This set of three short novels set in a Virginia winter
combines crime investigation with Christmas romance.
CHRISTMAS KISSES introduces Noah Briscoe a Virginia Police
Sergeant, at the scene of a suspected arson. A historic
mansion has burnt down and Noah helps unearth clues as to
the cause. Traces of a hot fire started by an accelerant
are found and the sergeant has to seek an arsonist. Noah
takes a man dressed as Santa Claus in for questioning and
the public defender is an attractive single lawyer named
Alana O'Hara. Alana advises the Santa Claus suspect and
later, realising that Noah will be spending Christmas Day
working, she calls around to his home with a box of
decorations. The mistletoe proves too tempting and the pair
exchange kisses, but they are conscious of being on
opposite sides of a case. Lori Wilde has given us a
cheerful tale liberally sprinkled with festive goodies. The
investigative detail was convincing and the counterpoint of
seasonal cheer was refreshing compared to many crime books.
ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS: EMT Eric Marshall is called to
the scene of the historic mansion fire in Virginia. A woman
is found unconscious in the ashes and wreckage, saved by
having had debris fall across her body. Eric takes her to
hospital and waits until she awakens. However she has
suffered a head injury and cannot remember anything. The
fire experts rule her out as a suspect in the arson. Next
day the woman wakens again to her amnesia and bruised but
curvy body. A wedding ring had been on her left hand, so
Eric has to presume she is married. Which is a pity,
because they shared a sweet, thrilling night together at the
age of
sixteen. He doesn't mention this, or the fact that he's
held a torch for her ever since. Chloe Skidmore was not
only the plump girl in town at that age, she was from the
wrong side of the tracks and peer pressure just proved too
much for them to handle. This is a light, sexy tale full
of Christmas themes and resounding with the potential for
happiness. Triumphing over the bullies in later years is an
important personal victory to the heroine. Read for a dose
of winter cheer and look out for more from Kathleen
O'Reilly.
ON A HOT DECEMBER NIGHT. Here we meet Assistant Fire Chief
Jason Turner who sees the house go up in flames. Jason
dislikes Christmas because of the rash of fires from faulty
lighting, decorations hung too close to fires, and the
wrecking of family lives that can occur. Kristen Lovejoy is
a corporate party planner who is left with the task of
reorganising the Firemen's Charity Ball on Christmas Eve as
the mansion venue has been reduced to rubble. Jason can't
resist asking her out to dinner. But an alarm call from a
fire in the neighbourhood drags Jason out the door. He
can't wait for backup but rushes into a burning house and
rescues a mother and child, getting lightly burned
himself, to Kirsten's distress. She sleeps with Jason but
next day the memory of losing her soldier father to the
Gulf War haunts her and she is reluctant to lose her heart
to a man who gets into danger. Another pleasant Christmas
tale, not too heavy on the trappings of the festival but
more concerned with the people who make Christmas work for
everyone else. Candace Havens is inviting us to enjoy the
season and to help others enjoy it too.
Santa's been arrested for arson? Defense attorney Alana
O'Hara won't let holiday-hating sergeant Noah Briscoe ruin
Christmas. She'll save Santa and find Noah's Christmas
spirit…even if it means more than just kisses under the
mistletoe!
Baring It All by Kathleen O'Reilly
After being rescued from a fire by paramedic Eric Marshall,
Chloe Skidmore has amnesia. She's forgotten her past, her
hurt—and Eric. But as the spark between them reignites,
there's still a teeny problem…Chloe's wedding ring!
A Hot December Night by Candace Havens
Assistant Fire Chief Jason Turner wasn't expecting to have
his head turned by party planner Kristen Lovejoy.
Especially at Christmas. But when chemistry takes over,
things get out of control…and this is one blaze Jason won't
be able to put out!
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