"Get a head start on the holiday spirit by reading for a great cause! Fifteen of today’s most entertaining rom-com authors (#Chicks4Charity) have teamed up on #Books4Paws. This collection of festive shorts ranges from sweet to steamy and promises to entertain. 100% of the proceeds will benefit the Valley Humane Society, a no-kill animal shelter that has been caring for rescues and pairing them with their fur-ever families since 1966."
USA Today Bestselling Author Kameron Claire writes stories with witty tongues, wicked needs, and wild deeds.
Her full length and short, steamy contemporary and paranormal romances emphasize strong female leads and the protective alpha men who know how to love and support kick-ass, take-charge women. She may not NEED him to save her, but she WANTs him to love, support, and most of all, RAVISH her.
I'm not at all exaggerating when I say I look forward to this anthology every year--the anthology names are always hilariously (in)appropriate, some of my favorite authors participate, and I really enjoy seeing how each one incorporates a fundraiser related to the real charity into their story. Plus, we get to read some sexy stories, and a real-life charity gets the proceeds. Win-win!
Bear Naked with the Bearded Baller by Amy Award was...OK. The epilogue was really cute, but the couple of chapters of story before that just went a bit too fast for my taste. Meet cute in the hardware store to full-on lust to s*x on the floor in practically no time at all--a little more substance, a little less instalust/love is really what I'm looking for, especially in such a short story. Am I crazy to have wanted more of the details that the heroine glosses over in the beginning of the epilogue? Or maybe even to see their first fundraiser together? It just felt like this story would have been more satisfying with more to it.
Rating: 3 stars / C
Hot Under the Collar by Serena Bell was fabulous. The meet cute had me LOLing (where can I get those t-shirts? My coworker and I think they'd be perfect for work) and the fake-date-no-it-isn't that came about because of a meddling senior citizen and an adorable shelter dog were *chef's kiss* perfect. A great addition to the author's newest series!
Rating: 5 stars / A
Lady and the Scamp: A Canine Love Story by Kilby Blades was absolutely adorable! I don't want to spoil anything, so I'm just going to say--the romance in this isn't what you might be expecting, but I was 100% on board with it <3
Rating: 4 stars / A-
Tess' Tasty Treats by Kameron Claire is cute, but be warned--it's nowhere near a complete story. It's a 5-chapter teaser for Tess and Logan's full-length book, coming out in November--not a complaint, just a heads up ;)
Rating: 3.5 stars / B-
Santa Claws is Coming by Dylann Crush was a cute fish-out-of-water story. Noelle travels to River Bluff, TN to help move her grandmother into assisted living and try to get all of her cat cafe rescues adopted. She's "greeted" just outside the town by a traffic stop, and that's just the tip of the holiday iceberg... This one leans heavily toward insta-everything but was fun.
Rating: 4 stars / B+
Snaps with Santa by Hope Ellis is a sweet second chance romance that left me with just one burning question--what happened to the kitten that brought these 2 former high school sweethearts back together? (Sorry, channeling my youngest there...but I really kinda want to know)
Rating: 4 stars / B+
Ruff Day for the Rockstar by Christina Hovland is a cute slice-of-life story featuring 2 of the author's established characters who are already moving along on their HEA journey. They're missing that special something in their relationship, though--something that Irina just might find at a holiday pet adoption event...
Rating: 4 stars / B+
Too Nice to Be Naughty by Melonie Johnson is a fun holiday novella in the universe of the author's Too Wrong to Be Right. Funeral director Joseph O'Sullivan *thinks* he's learned to expect the unexpected at work--until a new client brings him a proposal for a memorial event unlike any he's ever seen before. One Santa suit and a few kisses later, he just might have found his own HEA...
Rating: 4 stars / A-
Make Me Beg: A Royal Re-Do Second Chance Romance by Tawna Kandle is exactly what the subtitle says it is ;) The HEA is a little rushed--hero goes from being completely POed with what happened in the past to ready to put it all behind them really fast...I'd love to see this one re-worked later and given more meat to the story to make it believable. It also felt like it was maybe part of a series? Or maybe the characters were supposed to seem familiar because they're either (fictionally) related to the IRL British royals or a fictional version that's just like them.
Rating: 3 1/2 stars / C+
Decidedly with Paws by Stina Lindenblatt gets a little bogged down in trying to be madcap and *just* pretty much misses the mark all around. But a rescue dog named Mashed Potato will always get a yes, please! from me ;)
This review is for In Rover My Head by Sylvie Stewart. This was a fun quick read and it was quite enjoyable. I really liked Mindy and Hugo and I must say my only complaint is that their story was so short.
This review is for Christina Hovland’s About Ruff Day for the Rockstar. This is a cute short story/novella about one of Dimefront’s Rock Star, Knox and his movie star wife Irina. Ms. Hovland’s is able to work in the charity that this analogy is working for (pets), and catch us up on all of the characters from her Dimefront series, including a cameo from Babushka. If you have read this series, it is a nice little story to catch up on all the characters. If you haven’t read the series, this is a cute way to introduce you to everyone. I received an arc of the book from the author for my honest review.
Review for Bear Naked with the Bearded Baller by Amy Award
4 STARS
This is a short story with the topical love at first trope, in which things happen quickly but lovely. It's a quick but fun read for everyone, with a wintery environment, and characters that fall deeply enough for me to wish it had more chapters to have their storey to be more developed and longer!
Thank you, Love Notes PR and Amy Award, for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I totally enjoyed the many novellas I read in Chasing Holiday Tail: A Holiday Rom-Com Charity Anthology; the proceeds from this anthology will benefit the Valley Humane Society, a no-kill animal shelter that has been caring for rescues and pairing them with their fur-ever families since 1966.This is a cause close to my heart as we recently rescued an eighteen month old pup. Each story was written by one of nineteen amazing romance authors featuring new stories that might be part of a current series or a stand alone; wonderful romance to binge. Each author brings their own touch to their story and focus on the cause while bringing the joy and laughter of the holidays to our lives. This book is packed with short stories from various authors. I enjoy reading these anthologies so I can read short stories from some of my favorite authors and find new to me authors. Thanks to all the authors who contributed a work for this wonderful cause. The stories that I did read were wonderful and in theory raised a large amount of money as well as adopted many dogs.
Kameron Claire, Melonie Johnson, Tracey Pedersen, Amy Award, Dylann Crush, Christina Hovland, Hope Ellis, MK Meredith, Brenda St John Brown, Sylvie Stewart, Serena Bell, Kilby Blades, Tawdra Kandle, Stina Lindenblatt, and Arell Rivers wrote wonderful contemporary romance novellas that are not to be missed. These tales are rich with kindness, magnetic attraction, off the charts chemistry, clever banter, and charming characters giving them a chance at finding a furever love. I highly recommend the stories in Chasing Holiday Tail: A Holiday Rom-Com Charity Anthology.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this story prior to purchasing the collection.
Chasing Tail is a holiday rom-com anthology! This is a collection of short stories with 100% of proceeds going to benefit the Valley Humane Society! I was excited to read this and had fun reading the 15 different authors.
My three favourite stories were:
Hot Under the Collar by Serena Bell - This is a cute story about Ford and Reggie. They have an unusual meet-cute, but it had me laughing throughout it all. I love how Ford got Reggie to believe she was worth it, and with the addition to an adorable dog, it was super fun!
Lady and the Scamp by Kilby Blades - This was such a cute story, with a unique take on the love store. You have to read it to find out what happens!
Rescued Beats by Arell Rivers - this was a cute story about Angus and Livie. This is from the latest series she has going. We know that Angus had feelings before, but it was a little insta-lovey. It was a cute holiday story, and an added bonus with all the rescue pets. I like how both Angus and Livie push each other to be the best of each other.
You cannot got wrong with this book, there is something for everyone in this book! Even better, you are helping a great charity! Thank you for the complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.
I received an Advance Reader Copy and am voluntarily leaving a review of the following stories.
Hot Under the Collar by Serena Bell
This was my favorite story in the book. Absolutely loved Ford and Reggie as well as all their friends and family. Soo good
The Howliday Contract by MK Meredith
Sybil has been recently betrayed and her company is in dire straits because of it. Instead of cowering she is fighting with everything she has. Niko may be the key to her company staying alive.
Sybil and Niko have an immediate connection if they can trust themselves and each other.
Rescued Beats by Arell Rivers
I really liked Nagus and Livie and how they support each other and push each other to be the best version of themselves
In Rover My Head by Sylvie Stewart
I wasn't sure about Hugo when I first met him but he quickly won me over as well as Mindy.
I love an anthology. I like being able to sample the works of different authors and read stories that I might not otherwise try. And this anthology did not disappoint. As an avid reader, this one had some that I hadn't ever tried.
I love animals, especially dogs. The proceeds of this book go to Valley Humane Society, a no-kill animal shelter in Casa Grande, Arizona. The stories are animal and holiday themed and short reads that you can sit down and enjoy during a quick moment.
Make sure that you grab this anthology. It'll help to put you into a great mood and boost your holiday spirit, all while supporting a great cause.
A sweet novella for the side characters I got this anthology to read Rescued Beats by Arell Rivers.
Livie & Angus find themselves in a mutual friend group. And while they are both extremely attracted to each other, neither has made a play at exploring more. These two find themselves thrown together when Santa gets COVID, & Angus fills in for a photo shoot at Pet Paws.
Livie & Angus are both stuck in the rut of doing what is expected of them. Both find themselves in jobs that were essentially picked by their parents. But as Angus finds himself with some amazing marketing ideas for the Moray Whiskey Distillery, he utilizes Livie’s encouragement to give it a shot. And as Livie finds herself despising her new IT job, she finds a side gig of a business coach to be much more fulfilling.
The tension both of these characters harbor makes for an amazing connection when they finally come together. Their support for each other on their friendship & then as more was so sweet & ideal.
FYI, this review is only for one short novella by AMY AWARD in the anthology.
This is my first book of Amy Award, and I’m going to go buy her other book: The C*ck Down the Block! Right now! That’s how good this short is! It was fast paced, cute, funny and hot 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 the perfect combo rom com for me!
I almost wished April and Bridger’s story is longer! Because i want more!
This ARC was provided by the author via Love Notes PR in exchange for an honest review. THANK YOU, I really appreciate it.
This novella is part of a charity Anthology called Chasing Holiday Tail: A Holiday Rom-Com Charity Anthology. Such a great cause! I hope you buy it on Oct. 03, 2023!
There is nothing I love more than a short snappy read to get me into the zone! This one ticked all those boxes for me and I'm so glad I read it.
It has one of my favourite tropes GRUMPY X SUNSHINE. You simply cannot beat a man who's grumpy and wants to fight the world but turns into a squidgy marshmallow for that one special person. It was short, simple and to the point. There was no faffing around. It was sweet, heartwarming, full of spice and cheesy cliches - but I was here for it!
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗜𝗙 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘 • grumpy x sunshine • he falls first • forced proximity • sports romance • plus size representation • novella
I have only read a couple of the books in this anthology. I was provided a copy of this for an honest review. All thought are my own.
1st Bear Naked with the Bearded Baller by Amy Award...I don’t know what to say. Because the F word was said so much which I have no idea why it made the story better? So I stopped reading it..
2nd was MK Meredith’s book which was The Howliday Contract. An awful situation put Sybil and her business in dire issues. But again it was ruined with F this and f that in the story. Why it has to be used all the time? I have no clue what was the use. It was a steamy story for sure. I had nothing against that.
3rd Hot Under the Collar by Serena Bell- it was good. Steamy but good.
This is a great spicy novella! If you like: • small town • sports (football) • opposites attract (city girl, small town guy) • forced proximity (stuck in a snowstorm)
I’ve only read Hot Under the Collar by Serena Bell so far. So dang funny! Reggie is a trip and Ford…yum! Its a quick light read and I highly recommend! Its a spin off with characters in Hott Shot in the Hott Springs Eternal series.
I received an ARC by Amy Award for Bear Naked With The Bearded Baller and it was such a cute short story! I read it so fast! It was cute, cosy, funny and smutty, thankyou so much for sending me and ARC
Loved this charity anthology of 15 stories revolving around animal rescue/adoption events & love connections. Some are steamy & some are sweet. My favorites were Santa Claws is Coming by Dylann Crush, Ruff Day for the Rockstar by Christina Hovland, Too Nice to be Naughty by Melonie Johnson, and The Howliday Contract by M.K. Meredith.
I read Lady and the Scamp by Kilby Blades and loved it! This sweet novella was full of funny mishaps, a sassy dog and sassy dog mom. Although this is a novella it didn’t fall short on laughs, sweet moments between doggies and humans and a sweet HEA.
Bear naked with the bearded baller: This book was so damn cute. This is the prequel to Amy's Cocky kingsman series and part of the Chasing holiday tail anthology. This was such a short and cute Rom-com with the perfect amount of spice. I loved the first-sight connection between April and Brigder and it flowed so beautifully. I'm loving the plus-sized rep in Amy's books.
Thank you Love Notes Pr and Amy Award for the ARC.
Take a chance and download this anthology today. Packed full of good stories, it's for a great cause. The stories are fun filled and full of cute animals. The stories are short and easy to read. A good collection!
This review is for MK Meredith for The Howliday Contract. This is a very cute story of Niko and Sibby trying to work out a business deal and also a personal relationship. I loved Marley as well. Very cute story!
I have read Stina Linderbratt Decidedly with Paws. This is a cute little story about Darren and Erin. Met while he was playing frisbee with friends but one accidently hit Erin and he came over to see if she was okay. They are at a fundraiser for Cause for Paws. He has plans to propose on New Year's Eve but an ex boyfriend and a overheard phone call and a found ring might change things. After over hearing Erin's ex wanting to adopt the same dog and Darren wants they end up having an arm wrestling challenge. Mash Potatoes is Darren's After clearing up all of the misunderstandings ... he gets to propose and she says YES!
I enjoyed reading these short stories that all revolve around the common theme of animal rescue and adoption. I read two stories by my favorite “go-to” authors - Dylann Crush and Melonie Johnson. Their stories contain characters from other books that they already have published.
I also enjoyed reading the stories by Tawdra Kandle, Serena Bell and Kilby Blades. I will continue to pick up this collection when I want to enjoy a quick read between my future books.
A fab collection of holiday stories for a great charity. My absolute favourites were In Rover My Head by Sylvie Stewart, who always delivers laughs, feels and steam, and Decidedly with Paws by Stina Lindenblatt which was filled with hilarious heartfelt mishaps.
Too Naughty to be Nice a sweet short story by Melonie Johnson and part of this anthology. This happens in the O’Sullivan world, after Too Wrong to be Right, Joe O’Sullivan steps forward into an unstructured world revolving around Carly and her paws shelter. A cute little story, among many other quick, good reads.
I would've read this anthology just for the charity it supports but the fact is so many good stories are here. Especially In Rover My Head by sylvie Stewart, you can never go wrong with her stories.
What a wonderful bunch of stories from some amazing authors. I was reading this because of Arell Rivers and ended up with some great reads.
Rescued Beats by Arell Rivers Angus and Livie were perfect together. Loved Angus playing Santa to help out Livie and her friend Maureen to raise money for their fundraiser for Pet Paws 🐾 Super cute read.
I was given a complimentary copy but voluntarily chose to review
You just can't go wrong with this wonderful anthology. The stories are delightfully fun, and the cause is worthy, so grab a copy as a treat for you and do a little good in the process. There is a nice variety of tropes here and heat levels that range from sweet to steamy. These heartwarming holiday tales were a true joy to read. If I had to pick a favorite, I'd go with Santa Claws is Coming by Dylann Crush. It was so cute and very funny. Noelle and Hurley quickly and easily stole my heart.