Ho-Ho-Ho Readathon: The Magical Christmas Cat & 10 Blind Dates

The Magical Christmas Cat
By: Lora Leigh, Erin McCarthy, Nalini Singh, and Linda Winstead Jones
Published: October 7, 2008
Publisher: Berkley
Source: Purchased on Amazon
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Put a little meow in your stocking with these tales of Christmas romance from four New York Times bestselling authors.

Lora Leigh, Nalini Singh, Erin McCarthy, and Linda Winstead Jones have a special gift for readers: heartwarming holiday stories featuring passionate romance, paranormal adventure, and a distinctly alluring feline touch. 

With four thrilling stories—including one featuring Lora Leigh's genetically altered Feline Breeds—this is a collection packed with more surprises than Christmas morning, and more chills than the snowiest winter night...

 

My Thoughts:

For the Ho-Ho-Ho Readathon, I wanted to read a variety of Christmas reads. So for my first pick I chose an anthology in the adult paranormal genre, and for my second choice, I picked a young adult, full length contemporary. However, as all of you know, I love the romance genre, so both of my reads are full off, swoons, feels, and the romantic vibe! 

The Magical Christmas Cat called to me when I saw the large fluffy white cat on the cover. My Nana loved cats, and I'm coming up on the second year of her passing, and missing her so very much. When I saw this book, it made me think of her, because she use to have a cat that was the light of her life, and looked just like the cat on the cover! It made me feel connected to her, and I needed that. 

The Magical Christmas Cat had four short stories, and each of these stories featured a cat in one way or another. My favorite stories hands down were Christmas Heat by Lora Leigh and Stroke of Enticement by Nalini Singh. They were both part of a larger series, but I had no problem following along. I read both of these stories very fast, and love a good shape-shifter romance. I'm going to need to begin the Breeds and Psy-Changeling books! 

Christmas Bree was a fun story and I enjoyed the dynamic between the three sisters who were witches. Sweet Dreams was the slowest story for me, and my least favorite. It had a paranormal horror feel, and lacked romance. I felt like it didn't vibe with the other three stories in the anthology, but it was still entertaining. 

Most of the stories in this anthology were very sexy, entertaining, romantic, and mesmerizing. If you enjoy paranormal romance, with more explicit sexual content, and a variety of authors and short stories, you should definitely pick up this holiday anthology!

10 Blind Dates
By: Ashley Elston
Published: October 1, 2019
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Source: Purchased on Amazon
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Sophie wants one thing for Christmas—a little freedom from her overprotective parents. So when they decide to spend Christmas in South Louisiana with her very pregnant older sister, Sophie is looking forward to some much needed private (read: make-out) time with her long-term boyfriend, Griffin. Except it turns out that Griffin wants a little freedom from their relationship. Cue devastation. 

Heartbroken, Sophie flees to her grandparents' house, where the rest of her boisterous extended family is gathered for the holiday. That's when her nonna devises a (not so) brilliant plan: Over the next ten days, Sophie will be set up on ten different blind dates by different family members. Like her sweet cousin Sara, who sets her up with a hot guy at an exclusive underground party. Or her crazy aunt Patrice, who signs Sophie up for a lead role in a living nativity. With a boy who barely reaches her shoulder. And a screaming baby. 

When Griffin turns up unexpectedly and begs for a second chance, Sophie feels more confused than ever. Because maybe, just maybe, she's started to have feelings for someone else . . . Someone who is definitely not available. 

This is going to be the worst Christmas break ever . . . or is it?

My Thoughts:

10 Blind Dates was such a fun, cute, and heartwarming read!  I breezed right through this fantastic story with a smile on my face, and lots of giggles and laughs.  It was the perfect holiday read, filled with family, fun, friendship, and of course a very sweet romance!

Sophie's family kept me laughing and entertained with the way they meddled, (all from a place of love,) supported one another, bickered, had fun, and were always there for one another.  This story had the, My Big Fat Greek Wedding vibe, except that Sophie's family was Sicilian, instead of Greek.  The descriptions of Nonna's food and deserts had me salivating, and the pairing of food and family is always a win for me.  

I loved watching Sophie's relationships blossom.  It made my heart happy to see her reconnecting with her grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles; and I could relate to how close she was to her sister.  I thought it was wonderful seeing Sophie come into her own, and discovering who she was and who she wanted to become.

I adored this story, and can't recommend it enough!

Book Review: Shatter (True Believers #4) by Erin McCarthy

Shatter
True Believers #4
By: Erin McCarthy
Published: Sept. 2, 2014
Publisher: InterMix
Source: Publisher
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GR's Summary:

From the USA Today bestselling author of True, Sweet, and Believe comes a tantalizing New Adult novel about finding love in the most unexpected ways… 

Kylie Warner prides herself on being optimistic, but after finding her best friend in bed with her boyfriend and flunking chemistry, her upbeat attitude has taken a dive. Even an impromptu hook-up with her sexy new chemistry tutor only brightens her mood slightly. After all, it’s not like she’ll ever see the tattooed scholar again… 

While he’s a whiz at complex equations, Jonathon Kadisch has trouble when it comes to figuring out women. So when Kylie tells him that she’s pregnant after their night of passion, he’s at a complete loss. He’s prepared to be a good father—unlike his own deadbeat dad—but he’s less prepared to fall for the genuine and alluring blonde bearing his child. 

With emotions running high, Kylie wonders if Jonathon’s devotion is out of growing love or looming obligation. And when heartbreak threatens to tear them apart, Jonathon will have to fight for the only girl who’s ever made him feel whole…

True Believers Series:

My Review on True Here

My Review on Sweet Here

My Review on Believe Here

My Thoughts:

I have been reading the True Believers Series by Erin McCarthy since the very first book, True, was set to be released.  I love these characters, and each story is very special to me.  They can all be read as a standalone, but I think it's much better to read them as a series.  The girls in the series, Rory, Jessica, Robin, and Kylie are best friends in college.  

In Shatter, we get Kylie and Jonathan's love story.  Kylie has been having a horrible year.  She found out that her long-term boyfriend, Nathan, cheated on her with her good friend Robin, and then continued trying to pursue Robin.  She is heartbroken, and lonely, now that she is living on her own, after moving out because it was uncomfortable for her to be around Robin.  To top it off, she can't concentrate in her classes, and is failing Chemistry.  She hires a tutor, and is surprised by the fact that he doesn't look like your stereotypical nerd.  Sure he wears glasses and is a genus, but he is also really handsome, has a tattoo sleeve, and a sense of humor.  One thing leads to another and the two have a one night stand, leading to an unexpected pregnancy.  As things get complicated, and the unexpected happens, will Kylie and Jonathan get their happily ever after?

I loved Shatter.  Jonathan was a unique love interest.  He was sexy, intelligent, funny, and good in bed, but he was also a bit of a genus, too logical at times, and had to learn how female speak.  Some of the things he said and did had me wanting to give him advice.  He really needed some tips!  Yet, at the same time, he had a huge heart, and really grew to love Kylie.  He cherished her, and treated her how every man should treat a woman.  He was the farthest thing from a bad boy, and yet he made me swoon repeatedly with his caring, thoughtfulness, genuine way about him. and how he was always someone Kylie could count on.  I'm so happy that Kylie finally found a man worthy of her.  She may have her ditzy moments, who doesn't?  Yet, she is so sweet, loyal, loving, and a glass full kind of girl.

The chemistry between Kylie and Jonathan was steaming hot!  What woman doesn't appreciate a man that takes his time, and puts his woman first!  The emotionality of the story was beautiful and authentic.  Their was angst, sadness, joy, and hope!  This story will resonate with anyone who's every thought that they've been in love, had their heart broken, and then got another chance to see what real love is all about.  

My Rating:

I give, Shatter, by Erin McCarthy, 4 My Head Was Glued to this Book, Sweet, Romantic, Sexy, and Swoon Filled Stars!  You will be happy to know that we get plenty of Rory, Tyler, Jessica, and Riley in this story!  The Epilogue was a wonderful feel good ending!  If you enjoy new adult romance, I highly recumbent the True Believers Series!!!

My Favorite Quote:

" 'I want a life partner, not a lab partner, do you understand?  The day I met you was the best day of my life.'  He cupped my chin and stared into my eyes. 'I never believed in destiny, fate, soul mates.  It was illogical to me.  Then I met you.  And I realized that in this infinite universe with its massive complexity of matter, that two people could be destined to find one another and make sense out of what is otherwise a meaningless micro existence, a mere nanosecond of cosmic time.  That you and I were drawn to each other not by evolution, but by something that can't be measured.  Love.' "  (Pg. 283)

~Jonathon

Purchase At:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | Kobo

About Erin McCarthy:

USA Today and New York Times Bestselling author Erin McCarthy sold her first book in 2002 and has gone on to pen more than 38 novels and novellas in the paranormal, contemporary romance, and young adult genres. A RITA award finalist and an American Library Association winner of the Reluctant Young Reader award, Erin is a member of Romance Writers of America, Horror Writers Association, and Ohioana.

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Book Review: Believe (True Believers #3) by Erin McCarthy

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Believe
True Believers #3
By Erin McCarthy
Published:  Jan. 21, 2014
Publisher:  Penguin Group
Source:  Publisher

GR's Summary:

Robin used to be a party girl… until she got black out drunk and woke up in bed with her best friend's boyfriend. Now she's faced with being THAT girl, and couldn't be more disgusted with herself. She can't even tell her friends the reason for her sudden sobriety and she avoids everyone until she meets Phoenix—quiet, tattooed, and different in every way that's good and oh, so bad…

Phoenix is two days out of jail when he meets Robin at his cousin's house, and he knows that he has no business talking to her, but he's drawn to her quiet demeanor, sweet smile, and artistic talent. She doesn't care that he's done time, or that he only has five bucks to his name, and she supports his goal to be a tattoo artist.

But Phoenix knows Robin has a secret, and that it's a naïve dream to believe that his record won't catch up with them at some point. Though neither is prepared for the explosive result when the past collides with the present…

True Believers Series:

My Review on True HERE

My Review on Sweet HERE

My Thoughts:

I discovered Erin McCarthy when I read, True, the first installment of the True Believers Series.  In that installment, I got to meet a strong cast of characters, that I grew to care about deeply.  In True we learned about Tyler and Rory.  I loved True so much, that when Believe came out, I read it in a day.  In Believe, we got Tyler's eldest brother, Riley's story, and one of Rory's good friend's, Jessica's story.  Throughout both of these stories we get to meet family members and friends of both Rory and Tyler.  The best part, of course, is that we are reunited with each of these characters in every installment of the series.

In the third installment of the True Believers Series, Believe, by Erin McCarthy, we get Phoenix (Tyler & Riley's cousin,) and Robin's (Rory & Jessica's friend) story.  Phoenix has just been released from a five month stint in jail, after almost beating his mother's boyfriend to death, when he caught the guy raping and cutting his mom up.  Phoenix was a very interesting character.  He looked tough with his tattoos and had an air of danger about him, but nobody really knew him on a deep level.  

Phoenix had a tough childhood, with an alcohol and drug addicted mother, who neglected him for the most part.  He suffered from, 'Intermittent explosive disorder ' which meant that he would get bursts of anger, and had a hard time controlling it.  For the most part, when he felt his anger coming on, he would exercise himself into exhaustion.  He also stayed completely clear of alcohol and drugs.  I really loved Phoenix's character.  He wasn't the cliche, 'Bad boy.'  He had deep emotional scars, but was family oriented, determined to earn his keep, and acted responsibly.

Robin used to be an irresponsible party girl, that never went to class and drank excessively.  One night, due to imbibing too much alcohol, she sleeps with her best friend Kylie's boyfriend, Nathan.  She doesn't even remember it.  She feels horrible about her actions, and does a complete turn around.  She stops partying and drinking.  She buckles down in summer school, and starts dressing more conservatively.  She starts avoiding all of her friends and doesn't leave her apartment.  Her best friend is away for the summer, but Robin has plans to move out of the apartment that they share, before Kylie returns.  She lets Nathan know that she made a horrible mistake.  However, he won't stop calling and texting her.

Then, when Robin goes over to visit Jessica, she meets Phoenix.  He notices that she looks sad and lonely, and is drawn to her, because he feels the same way.  They start talking and realize they both love art, don't drink or do drugs, and have a connection.  It's easy to talk to each other and they end up becoming fast friends.  Pretty soon, Phoenix and Robin are spending all of their time together and find healing, happiness, and love with one another.  Unfortunately,  Phoenix is constantly battling his anger disorder, and Robin is worried about losing and hurting her best friend, when the truth comes out.

My Rating:

Believe was such a riveting page-turner.  I fell in love with the misunderstood and sensitive Phoenix.  I saw that Robin was trying to redeem herself and become a better person.  I enjoyed how the two of them really got to know each other on a deep level, and even though they fell in love quickly, there was no insta-love.  I really felt the connection between Phoenix and Robin.  I was overjoyed to get to revisit all the secondary characters that I have come to love.  We get the whole cast; Tyler, Rory, Riley, Jessica, Jayden, Easten, Kylie, Robin, and Phoenix.  I am really excited about the next installment in the series!  We will get Kylie's story, and after having her heart broken, she deserves her happily ever after.  I give Believe, by Erin McCarthy, 4 Heartbroken, Healing, and Transformative Stars! 

My Favorite Quotes:

" 'I'm alive, I've got my freedom, a job, two bucks in my pocket, and a beautiful woman who sees something in me.  What else could I need?'  He actually meant it."  (eARC, Loc. 1434)

~Phoenix

" 'What I want is you.'  My hand was shaking, and this time it wasn't from anger, but from something else I couldn't really define in any words that made sense.  I just knew that I had basically jumped of a f**king cliff and there was no net.  Because I was in love with Robin.  Like real, hard-core, all consuming, how-the-f**king-Hell-did-this-happen love."  (eARC, Loc. 1505)

~Phoenix

"Hell, I would do anything she asked, because when she looked at me, I saw love...for the first time in my life, I saw pure, sweet love.  Not sneering, not wheedling, not irritation, not guilt or exasperation, but just love from someone who didn't even have to love me."  (eARC, Loc. 1820)

~Phoenix

Purchase At:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

About Erin McCarthy:

USA Today and New York Times Bestselling author Erin McCarthy sold her first book in 2002 and has gone on to pen more than 38 novels and novellas in the paranormal, contemporary romance, and young adult genres.  A RITA award finalist and an American Library Association winner of the Reluctant Young Reader award, Erin is a member of Romance Writers of America, Horror Writers Association, and Ohioana.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

Blog Tour: Sweet (True #2) by Erin McCarthy

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Sweet
True Believers Series

By:  Erin McCarthy

Release Date:  October 9, 2013

Publisher:  Penguin InterMix

Source:  Publisher

GR's Summary

Jessica Sweet thought going away to college would finally make her free of her parents’ constant judgments and insistence she play chastity club role model for their church events, but if anything, the freedom has made her realize she can’t go home and be a hypocrite anymore. Tired of dodging their questions, she stays at school over the summer and lands in an unexpected crash pad: Riley Mann’s house. 

Sarcastic, cocky, and full of opinions, Riley is also sexy personified with tattoos and biceps earned from working as a roofer all day. Not the right guy for her even if Jessica was looking for a relationship, which she is definitely not. But Jessica knows that Riley hides the burden of having to raise his younger brothers behind that grin and as she helps him get his house in order for a custody hearing, they begin to fall hard for each other, and she is forced to question what she’s hiding herself. 

Jessica has never had a problem getting naked with a guy, but when it comes to showing Riley how she truly feels inside, her fear of rejection may just ruin the best thing—the best guy—to ever happen to her…

First Book in the Series

To Add to Goodreads Click HERE

***To Read My Review on True, Click HERE***

 My Thoughts:

I adored True, the first book in the True Believers Series, and have been highly anticipating Sweet.  In True, we got Rory and Tyler's story, and were introduced to Tyler's family, Rory's friends, and an overall great cast of secondary characters.  In Sweet, we get Tyler's older brother, Riley's and Rory's good friend, Jessica's story.  I absolutely LOVED Sweet!  Ms. McCarthy really dug deep with her main character's.  Not only were they fully developed, but they took on a life of their own, and leapt right off the pages, as I devoured line after line in this story.  

Jessica, came off as a very superficial, party girl in True.  Yet, in Sweet we get to learn about all of the layers that make up Jessica.  She was such an interesting character, and I genuinely liked her.  She grew up in a constrictive, religious, wealthy, and hypocritical background.  Her father was a preacher, and held her accountable to his strict moral code without giving her room to grow up, and make her own decisions.  Her mother was a cold, and judgmental woman, who only cared about keeping up appearances, and her brother was manipulative, calculating, and vindictive.  Jessica felt suffocated by her family, and did her best to distance herself from them.  Her parents paid for college, and living expenses, as long as she majored in religious studies.

Riley on the other hand, was very close to his brothers, and they shared a special love, loyalty, and unbreakable bond.  However, the financial responsibility of the family's survival was primarily Riley's.  Jessica and Riley loved to bicker, argue, and push each other's buttons.  Yet, when Jessica needs some place to stay and Tyler offer's up his home, Jessica and Riley end up spending a lot of time together, and their relationship with one another changes.  As they get to know one another, Riley learns what a caring, strong, and giving person Jessica is.  The sexual chemistry between these two was intense, and they had a fun time flirting, and spending time together, no matter what they were doing.  Jessica respects Riley, his devotion to his brothers, hard work ethic, and ability to enjoy his life, and not let the hardships that he has endured bring him down.  Together, Jessica and Riley learn to be themselves, open up, take a chance, and fall head over heals, madly in love with one another.  Sweet was a great love story, and trust me, it's one you don't want to miss!

My Rating:

I give Sweet by Erin McCarthy 4.5 Stars filled with Real Love, Passion, Loyalty, and New Beginnings!  This was a great love story about unconditional love, and acceptance.  It touched on establishing independence, learning your self-worth, opening up to another person, taking things slow in a relationship, and savoring the special moments in your life.  There was humor, laughter, and lightness in this story.  Riley and Jessica were a great couple whose relationship grew slowly, deeply, and was meaningful.  They really understood one another, because they were a lot alike.  My love for the secondary characters in this series just continues to grow.  There was a lot of Tyler in this story, Rory, and of course Jayden & Easton.  We also get the fun group of friends we were introduced to in the first story in the series, True!  Read the True Believers Series for a great story line, and authentic characters that continue to captivate me, hold my attention, and touch my heart.  

My Favorite Quotes:

"So this isn't about you punishing me for sleeping with other guys before I met you?  Because that was my ultimate fear.  Riley took my hand and put his palm so that it faced out and he laced his fingers through mine.  No.  Absolutely not.  But I have to admit that I do want to be important.  Not just another guy, but the guy.  More important than my brother, than Bill, than whoever else.  He kissed my knuckles.  I want to be the man you love."  (eARC, Loc. 2274)

~Jessica & Riley

"When he kissed me, I realized that falling in love with Riley was just like having my head tilted backward--blood rushing, dizzy, hot and desperate, the world spinning.  (eARC, Loc. 2423)

~Jessica

"Jess?  Yeah?  Would you be okay with it if I fell in love with you?  My heart squeezed and I paused, my mouth a hairbreadth from his, as I took in his words, as if I could breathe them into my mouth, my heart, my soul.  Yeah, I whispered.  I'd be very okay with it."  (eARC, Loc. 2457)

~Jessica & Riley

Interview

Thank You for agreeing to do an Author Interview with us.  First, we want to welcome you to A Bookish Escape, and wish you much success in your future endeavors.    We are so excited to read your upcoming work, and are huge fans of your True Believers series.  We are so excited to have the opportunity to interview you and get to know you better!

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Where is your favorite place to write? How often do you write?

Anywhere that isn’t a desk.   I don’t like to feel restricted so I move around a lot, room to room, coffeeshop to coffeeshop.  I write at least five days a week, sometimes more depending on deadlines.

Are any of your characters based on someone you currently know or have met?

No, definitely not.  I don’t even use actors/actresses as muses.  It’s all in my crazy head.  The only real creature I ever wrote into a book was my cat, who inspired the cat in Mouth To Mouth.  

What are your top 5 goals for 2013?

-Go to Ireland to visit my daughter

-See my son off to college without sobbing like a baby

- Write and self-publish the fourth book in my Deadly Sins series

- Hit the New York Times ebook list with Believe

- Spend as much time with my friends and family as possible, because YOLO, right? 

What are some of your interests/ hobbies?

I love horror movies, live music, decorating, gardening, and fleece pajamas.  Though I guess fleece isn’t a hobby, it’s more of an addiction.  

Give me one word that best describes each member of the TRUE family.

Tyler- Compassionate

Riley- Loyal

Jayden- Funny

Easton- Intelligent

WHICH DO YOU PREFER?

Coffee or Tea? 

Coffee

Sweet, Sour or Salty? 

Sweet

Mountains or Beach? 

Beach

Bookstore or Library? 

That’s a toss up

Mac or PC?  

Mac

eBook or Printed copy? 

eBook for non-fiction, print for fiction

SHORT ANSWER

Where is the most beautiful place you've ever been to?  Why? 

Switzerland because of the majesty of the mountains and the beauty of the lakes.

If you could visit anyplace in the world, where would you go?  Why?

I would love to see the pyramids of Giza, but I don’t see that happening any time soon.  I do really want to go to Ireland and Scotland next year.

Best gift you've ever received?  Why? A trip to Paris for my 40^th birthday. Also, my friends threw me a surprise party for my 40^th birthday in New Orleans and that was very special to me.

Best gift you've ever given?  Why?  I guess you’d have to ask the recipients. Lol.  But I’ve always enjoyed making each birthday and Christmas special for my kids, and I was very honored to give a bridal shower for one of my besties and a baby shower for my sister.

Purchase At

Kindle | Nook | iBooks

About the Author

USA Today and New York Times Bestselling author Erin McCarthy sold her first book in 2002 and has since written almost fifty novels and novellas in teen fiction, new adult, and adult romance. Erin has a special weakness for New Orleans, tattoos, high-heeled boots, beaches and martinis. She lives in Ohio with her family, two grumpy cats and a socially awkward dog.

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