A Wrong Bed Christmas: Ignited / Where There's Smoke

by Kimberly Van Meter, Liz Talley

The Wrong Bed—But the Right Guy!

Ignited by Kimberly Van Meter

What do you do when a sexy, naked fireman gets into your bed? If you're Alexis Matheson, you freak out. But now she's snowed in with Layton Davis, and suddenly Alexis's best intentions to behave seem to have disappeared up the chimney. Because a hot 'n' naughty firefighter in her bed might be the best Christmas surprise ever…

Where There's Smoke by Liz Talley

Emma Rose Brent is sure she's dreaming when Erik Matheson, her bestie's Überhot older brother—who she's been crushing on for years—mistakenly slips into her bed, all gloriously naked. But Emma must have been a very good girl this year, because she's been given the best gift of all: the chance to be really, really bad…

Genres: Romance, Christmas, Anthologies, Harlequin Blaze, Holiday, Contemporary Romance, Firefighters

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 20, 2015

Reviews

[Maria Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a two for one story, both novellas, about a brother and a sister (Erik and Alexis) who live together but mistakenly think that they're both out for the evening when they invite their respective friends Layton and Emma to stay the night in the other siblings room. It's a comedy of errors then as Erik and Emma end up in one room, and Alexis and Layton in the other, though they quickly realize things are amiss! What follows is Alexis and Layton getting their story (Ignited) and Erik and Emma getting theirs ( Where's There's Smoke) each written by a different author.
I thought the concept of the stories was quite fun, and with both men being firefighter's they were sure to be hot and steamy! That definitely followed through, and I also liked the Christmas theme to the stories as well. Both stories have a similar type conflict (best friend's sibling) to work through, though the stories take place in a short amount of time, and have happy for now endings. Low on angst and high on sexy times - it's a Blaze Christmas!

Note: this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both stories in this book are H-O-T. They will make the snow melt. However both women are different. Alexis is not shy about what she wants. So the chemistry between her and Layton was firing off on all cylinders. It is a good thing that Layton is a firefighter as he would have been called to put the fire out before it combusted.

Than there is Emma. She is not as talented in the "Sex Kitten" department. In fact, there is nothing more sexy and says come and seduce me like "mint green pajamas with puppy dogs." This is Emma's style. Yet, it works for her. Because in the end she does get the guy.

[Lindsi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

[Ariane · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got this book at last year's book club/white elephant/Xmas book exchange. I have never really read a book like this, although I did read the 50 Shades books. It was Christmas-time, and I decided "what the heck!"

It was definitely a fluff read, quick, and not at all what I would choose to read on a regular basis. It was interesting that it was set in Colorado, and I was almost convinced it was in Greeley! Eventually, I decided it must be set in Loveland - due to clues in the story. It didn't use the actual city name of Loveland, although it did use other real city names, highways, schools, etc. When I found myself analyzing why they would not use the name LOVEland in a Harlequin romance story, I realized that I was not getting the expected response from reading this book that the authors intended.

Oh well! I tried.

Now . . . who will I pass this book on to?

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heather's review from Smut MattersThis book was two separate but connected stories, Ignited, written by Kimberly Van Meter, and Where There's Smoke, written by Liz Talley. It was a really quick read; I got through it in about 90 minutes. I thought each of these stories was cute, although I didn't realize from the back cover copy that both of them were going to involve the "we can't date because of your sibling trope." I was very happy to see Layton, our hero from Ignited, tell Alexis that she was an adult and her brother would have to get used to the idea. Not enough people say that in books involving this trope.

Alexis and Emma stayed the night at Alexis's brother Erik's place, planning to leave in the morning. However, a series of unfortunate events meant they ended up staying an extra night. Thinking Erik was working, Alexis didn't bother to tell him they were staying. Erik ends up offering his fellow firefighter and good friend Layton his spare room to crash in after they fight a big fire because it's late and snowing and it's closer than Layton's place. Both of the guys, exhausted and barely functional by the time they shower and get undressed fall into their respective beds, not knowing those beds are already taken. Alexis, in her haste to get away from the potential rapist/murderer who has jumped into her bed, sprains her ankle pretty badly, making her unable to travel with Emma for the rest of the weekend. Layton volunteers to stay with Alexis, while Erik goes with Emma to her parents.

Alexis and Layton were up first. There wasn't a lot to their actual story; they're stuck in Erik's house while Alexis's ankle heals. How it was healing with all the activity, I don't know, but by the end of the story, it's just about back to normal. Erik and Emma had a little more story in their story; they were trying to get to Emma's parents and slid off the road. They were in a terrible spot and couldn't get cell reception, so they ended up taking refuge in a nearby abandoned cabin. I liked this one a little more; like I said, there was a little more story to this one.

I thought both of these novellas were fine, but due to their short length, there wasn't a lot of room for character development. Erik and Emma have a history together, though they haven't seen each other in a while. I did notice, however, that Erik didn't really worry too much about what Alexis would think of him dating her best friend, not nearly as much has Alexis worried herself over dating Erik's best friend. Emma was a little worried about it, but more in a "I hope this works out so it doesn't ruin my friendship" sort of way, less in a "Oh, no! I can't do it! Alexis will be so mad at me!" sort of way. I can understand that concern.

The other thing that bothered me about these novellas is related to that. Both couples had some level of anxiety about dating the sibling of the best friend. Or the best friend of the sibling. Or both, I guess. Alexis and Layton were well and truly freaked out about it, Emma and Erik were concerned it could ruin Alexis and Emma's friendship. But none of those concerns were resolved. Both stories ended without the couples discussing any of this and coming to some sort of understanding. As much as I don't love that trope, if it's that big a plot point, it should be resolved.

Overall, I thought this was a quick, harmless read. Christmas didn't play too big a part in it, other than Alexis trying to hang lights and Emma trying to get to a party.

[Playground of Randomness · Rating 5 out of 5]

First let me say that I threw everything on my to-do list aside for this book. And it was well worth it. This was a delicious, delightful sexy read and I enjoyed every minute of it. I did think there should have been some sort of resolution between the brother and sister (who both did their sibling's best friend).
Apart from that, I think this is a great Christmas read and I wouldn't be opposed to reading again (and again and...well you get the point)

[Rowena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review to come but cute! These books were too freaking cute.

[Kati · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the dialog was incredibly cheesy, but the stories were OK and characters were really likable.

[Rae Latte · Rating 5 out of 5]

A spicy firefighter holiday story of friends to lovers. Two brilliant authors tackle one huge plot. Two friends, two siblings. Find out what happens when they confront a snowstorm and their desire.

A laugh out loud spicy read! Don't miss this delicious story!

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never read a book like this so I have nothing to compare it to. There are 2 intertwined stories but both different. Spicy! I can't say much else because I have family on here. 😏
For ages 18 & up

[Lilian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed Ignited, but Where There's Smoke felt a little repetitive. Both were steamy and short. Not a bad way to spend a friday night.

[JoAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read my review on RomanceJunkies.com by clicking on the link below. It is also posted in full.

http://romancejunkies.com/reviews/a-w...

I rated it 3.5 but rounded to 4 on Goodreads

A WRONG BED CHRISTMAS in the WRONG BED SERIES has two connected novellas written by two different authors. They both are set at Christmas with best friend firefighters, Erik and Layton along with Erik’s sister, Alexis, and her best friend, Emma. These are steamy romances that have the characters spending a fair amount of time in bed. Van Meter is an author that I’ve read A CAUSE FOR JUSTICE previously while Talley is a new to me author. I will look for other books written by them to read sometime in the future.

IGNITED by Kimberly Van Meter

IGNITED starts off with a bang when Erik and Layton decide to crash at his house after fighting a fire when they should have already been off duty. The streets are icing up due to a storm but that’s nothing to what they will find when they get to bed that night since Alexis hadn’t vacated the premises like Erik had expected and her friend Emma is with her to boot!

The anger spewed at Layton by Alexis keeps getting worse the more her brother and even Emma try to placate her. When Alexis can’t go to Emma’s parent’s house the next day due to the sprained ankle she gets when chasing Layton out of her bed, Erik is recruited to go with Emma. When it’s just Layton and Alexis alone at Erik’s their attraction comes to a head and it’s steamy scene after steamy scene in between a few more domesticated activities. There are a lot of layers to both Layton and Alexis but we only seem to scratch their surface and don’t get the full effect of what makes them tick. There is nowhere near enough closure and an epilogue would have been a nice touch.

http://kimberlyvanmeter.com/



WHERE THERE’S SMOKE by Liz Talley

WHERE THERE’S SMOKE is Emma and Erik’s story and what happens to them due to inclement weather and poor judgement on the way to her parent’s house. I didn’t like that Talley gave a lot of the background that we had just read in IGNITED especially since some of it was written word for word. They’ve known each other practically all their lives but she’s always been his sister’s friend and there were never any sparks between them or was there? When they’re stranded due to the weather they each get to see another side of the other and like what they see. But will they act on it since Emma is his sister’s best friend and Erik is Alexis’ brother?

There are burn up the sheet moments that neither seemed to expect. Watching them deal with their insecurity of what they are getting involved in was heartbreaking especially when they were each scared to tell the other how they feel. There was the potential for a happily ever after in the future but will it happen? An epilogue would have given me the closure I was expecting and hoping for.

http://www.liztalleybooks.com/

I rated it 3.5 but rounded to 4 on Goodreads

[Sheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first story is funnier but stupid stuff kept throwing me out of it, like a character who supposedly knows how to cook "enjoying a sizzling kiss that was hotter than baking peanut brittle." You don't bake peanut brittle; it's made on top of the stove, and the character is presented as someone who makes the stuff. Then she is making gingerbread cookies and first she's "working" the dough, then "her hands were stuck in dough, trapped in the sticky glob," and finally she rolls it out straight off. The author seems to think cookie dough is worked like yeast dough, and doesn't seem to know sticky dough must be chilled before you roll it out.

I realize not everyone's a cook, and I've certainly seen dumber cooking mistakes in other romances, but every standard cook book has a gingerbread cookie recipe, and all the ones I've ever seen recommend chilling. It's not the end of the world when an author doesn't do her home work, but stuff like that still pulls me up short sometimes. There were some non-cooking-related things that had my eyes rolling as well, but it is a little unfair to expect characters to act realistically in a Harlequin....

On the other hand, I do love the heroine, Alexis, who says things like, "My mom says I’ve always suffered from a lack of tact, but my dad says I don’t seem to suffer from it at all.” and "I don’t know if you could tell, but I’m not the type of person who takes orders very well. I’m much better at giving than following them.” The hero can keep up with her, as in this conversation just after she's discussed her deplorable ex by the name of Riker:

[hero decided] turnabout was fair play so he let loose with a little intel. “All right...you shared, so I’ll give you something in return. Her name was Julianne. Jules for short.”

Alexis snapped her fingers with a definitive shake of her head. “Yep. Gotta steer clear of anyone named Jules—immediate problem.”

“Is that so?”

“Absolutely. You should also avoid anyone named Tiffany or Brittany and if they spell their names with an i run like hell.”

“Good advice.” He nodded, adding for her benefit, “Conversely, any guy named after a Star Trek Next Gen character you should avoid like the plague. Born players. They’re all concerned with going ‘where no man has gone before.’”

I enjoyed the first story despite the occasional groaners. A chapter or so into the second story and I was thinking it wasn't going to work, even though I adore the trapped in a cabin together trope. The heroine seemed a total wuss and spent so much time worrying that the hero could never see past her past child self. But she developed some backbone and after that there were far fewer "Wait, what?" moments. Plus the ending was sweet, so I ended up liking it the best.

Neither story would win any awards with me but both were fun Christmas reads.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

*E-ARC provided by Publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review*

Story #1: Ignited by Kimberly Van Meter

Characters: Alexis Matheson & Layton Davis

Older brother’s best friend and wrong bed stories are among my absolute favorite romances to read. I think I read my first Wrong Bed story in Harlequin’s Temptation line and have continued to love and read them in Blaze. They are the type of books I will search out and buy before others because I just love the dynamics associated with them. And that is particularly true in Ignited.

Seriously. Who wouldn’t want to find a sexy, naked fireman in your bed at Christmas? And then to be snowed in alone with him? Yes, please.

Ignited is a well-written, well-characterized romance read. It’s also sexy, naughty, and plain old fun. I loved Alexis’s reaction to finding Layton in bed with her, and his reaction to her reaction. Perfect introduction to both characters, and to the story as well.

I loved this read a lot. The characters were so well-written and the story was really engaging. It also had some great foreshadowing for the next story, which I appreciated because it made me even more anxious to read Where There’s Smoke since this tale was so good.

If you love books with a wrong bed and stranded with an older brother’s best friend tropes, Ignited is a fantastic story to read and the perfect lead into the holiday season.

rating

5stars

Story #2: Where There’s Smoke by Liz Talley

Characters: Emma Brent and Erik Matheson

Wrong bed plus stranded with best friend’s brother? I’ve died and gone to heaven. Three of my favorite tropes combined in one read. Love it!

I really loved that this story started out in Erik’s point of view. I loved his character right away and think the author did a fantastic job with him, and with his reaction to Emma now that she’s all grown up. In fact, of all the characters in this book, Erik is by far my favorite. I just really liked him right off the bat. Emma, too, actually.

This story had a great natural feeling flow to it that I seriously appreciated. It was fast-paced, easy to read, and fun, with a sexual and emotional intensity I loved. They had some great emotional depth to them, giving this story a lot of punch for such a short tale. I loved it!

If you love wrong bed plus stranded with best friend’s brother’s stories, Where There’s Smoke is a fun, fast-paced, sexy read with two fantastic characters that were absolutely perfect for one another. Highly recommend!

rating

5 stars

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

See more of my reviews on my blog Thoughts At One In The Morning.

Upon finishing, my initial reaction:

AH! I loved these two books. It was amazing how they connected together and were so super sweet.

My Thoughts (full review):

When I first glanced at this pretty, I didn't realize it was two stories in one. It was actually a very welcome surprise in my opinion. The two stories parallel each other, and they couldn't be more amazing!

In Kimberly Van Meter's Ignited, we have Alexis and Layton. She isn't supposed to be in the house when he accidentally climbs into bed with her. When her best friend and her brother leave them alone and they end up being snowed in together, they start to get to know each other, as friends and something much more. Alexis and Layton have this adorable charm together, and I loved watching their romance blossom.

In Liz Talley's Where There's Smoke, we have Emma and Erik (Alexis's best friend and brother). They head off in the snow and end up getting in an accident. After being unable to contact anyone on their phones, they go into an abandoned cabin not far from there for shelter, warmth, and food. For years Emma and Erik have had feelings for each other, and now that they're stuck together alone, they finally have the chance to see if they can have more.

Both books in A Wrong Bed Christmas were great! I loved how they happened alongside each other and that you could just feel yourself in the story. I'm so glad I had the chance to read these two stories!

My Rating: Very Good

[Books and Spoons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two hot and steamy novels inside one cover. Both of these stories are fun, filled with joyful, sexy banter. The stories are connected, telling how a sister and her firefighting brother found their love's for the Christmas with each other's best friend. The stories have 'happy for now' ending, and lots of sexy scenes.
In the first story, both Alexis and Layton have bad experiences with past romance, but the attraction between them is strong, and not something they can resist for a long. The only hitch on their way is Alexis' protective brother, who told Layton to keep his hands away from his sister. While they are preparing for Christmas and sharing their history, Layton and Alexis start to develop feelings for each other, and wonder, maybe facing Erik, and his protective streak, is worth the problem, to see where the sizzling attraction can take them.
In the second story, Where There's Smoke, Erik and Emma end up in a car accident, and spending a night in a deserted cabin in a middle of a snowstorm. With only wine, chocolate and cookies for a snack, they try to spend their time with a puzzle and strip poker. Erik is blown away by the adult Emma, whom he hasn't seen for seven years. She has developed into a beautiful lady, like right out of his dreams. To stay warm, they end up sharing their body heat, and that turns up into blazing fire in between them.
Both of these stories are fun and entertaining, sure heat up the pages, and put you in a holiday spirit
~ Four Spoons

[Book Reading Gals · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: A Wrong Bed Christmas

Series: Romance
Author: Kimberly Van Meter, Liz Talley

Genre: Romance

Blurb: The Wrong Bed—But the Right Guy!

Ignited by Kimberly Van Meter

What do you do when a sexy, naked fireman gets into your bed? If you're Alexis Matheson, you freak out. But now she's snowed in with Layton Davis, and suddenly Alexis's best intentions to behave seem to have disappeared up the chimney. Because a hot 'n' naughty firefighter in her bed might be the best Christmas surprise ever…

Where There's Smoke by Liz Talley

Emma Rose Brent is sure she's dreaming when Erik Matheson, her bestie's überhot older brother—who she's been crushing on for years—mistakenly slips into her bed, all gloriously naked. But Emma must have been a very good girl this year, because she's been given the best gift of all: the chance to be really, really bad…

Thoughts: So with Wrong Bed Christmas, we have two connected stories about a brother and sister who both wind up falling in love in a wrong bed scenario of crazy events. Both are novella length. While I did enjoy these stories, they also didn’t really blow me away either. I enjoyed the first one a little more than the second, which I had trouble connecting with for some reason – which is unusual since this is a troupe that I typically enjoy.

Rate: B-
Review by: Sarah
http://www.thebookreadinggals.com

[Andrea Guy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Wrong Bed Christmas is a twofer. Two novellas that are intertwined. The two stories involve two bffs and two super hot guys. I usually like the premise, but for some reason this book didn't work for me as much as I would have liked it to. I enjoyed it, but I have read better.

Alexis and Emma are one their way to Emma's parents when they get stuck in a storm. Alexis decides to stop back home thinking her brother was working, only he finishes up and arrives home with a friend who finds his way into bed with Alexis.

I had such issue with both of the stories. With Ignited, I just didn't like Alexis. She had boyfriend issues, so she decides that Layton can only be a fling, only they both seemed to enjoy each other for more than that.

The second story is Emma and Erik. Of the two stories, I liked this one better. Emma is a little more straight laced. Emma's had a crush on him for years.

That part of the story I was good with. I love when crushes actually come to something. The probably was everything was cheesy, foolish or just left me with a wtf.

First, their is a snow storm and Erik and Emma decide to go out in it?

Huh?

They wreck the car and then stay in an abandoned cabin?

What could go wrong?

Of course everything works out and they fall madly in love.

And that is why this book didn't work for me.

[Elle Markov · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this fun two for one, we get two very hot holiday romances involving firemen, because we all know being hot is a requirement to be a fireman.

In the first story we have Alexis Matheson and Layton Davis, who after a very unconventional and hilarious start, find they may have just met their other half.

In the second story we have Erik Matheson and Emma Brent. Since Alexis is unable to accompany her friend on a little road trip, her brother Erik volunteers. With a little snow, an ill advised detour and some breaking and entering, these two finally give into and acknowledge their feeling for each other.

This is a fun book to read on a cold or if you're from Southern California a warm winter night.

Rating 5 out of 5
Read@Book

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed that this book was two books in one with the first telling the story from the perspective of one couple and the next told a similar story from the perspective of the second couple. I also appreciated how it wasn't boringly repetitive in the short explanation given where the stories overlapped. It was more like tuning in to a favorite TV series of which you already know the backstory. I was surprised though at how descriptive and semi vulgar the more intimate moments were written, much more "risqué" than the days of romance novels gone by where the reader's imagination would be doing most of the work.

[Wendy Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A unique romance story, actually stories. There are two stories in the book one of Alexis Matheson and the events of the weekend her way and the other story of her brother Erik Matheson and how the weekend turned out for him. Alexis and her girlfriend, unknown to Erik, end up spending the night at his home. Erik and his friend return to Erik's house in the early hours of the morning exhausted from fire fighting. They each end up in bed with a hot lady. The weekend just keeps getting better from then on.

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads

[Princess Thuy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two hot and sexy stories in one book. What more can you ask for? It was really great how both authors tied in their stories with the other's. The first story is about Alexis and Layton while the second story is about Alexis' best friend, Emma and Alexis' brother, Erik. I loved how the stories developed. Just wish there was an epilogue so we can read what happened when all four reunited after the storm. A little something extra to give me that finalized HEA would've been nice.

[Kj · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. The first story, Ignited, was just ok. I really don't like when characters go on and on about their exes and constantly compare the people that are currently in their lives to past, failed relationships. Still, it was an ok read. The second story, Where there's smoke by Liz Talley, was fantastic.

[Isha Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kimberly Van Meter and Liz Talley supplied the inferno. A Wrong Bed Christmas consists of cute stories with super hot characters and situations that will leave steam coming out of every pore. This fiery anthology has what it takes to turn you on and make you smile. Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Destiny Unlocked · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love how the two stories go hand in hand. There was never a boring moment in either story. They both had a good pace and felt like a great escape. All four characters were lovable and easy to get to know. You could enjoy this book like one does a romantic comedy or even a soap opera from back in the day. Can't go wrong purchasing this one!!

[Harlequin Books]

"These two authors work well to create one cohesive story with two distinct scenarios in their own voices" (RT Book Reviews, 4 stars).

Miniseries: The Wrong Bed

[Darlene Otet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received the book for free through Goodreads Giveaways. I loved this book! A little more erotic than I am used to but otherwise a great book. Two books in one - and both are very good romance stories - and how can you go wrong with a Christmas romance - loved it!

[Jamie]

It is a good quick read, usually with two novellas in the same book they have the same theme. But I really enjoyed how they connected throughout the stories as well. For them each being realitively short, the characters had a decent amount of depth. So glad I won this one.

[Lisa (Remarkablylisa) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only liked this book because where there's smoke was cute and the whole scenario they were in was adorable. Ignited was just annoying to me because "sassy" characters come off bitchy and annoying to me when done poorly and that was this case. It was also kind of lame.

[Carole · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very frustrating - neither story impressed - cliched writing, annoying people in first book and second not much better. DNF

Toasted from Ebook Library - can't believe I had to pay for this as part of my Blaze Subscription.