Twelve Days of Kisses

by Trinity Wood (Editor), Sofia Aves, Danielle Bellwood

Sparkling romance with a sprinkling of holiday magic and a touch of sass and spice.
Breast cancer affects one in four women. Here’s your chance to read a swoon-worthy book and help other women at the same time.

Curl up in your comfy chair in front of the fire and know that every book purchased, and every page read raises money for breast cancer research.

This winter romance collection has it all:

Small towns
Multicultural couples
Hawaiian escapes
Hot surfers
Firefighters – ooh!
Delectable bakers and cakes
And a touch of noir

Grab Twelve Days of Kisses for romance with all the feels.

***ALL proceeds go to fund research in the fight against breast cancer. ***

Genres: Anthologies

Kindle Edition

Published November 10, 2020

About the author

Trinity writes contemporary romance set in New Zealand. Because she can't get enough of book boyfriends, she created some of her own. Get ready to meet Sam, Corey, Jay, Tai, Luke, Mike, Travis, and many more, but please form an orderly line. Behind Trinity.

A self-professed good-time nerd, Trinity's never far away from one of her trusty Pokemon coffee mugs. Trinity also swears that Margaritas can cure colds.

Keep in touch on Facebook in The New Romance Cafe.

Reviews

[Allie Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this collection. All super amazing Christmas stories but Mugshots and Candy Canes by Sofia Aves and Cake Decorating for Beginners by Danielle Bellwood where my favorites. I loved Allie’s story and I freaking love cake! I highly suggest reading this collection if you want some Holiday cheer!

[Anthia Clark-Felt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly sweet collection of short stories. I enjoyed that each story had a major life challenge to overcome in order to find that perfect someone.
Mugshots and Candy was one of my favorites! I loved how Brett took care of Ally throughout the story, always having her back.
This was a great read!

[Joy Whiteside · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing collection of stories for the holiday season, all written by an amazing group of authors that will not disappoint. Each story will capture you and keep you reading till the end. They all have characters that you will fall in love with and you want to see them find what they are looking for. This is a collection that must be read, there is no doubt about it.

[KL Cassanello · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really nice mix of holiday stories. There is something for everyone. And a truly great cause for donations from purchases.

My favorite story is Baking a Living by Molli McBeal, a new-to-me author. Clara's ex is getting married, and she's catering. She'd like to bail on the job, but really needs the money. Garret, the ex's brother, offers to allow her to cater his Christmas party for the same money. With a twist. Edibles. The story is hilarious with the craziness that ensues when Clara and Garret get high, and they have more than one misunderstanding. No heavy romance, just a light-hearted fun story.

[Jennifer Bourgeois · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the collection especially Sofia Aves. You all did a great job. I couldn't put the book down. Mugshots and Candy Canes, just Wow. All of Sofia Aves books are amazing. She never disappoints. I will say again I love all the books in this collection. it is hard to choose my fav book. I only mention Sofia Aves because I kind of know her personally. I love all the characters' interactions with each other. I love all the endings. I give it 4 stars because I only give reviews four-star.

[Shanna D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twelve Days of Kisses: A Contemporary Romance Collection from the New Romance Café. This collection has it all- great drama, plenty of heat and passion, and strong and feisty characters all wrapped up in a nice package covered with a big glittery bow. Creative authors, swoon worthy stories, all for a great cause. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mx Phoebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cake Decorating for Beginners sucked me in! Danielle Bellwood takes us to Texas and a wedding cake contest. Let me just say, who the heck would hold a wedding contest on Christmas Eve…? Scrooge. No worries as Bellwood provides the romance to an unsuspecting Rachel who desperately needs a break. The humor in this story just tickled me. Rachel and her one-liners are too much.

Zoey Fox takes on the task of what happens after your loved one dies in Her Christmas Angel. This is not a maudlin story. Angel deals with guilt in different areas and how facing everyone’s actions can be liberating. This second chance romance is at times very touching and adorable - especially Caleb. Fox provides a feel-good read.

I am not a big fan of subterfuge in romantic relationships, but Changed In Time For Christmas is a romance about change. Liz Martinson gives Emily and Jake an opportunity to to change their way of thinking for the better of mankind and themselves. Changed is more than about romance, but how we need to be award of the environment and community. I can totally get behind that.

Twelve Days of Kisses authors include: Sofia Aves, Danielle Bellwood, Aubrey Brandon, Leila Coltyn, Zoey Fox, Ėlodie Garroway, Liz Martinson, Molli McBeal, L.S. Ram, and Sydney Woods.

***ALL proceeds go to fund research in the fight against breast cancer. ***

I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of storied with various written and each story is fantastic. The characters are written with depth and feeling and as you read you become part of their story. Easy and fun escape from reality.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Karen Roma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twelve Days of Kisses is a wonderful collection of Contemporary Romance stories set in the warm and festive season of Christmas. These stories have a nice mix of drama, fun, passion and hope, and the characters all vary in nature, but are certainly strong and engaging. The authors have come together to provide readers with delightful entertainment, and to support a worthy cause. I’m sure there is something to suit every taste in this Christmas collection.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twelve Days of Kisses is a collection of Christmas stories that have romance, drama and of course plenty of heat! All by wonderful authors, some who I have read before and some that I have not, but will definitely now! Great collection that I would highly recommend for this holiday season!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a good small town holiday romance read. The story has a good story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry. The story is an enjoyable holiday romance collection read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mari (Mystics & Metaphysics Book Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, I love discovering new authors and the best way to do that is through anthologies sometimes. I devoured these short stories. They all have the romance you need with life-changing moments along with the swoon-worthy heroes that make the holiday season shine.

[Ritu Bhathal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of short stories, all with a little Christmas sparkle, giving readers a taste of some new to them authors.
There's something for everyone here, with various different contemporary romance tropes involved.
And another great thing? the proceeds go to Charity!

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

Twelve Days of Kisses is the Romance Cafe’s contemporary charity anthology, and as is standard, there’s a mix of stories, some great and some not so great, however, a lot of it is purely subjective. Regardless of what you like, this collection is full of holiday cheer with something that is sure to pique your fancy.

***

“Mugshots and Candy Canes” by Sofia Aves

3 stars

This story had a lot of potential, but suffers from the issue I have with a lot of romantic suspense shorts in that I want it to be longer to flesh out the suspense. The romance is nice enough, but I wasn’t super invested in it.

“Cake Decorating for Beginners” by Danielle Bellwood

5 stars

Having loved Bellwood’s previous contribution to a Romance Cafe anthology, I was pleased that this one also hit the spot, recapturing the still-lingering feels of following a determined chef in The Princess Switch (yeah, I’m late to the party on that one). Each page was full of luscious food, with the chapters headed with snippets of recipes. I rooted for Rachel to win her championship, while also being invested in her potential new romance.

“Aloha Christmas” by Aubrey Brandon

3 stars

This one just wasn’t for me. I love a good second chance, but it felt like it went from heartbreak to jumping back into bed too quickly, and I’m super squicky about sex, especially in shorts. It’s a shame, because there are some great moments in here, especially capturing the setting, but I just never connected.

“Callum’s Awakening” by Leila Coltlyn

2 stars

I didn’t like billionaire romances before, and given the state of the world now, I’m not into it even more, even if it happens that the billionaire hero isn’t straight. I still found Callum really hard to like with all of his rich people problems (boohoo, your friend’s not here for you because they’re saving the world, and people use you for your money. Maybe show how you’re sharing your wealth with the less fortunate on your own terms and then I’ll feel bad for people taking advantage of you). Ryker was somewhat more tolerable, but didn’t make up for it much.

“Her Christmas Angel” by Zoey Fox

4 stars

Stories about large families can be hard to convey well in long form, but Fox succeeds for the most part with this one, portraying a balance of darkness and hope in the aftermath of tragedy. I deeply resonated with Annabelle’s sense of loss, and rooted for her as she started the path to healing with an old flame.

“Joyeux Noel, Elinor” by Élodie Garroway

5 stars

I love a good retelling, and while this is more of an homage to A Christmas Carol (as the submission guidelines, as I recall, forbade any paranormal elements, so there is a lamentable lack of ghosts), there’s still a delightful story arc for Elinor as she opens her heart again and finds love with her childhood friend Henri amid all the other chaos going on around her.

“Changed in Time for Christmas” by Liz Martinson

4 stars

First off, I love the note that it’s written in British English. God forbid something not revolve around American sensibilities for once, especially if it feels more authentic to the characters (and it does). As far as the story, I liked this take on “opposites attract,” with Jake and Emily learning from each other how to be more rounded people.

“Baking a Living” by Molli McBeal

This is one of the shorter ones (I think?), but I struggled. I have no issue with people using marijuana in theory and believe it should be legal across the board, but it’s just not something I’d like to read about my romantic leads engaging in. If you enjoy it, more power to you. But it’s not for me.

“Naan But You” by LS Ram

4 stars

This one was a lovely story about people from different cultures in love having to overcome barriers set by their families to be together. With the obstacles in their way, I rooted for Riya to find her courage to face her family and for them to finally publicly have their HEA over Christmas.

“Step Into a Very Noir Christmas” by Sydney Woods

4 stars

While I did just say romantic suspense frequently doesn’t work in novella form, I feel I must make a strong exception for this lovely homage to the noir genre. It’s well paced, and while it’s not super complex (likely due as much to the length as the nature of the genre), I quite liked how straightforward it was while still being surprising. And the romance between Phoebe and Reece amidst it was very engaging.

***

I encourage those who love contemporary holiday stories to pick this up (whether they buy it or check it out through KU), as it’s not only a fairly solid group of stories overall, with only a couple of subjective disappointments that could work better for someone else, but it’s also a great way to support a great cause.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This anthology has it all, a little action, suspense and mystery. Some sweet with a little heat is included. There is also some nice steamy sexy stories. Each is individual and stand alone. Each has a good storyline. I have a couple of favorites over the others. This is quite enjoyable and a good variety. Jake the surfer and Emily the developer is a particular favorite. So is Rachel and Ted who are both in the food industry.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BigGirl BigBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely collection of Christmas Romance, I loved Sofia Aves' "Mugshots and Candy Canes", the love and devotion between the lovebirds felt genuine. But I felt it was too short of a story to really capitalize on the suspense the author was building. Danielle Bellwood's Story was also a favorite and added a little humor to this set of tales wrote and complied to raise money for Breast Cancer Research.

[Esme Greiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great collection of stories. Some are authors that I have not read before but look forward to reading more from them. There is a little of everything so you will find something you like.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twelve Days of Kisses is the eighth book in the Romance Café Collection. This multi-author collection has something for everyone to enjoy over the holiday season. There is a mix of romance stories with great characters, drama, hope, family, and love.
I read and reviewed this book with no obligation.

[Trudy Dowling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't get enough of anthologies. How can you go wrong with a variety of authors and a collection of stories. I have discovered may new to me authors.

I was in a bit of a Christmas slump. After reading this book, Bring it on. Christmas music while baking cookies is my plan for the new few days.

[Jamie Bee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Insult to the Reason for the Season

I love a good holiday romance. Nothing quite gets me in the Christmas spirit than well-written holiday romances. So I love it when I see a collection of romantic holiday stories. However, the stories in this collection hit too many wrong notes that to me came across as an insult to the reason for the season. I was turned off in the first story right away when there was swearing. Other stories had this as well. One had a scene with what in some states is an illegal substance. There are other elements of the stories as well that just didn't jibe with the holiday spirit at all, like characters jumping into bed together too quickly and noir elements. This book had zero holiday sparkle or magic, which is what I am looking for in a holiday read. What a disappointment. I do appreciate that the authors are giving what they make to breast cancer, but I just wish they had more appreciation and willingness to make their stories more appropriate for this special time of the year.

I received a free copy of this collection, but that did not affect my review.

[Elvira · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome boxset with storylines that are definitely worth the read. The flow of each book was well done. I found myself hooked on the well developed and engaging characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivated my attention instantly, leaving me no other choice but to devour in one sitting... I simply loved this story and can't wait to see what comes next in this series...

[Liz Martinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good anthology.