A Very Russian Christmas

Her Russian Protector #3.5

by Roxie Rivera

It's Christmas in Houston, and the Russians are ready to spoil—and protect—the women they love.

Featuring nine sexy, flirty stories, this holiday-themed collection from the Her Russian Protector series allows readers to revisit favorite couples and meet new love interests. It includes the following tales:

It's A Wonderful Life (DIMITRI)
The Luxury Sleigh Ride (ALEXEI)
From Russia, With Love, (VASYA)
All I Want For Christmas (NIKOLAI)
Nine Ladies Dancing (KOSTYA)
Toys for Tots (DANILA)
My Favorite Things (YURI)
Five Golden Rings (IVAN)
A Bright, New Beginning (SERGEI)

This novel-length collection fits the Her Russian Protector series timeline between YURI (Book 3) and the beginning of NIKOLAI (Book 4).

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Christmas, Novella, Holiday, Russia

133 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 14, 2013

About the author

When I’m not chasing after my wild preschooler, I like to write super sexy romances and scorching hot erotica. I live in Texas with a husband who could easily snag a job as an extra on History Channel’s new Viking series, a sweet but rowdy three-year-old with Tetralogy of Fallot, and Bosley, our Great Dane with major mommy issues.

I also have another dirty-book writing alter ego, Lolita Lopez, who writes deliciously steamy tales for Ellora’s Cave, Forever Yours/Grand Central, Mischief/Harper Collins UK, Siren Publishing and Cleis Press.

Reviews

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous catch-up


It’s years since I read most of the books in this series (2013). This has made me not only want to re-read them but also the couple of newer ones that weren’t out back then.

This is a fabulous little catch-up and Nikolai still remains my favourite. I really need to re-read his books yet again.

[McGee Magoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an anthology of short stories in Roxie Rivera's Her Russian Protector series. In the reading order of this series, this anthology is #3.5--meant to be read after Ivan, Dimitri and Yuri and before Nikolai and Sergei. We get where-are-they-now sweet and sexy stories about Dimitri, Ivan and Yuri and we get teasers for Nikolai, Sergei, Kostya, Alexei, Danila, and Vasya.

Dimitri It's a Wonderful Life: A sweet moment in time from Dimitri's point of view. Benny is pregnant and they are moving into their new home.

Alexei The Luxury Sleigh Ride: Alexei and his future heroine, Shay, make a connection one evening, leaving him aching for something more.

Vasya From Russia, With Love: Earlier in the series we got a hint of the M/M story that was evolving between Vasya and Ty. Told from Ty's point of view, he and Vasya are on the cusp of starting a relationship on Vasya's terms.

Nikolai All I Want For Christmas: Told from Nikolai's point of view. He is hosting a Christmas party at his restaurant, Samovar. Watching Vivian and interacting with her, the unrequited love and the seemingly hopeless situation brings sad, angsty feelings.

Kostya Nine Ladies Dancing: Told from Kostya's point of view we learn more about the mob cleaner and his attraction for his neighbor, Holly.

Danila Toys For Tots: A younger member of Nikolai's crew, Danila is playing Santa Claus for the troubled family next door. The oldest of the children, Macy, is 18 and Danny is sweet on her.

Yuri My Favorite Things: This story shows Yuri and Lena celebrating their first Christmas together in Russia. This is steamy and sweet.

Ivan Five Golden Rings: This is Ivan's first Christmas with Erin and he's ready to propose.

Sergei A Bright, New Beginning: When guarding Vivian for Nikolai, Sergei meets Bianca and becomes infatuated. But Bianca proves to be a tough nut to crack.

These stories are mostly a tease. They are really short and only whet the appetite for more. Having already read Ivan, Dimitri, Yuri, Nikolai, Sergei and The Connolly Brother's--In Kelly's Corner and In Jack's Arms, I've been curious about Vasya and Ty's story. Ty's character has been established as confident, cocky and brutally honest. But Vasya remains a mystery. The rest of these short stories are all told from the Russian hero's POV--except Vasya's. We are given a tiny glimpse of his dominant, controlling (must be a Russian mobster thing) personality, but we still aren't in his head. So I'm dying to read their book.

I'm not entirely sure how I'm going to like Danila's book considering that they are young'uns, but I KNOW Kostya's is going to be awesome. He's bad. He's the hitman and the cleaner and if anyone on the crew has blood on their hands, it's Kostya. I can't wait to see how he makes things work with Holly. Roxie Rivera can't write fast enough--I'm totally hooked.

[Lissa Smith Reads'~A Bookaholics Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was amazing reading this. I cried a little, laughed a bit and sighed more times than I can count. It gave so many glimpses of what is to come, I'm even more excited to keep reading the series.

Plus, I loved the glimpses at the heart of these big burly Russians.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've been reading this series you'd want to read this. It's a catchup and reveal book. You meet new characters and books to come. Kudos to the author by making us hunger for the new books and also giving us glimpses of the old characters lives after their books.

[BrookeNoWhiskey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful and festive!

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really had wanted to hold off on the Russians, because I was burning through the series so quickly. So I decided to start reading , unfortunately it takes place after , and though the spoiler was nothing surprising... it made me realize that the potential for other spoilers were there, so I had to stop reading... which meant I of course needed to dive right in to this one. I'm going to try to leave Kelly's Corner for a little while longer, and read something completely unrelated, but it is so difficult to leave a book I've already started.

I love the little novellas, because they are generally 100% from the fella's point of view. And what can I say? I'm a sucker for their insecurities and such like that.

Dimitri - It's a Wonderful Life: An adorable slice of life in the Dimitri/Benny world. They are moving into their new house, and they both want to surprise each other. I really do get warm and fuzzies thanks to Dimitri.

Alexei - The Luxury Sleigh Ride: Alexei is a character I don't remember meeting before. It's possible that I did, and just not remember him. Either way, I do rather look forward to his story.

Vasya - From Russia, With Love: Oh my goodness, I wasn't sure if we'd actually get to see Vasya and Ty's story (as I hadn't looked at the rest of the series titles), because not all authors are generally brave enough to throw a M/M story into their Rom Series. I cannot wait until their story. Vasya is such a mystery.

Nikolai - All I Want For Christmas: Things are getting closer and closer to the explosion that will be their relationship. It makes me smile.

Kostya - Nine Ladies Dancing: I really look forward to Kostya's book. It will be quite interesting I'm sure. He is not a good boy. But ooh it'll be an interesting ride.

Danila - Toys For Tots: A very young member of Nikolai's crew, especially considering so far, our boys in the series have all been honing in on 40. I foresee quite a few mistakes being made before he finds his feet.

Yuri - My Favorite Things: Sweet, but Yuri really is all about the flash and cash.

Ivan - Five Golden Rings: Erin was less annoying in this one, however... she still just rubs me wrong. Ivan thought about his back hurting because of how much he had to move the tree, and it just nailed it that I still think she is a spoiled brat.

Sergei - A Bright, New Beginning: This will be a fun one. Oh yes.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't a fan of Yuri, Dimitri, Nikolai and Ivan. But I loved the insight to Alexei, Danila, Vasya but especially Kostya.

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Peggy M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed these little Christmas stories. It was great to see how the couples (Dimitri & Benny, Yuri & Lena and Ivan & Erin) were doing and how they were celebrating Christmas for the first time as a couple. Although they’re still not a couple, Nikolai and Vivian also had their own Christmas story in it. I can’t wait to see how these two finally fall in love (their story is next in the series!).

There were also a few stories in it about characters that we haven’t met yet or only as a secondary character. It was interesting to learn a bit more about them and to see who their future love interest will be. The stories were told from both POV’s.

I’m happy that the writer gave us these little Christmas stories. I liked them.

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Il libro racchiude una serie di novelle natalizie collegate alla serie principale. Alcune sono delle chicche aggiuntive ai libri precedenti, altre ci servono per introdurre personaggi non ancora incontrati o per lanciarci sui volumi successivi.
Dolcissima la novella di Dimitri che si prepara con Benny all’arrivo della bimba. Vasya mette dei paletti per iniziare la sua relazione con Ty. Nikolai è sempre più in balia dei suoi sentimenti per Vivian. Ivan è pronto a impegnarsi per la vita con Erin. Yuri ha portato Lena a visitare la Russia. Sergei riceve un bel due di picche e infine conosciamo due nuovi personaggi: Danny e Alexei.

[Renegade ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

[Cheesecake · Rating 2 out of 5]

These stories are either little teasers for up coming books or rather boring extra epilogues to books I've already read.

'It's a Wonderful Life' Dimitri and Bennie prepare for the baby... cute but kinda boring.

'A Luxury Sleigh Ride' Alexie and Shay. He's an ex underground fighter who now owns several luxury car dealerships. Shay is one of the ladies who cleans the business at night. I really enjoyed this but it is ultimately a teaser for Alexie's book #8

'From Russia, with Love' Ty and Vasya. MM. Ty is Lena's business partner from 'Yuri'. Ty is a playboy, but Vasya wants something more lasting. Again, it's a teaser for an upcoming book. But Still enjoyable.

'All I Want for Christmas' Nikolai and Vivian. There's been a LOT of foreshadowing for their book and this teaser gets a wee bit tiresome. I almost feel like skipping their book(s)... but I know I'll read it sooner or later.

'Nine Dancing Ladies' Kostya and Holly. Kostya lives a low profile in a suburban neighbourhood. He has a friendship with one of his neighbours, Holly and secretly covets her for more. But what would she think if she new he was part owner of a strip club and had ties to the Russian Mob? Still, he is there when she needs him and kicks her no-good date to the curb. Another teaser, but I really do look forward to this one!

Still reading;
'Toys for Tots' Danila and Maci
Maci is an 18 yr old living next door to Danny with her dead beat dad, worn out mom and little siblings. Danny wants to give them a good Christmas so he makes sure the dead beat dad will stay at the casino and drops off some surprise gifts for the kids. It's pretty short and cute but nothing much.

'My Favorite Things' Yuri and Lena
Reads like a extra epilogue

'Five Golden Rings' Ivan and Erin
Another read like an extra epilogue... blah blah blah

'A Bright, New Beginning' Sergie and Bianca.
This is also a little introduction to another book in the series, you guessed it, Sergie's book. Pretty boring really.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved all the stories were the couples haven't got their mates yet in this series. Dimitri and Ivan' s were good too. The others were just okay. I wish their stories had been told at the present time and not from the middle of the series.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you discover the series late like me and you are hooked like me this is a nice book to get a a little bit of sneak of the new characters that they are coming into life with their new books but also to see how oldies one does and all. I still have a sweet spot for Dimitri ;)

[Marjorie Moya · Rating 5 out of 5]

love it

[Bati]

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[Nile Princess]

Can't rate this. I only read it for the m/m couple (Vasya's story) and that was all of like 7 pages. Sigh. Wonder if we'll ever get their full length book.

[Sabrina (Soter) Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Avrebbe voluto essere lui a condurre Vivian nelle danze su quella pista. Avrebbe voluto essere lui a farla divertire e a ricevere dalla ragazza un bacio sotto il vischio. Tutto quello che avrebbe voluto per Natale era Vivian."

Continuando la scia delle mie letture natalizie, mi sono letteralmente gettata a pesce su questa antologia di una delle serie che ultimamente si è fatta largo nel mio cuoricino romantico: sto parlando ovviamente de "Her Russian Protector"! Temporalmente si colloca tra il 3 e il 4 libro della serie, ma essendo ormai arrivata al 5 ho avuto la possibilità di vedere già l'happy ending di Sergei e Nikolai (e meno male, perché questi brevi bocconcini mi avrebbero fatta impazzire nell'attesa...come succederà per gli altri di cui ancora non è uscito il libro ç_ç). La prima storia è dedicata alla coppia Dimitri/Benny, i primi nel club dei russi a diventare genitori, intenti a "sistemare" il loro nido, in un'atmosfera di amore e trepidante attesa *ç*
Segue poi il turno di Alexei, la cui storia completa ci è ancora oscura sigh. La sua storia si lega in parte a quella di Nikolai, suo ex capo, ma ormai il nostro eroe è uscito da quel giro e si troverà inspiegabilmente attratto da una sua timida e giovane dipendente che si troverà nei guai e che, inspiegabilmente, sembra riuscire a leggere nella sua anima macchiata dal peccato... una storia simil "leone e agnello" insomma, che sarei ben curiosa di leggere!
La terza storia è stata una vera sorpresa, in quando dedicata ad un personaggio da me adorato ma sempre sullo sfondo: Ty, il migliore amico e socio di Lena. La sua storia mi è piaciuta davvero molto (e anche qui avrei voluto molto di più XD), non mi aspettavo un bel m/m con uno dei nostri sexy russi ma è accaduto XD
Arriva poi il turno del nostro boss Nikolai, che si strugge d'amore per la sua Vivian anche sotto le feste...o forse dovrei dire più che mai sotto le feste, povera anima tormentata!
Segue uno dei personaggi più misteriosi e intriganti dell'universo della Rivera, il "pulitore" Kostya, forse l'unico più "sporco" del boss stesso., alla cui storia è strettamente legato. Qui si anticipano dettagli sul prossimo volume della serie (e anche sulla storia dedicata a Danny), ma soprattutto vediamo la parte umana e profonda di Kostya, la sua ricerca della speranza e della luce incarnate nella figura della sua dolce vicina Holly, che salverà da un'episodio sgradevole (attacco di gelosia in arrivo XD). Del resto, come dice lui stesso, a Natale si può sognare in grande!
La storia dedicata a Danny, nuovo adepto della famiglia di Nikolai, è quella forse più "pura" e adolescenziale di tutte e, sebbene comunque godibile e dolce, risulta la meno intrigante e l'unica che non mi ha lasciato con la bruciante curiosità del sequel (sebbene indubbiamente lo leggerei XD).
La storia su Yuri è carina, ma come coppia non mi hanno mai fatta impazzire perciò l'ho seguita con poco interesse lo ammetto.
Viceversa, la storia su Ivan ed Erin racchiude un momento prezioso e super romantico, ed è stata bellissima! Un ottima integrazione del loro libro *ç*
Si chiude infine con Sergei, intento a stalkerizzare Bianca come sempre XD La loro storia è la più fresca nella mia memoria, ma non la più gradita, quindi diciamo che, come nel caso di Yuri, il mio interesse non era alle stelle XD

Nel complesso insomma una bella antologia, intrigante ma fin troppo breve, che lascia decisamente il desiderio di assaggiare le portate principali dopo un'antipasto di tutto rispetto!

[Manny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love comes in waves

I love how all these alpha Russian domineering men love and protect their mates. The female mates may succumbed to their dominant partners but they are pretty tough themselves. These females are alpha material. All these characters lives crisscross like everyday people. It's easy for me to love all these characters with all their past traumas and all that their futures promise.

[evette w · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magic Is All Around!

This story does exactly what it is supposed to do and that was give us a look at old friends and new discovered love and closing the deal on others. The writer wets your appetite just enough so that you are eager and hungry for more.

[Hazel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great way to preview the series

I liked these little vignettes of the different characters. It's an easy way to decide if you want to know more about particular men, esp for those who can't afford to buy the entire series

[K. Iwancio · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sprinkle of Christmas spice

A quick little read following some Russian mobsters. I’m Orthodox so it was awesome to see nods to that sprinkled in here and there. I haven’t read a fiction book with such references!

[Tracey Zelukovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving this series

[Mell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing to read this and know that some of the ‘promised’ books haven’t been released, more than 3 years later :(

[sharon beggan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Festive fun

A fun read about first Christmases together and also stories about new romances in the works. A great addition to the series. 😍

[Dawn Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas with each russian protector and how they do it their way

[Rosewhite · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐.

[Stefania Rispo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finito , piccolo scorcio del natale dei personaggi di questa serie , mi ha fatto conoscere anche altri personaggi che spero usciranno a breve, credo un po' impossibile ma sperare non costa nulla.

[Aurora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing

Enjoyed the follow up in the characters lives of the first novels in the series. Will there be a novel on Niels?

[Suntimes · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars
I loved the beginnings of all the romances, Alexei and Shay’s story seems most promising, other than Nikolai of course. I love Yuri and Lena.