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Red Hot Santa: Snowball's Chance/Santa Slave/Runaway Santa/Killer Christmas
This holiday season, four bestselling authors give the gift that keeps on giving: gripping tales of special agents in a covert agency, out to protect the innocent...by any means necessary.
Snowball’s Chance by Cherry Adair
Kendall decks the halls, unaware that a serial killer has her on the top of his list. Of course, being naughty with the sexy good guy sent to protect her would be so nice.
Santa Slave by Leanne Banks
After her best friend disappears, Hilary takes matters into her own hands and finds herself caught in the throes of danger, while a hunky male operative hopes to mix pleasure with business.
Runaway Santa by Pamela Britton
Biologist Kaitlyn Moneypenny’s research is finally leading to a big scientific breakthrough...and mortal peril. When bullets start to fly, so do the sparks between Kaitlyn and her Santa-clad rescuer.
Killer Christmas by Kelsey Roberts
When several Santas are murdered at a swanky department store, the new CEO, Meghan Beckham, had better watch out, had better not cry – because a serial killer has come to town.
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
26 people are currently reading
576 people want to read
About the author
Cherry Adair
77 books1,468 followersAlways an adventurer in life as well as writing, New York Times best-selling author Cherry Adair moved halfway across the globe from Cape Town, South Africa to the United States in her early years to become a interior designer. Now a resident of the Pacific Northwest she shares the award- winning adventures of her fictional T-FLAC counter terrorism operatives with her readers.
Cherry settled in beautiful San Francisco, where she started what eventually became a thriving interior design business. "I loved being a designer because it was varied and creative, and I enjoyed working with the public." A voracious reader when she was able to carve out the time, Cherry found her brain crowded with characters and stories of her own. "Eventually," she says, "the stories demanded to be told."
When asked why she chooses to write romantic action adventure, she says, "Who says you can’t have adventure and a great love life? Of course if you’re talking about an adventurous love life, that’s another thing altogether. I write romantic suspense coupled heart-pounding adventure because I like to entertain, and nothing keeps readers happier than a rollercoaster read, followed by a happy ending."
Popular on the workshop circuit, Cherry gives lively classes on writing and the writing life. Pulling no punches when asked how to become a published writer, Cherry insists, "Sit your butt in the chair and write. There's no magic to it. Writing is hard work. It isn't for sissies or whiners."
Cherry loves to spend time at home. A corner desk keeps her focused on writing, but the windows behind her, with a panoramic view of the front gardens, are always calling her to come outside and play. Her office has nine-foot ceilings, a fireplace, a television and built-in bookcases that will house approximately 3,500 paperback books.
"What can I say? My keeper shelf has been breeding in the middle of the night, rather like drycleaners' wire clothes hangers.”
Cherry settled in beautiful San Francisco, where she started what eventually became a thriving interior design business. "I loved being a designer because it was varied and creative, and I enjoyed working with the public." A voracious reader when she was able to carve out the time, Cherry found her brain crowded with characters and stories of her own. "Eventually," she says, "the stories demanded to be told."
When asked why she chooses to write romantic action adventure, she says, "Who says you can’t have adventure and a great love life? Of course if you’re talking about an adventurous love life, that’s another thing altogether. I write romantic suspense coupled heart-pounding adventure because I like to entertain, and nothing keeps readers happier than a rollercoaster read, followed by a happy ending."
Popular on the workshop circuit, Cherry gives lively classes on writing and the writing life. Pulling no punches when asked how to become a published writer, Cherry insists, "Sit your butt in the chair and write. There's no magic to it. Writing is hard work. It isn't for sissies or whiners."
Cherry loves to spend time at home. A corner desk keeps her focused on writing, but the windows behind her, with a panoramic view of the front gardens, are always calling her to come outside and play. Her office has nine-foot ceilings, a fireplace, a television and built-in bookcases that will house approximately 3,500 paperback books.
"What can I say? My keeper shelf has been breeding in the middle of the night, rather like drycleaners' wire clothes hangers.”
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November 25, 2023
These stories all relate to the covert Brown and Donahue Genealogy Research, aka the Agency, run by Rosalind Donahue, Roz. The Agency is dedicated to protecting victims and families that have been harmed by violent crime. These stories are all Romantic Suspense stories set at Christmas time, but not particularly "Christmas Stories". I, personally, loved this anthology, especially the RS genre. I would love to find more stories like these. If you are looking for something not a sweet romance with a Christmas setting, this is the book for you.
Snowball's Chance by Cherry Adair: 5-Stars
If you are looking for another sappy romance - this is not the book for you. If you want a fast paced, action packed, hot romance - this is definitely the book for you. Warning: Insta Lust in abundance, so just be aware. The Christmas Romantic-Suspense is a sub-genre that has few books. This is a great one.
Party Planner Kendall Metcalf has spent the past 18 months putting her life back together after she escaped a sadistic serial killer. She is in Montana in the middle of a blizzard decorating a gorgeous home for the family's annual Christmas party.
Joe Zorn is a T-FLAC agent and when he gets a call that a woman is in danger while working on a friend's home, he hijacks a copter and files through a blizzard to save her. After all, he didn't have anything better to do on the weekend before Christmas.
Lust at first sight is exactly the reaction Kendall had on first seeing Joe. The second sight had her wanting to kill him and the third had her grateful that he was there to protect her from the escaped serial killer who vowed to kill her because she was the one that got away.
Santa Slave by Leanne Banks: 2-Stars
Hilary's friend, Christine falls for a job offer that is to good to be believed and Hilary just knows it will lead to no good, so Hilary follows her and ends up in a sex trafficking ring. Lucky for Hilary her well to do parents contact the Agency and hot and hunky Rick is sent to rescue her. Can you say TSTL and obstinate?
Runaway Santa by Pamela Britton: 4-Stars
When veterinarian Kaitlyn Logan's research makes her a target for a group that will stop at nothing to acquire her research, Agency Operative, Chance, saves her and it is a case of insta-lust. At least until she is rescued. But what happens on the run isn't going to be ignored and Chance knows that he has met his match. I loved the hunky hero, Chance and how he protected Kaitlyn. And I loved how Kaitlyn was smart enough to know that Chance was her best option for staying alive and didn't fight him for doing his job.
Killer Christmas by Kelsey Roberts: 5-Stars
Meghan Beckham is the new CEO of Beckham's, an upscale department store in Palm Beach, FL. She took over the store when her brother was killed in an auto accident where she was also injured. With Christmas upon them, Meghan is shocked when the store Santa is murdered. Then his replacement is also murdered. What the what? A close friend calls the Agency and Jack Palmer arrives to protect Meghan, who most certainly doesn't want to believe that she may be the target. This story was wonderful. Meghan threw up all kinds of attitude, some very funny attitude, but wasn't TSTL when it came to her safety. Jack was just great, hot and patient. The sex scene was fantastic.
Snowball's Chance by Cherry Adair: 5-Stars
If you are looking for another sappy romance - this is not the book for you. If you want a fast paced, action packed, hot romance - this is definitely the book for you. Warning: Insta Lust in abundance, so just be aware. The Christmas Romantic-Suspense is a sub-genre that has few books. This is a great one.
Party Planner Kendall Metcalf has spent the past 18 months putting her life back together after she escaped a sadistic serial killer. She is in Montana in the middle of a blizzard decorating a gorgeous home for the family's annual Christmas party.
Joe Zorn is a T-FLAC agent and when he gets a call that a woman is in danger while working on a friend's home, he hijacks a copter and files through a blizzard to save her. After all, he didn't have anything better to do on the weekend before Christmas.
Lust at first sight is exactly the reaction Kendall had on first seeing Joe. The second sight had her wanting to kill him and the third had her grateful that he was there to protect her from the escaped serial killer who vowed to kill her because she was the one that got away.
Santa Slave by Leanne Banks: 2-Stars
Hilary's friend, Christine falls for a job offer that is to good to be believed and Hilary just knows it will lead to no good, so Hilary follows her and ends up in a sex trafficking ring. Lucky for Hilary her well to do parents contact the Agency and hot and hunky Rick is sent to rescue her. Can you say TSTL and obstinate?
Runaway Santa by Pamela Britton: 4-Stars
When veterinarian Kaitlyn Logan's research makes her a target for a group that will stop at nothing to acquire her research, Agency Operative, Chance, saves her and it is a case of insta-lust. At least until she is rescued. But what happens on the run isn't going to be ignored and Chance knows that he has met his match. I loved the hunky hero, Chance and how he protected Kaitlyn. And I loved how Kaitlyn was smart enough to know that Chance was her best option for staying alive and didn't fight him for doing his job.
Killer Christmas by Kelsey Roberts: 5-Stars
Meghan Beckham is the new CEO of Beckham's, an upscale department store in Palm Beach, FL. She took over the store when her brother was killed in an auto accident where she was also injured. With Christmas upon them, Meghan is shocked when the store Santa is murdered. Then his replacement is also murdered. What the what? A close friend calls the Agency and Jack Palmer arrives to protect Meghan, who most certainly doesn't want to believe that she may be the target. This story was wonderful. Meghan threw up all kinds of attitude, some very funny attitude, but wasn't TSTL when it came to her safety. Jack was just great, hot and patient. The sex scene was fantastic.
September 10, 2009
Snowball's Chance by Cherry Adair. I really liked it. The villain is really scary and no amount of holiday cheer can mask this short story's bloody brutality.
Santa Slave by Leanne Banks. My favorite of the stories. I really liked Hilary and Rick. They were cute together. This probably would have been a very good full length novel.
Big Bad Santa by Pamela Britton. Avian weaponry? Whatever. I lost focus when the big, bad, leather wearing, Harley riding, sex-on-a-stick hero stormed onto the pages.
Killer Christmas by Kelsey Roberts. Is it okay to laugh at this one? Because I didn't know if it was okay to laugh when the poor Santa's kept getting slaughtered. Or maybe there's just something fundamentally wrong with my moral makeup.
As far as Christmas anthologies go, this is probably the worst one in existence when it comes to spreading holiday cheer. They all center around a covert agency, led by a woman who is determined that no victims fall through the cracks. These stories are action packed, surprisingly brutal, and all feature smart and sexy heroes and heroines.
Santa Slave by Leanne Banks. My favorite of the stories. I really liked Hilary and Rick. They were cute together. This probably would have been a very good full length novel.
Big Bad Santa by Pamela Britton. Avian weaponry? Whatever. I lost focus when the big, bad, leather wearing, Harley riding, sex-on-a-stick hero stormed onto the pages.
Killer Christmas by Kelsey Roberts. Is it okay to laugh at this one? Because I didn't know if it was okay to laugh when the poor Santa's kept getting slaughtered. Or maybe there's just something fundamentally wrong with my moral makeup.
As far as Christmas anthologies go, this is probably the worst one in existence when it comes to spreading holiday cheer. They all center around a covert agency, led by a woman who is determined that no victims fall through the cracks. These stories are action packed, surprisingly brutal, and all feature smart and sexy heroes and heroines.
November 29, 2013
★★★★✩ Some of these were a little darker than I was expecting for the holidays... but they were good.
August 3, 2014
These are four holiday stories I would classify as romantic suspense. Actually, the stories do not have much to do with Christmas at all, they just happen to be set at that time of year.
I didn't care for the first story by Cherry Adair at all. The heroine and the guy who was sent to rescue her from a serial killer are stuck in a house in the country during a winter storm. The serial killer has broke out of prison and is traveling across the state in order to finish her off. Why is it that a serial killer doesn't have any problem stealing vehicles and driving through a storm, but the local police can't make it 20 miles? My rating: 2 Stars.
The second story by Leanne Banks was very original. After her best friend disappears, Hilary tries to get involved with the same men and is kidnapped into a white slavery ring. Hilary's parents send help in the form of Rick Santana to "buy her". My rating: 3.5 Stars.
My favorite story was by Pamela Britton. Kaitlyn is a scientist who finds herself in the middle of a shoot-out, only to be rescued by a biker. This is an on-the-run story which is one of my favorite themes. It was the only story where I felt the hero and heroine were really in love. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
The last story is by Kelsey Roberts and it has more of a mystery feel than romantic suspense. When Santas are being murdered at a local department store, Jack is sent to watch over the new CEO who he believes is the intended victim. My rating: 3 Stars.
Overall, I would give this book 3.5 Stars.
I didn't care for the first story by Cherry Adair at all. The heroine and the guy who was sent to rescue her from a serial killer are stuck in a house in the country during a winter storm. The serial killer has broke out of prison and is traveling across the state in order to finish her off. Why is it that a serial killer doesn't have any problem stealing vehicles and driving through a storm, but the local police can't make it 20 miles? My rating: 2 Stars.
The second story by Leanne Banks was very original. After her best friend disappears, Hilary tries to get involved with the same men and is kidnapped into a white slavery ring. Hilary's parents send help in the form of Rick Santana to "buy her". My rating: 3.5 Stars.
My favorite story was by Pamela Britton. Kaitlyn is a scientist who finds herself in the middle of a shoot-out, only to be rescued by a biker. This is an on-the-run story which is one of my favorite themes. It was the only story where I felt the hero and heroine were really in love. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
The last story is by Kelsey Roberts and it has more of a mystery feel than romantic suspense. When Santas are being murdered at a local department store, Jack is sent to watch over the new CEO who he believes is the intended victim. My rating: 3 Stars.
Overall, I would give this book 3.5 Stars.
November 21, 2012
The title of this book is a little deceptive. Yes, the four stories are romances, some steamy, some just romantic. But, they are mystery suspense stories as well.
The first story is by Cherry Adair. A sole survivor of a serial killer needs protection when the killer escapes and comes after her.
The second story is by Leanne Banks. This story was more on the romantic side. But, in a short span of time the sex slave industry is brought to our attention. I think all the press we can get. on this serious issue is good. The SC in this one was toned down, but I think that was appropriate for this story.
The third story was written by Pamela Britton. This was my least favorite. The plot was a bit ridiculous and I didn't line the way the "Hero " behaved.
The last story was by Kelsey Roberts. This story had a real bossy Alpha male type and a strong minded female protagonist. A couple of store Santas are murdered, but the. CEO may be the real target.
I enjoyed this one a lot. Christmas themed stories that didn't fit in the traditional mold. Hot romance and taut suspense. Overall a A -
The first story is by Cherry Adair. A sole survivor of a serial killer needs protection when the killer escapes and comes after her.
The second story is by Leanne Banks. This story was more on the romantic side. But, in a short span of time the sex slave industry is brought to our attention. I think all the press we can get. on this serious issue is good. The SC in this one was toned down, but I think that was appropriate for this story.
The third story was written by Pamela Britton. This was my least favorite. The plot was a bit ridiculous and I didn't line the way the "Hero " behaved.
The last story was by Kelsey Roberts. This story had a real bossy Alpha male type and a strong minded female protagonist. A couple of store Santas are murdered, but the. CEO may be the real target.
I enjoyed this one a lot. Christmas themed stories that didn't fit in the traditional mold. Hot romance and taut suspense. Overall a A -
November 4, 2012
Call me what you want, but I've always loved Christmas anthologies. One of my favorite holidays-commercialism included!-I love Christmas and the spirit of love, happiness, and goodwill that it stands for. Getting to read a Christmas anthology like RED HOT SANTA, by four of my favorite authors, is icing on my holiday cake!
Cherry Adair serves up a white-hot suspense sizzler with SNOWBALL'S CHANCE, the story of a woman who once escaped a serial killer-but might not be so lucky this time around. Kendall Metcalf has made a name for herself as a party planner and has even had a few write-ups in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Along with her business partner, Rebecca Metzner, their focus has been on a big holiday party planned for a big-wig out in the wilds of Montana. Planned, that is, until Rebecca realizes that the madman who almost killed Kendall, Dwight Treadwell, has escaped from prison and is no doubt set on revenge against the woman who didn't die and in fact got him locked away. So she hires Joe Zorn to ditch his skiing vacation and travel, in a blinding snowstorm, to the ranch where Kendall is staying. Ms. Adair's story had me laughing out loud with Kendall's "Ho, Ho, Ho Y'All" shirt, shivering with fear when the psychotic Treadwell showed up, and sighing with delight over the sexual chemistry between bodyguard Joe and Kendall.
SANTA SLAVE by Leanne Banks centers around Hilary Winfree, a graduate student and teaching assistant who is worried about the college student she's been mentoring. Christine, a beautiful girl who'd never been away from home, had found an ad offering young girls free travel around the world and thousands of dollars in compensation to teach foreign businessmen American customs and manners. Although Hilary had warned Christine that the offer sounded too good to be true, Christine went anyway-and now that she's missing, Hilary takes it upon herself to accept the same position. Unfortunately, she learns all too quickly that these "businessmen" are dealing in human trafficking. Fortunately, someone else is worried about Hilary, and Rick "Chameleon" Santana is on the job. Posing as a prospective "buyer", Rick infiltrates the sordid building where Hilary and a number of other young women are being held, and attempts to buy her way to freedom. Although scary in it's subject matter, SANTA SLAVE deals with the all-too-real problems that face many young women in third-world countries, and the feelings that develop between Hilary and Rick, along with their desire to rescue Christine, make for an interesting story.
Pamela Britton's story, BIG, BAD SANTA, is an absolute delight! Dr. Kaitlyn Logan runs an animal shelter, and has been working for years on a pet project that involves developing a "migratory chip"-an implanted microchip in birds that can be used to actually direct them in a certain direction. Unfortunately, as soon as she writes Senator Prescott with her information and asks for government funding, all sorts of bad events are set in motion. Basically, the chip that she invented to send electronic pulses to a bird's brain and direct it's flight pattern could, if it fell into the wrong hands, be used as the world's first avian weapon-the birds could be outfitted with cameras to spy on the enemy, or even as a biological weapon. Kaitlyn hadn't thought of that, but she wises up pretty quickly when a man named Chase Owens shows up at her shelter, ushers her past a man trying to shoot her, orders her onto his Harley, and whisks her away to safety. He informs Kait that he's been watching her and her place of business for over a week, ever since she wrote the Senator. Now that terrorists are coming out of the woodwork to get their hands on Kait's technology, the only thing keeping her out of harms way is the mysterious stranger on a motorcycle-the same stranger that's causing her to forget all about microchips and instead sending pulses of heat throughout her own body.
Kelsey Roberts brings us KILLER CHRISTMAS, and what a killer it is. Meghan Beckham, the new CEO of Beckhams Department Store in Palm Beach, is a little dismayed to learn that her store's Santas are dropping like flies-literally. One Santa died of a supposed heart attack during his break one day, and the next day the replacement Santa is dead, too-this time, though, the knife sticking out of his once jolly belly points to murder. As does the fact that the dead Santa is propped up on full display in the store's front window. When Jack Palmer shows up to serve as her personal bodyguard, Meghan has a few choice words to say about how it's going to effect her business-but the heat running between the two of them is something else entirely. As Jack vows to keep Meghan safe, and Meghan pledges that no more Santas will die on her watch, the two of them are determined to find out just who is behind the death of Santa Clause, and who wants to see Beckhams close so badly.
If you read no other Christmas anthology this year, make sure you pick up a copy of RED HOT SANTA. You won't be disappointed, but you also won't want to see the stories come to an end!
Cherry Adair serves up a white-hot suspense sizzler with SNOWBALL'S CHANCE, the story of a woman who once escaped a serial killer-but might not be so lucky this time around. Kendall Metcalf has made a name for herself as a party planner and has even had a few write-ups in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Along with her business partner, Rebecca Metzner, their focus has been on a big holiday party planned for a big-wig out in the wilds of Montana. Planned, that is, until Rebecca realizes that the madman who almost killed Kendall, Dwight Treadwell, has escaped from prison and is no doubt set on revenge against the woman who didn't die and in fact got him locked away. So she hires Joe Zorn to ditch his skiing vacation and travel, in a blinding snowstorm, to the ranch where Kendall is staying. Ms. Adair's story had me laughing out loud with Kendall's "Ho, Ho, Ho Y'All" shirt, shivering with fear when the psychotic Treadwell showed up, and sighing with delight over the sexual chemistry between bodyguard Joe and Kendall.
SANTA SLAVE by Leanne Banks centers around Hilary Winfree, a graduate student and teaching assistant who is worried about the college student she's been mentoring. Christine, a beautiful girl who'd never been away from home, had found an ad offering young girls free travel around the world and thousands of dollars in compensation to teach foreign businessmen American customs and manners. Although Hilary had warned Christine that the offer sounded too good to be true, Christine went anyway-and now that she's missing, Hilary takes it upon herself to accept the same position. Unfortunately, she learns all too quickly that these "businessmen" are dealing in human trafficking. Fortunately, someone else is worried about Hilary, and Rick "Chameleon" Santana is on the job. Posing as a prospective "buyer", Rick infiltrates the sordid building where Hilary and a number of other young women are being held, and attempts to buy her way to freedom. Although scary in it's subject matter, SANTA SLAVE deals with the all-too-real problems that face many young women in third-world countries, and the feelings that develop between Hilary and Rick, along with their desire to rescue Christine, make for an interesting story.
Pamela Britton's story, BIG, BAD SANTA, is an absolute delight! Dr. Kaitlyn Logan runs an animal shelter, and has been working for years on a pet project that involves developing a "migratory chip"-an implanted microchip in birds that can be used to actually direct them in a certain direction. Unfortunately, as soon as she writes Senator Prescott with her information and asks for government funding, all sorts of bad events are set in motion. Basically, the chip that she invented to send electronic pulses to a bird's brain and direct it's flight pattern could, if it fell into the wrong hands, be used as the world's first avian weapon-the birds could be outfitted with cameras to spy on the enemy, or even as a biological weapon. Kaitlyn hadn't thought of that, but she wises up pretty quickly when a man named Chase Owens shows up at her shelter, ushers her past a man trying to shoot her, orders her onto his Harley, and whisks her away to safety. He informs Kait that he's been watching her and her place of business for over a week, ever since she wrote the Senator. Now that terrorists are coming out of the woodwork to get their hands on Kait's technology, the only thing keeping her out of harms way is the mysterious stranger on a motorcycle-the same stranger that's causing her to forget all about microchips and instead sending pulses of heat throughout her own body.
Kelsey Roberts brings us KILLER CHRISTMAS, and what a killer it is. Meghan Beckham, the new CEO of Beckhams Department Store in Palm Beach, is a little dismayed to learn that her store's Santas are dropping like flies-literally. One Santa died of a supposed heart attack during his break one day, and the next day the replacement Santa is dead, too-this time, though, the knife sticking out of his once jolly belly points to murder. As does the fact that the dead Santa is propped up on full display in the store's front window. When Jack Palmer shows up to serve as her personal bodyguard, Meghan has a few choice words to say about how it's going to effect her business-but the heat running between the two of them is something else entirely. As Jack vows to keep Meghan safe, and Meghan pledges that no more Santas will die on her watch, the two of them are determined to find out just who is behind the death of Santa Clause, and who wants to see Beckhams close so badly.
If you read no other Christmas anthology this year, make sure you pick up a copy of RED HOT SANTA. You won't be disappointed, but you also won't want to see the stories come to an end!
July 27, 2016
A little unusual anthology - four different authors with four different short stories, all themed around an agency where the female owner has determined to save other female victims from the bad guys, in situations where the regular police can't handle the job. All four stories tie back to the agency, find a way to work in Christmas/Santa, and are scorching hot romantic suspense stories.
SNOWBALL'S CHANCE - Cherry Adair
Kendall Metcalf has been the only survivor of a crazy but smart serial killer, who's escaped prison and is en route to finish the job. She's snowed in on site at a big house/party site, when Joe Zorn arrives to protect her. Kendall is a sexy and spunky heroine, and Joe is wonderfully sexy, but the whole thread about him previously having been married to the woman whose house Kendall is in, seemed kind of bizarre and unnecessary.
SANTA SLAVE - Leanne Banks
Hilary Winfree believes a college student she's been mentoring has been kidnapped by a sex slave ring, so arranges to get herself "hired" by them as well. Rick "Chameleon" Santana arrives to buy/rescue Hilary, and ends up being talked into trying to find/rescue Christine, the college student, as well.
BIG, BAD SANTA - Pamela Britton
Dr. Kaitlyn Logan, a vet, has recently applied for grants for her pet project, an implanted microchip for endangered birds that could be used to direct them towards safe areas and away from dangerous ones. Some of the bad guys have gotten wind of this, realizing a) it could work, and b) it could be used as a military weapon. As her clinic is being tear-gassed, Chase Owens rides to the rescue, literally, on a Harley. Loved the sequence where she is having a wet dream about him and he is observing her.
KILLER CHRISTMAS - Kelsey Roberts
Meghan Beckham, a poor little rich girl CEO of a Palm Beach department store has survived a car accident that killed her brother, but now it looks like someone is out to get her. Or Santa Claus, since those employed by the store to fill that role have been ending up dead. Jack Palmer arrives to serve as her bodyguard, and she's not an easy client.
All the stories are very good, very well-written, and hotter than a Christmas fireplace. My main beef is that by the fourth story, the meme of "Oh, no, I *mustn't* get physically involved with the woman I'm guarding, it would be so unprofessional and could put her in greater danger," and then he fills her stocking anyway, over and over again, gets a little old.
SNOWBALL'S CHANCE - Cherry Adair
Kendall Metcalf has been the only survivor of a crazy but smart serial killer, who's escaped prison and is en route to finish the job. She's snowed in on site at a big house/party site, when Joe Zorn arrives to protect her. Kendall is a sexy and spunky heroine, and Joe is wonderfully sexy, but the whole thread about him previously having been married to the woman whose house Kendall is in, seemed kind of bizarre and unnecessary.
SANTA SLAVE - Leanne Banks
Hilary Winfree believes a college student she's been mentoring has been kidnapped by a sex slave ring, so arranges to get herself "hired" by them as well. Rick "Chameleon" Santana arrives to buy/rescue Hilary, and ends up being talked into trying to find/rescue Christine, the college student, as well.
BIG, BAD SANTA - Pamela Britton
Dr. Kaitlyn Logan, a vet, has recently applied for grants for her pet project, an implanted microchip for endangered birds that could be used to direct them towards safe areas and away from dangerous ones. Some of the bad guys have gotten wind of this, realizing a) it could work, and b) it could be used as a military weapon. As her clinic is being tear-gassed, Chase Owens rides to the rescue, literally, on a Harley. Loved the sequence where she is having a wet dream about him and he is observing her.
KILLER CHRISTMAS - Kelsey Roberts
Meghan Beckham, a poor little rich girl CEO of a Palm Beach department store has survived a car accident that killed her brother, but now it looks like someone is out to get her. Or Santa Claus, since those employed by the store to fill that role have been ending up dead. Jack Palmer arrives to serve as her bodyguard, and she's not an easy client.
All the stories are very good, very well-written, and hotter than a Christmas fireplace. My main beef is that by the fourth story, the meme of "Oh, no, I *mustn't* get physically involved with the woman I'm guarding, it would be so unprofessional and could put her in greater danger," and then he fills her stocking anyway, over and over again, gets a little old.
February 25, 2013
4 short stories, so I am keeping this review short. Four women in trouble, four bodyguards from the same secret agency are sent to keep them safe. There are cookies. All 8 main characters are gorgeous, and smart, and they all fall in lust at once. And in bed very soon after their first meeting, even though they know that is a bad idea. There is danger, lots of action, the hero defeats the bad guy(s), the ladies are rescued, but that is not the end of their personal story.
I’ve bought this book for the Cherry Adair story, and I liked that one. The story was predictable, but I liked it.
The Leanne Banks story has a heroine who is smart but who does incredibly stupid things.
I enjoyed the Pamela Britton story, but still have no idea what animals she was researching and saving. Nor why the danger is suddenly gone, when so many bad things could come from her invention.
The Kelsey Roberts story makes me want to read more of her work. Even though I knew who the bad guy/guys is/are, there was depth to the heroine.
6 stars.
Full review on my blog, www.boeklogboek.blogspot.com
I’ve bought this book for the Cherry Adair story, and I liked that one. The story was predictable, but I liked it.
The Leanne Banks story has a heroine who is smart but who does incredibly stupid things.
I enjoyed the Pamela Britton story, but still have no idea what animals she was researching and saving. Nor why the danger is suddenly gone, when so many bad things could come from her invention.
The Kelsey Roberts story makes me want to read more of her work. Even though I knew who the bad guy/guys is/are, there was depth to the heroine.
6 stars.
© 2013 Reviews by Aurian
Full review on my blog, www.boeklogboek.blogspot.com
December 30, 2021
This holiday season, four bestselling authors give the gift that keeps on giving: gripping tales of special agents in a covert agency, out to protect the innocent...by any means necessary.
Snowball’s Chance by Cherry Adair
Kendall decks the halls, unaware that a serial killer has her on the top of his list. Of course, being naughty with the sexy good guy sent to protect her would be so nice.
Santa Slave by Leanne Banks
After her best friend disappears, Hilary takes matters into her own hands and finds herself caught in the throes of danger, while a hunky male operative hopes to mix pleasure with business.
Runaway Santa by Pamela Britton
Biologist Kaitlyn Moneypenny’s research is finally leading to a big scientific breakthrough...and mortal peril. When bullets start to fly, so do the sparks between Kaitlyn and her Santa-clad rescuer.
Killer Christmas by Kelsey Roberts
When several Santas are murdered at a swanky department store, the new CEO, Meghan Beckham, had better watch out, had better not cry – because a serial killer has come to town.
Heather's Notes
I did not like these stories as much as I wanted to. I think that (for this year at least) I wanted light hearted stories. Theses stories were not bad, but they were not light hearted either. Still not bad stories if you are looking for a something a little weightier.
Snowball’s Chance by Cherry Adair
Kendall decks the halls, unaware that a serial killer has her on the top of his list. Of course, being naughty with the sexy good guy sent to protect her would be so nice.
Santa Slave by Leanne Banks
After her best friend disappears, Hilary takes matters into her own hands and finds herself caught in the throes of danger, while a hunky male operative hopes to mix pleasure with business.
Runaway Santa by Pamela Britton
Biologist Kaitlyn Moneypenny’s research is finally leading to a big scientific breakthrough...and mortal peril. When bullets start to fly, so do the sparks between Kaitlyn and her Santa-clad rescuer.
Killer Christmas by Kelsey Roberts
When several Santas are murdered at a swanky department store, the new CEO, Meghan Beckham, had better watch out, had better not cry – because a serial killer has come to town.
Heather's Notes
I did not like these stories as much as I wanted to. I think that (for this year at least) I wanted light hearted stories. Theses stories were not bad, but they were not light hearted either. Still not bad stories if you are looking for a something a little weightier.
December 10, 2017
While these stories center around a woman who has a business as a genealogy researcher but it's really a business for people who help with keeping innocents safe. It's stories are timed around Christmas and the woman who runs it sends out cookies to each person she assigns a duty too.
While each of the stories were ok, but they didn't really feel personable. I found it tough to keep reading for some reason. Usually I can read a book like this in 2-3 days and it's been longer and I'm relieved it's over with.
Some of the plots and characters were interesting, but it all felt forced rather than natural. I'd like to maybe see these in longer novels and maybe flesh out the characters to make them seem less forced.
While each of the stories were ok, but they didn't really feel personable. I found it tough to keep reading for some reason. Usually I can read a book like this in 2-3 days and it's been longer and I'm relieved it's over with.
Some of the plots and characters were interesting, but it all felt forced rather than natural. I'd like to maybe see these in longer novels and maybe flesh out the characters to make them seem less forced.
July 23, 2025
Red hot Santa - romance collection has nothing to do with christmas which is fine by me since i dislike the holiday. It happens during the christmas season and all the stories carry that theme trying to make light the darker motifs of the novellas. From serial killers to sex trafficking there is quite the variety of dark themes. I wasn't fond of ANY of the novellas. Sex while being terrified of a serial killer? mm no.. no thanks.. that is completely illogical and doesn't fit. Romance while running for your life? sorry i don't know how that fits either. None of the stories had ANY logic to them and for me that made them hard to enjoy.
August 17, 2018
I think this is a tricky subgenre for short stories. The author needs to fit in exciting action, enough character development for me to care about the central couple, and a happy ending. I liked the Kelsey Robert's story the best out of the batch. Leanne Banks' story didn't age well--there's a reference to Femi-nazis. Overall, all the almost-insta-love and the damsels in distress became a bit aggravating, but suspense really isn't my genre.
November 5, 2016
Really enjoyed these 4 stories, so much I wish there were more set in and around this agency. I want to know who the boss is and what her story is
December 26, 2020
Took forever for me to get through, but still fun reads.
December 7, 2024
This may get me cancelled by the Red Hot Santa fandom, but here’s the definitive ranking:
1. Big, Bad Santa
2. Snowball’s Chance
3. Killer Christmas
4. Santa Slave
1. Big, Bad Santa
2. Snowball’s Chance
3. Killer Christmas
4. Santa Slave
December 26, 2024
you wouldn't expect a book called "red hot santa" to take itself this seriously.
December 28, 2024
Awesome stories!!!!
April 28, 2025
4 Christmas stories. Romantic suspense.
December 23, 2011
Not a lot of 'Ho Ho Ho' in this one but lots of hunky 'knights in shining armor' (well covert agents in black) coming to the rescue of women who are in distress but are not mere damsels. Nice and steamy but my favorite was the third hero Chance, what a sweetie, the first two guys let their heroines to be stew a bit thinking that their rescuers to be were the bad guys - so a little tarnish to the armor.
Snowball’s Chance by Cherry Adair - The only victim who got away is the target when a serial killer escapes from prison.
Santa Slave by Leanne Banks– A woman puts herself in the hands of human traffickers to try to save her friend who fell prey to the villains.
Runaway Santa by Pamela Britton - A veternarian's innoccuos seeming invention has unforseen potential which makes her a target for those seeking to turn her technology into a weapon.
Killer Christmas - The owner of a fashionable department store acquires a bodyguard when her store 'Santas' keep getting murdered.
Snowball’s Chance by Cherry Adair - The only victim who got away is the target when a serial killer escapes from prison.
Santa Slave by Leanne Banks– A woman puts herself in the hands of human traffickers to try to save her friend who fell prey to the villains.
Runaway Santa by Pamela Britton - A veternarian's innoccuos seeming invention has unforseen potential which makes her a target for those seeking to turn her technology into a weapon.
Killer Christmas - The owner of a fashionable department store acquires a bodyguard when her store 'Santas' keep getting murdered.
December 17, 2008
Christmas Romantic Suspense Anthol.
Snowball's Chance - Cherry Adair
Warm fuzzies over a Christmas romance were totally negated by the detailed graphic, violent, "sick s*it" crime the heroine had been subjected to. :-/
Santa Slave - Leanne Banks
Hunky male operative poses as buyer of women in a human trafficking scheme. Heroine is posing as woman for sale to track down and rescue her friend. OK, my first read of this author.
Big, Bad Santa - Pamela Britton
My fav of the bunch - Harley riding, hunky operative rescues vet from terrorists. Vet is developing "bird brain" tracking device whereby innocent birdies could deliver bio-weapons.
Killer Christmas - Kelsey Roberts
Several Santas are murdered at a ritzy dept. store. What's this serial killer up to? First read of this author, good story.
Snowball's Chance - Cherry Adair
Warm fuzzies over a Christmas romance were totally negated by the detailed graphic, violent, "sick s*it" crime the heroine had been subjected to. :-/
Santa Slave - Leanne Banks
Hunky male operative poses as buyer of women in a human trafficking scheme. Heroine is posing as woman for sale to track down and rescue her friend. OK, my first read of this author.
Big, Bad Santa - Pamela Britton
My fav of the bunch - Harley riding, hunky operative rescues vet from terrorists. Vet is developing "bird brain" tracking device whereby innocent birdies could deliver bio-weapons.
Killer Christmas - Kelsey Roberts
Several Santas are murdered at a ritzy dept. store. What's this serial killer up to? First read of this author, good story.
June 8, 2023
5 awesome stars for Cherry Adair.
'Tis the season to be hot and wary. Hehe
I've only read the story written by Cherry Adair since she's one of my favorite on-top-of-my-list author. The very first author who introduced me to the mercenaries lives. You know, bodyguards, FBIs, undercover agents, Navy SEALS, Marines and the likes.
Cherry's Red Hot Santa has only 50 pages so it's a fast read. Short but packed. I thought it will left me hanging but I had a good full swing while reading. I'm satisfied with the plot. Well written. Everything was covered. Action. Romance. Humor. Steamy scenes. I didn't find it lacking.
So if you want a white christmas with a tinge of sexy red heat then this novel is for you.
Two thumbs up plus another two on my toes.
'Tis the season to be hot and wary. Hehe
I've only read the story written by Cherry Adair since she's one of my favorite on-top-of-my-list author. The very first author who introduced me to the mercenaries lives. You know, bodyguards, FBIs, undercover agents, Navy SEALS, Marines and the likes.
Cherry's Red Hot Santa has only 50 pages so it's a fast read. Short but packed. I thought it will left me hanging but I had a good full swing while reading. I'm satisfied with the plot. Well written. Everything was covered. Action. Romance. Humor. Steamy scenes. I didn't find it lacking.
So if you want a white christmas with a tinge of sexy red heat then this novel is for you.
Two thumbs up plus another two on my toes.
May 8, 2015
This is another anthology. Four different authors in this one but it's also a little different from some other anthologies. Even though there are four different authors all of the stories are connected. They all have similar plot lines and one character that I believe connects them all.
Some of the stories were better than others. "Snowball's Chance" and "Santa Slave" were the best two in my opinion. The others fell a little flat and lacked the spark I found interesting in these two.
Overall not a bad read, but not the best either.
Some of the stories were better than others. "Snowball's Chance" and "Santa Slave" were the best two in my opinion. The others fell a little flat and lacked the spark I found interesting in these two.
Overall not a bad read, but not the best either.
May 5, 2013
Snowball’s Chance by Cherry Adair (Red Hot Santa Anthology)
Joe Zorn is assigned to keep Kendall Metcalf safe from the escaped serial killer who terrorized her and nearly took her life. Kendal l is trying to put her life back together and with this mad man trying to get her again, she never expected to be drawn to Joe the way she is. I really enjoyed Joe and Kendall’s story. It’s a great, non-traditional holiday read that is good any time of year.
Joe Zorn is assigned to keep Kendall Metcalf safe from the escaped serial killer who terrorized her and nearly took her life. Kendal l is trying to put her life back together and with this mad man trying to get her again, she never expected to be drawn to Joe the way she is. I really enjoyed Joe and Kendall’s story. It’s a great, non-traditional holiday read that is good any time of year.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2008
There was too much blood and criminal intent in this one. I only got thru the first story, Cherry Adair, and I had to force myself to finish it and because I tried to read it at bedtime, I had to find something else to help me sleep. Also the relationship moved at an unbelievable pace, especially for a guy.
February 18, 2012
OMG..this story was sooo good..It scared the crap right out of me!! When she opened the bathroom door...holy moley!! I slammed the book shut! LOL! I quickly reopened it and peeked around the pages! Really a good read!!
April 19, 2012
These are not your typical bunch of Christmas stories filled with visions of sugar plums and what not! There's danger and bad guys at every turn. Snowball's Chance is a Hot hot read with a ton of excitement and danger.
December 23, 2013
I loved this red hot read. It is a must have to spice up the winter dulldrums for any reader. The sharp witty stories and the page turning suspense is a must have for all of Santa's 'good' girls...er women. :)
July 31, 2009
Read Killer Christmas by Kelsey Roberts (3 stars) for one of my June challenges. Quick read.
January 3, 2011
Snowball's Chance
May 14, 2018
1 ½ - 2 stars
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