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Christmas with the Marine & Her Naughty Holiday
Christmas with the Marine by Candace Havens Major Ben Hawthorne To make one sexy civvy's Christmas wish come true Christmas is almost here, and guys are the last thing on personal shopper Ainsley Garrett's list. But her icy resolution melts when she sees an incredibly hot Marine shopping for toys. A man in uniform with a hot bod and a heart of gold? Maybe a gal can believe in Santa after all ... Major Ben Hawthorne has his career to think about, but when it comes to Ainsley, he's willing to break his own rules, at least for one night-provided they can get this insanely wicked attraction out of their systems. Only, once isn't enough. Now Ainsley's checking her list twice ... before she falls for a Marine who's naughty and nice. Her Naughty Holiday by Tiffany Reisz A feast she wasn't expecting! Clover Greene would sooner crawl into her oven than host family for Thanksgiving dinner, yet another annual ritual of too much food, served with a side of criticism over Clover's bad life choices has come again. This year, she needs to distract them all-with a handsome fake boyfriend. And she has the perfect guy in mind. Contractor Erick Fields is the poster boy for sexy single dads, and Clover has been secretly crushing on him for ages. She certainly wasn't expecting Erick to agree to her insane charade ... or to add lots of hot, wicked sex to the deal. If they can pull it off, the worst Thanksgiving ever might give them something to be really thankful for!
Audio CD
First published October 18, 2016
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About the author
Candace Havens
70 books1,019 followersBestselling author Candace Havens has published more than 25 books. Her novels have received nominations for the RITA's, Holt Medallion, Write Touch Reader Awards and National Readers Choice Awards. She is a Barbara Wilson Award winner. She is the author of the biography “Joss Whedon: The Genius Behind Buffy” and a contributor to several anthologies. She is also one of the nation's leading entertainment journalists and has interviewed countless celebrities from George Clooney to Chris Pratt. Candace also runs a free online writing workshop for more than 2000 writers, and teaches comprehensive writing classes. She does film reviews with Hawkeye in the Morning on 96.3 KSCS, and is a former President of the Television Critics Association.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 28, 2018
Christmas with The Marine by Candace Havens and Her Naughty Holiday by Tiffany Reisz
Narrated by Alexander Cendese and Gabrielle Cendese
Holiday Romance. Both complete standalones but part of series.
I’m a Christmas book whore, and I think this combo may be this year’s favorite, despite the fact that Her Naughty Holiday by Tiffany Reisz is actually a Thanksgiving book. WHY would they combine these???? At least put the Thanksgiving story first!
Christmas With The Marine by Candace Havens, narrated by Alexander Cendese
Major Ben Hawthorne lost a bet with friends and he was then in charge of buying all of the gifts on the Marine’s Toys for Tots gift list. As he was struggling in the Barbie section, another shopper came to his rescue. Ainsley was a professional shopper and she was excited to lend a hand on his quest.
They were both into their careers and had friends and family that forever try to set them up, so they decided to be each other’s plus-one for the holidays. With Ben growing up poor and Ainsley rich, some difficulties ensued, but I really enjoyed the way it was all handled.
Christmas with the Marine was a sweet, sexy, and fun read that totally got me in the Christmas spirit.
Narration: Alexander Cendese has a great guy voice, but I usually don’t like how he does females. This one was better than others I have heard him do.
Rating for Christmas With The Marine: 4 Stars, 3.5 Heat, 4.5 Narration
Her Naughty Holiday by Tiffany Reisz narrated by Gabrielle Cendese
NEW FAVORITE ALERT!!!!!!
Unfortunately, Her Naughty Holiday was actually a Thanksgiving book, so it was a weird combination to put these together, especially with this one second, but it didn’t stop me from absolutely LOVING this one! Gabrielle Cendese became a new favorite narrator. So much so that I’m not even sure if it was the narrator or the story I loved so much. I’ll just go with saying it was both.
Clover comes from a family of academics. She has a very successful nursery with two locations, but her family still treats the thirty-year-old like it is her hobby and she plays with plants all day. All they care about is that she doesn’t have a man in her life. When they all inform her they are coming to her for Thanksgiving, her anxiety is at an all-time high. Ruthie, her 17-year-old feminist and activist assistant suggests she hire a male escort to pose as her boyfriend, or maybe her 38-year-old hot dad, Erick can do the job.
"Are you offering to pay me to sleep with you?" He asked. "I hope so. That's been a fantasy all my life. I can go to a bar and you can come in and pick me up. We don't have to use real money. I'll accept Monopoly-"
"That's not what I'm asking."
"Bummer," he said. It was. He'd been nursing a crush on his daughter's boss for a good year now, ever since he met Clover the day Ruthie started working at the nursery.
He agrees to the deal, but they need to spend time to get to know each other before the holiday so they could pull it off, and let me tell you, they got to know each other in every way.
OMG, the banter between this couple was honestly some of my most favorite of any book I have read. I LOVE banter, and this couple talked and laughed so much, even during sex.
“He was the most erotic, sexy, sensual, dirty-mouthed man she’d ever known.”
Ruthie, the daughter, was super smart and snarky, and I absolutely loved her typical smart, activist teenager attitude. She was 17 going on 40. She was so lucky to have an amazing dad in Erick, and I loved how he joked around about how he couldn’t wait for her to move out whilst simultaneously acting like an amazing, involved dad.
The only thing that brought Her Naughty Holiday from 5++++ stars to 5 stars was her lack of sexual history, even at 30. This didn’t add anything to the story, and in fact, took away from how refreshing an older couple was.
The Narration: The first thing I did was to search for more books by Gabrielle Cendese. She was so unbelievably perfect for this funny banter-filled book, but there is only one other book I could find unless she uses another name. I really hope to hear more from her, because she is a new favorite voice! I assume she is Alexander Cendese’s wife.
Her Naughty Holiday is actually second in the Men at Work Series by Tiffany Reisz. The first is Her Halloween Treat (Kindle | Audio), then Her Naughty Holiday (Kindle | Audio), then One Hot December (Kindle | Audio). I will be grabbing them all.
I absolutely loved Her Naughty Holiday. If you love an older couple, a single dad, and TONS of conversation and banter, this is the book for you!
Rating for Her Naughty Holiday: 5 Stars, 4 Heat, 5+++ Narration
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December 25, 2018
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Christmas with the Marine by Candace Havens, narrated by Alexander Cendese
2 stars — Narrator was HORRIFIC. Like so bad that I honestly don’t know how I feel about the story, b/c I can’t think of the story without thinking of the narrator. Which is really unfair. I should have DNF’d it. I honestly don’t know why I didn’t. Probably b/c there are two books, and I wanted to give the other narrator a chance. But then I should have just skipped ahead, you know? So if we’re breaking this down, I’m giving the narrator 0.5 stars, and the book 3 stars, averaging out at 2.
So why did I dislike the narrator? There are a few reasons. His female voice narration was AWFUL. He made the women sound like airheads, and almost like caricatures of women. His narration of Ainsley’s British best friend was probably the most insulting. Honestly, you’d have to just give him a try to see if it would bother you too, just know that if it initially turns you off, it doesn’t get better. He also has a very forceful way of narrating in general, and it just wasn’t attractive to me… I noticed another reviewer (on another book he narrated) mention they thought it sounded like he was yelling, and that’s pretty close. The other strange affectation of his is that occasionally he would narrate lines in a tone that felt mocking of romance. Do I think he was mocking romance? No, definitely not…this is his job, it wouldn’t make sense for him to do that. But it sounded like if some douchey guys got a hold of a romance novel and over acted some of the lines, if that makes sense. It made me angry, even if I don’t think it was intentional. It felt insulting.
The book itself was okay…again, I don’t have a strong opinion on it. There was nothing objectionable, but the romance felt a bit superficial. Which is not completely accurate, b/c they did try to dive a bit deeper into both Ben’s past taking care of his Mom and sister and how that influenced his character…and similarly with Ainsley wanting to prove herself, and not feeling like she fits in with her family. So maybe the story is more 3.5 stars? I thought they were pretty cute together. But in the end the plot couldn’t overcome the narrator, so it’s not like it could have been outstanding.
Her Naughty Holiday by Tiffany Reisz, narrated by Gabrielle Cendese
5 stars — And this book was the absolute opposite of the previous. For one, I ADORED the narrator! I just discovered who she actually is, so it makes sense since she is a great comedian and actress. She had all these perfect, subtle inflections in her delivery, that just made it truly feel real. I LOVE it when listening to a narrator actually makes a book even more enjoyable. Like, I know I would have loved the book no matter what, but now I can’t imagine ever reading it instead of listening to it, b/c I would miss all the beautifully delivered snark.
And FUCK this book was good. Like immediately good too! Ruthie was absolutely hilarious, and I could just imagine her eccentric 17 year old self. She set up her boss and her Dad GOOD! And her conversation with Clover in that first chapter just sets up the tone for all my favourite interactions in this story. The way Erick interacts with Ruthie, the way Ruthie and Clover interact, and it all bleeds into the most amazing banter between Erick and Clover. I cannot even tell you how often I laughed out loud. I truly can’t, it was just delightful. I laugh silently quite often, but for a book to make me lose it out loud multiple times is just…perfection.
Clover was so sweet and unexpected. She was sassy, and strong, but vulnerable too. She grew so much over the course of the book, and OMG I fucking cheered when she came into her own over Thanksgiving supper! I think I developed a girl crush on her. I loved that she was so smart and driven, and knew what made her happy…and she just had to figure out how to get her family not to crush all of that for her.
And Erick…oh wow. BOOK BOY CRUSH!!! Book man crush? I don’t know. I just. OMG. The dry sarcasm. It was a thing of beauty. The way he interacted with Clover, the way he crushed on her, the way he appreciated her. The way he raised Ruthie, the way he was so sure of himself. Oh damn you guys, I can’t even. I really can’t. Obviously, since there are no complete sentences here. You know what else I loved? He was 38, he had some gray hairs, and Clover describes him as having a flat stomach, but NO 6 PACK!!! So the cover is completely misleading, and OMG it’s so relieving! I’m so tired of these cookie cutter guys! He was NORMAL!!!! Normally delicious.
And obviously their chemistry was off the fucking charts. I mean, holy crap, steam alert!! But fun steam!! With laughing and joking and candour and AHHHH!!!
I could listen to this one over again right now, that’s how much I enjoyed it.
So I would recommend giving the first one a brief try, but if you feel like me, just DNF and skip to chapter 18, and hopefully you’ll have the same great experience as I did.
Christmas with the Marine by Candace Havens, narrated by Alexander Cendese
2 stars — Narrator was HORRIFIC. Like so bad that I honestly don’t know how I feel about the story, b/c I can’t think of the story without thinking of the narrator. Which is really unfair. I should have DNF’d it. I honestly don’t know why I didn’t. Probably b/c there are two books, and I wanted to give the other narrator a chance. But then I should have just skipped ahead, you know? So if we’re breaking this down, I’m giving the narrator 0.5 stars, and the book 3 stars, averaging out at 2.
So why did I dislike the narrator? There are a few reasons. His female voice narration was AWFUL. He made the women sound like airheads, and almost like caricatures of women. His narration of Ainsley’s British best friend was probably the most insulting. Honestly, you’d have to just give him a try to see if it would bother you too, just know that if it initially turns you off, it doesn’t get better. He also has a very forceful way of narrating in general, and it just wasn’t attractive to me… I noticed another reviewer (on another book he narrated) mention they thought it sounded like he was yelling, and that’s pretty close. The other strange affectation of his is that occasionally he would narrate lines in a tone that felt mocking of romance. Do I think he was mocking romance? No, definitely not…this is his job, it wouldn’t make sense for him to do that. But it sounded like if some douchey guys got a hold of a romance novel and over acted some of the lines, if that makes sense. It made me angry, even if I don’t think it was intentional. It felt insulting.
The book itself was okay…again, I don’t have a strong opinion on it. There was nothing objectionable, but the romance felt a bit superficial. Which is not completely accurate, b/c they did try to dive a bit deeper into both Ben’s past taking care of his Mom and sister and how that influenced his character…and similarly with Ainsley wanting to prove herself, and not feeling like she fits in with her family. So maybe the story is more 3.5 stars? I thought they were pretty cute together. But in the end the plot couldn’t overcome the narrator, so it’s not like it could have been outstanding.
Her Naughty Holiday by Tiffany Reisz, narrated by Gabrielle Cendese
5 stars — And this book was the absolute opposite of the previous. For one, I ADORED the narrator! I just discovered who she actually is, so it makes sense since she is a great comedian and actress. She had all these perfect, subtle inflections in her delivery, that just made it truly feel real. I LOVE it when listening to a narrator actually makes a book even more enjoyable. Like, I know I would have loved the book no matter what, but now I can’t imagine ever reading it instead of listening to it, b/c I would miss all the beautifully delivered snark.
And FUCK this book was good. Like immediately good too! Ruthie was absolutely hilarious, and I could just imagine her eccentric 17 year old self. She set up her boss and her Dad GOOD! And her conversation with Clover in that first chapter just sets up the tone for all my favourite interactions in this story. The way Erick interacts with Ruthie, the way Ruthie and Clover interact, and it all bleeds into the most amazing banter between Erick and Clover. I cannot even tell you how often I laughed out loud. I truly can’t, it was just delightful. I laugh silently quite often, but for a book to make me lose it out loud multiple times is just…perfection.
Clover was so sweet and unexpected. She was sassy, and strong, but vulnerable too. She grew so much over the course of the book, and OMG I fucking cheered when she came into her own over Thanksgiving supper! I think I developed a girl crush on her. I loved that she was so smart and driven, and knew what made her happy…and she just had to figure out how to get her family not to crush all of that for her.
And Erick…oh wow. BOOK BOY CRUSH!!! Book man crush? I don’t know. I just. OMG. The dry sarcasm. It was a thing of beauty. The way he interacted with Clover, the way he crushed on her, the way he appreciated her. The way he raised Ruthie, the way he was so sure of himself. Oh damn you guys, I can’t even. I really can’t. Obviously, since there are no complete sentences here. You know what else I loved? He was 38, he had some gray hairs, and Clover describes him as having a flat stomach, but NO 6 PACK!!! So the cover is completely misleading, and OMG it’s so relieving! I’m so tired of these cookie cutter guys! He was NORMAL!!!! Normally delicious.
And obviously their chemistry was off the fucking charts. I mean, holy crap, steam alert!! But fun steam!! With laughing and joking and candour and AHHHH!!!
I could listen to this one over again right now, that’s how much I enjoyed it.
So I would recommend giving the first one a brief try, but if you feel like me, just DNF and skip to chapter 18, and hopefully you’ll have the same great experience as I did.
November 1, 2019
Christmas with the Marine -- 2.5 stars: The writing on this one was OK, but the "poor little rich girl" complex that the heroine had started to grate on my nerves after a while. The thing that really bothered me, was the male narrator's take on female voices. They all sounded cartoonish.
Her Naughty Holiday -- 5 stars: I really enjoyed this one. The female narrator is an actress that I recognize from Hallmark movies, so I was comfortable with her voice and her male character voices didn't throw me out of the story. The banter between the hero and the heroine was fun, and the sex scenes were not cringeworthy. Although the heroine of this book had a similar conflict with her family to the one that the heroine of Christmas with the Marine had, it was more fleshed out and realistic in this book which made the end of the book more satisfying. I would recommend this book for anyone who dreads spending the holidays with their relatives.
Her Naughty Holiday -- 5 stars: I really enjoyed this one. The female narrator is an actress that I recognize from Hallmark movies, so I was comfortable with her voice and her male character voices didn't throw me out of the story. The banter between the hero and the heroine was fun, and the sex scenes were not cringeworthy. Although the heroine of this book had a similar conflict with her family to the one that the heroine of Christmas with the Marine had, it was more fleshed out and realistic in this book which made the end of the book more satisfying. I would recommend this book for anyone who dreads spending the holidays with their relatives.
October 26, 2018
Christmas with the Marine - Candace Havens
A sweet Christmas romance. Again with the asshole parents.
Her Naughty Holiday - Tiffany Reisz
Re-read, first time in audio. Another really good one from Ms. Reisz. I wish that Clover hadn’t been a virgin. Is that really necessary in our day & age? The romance between Clover and Erick is sweet and sexy. I also wish that her family hadn’t been so irredeemably assholes, they felt too cartoonish to be real. I loved the relationship between Erick and his daughter - so much funny dialogue.
Bought from audible romance package
A sweet Christmas romance. Again with the asshole parents.
Her Naughty Holiday - Tiffany Reisz
Re-read, first time in audio. Another really good one from Ms. Reisz. I wish that Clover hadn’t been a virgin. Is that really necessary in our day & age? The romance between Clover and Erick is sweet and sexy. I also wish that her family hadn’t been so irredeemably assholes, they felt too cartoonish to be real. I loved the relationship between Erick and his daughter - so much funny dialogue.
Bought from audible romance package
November 25, 2018
First book was cute, but 2nd book was much better!!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews