ben to walk out. This was a very cute story. All through all 3 stories a lot of the animals come close to stealing the spotlight.
The second story is Home for Christmas by Catherine Mann who we all know is as about as passionate about animals as the women in these stories are. This story was about Shelby Conrad, a volunteer at the shelter. Her husband, an Army Tech Sergeant, is deployed more than he is home and after years of failed attempts to have a child and him closing himself off from her even more she has decided they should divorce. But before they do that she is going to make him come with him to deliver three dogs to their adoptive families in hopes they can talk and at least end their marriage on a good note. The problem is they both still love each other very much but just don’t know how to get past all the barriers that they have placed between them. Alex Conrad grew up with a mother who stayed in her room in a depression his whole childhood and a father who stayed at work to avoid coming home to her. Due to this he keeps everything locked tight inside which took its toll on his marriage. All he has ever wanted was to love and provide for Shelby but he realizes he went about it the wrong way. It isn’t until they go to her father's on Christmas day and he has a heart to heart with him that he starts to realize he needs to fight for his marriage. (Side note the father is Zach Dawson who was the hero in Under Siege of the Wingman Warrior series) This was a great second chance story.
In the last story of the book - A Puppy for Will by Kathie DeNosky we have Will whose grandmother Rose works at the Shelter. She has decided since he is getting two weeks off from work that he can foster one of the dogs over the holidays. Because she raised him he just can’t tell her no. Macie lives in the same boathouse community that he lives and has decided since she can’t go home for the holidays she is going to throw a Christmas party. These two are attracted to each other but he came from a marriage that ended badly and she was left broken hearted when her fiancé left her for another woman and both are leery about relationships. There were quite a few funny moments in this one.
Overall I liked all three stories. Each one has you right at that edge of having misty eyes while reading.
First up is Holiday Haven by Vicki Lewis Thompson. Tansy Dexter is the director of the shelter and very passionate about her job. While doing the annual Christmas promotion of the shelter at the local tv station she catches the eye of Ben Rhodes who is the cameraman. Ben thinks Tansy is attractive but he wants nothing to do with adopting or caring for any animals which since that's Tansy's life neither think it’s worth acting on their attraction. Ben ends up volunteering a lot of his time at the shelter talking pictures of all the animals that need homes and one of their cats who doesn’t like anyone becomes very attached to Ben. Tansy see's this and pushes Ben to adopt him which Ben keeps rejecting. Ben has some scars from his childhood that is preventing him from ever wanting another animal. These two finally give into their feelings for each other but Tansy sees this as another opportunity to push the cat onto Ben with causes Ben to walk out. This was a very cute story. All through all 3 stories a lot of the animals come close to stealing the spotlight.
The second story is Home for Christmas by Catherine Mann who we all know is as about as passionate about animals as the women in these stories are. This story was about Shelby Conrad, a volunteer at the shelter. Her husband, an Army Tech Sergeant, is deployed more than he is home and after years of failed attempts to have a child and him closing himself off from her even more she has decided they should divorce. But before they do that she is going to make him come with him to deliver three dogs to their adoptive families in hopes they can talk and at least end their marriage on a good note. The problem is they both still love each other very much but just don’t know how to get past all the barriers that they have placed between them. Alex Conrad grew up with a mother who stayed in her room in a depression his whole childhood and a father who stayed at work to avoid coming home to her. Due to this he keeps everything locked tight inside which took its toll on his marriage. All he has ever wanted was to love and provide for Shelby but he realizes he went about it the wrong way. It isn’t until they go to her father's on Christmas day and he has a heart to heart with him that he starts to realize he needs to fight for his marriage. (Side note the father is Zach Dawson who was the hero in Under Siege of the Wingman Warrior series) This was a great second chance story.
In the last story of the book - A Puppy for Will by Kathie DeNosky we have Will whose grandmother Rose works at the Shelter. She has decided since he is getting two weeks off from work that he can foster one of the dogs over the holidays. Because she raised him he just can’t tell her no. Macie lives in the same boathouse community that he lives and has decided since she can’t go home for the holidays she is going to throw a Christmas party. These two are attracted to each other but he came from a marriage that ended badly and she was left broken hearted when her fiancé left her for another woman and both are leery about relationships. There were quite a few funny moments in this one.
Overall I liked all three stories. Each one has you right at that edge of having misty eyes while reading.
September 25, 2012
Again, not the type of book I'd go for but the animals sold it to me. All three stories feature different people that are all linked to the Haven, a shelter in Tacoma - which is apparently a real place, don't ask me why but it sounds like a made up name.
Holiday Haven
Ben films Tansy for the news and likes what he sees so he agrees to go out to the shelter and take pictures for the christmas appeal. Spending all that time in close quarters gets the feelings ramped up until they finally sleep together then Tansy ruins it by getting pushy about pet adoption but when the office cat gets rushed to the vets, Ben goes to comfort Tansy and they finally admit their feelings for one another.
Some things I disliked were Ben's constant inner monologue about not wanting to go into is history and Tansy's inner monologue of Ben only needs to open up a little and he'll be happy to take on an animal. I felt the author was really too pushy with the Ben-has-a-bad-history storyline and I also hated how pushy Tansy was for someone who runs an adoption centre, she of all people should know you don't push a pet onto someone if they don't want it so this particular thing bugged me.
Home for Christmas
Shelby and Alex are getting divorced but they've agreed to spend christmas together and Shelby plans on them having a heartfelt chat on a road trip to deliver 3 shelter dogs. Two of the dogs get rehomed but one gets injured and Shelby feels guilty about it, as Alex is comforting her they end up having sex but then the next day they don't discuss it. At Shelby's dad's house Alex realises he doesn't want to divorce Shelby and that he'll do anything to keep her.
I enjoyed the storyline in this one, I think it's 'cos it didn't involve "love" at first sight - which I strongly don't believe in so stories that feature it aren't really a seller to me. I also like the main characters, again I think it was 'cos it was a longer relationship so there was no pathetic "woe-is-me" inner dialogue. Definitely my favourite of the three.
A Puppy for Will
Will agrees to foster a puppy over christmas but when the pup introduces him to his neighbour, he realises he wants her. Macie turns out to be Will's "arch nemesis" who's been giving him bad reviews about his computer programmes, when he finds this out he feels betrayed but his time away from her afterwards makes him realise he loves her and she realises she loves him.
I wasn't too keen on the persistent lines of "I've had a bad relationship" - from both of them. They were both so determined they would never have another relationship yet after only knowing each other a week they decide their in "love" and even get engaged? To me that is highly unbelievable and it was a downfall for the story. It also bugged me how many times Will said "honey", seriously - it was constant! I think this was my least favourite story.
Holiday Haven
Ben films Tansy for the news and likes what he sees so he agrees to go out to the shelter and take pictures for the christmas appeal. Spending all that time in close quarters gets the feelings ramped up until they finally sleep together then Tansy ruins it by getting pushy about pet adoption but when the office cat gets rushed to the vets, Ben goes to comfort Tansy and they finally admit their feelings for one another.
Some things I disliked were Ben's constant inner monologue about not wanting to go into is history and Tansy's inner monologue of Ben only needs to open up a little and he'll be happy to take on an animal. I felt the author was really too pushy with the Ben-has-a-bad-history storyline and I also hated how pushy Tansy was for someone who runs an adoption centre, she of all people should know you don't push a pet onto someone if they don't want it so this particular thing bugged me.
Home for Christmas
Shelby and Alex are getting divorced but they've agreed to spend christmas together and Shelby plans on them having a heartfelt chat on a road trip to deliver 3 shelter dogs. Two of the dogs get rehomed but one gets injured and Shelby feels guilty about it, as Alex is comforting her they end up having sex but then the next day they don't discuss it. At Shelby's dad's house Alex realises he doesn't want to divorce Shelby and that he'll do anything to keep her.
I enjoyed the storyline in this one, I think it's 'cos it didn't involve "love" at first sight - which I strongly don't believe in so stories that feature it aren't really a seller to me. I also like the main characters, again I think it was 'cos it was a longer relationship so there was no pathetic "woe-is-me" inner dialogue. Definitely my favourite of the three.
A Puppy for Will
Will agrees to foster a puppy over christmas but when the pup introduces him to his neighbour, he realises he wants her. Macie turns out to be Will's "arch nemesis" who's been giving him bad reviews about his computer programmes, when he finds this out he feels betrayed but his time away from her afterwards makes him realise he loves her and she realises she loves him.
I wasn't too keen on the persistent lines of "I've had a bad relationship" - from both of them. They were both so determined they would never have another relationship yet after only knowing each other a week they decide their in "love" and even get engaged? To me that is highly unbelievable and it was a downfall for the story. It also bugged me how many times Will said "honey", seriously - it was constant! I think this was my least favourite story.
March 3, 2017
The book consists of 3 novellas, all dealing with an animal shelter trying to find foster homes for all of the dogs over Christmas. 3 different authors, each featuring a different couple. Pretty good.
December 14, 2012
I wanted to like this book. I'm a huge believer in animal adoption--every single one of our many, many pets has come either through a rescue organization or was a stray and came to us through the friend who found him or her. I loved the message behind these stories--finding homes for unwanted animals--and all of the characters in the three stories definitely had their hearts in the right place when it came to this shared goal. The execution of the idea, however, I found left much to be desired.
The strongest story by far was Catherine Mann's "Home for Christmas". The characters' issues--their marriage is in danger due in part to the strain caused by his being in the military and constantly choosing overseas assignments, which he's doing to an extent in order to escape those problems--are believable and consistent. Their HEA is predictable, yet mostly realistic. In achieving it, however, there was way too much time spent inside the heads of the characters and not enough eternal action and dialogue going on. Far too much of the novella was Shelby thinking about her relationship with and feelings about Alex, and Alex thinking about his relationship with and feelings for Shelby. Get outside your heads and DO something, people! Still, this was my favorite out of the three.
Vicki Lewis Thompson's "Holiday Haven" was a miss for me. Shelter director Tansy Dexter's insistence that Ben HAD to want a relationship with a shelter animal was bothersome. She was way too pushy, and it felt as if she were acting irresponsibly and not at all in the animal's best interest. Ben's reluctance to enter into a relationship, whether with a human or an animal, felt excessive and forced. Perhaps it was just the time restrictions of a novella, but I really didn't feel as if it was sufficiently justified. The fact that it was a short read kept me reading this one.
"A Puppy for Will" by Kathie DeNosky wasn't bad, but it had a definite case of insta-love that was hard to swallow. Will's extreme overuse of the endearment "honey" was a sticking point as well. I kept going because I enjoyed the puppy--in order to say I'd finished it, but if it had been a full-length book I definitely wouldn't have.
Ultimately, I loved the message and purpose behind this book but the finished product just didn't work for me.
The strongest story by far was Catherine Mann's "Home for Christmas". The characters' issues--their marriage is in danger due in part to the strain caused by his being in the military and constantly choosing overseas assignments, which he's doing to an extent in order to escape those problems--are believable and consistent. Their HEA is predictable, yet mostly realistic. In achieving it, however, there was way too much time spent inside the heads of the characters and not enough eternal action and dialogue going on. Far too much of the novella was Shelby thinking about her relationship with and feelings about Alex, and Alex thinking about his relationship with and feelings for Shelby. Get outside your heads and DO something, people! Still, this was my favorite out of the three.
Vicki Lewis Thompson's "Holiday Haven" was a miss for me. Shelter director Tansy Dexter's insistence that Ben HAD to want a relationship with a shelter animal was bothersome. She was way too pushy, and it felt as if she were acting irresponsibly and not at all in the animal's best interest. Ben's reluctance to enter into a relationship, whether with a human or an animal, felt excessive and forced. Perhaps it was just the time restrictions of a novella, but I really didn't feel as if it was sufficiently justified. The fact that it was a short read kept me reading this one.
"A Puppy for Will" by Kathie DeNosky wasn't bad, but it had a definite case of insta-love that was hard to swallow. Will's extreme overuse of the endearment "honey" was a sticking point as well. I kept going because I enjoyed the puppy--in order to say I'd finished it, but if it had been a full-length book I definitely wouldn't have.
Ultimately, I loved the message and purpose behind this book but the finished product just didn't work for me.
January 3, 2021
Holiday Haven
Tansy is shelter director for The Haven animal rescue, when she is at the local Tacoma news station promoting their pets for the holidays she can't help to notice the attractive camera guy. Lucky for her, the station sends the camera guy, Ben, out to the shelter to follow up with some still shots of the available pets. When Ben wins over the curmudgeonly resident shelter cat, Tansy's heart melts, until she learns that he won't make room in his heart or life for a new cat since he has never got over the loss of his beloved childhood cat.
Home for Christmas
Returning from deployment for the holiday, Alex is half surprised his wife Shelby is waiting to greet him. Their marriage has lost it's love a long time, they already agreed on divorce, but both still feel the echoes of what once was. Shelby is planning to spend her holiday driving transport for 3 dogs from The Haven to their new adoptive families in other parts of Washington State, but much to her surprise Alex volunteers to go along. At the last minute the shelter requests a local news cameraman go along to document the feel good story, so the couple have to put on a fake relationship, that somewhere along the way it reminds them of their real love.
A Puppy for Will
Recently divorced Will is not looking forward to the holidays, but he develops software for The Haven, he was convinced to temporarily take a puppy home for Christmas to help with their recent promotion. His puppy turns out to be an escape artist, his neighbor in the close knit houseboat community finds the dog roaming outside and brings him back, but when Marcie notices Will hasn't got a tree she offers to come back to help him decorate. While decorating Will is of course obligated to kiss her under the mistletoe, sparks fly, but Marcie has a secret identity that may complicate things.
The first two managed the novella format pretty well, having only minor unnatural heightening to speed up the relationships. The 3rd went over-the-top instalove, the "confidentiality clause"/secret keeping is something that just doesn't work for me, and the hero adding "honey" to nearly every sentence without them having even talked about being a couple grated on me. All around these were pretty much what I was looking for, solid 3-3.5 stars.
Tansy is shelter director for The Haven animal rescue, when she is at the local Tacoma news station promoting their pets for the holidays she can't help to notice the attractive camera guy. Lucky for her, the station sends the camera guy, Ben, out to the shelter to follow up with some still shots of the available pets. When Ben wins over the curmudgeonly resident shelter cat, Tansy's heart melts, until she learns that he won't make room in his heart or life for a new cat since he has never got over the loss of his beloved childhood cat.
Home for Christmas
Returning from deployment for the holiday, Alex is half surprised his wife Shelby is waiting to greet him. Their marriage has lost it's love a long time, they already agreed on divorce, but both still feel the echoes of what once was. Shelby is planning to spend her holiday driving transport for 3 dogs from The Haven to their new adoptive families in other parts of Washington State, but much to her surprise Alex volunteers to go along. At the last minute the shelter requests a local news cameraman go along to document the feel good story, so the couple have to put on a fake relationship, that somewhere along the way it reminds them of their real love.
A Puppy for Will
Recently divorced Will is not looking forward to the holidays, but he develops software for The Haven, he was convinced to temporarily take a puppy home for Christmas to help with their recent promotion. His puppy turns out to be an escape artist, his neighbor in the close knit houseboat community finds the dog roaming outside and brings him back, but when Marcie notices Will hasn't got a tree she offers to come back to help him decorate. While decorating Will is of course obligated to kiss her under the mistletoe, sparks fly, but Marcie has a secret identity that may complicate things.
The first two managed the novella format pretty well, having only minor unnatural heightening to speed up the relationships. The 3rd went over-the-top instalove, the "confidentiality clause"/secret keeping is something that just doesn't work for me, and the hero adding "honey" to nearly every sentence without them having even talked about being a couple grated on me. All around these were pretty much what I was looking for, solid 3-3.5 stars.
February 7, 2013
How can you possibly go wrong with a book that contains romance, Christmas, and sweet animals? In my "book" you can't, so I was really excited to read Rescuing Christmas.
Holiday Haven by Vicki Lewis Thompson is the first story in this book. Tansy Dexter is a very caring, animal loving lady with a job she loves working at an animal shelter. Ben Rhodes is a cameraman for a TV studio. When Tansy & Ben meet at the studio & again at the shelter sparks fly. Ben has some issues with not wanting to get attached to a pet again. So he's exactly not the type of person Tansy thinks she should be attracted too. Can Tansy love help Ben find the spot in his heart reserved for a pet again? This Story features a special cat.
Home for Christmas by Catherine Mann is the second story. Shelby Conrad thinks her marriage with Alex Conrad is over and heading for divorce. Alex is willing to do anything to make Shelby happy even if it is divorce. What Shelby & Alex need is some communication in their relationship. These two are so sure their relationship is over but neither wants it to be. Maybe a road trip to delivery three puppies is just what they need. Not only are we treated to a sweet story of Shelby & Alex in this book we get to see three happy endings for the puppies they deliver. This story has a link to the same animal shelter as Holiday Haven.
A Puppy for Will by Kathie DeNosky is the last story in the book. This one also has a link to the same animal shelter. Will agrees to foster a horse of a dog for the Christmas holiday. Will's foster puppy introduces helps Will meet his neighbor Macie Fairbanks. Will has trust issues that evolved from his lying, cheating ex-wife. Macie has a secret that she isn't ready to tell. These two have a few things to work out if they are going to be able to make their happily ever after happen. This story has some really cute puppy moments and a few comedy moments due to Marcie's attempt at cooking.
I really enjoyed all three of these story and would recommend them to all my fellow romance readers out there that love pets and Christmas.
Holiday Haven by Vicki Lewis Thompson is the first story in this book. Tansy Dexter is a very caring, animal loving lady with a job she loves working at an animal shelter. Ben Rhodes is a cameraman for a TV studio. When Tansy & Ben meet at the studio & again at the shelter sparks fly. Ben has some issues with not wanting to get attached to a pet again. So he's exactly not the type of person Tansy thinks she should be attracted too. Can Tansy love help Ben find the spot in his heart reserved for a pet again? This Story features a special cat.
Home for Christmas by Catherine Mann is the second story. Shelby Conrad thinks her marriage with Alex Conrad is over and heading for divorce. Alex is willing to do anything to make Shelby happy even if it is divorce. What Shelby & Alex need is some communication in their relationship. These two are so sure their relationship is over but neither wants it to be. Maybe a road trip to delivery three puppies is just what they need. Not only are we treated to a sweet story of Shelby & Alex in this book we get to see three happy endings for the puppies they deliver. This story has a link to the same animal shelter as Holiday Haven.
A Puppy for Will by Kathie DeNosky is the last story in the book. This one also has a link to the same animal shelter. Will agrees to foster a horse of a dog for the Christmas holiday. Will's foster puppy introduces helps Will meet his neighbor Macie Fairbanks. Will has trust issues that evolved from his lying, cheating ex-wife. Macie has a secret that she isn't ready to tell. These two have a few things to work out if they are going to be able to make their happily ever after happen. This story has some really cute puppy moments and a few comedy moments due to Marcie's attempt at cooking.
I really enjoyed all three of these story and would recommend them to all my fellow romance readers out there that love pets and Christmas.
December 30, 2015
** Holiday Haven by Vicki Lewis Thompson All Ben Rhodes wants for Christmas is to be left alone. And yet, in a fit of Christmas-cheer-induced insanity, he agrees to help beautiful shelter director Tansy Dexter find homes for all her rambunctious animals. Little does he know that the one truly in need of a loving home this season…is him. - Sweet. I thought Ben's trouble committing was more to do with his family situation than his cat dying when he was an older teen. That made him seem like a woose instead of a flawed hero. Tansy was a bit too pushy for me. Just because he didn't want to adopt Max, didn't mean he didn't like animals. And she expected him to open up and tell her all practically at their first meeting. I get this is a short story. So if you don't have a lot of space, don't spend so much time describing the shape of the shelter!
*** Home for Christmas by Catherine Mann Shelby Conrad has had more than her fair share of silent nights. But even though her husband, Tech Sergeant Alex Conrad, is coming home in time for Christmas, Shelby isn't sure he's in time to save their marriage. Can a road trip to deliver three shelter dogs to their new homes teach the couple that the most precious gift of all is hope? - Very romantic. I'm glad she finally understood what her part in their almost break-up was. I was afraid it was going to end with him needing to make all the changes. I really liked how it turned out though.
**A Puppy for Will by Kathie DeNosky Will Parker hasn't exactly had all his hopes and dreams met, but work has filled the gaps in his life. Or so he thinks…until an energetic and large Saint Bernard foster puppy and Will's cute neighbor Macie Fairbanks introduce him to the best thing about Christmas and life—unconditional love. - A bit sweet, a bit goofy. Macie is a bit too angsty for me. Glad this wasn't a "return to the ex" story. Those are hard to pull off convincingly even in full-length books. They usually end up being unbelievably in short stories - either there is no real reason to break up to begin with or there is no sense the couple will stay together after the reconciliation.
*** Home for Christmas by Catherine Mann Shelby Conrad has had more than her fair share of silent nights. But even though her husband, Tech Sergeant Alex Conrad, is coming home in time for Christmas, Shelby isn't sure he's in time to save their marriage. Can a road trip to deliver three shelter dogs to their new homes teach the couple that the most precious gift of all is hope? - Very romantic. I'm glad she finally understood what her part in their almost break-up was. I was afraid it was going to end with him needing to make all the changes. I really liked how it turned out though.
**A Puppy for Will by Kathie DeNosky Will Parker hasn't exactly had all his hopes and dreams met, but work has filled the gaps in his life. Or so he thinks…until an energetic and large Saint Bernard foster puppy and Will's cute neighbor Macie Fairbanks introduce him to the best thing about Christmas and life—unconditional love. - A bit sweet, a bit goofy. Macie is a bit too angsty for me. Glad this wasn't a "return to the ex" story. Those are hard to pull off convincingly even in full-length books. They usually end up being unbelievably in short stories - either there is no real reason to break up to begin with or there is no sense the couple will stay together after the reconciliation.
December 5, 2013
Holiday Haven
All Ben Rhodes wants for Christmas is to be left alone. And yet, in a fit of Christmas-cheer-induced insanity, he agrees to help beautiful shelter director Tansy Dexter find homes for all her rambunctious animals. Little does he know that the one truly in need of a loving home this season …is him. (via Goodreads)
Review: I really didn’t enjoy this novella. Honestly, I started this book last Christmas and didn’t realize that it was a set of novellas so I put it aside. It ended up being ok but not something I’d read again.
Author: Vicki Lewis Thompson
Grade: C
Steam: Adult +
Home for Christmas
Tech Sargent Alex Conrad is home on leave this Christmas. The only plans he has is saying goodbye to his marriage and the only woman he’s ever loved. He really doesn’t want the marriage to end, but she’s unhappy and he’ll do anything he can to see her smile again.
As a special marriage farewell his wife, Shelby, has committed them to delivering three puppies to their forever homes – great, he’ll be cooped up in a confined space with a woman he loves but can’t touch!
Review: This was terribly sad but a good book. It’s quite steamy but felt so real you really don’t even question it.
Author: Catherine Mann
Grade: B+
Steam: Adult +
A Puppy for Will
Will can’t believe his Grandmother talked him into fostering a puppy as big as a horse! What was she thinking?!?! She’s probably hoping that Will will leave the office once in a while but he’s way to busy trying to prove the software reviewer who has been criticizing his work wrong and hiding from emotional entanglements… until the puppy takes a liking to his new neighbor.
Review: Absolutely adorable!! The best of the set!
Author: Kathie DeNosky
Grade: A
Steam: Adult +
Hott Review
While overall I enjoyed this set it wasn’t my favorite. The first seemed to drag and then I just wasn’t into the others. The set isn’t a waste of time – but I’d borrow not buy.
More…
Source: Harlequin via Netgalley
Grade: B
Steam: Adult +
All Ben Rhodes wants for Christmas is to be left alone. And yet, in a fit of Christmas-cheer-induced insanity, he agrees to help beautiful shelter director Tansy Dexter find homes for all her rambunctious animals. Little does he know that the one truly in need of a loving home this season …is him. (via Goodreads)
Review: I really didn’t enjoy this novella. Honestly, I started this book last Christmas and didn’t realize that it was a set of novellas so I put it aside. It ended up being ok but not something I’d read again.
Author: Vicki Lewis Thompson
Grade: C
Steam: Adult +
Home for Christmas
Tech Sargent Alex Conrad is home on leave this Christmas. The only plans he has is saying goodbye to his marriage and the only woman he’s ever loved. He really doesn’t want the marriage to end, but she’s unhappy and he’ll do anything he can to see her smile again.
As a special marriage farewell his wife, Shelby, has committed them to delivering three puppies to their forever homes – great, he’ll be cooped up in a confined space with a woman he loves but can’t touch!
Review: This was terribly sad but a good book. It’s quite steamy but felt so real you really don’t even question it.
Author: Catherine Mann
Grade: B+
Steam: Adult +
A Puppy for Will
Will can’t believe his Grandmother talked him into fostering a puppy as big as a horse! What was she thinking?!?! She’s probably hoping that Will will leave the office once in a while but he’s way to busy trying to prove the software reviewer who has been criticizing his work wrong and hiding from emotional entanglements… until the puppy takes a liking to his new neighbor.
Review: Absolutely adorable!! The best of the set!
Author: Kathie DeNosky
Grade: A
Steam: Adult +
Hott Review
While overall I enjoyed this set it wasn’t my favorite. The first seemed to drag and then I just wasn’t into the others. The set isn’t a waste of time – but I’d borrow not buy.
More…
Source: Harlequin via Netgalley
Grade: B
Steam: Adult +
June 13, 2023
This was a Christmas / Rescue animal themed anthology, including three unique reads from different authors, each individual review is outlined below.
Holiday Haven, Vicki Lewis Thompson 4/5
This was such a sweet story based around Tansy, the shelter director for The Haven, a no-kill shelter that houses cats and dogs searching for forever homes. Ben is a videographer working for a news agency that is helping out The Havens Christmas campaign, and sparks fly between them almost instantly. This was a perfect sweet and steamy romance for both Christmas lovers and animal lovers alike. Wether you’re a dog lover or cat lover, I’m sure you’ll find something in this story to melt over.
Home for Christmas, Catherine Mann 3/5
When I was presented with this story; grumpy / sunshine, miscommunication, military & second chance romance. I really did not have high hopes. I was pleasantly surprised and would have enjoyed this as much as the last story if it hasn’t been for the military storyline. It goes against my ethics. Regardless I thought this was a great addition to the anthology and love how each story is linked to the others. Shelby volunteers at The Haven, and offers to drive three dogs down to their new homes across the state with her husband, Alex, who has just arrived home from his post. They’re in the midst of a divorce, but will this last-chance road trip save their marriage?
Great road trip vibes and happy doggos.
A Puppy for Will, Kathy DeNosky 2/5
This story started off promising, I loved the characters and little (well, large) mischievous Harley. However the romance was rushed and the storyline was not only unrealistic but just annoying. The characters talked to each other like they were emailing each other and Will used the term “honey” so many times it made me feel as sick as eating a whole jar. And (SPOILER) the engagement?? Are you actually joking me?
I wish the dog shenanigans were more part of the story.
(SPOILER) I was also annoyed to find out apparently every couple in the story got hitched by the end.
Holiday Haven, Vicki Lewis Thompson 4/5
This was such a sweet story based around Tansy, the shelter director for The Haven, a no-kill shelter that houses cats and dogs searching for forever homes. Ben is a videographer working for a news agency that is helping out The Havens Christmas campaign, and sparks fly between them almost instantly. This was a perfect sweet and steamy romance for both Christmas lovers and animal lovers alike. Wether you’re a dog lover or cat lover, I’m sure you’ll find something in this story to melt over.
Home for Christmas, Catherine Mann 3/5
When I was presented with this story; grumpy / sunshine, miscommunication, military & second chance romance. I really did not have high hopes. I was pleasantly surprised and would have enjoyed this as much as the last story if it hasn’t been for the military storyline. It goes against my ethics. Regardless I thought this was a great addition to the anthology and love how each story is linked to the others. Shelby volunteers at The Haven, and offers to drive three dogs down to their new homes across the state with her husband, Alex, who has just arrived home from his post. They’re in the midst of a divorce, but will this last-chance road trip save their marriage?
Great road trip vibes and happy doggos.
A Puppy for Will, Kathy DeNosky 2/5
This story started off promising, I loved the characters and little (well, large) mischievous Harley. However the romance was rushed and the storyline was not only unrealistic but just annoying. The characters talked to each other like they were emailing each other and Will used the term “honey” so many times it made me feel as sick as eating a whole jar. And (SPOILER) the engagement?? Are you actually joking me?
I wish the dog shenanigans were more part of the story.
(SPOILER) I was also annoyed to find out apparently every couple in the story got hitched by the end.
December 4, 2014
Synopsis: "Holiday Haven by Vicki Lewis ThompsonAll Ben Rhodes wants for Christmas is to be left alone. And yet, in a fit of Christmas-cheer-induced insanity, he agrees to help beautiful shelter director Tansy Dexter find homes for all her rambunctious animals. Little does he know that the one truly in need of a loving home this season…is him.
Home for Christmas by Catherine Mann
Information from Ms Mann's newsletter: For those of you who enjoyed my Wingmen Warrior series, this story features Zach Dawson's daughter Shelby, all grown up and ready for her own happily ever after with a flyboy!
Shelby Conrad has had more than her fair share of silent nights. But even though her husband, Tech Sergeant Alex Conrad, is coming home in time for Christmas, Shelby isn't sure he's in time to save their marriage. Can a road trip to deliver three shelter dogs to their new homes teach the couple that the most precious gift of all is hope?
A Puppy for Will by Kathie DeNosky
Will Parker hasn't exactly had all his hopes and dreams met, but work has filled the gaps in his life. Or so he thinks…until an energetic and large Saint Bernard foster puppy and Will's cute neighbor Macie Fairbanks introduce him to the best thing about Christmas and life—unconditional love."
My Review: I really enjoyed this book, of course anything with shelter animals getting loving homes will touch my heart. I liked the format of three short stories that revolve around the same event and location, the interaction of the characters made for smooth transitions. The authors all worked so closely together you didn't notice the differences, which was great because I have been burned by these types of collections before. I honestly couldn't pick one story as my favorite, I enjoyed all the characters (including the animals), story themes and events. All in all a heart warming collection of stories for the holiday season.
Home for Christmas by Catherine Mann
Information from Ms Mann's newsletter: For those of you who enjoyed my Wingmen Warrior series, this story features Zach Dawson's daughter Shelby, all grown up and ready for her own happily ever after with a flyboy!
Shelby Conrad has had more than her fair share of silent nights. But even though her husband, Tech Sergeant Alex Conrad, is coming home in time for Christmas, Shelby isn't sure he's in time to save their marriage. Can a road trip to deliver three shelter dogs to their new homes teach the couple that the most precious gift of all is hope?
A Puppy for Will by Kathie DeNosky
Will Parker hasn't exactly had all his hopes and dreams met, but work has filled the gaps in his life. Or so he thinks…until an energetic and large Saint Bernard foster puppy and Will's cute neighbor Macie Fairbanks introduce him to the best thing about Christmas and life—unconditional love."
My Review: I really enjoyed this book, of course anything with shelter animals getting loving homes will touch my heart. I liked the format of three short stories that revolve around the same event and location, the interaction of the characters made for smooth transitions. The authors all worked so closely together you didn't notice the differences, which was great because I have been burned by these types of collections before. I honestly couldn't pick one story as my favorite, I enjoyed all the characters (including the animals), story themes and events. All in all a heart warming collection of stories for the holiday season.
October 28, 2012
The three stories in Rescuing Christmas are interconnected – I love it when that happens! They all center around a small no-kill shelter, The Haven, in Washington state. The first story (Thompson) deals with Tansy the shelter director and Ben the local cameraman assigned to help promote pet adoption. The second story (Mann) deals with a soon to be divorced military wife and her fly-boy husband, Shelby and Alex. The third story (DeNosky) deals with an overworked computer programmer and the tech writer who keeps criticizing his work, Will and Macie. All involve cute, fluffy animals and a great sense of hope.
In an effort to make the holiday season brighter for families and pets, the Haven is hosting a Home for the Holiday’s campaign. The intention is for foster “parents” to take a pet over the holidays. This will give those pets waiting to be adopted a break from the shelter and allow them to enjoy the holidays with a family. Each of the couples has a role in the campaign. Tansy and Ben help with the promotion; Tansy, of course, tries to convince Ben he’s the perfect pet parent for the curmudgeonly office cat who doesn’t like anyone but Ben. Shelby and Alex spend their holiday transporting three dogs to their forever homes. Will ends up fostering an energetic St. Bernard puppy who seems determined to bring him together with his lovely new neighbor.
Not surprisingly in a holiday anthology, the pets and the humans all find that love conquers all. These short feel good reads are sure to brighten any cold winter’s day. The holiday aspects are no over-done, so even an early read doesn’t make one feel too out-of-sync with upcoming holidays. If you are at all moved by furry critters, this book is definitely for you. It will certainly be on my holiday reread list. I highly recommend it to all the pet parents and want to be pet parents out there.
In an effort to make the holiday season brighter for families and pets, the Haven is hosting a Home for the Holiday’s campaign. The intention is for foster “parents” to take a pet over the holidays. This will give those pets waiting to be adopted a break from the shelter and allow them to enjoy the holidays with a family. Each of the couples has a role in the campaign. Tansy and Ben help with the promotion; Tansy, of course, tries to convince Ben he’s the perfect pet parent for the curmudgeonly office cat who doesn’t like anyone but Ben. Shelby and Alex spend their holiday transporting three dogs to their forever homes. Will ends up fostering an energetic St. Bernard puppy who seems determined to bring him together with his lovely new neighbor.
Not surprisingly in a holiday anthology, the pets and the humans all find that love conquers all. These short feel good reads are sure to brighten any cold winter’s day. The holiday aspects are no over-done, so even an early read doesn’t make one feel too out-of-sync with upcoming holidays. If you are at all moved by furry critters, this book is definitely for you. It will certainly be on my holiday reread list. I highly recommend it to all the pet parents and want to be pet parents out there.
December 18, 2012
Review featured on www.books-n-kisses.com
Holiday Haven by Vicki Lewis Thompson
4 Stars This is a adorable book. It will make you want to run out and adopt a pet. Tansy is all about the animals and rehabing them but when Ben walks into her life she decides he needs a little rehab himself to realize that he can love animals and people without getting hurt. This book is kind of the white knight in reverse. She saves him from himself. I enjoyed it a lot. Very cute.. and the animals are great!
Home for Christmas by Catherine Mann
2 Stars I was not very fond of this story. I appreciate that it also has The Haven (from the 1st in this book) but it is more sad than happy. Alex comes home from leave knowing Shelby has been set to divorce him. They take a car trip to deliver three dogs from The Haven to new families. Shelby hopes it will help their relationship but weirdly they bring along a cameraman (you need to read the first story to understand that) and then after 75+ pages of them not getting along and being snippy to each other they make up and claim they love each other and everything is hunky dorey. Honestly, the reader is left feeling like the relationship will never really work out.
A Puppy for Will by Kathie DeNosky
3 Stars This was back to being a good story. It is an on going story from story one and two in this book so it is nice to see how everything ends up. However by the end of it you realize that everything has happened in a matter of weeks and it just seems a little bit pushed. However this is a cute story with Will, Macie and an adorable puppy named Harley.
The combination of all these stories is cute and the bit of holiday in the books can put you in the mood for the holidays as well as making you want to run out and adopt a pet.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Holiday Haven by Vicki Lewis Thompson
4 Stars This is a adorable book. It will make you want to run out and adopt a pet. Tansy is all about the animals and rehabing them but when Ben walks into her life she decides he needs a little rehab himself to realize that he can love animals and people without getting hurt. This book is kind of the white knight in reverse. She saves him from himself. I enjoyed it a lot. Very cute.. and the animals are great!
Home for Christmas by Catherine Mann
2 Stars I was not very fond of this story. I appreciate that it also has The Haven (from the 1st in this book) but it is more sad than happy. Alex comes home from leave knowing Shelby has been set to divorce him. They take a car trip to deliver three dogs from The Haven to new families. Shelby hopes it will help their relationship but weirdly they bring along a cameraman (you need to read the first story to understand that) and then after 75+ pages of them not getting along and being snippy to each other they make up and claim they love each other and everything is hunky dorey. Honestly, the reader is left feeling like the relationship will never really work out.
A Puppy for Will by Kathie DeNosky
3 Stars This was back to being a good story. It is an on going story from story one and two in this book so it is nice to see how everything ends up. However by the end of it you realize that everything has happened in a matter of weeks and it just seems a little bit pushed. However this is a cute story with Will, Macie and an adorable puppy named Harley.
The combination of all these stories is cute and the bit of holiday in the books can put you in the mood for the holidays as well as making you want to run out and adopt a pet.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
December 27, 2012
Three sweet Christmas tales loosely connected through a Humane Shelter and the love that rescues can bring to our lives.
Holiday Haven by Vicki Lewis Thompson – Television cameraman Ben doesn't want the pain losing love can bring so he holds himself apart with only casual hookups. Shelter director Tansy knows that love sometimes hurts but oh the joy of having had it. Ben & Tansy meet when she is at the station asking for people to foster shelter animals over the holidays. Can Tansy and crotchety cat Max show Ben that love is something everyone needs?
Home for Christmas by Catherine Mann – Being a military wife is tough. With their marriage on the rocks Shelby hopes that when Alex comes home on holiday leave a trip to deliver some shelter dogs to their forever homes will give them time to talk. Can their marriage be saved?
A Puppy for Will by Kathie DeNosky – Will is divorced and has thrown himself into his work. When his Grandmother cons him into fostering Harley, a St. Bernard/Bernese Mountain dog puppy (think small pony), over the holidays Will isn't thrilled but then the puppy gives him something to do besides work. Will’s new neighbor Marcie is determined to have a good Christmas this year. Can she and Harley help Will realize that there is more to life than work?
I purchased this because I've enjoyed other stories by Vicki Lewis Thompson. I enjoyed her story but my favorite in this book was Home for Christmas by Catherine Mann. It may have to do with the fact that I am a former military wife and know just how very hard it is to make a military marriage work. All three stories are worth the read. This book also reminded me just how much our three rescue kitties bring to our lives.
Holiday Haven by Vicki Lewis Thompson – Television cameraman Ben doesn't want the pain losing love can bring so he holds himself apart with only casual hookups. Shelter director Tansy knows that love sometimes hurts but oh the joy of having had it. Ben & Tansy meet when she is at the station asking for people to foster shelter animals over the holidays. Can Tansy and crotchety cat Max show Ben that love is something everyone needs?
Home for Christmas by Catherine Mann – Being a military wife is tough. With their marriage on the rocks Shelby hopes that when Alex comes home on holiday leave a trip to deliver some shelter dogs to their forever homes will give them time to talk. Can their marriage be saved?
A Puppy for Will by Kathie DeNosky – Will is divorced and has thrown himself into his work. When his Grandmother cons him into fostering Harley, a St. Bernard/Bernese Mountain dog puppy (think small pony), over the holidays Will isn't thrilled but then the puppy gives him something to do besides work. Will’s new neighbor Marcie is determined to have a good Christmas this year. Can she and Harley help Will realize that there is more to life than work?
I purchased this because I've enjoyed other stories by Vicki Lewis Thompson. I enjoyed her story but my favorite in this book was Home for Christmas by Catherine Mann. It may have to do with the fact that I am a former military wife and know just how very hard it is to make a military marriage work. All three stories are worth the read. This book also reminded me just how much our three rescue kitties bring to our lives.
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