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Sweet Heat #1
Hints of Spice
When Cin Bradley packs up and moves herself, her mother, and her baby girl away from their home in Connecticut, she has no plans to make a love connection. She’s just trying to get settled into her new house, new job, and new life – until Landry Augustin comes to her front door. Together, they explore the potential of a romance neither was looking for – sweet, and a little spicy.
PLEASE NOTE that Cin Bradley first appears in the book LOVE ON THE HIGHLIGHT REEL. There may be references and elements that do not make sense outside of the context of that project. This is a short little thing, exploring what happened to her after she moved away. This project, in entirety, was formerly available on my website. This version, for kindle, DOES NOT have additional content. The content contained here is no longer available on the website.
PLEASE NOTE that Cin Bradley first appears in the book LOVE ON THE HIGHLIGHT REEL. There may be references and elements that do not make sense outside of the context of that project. This is a short little thing, exploring what happened to her after she moved away. This project, in entirety, was formerly available on my website. This version, for kindle, DOES NOT have additional content. The content contained here is no longer available on the website.
73 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 10, 2016
137 people are currently reading
783 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
March 28, 2022
Hot & Spicy
Landry & Cinnamon made a cute couple….you could almost feel the chemistry and connection from the beginning of their story. I think beside the development of their relationship, Momma Sage was the best part of the story, she was Hilarious.
Landry & Cinnamon made a cute couple….you could almost feel the chemistry and connection from the beginning of their story. I think beside the development of their relationship, Momma Sage was the best part of the story, she was Hilarious.
September 6, 2020
Hints of Spice is the kind of black romance I love. Cin and Landry are two professionals who just so happen to share a “risqué” interest if you will. Cin use to be a stripper back in the day and Landry loves to frequent strip clubs. She finds out about his strip club love when they happen to run in to each other on Friday night at where else?!!! A strip club. Landry finds out about Cin’s past when ole homely azz, petty azz, and jealous azz Vera snitches. I love that these characters have this taboo interest they don’t judge one another for. Hell, it actually intensified their attraction to each other. This may have been Cin’s story but, Mama Sage stole the book! That woman was hilarious! I loved Ms. Sage and Cinnamon's relationship with each other. Ms. Sage is the mama we all deserved. I know I’m three years late to this series but, Mama Sage needs her own book. Hints of Spice was a heartfelt and delightful love story.
May 28, 2023
Make it Sweet AND Spicy
Cin had moved and was walking into a fresh start with her mom and baby Yara. She was feeling happy and accomplished with her new job and house, the feeling of content was loud and proud. Until Landry crossed her path. This big, caramel, handsome tree of a man had her speechless, and I couldn't blame her 😩. He definitely had her wanting more sooner than expected. More of him to be exact. Cin was a little scared to share her full background, so she kept them in a sweet safe zone. Unbeknownst to her Landry was open to a LOT of spice. Yesss🌶️ Safe to say Landry was bae and I loved how he advocated for her and shut the haters all the way down. Also a man accepting a child is always a soft spot for me. He was too sweet with baby Yara. Mama Sage was spicy too and I loved her brashness. I enjoyed the sweet and spicy sides of this short!
Cin had moved and was walking into a fresh start with her mom and baby Yara. She was feeling happy and accomplished with her new job and house, the feeling of content was loud and proud. Until Landry crossed her path. This big, caramel, handsome tree of a man had her speechless, and I couldn't blame her 😩. He definitely had her wanting more sooner than expected. More of him to be exact. Cin was a little scared to share her full background, so she kept them in a sweet safe zone. Unbeknownst to her Landry was open to a LOT of spice. Yesss🌶️ Safe to say Landry was bae and I loved how he advocated for her and shut the haters all the way down. Also a man accepting a child is always a soft spot for me. He was too sweet with baby Yara. Mama Sage was spicy too and I loved her brashness. I enjoyed the sweet and spicy sides of this short!
January 3, 2023
I liked this quick novella very much. After Cin moved, I wondered what she would be doing. It was pleasant to read about Cin and Landry. Mama Sage was a mess but provided some memorable comic relief. I didn't like Vera or Maggie.
November 5, 2020
This book was everything! So cute, I love Landry’s interactions with nutmeg!! So steamy!! Landry and Cin are so hot, their chemistry blew the roof off the house! And Sage is so funny!! Can she be my mom?! Starting book two immediately
September 7, 2016
When youth counselor Cin moves from Connecticut with her mother and baby daughter, Yara, the last thing on her mind is finding a man. She's more interested in getting settled in her new job and getting her hew house together. Of course, her mother has other ideas. Especially when Landry Augustin and his landscaping team show up to take care of her garden. Of course sparks fly between them--and we love every second of it. But when Cin's past comes back to haunt her, will it mean the
end of her newfound happiness?
Christina Jones has a knack for writing love stories that practically crackle with honest-to-goodness sexual tension and chemistry. She does not disappoint with Hints of Spice. I loved the dynamic between Cin and Landry, and her mother's blatant attempts at matchmaking made me smile. This is a quick read (well, it took me a while to finish reading it, but that was do to work commitments and trying to finish writing my own book) but this is a quick read and it's an incredibly enjoyable one.
A definite 5-star read for me! :)
end of her newfound happiness?
Christina Jones has a knack for writing love stories that practically crackle with honest-to-goodness sexual tension and chemistry. She does not disappoint with Hints of Spice. I loved the dynamic between Cin and Landry, and her mother's blatant attempts at matchmaking made me smile. This is a quick read (well, it took me a while to finish reading it, but that was do to work commitments and trying to finish writing my own book) but this is a quick read and it's an incredibly enjoyable one.
A definite 5-star read for me! :)
November 3, 2020
2.5*
This was a fast, enjoyable novella!! It just wasn’t for me and I didn’t really care about the characters or the side plot
This was a fast, enjoyable novella!! It just wasn’t for me and I didn’t really care about the characters or the side plot
March 12, 2024
Cin x Landry
Cin's mom being a meddler was so funny.
Also, F Vera.
Cin's mom being a meddler was so funny.
Also, F Vera.
April 6, 2025
Loved Cin and Landry. Wished this book was longer. There story was so good. Vera was a nut from the very beginning and she got what was coming to her.
February 21, 2017
A very short and spicey novella. Loved Cin in Love On The Highlight Reel and it was a joy reading her story. Loved Mama Sage.
January 7, 2022
sweet heat
That is an absolute perfect name and description. I loved the characters, the concept, the message. A very enjoyable and easy read. Ms. Sage is a whole mess but my favorite part of the story honestly.
That is an absolute perfect name and description. I loved the characters, the concept, the message. A very enjoyable and easy read. Ms. Sage is a whole mess but my favorite part of the story honestly.
September 10, 2016
Simply put, I enjoyed reading this one, but... I didn't care for the rushed epilogue..
Giving this one: 3 stars.
Giving this one: 3 stars.
August 10, 2018
This book is so good and I absolutely love author Christina C. Jones. I haven't read all of her books but I am slowing make my way through each of her releases.
Cinnamon aka Cin Bradley has begun a new start in a state, a new job and a new life with her baby Yara and her mother Sage. The last thing Cin is looking for is romance, she just want to concentrate on her rambunctious daughter (who is hysterically cute) and her matchmaking momma who had me cackling like nobody's business. Since she purchased her new home, Cin has hired a landscaping business to take care of the outdoors while her momma was scoping out the men from the company, enters in to her line of vision is the "Black Thor" (I am telling that description had me cackling like a darn hen). Black Thor's real name is Landry Augustin, the owner of the business who very quickly catches the eye of baby Yara, what Landry doesn't realize is that once he comes face to face with the owner of said home, the french creole will come to the surface and stay there to get to know the owner and her family.
Landry Augustin is a ladies man and he loves it that way but after a woman he was dating attacks another woman in the nail salon, he scales back completely, what Landry doesn't do is drama. So when his eyes land on Cin, he immediately takes her as a quiet and nice woman, who he would love to corrupt but a few short conversations with her has him thinking differently and just wanting to get to know her, but a chance encounter in an upscale strip club brings him face to face with the divine Cin. Now Landry has to rethink everything he originally thought about Cin and now he really want to get to know her in every possible way.
This book has everything, family, friends and jealously (that witch Vera), love, sex, romance and real laughter that will have you rolling. I highly recommend this book and any book for that matter by author Christina C. Jones. I haven't read all of her books but I am making my way through her collection. I look forward to purchasing more from this great author.
Well Until My Next Review...Ciao Bellas!
Cinnamon aka Cin Bradley has begun a new start in a state, a new job and a new life with her baby Yara and her mother Sage. The last thing Cin is looking for is romance, she just want to concentrate on her rambunctious daughter (who is hysterically cute) and her matchmaking momma who had me cackling like nobody's business. Since she purchased her new home, Cin has hired a landscaping business to take care of the outdoors while her momma was scoping out the men from the company, enters in to her line of vision is the "Black Thor" (I am telling that description had me cackling like a darn hen). Black Thor's real name is Landry Augustin, the owner of the business who very quickly catches the eye of baby Yara, what Landry doesn't realize is that once he comes face to face with the owner of said home, the french creole will come to the surface and stay there to get to know the owner and her family.
Landry Augustin is a ladies man and he loves it that way but after a woman he was dating attacks another woman in the nail salon, he scales back completely, what Landry doesn't do is drama. So when his eyes land on Cin, he immediately takes her as a quiet and nice woman, who he would love to corrupt but a few short conversations with her has him thinking differently and just wanting to get to know her, but a chance encounter in an upscale strip club brings him face to face with the divine Cin. Now Landry has to rethink everything he originally thought about Cin and now he really want to get to know her in every possible way.
This book has everything, family, friends and jealously (that witch Vera), love, sex, romance and real laughter that will have you rolling. I highly recommend this book and any book for that matter by author Christina C. Jones. I haven't read all of her books but I am making my way through her collection. I look forward to purchasing more from this great author.
Well Until My Next Review...Ciao Bellas!
April 21, 2021
This was so good...nice and spicy
This author continues to give us story after story connecting so many character dots feeling like the six degrees of separation. It is executed flawlessly. I absolutely live Cin and Landry. Momma Sage was hilarious and Yara was adorable. It is sad how people operate under jealousy but folks like that never prosper. This was a great and sexy read.
This author continues to give us story after story connecting so many character dots feeling like the six degrees of separation. It is executed flawlessly. I absolutely live Cin and Landry. Momma Sage was hilarious and Yara was adorable. It is sad how people operate under jealousy but folks like that never prosper. This was a great and sexy read.
May 12, 2022
This novella was everything! Cin and Landry were what I love to see in Black romance. They had amazing chemistry, the flirting was top tier, and the attraction for each other was electrifying. But honestly, my favorite character was Sage, Cin’s mother. I kept picturing Jenifer Lewis as her. She was hilarious and endearing at the same time! Hint of Spice was hot, funny, and a quick read. CCJ always hits.
January 1, 2018
Short and sweet and like its namesake...just a hint of spice. Boggles my mind how much UMPH CCJ can pack into such small stories. How is it that with so few pages i'm already in love with Landry, Sage, Yara and Pru. AMAZING.
January 4, 2025
adorbs
I love being immersed in CCJ’s world! It was good to catch up with Cin after her move! I wouldn’t mind more of her and Landry but I’m satisfied with their HEA. I LOVED the comparison of Vera to Roz from Monster’s Inc! That was frickin’ hilarious!
I love being immersed in CCJ’s world! It was good to catch up with Cin after her move! I wouldn’t mind more of her and Landry but I’m satisfied with their HEA. I LOVED the comparison of Vera to Roz from Monster’s Inc! That was frickin’ hilarious!
August 26, 2017
Quick and spicy
I read parts of this last year as blog post it was great and wondered how it closed. Its quick funny dramatic and sexy. Who could as for more👍👌
I read parts of this last year as blog post it was great and wondered how it closed. Its quick funny dramatic and sexy. Who could as for more👍👌
September 4, 2022
amazing narration and story
February 11, 2025
Cin + Landry
5⭐️ I loved this so much!!!!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰 I didn’t really care too much for Cin in Love On The Highlight Reel (Connecticut Kings series) butttttt I enjoyed her in this one.
5⭐️ I loved this so much!!!!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰 I didn’t really care too much for Cin in Love On The Highlight Reel (Connecticut Kings series) butttttt I enjoyed her in this one.
June 30, 2025
4.75 🌟
Short but sweet. 🥰🫶🏽
Short but sweet. 🥰🫶🏽
August 14, 2025
Forever and always a MMC switching languages will be sexy as hell to me. I loved their story.
September 15, 2025
sweet and spicy
this novella had the perfect balance of sweetness with a “hint of spice” hehehe 🤭 CCJ’s pen checks all of my boxes, per usual!
this novella had the perfect balance of sweetness with a “hint of spice” hehehe 🤭 CCJ’s pen checks all of my boxes, per usual!
May 21, 2024
Cin, Landry, and their Hints of Spice made a GOOD READ! From the first moment that she laid eyes own what she described as a "Black Thor" I was into it, LOL. I found myself imagining what that must look like. In the next chapter, we find out that he is thinking quite the same thing about her. And that's when the real fun begins! They quickly discover their mutual attraction and begin a whirlwind romance that takes them on a wild journey filled with unexpected twists and turns.
February 18, 2019
Just ok.
I definitely wanted more from this book. I felt like everything was rushed. I wish I knew more about the characters. I very disappointed.
I definitely wanted more from this book. I felt like everything was rushed. I wish I knew more about the characters. I very disappointed.
March 24, 2023
Cin + Landry
I was very shocked that I didn’t care for this book.
To be completely fair, the narration ruined most of Landry’s portion for me, but the rest was cemented by the cringy “Louisiana” phrases and commentary Landry supplied. We do not talk like that, I promise😂
I also wasn’t a fan of the conversations centered around Cin’s past. Even the “positive” review still felt slightly slut shame-y. I don’t know if I’ll continue this series.
I was very shocked that I didn’t care for this book.
To be completely fair, the narration ruined most of Landry’s portion for me, but the rest was cemented by the cringy “Louisiana” phrases and commentary Landry supplied. We do not talk like that, I promise😂
I also wasn’t a fan of the conversations centered around Cin’s past. Even the “positive” review still felt slightly slut shame-y. I don’t know if I’ll continue this series.
August 17, 2016
SPICEY!
Christina Jones has written a novella, Hints of Spice, that features Cin Bradley, one of the female minor characters who appeared in Love on the Highlight Reel. Cin has paid off all student loans, graduated with a Masters degree, left the stripping business, packed up her mother and baby, bought a house and moved to start her new life. What an accomplishment!
Her "new life" includes meeting one Landry Augustin, a hunk of a man who is instantly attracted to Cin.
There are some bumps in their budding relationship because of Cin's past. There is also a "hater" named Vera who gets all up in Cin's mix.
Loved this novella. I really hope that author, Christina Jones will expand it into a full blown out novel, and perhaps a series. There is a great deal of story potential with the array of characters that are introduced. Hints of Spice is a hit, and I recommend it.
Christina Jones has written a novella, Hints of Spice, that features Cin Bradley, one of the female minor characters who appeared in Love on the Highlight Reel. Cin has paid off all student loans, graduated with a Masters degree, left the stripping business, packed up her mother and baby, bought a house and moved to start her new life. What an accomplishment!
Her "new life" includes meeting one Landry Augustin, a hunk of a man who is instantly attracted to Cin.
There are some bumps in their budding relationship because of Cin's past. There is also a "hater" named Vera who gets all up in Cin's mix.
Loved this novella. I really hope that author, Christina Jones will expand it into a full blown out novel, and perhaps a series. There is a great deal of story potential with the array of characters that are introduced. Hints of Spice is a hit, and I recommend it.
August 13, 2016
Wow..
I thought I wouldn't hear anything else from Cin after " Love on the Highlight Reel", but surprise, surprise, Christine Jones had other ideas. This was a nice, smooth flowing novella that I truly wished would have been a novel, lol. Cin and Landry had so much chemistry that it oozed from the pages from beginning to end. Hopefully Mrs. Jones will come with a little more from this Intriguing couple, and don't get me started on Pru and Xavier who were definitely screaming out the fact that they deserve their story to be told. Hint, hint, lol... I can not end this review with mentioning, Sage, Cin's mother. I'm still laughing at some of her antics as far as Landry, lol. I wouldn't mind her having her own book to give more insight on the true Sage Bradley...
T
I thought I wouldn't hear anything else from Cin after " Love on the Highlight Reel", but surprise, surprise, Christine Jones had other ideas. This was a nice, smooth flowing novella that I truly wished would have been a novel, lol. Cin and Landry had so much chemistry that it oozed from the pages from beginning to end. Hopefully Mrs. Jones will come with a little more from this Intriguing couple, and don't get me started on Pru and Xavier who were definitely screaming out the fact that they deserve their story to be told. Hint, hint, lol... I can not end this review with mentioning, Sage, Cin's mother. I'm still laughing at some of her antics as far as Landry, lol. I wouldn't mind her having her own book to give more insight on the true Sage Bradley...
T
October 15, 2021
This was fast and easy read. I loved it. I haven't noticed that it was 2.5 but it's okay.
I loved the romance a lot and really I would have totally read a full length novel of these characters. I loved Yara 🥰 the baby girl and the sweetly embarrassing and endearing relationship with the mother.
So for a novella, this is 3.5 cause it needed to be a little longer but I totally recommend it.
I loved the romance a lot and really I would have totally read a full length novel of these characters. I loved Yara 🥰 the baby girl and the sweetly embarrassing and endearing relationship with the mother.
So for a novella, this is 3.5 cause it needed to be a little longer but I totally recommend it.
April 23, 2022
Spice & everything Nice
I loved how Cin and Landry relationship grew. Their relationship was enthralling, organic, freeing and desirable. I really liked the personality and character of Cin and Landry but my all time fav was Ms. Sage, funny and a straight shooter. Vera deserved an a** beating but the actual outcome is sufficient, lol. I would definitely like to read more about Cin, Landry and Nutmeg
I loved how Cin and Landry relationship grew. Their relationship was enthralling, organic, freeing and desirable. I really liked the personality and character of Cin and Landry but my all time fav was Ms. Sage, funny and a straight shooter. Vera deserved an a** beating but the actual outcome is sufficient, lol. I would definitely like to read more about Cin, Landry and Nutmeg
Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews