Mistletoe Match-Up

Romancing Wisconsin #3

by Stacey Joy Netzel

When Lisa Riley comes home for her brother Mark's Christmas Eve wedding, her high school rivalry with his wife Janelle's cousin, Derek Walsh, picks up right where it left off, only this time Derek has the upper hand. Santa bides his time as they battle it out because he's waited a whole year for this mistletoe match-up.

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Holiday, Contemporary Romance, Small Town Romance

ebook

First published November 29, 2009

About the author

Wisconsin native Stacey Joy Netzel fell in love with books at a young age, so for her the graduation to writing them was natural. A member of Romance Writers of America (RWA) and Wisconsin Romance Writers (WisRWA), she credits her parents for encouraging her dreams of becoming a published author, as well as the very talented friends she’s made in WisRWA since joining in 2004. Her Christmas anthology, MISTLETOE RULES, took 1st place in WisRWA's 2010 Write Touch Readers' Award. Check out her romantic suspense Colorado Trust Series, Trust in the Lawe, Shattered trust, and Shadowed Trust. Other titles include: Lost In Italy, Ditched Again, Welcome to Redemption Series, Chasin’ Mason, Dragonfly Dreams, If Tombstones Could Talk.

An avid reader and big fan of movies with happy endings, Stacey lives in Wisconsin with her husband and three children, a couple horses and some barn cats. She works part-time as a travel agent, and in her limited free time she enjoys gardening, canning, and visiting her parents in Northeastern Wisconsin (Up North) at their cabin on the lake.

Reviews

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book three in this series is so good. I really enjoyed the tension between Lisa and Derek. They are so competitive even when they don't need to be. Christmas is the time for happy ever afters.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Lisa and Derek's book! My favorite so far. Things aren't always what they seem.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This third novella in the Romancing Wisconsin series is every bit as good as the first two. The characters are well developed and entertaining. The sparks fly as Lisa and Derek pick up the competition from where they left off in high school. It's a sweet romance with some sizzling scenes. If you want a feel good story, pick up any of these three novellas.

[Marran · Rating 5 out of 5]

a little more tension in this one..a bit of a love-hate thing going on and I loved it...just as sweet and cute as the other two stories but with some sizzling scenes..I do love the sizzling :-)

[AnjaliC · Rating 5 out of 5]

What A Christmas Match-Up Where Everyone Is A Winner!

The best thing about this book is that author Stacey Joy Netzel redeemed this series and did not disappoint whatsoever! I read this book in one sitting and enjoyed every moment of the rivalry between the protagonists.

Mistletoe Match-Up is the third book in the Romancing Wisconsin Series. I loved the first book, I liked the second one but this one blew me away!

Santa's Helper, Derek Walsh has had to prove himself all his life. He is now successful and self-assured but there used to be a time when things were not so easy. He is happy to see his cousin, Janelle marrying the love of her life, but it also means that they might not be as close as before, as she will have her own family. Moreover, the wedding occasion also means the presence of the person who was a thorn in his side all throughout high school.

Political Campaign Enthusiast, Lisa Riley is back in Pulaski, Wisconsin to attend her brother Mark's marriage to Janelle Walsh. She was always the star and the over-achiever amongst her family and is well-known in the town for her athletic achievements too. However, she is harbouring a few secrets and insecurities of her own. She does not want to reveal her issues or her fears, especially to the bane of her existence from her past life.

However, what can these two rivals do when they are so attracted one another?! Well, they can deal with some interesting circumstances that give the reader an amazing roller coaster ride! The character development that occurred, mixed in with more supporting roles from the families and people who appeared from the first two books, made reading this book such a treat. Every scenario was worth it and fun! The issues that the authoress covers in dealing with fear, is so true and it gives us food for thought. This story had me enthralled. The romance and sexual tug of war was off the charts.

I want to read more of the Romancing Wisconsin Series, where the author has divided it into volumes and covers all the seasons. I am putting this series in my wish list. Stacey Joy Netzel just became one of my favourites in the Series genre that involves small towns, romances and family, similar to Elena Aitken.

If you are a fan of the enemies to lovers trope along with competitive spirits on full display, hot romance and some good characters with a great Christmas theme, you will relish your time with this tale!

[Deb Diem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mistletoe Match-Up is a fun holiday romance by Stacey Joy Netzel. Ms. Netzel has provided readers with a well-written book. This is a fairly quick read, perfect for those with limited reading time. The characters in this story are fantastic and you'll get to visit with characters from previous books. Derek has always come in second when in competition with Lisa. When she arrives back in town for her brother's wedding the competitions start all over again. Derek and Lisa's story is full of drama, humor and spice. I enjoyed reading this great holiday story and look forward to reading more from Stacey Joy Netzel in the future. Mistletoe Match-Up is book 3 of the Romancing Wisconsin Series but can easily be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

I voluntarily read a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

All through school Lisa and Derek had always been competitors, from academics and sports to who would be valedictorian. Then she left her town on a university scholarship and a promise of a beautiful future. When she returns for her brother's wedding, she's paired with Derek in the wedding party and their rivalry begins again. But when you work against each other long enough, someone is about to combust, and boom did they ever! After she admits she's staying longer than they expected, he's determined to find out why. With a little help from Santa and a lot of mistletoe, they finally find a home with each other. It's a very cute series!

[Bette Stanek · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one may be my favorite so far. There are all the same characters so you get updated on what everyone has been up to. Mistletoe Matchup focuses on Lisa, Mark and Eric’s sister, and Derek, Janelle’s cousin. Lisa and Derek competed with one another all throughout high school and it seems the rivalry isn’t being left behind. Lisa has returned to Pulaski and she's not leaving. Derek isn’t sure how he feels about that. This time, when the rivalry reignites there seems to be more to it…… Another fun, cute, quick story in the Romancing Wisconsin series.

[Sonia Cristina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Não gostei de quase nada, além de rever os personagens dos 2 livros anteriores. Não gostei nada da protagonista e aquela mania dela de competir por tudo e por nada, como se fosse uma garota. Depois da magia que foram os 2 livros anteriores, não esperava mesmo este balde de água fria.

[Kim Ruiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun rivalry

Lisa and Derek were rivals in high school until she moved away. Now she is back and the rivalry is up and running only this time the prize just might be each other. Love this series the characters and supporting characters.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa and Derek are funny the way they compete! Great series!

[Diane Swart · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun to read series.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just not a fan of the character Lisa Riley at all.

[Katie Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Perfect ending to this trilogy! I enjoyed the competition between Derek and Lisa, especially the basketball game.

[Cheryl Steckling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mistletoe Match-up by Stacey Joy Netzel
Romancing Wisconsin Series Book 3
Lisa Riley comes home for her brother Mark’s Christmas Eve wedding to Janelle and it turns out that Lisa’s rival from High school is Janelle’s cousin Derek Walsh. They want to pick almost right where it left off and this time Derek has the upper hand.
Santa Butch bids his time while they battle it out as he has already waited a whole year for the mistletoe match-up. This book was just as good at Books 1 & 2.
Lisa was late for his brother’s wedding and Derek couldn’t help but remind her that she was still the spoiled princess she was in high school. They had competed over everything in high school from GPA, to Basketball, to debate club etc.
Mark and Janelle do get married and Derek and Lisa since compete over things.
Lisa ends up moving back home and she had car issues and that is why she was late to the wedding.
The families were enlarging, Eric and Marissa with the daughters Reese and Heather had added a set of twins to the family and just now found out they would be adding one more to the family.
When Lisa and Reese went to find Derek at the New Year’s Eve gathering. Reese noticed the mistletoe about his head. He tried so hard to back away but Reese protested that it was bad luck. Once again “Mistletoe Rules.”.
Lisa had been into politic relations and now was the new Public Relations Manager for Brown County. She admitted that she loved Derek and was not going anywhere. Sounds like Santa wins out again.
I am sure you will enjoy the book and also the others in the series and also love the rest of the series.

[Silverana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Third book in the series and just as good as the first two. Netzel does a great job of creating a romance for the winter season.

I loved how Derek and Lisa started out competing to be the best at everything in high school and a certain type of competitiveness continues when they meet up again. They are paired up more than once in the story and meet up due to their family connections several times. The ending was great. Lisa had to show Derek her feelings for him and despite a small mistake she made in their relationship, Derek tries to keep her safe…from the cold :P

[Beth Cutwright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again I found myself as involved as ever with the Riley family. Lisa and Derek were the perfect at odds couple to fall deeply in love with one another. They still had that rivalry and competitive edge, with a little bit awe for how one another had grown into adulthood. How they reached their AHA moments was very endearing and once again Mistletoe rules! I enjoyed this good feeling series as a whole and wouldn't mind visiting the Riley family again at another point in time. Stacey Netzel is a great storyteller and she has captured a bit of Christmas magic with her written words!

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Time for some more Mistletoe and maybe a little Match Up to go with that mistletoe. So have you all been wondering the same thing I have, what is this rivalry between Derek and Lisa? I mean really could it be that bad? Maybe but I am giving nothing away all I can tell you is it is worth reading to find out what this Rivalry is all about.

[Yolanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Derek and Lisa were by far my favorite couple in this series. They are so feisty, and I love reading every second. I really hope this is not the end of this series, because I fell in love with all the characters. They are fun short reads.

[Tabi34 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is about the third Riley child. It has the most sex in it.
Lisa comes home a failure in her mind. Derek still thinks of her as the girl who always one-upped him. Sparks fly and romance settles in. Cute story. All of the Riley children have now found love.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved, loved, loved the ENTIRE series!!!

[Josette Reuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third in the series, this story shows how two rivals can be just what each other needs. A sweet ending to three great stories. I just wish the were longer.

[Mary Stanford · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet series for the holidays, even though it can be read at any time.

[Marijayne Stegman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great third addition to this series, very satisfying change to the characters, great conflict and resolution.

[Lora J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!!!! I like your style of writing the both sides if story some very good sex and a lot if love great read for me thx

[Danni · Rating 3 out of 5]

All 4 books for $0.99. Read the first. Liked the characters.

[Jalissa Mooney · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rivalry based on a misunderstanding. No wonder they fell for each other. A match made in Heaven to be honest.

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the message of staying true to yourself and never giving up.

[Julie]

Mistletoe Rules

I enjoyed this story, we met some characters from previous books in the series, as well as a new one, there is definitely a rivalry between the 2 main characters, always trying to outdo each other but in a good way,