Alicia Street

Serena always loved Christmas, but her favorite holiday season only brings on heartache after her groom-to-be runs off with another woman only a week before her December wedding. Giving back the wedding gifts and enduring the humiliating gossip in her small town proves to be too much for the quiet librarian who’d been the brunt of nerd jokes in high school, and Serena leaves town—only to return a year later determined to take back her life, her pride, and her joy in Christmas.

Damien has show more his own reasons for hating Christmas. No sweet and silly stuff for this handsome Scrooge, who hurls himself into extreme sports, almost daring nature to break through his hard shell. So why does he find his icy heart melting when confronted with the timid librarian whose sweet smile haunts his dreams

Picked up the ebook edition of this from Amazon and read on kindle software on iPad.

Serena has returned to North Fork a year after being ditched just before her wedding, in an attempt to face up to her fears and reclaim Christmas as her own. She meets Damien the day she returns, and is almost instantly attracted to him. She's scared to break out of her comfort zone, he's a thrill seeker who helps her overcome some of her fears and ultimately make a stand for herself.

This is a shortish story, so there is no room for "fall in love, split up only to get back together again" situations. A lot is packed in to the story, but that's no bad thing. Read in an afternoon and a nice cosy read for a winter and Christmas afternoon show less

A sweet twist on the Grinch scenario. Gordon bottles up his anger and resentment along with loneliness and pain to the point where his bitterness overshadows everything that has importance in his life. Holly is the optimist that turns his life upside down and pulls him kicking and screaming into the magical season of hope, charity and faith. Maybe even love. I am not normally a fan of stories with Grinch or Scrooge like characters but there was something so compelling about Gordon that I show more couldn't look away. Deck the Hearts exposes what an open heart and open mind can do for the soul and the difference one action can make in the lives of others. show less

Casey Richardson and Drew Byrne go toe-toe when Drew literally pulls his son, Josh, out of Casey’s ballet class. None of this “namby pamby prancing in tights” business for his son; what was his ex, Heather, thinking? Apparently she wasn’t. As usual, the variable Drew forgets to consider is Josh.
Casey has a lot on her mind. A letter she’s received in the mail has put her dance studio, home, and dream in jeopardy. Once again Casey feels she’s fallen short, so why, with all she has show more on her mind, did Drew Byrne make such an impact on her? Casey knows all about rich guys and what a mistake that would be.

Drew’s attempts to connect with his son, deal with his domineering father, and understand the conflicting emotions stirred up by Casey belie the rich playboy reputation, though it’s well deserved. Having been burned once he’s convinced that marriage isn’t for him but now he’s a mass of confusion and awkwardness. That doesn’t set well with Drew. The person he confides in and turns to for advice is surprising.

Casey may not have realized her dream of becoming a prima ballerina but she has realized another dream. She’s sunk everything she had into creating North Cove Dance studio and with the help of Parker, her brother, the dream is now reality. Unfortunately her landlord is selling her building putting Casey’s livelihood and home at risk.

For me, KISS ME, DANCER, read as more than your common garden variety contemporary. A large part of the appeal is the genuineness and sense of immediacy created by the characters and setting. I felt I could go to North Cove and find Natalie and her eatery, Casey’s beleaguered North Cove Dance studio, along with all the places and people mentioned. I appreciated that the book is set in New York and showcases the reality of life outside of New York City, just how rural and small town it actually is. KISS ME, DANCER has a strong sense of community, so while you read about Drew and Casey, you’re also reading about Natalie, Parker and others in North Cove and the surrounding area. Add plenty of conflict, chemistry, steaminess, humor, warmth, wit, spunk, and sheer determination to the above and you have one helluva good read. show less

There is a great collection of stories out called, Love, Christmas-Holiday stories that will put a song in your heart. I read , We Need A Little Christmas by the talented Leanne Banks. It was sweet, well written and I loved the characters very much.

Lilly is a wonderful , caring person. She spends her time helping the homeless and checking on her neighbors that aren't able to always get out . I loved how the author shared about the homeless and made readers aware that this is an ongoing show more problem. It was very emotional to read how Lilly would take the coat off her back and give to someone living on the streets . Have you ever helped someone in need? Lilly wants to provide coats to the homeless this Christmas and hopes to get lots of donations.

Justin is the CEO of a prosperous retail company. He does do charity work, but tries to avoid cameras or publicity. It reminded me of the verse in the Bible about doing things to help others without trying to get recognition for it. I loved his giving heart and humble attitude. He is always being asked to give to so many charities and of course they want to meet him. What happens when Lilly asks Justin's company for donations?

I loved how the two meet and makes the story so interesting. There is a theme of trust, forgiveness and giving that makes the story an uplifting read.Be sure and pick up your copy of this beautiful story and find out what happens between Lilly and Justin.

I received a digital copy of this book from the author. The review is my own opinion and I was not compensated for it. show less