Sandy M’s review of Naughty St. Nick (Secret Santas, Book 2) by Calista Fox
Contemporary Holiday Romance published by Calista Fox 11 Nov 14
Because I’d had such fun with the residents of North Pole, Maine, in the other books of this collection, I wanted to revisit once again with Nick Santos, former bad boy who’s also on Santa’s naughty list this Christmas. While the feeling of Christmas is evident in this story as in the others, it goes a slightly different way that took a bit of the fun out of it for me.
Nick is a sleigh designer and builder, and he’s being called on the carpet by Santa because of his one-mindedness over the last year of helping only himself out and not others who needed a helping hand with their sleighs. To atone for that, it’s Santa’s decree that Nick soup up the big man’s sleigh before Christmas, as well as fix the town’s broken and worn-out lights, a problem the townsfolk have let go due to economic struggles all over that has sucked the holiday spirit right out of them. In doing his penitence, Nick also takes advantage of the opportunity to get close to Vixen White, the girl he’s been in love with most of his life.
Little does he know, Vix feels pretty much the same way about him, but because she began her writing career at such a young age, she was encouraged to nurture that career and stay away from the town bad boy. But when Nick declares his feelings and intentions, Vixen is at first flummoxed but then excited to know the man truly wants her in his life. While I’m happy these two have gotten together, this is where I have a bit of a nitpick with it all. Their coming together is fast, and they’re hitting the sheets in no time at all. Now, I don’t have a problem with that in and of itself, but this is a short story and too much time is spent on the faux rug in front of the fire. There’s not nearly as much time spent with the town’s delightful residents – we’re just updated about them through Nick and Vixen. I’d rather that love-making scene have been shortened so secondary characters and their quirkiness could have been written in as they go about getting back to the business of the magic of Christmas.
That is the only issues I have with the story, though. Otherwise, the reminders of the miracles and magic of the season are still there, as is getting the town back on its feet. Nick and Vixen complement one another and they’re fun, and despite my issue, I’m glad I met them and got to know them. As I said in my last review for this series, it’s one you should read, even though the holidays season is close to being over. Love and smiles are needed for us for anytime we get the chance to embrace them.
Grade: B-
Summary:
Having landed himself on Santa’s Naughty List, Nick Santos is given a chance at redemption. Granted, he’s tasked with some daunting challenges—pimping Santa’s ride and fixing the town’s holiday bling in the once year-round Christmas Capital of the World, North Pole, Maine. Yet, playing Secret Santa comes with some unexpected perks, like finally catching the eye of the
woman who sparks his deepest desires, Vixen White.
Vixen has no idea what’s come over Nick this holiday season, but his good deeds around town help her to remember the magic of Christmas, long forgotten. And his sexy grin and a searing, stolen kiss under mistletoe have her wishing her dream of being Naughty St. Nick’s one and only will finally come true.
No excerpt available.
Other books in this series:
