When I first requested this ARC, Silver and Spice by Jennifer Greene from Carina Press, I thought it’s really a naughty book, considering the suggestiveness that’s portrayed by the cover, where a man and a woman is locked in a compromising position along with discarded clothes lying around messily.

But boy, was I wrong. This book is nothing like your regular ‘wham-BAM- thank you Maam’ kinda romance, and I find the the story rather sweet and cute though it’s pretty suggestive along the way.

This book tells the story of love lost and found, and building trust in the one that you loved. Excellent story telling. It tells the story of Jake Rivard.

He had been back in Grosse Pointe for only twenty-four hours, and already banker Anne Blake’s well-ordered world is in chaos. Again. Every time the man with the sexy silver-gray eyes shows up, she falls into bed with him. And every time he walks away, there’s an ache in her heart she can never ease. Now that she has the stable life she’s always craved, Anne’s not about to let him seduce her again. No matter how much she wants him to. She knows better this time around.

But then there’s a problem. There’s always a problem, isn’t there? What’s a story without a conflict or two. Jake’s not leaving this time without Anne by his side. He’s determined to do the right thing and marry her, despite her insistence that their relationship doesn’t work outside of the bedroom.

All he asks is that she spend two weeks with him in Idaho’s Silver Valley, managing his finances. And if it will prove to her that they have more in common than lust, Jake’s prepared to keep his hands to himself for the whole trip.

But is two weeks enough time to convince Anne that the only thing standing between them is the wall she’s built around her heart?

Absolutely a cute story. Recommended for those who are looking for a sweet romance. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars, and it’s definitely suitable for a V-day present.

I received this ARC free from Carina Press via Netgalley, and I was under no obligation to write a positive review for it. I was also not paid for this.

Naughty and Nice is a collection of stories by various authors:

Holiday Sparks
By Shannon Stacey

House-sitting for her parents seemed like a good idea, until the microwave blew up and the lights went out.

Now Chloe Burke thinks upgrading the electrical system of her childhood home while they are away would make the perfect Christmas gift. Fortunately, there’s an electrician in town who can get the job done by the holidays.

Scott Quinn has wanted to get his hands on the Burkes’ wiring for almost as long as he’s wanted to get his hands on their daughter. Chloe didn’t notice Scott back in high school, but she’s noticing him now, and soon they’re indulging in a little festive fun: no strings, no expectations. After all, Chloe plans to get out of this goldfish bowl of a town and back to her real life in Boston by New Year’s.

But Chloe and Scott discover they enjoy each other’s company just as much out of bed. Could their holiday fling turn out to be the real thing?

All She Wants For Christmas
By Jaci Burton

Big Star, Small-Town Christmas

Country singer Riley Jensen would never have returned to her small Missouri hometown if her publicist hadn’t come up with the scheme to tape a Christmas special there. So she never would have known that the man who broke her heart at eighteen-causing her to flee to Nashville-was now a widower with a seven-year-old daughter. Riley has ten years of angst-filled hit songs and Grammy awards to prove she doesn’t need Ethan Kent. But suddenly, she can’t help thinking of all she gave up by running away…

Ethan Kent knew Riley had the talent and the drive to make it as a singer. He also knew she wasn’t going anywhere if she stayed in their nowhere town for him. Then one night and one huge mistake sent her running on the road to fame. Which doesn’t mean he ever stopped loving her…

But with so much separating them, can Riley and Ethan find their way back together one magical country Christmas?

Unwrapped
By Megan Hart

Naughty is Nice

Newlyweds Leah and Brandon Long are finally taking a honeymoon. But just a few days into their Christmas-in-Vail vacation, Leah takes a tumble on the slopes, severely spraining her ankle. Being stuck indoors isn’t so bad though: the luxurious chalet boasts a hot tub and cozy fireplace. Besides, sitting with her feet up while Brandon serves her in every way a man can serve a woman is exactly how both of them like to spend their time.

Leah would be in heaven, if only Brandon didn’t insist on playing with the dynamic of their relationship. With kinky sex and deep conversation the only things on the agenda, Leah can’t avoid the discussion of how things might change. Will she be ready to take their marriage to the next level in the New Year?

Believe
By Lauren Dane

Their First Christmas, Bound Together…

All Jude wants for Christmas is Rori, all to himself. It’s their first holiday season as a couple, and staying home, seeing friends and family, means they’ll be surrounded by the memory of Rori’s late husband. It’s time for Jude and Rori to create their own traditions. Time for them to fully explore their most intimate desires to dominate and submit.

Rori is thrilled when Jude whisks her away to a luxury resort in the mountains. Spending Christmas away, just the two of them, is the perfect time to show him she’s ready to give herself to him completely…

My say on the collection of the stories in Naughty and Nice? Well, let’s just say that this book surely will sizzle up your winter or rainy day. It is so nice to know that some naughty romance is not just dead yet in the world. Naughty and Nice is not for children though the tales in it have the happily ever after in it. Naughty and Nice is both for the naughty and nice, and it’s really a funny and heartwarming read. This book makes you want to believe in romance and sedction again if your mundane life lacks such element. Thumbs up for the authors of naughty and nice, and I certainly enjoy this book. It’s very hard to put down and really sensational. Perfect as gifts during winter and Valentine’s day.

I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars, and I received this ARC free from Carina Press via Netgalley. I was not required to write a gleaming review for the ARC that I’ve received.

Author: Shannon Stacey

Title: Undeniably Yours

Publisher: Carina Press

Pub Date: 11/01/2010

ISBN: 9781426890727

Undeniably yours sends out this equation: One night stand+2% condom failure rate=?

Undeniably Yours is  a contemporary, romantic fiction, and it tells a tale of lust and sheer luck. Undeniably yours is about a bar owner known as Kevin Kowalski who is used to women throwing themselves at him.

As of late he’s more interested in finding a woman to settle down with. And so when he managed to lure Beth into his bed for a night of passion and managed to get her pregnant despite of the fact that they took precaution, Kevin started to warm to the prospect of settling down with her.

His only problem? She doesn’t want him and would do anything to stay away from the man, pregnant or not pregnant. She’s strong and independent, and why would she wants to trouble herself with a man like Kevin, anyway?

I find this story heartwarming and rather funny, but like most typical romance, it gets rather predictable. However, the story is well developed, and the plot was rather concrete from the beginning til the end. Good for a lazy Sunday read. I rate this book 3.5 stars our of 5 stars, and highly recommended for those who are in need of a 2 hour romance read.

I received this ARC free from Carina Press via Netgalley. I was not required to write positive review for it.