WICKED WONDERLAND

Author: LuAnn McLane, Susanna Carr, Janice Maynard ISBN: 9780451231338 11/2010 ANTHOLOGY Publisher: SIGNET

Three bestselling authors steam up the pages with sexy tales of women who earn spots on Santa's naughty list... In LuAnn McLane's Hot Whisper, a woman is stranded in a small town when a sexy local offers her lodging, eggnog-and more-to wait out the cold winter night. In Susanna Carr's Hot for the Holidays, corporate rivals become lovers, thanks to an office Christmas party gone wild. And in Janice Maynard's Hot Arctic Nights, a B&B in the far reaches of Alaska promises bed, breakfast and beyond for the new female manager and a hot tenant.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

WICKED WONDERLAND will warm your blood in time for the cold season and help you find your holiday spirit!

Each of these three authors has a unique sensibility being brought to their stories, and I appreciated that they were all just a bit different than the norm. This is most evident in Carr’s “Hot for the Holidays”, which starts in an unusual point in time for a sexy tale—after the one night stand! This adds a sense of confusion, which perfectly matches the story of an out-of-control bad girl trying so very hard to be good.

In the first story, “Hot Whisper", McLane’s heroine Claire misses her train in a small town because she’s busy shopping. Thankfully, sexy artist Jesse takes pity on the stranded stylist and gives her a place to stay during the holidays. Despite the handy dandy fruit with chocolate dip sauce, this hero has no trouble retaining his “man” card!

The last story is Maynard’s “Hot Arctic Nights.” This is elevated from your standard stranded-during-the-holidays tale by the warm-hearted family staying at heroine Hallie’s temporary workplace, a B&B.

Every heroine finds their perfect match around the Christmas tree this year!

Heather Hiestand