HOLIDAY TEMPTATION

Professional women at personal crossroads find love in three contemporary holiday romances.

In Hill’s A Gift of Love, drama professor Traci Long catches the eye of sexy barista Noah Jefferson. Traci is rebuilding her life after leaving an abusive ex and doesn’t trust men, or herself. She can’t quite put her finger on why Noah is stalled out on his dream of opening a cafe-style club, but Traci’s “tired of being afraid of my own voice, my own wants, and living on the edge with the belief that if I say anything, ask for anything, want anything...I’m going to pay some kind of price.” When the other shoe drops, it’s revealed that Noah has his own trust issues. Traci’s emotional journey steals the show in this sweet, romantic tale. Christmas is front and center in Rochon’s Holiday Spice. Freelance photographer Miranda Lawson is on assignment in Istanbul just before Christmas, a holiday that reminds her of the devastating tragedy that's cast a dark shadow over her life. When she meets fellow American Kyle Daniels in the Spice Market, the attraction is immediate. Kyle has to work hard to break down Miranda’s resistance to vulnerability and connection. In Jackson's From Here to Serenity, opposites attract with sexy intensity. During a holiday cruise to Miami on his yacht, real estate developer Ross Montgomery clashes with his new personal chef Essie Bradford’s “Zen, no judgment, live in the moment” lifestyle. Essie has a checkered romantic past and trust issues, but Ross’ larger-than-life workaholic lifestyle presents a bigger barrier to love. With a short page count, Ross’ transition isn’t very credible, but Jackson writes the spiciest scenes of the three novellas.

A sweet, sexy, and satisfying trio of novellas.