Tag Archives: Donna Kauffman

Kissing Santa Claus by Donna Kauffman, Jill Shalvis & HelenKay Dimon

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview

Title: Kissing Santa Claus
Author: Donna Kauffman, Jill Shalvis & HelenKay Dimon
In: Kissing Santa Claus (Donna Kauffman, Jill Shalvis & HelenKay Dimon)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary romance, Short story collections
Pace: Slow
Format: Anthology, eBook
Year: 2009

Thoughts

Kissing Santa Claus was a fun anthology to read at Christmas time. It was three fun novellas placed in wildly different settings. But, all with the undertones of Christmas and love in the festive season. Each and every story had a feeling of moving on and new beginnings, all emphasising the turn of the season and the start of a new year. It was fun, light and a wonderfully easy read. Just the thing for someone who was really struggling to get into the whole idea of Christmas this year.

Even though I enjoyed this anthology, it definitely wasn’t my favourite set of Christmas novellas. It started really strong and I seriously loved Kauffman’s story, Lock, Stock and Jingle Bells. But then it just got weaker and weaker until ultimately I wasn’t even that fussed about finishing the final novella in this anthology. Yet, it was still a fun set of stories, and not one I would necessarily delete off of my shelves.

As much as I didn’t love this anthology, it was still a great way to get into the Christmas mood. It was also really nice, and somewhat rare, to read a Christmas story that was not based in the snow. It was nice to have a Christmas tale that was a whole lot more familiar than the idea of a White Christmas. Or just any kind of snow and cold really…

<- It’s Hotter at ChristmasLock, Stock and Jingle Bells ->

Image source: Amazon

Lock, Stock and Jingle Bells by Donna Kauffman

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Lock, Stock and Jingle Bells
Author: Donna Kauffman
Series: Hamilton Christmas #2
In: Kissing Santa Claus (Donna Kauffman, Jill Shalvis & HelenKay Dimon)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary romance, Small town romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2009

Thoughts

It’s fairly obvious from the beginning of the story that Holly is kind of a grinch. Not in an overly aggressive way, but in a “I don’t actually like Christmas” way. I mean, if you had the name and the upbringing, the backstory that she does, it makes total sense. Living in a Christmas Wonderland full time just sounds absolutely exhausting. And to have your parents prioritise that over your own health and wellbeing, yeah, I completely get where she’s coming from. Which just means that having a story in which she is given her “inheritance” of a Christmas shop was an even more intriguing plot line.

I love that Sean Gallagher of the Gallagher clan was just as awkward and uncomfortable as every other teen. Even if he had an amazing and loving family behind him. And was all of those popular stereotypes that actually turn out to be kind of realistic. Yet, as with reality, our perceptions of people aren’t always true and I love that both Sean and Holly, in their teenage years made a whole lot of assumptions. But, as adults, Sean is finally brave enough to go for what and who he wants.

Holly spends the majority of this story trying to figure out what her future holds, whilst still holding onto and honouring her mother’s dream. It’s a fine line to walk. Particularly as Holly gets her inheritance when her mother is actually still alive. A lot of emotional turmoil and past secrets are revealed and dealt with throughout this Christmas novella. I’ll probably enjoy reading this again in the future.

<- Kissing Santa ClausBah, Handsome! ->

Image source: Amazon

Night Watch by Donna Kauffman

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Night Watch
Author: Donna Kauffman
Series: Chisholm Brothers #3
In: Bad Boys in Kilts (Donna Kauffman)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Scottish romance
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Year: 2006

Thoughts

Tristan is just all round yummy. I mean, a literal shepherd who is built, paints and lives on his own? There is something so wonderfully delicious about him that I sunk straight into this story without any hesitation. Like, disgustingly yummy. Also, the Meet Cute between the two involves him in nothing but a towel, standing in the rain, trying to rescue her. And then the towel is swept away… wonderfully delicious an incredibly strong imagery from the very get-go. I enjoyed all three of the Chisholm brothers and their women up until this point, but I definitely enjoyed this couple the most so far.

I like that this is about two introverts finding their happily ever after. Most of the stories I read involve at least one extrovert bringing their introverted lover further out into the world. The change of pace in having two introverts who continued in their introverted ways was a wonderful deviation. One that I can relate to incredibly strongly – my partner and I are incredibly introverted and more than happy just spending our time in one another’s company. It was fantastic that for this happily ever, both are able to continue in their creative, artistic introversion, without having to suddenly become social beings who went out all of the time. A reminder that its really cool being an introvert too.

I enjoyed pretty much everything about this novella. But it was the rescue scene that I loved the most. A calamity of misunderstandings, potential drowning and just all round hilarity ensued throughout this moment. I couldn’t help the grin that was splayed across my face the whole time I read this. I also understood the confusion and frustration both sides felt as they truly and fantastically failed to communicate their intentions and impressions to one another. Lots of loud giggles when I read the opening to this novella.

Finally, I love that the epilogue, whilst tidying up Tristan’s story, also tidied up the other two brothers’ stories as well. And, hints pretty heavily at what is about to happen for the fourth and final brother. It was a great way to round out the three Chisholm Brothers novellas, whilst introducing the theme and challenges that are about to be faced in the final story. One that I now need to get my hands on…

<- On TapBad Boys in Kilts ->

Image source: Kensington Publishing

On Tap by Donna Kauffman

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: On Tap
Author: Donna Kauffman
Series: Chisholm Brothers #2
In: Bad Boys in Kilts (Donna Kauffman)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Scottish romance
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Year: 2006

Thoughts

Daisy was completely gorgeous in Bottoms Up – she was just the kind of woman that I like to read about, supportive of someone when she realises where the antagonization comes from. And just genuinely kind of pure and sweet. Which means that I just loved that she got her own tale and romance. It also provided a little more of her backstory, and a little more context into her random move to a tiny, Scottish town. All of which I lapped up incredibly happily. I’m a sucker for a good romance, I particularly love those that are based in Scotland and have a couple that compliment each other like the two in this story.

This novella was a little bit too insta-love for me. I lapped it up and enjoyed it, I also enjoyed that instant attraction moment. But the fact that they were head over heels and tumbling into a relationship when they were both completely addicted to their work? It was a little bit too quick, I think that it honestly just needed one more chapter of building the romantic suspense to make me feel happily content. I may be being a bit pedantic and fussy there though… who knows. Without the build-up and suspense I found it difficult to truly enjoy the lust and the relationship – it felt a little bit like the lead couple just leapt into bed together and suddenly all of their past was totally okay, but this is a novella, so I’m not really sure what I expected.

I did love that both characters were happily obsessed workaholics, and although they are moving forward to a new beginning, that tendency doesn’t exactly disappear. Instead, they figure out how to combine their workaholic natures with their new relationship for a fresh start. They didn’t suddenly drop their work and become relationship-obsessed individuals, rather they continued to be who they are. With a bit of balance. I find this more relatable – I’m a total control freak, that didn’t change just because I’m in a in a happy, healthy, loving relationship. I’m still a nut and a control freak. Which I loved about the couple in this novella.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novella, and I found that Daisy’s backstory was great. Running the Rat Race and then wanting to find a little better balance in life by moving to a small town is incredibly understandable. The fact that she is still driven and a hard worker made me love her more, she just has figured out a way to have a little bit of a life again. Falling for a man who is just as driven was just all round fun.

<- Bottoms UpNight Watch ->

Image source: Kensington Publishing

Exposed by Donna Kauffman

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Exposed
Author: Donna Kauffman
Series: Men of Rogue’s Hollow #2
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2004

Thoughts

I have to start this review by admitting that I absolutely loved the pun that was in this title. Which I didn’t get until halfway through. Because it is called Exposed and features two photographers – exposed and cameras. It made me very, very happy. It also highlighted how exposed both of the leads felt in this interaction, but that goes down a whole other rabbit hold.

This kind of had Let it Snow vibes with the whole being stranded on a train in the snow. I kind of love these stories which give you a tiny little bottle in which interactions are forced. When it happens with snow, it feels kind of magical. Although, since I’ve only seen snow maybe twice in my life, it’s a bit hard to actually know if it is as romantic and magical as it reads…

Not only was this a fun novella and one that stands beautifully by itself, it also touches upon two other stories in this series. Firstly, there are a few mentions to the previous novella – Baby, It’s Cold Outside. And then, there’s hints towards what Tag’s story in Catch Me If You Can will be like. Both of which I loved. It’s always nice to have a vein of connection throughout stories which stand beautifully by themselves, but also work well together.

I loved the compromise at the end of this story. I am a strong believer in the idea that relationships are all about compromise. Whether they be romantic or platonic. So the fact that Austin and Delilah manage to find that compromise in their own version of happily ever after left me feeling very content. There’s nothing more that I hate than a story which features a couple in which one has had to give up everything to be with the other.

Finally, it was Austin’s final leap of faith and confidence in each other that made me really enjoy this novella. Those grand gestures that are always in media are just so damn cute and this one definitely gave me all of the happy feelings.

<- Baby, It’s Cold OutsideCatch Me If You Can ->

Image source: Kobo

Bottoms Up by Donna Kauffman

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Bottoms Up
Author: Donna Kauffman
Series: Chisholm Brothers #1
In: Bad Boys in Kilts (Donna Kauffman)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Scottish romance
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Year: 2006

Thoughts

I honestly love any romance that features a best friends to lovers trope. They’re always adorable and fun. Plus, it’s such a great foundation for any relationship. Kat and Brodie are a great pair – they’re best mates who already spend all of their time together. They have the same life goals. And are just generally both kind of adorable. The darts scene in this book particularly made me happy, because it reminded me a little of the darts tournaments I was around when I was younger. And my own damn competitive streak…

I do love though that Brodie is so deliciously ignorant of his hold over Kat throughout. It isn’t the moment when Kat dolls herself up that makes him realise what he has though – it’s someone else basically smacking him over the head with the knowledge of her. He’s a little bit dense, but I love that moment when he finally clicks that his perfect match has been right in front of him all along. And that, although he’s entertaining the thought of flirting with another woman, he really doesn’t consider it seriously.

When I started reading this, I was expecting a novella in which two women were kind of pitted against one another. The scene where Daisy and Kat have a little heart to heart about how they are intimidated by each other is great. Not only are both impressed by the other and discussing how they feel envious of each other’s positive qualities. They also are highlighting how there are a multitude of ways to be a strong, beautiful woman. No right or wrong.

Everything about this novella was fun. It was delicious, cute and a nice, light read. I did enjoy though, beyond the relationship dynamics, how Kat is completely unwilling to be loved for anything less than what she is. Although she might be able to attract Brodie’s attention by dolling herself up and changing her whole style, she refuses to succumb to that. Another wonderful point in the favour of highlighting how amazing all types of women are.

<- Bad Boys in KiltsOn Tap ->

Image source: Kensington Publishing

Bad Boys in Kilts by Donna Kauffman

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Bad Boys in Kilts
Author: Donna Kauffman
In: Bad Boys in Kilts (Donna Kauffman)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Scottish romance, Short story collections
Pace: Medium
Format: Collection, Novella
Year: 2006

Thoughts

Bad Boys in Kilts is a deliciously yummy Scottish, contemporary romance collection. It features three novellas about the Chisholm Brothers, which all lead perfectly into the follow-on novel about the fourth. Each of the brothers are great characters on their own. A great way to drift away into a happy world of lust and love, and happily ever afters. Kauffman manages to follow a family of boys who all have completely different lives, whilst keeping the thread of family alive between them. A wonderful few hours reading to relax and leave a smile on my face.

I love how each of these novellas is a wonderful standalone, but they also lead wonderfully into each other. The three women partner alongside the three men wonderfully. All of the dynamics are starkly different to one another, stopping that feeling of same same that often comes along with novellas written by the same author one after the other.

This collection was all around delicious. It was fun, light and engaging. Incredibly cute, and now I can’t wait to read about the fourth Chisholm Brother.

<- Night WatchBottoms Up ->

Image source: Kensington Publishing

Santa in a Kilt by Donna Kauffman

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Santa in a Kilt
Author: Donna Kauffman
Series: Hot Scot Trilogy #3
In: Unwrapped (Erin McCarthy, Donna Kauffman & Kate Angell)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Scottish romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2011

Thoughts

The title of this novella is incredibly misleading, since there’s absolutely no Santa. In fact, there’s barely a mention of Christmas. It’s the time of year, but there is really no other relevance to the storyline there. The kilt part though? That’s definitely a BIG part of this story. And quite a yummy part if I’m being honest…

I thought Shay would be a lot more resilient to his eventual succumbing to the relationship with Kira. I mean, he had all sorts of resistance and well meaning intentions at the beginning. And I honestly thought that he would stuff up their burgeoning romance before the eventual happily ever after. In fact, everything about Shay was yummy, and since he didn’t epically stuff up, there wasn’t much to NOT like about him.

Kira was kind of what I’ve always wanted to be in a relationship… accepting. She was happy to take what she could and just, accept who and what Shay is. I try to do this in all my relationships, but must admit I’m not always successful. This was a beautiful way to round out the Hot Scot Trilogy, even if I haven’t actually read the first two books yet… something I’ll try to remedy soon.

<- Blue ChristmasSnow Angel ->

Image source: Amazon

Unwrapped by Erin McCarthy, Donna Kauffman & Kate Angell

Book Review, , , , , , ,
Overview

Title: Unwrapped
Author: Erin McCarthy, Donna Kauffman & Kate Angell
In: Unwrapped (Erin McCarthy, Donna Kauffman & Kate Angell)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Short story collections
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology, eBook
Year: 2011

Thoughts

This was a fantastic anthology of cutsie Christmas romances. All three novellas were fun and adorable, incredibly fun and ridiculously yummy. I loved the winter feeling of each of the stories and the imagery of snow falling around.

Each of these novellas were fun and light, with just enough drama to make them interesting. Plus, each and every one had a great little happy ending. One that left me with a happy smile on my face.

What a great collection of authors, old and new. I love a good Christmas romance, and the length of these novellas made it perfect to read just before bed without keeping me up too late.

<- Snow AngelBlue Christmas ->

Image source: Amazon

Jingle Bell Rock by Lori Foster, Janelle Denison, Susan Donovan, Donna Kauffman, Alison Kent & Nancy Warren

Book Review, , , , , , , , , ,
Overview
Image result for jingle bell rockbook cover

Title: Jingle Bell Rock
Author: Lori Foster, Janelle Denison, Susan Donovan, Donna Kauffman, Alison Kent & Nancy Warren
In: Jingle Bell Rock (Lori Foster, Janelle Denison, Susan Donovan, Donna Kauffman, Alison Kent & Nancy Warren)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Short story collections
Dates read: 17th – 26th December 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Brava
Year: 2003
5th sentence, 74th page: He had the hotel employee set the packages on the floor in the living room, then tipped him generously for his time, service, and just because it was the giving season.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

Skip the mistletoe – you won’t need it after you indulge in these six tempting tales of romance filled with the sort of naughty-but-oh-so-nice men who make the season so bright it’s downright hot…

He See You When You’re Sleeping – Lori Foster
What Booker Dean wants for Christmas isn’t under the tree, it’s right next door. Frances Kennedy is everything Booker desires…and the gift he has planned for her involves a lot of delicious unwrapping…

All She Wants for Christmas – Janelle Denison
When sexy pediatrician Matthew Carlton plays Santa, pulling Faith Roberts on his lap, he has no idea what’s on her Christmas wish list…or how much he’ll enjoy fulfilling every bit of it…

Turning Up the Heat – Susan Donovan
Being stood up on Christmas Eve is bad enough, but now Valerie’s furnace is broken, too. Good thing that sexy repairman is available to raise the temperature dramatically…

Baby, It’s Cold Outside – Donna Kauffman
It’s been ten years since Suzanna York left Jace Morgan. Now, as fate reunites them during a holiday snowstorm, they’ll have plenty of time to discover that distance only sharpens certain hungers…

A Blue Christmas – Alison Kent
Thomas “Blue” Miller never expected to see Jessie Buchanan on his Christmas Tree farm again. But now that she’s here, he’s ready to show her exactly what she’s been missing…

The Nutcracker Sweet – Nancy Warren
Co-workers Daniel and Tara couldn’t hate each other more. So when they end up as Secret Santa partners, it’s a perfect chance for revenge and a dare that just may ignite the steamiest night of their lives…

Thoughts

What a fun and glorious little collection. Jingle Bell Rock is filled with six wonderful novellas that remind you that around Christmas time…anything is possible.

These are incredibly light-hearted and fun novellas. They feature people from all walks of life. People with different goals, desires and love. The thing that unites them all? Love and the festive season.

This year, I really needed something to get me feeling a little more of that holiday spirit. So I picked up a collection of anthologies off my shelves which feature Christmas and the holidays. This was most certainly one of the sweetest and cutest of the collections. There was a little bit of lust, but, ultimately I loved the fact that this was just so incredibly cute.

<- The Nutcracker SweetHe Sees You When You’re Sleeping ->

Image source: Goodreads