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Christmas Fantasy
Austin McBride's business was fulfilling women's fantasies, but he'd never indulged in one of his own. Then he met Teddy Spencer. She was smart, sexy...and terrified of commitment. But she also needed him--to play the role of her lover at the company Christmas party. Austin was willing to take the job...as long as he could convince her to make it a full-time position!
216 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 1999
17 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
About the author
Janelle Denison
159 books559 followersIt’s hard for me to imagine that I’ve been writing romances for over twenty years now! I started at the young age of 21, just after I got married. Reading romances, and then writing them, came about as a result of having too much time on my hands. When I first married my husband Don, I was working a regular nine to five job and he worked swing shift, from four in the afternoon until midnight. It wasn’t an ideal schedule for newlyweds, and in order to pass those hours when I was alone I started reading romances, and eventually tried my hand at writing them.
The road to publication wasn’t an easy one. It took me five years and dozens of rejections to make my first sale, which was to Harlequin for their “Stolen Moments” line. THE FAMILY MAN, written under the pseudonym Danielle Kelly, was one of the twelve novellas published in 1993 for this promotional line.
It took me another two and a half years (and more rejections!) to sell my second book. HEAVEN’S GIFT (written under my own name) was published in October 1995 by Leisure Love Spell for their “An Angel’s Touch” series. Another two years passed of collecting even more rejections before I finally sold to Harlequin Romance and Harlequin Temptation. At the time, writing for both Temptation and Harlequin Romance provided me with a wonderful creative outlet for both my modern, ultra-sexy stories, and my warmer, traditional romances. But as the years passed, I realized how much I enjoyed writing the sexier stories and streamlined my career accordingly so that I was no longer writing the sweet traditional romances, and instead focused on the hotter, sexier stories for Temptation and Blaze.
After writing over two dozen books for Harlequin, I decided to branch out. I wanted to write anthologies and single titles, and came up with an idea about three sexy brothers with the last name of “Wilde”. Little did I know that those Wilde brothers would become such a sensation with readers. In the second Wilde book, WILDE THING, four Wilde cousins were introduced, and readers started writing in for their stories, too. It’s been a joy and pleasure to write each of the Wilde stories, and I want to thank everyone for purchasing those books and putting them on the USA Today Bestseller list!
I’ve been a full-time writer for years, which consists of being deep in deadlines, writing proposals (growling at the husband to fix a glitch in the computer so I can get back to work!), perusing contracts, line-edits (stressing over a scene that won’t work or characters that just won’t talk or cooperate with my plans for them!), galleys, art-fact sheets, promotion, and other publishing paperwork. Admittedly, I wouldn’t trade all the craziness in for pantyhose, rush hour traffic, and a nine-to-five job again. Writing is hard work, but I find the rewards are well worth the effort. Fan letters are one of those priceless rewards, and can keep me on a high for days! I’ve met the most wonderful people through my books, some of which I now consider good friends.
The road to publication wasn’t an easy one. It took me five years and dozens of rejections to make my first sale, which was to Harlequin for their “Stolen Moments” line. THE FAMILY MAN, written under the pseudonym Danielle Kelly, was one of the twelve novellas published in 1993 for this promotional line.
It took me another two and a half years (and more rejections!) to sell my second book. HEAVEN’S GIFT (written under my own name) was published in October 1995 by Leisure Love Spell for their “An Angel’s Touch” series. Another two years passed of collecting even more rejections before I finally sold to Harlequin Romance and Harlequin Temptation. At the time, writing for both Temptation and Harlequin Romance provided me with a wonderful creative outlet for both my modern, ultra-sexy stories, and my warmer, traditional romances. But as the years passed, I realized how much I enjoyed writing the sexier stories and streamlined my career accordingly so that I was no longer writing the sweet traditional romances, and instead focused on the hotter, sexier stories for Temptation and Blaze.
After writing over two dozen books for Harlequin, I decided to branch out. I wanted to write anthologies and single titles, and came up with an idea about three sexy brothers with the last name of “Wilde”. Little did I know that those Wilde brothers would become such a sensation with readers. In the second Wilde book, WILDE THING, four Wilde cousins were introduced, and readers started writing in for their stories, too. It’s been a joy and pleasure to write each of the Wilde stories, and I want to thank everyone for purchasing those books and putting them on the USA Today Bestseller list!
I’ve been a full-time writer for years, which consists of being deep in deadlines, writing proposals (growling at the husband to fix a glitch in the computer so I can get back to work!), perusing contracts, line-edits (stressing over a scene that won’t work or characters that just won’t talk or cooperate with my plans for them!), galleys, art-fact sheets, promotion, and other publishing paperwork. Admittedly, I wouldn’t trade all the craziness in for pantyhose, rush hour traffic, and a nine-to-five job again. Writing is hard work, but I find the rewards are well worth the effort. Fan letters are one of those priceless rewards, and can keep me on a high for days! I’ve met the most wonderful people through my books, some of which I now consider good friends.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 23, 2012
Enjoyed this one, it was pretty sexy and the hero yummy though the heroine blew hot & cold. Her girlfriends fulfilled her fantasies of a cowboy of hiring the hero, he runs a company Fantasy for Hire, which fulfills fantasies in 20 minutes and now is getting bored of the business and wants to run his landscaping business full time.
The heroine comes from a wealthy family with expectations that do not involve her having a job and liking it and now she is up for a promotion but her boss doesn't seem to take the hint she is not interested and instead she takes the hero's name in vain when he asks her if she has a boyfriend, so she goes to him for help.
I enjoyed the book, the hero was great and pretty sweet as well while the heroine was very tunnel-minded I mean she didn't realize that her need to rebel from her family was blinding her to the fact that she could have more, in the process she hurts the hero before coming to her senses.
The heroine comes from a wealthy family with expectations that do not involve her having a job and liking it and now she is up for a promotion but her boss doesn't seem to take the hint she is not interested and instead she takes the hero's name in vain when he asks her if she has a boyfriend, so she goes to him for help.
I enjoyed the book, the hero was great and pretty sweet as well while the heroine was very tunnel-minded I mean she didn't realize that her need to rebel from her family was blinding her to the fact that she could have more, in the process she hurts the hero before coming to her senses.
December 17, 2010
Christmas Fantasy is the book to read if you're looking for a fun series romance with lots of emphasis on the developing romance (imagine that?!) and excellent sensual tension. And, best of all it isn't filled to the brim with kids and/or boring subplots. As far as plots go this one is pretty flimsy but its fun. Teddy has made up an imaginary boyfriend to get a lecherous boss off her back and now must find a man to pretend to act as her boyfriend for the company Christmas party. The only suitable male that pops to mind is a male stripper she met on her birthday. (stop groaning, it's really not as bad as it sounds!) Austin had decided to retire from the stripping business and is concentrating all of his energies on making his landscaping business a success. But when Teddy lays out her plans he readily accepts because he'd been unable to get the sexy lady out of his mind.
Of course their play acting turns into the real thing and they both fall deeply in love. Austin makes a great hero, he's sensitive and even a bit insecure. Teddy, on the other hand, is almost too confident to warm up to but together they heat up the pages. I found this book nearly impossible to put down despite the silly romance tropes put into play to get them together.
Of course their play acting turns into the real thing and they both fall deeply in love. Austin makes a great hero, he's sensitive and even a bit insecure. Teddy, on the other hand, is almost too confident to warm up to but together they heat up the pages. I found this book nearly impossible to put down despite the silly romance tropes put into play to get them together.
January 17, 2021
Hot, romantic read
4 stars
Austin McBride's business was fulfilling women's fantasies but the gorgeous Teddy Spencer had him doing some fantasising of his own.
Independent Teddy was too focused on her career for any sort of commitment but she did need someone to pose as her boyfriend at her company Christmas party and Austin was the man for the job.
But would one incredible night convince Teddy to hire Austin full-time?
This was a fine, hot romance set over the Christmas period. Despite the festive setting there really isn't much in the way of Christmassy references so if you're looking for that warm, winter glow then you might be disappointed.
Teddy and Austin are both enjoyable characters and the pair work well together. Austin is technically a stripper but it is never portrayed as seedy and I can't imagine many having a problem with his line of work as it is written so well. The pages heat up with the sex scenes and there are plenty of them which is never a bad thing.
The story is enjoyable and although not terribly fast paced - it keeps you turning the pages and has all the romance that you should require.
While maybe not a great book - it is nevertheless fun and sexy and is worth a read if you get a chance.
December 4, 2020
Austin owns 'Fantasy for Hire' and supplies men in costume to dance and disrobe at birthday parties, etc. He's a man down and decides to don his cowboy costume one last time before selling up and concentrating on his landscaping business.
Teddy's a Graphic Designer close to a big promotion. She takes life seriously and hasn't time for any kind of relationship.
When her friends bring her to their favourite bar for her birthday you'll never guess who turns up as their present to Teddy - ok, you guessed it, none other than the Stripping Cowboy.
There's a spark, no question about it, so she hires him to pretend, once-off, that he's her boyfriend.
After that it's all about her not wanting a relationship, too much so, after a while it becomes annoying and one-dimensional.
Of course it all works out in the end - pity, really, it could have been so much better.
P.S. The book cover is strange and kinda creepy!
Teddy's a Graphic Designer close to a big promotion. She takes life seriously and hasn't time for any kind of relationship.
When her friends bring her to their favourite bar for her birthday you'll never guess who turns up as their present to Teddy - ok, you guessed it, none other than the Stripping Cowboy.
There's a spark, no question about it, so she hires him to pretend, once-off, that he's her boyfriend.
After that it's all about her not wanting a relationship, too much so, after a while it becomes annoying and one-dimensional.
Of course it all works out in the end - pity, really, it could have been so much better.
P.S. The book cover is strange and kinda creepy!
December 20, 2020
Junk food for the brain.
It's a romance. Many authors use a template where you change characters, location and timeline. They use it because it works. So as far as that goes, if romance is your guilty pleasure, you will enjoy indulging yourself in this one.
It's a romance. Many authors use a template where you change characters, location and timeline. They use it because it works. So as far as that goes, if romance is your guilty pleasure, you will enjoy indulging yourself in this one.
April 28, 2011
This was a fun way to spend a couple of hours this afternoon.
Unlike some of these inexpensive romance books at Amazon, this one was quite good. Plot, point AND heat.
Austin takes his clothes off to fulfill fantasies...he doesn't take all of his clothes off, just enough. He's NOT a paid escort.
Teddy just needs someone to pretend to be her adoring fiance...and she hires Austin.
There's a LOT of chemistry between them, more than enough to prove to those at her job that they are the real deal.
But Austin wants her to be the real deal...and Teddy is certainly leaning that way too.
Yes, a nice way to spend a few hours.
Unlike some of these inexpensive romance books at Amazon, this one was quite good. Plot, point AND heat.
Austin takes his clothes off to fulfill fantasies...he doesn't take all of his clothes off, just enough. He's NOT a paid escort.
Teddy just needs someone to pretend to be her adoring fiance...and she hires Austin.
There's a LOT of chemistry between them, more than enough to prove to those at her job that they are the real deal.
But Austin wants her to be the real deal...and Teddy is certainly leaning that way too.
Yes, a nice way to spend a few hours.
August 27, 2011
Teddy falls for Austin, hired by her friends to act out a fantasy on her birthday. Possibly the most egregious exemplar in the "tell, don't show" category I've ever read. The chemistry was well written, but both the foundation and the pace were unconvincing. Teddy was a generally bland and unsynpathetic character. Finally, I read this free on the Kindle, and this cover makes me sad.
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August 21, 2009Christmas Fantasy by Janelle Denison (2007)
May 6, 2011
The very first Harlequin I bought... Very lovely story :)
January 27, 2012
This was Avery fun read. Thought that the author did a great job developing the characters and that it ha terrific sexual tension. It left me smiling.
November 29, 2012
Je veux le même mariage !! ^^
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February 10, 2014Fantastic!!!!!!!!
wonderful...realistic but juicy story about life and personal values......well written ......makes you think about what is really important in life
wonderful...realistic but juicy story about life and personal values......well written ......makes you think about what is really important in life
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews