Limecello’s review of To All A Good Night by Donna Kauffman, Jill Shalvis, and HelenKay Dimon
Contemporary romance anthology published by Brava on 1 Oct 08

I love holiday anthologies. There’s something about them. (I mean, I don’t even like holiday things now – I get upset at seeing Christmas/holiday decorations in stores so early. So that should tell you how much I love Christmas anthologies.) I’m also drawn to the anthologies that Brava publishes. The two go hand in hand for me, and they’re extremely good, more often than not. I also knew I wanted to read this book based on the authors, and I wasn’t disappointed.

Unleashed by Donna Kauffman

Emma Lafferty and Trevor Hamilton are two great characters. Emma’s a lot of fun and it’s nice that she’s a smart heroine, with her head on straight. Trevor is great because he’s a “typical” hero, but not. Incredibly wealthy with a well known name, Trevor has a sense of humor that’s rather self deprecating. Add in some great pets, an adorable bird, mystery, references to college football and classical mythology, and I’m sold. Ms. Kauffman manages to write a very believable and full story in 108 pages, which is very impressive. I loved the interaction between Emma and Trevor, and also the insight into their inner thoughts. The chemistry was great, and Ms. Kauffman’s imagery and attention to detail was also quite enjoyable.

Unfortunately, there were two things that detracted from my reading experience. First, was that you never figure out the point of the book. Trevor is at the mansion for a reason, and when given the opportunity to find all his answers, he passes it up. I could understand that, until you get to the epilogue, which I wish hadn’t been added. It’s a blatent lure to read the next book – in fact, Trevor and Emma don’t even feature in it. They get a bland general paragraph in the three paragraph epilogue. I didn’t appreciate that, but I know it won’t bother many readers.

Grade: B+

Summary:

When Emma Lafferty is hired by a billionaire CEO to watch his pets over the holidays, she expects to enjoy a quiet Christmas in opulent surroundings. What she doesn’t expect is to spend the week trapped in the mansion with the CEO’s sexy great-nephew-and heir-whose motives are as shady as his desire is crystal clear….

Finding Mr. Right by Jill Shalvis

Ms. Shalvis imbued her novella with a lot of humor, and I thought it was great. Maggie Bell is brilliant but clumsy, and a very entertaining character. She gets into a lot of scrapes that border on slap stick, but are never cheesy. Jacob Wahler is the antithesis of Maggie’s dream guy, but he’s had his eye on her, and wins her. I thought the manner in which Maggie and Jacob got together was creative and sexy. Jacob and Maggie are dynamic characters, and it was nice that they had some history, which made their relationship more believable.  The plot was also engaging, with a lot of action and fun gadgets.

There were a few allusions to a love triangle, and I wish Ms. Shalvis had been able to explore that a little more. At the same time, it did seem a bit extraneous, and the explanation for it was a bit off. There was a plot twist that was a bit unexpected and over the top, but it brought things nicely to a close, and everything was incorporated nicely. A great novella.

Grade: A-

Summary:

Brilliant chemist Maggie Bell has a knack for choosing Mr. Wrong, and with yet another lonely Christmas looming, she decides it’s time to alter the equation-and seek out someone who seems totally wrong for her. Enter Jacob Wahler, the rough and rippling contractor who’s about as far from Maggie type as he could get. But suddenly what’s wrong for Maggie seems oh-so-right….

Read an excerpt here.

Can You Hand Me the Tape? by HelenKay Dimon

Ms. Dimon’s novella focuses a lot more on the character’s relationship and emotions, which was refreshing. While the plot may seem slow, the story never lags. Natalie Pritchard is between a rock and a hard place, and I thought it was curious how she had to go to her “enemy.” Spencer Donovan is quite an interesting character – one you’re not sure if you’re supposed to like or not. I felt in a way that he had more depth than Natalie, but that’s because more of his background is revealed. I also liked how Natalie was an “unconventional” character, in that she’s a larger, and a strong woman in a somewhat unusual career as a parole officer.

I thought it was wonderful how Ms. Dimon explored Natalie’s psyche, and had Natalie reveal her thoughts to Spencer, who was incredibly caring and understanding. Also, he was typically male in the way that he didn’t understand why Natalie had those issues. It was nice how the two complimented each other. Spencer and Natalie are a couple that works. They seem all wrong, but put together, you know are perfectly right.

There was also one line that I loved – I don’t normally do this, but here’s a quote:

I should have said fallen. Past tense. I know it’s only been a short time, but I’m about an inch away from being stupid in love with you.

I thought that was incredibly sweet, and the great dialogue in this novella really brings it to life.

Grade: A-

Summary:

Natalie Pritchard is desperate. It’s a week before Christmas and she’s lost the naughty tape she made for her now-ex-boyfriend. She’s so desperate, in fact, that she’ll turn to her nemesis Spencer Donovan for help. The sexy criminal defense attorney would be only too happy to assist-but can Emma afford his price?

Read an excerpt here.

This book has a lot of great writing, and I found the differences between the author’s styles very interesting. Ms. Kauffman, Ms. Shalvis, and Ms. Dimon all brought something different to the table, but all three novellas work well together. Ms. Kauffman’s writing is very personable, with a little something for everyone. Ms. Shalvis’s novella has a lot of humor that will have you laughing as you read. And Ms. Dimon’s writing gets you emotionally, ensuring you’re invested in the characters.

This is an anthology that flows from novella to novella. It was nice to read a few Christmas stories, but they’re perfect for any time of the year. I’m so glad that I read To All A Good Night – I hope that you read it and like it too. I definitely recommend this book to all lovers of anthologies and contemporary romance.

Overall Grade: A-

This Christmas, sugarplums aren’t the only visions that will be dancing in your head. Prepare to have your toes curled by some of the holiday’s hunkiest heroes in this hot, hot, hot collection…