All I Want for Christmas

by Lori Foster, Kinley MacGregor, Dee Holmes

'Tis the season - for passion...

The holidays have never been hotter, as four of todays' finest romance authors hang up the mistletoe and bring unwitting couples together in the most deliciously sinful ways! So sit back and unwrap four fabulously sexy stories - each guaranteed to give you all you want for Christmas...and more.

Lori Foster has two co-workers plan a Christmas party side-by-side-and discover a love worth celebrating in "The Christmas Bonus."

Dee Holmes reunites former lovers, who are forced to spend the holidays together - and find that their old flames still burn white-hot in "A Night with Emily."

Kinley MacGregor goes to the Old West, where an outlaw returns to the woman he loved and left behind - and finds the best holiday surprise of his life in "Santa Wears Spurs."

Eileen Wilks heats up Regency England, as a young lady plans to lose her innocence to a charming rogue - but doesn't expect a night of passion to so thoroughly connect their souls in "The Proper Lover."

Genres: Romance, Christmas, Anthologies, Contemporary Romance, Holiday, Contemporary, Historical Romance

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 15, 2000

About the author

Since first publishing in January 1996, Lori Foster has become a USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly and New York Times bestselling author. Lori has published through a variety of houses, including Kensington, St. Martin’s, Harlequin, Silhouette, Samhain, and Berkley/Jove. She is currently published with HQN.

Lori hosts a very special annual “Reader & Author” event in West Chester, Ohio. Proceeds from the event have benefited many worthy causes, including the Hamilton County YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter, the Animal Adoption Foundation, The Conductive Learning Center for children with spina bifida and cerebral palsy, and The One Way Farm, Children’s Home.

Each year Lori donates all proceeds from one book to charity. You can see the benefit romance books here: http://lorifoster.com/benefit-books/

Career Highlights
•In 2001, Lori received the prestigious Romantic Times “Career Achievement Award” for Series Romantic Fantasy.

•In 2002, Lori’s book Too Much Temptation was the top-selling romance title for Amazon books.

•In 2003, Say No To Joe was the second “Bestselling Original Contemporary” romance title for Waldenbooks.

•In 2004, Lori Foster was a clue in the New York Times crossword puzzle.

•In 2004, The Secret Life of Bryan was the “Bestselling Original Contemporary” romance title for the BGI group.

•In 2005, Lori received the prestigious Romantic Times “Career Achievement Award” for Contemporary Romance.

•In 2006, Jude’s Law was the “Bestselling Romantic Comedy” romance title for the BGI group.

•In 2007, Lori launched a new “urban fantasy” series under the name L.L. Foster. See more on her “dark side” at www.llfoster.com.

•In 2007, Causing Havoc was among Amazon’s Top Ten Editor’s picks in Romance.

•In 2008, Hard to Handle made #2 on The New York Times.

•In 2009, Servant: The Acceptance was Amazon’s #1 Editors’ Pick in Romance.

•In 2010, Lori was a clue in the USA Today Quick Cross puzzle.

Reviews

[Catherine Flusche · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sigh...it's really embarassing reading a book with a half-naked man on the cover. At least it appears to be a passing phase that died out in the early 2000s since few would realize what's going on within the covers of "50 Shades of Grey" (definitely NOT on my list). I picked this up specifically for Kinley MacGregor's "Santa Wears Spurs" but I'll give the other 3 stories a start. Hopefully there will be no eye rolling, but I'm not holding my breath.

Well, I finished all 4 stories. Mostly I'm disappointed that MacGregor seemed to have copped out. She spent way too much time on the "romance" and gave a stupid conclusion to the plot. Seriously?! Not her best work at all! I read the first 4 chapters on google books and it started so well, I ordered this stupid thing--I'm annoyed.

"The Proper Lover" was different enough to be interesting. She did give the plot the justice it was due and I'll actually admit that I liked the story. BUT that entirely hinged on the fact that it's set in 1807 England--the silly romance works perfectly for the timeframe it's dealing with.

The last two stories were your typical romance. Eye-roll-worthy names, simplistic plots, and gag-worthy declarations. Not my cup of tea at all.

The three stars may seem to be generous, but I don't use the stars as goodreads does. 3 stars, to me, is a "meh, it was okay." I don't know why they've skewed the stars upward. Logically 3 stars is okay, 1 star is hated it, 5 stars for loved it. 2 and 4 if they're not so extreme.

[Keri | Reads & Salt]

DNF @ 14% - just really boring and I don’t have any interest in continuing 😬

[Felicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

That last story by Dee Holmes was awful. The male main character was a complete asshole the entire story but yet the female lead kept making excuses for him and then at the end he finally realized he loved her and he's always loved her. My problem was that there was no remorse for his actions, he didn't apologize to her for being a complete asshole to her and how he's lived his life in general. There were also some inconsistencies. At the beginning the story one thing was mentioned to have happened, later that same thing was mentioned to not have happened. So, that was a bit confusing.

I'm a fan of Sherrilyn Kenyon, I've read and own many of her books which is why I picked this anthology up. However, her story wasn't my favorite.
Eileen Wilks wrote my favorite out of this collection, I will be checking out more of her stuff because of this. I also really enjoyed Lori Foster's story. It was sweet and romantic.

The Proper Lover by Eileen Wilks = 4 out of 5 stars
Santa Wears Spurs by Sherrilyn Kenyon = 3 out of 5 stars - I needed more explanations, it was frustrating. I often am with her short stories.
Christmas Bonus by Lori Foster = 4 out of 5 stars
A Night with Emily by Dee Holmes = 1 out of 5 stars

[Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is just a mediocre holiday collection with 4 very different stories in it, all of which are average. Some aren't overly holiday-ee others have a more seasonal theme to them.

I bet there are better holiday collections out there, but this one wasn't too bad for a quick read to get me in the mood.

[Jessica Click · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not like the first story in the book by Eileen Wilks at all. The second story in the book by Sherrilyn Kenyon was pretty good I would rate it a 4. The third story in the book by Lori Foster was great I loved it I would rate it a 5. The last story in the book by Dee Holmes I did not care much for either.

[Aayesha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Only read Santa Wears Spurs. Short cute story, but Pete's about turn was a bit unrealistic.

[Debby · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Proper Love" by Elieen Wilks - Emily Smythe in 1807 wants to be "ruined" so she won't have to marry the man picked out for her. She sneaks away to a neighbor's where a wild party is going on and meets James Drake, Baron Redding who falls for her... eventuallys and rescues her to the new world.

"Santa Wears Spurs" by Kinley MacGregor - Catherine O'Callahan's husband disappeared leaving her pregnant. Years later he shows up again - a wanted criminal thanks to his brother. It works out eventually.

"Christmas Bonus" by Lori Foster - Eric Bragg waited for Maggie Carmichael, daughter of his boss and mentor, to grow up. Her dad dies about the time he's read to advance on her and leaves her the company, which makes it difficult for Eric. Maggie's a romance writer and they work it out.

"A Night with Emily" by Dee Holmes - Emily Madden is spending Christmas at a friend's house - Johnny Cross, her old flame and he doesn't like it, but they finally work it out.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only these two stories appealed.

The Proper Lover by Eileen Wilks
3.5/5
Good chemistry. And although Emily was clearly TSTL she obviously had a sheltered life. Nearly a literal "babe in the woods," she walks through the woods on Christmas Eve from her puritanical uncle's house to the neighboring house which is having a house party that is a literal orgy. James didn't want to join in by screwing the host's wife in front of the whole party. Emily taps on his window and he thinks she's a whore until he notices she's wearing gloves (whores don't wear gloves?). It's cute how they grow closer when snowed in overnight.

Christmas Bonus by Lori Foster
3/5
I have read this one before, whether in this collection or a different one I'm not sure. Still about average. A bit of an age difference here, he's 32 and she's 22. He's been her crush since she was 17 and he's wanted to marry her since she was 19. Sweet friends to lovers.

[Kelly]

I did not finish this anthology (DNF)

The first novella was a regency era book and I never understood the dialogue/terms, so it was a quick skim.

The second was set in the 'Old West' and I do not like that dialogue either.

I did not read the third or fourth, which were more than likely set in a more modern setting.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet HEA stories. I always enjoy Lori Foster's writing. The variety of this collection was unexpected, a historical, a western, and two contemporary. The last one by Dee Holmes was a bit confusing and awkward. The other 3 stories were like a Christmas cookie platter, a variety of yummy sweets.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This rating is based on only reading The Christmas Bonus by Lori Foster.

[Shibest Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a book of short stories. Some were better than others. Overall, it was a product of its time 2000.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nancy

I only read one story. But it was a great story with lots of excitement, funny segments, and great characters. Thanks for the short cute story

[Joyce Tomala · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a spicy collection of novellas.

[Becca Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet stories that don't take long to read. I enjoyed them all but my favourite was the first one.
Well worth a read!

[Vikki Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent stories

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Proper Lover by Eileen Wilks
1807… Emily Eleanor Smythe… orphaned, aunt and uncle ready to marry her off… a surprised kiss with a rake in the woods, leads her to a solution… to ‘ruin’ her chances… so she sneaks into James Edward Charles Drake (aka Baron Redding, 2nd son of an Earl) who is staying at the neighbor’s (mile down the road) room with intention of being ruined…. James is disgruntled , unloved, unnecessary son of the Earl – wanting to irritate dad, he agreed to a debauchery weekend.. but it was too debauched as the wife wanted him to have sex with her in front of her husband… so he retired to his room with a bottle of … and thinking Emily was provided to him by his hosts, an, offering – not quite processing her subdued he begins to avail himself of her a bit foggy dress and overcoat… but when he figures it out (she is too stiff), he stops – and sends her home… out the window they go… get to the gazebo and it begins to snow… return to get light… talk… discuss her possible suitors… discuss his going to America… discuss her love of travel (at least via the books she’s read)… and end up making love… and she is ruined… daylight before they leave again… and uncle runs him off… but he returns a month later… tossing pebbles at her window… and they elope, and head to America.

After he turns the wife away, with Emily under the bed…”She seemed to think that you couldn’t – well, you know – because of the brandy.”…”Brandy has an unfortunate effect on a man’s virility sometimes. And now that I’ve ruined my reputation as a rake for your sake, do you think you could put this on and hustle your charming bottom back out the window?”… “But it didn’t have that effct on you earlier.” Emily might not be entirely clear on what happened when a man bedded a woman, but she knew more than she used to. A great deal more, now that she’d felt jame’s body on top of hers. “When she said something about ‘not being hard enough,’ did she mean – oh, dear. I don’t know the word for---“

Santa wears Surs by Kinley MacGregor…
Sweet love story of Mr. O’Callahan ie Michael O’Connell who fell in love with sweet, preacher’s daughter Catherine, married her, got her pregnant (though he didn’t know) and walked away when his older brother, who did raise him and keep his fed and housed, blackmailed him into helping him rob another bank… and five years later… that same brother robbed an orphanage on Christmas eve.. and Michael socks his brother and takes the money back to the orphanage… only to find his wife and daughter living there (running it)… and after a bit, she takes him back into her bed… and brother shows up in the morning, again blackmailing him to rob a bank or else lose his woman… Catherine finally puts two and two together, get the sheriff (her boarder) out to intervene… and he shoots the brother – who right before he dies, tells the sheriff that his brother was killed 5 months earlier, and this guy was a bounty hunter tracking him… leaving his brother in the clear to be a good husband and father… ahhhh

Christmas Bonus by Lori Foster
Eric Bragg – VP of the company… Maggie Carmichael… daughter of the owner, who died 6 months earlier… and she stepped into daddy’s role… and each have a big thing for the other… and both have thought for years this is to the time to reveal my hand… until she asks him to escort her to the company holiday party… and she sees interest in his eyes… and confesses her feelings… and he takes her home, and makes glorious love to her finally… ahhhh

A Night With Emily by Dee Holmes’
High School sweethearts, Johnny Cross and Emily Madden thought they’d be together forever… until he declares he’s leaving town to start a construction company with his high school friend, needed to get away from under daddy’s shadow… and she knows she can’t leave their home town… 7 years pass… he’s engaged… though neither has forgotten the other… and he shows up at his home (she’s dog sitting for his sister), looking sad… and he wants her gone… she isn’t going… and she finally learns that he walked in on his best friend and his fiancé… he’s home to lick wounds… and she takes him with her (he is driving his truck with the packages) to delivery holiday goodies… and he connects with the young teen in the house, who is eager to help and care for his mother… and together they lay in supplies to fix things around the house, he respectfully treating the boy… and partner shows up, he sends him away… exfiance shows up, and he gains some understanding that nothing was calculated… and he realizes his heart still belongs to Emily… ahhhh

[TinaMarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas Bonus by Lori Foster - 5
Hot and steamy, she's his boss and he's lusted for her since she was 17 but wanted to wait until she finished college.

A Night with Emily by Dee Holmes - 4
They broke up when he wanted to pursue a career in the big city. Once he sees her again after catching his fiancé cheating on him, he realizes she's the only one for him.

Santa Wears Spurs by Kinley MacGregor - 4
He left his wife to protect her, when his brother steals from an orphanage before Christmas, he defies him to return the money only to find his wife. After accidently setting him on fire he charms his way into her bed again. I realize it's a short but I think he should have had to work at it a lot longer. It was as sweet ending.

The Proper Lover by Eileen Wilks - 4
She doesn't wish to marry the men chosen for her and seeks out a notorious rake to 'ruin' her. He tries to be noble but fails miserably.

[Carolyn F.]

Anthology. I wanted to read this anthology mostly because of love Eileen Wilks' paranormal series. I've kind of OD'd on historical romance but thought that reading short stories wouldn't be so bad.. I should just read this whole thing at another time when I don't have such a bad attitude. In fact, I will.

1. The Christmas Bonus by Lori Foster

2. A Night with Emily by Dee Holmes

3. Santa Wears Spurs by Kinley MacGregor

4. The Proper Lover by Eileen Wilks.

[Maura · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Christmas Bonus - Lori Foster - 3/5 - A cute enough story about a businessman and the boss. They've been in love with each other since they first met, when she was 17 (he's 10 years older). He was going to declare himself once she'd graduated college, but then her Dad died, she took over the company and now she's in charge. And it's an awkward situation. But it's Christmas and she's determined to have him and so the seduction begins. This is a very steamy romance - more sex than character development or plot really. But it was a fun read because of it.

A Night with Emily - Dee Holmes - 3/5 - This one started out pretty good. It's the typical story about lovers who go their own way, part semi-amicably, but then find themselves drawn together once more. Johnny (makes me think of Dirty Dancing) has returned to Jepson to cook up some revenge, but his ex-girlfriend Emily is staying in his house...and he's tempted by her. She's a little too nice. And he hurt her when he left. And got engaged. But despite that, they've never stopped loving one another. This would have actually been much better, IMHO if the focus had been more on resolving the initial separation and angst, which was never resolved to my satisfaction. Instead, the author introduced an OW to create the angst. And I felt like the ending needed another paragraph or something. It ended too abruptly. Still a good, quick read.

Santa Wears Spurts - Sherrilynn Kenyon - 3/5 - Never seen a historical by this author before. This story is about O'Connell, who is/was a thief and is rather trapped in the lifestyle by his brother. He'd much rather be with the love of his life, Catherine, but he can't because of his brother. She's running a boardinghouse or something and he shows up. And he gets to meets his kid - one he didn't even know existed There's a bit of angst between them and it's a pretty decent story. I'm not a huge fan of westerns (especially historical), but it was a good read.

The Proper Lover - Eileen Wilks - 4/5 - This one was by far my favorite! Emily Smythe is being forced to accept one of her two (unsuitable) suitors. In order to avoid this possibility, she seeks to have herself ruined, by entering the bedroom of James, Baron Redding, a rake who kissed her in the woods the previous day. But things don't work out how she plans - they end up intriguing one another and Emily begins thinking of more than just one night. I loved James! The prudish rake who slunk back to his rooms like an "offended maiden" when his host offers him a public shag with his wife. He's rakish, but still surprisingly honorable. Emily was pretty enjoyable as well, not easy to categorize. The best thing here is that, although it seems like insta-love, the author really shows us how these two, having known each other only a few hours, could actually fall in love. They learn about one another and develop a friendship in that small time, so it is no surprise that they find themselves in love shortly thereafter.

[Ashley Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this anthology featuring authors Sherrilyn Kenyon, Lori Foster, Dee Holmes and Eileen Wilks.

The Proper Lover by Eileen Wilks (5 stars)
Emily Smythe was determined for James Drake to ruin her. Her aunt was determined to marry her off to one of two men, both of whom she could not stand. She goes to James in the middle of the night for him to make her unmarriageable. Will this young woman steal the heart of this rakish man or will she be forced into a loveless marriage? Read to find out! I really enjoyed this story and the connection between Emily and James.

Santa Wears Spurs by Sherrilyn Kenyon (5 stars)
This is the story about a man forced to leave the woman he loves when his outlaw brother threatens her. This story is set years later when his brother steals money from an orphanage at christmas, when Will goes back to return the stolen money, he finds his wife, and is surprised to find he has a young daughter. His brother Pete shows up and threatens his daughter so Will is going to walk away to save his family. Will he be forced to leave the woman he loves and the daughter he has just learned about or will he receive a Christmas miracle and get to stay. I really enjoyed this story and the impact that Catherine had on Will.

Christmas Bonus by Lori Foster (5 Stars)
This is the story of Eric and Maggie. Maggie met Eric when she was just seventeen years old and has loved him ever since. Eric has been interested in her for quite some time but has been waiting for her to show some interest. When Maggie's father dies he puts her in charge of his company that Eric works for hoping that the business will get his daughter the man she loves. When Maggie is left in charge Eric backs off even more, afraid she will believe he only wants her for the business. Will these two love struck people wind up together or will the continue to dance around one another. I really enjoyed the story of Maggie and Eric and was cheering them on the whole time!

A Night with Emily by Dee Holmes (3 stars)
This is the story of Emily and Johnny and their reunion at Christmas. Will these two former lovers rekindle their flame and have their happily ever after. I enjoyed this story!

[Melinda · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were four novellas in this anthology and I only read two. Mainly because I don't like regency or western romance stories. I read Christmas Bonus and A Night with Emily. Both stories were fun and random. In Christmas Bonus the boss decides to seduce her employee but she knew him before she ended up being his boss. For some reason I like when the hero and the heroine want the same thing but their interpretations of the others actions is just wrong. I find that so true to life. And then in a Night with Emily you have more of the why don't you just talk about it aspect. Emily is all around awesome and she really puts herself out there but Johnny plays his cards close to his chest. They too have major misunderstanding but life ends happy. If you are looking for nice, sweet, stories with a hint of hot then these are it.

[Gmc · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE PROPER LOVER by Eileen Wilks:Emily Eleanor Smyth Is a "poor relation" and is trying to get out of an arranged marriage. In Regency England, as the young lady plans to lose her innocence to a charming rogue -- but doesn't expect a night of passion to so thoroughly connect their souls.

SANTA WEARS SPURS by (Kinley MacGregor AKA Sherrilyn Kenyon) In the Old West, an outlaw returns to the woman he loved and left behind and finds the best holiday surprise of his life, his daughter and wife tat still loves him.

CHRISTMAS BONUS by Lori Foster: This contemporary story has two co-workers plan a Christmas party side-by-side-and uncover a love worth celebrating.

A NIGHT WITH EMILY by Dee Holmes: reunites former lovers, who are forced to spend the holidays together and find that their old flames still burn white-hot.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some of the stories were okay, some very good. I am sure there are better anthologies out there (and worse). I really enjoyed the the first story by Eileen Wilks. An author that was new to me. Set in the Regency era, this was my favorite of all four. The second by Sherrily Kenyon, Santa Wears Spurs, a western was okay but cowboy romances have never been my favorite. The third story, by Lori Foster, Christmas Bonus, was a quick contemporary romance & well written. Lori Foster always writes steamy romance. Sure to sizzle. The last installment, A Night With Emily by Dee Holmes was too boring for me. I stopped reading about 5 pages before the ending. The male character was terrible. I did not want to see them re-kindle their old flame.

[Fangirl Musings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another anthology I purchased solely because Sherrilyn Kenyon (MacGregor) wrote a story for the publication. As with other such books, I've not read the subsequent stories outside of Sherri's, and have rated the book solely on such story.

Overall, another sweet story! I adore how Sherri is capable of writing shorts that wrap up characters and plots in a way no other author is capable of doing! I loved Catherine and O'Connell, and reading about their second chance at love story was smile worthy to the extreme. Adored it!

[Jewlsbookblog · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 stars
Santa Wears Spurs by Kinley MacGregor-In an attempt to fix a his brother's wrongdoing, Michael and Catherine have an unexpected second chance to be together again. Set in the Old West, this was alright.

4 stars
Christmas Bonus by Lori Foster-Eric and Maggie have always liked the other but the opportunity to act was never right. Now that Maggie is Eric's boss, which one will give in? This is a sexy, fun holiday read. Foster's lighthearted humor always makes me smile!

3.5 stars
A Night with Emily -A sweet, contemporary romance of forgiveness and Christmas magic.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book. It has 4 stories, from different authors, all less then 100 pages each. Even though they were all quick reads they did not leave you still wondering about anything. Some of the sex scenes were yummy hot!The stories themselves were new and refreshing not just the same ole thing.

[Dawn ♥ romance · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only liked Lori Fosters steamy story of two co-workers planning a Christmas party and discovering a love worth celebrating. The others were mostly negative ... Regency story was reasons they shouldn't, Old West story was a rehash of problems and heroine in former lovers story was such a doormat.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stories in this anthology are varied in time period and enjoyable in a light way. I read it because of the Kinley MacGregor/Sherrilyn Kenyon story, which I liked, but if I knew what the reading experience would be I would not have bothered.

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Santa Wears Spurs by Kinley MacGregor was republished in Dark Bites Anthology with Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter short stories. I read it than. It was a cute story about an outlaw returning to his wife on Christmas Eve, who is very mad at him.