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Holiday Heat
A steamy Halloween novella from NAACP nominee and USA Today bestselling author, Beverly Jenkins…
For by-the-book ATF agent, Eve Clark, winter usually means long cold nights spent alone. But when she's persuaded to attend a masked ball, Eve decides to throw her rulebook to the side, for once in her life. Abandoning her inhibitions, she shares a steamy night with a mysterious partner. And come morning, she’s back to her usual strict routine…
But Leyton Palmer can’t get the incredible woman who he spent the night with out of his mind. He’s determined to track Eve down and show her that the night neither can forget was only the start of something sensational.
*This is a reissue, originally published in the Once Upon a Holiday anthology*
For by-the-book ATF agent, Eve Clark, winter usually means long cold nights spent alone. But when she's persuaded to attend a masked ball, Eve decides to throw her rulebook to the side, for once in her life. Abandoning her inhibitions, she shares a steamy night with a mysterious partner. And come morning, she’s back to her usual strict routine…
But Leyton Palmer can’t get the incredible woman who he spent the night with out of his mind. He’s determined to track Eve down and show her that the night neither can forget was only the start of something sensational.
*This is a reissue, originally published in the Once Upon a Holiday anthology*
97 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 29, 2024
44 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Beverly Jenkins
70 books4,821 followersBeverly Jenkins is the recipient of the 2017 Romance Writers of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as the 2016 Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award for historical romance.
She has been nominated for the NAACP Image Award in Literature, was featured both in the documentary “Love Between the Covers” and on CBS Sunday Morning.
Since the publication of Night Song in 1994, she has been leading the charge for inclusive romance, and has been a constant darling of reviewers, fans, and her peers alike, garnering accolades for her work from the likes of The Wall Street Journal, People Magazine, and NPR. Her critically acclaimed Blessings series has been optioned for film by John Legend’s and Mike Jackson’s production company Get Lifted, and Hollywood and Broadway powerhouse Deborah Martin Chase.
To read more about Beverly and sign up for her newsletter, visit her at www.BeverlyJenkins.net.
She has been nominated for the NAACP Image Award in Literature, was featured both in the documentary “Love Between the Covers” and on CBS Sunday Morning.
Since the publication of Night Song in 1994, she has been leading the charge for inclusive romance, and has been a constant darling of reviewers, fans, and her peers alike, garnering accolades for her work from the likes of The Wall Street Journal, People Magazine, and NPR. Her critically acclaimed Blessings series has been optioned for film by John Legend’s and Mike Jackson’s production company Get Lifted, and Hollywood and Broadway powerhouse Deborah Martin Chase.
To read more about Beverly and sign up for her newsletter, visit her at www.BeverlyJenkins.net.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 10, 2024
4.5... thanks to giselle for this recommendation 🫶🏽 when my girl said the police were involved, i almost didn't know what to expect. but i liked this. beverly writes the classiest erotica.
November 5, 2024
This is a holiday novella from Beverly Jenkins, it apparently was part of an anthology before but just got its own publication outside of that. I love Bev’s historical romances and since I’ve read them all, I’ve been meaning to get into her contemporary books so I figured this was a good start into that! This novella ebook was available through my library (hoopla) and it starts off at a Halloween masquerade party so we get some fun hidden identity trope happening!
She’s an ATF agent, he’s a cop and arson investigator. They meet at the Halloween party in costumes and share a night together, it moves very quickly. After their night, they go their separate ways and end up running into one another again on an arson work case (without knowing who one another is from their steamy night together). The novella is short but I feel like it spent too much time on the arson and criminal case and I wanted more of the couple together. Still fun though for a novella.
She’s an ATF agent, he’s a cop and arson investigator. They meet at the Halloween party in costumes and share a night together, it moves very quickly. After their night, they go their separate ways and end up running into one another again on an arson work case (without knowing who one another is from their steamy night together). The novella is short but I feel like it spent too much time on the arson and criminal case and I wanted more of the couple together. Still fun though for a novella.
October 12, 2024
now, that Halloween party was definitely Diddy-ish, but I'm not mad at it! I need an invite, honestly! I just love how Beverly Jenkins writes spice! it's always just enough & never too much, truly tasteful. she also masterfully weaves in action into her love stories. this modern cop romance was very on brand, cute, fairly-thrilling & to the point. fun & sexy for Halloween! I get sooo much envy reading her stories lol, I need all of that!
October 22, 2024
Once again, Beverly Jenkins 👏🏽👑💐💖
The people came ready for that party. Their costumes included donkeys, penguins, pimps, airplane pilots, etc. What an interesting range that was, but I enjoyed knowing that Eve and Leyton weren't the only ones dressed. Further than that I loved that Eve took control of her destiny for that night!
Yes, I am glad this was a re-issue from its original publication within Once Upon a Holiday: Holiday Heat / Candy Christmas / Chocolate Truffles. Thank you @Midnight for making sure Holiday Heat was on my radar!
The people came ready for that party. Their costumes included donkeys, penguins, pimps, airplane pilots, etc. What an interesting range that was, but I enjoyed knowing that Eve and Leyton weren't the only ones dressed. Further than that I loved that Eve took control of her destiny for that night!
Yes, I am glad this was a re-issue from its original publication within Once Upon a Holiday: Holiday Heat / Candy Christmas / Chocolate Truffles. Thank you @Midnight for making sure Holiday Heat was on my radar!
February 21, 2025
And what heat it was!
I liked the premise and the manner of the connection between these two high powered law enforcement people! Leyton aka Captain Palmer and Eve aka AFT agent Clark were brought together in a masquerade holiday party, enjoyed each other and were poised to return to their regularly scheduled lives. Someone taking advantage of Detroit's devil/angel night's activities found these two destined to never see each other again, together as partners to solve an arson involving a project set to revitalize the Detroit area. Watching these two work together and slowly learn of their prior connection brought smiles to my face and giggles to my romantic bones watching them find forever when all they initially wanted was a night! I enjoyed this romantic suspense novella very much!
I liked the premise and the manner of the connection between these two high powered law enforcement people! Leyton aka Captain Palmer and Eve aka AFT agent Clark were brought together in a masquerade holiday party, enjoyed each other and were poised to return to their regularly scheduled lives. Someone taking advantage of Detroit's devil/angel night's activities found these two destined to never see each other again, together as partners to solve an arson involving a project set to revitalize the Detroit area. Watching these two work together and slowly learn of their prior connection brought smiles to my face and giggles to my romantic bones watching them find forever when all they initially wanted was a night! I enjoyed this romantic suspense novella very much!
November 17, 2025
I really enjoyed this quick and romantically steamy Halloween-themed read. The main characters, Eve and Leyton, were both sexy, and I loved their chemistry. The way Eve gamed the system at the Halloween party was boss behavior, and Leyton was down for the tactics. As always, the author Beverly Jenkins delivers both entertainment and education. Before reading this story, I had never heard of "Angel's Night" and "Devil's Night" in Detroit. This story was released at the perfect time (it was re-released as a stand-alone) and fit perfectly with a sexy Halloween theme. Given Eve and Leyton's careers, I would have loved for this to be a full-length novel; it would have made for an "even more" intriguing story to the already intriguing story!
November 24, 2024
A bite sized of Ms Bev
3.5 stars
This was a cute and sexy story. I enjoyed reading about Eve and Layton. And how 1 night together eased into so much more.
I liked Eve’s no nonsense attitude and that Layton could respect her as they worked together
There’s obviously some things I’m leaving out as I don’t want to spoil the story, but I’m sure you’ll get the gist very quickly.
Do be prepared for some weird formatting and some grammatical errors. There were some paragraphs that were weirdly split or the quoted lines blew into one another. It can take you out of the story a bit but not enough to make it any less enjoyable.
3.5 stars
This was a cute and sexy story. I enjoyed reading about Eve and Layton. And how 1 night together eased into so much more.
I liked Eve’s no nonsense attitude and that Layton could respect her as they worked together
There’s obviously some things I’m leaving out as I don’t want to spoil the story, but I’m sure you’ll get the gist very quickly.
Do be prepared for some weird formatting and some grammatical errors. There were some paragraphs that were weirdly split or the quoted lines blew into one another. It can take you out of the story a bit but not enough to make it any less enjoyable.
September 5, 2025
I have almost all of Beverly Jenkins books and I love love all of them.
I liked holiday heat because it was short and sweet. I don't read much,however I love audio books to the point where I have my favorite narrators. Most of the books I enjoy are on Audible.
Holiday Heat characters were real life and a true accounts of feelings. Love is sometimes unexpected and mystical. This story was a reflection of that.
I liked holiday heat because it was short and sweet. I don't read much,however I love audio books to the point where I have my favorite narrators. Most of the books I enjoy are on Audible.
Holiday Heat characters were real life and a true accounts of feelings. Love is sometimes unexpected and mystical. This story was a reflection of that.
July 29, 2025
Fire!!
I have been an fan of Beverly Jenkins since " forever "! She is beyond talented. This book was intriguing and heartfelt. I like how the characters role played, but in reality felt the heart warming sincerity of what they discovered in each other. I am always awaiting the next adventure from Ms. Beverly's pen.
I have been an fan of Beverly Jenkins since " forever "! She is beyond talented. This book was intriguing and heartfelt. I like how the characters role played, but in reality felt the heart warming sincerity of what they discovered in each other. I am always awaiting the next adventure from Ms. Beverly's pen.
October 15, 2024
I really enjoyed this quick and steamy Halloween-themed novella. The main characters, Eve and Leyton, sizzled. So much packed into this short story, including highlighting their careers! I definitely would have enjoyed a longer story!!
October 28, 2024
Sultry holiday treat (Halloween) themed story about two law enforcement officers who met under anonymity at a Halloween party. Sparks fly! I truly liked the way Jenkins weaves her pen to pain a picture of love in this contemporary short holiday read.
May 7, 2025
Enjoyable
This started out a little rocky for me and I didn't love the formatting issues, but I ended up really enjoying this. I liked Eve and Layden together, especially when they were working together without knowing who each other was.
This started out a little rocky for me and I didn't love the formatting issues, but I ended up really enjoying this. I liked Eve and Layden together, especially when they were working together without knowing who each other was.
June 20, 2025
Another great Beverly Jenkins read
wonderful vacation read! thanks! Beverly Jenkins is my favorite author. Her book are always insightful as well as inspiring. The love scenes she writes are always tasteful and beautiful with strong and loving characters.
wonderful vacation read! thanks! Beverly Jenkins is my favorite author. Her book are always insightful as well as inspiring. The love scenes she writes are always tasteful and beautiful with strong and loving characters.
October 14, 2024
Unexpected Partnership
Eve Clark was a dedicated ATF agent. Leyton Palmer worked for the Detroit Police Department. Their meeting and working on arson case was destiny.
Eve Clark was a dedicated ATF agent. Leyton Palmer worked for the Detroit Police Department. Their meeting and working on arson case was destiny.
October 27, 2024
Holiday heat
Great read, people protectors get a bad fix when trying to maintain a family. I agree people in the same profession has a better chance of making a relationship work.
Great read, people protectors get a bad fix when trying to maintain a family. I agree people in the same profession has a better chance of making a relationship work.
October 27, 2024
Great short story!
This short story very worth the read! As always, a great storyline that could possibly be extended into another series!!!
This short story very worth the read! As always, a great storyline that could possibly be extended into another series!!!
November 2, 2024
Hot!!!!
I enjoy this book from the beginning to the end it was hot, I will recommend this book to my ladies and gentlemen too, so they can know what to do with a goddess
I enjoy this book from the beginning to the end it was hot, I will recommend this book to my ladies and gentlemen too, so they can know what to do with a goddess
November 24, 2024
Quick Read
Another great story by Beverly Jenkins. This was a great quick read. The story was filled with adventure, mystery and love. Love it!
Another great story by Beverly Jenkins. This was a great quick read. The story was filled with adventure, mystery and love. Love it!
January 1, 2025
Great short story
There was never a dull moment. I was in from beginning to end. They were perfect for each other. Well worth the read.
There was never a dull moment. I was in from beginning to end. They were perfect for each other. Well worth the read.
July 2, 2025
HOT
If you are looking for hot and steamy this is it!! You will not be able to put it down.
If you are looking for hot and steamy this is it!! You will not be able to put it down.
October 20, 2025
Beautiful Live Story
A wonderful story line with great characters. I love all books written by Beverly Jenkins they are great reads. Amazing author. Althea
A wonderful story line with great characters. I love all books written by Beverly Jenkins they are great reads. Amazing author. Althea
November 13, 2025
Quick Romantic Story
I enjoyed this short love story. The main characters made me smile. I would love a full and detailed story about them.
I enjoyed this short love story. The main characters made me smile. I would love a full and detailed story about them.
August 31, 2025
Eve and Leyton
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews