I spotted the Holiday Temptation anthology of holiday stories by all new to me authors so I was eager to give it a try. Christmas holidays spent with a variety of characters, situations, and settings made this a treasure trove to delve into and enjoy. I've decided since there are only three stories that I can separate out mini-review thoughts for each.


A Gift of Love by Donna Hill

A holiday in NYC for two people burdened by their pasts. Traci is writing a play and wants above all to see her own play staged in a community theater like the old one down the street and Noah has dreams of combining food with the arts. These two lost, lonely souls find each other and have a chance at healing and love if they will courageously trust in each other.

Loved this story and the combo of passion and heartwarming with strong characters.

Holiday Spice by Farrah Rochon

A chance meeting at a spice market in Istanbul before being snowbound together in Colorado makes Kyle and Miranda believe in fate. Miranda has avoided Christmas for 15 years and now wants to start anew with the holiday. Kyle had a troublesome argument with his dad and skipped family Christmas. Now, they have this holiday together promising passion, celebration, and maybe a chance for love?

It was fun to have the holiday abroad scene and then a Rocky Mountain Christmas. A photographer and a brewer was a neat combo just as their personal troubles were just the right touch for character growth and a budding romance.

From Here to Serenity by KM Jackson
A work-obsessed company CEO gets a wake-up call when he ends up in the ER. His friend sets him up with a beautiful and honest nutritionist chef who struggles with finding the right guy. A business trip on a yacht makes a connection for both of them. Will the holidays bring the gift of change or going back to their old ways.

Enjoyed the 'at sea' setting, the delicious foodie scenes, and the build of the relationship. This pair had a great connection. I wanted to get more of their story when the end came.

Alright, these were quick reads that had good development and all touched me which is just what I want in a holiday story. Sometimes anthologies are a mixed bag, but I found all of these to be fantastic and engaging stories. I can easily recommend this to others who enjoy slightly spicy holiday Contemporary Romance.

I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

A Gift of Love by Donna Hill - 4 stars
Holiday Spice by Farrah Rochon - 4 stars
From Here to Serenity by K.M. Jackson - 4 stars

These were good fast moving stories that were well written, they had strong characters. I thought it was a great holiday read and it kept me interested and entertained until the end.