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Sweet Heat #1-3
Sweet Heat Box Set
THERE IS NO NEW CONTENT IN THIS BOXSET. If you've already read the Augustin Family story, you've already read the contents of this box set!
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.
A Dash of Heat...
Maggie Augustin just wanted something sweet. A bit of self-soothing, to take the edge off the loneliness and heartache she’d been quietly enduring. When she walks away from his food truck, box of beignets in hand, she has no idea that Rene St. Martin – not his pastries – is exactly the something sweet she wanted, with the little dash of heat she needs.
A Touch of Sugar...
Pru Ashford isn't looking for... anything. Which is how she ends up finding exactly what she needs - a perfect balance of savory and sweet.
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.
A Dash of Heat...
Maggie Augustin just wanted something sweet. A bit of self-soothing, to take the edge off the loneliness and heartache she’d been quietly enduring. When she walks away from his food truck, box of beignets in hand, she has no idea that Rene St. Martin – not his pastries – is exactly the something sweet she wanted, with the little dash of heat she needs.
A Touch of Sugar...
Pru Ashford isn't looking for... anything. Which is how she ends up finding exactly what she needs - a perfect balance of savory and sweet.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 27, 2019
87 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
November 29, 2022
4+ "Sweet Heat" Stars!
I absolutely loved all three stories, Hints of Spice, A Dash of Heat,
A Touch of Sugar that are in this 3 book box set. I loved seeing all three Augustine siblings fall in love. Nobody packs the heart and heat in under 100 pages like Christina C. Jones. Happy reading!
PS- I listened to the audiobook for this box set and unfortunately this time I do not recommend. The southern/ Creole accent the narrators had was JUST TERRIBLE!!! Super cringy. So definitely read these stories, but skip the audio this time.
I absolutely loved all three stories, Hints of Spice, A Dash of Heat,
A Touch of Sugar that are in this 3 book box set. I loved seeing all three Augustine siblings fall in love. Nobody packs the heart and heat in under 100 pages like Christina C. Jones. Happy reading!
PS- I listened to the audiobook for this box set and unfortunately this time I do not recommend. The southern/ Creole accent the narrators had was JUST TERRIBLE!!! Super cringy. So definitely read these stories, but skip the audio this time.
November 14, 2022
Decided to re-read these novellas after buying the paperback box set version. I really loved these books! I have reviews for each of them in their original book page. The links are below:
Hint of Spice!
A Dash of Heat!
A Touch of Sugar!
But yeah, read these books during the Christmas season; it’s a fun time!
Hint of Spice!
A Dash of Heat!
A Touch of Sugar!
But yeah, read these books during the Christmas season; it’s a fun time!
March 12, 2026
3.5⭐️
These stories were good. The last story with Pru & Zay were my favorite! Overall enjoyed each of the couples!
These stories were good. The last story with Pru & Zay were my favorite! Overall enjoyed each of the couples!
September 23, 2025
Sweet Heat by Christina C. Jones is a collection of 3 novellas- Hints of Spice, Dash of Heat and A Touch of Sugar.
The best part of these novellas was listening to them narrated in part by Myles Washington. Within these stories you are taken on the romance journeys of Cin Bradley, Maggie Augustin and Pru Ashford. The spice was definitely there! My fav novella of the collection was Hints of Spice with Cin Bradley and Laundry Augustin.
Definitely take a listen to this!
The best part of these novellas was listening to them narrated in part by Myles Washington. Within these stories you are taken on the romance journeys of Cin Bradley, Maggie Augustin and Pru Ashford. The spice was definitely there! My fav novella of the collection was Hints of Spice with Cin Bradley and Laundry Augustin.
Definitely take a listen to this!
May 18, 2023
I listen to the audiobook, and narrator’s are AWFUL. Almost offensive.
As for the story. Cin (Cinnamon) was cute and danced as an exotic dancer. However when she goes to work for such a stodgy uptight respectability politics playing organization things go downhill. Cin really should’ve worked for a progressive practice And worked with adults. Fuck that organization those kids and the parents. Vera needed her ass kicked.
Her mom has no boundaries and her character was so annoying. Worst mother ever. No cap. She and Landry were cute and the story was sweet and hot. Landry was really sexy and I liked their chemistry.
The 2nd story I was looking forward to, because Maggie seemed very interesting. However, once again, the voice narration was absolute garbage. I didn’t think they could get any worse….And this time it was even worse than the first story. Also, Magnolia aka Maggie really came across like a complete naïve idiot. When she was trying to figure out what to wear for her first date, that entire scene was wild. Of course she’d be nervous and jittery but it was like trying to dress a person who’s never seen the light of day or who is raised in the woods and doesn’t know how clothes work. The character could’ve been written as naïve without being portrayed as such an idiot.
So the third story started out ridiculous. Crazy and quirky is one thing but the idea that she would go and try and chop her own tree down in the woods with an ax was just plain stupid. Pru was so annoying. Xavier saved her life and she was acting like a damn fool. Why make these characters so unlikable and unbelievably stupid if we’re supposed to rock with them? Also, it’s the middle of a blizzard. Why did she go out in the middle of a blizzard? It made no sense. The banter was also annoying because she was so fucking dumb. All of this over a real vs. fake Christmas tree. Just get a real tree already.
As for the story. Cin (Cinnamon) was cute and danced as an exotic dancer. However when she goes to work for such a stodgy uptight respectability politics playing organization things go downhill. Cin really should’ve worked for a progressive practice And worked with adults. Fuck that organization those kids and the parents. Vera needed her ass kicked.
Her mom has no boundaries and her character was so annoying. Worst mother ever. No cap. She and Landry were cute and the story was sweet and hot. Landry was really sexy and I liked their chemistry.
The 2nd story I was looking forward to, because Maggie seemed very interesting. However, once again, the voice narration was absolute garbage. I didn’t think they could get any worse….And this time it was even worse than the first story. Also, Magnolia aka Maggie really came across like a complete naïve idiot. When she was trying to figure out what to wear for her first date, that entire scene was wild. Of course she’d be nervous and jittery but it was like trying to dress a person who’s never seen the light of day or who is raised in the woods and doesn’t know how clothes work. The character could’ve been written as naïve without being portrayed as such an idiot.
So the third story started out ridiculous. Crazy and quirky is one thing but the idea that she would go and try and chop her own tree down in the woods with an ax was just plain stupid. Pru was so annoying. Xavier saved her life and she was acting like a damn fool. Why make these characters so unlikable and unbelievably stupid if we’re supposed to rock with them? Also, it’s the middle of a blizzard. Why did she go out in the middle of a blizzard? It made no sense. The banter was also annoying because she was so fucking dumb. All of this over a real vs. fake Christmas tree. Just get a real tree already.
February 28, 2025
Hints of Spice:
I loved this storyline. Cin and Lan seem perfect for each other. The story of a single mother struggling to put herself through school and help her widowed mother, she finds love and it’s not full of trauma. Vera is annoying and I’m glad that she didn’t get what she wanted.
A Dash of Heat:
Maggie…poor girl. She’s very young and I’m glad that she found someone who isn’t about to play with her. Rene also seems like the perfect person for her. I LOVE how he handled the ex and the situation after the ex🤭
A Touch of Sugar:
Miss Pru and Xav…man oh man. The beginning of this story is funny!! Cause not Xavier carrying her like a cat would carry their kitten🤣. I love that she was able to pull him out of his shell.
I loved this storyline. Cin and Lan seem perfect for each other. The story of a single mother struggling to put herself through school and help her widowed mother, she finds love and it’s not full of trauma. Vera is annoying and I’m glad that she didn’t get what she wanted.
A Dash of Heat:
Maggie…poor girl. She’s very young and I’m glad that she found someone who isn’t about to play with her. Rene also seems like the perfect person for her. I LOVE how he handled the ex and the situation after the ex🤭
A Touch of Sugar:
Miss Pru and Xav…man oh man. The beginning of this story is funny!! Cause not Xavier carrying her like a cat would carry their kitten🤣. I love that she was able to pull him out of his shell.
April 4, 2020
I just knew switching to a CCJ book would boost my reading mood! I really enjoyed these trio of stories.
My fave has to be the last one with Pru and Zav. CCJ does some good and hilarious dialogue between characters and this one had me rolling with every discussion between Pru and Cin (Pru's bestie and heroine of the 1st story)
Also Zav and Pru were fire together! I loved how he was so about these small gestures that were really tailored to what Pru would like. :)
My fave has to be the last one with Pru and Zav. CCJ does some good and hilarious dialogue between characters and this one had me rolling with every discussion between Pru and Cin (Pru's bestie and heroine of the 1st story)
Also Zav and Pru were fire together! I loved how he was so about these small gestures that were really tailored to what Pru would like. :)
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September 14, 2023I posted "I DNF’d an audiobook cuz one of the narrators gasped for air before every phrase. 😖 It was distracting, annoying, *and* concerning like damn dude literally are you okay? 😬" on social media so
:X
it did seem cute - an ex dancer (stripper...?) heroine who has become a therapist.
Super bratty coworker.
I'll have to try this in print eventually. It had nothing to do with the writing itself; this DNF was entirely on the auditory experience, and a "me thing."
:X
it did seem cute - an ex dancer (stripper...?) heroine who has become a therapist.
Super bratty coworker.
I'll have to try this in print eventually. It had nothing to do with the writing itself; this DNF was entirely on the auditory experience, and a "me thing."
April 9, 2020
CCJ for one, is an amazing writer. Her stories are so vivid and gorgeous. This short story collection was overall phenomenal, my only qualms about this is the Louisiana accents and usage of French in these stories seemed a bit pretentious and a tad cringey at some points. Also Magnolia and Rene's story was awkward. Had it not been for that would have definitely given it 5 stars.
December 8, 2025
This was a perfect set of three short stories between the Connecticut Kings series. I love the connection to the main characters' stories and how this showed the relationships of the non-main characters in the series.
August 16, 2020
first story: super cute
second story: greatttt way to redeem a character
third story: WTF!!!!! TOO SHORT!! GIVE MORE
second story: greatttt way to redeem a character
third story: WTF!!!!! TOO SHORT!! GIVE MORE
October 7, 2022
4.5 ⭐😍
March 4, 2023
These 3 had me hook line and sinker with that Louisiana drawl. Definitely wouldn’t mind more of these folks
June 16, 2023
I was sad that these stories ended, I would like more from the characters.
September 12, 2023
Great stories, but I didn’t like the narration
April 4, 2024
The stories seemed ok but on audio it was terrible. The accents were a huge fail. They were supposed to be from New Orleans but boy did they fail with their attempt. It was painful to listen to.
September 16, 2024
Loved the cute short love stories that this book brought . Would love to hear more about the love story of each character.
January 8, 2026
Out of all the authors writing about southern/country living, CCJ does it the best! This series of short stories was a lovely palate cleanser and puts you in all the feels.
January 20, 2026
GOOD, BUT I NEEDED MORE FROM EACH STORY!!
February 8, 2026
I loved these books. I know people read to escape every day life but these books were so refreshing. Everyday people finding love no extravagant riches just ordinary living and I loved it
December 10, 2019
Good three shorts to pick up best thing is that its bundled. Loved this family and their dynamics and seeing the enduring spirit of those who survived the Katrina floods.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews