A Very Scandalous Holiday Review Tour

A VERY SCANDALOUS HOLIDAY

by Nancy Fraser, Sophia Garrett, Amber Lin and Christa McHugh

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BLURB:

Entangled Publishing presents…A Very Scandalous Holiday Anthology. Four very spirited vignettes of holidays past.

Erin’s Gift by Nancy Fraser

Chicago 1920

Widower, Seth Harrison, has no intention of falling in love again but will he be able to resist the sweetness of his son’s nanny, Erin O’Mara—his sister’s best friend?

An Eternity of You by Sophia Garrett

England 1833

The Duke of Sharrington left Rebecca with more than a broken heart six years ago—he left her with a son. His return rekindles their passion, but only a Christmas miracle will convince the town surgeon to believe in his promises of eternity again.

Letters at Christmas by Amber Lin

England, late Regency

After three years at sea, Captain Hale Prescott has the means to marry the love of his life and his best friend’s sister, Sidony Harbeck. However, she might never speak to him again. Despite their whispered adolescent promises, he never wrote her a single letter…at least, none he ever sent.

Eight Tiny Flames by Crista McHugh

1944 Ardennes, WWII

Lt. Ruth Mencher has always secretly admired Capt. Joseph Klein, but it takes the lighting of a Hanukkah candle to uncover the spark of mutual attraction. Each night awakens a new facet of their relationship, but as the Battle of the Bulge begins, the approaching Nazi forces threaten to tear them apart.

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Excerpt from Letters at Christmas by Amber Lin

Hale’s presence stirred the air behind her. She stared straight ahead at the frost-covered panes. His breath ruffled her hair.

“Were you looking for me?” he whispered. “You knew I’d arrive today. Is that why the window was open?”

An embarrassed flush heated her skin. She felt too exposed, like a raw nerve. Still, there was one advantage to being found out. She didn’t have to hide any longer. Turning, she faced him.

He bent his head to her. He was going to kiss her. She should turn away. She should tell him no. His lips met hers directly, and she moaned. She truly moaned, aloud. He could hear her, and instead of dying of mortification, she wrapped her arms around his neck. He made a sound of surprise before holding her more closely. His hand slipped to the small of her back and pulled her against him. His other hand fanned along her jaw, holding her steady as he kissed her. She needed his guidance because her body had lost all sense and reason. Her limbs trembled, her heart raced.

“Hale?”

“Jesus, I missed you.”

It was the wrong thing to say. She pulled back. “You didn’t write. You promised to write to me. Every single day, you said.” She let sarcasm color her voice. “You could have skipped a few days. That would have been fine.”

“I wrote.”

“No letters. Not even one.” She laughed hollowly. “You said you loved me, Hale, and you couldn’t even bring yourself to write one letter.”

“I did… Damn it.” He ran a hand through his hair.

She waited for him to explain what he meant. A lump lodged in her throat when he said nothing. He’d forgotten about her, and now he was lying to her. For what purpose? So he could win a bet? Because he’d gotten tired of traveling the world and could now settle for poor little Sidony?

“Get out,” she said evenly.

“Sidony.”

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Review:

This collection of stories was a wonderful and heartwarming. Amber Lin always plucks at my heart strings and she can tell a tale, no matter what time she writes about. Kitty cats and missing letters abound in this lovely story of coming home. I loved it. Reading the second story, Eight Tiny Flames by Crista McHugh, you feel like you are there in the wartime fray Excellent piece. I want to read more from this author. :) An Eternity of You by Sophia Garrett was amazing.  Erin's Gift by Nancy Fraser was a heart wrenching story of love, loss and happiness. I have enjoyed every story I have ever read by Nancy Fraser and was excited to read this one. Great compilation and I hope there is another grouping like this next year. 

4.5/5

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

About Sophia Garrett:

Sophia Garrett always knew she wanted to be a writer, and more specifically, a historical romance writer. Her teenage years were spent rabidly gobbling up the newest books from romance icons such as Johanna Lindsey, Sabrina Jefferies, Julie Garwood, and Kathleen E. Woodiweiss. She composed her first romance novel about the American Revolution, in high school.

When Sophia is not researching...well, she's always researching! But in her non-working hours she enjoys studying historical events (yes, she's one of those girls), watching documentaries, taking in action-packed dramas at the theatre, and spending as much time as possible with her two young sons collecting bugs, racing Hot Wheels, and smashing things in video games.

Her second passion is animals, so much so that at one time she considered a career in veterinary medicine. Chemistry, however, waged war on her sanity, and she decided training horses was far less harmful than trying to manipulate miniscule objects that can't be seen. Setting her sweatshirt on fire in lab might have had something to do with that. She still has her horses but has added a chicken...or two. And a duck. And a (house) pig. And several dogs. And cats. And... who knows what might turn up next!

Sophia frequently attends conferences and signing events that take her throughout the United States. In addition, she often presents for her local Romance Writers of America chapters and is available to present to additional authors' groups. She loves to connect with readers and writers alike, so be sure to say hello!

Website: http://www.authorsophiagarrett.com

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7267526.Sophia_Garrett

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ClaireAshgrove

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSophiaGarrett

http://www.amazon.com/Very-Scandalous-Holiday-Entangled-ebook/dp/B00FCROWRI

CRISTA McHUGH

Crista McHugh is a multiple award-winning author of fantasy romance and paranormal romance with heroines who are smart, sexy, and anything but ordinary.

Growing up in small town Alabama, Crista relied on story-telling as a natural way for her to pass the time and keep her two younger sisters entertained.

She currently lives in the Audi-filled suburbs of Seattle with her husband and two children, maintaining her alter ego of mild-mannered physician by day while she continues to pursue writing on nights and weekends.

Just for laughs, here are some of the jobs she's had in the past to pay the bills: barista, bartender, sommelier, stagehand, actress, morgue attendant, and autopsy assistant.

And she's also a recovering LARPer. (She blames it on her crazy college days)

To be the first to know about her latest releases or to be entered into exclusive contests, please sign up for her newsletter using the contact form on her webpage, www.cristamchugh.com.


Crista Author Links:

Website: www.cristamchugh.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/crista_mchugh


Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CristaMcHugh

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3035791.Crista_McHugh

AMBER LIN:

Amber Lin writes erotic romance with damaged souls and deep emotion.

Her debut novel Giving It Up (Loose Id, 9781611188431) received The Romance Review’s Top Pick, Night Owl Top Pick, and 5 Blue Ribbons from Romance Junkies. RT Book Reviews gave it 4.5 stars, calling it “truly extraordinary.” The sequel is slated for release in early 2013. Her small town romance will be published by Carina Press in Fall 2013.

Amber married her high school sweetheart, birthed a kid who’s smarter than she is, and spends her nights writing down her dirty thoughts. In other words, life is good



Amber's Author Links:

Website: http://www.authoramberlin.com

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5827158.Amber_Lin

Twitter: https://twitter.com/authoramberlin

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoramberlin

NANCY FRASER:

Like most authors, Nancy began writing at an early age, usually on the walls and with crayons or, heaven forbid, permanent markers. Her love of writing often made her the English teacher's pet which, of course, resulted in a whole lot of teasing. Still, it was worth it.

In her time away from writing, Nancy dotes on her five grandchildren. She's currently happily single (let's face it, it's difficult to find a man who can live up to her sexy, fictitious heroes) and enjoying life as is for the time being.

Nancy's Author Links

Website: http://www.nancyfraser.ca

Facebook: www.facebook.com/nancyfraserauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nfraserauthor

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7206382.Nancy_Fraser