A MacKenzie Christmas

The MacKenzie Family #4.6

by Liliana Hart

*This story was originally published in the All I Want for Christmas Anthology*

Grant MacKenzie is ready to settle down and start a family. The only problem is the one woman he’s interested in doesn’t seem to be ready for the long haul. But fate lends Grant a helping hand in getting exactly what he wants under his Christmas tree.

Genres: Romance, Christmas, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Erotica, Holiday, Ebooks

38 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 6, 2012

About the author

Liliana Hart spent five years teaching music in the public education system. She molded America’s youth, busted kids for smoking pot in the restrooms, and broke up illicit affairs behind the stage on a regular basis. (Liliana’s Addison Holmes Mystery Series, about a small town teacher who gets into a whole lot of trouble, is somewhat autobiographical, but she won’t confess to which parts).

Liliana began reading romance novels with all her new found free time, and when she ran out of things to read, she decided to write her own novels. The result was a 150,000 word thriller—a dazzling adventure—where the heroine was a thirty-year-old virgin assassin (Yes, you read that right). She couldn’t imagine why people weren’t knocking down her door to read it, but she persevered and began writing a second book. She finally got the hang of things, and eventually learned that losing one’s virginity wasn’t all that romantic after all. All of her books involve some kind of suspense (she just can't help herself), laughter, and a lot of steamy sex.

Since the failure of her first attempt, Liliana’s books have won awards such as: The Daphne Du Maurier, The Suzannah, The Linda Howard Award of Excellence, The Maggie, and many others. Her affiliations include Romance Writers of America and Mystery Writers of America.

Liliana loves to cook, and is addicted to reading, Internet Boggle, kickboxing, and Bones. She lives in a big, rambling house in Texas with a couple of cats to keep her company. She loves to get emails from readers.

Enjoy the Adventures!

Reviews

[Aayesha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such a cute book. Very short, but I loved the author. She has a special way with words and is very good at writing. The flow was so smooth and absolutely delightful.

I didn't get to know the hero or heroine very well; it was a very short book, but what I did come to know about them made me like them very much. Especially Annabeth. I love heroines who are shy and modest, yet strong and independent. And Annabeth had that innate strength that I so admire in heroines. I also loved that she has been in love with Grant for years. I'm a total sucker for books where the heroines love the heroes from the beginning. Grant was a nice enough fellow but I'd have liked to see more of how his feelings turned from avoidance and lust to love.

As for the whole MacKenzie clan, they are a delightful rowdy bunch. I enjoyed the small glimpses I got of them - once again, a compliment to the author, she writes very well.

And as for the sex - I must say, it was sweet and sizzling.

[Fil · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little disappointing, but I wanted to finish the series. Hope Cade is better!

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short story with denial on the first place. Go figure, it kind of speaks volumes that the woman has to suffer for the bigger picture, doesn't it?

[Heli - So Many Books - So Little Time · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[RoloPoloBookBlog · Rating 3 out of 5]

Source: Purchase
Rating: 3/5 stars

Thank you to everything holy that the MacKenzies are a very large family with loads of hot men!! Liliana Hart has created a huge extended family that it dealt with in the tiniest way in this seventh MacKenzie family novella. Grant MacKenzie is one of a group (YAY!!! A new group!!!) of siblings that are cousins to Dane, Thomas, Riley and, Cooper MacKenzie. As is customary, Grant and his siblings have gathered at the old MacKenzie farmhouse for the holidays and though Grant loves his family, he has had all a single man can take.

Grant MacKenzie knows without doubt or hesitation that his future includes a wife and kids. He knows he wants these things sooner rather than later but the only woman he can see this happening with in Surrender is Annabeth Martin. Grant has known Annabeth for most of his life and has watched her grow up alongside his sister, Darcy. Though Annabeth seems more reserved than Darcy, she is younger than Grant and he is sure she is nowhere near ready for the type of life he is after. Unfortunately, Grant can’t seem to stop thinking about Annabeth when he is awake and sleep doesn’t help either since she keeps starring in his naughty dreams. What is a man to do??

Annabeth Martin has spent most of her life without a family of her own. Darcy MacKenzie’s family has always been there for her and though she has always been welcome at any and all family functions, Christmas is the one holiday Annabeth won’t crash. For reasons that are her own, Annabeth doesn’t do Christmas and this Christmas is no different. With the day off and no plans, Annabeth heads out to the pond on the MacKenzie’s property to ice skate. Unfortunately, the ice isn’t quite as solid as she though and fortunately, Grant is available to rescue her. As we all know, harrowing experiences have a tendency to bring to people together 

The Bottom Line: This is another example of a MacKenzie getting shafted. Grant is the first of the cousin’s branch of the MacKenzie clan to get his own “book” and he just doesn’t get the story he deserves. Grant is such a sweet man and his desire for a wife and family of his own is heartwarming. Add to this the context of Christmas and the girl he truly desires falling into his hands and you have a mix of what should be a long and endearing read. Instead, A MacKenzie Christmas is a short and sweet sprint to the finish line.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grant seems to have a bit of OCD and control issues having to plan everything. I liked this story because it again didn't lead with sex and the characters already knew each other so there was an ongoing attraction. I felt sorry and sad for Annabeth having no one and being all alone. Holidays are a time when everyone should have someone. Sometimes I find this author super far fetched and the characters saying things sooo perfect and cookie cutter that it gets an eye roll. Yet I continue to read her books because when she's on her books are wonderful. I liked this novella.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a new turn for the MacKenzie family, now we are moving on to the cousins. I know it is a novella but I would have loved more catch-up time with all the character's we love.

The story moves quickly as the leads have know each other for some time, makes the feelings more believable too. There are some super yummy bedroom scenes to heat up the read. Yum Yum!!

I can not wait to see what will happen with all Grant's siblings! I really hope we get to seem more of the past couples as the series progresses in this new direction. I love updates cause it is like visiting with old friends.

[Paula Legate · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very sweet short romance. I was able to read it in just a few hours. If the story was longer, and more drawn out, it would have been an excellent book! I loved the romance in this story between Annabeth, and Grant. The two had feelings for each other for a long time, but was too afraid to tell the other. They both had the same Christmas wish, but you will have to read, to find out what it was, and if it came true.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am loving this entire family series...and Grant's story was sweet. He never saw what was always right in front of him until he almost lost it. I especially loved at the end where Cade says he's glad he's leaving because there is something in the water...
I can't wait to read the next book which is Cade's, he is going to end up being my next favorite right next to Cooper.

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5Stars

[Katie Rios · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sigh. Another set of brothers (and a sister) that gets their story told. At least they knew about each other in this book and I didn't have to deal with the worst case of instalove EVER.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

A MacKenzie Christmas...

In this book Grant finds the love he's been waiting for. Only he had to rescue her first. A short sexy and dramatic story during the holidays.

[karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too short. Really only 1 real day seals the deal

[Angel Padillo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grant and Annabeth’s story was cute, cheesy, but cute.

[Amber Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and sexy

A sweet and sexy Christmas romance. They're an adorable couple who is easy to fall in love with and full of Christmas cheer.

[Brooklyn Byers · Rating 2 out of 5]

You really fucked her and then got engaged after just saving her the day before? Too much

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This included: Dane, Thomas, Riley, Cooper and Mac Christmas.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story. Too short.

[Taki · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking for a down and dirty, full of sexy times book then this is the one for you... i mean whoo im getting hot just thinking about it. This whole series is so hot damn sexy and full of sexy explicit times. I love it.. PLUS they're short can be read in less than 1 hr

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well another Mackenzie, there are plenty in this family to go around. This is a short story that I should have read before I read Cade's story. But that doesn't matter too much, all of the stories connect but don't overlap too much & can be read as stand alone, it just makes more sense to try read in some kind of order.

Grant Mackenzie is brother to Cade, Shane, Declan & Darcy. He is cousin to Dane, Cooper, Thomas & Riley. All of his cousin's have now found their true love & are in the midst of settling down. Grant is ready & has been looking for the right woman for a while, but finds that the 1 woman he lusts after is his sisters best friend, Annabeth.

Annabeth Martin is 6 years his junior, he thinks there's no way she thinks of him the same way & that she is nowhere near ready to settle down like he is, because of the slight age gap. Wrong, couldn't be more wrong.

Annabeth has been in love with Grant as far back as she can remember & she thinks he has never noticed her & that he is like his sibblins & doesn't want to settle down. Wrong again, both are so wrong & both have no idea about the other.

Don't you love this kind of romance, I know I do.

After a near death experience for Annabeth, where she falls through thin ice. Grant saves her & takes her to his place. Hypothermia, yep good enough reason to strip her down & himself & get into a hot bath, to thaw her out. Then of course the need to cuddle naked in bed for the body heat, yep good enough for me.

Attraction is a plenty, then their secrets get revealed after Grant takes a chance. Lust, heat, sex, love & the gift of virginity, promise of life long happiness. Yep doesn't get much better than this. They realise they have both loved each other for so long & take the Christmas miracle by the horns & go with it.

Yes this story moves quick, but it's a page turner & has so much passion & desire to quench everyones thirst. Nice little surprise ending to keep up with the fast moving love story, very hot, but also very Mackenzie. This family should be illegal to have so many hot guys as part of it.

[Jo Reads Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet with a bit of heat
4 stars

I’ll admit that I often expect stories named for families, sagas and the like, to be rather tame. Imagine my surprise when this short tale had a nice punch of heat to it. The sex scenes (yes, there was sex - and chats of sex - packed into these 38 pages) were quite rushed and could have done with a bit more description but I’m attributing that to the fact that the story was short. I imagine in Ms. Hart’s full length novels there’s more time reserved for such things.

Grant was a good character and I feel I got to know him and like him in the short space of time. Annabeth was slightly more of a mystery and I did feel she came across as quite young; Nothing to dislike, however. Perhaps if I’d read the rest of the Mackenzie novels (this is book 9 in the series) then I might feel I knew her a little better.

A bit too much flowery language at the beginning of the sex due to Annabeth’s inexperience. Talk of gifts and miracles - hmmm. I don’t know anyone (thankfully) who speaks like that either before, during or after sex. A couple of sentences wasn’t a huge issue, however.

I liked this story. It was short, sweet with a bit of heat and a nice tale to give you a 20 minute break from the craziness of Christmas. One to check out and I might have a look for Liliana Hart’s longer novels in the future. 4 stars.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grant comes from a huge family. He is ready to settle down and have a family. The problem is that he doesn't have anyone to start a family with. He knows everyone in the little town of Surrender and the only one he would even consider is Annabeth, but she is younger than him and he's known her all his life. She probably thinks about him like he was her brother. Damn, because she would be perfect. He needs to get out of this place, and quick.

Annabeth has been a fixture at the MacKenzie house since she was a little girl. Her best friend is Darcy MacKenzie and they are more like sisters than friends. Annabeth's parents died on christmas Eve when she was a teenager and has since developed a hard heart toward the holiday season. She has secretly had a crush on Grant MacKenzie since forever, but he never notices her. He probably thinks of her like she was his sister.

Grant can't take all the ruckus in his family's home and needs to clear his head with some fresh air. He begins walking and eventually ends up near a frozen lake. He hears a loud crack like sound and looks up to see a woman in the middle of the frozen water. She screams as more ice cracks and she sinks into the frigid water. He somehow grasps her hand and pulls her out. Her lips and fingers are blue. She doesn't have much time left. It's too far to take her back to his family home so he decides to run to his cabin which is closer.

That's all you're getting out of me. You have to read the book to find out what happens next!

Sexual situations intended for mature readers.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a MacKenzie Christmas we get to see all of our favorite MacKenzie brothers back together. I was so excited to get a little more of each of them because their novellas were just not enough. This story is Grant's story. Grant is the cousin of the other MacKenzie men we have met. He is a little more laid back and a tad less intense, but still full of that MacKenzie family charm. He has feelings for Annabeth, but doesn't think she is ready to settle down. A chance encounter during Christmas brings these two face-to-face and gives them the opportunity to put their real feelings out there. I liked both Grant and Annabeth a lot as characters, They were both strong and hardworking and compassionate. I really wish we'd had the time to see them in the context of the rest of the family a bit more. I liked seeing them together. Their connection was evident from the moment we first saw them together, maybe even before then. It was obvious that they had feelings for each other. Seeing Grant take care of Annabeth had my heart melting a little bit. I hope we get to see more of Grant and Annabeth in the future, because I felt like we barely got a glimpse and then it was over!

[Jamoz23 · Rating 4 out of 5]

2020 - Reread in the box set through Kindle Unlimited and enjoyed it just as much this time around. Still confused as to which title and place in the series this is at.
ORIGINAL REVIEW 2017
One of the sweeter stories in this series.
Moving onto the cousins now with this cute Christmas themed short story.
Grant has a bit of OCD in that he likes to plan everything. He has decided he wants more from his life after seeing his cousins and their women.
He is thinking of moving to fresh pastures to meet likely wife material women.
On his way to his cabin he spots Annabeth and sees her fall through the ice whilst skating.
Annabeth is someone he has known for ages and thinks of as a little sister.
After saving Annabeth, Grant realises she is his one. Now he just has to convince her of that fact.
Annabeth is all alone at Christmas; she is all alone all the time really. No holiday cheer for this girl. So she decides to go skating to pass the long, lonely day away.
She spots Grant, who she has had a crush on, just before the ice gives way. Coming too in Grants arms is a Christmas wish come true but can she believe it is real.

[Silverana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great length, got straight to the point. Loved how the author didn’t make Grant go away like he was planning on doing. This saved us from a lot of heartbreak but still had enough angst to keep us wondering what will happen. And as he said, things happen for a reason. At first I was not thinking too much of the events in this way, but after Grant confirmed it, the story turned out extra nice because of it.

There was one thing that confused me and I could be completely wrong about this. But I really do not think a person suffering from hypothermia should be immediately immersed in hot water. Especially at the really hot temperature that was being described. I may be missing something here because I do not think someone would write about it without having good knowledge of the treatment. However, as far as I was taught in First Aid, placing a person with hypothermia directly into hot water is a major no no.
Other than that, it was a sweet story.

[Char (1RadReader59) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could so relate to the big loud all in your business family but oh so loving at the same time. Don't get me wrong plenty of good old family fight would go on too but for the most part just loud fun. I loved all the woman in the kitchen & Grant being told what to do by his mama & being teased by the rest. Then him making his escape to go for a walk. Only to come across the woman he thinks about often ice skating alone. Annabelle, skating where they use to skate when they were younger. When she gets destacted when she notices him & falls through a thin piece of ice. Grant is right there to save her. Is it in time for her, for them? She has keep her distance all this time from him. Does time change & heal anything? This was a good read. You will enjoy.

[♡ Sassy ~ Amy ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

AGAIN!! Great book with a whole lot more potential to tell more in the story bringing it out of novella territory! I wanted so much more & I feel it just cuts out all the great things that could be told! This author is a great story teller & I wish she gave us more in the story!!

The whole family is at the farmhouse for christmas. Grant, the construction guy cousin needs a break from all the noise so he goes for a walk in the woods & rescues Annabeth, his sisters best friend, when she falls through the ice!

There could be so much background, build up & continuing story, but it's so short! I wanted so much more!! Instead, this book is all about the erotica, which is so disappointing.

It gets a 4 star rating because the author is so good…

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am glad the Mackenzie boys have cousins, more amazing story to come my way. So Cade, Thomas, Riley and Cooper are married and have kids. So happy!!! We now move onto Grant Mackenzie, his brothers and his sister. His brothers are Cade, Shane & Declan and their younger sister is Darcy.

Grant Mackenzie has lived in Surrender his whole life. He wants a family but can't find someone to settle down with.

Annabeth Martin has lived in Surrender her whole life. She has no family but would love to have her own family since of always being invited to the Mackenzie's family meals.

Could she real have her own family and be part of the Mackenzie family?

I love Liliana Harts Books and the Mackenzie Boys.

[Adriana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grant MacKenzie loves everything about his life. His job, his family and the small town of Surrender. Opposite to most of his family members, Grant loves his hometown and is ready to settle down and have his own family right here. Except no one makes his heart race or his breathing shallow. No one but Annabeth Martin. His little sister's best friend. She is beautiful and different from every other woman he's ever had. When cold circumstances change both their lives, Grant has to face that love has always been within his reach and Annabeth is just the woman to show him how. Moving onto the other branch of MacKenzies, Grant introduces more characters of this charismatic family. Liliana Hart knows how to keep things hot and interesting, even in the cold dead winter of Surrender.

[Lindsey Greer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Mackenzie Christmas by Liliana Hart review In this one we meet Grant Mackenzie. He is a cousin to Cooper, Dane, Riley and Thomas. He is the one really ready to settle down. His siblings are far from it, but Grant is. For a long time Grant has been in love with his little sisters college best friend Annabeth. What he doesn't realize is Annabeth has been in love with him for just as long. We see fate work it's magic and them come together. It is another steamy and sweet read that I really enjoyed. The characters were good for a novella and it was an enjoyable read. A little quick for me, but hey it happens