Jingle Bell Rock [Mass Market Paperback]

Lori Foster (Author), Donna Kauffman (Author), Susan Donovan (Author), Janelle Denison (Author), Alison Kent (Author), Nancy Warren (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 4, 2005

With this fifth contemporary erotic anthology from Brava, fans of these bestselling anthologies will be able to unwrap a few Bad Boys of their own--just in time for the holidays. They're big, they're bad, and they're everywhere--Brava's national bestselling anthologies continue to delight devoted fans across the country, and the franchise that began with All Through the Night now brings a whole new meaning to the idea of Christmas ecstasy. Featuring a six-pack of top-notch, bestselling romance writers, Jingle Bell Rock, will be the next best thing to eggnog to celebrate Christmas cheer. Skip the mistletoe--you won't need it after you indulge in these six tempting tales of romance filled with the sort of naughty-but-oh-so-nice men who make the season so bright it's downright hot...

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Janelle Denison is the USA Today bestselling author of many novels, including Wilde Thing, The Wilde Side, and Too Wilde to Tame.

Donna Kauffman is the USA Today bestselling author of chick lit, paranormal romance, and sexy romance. Beverly Brandt writes chick lit and women's fiction, as well as romantic adventure under a psuedonym. Alesia Holliday is the author of American Idle and Nice Girls Finish First, and she writes young adult novels under a pseudonym. Erin McCarthy is the USA Today bestselling author of Bad Boys Online, Smart Mouth, and A Date With the Other Side.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 351 pages
• Publisher: Kensington (October 4, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0758205708
• ISBN-13: 978-0758205704
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #793,189 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 4 1/2 *'s Fun Christmas Anthology!, October 14, 2003

By 

baltimore0502 "Hon!" (BALTIMORE, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jingle Bell Rock (Paperback)

I'm not big on anthologies (they're usually so uneven) but this one is pretty good. I'll be honest, I really only bought it for Susan Donovan (one of my faves) and Janelle Denison (her stuff is so hot!), but wound up enjoying (to one degree or another) all but one of these stories.

First up is the ubiquitous Lori Foster. I'm not a big fan of her full-length novels, but I've enjoyed several of her short stories, this one is no exception. It's the story of neighbors who become friends all the while becoming more and more attracted to one another. And when Booker's girlfriend essentially dumps him by hitting on his brother, he's now free to pursue his long suppressed attraction to Frannie. Cute and sweet. 4 stars

Janelle Denison's entry brings to mind Cinderella or Pretty Woman (without the hooker). Elementary school teacher Faith decides to come on to pediatric surgeon (and reputed playboy) Matthew and suggests a steamy one-night stand. Matthew has pursued her for months without success, but now he'll take full advantage of her request. She's been burned by his type before - a rich professional from a socially prominent family - so she's got her eyes wide open this time. But can Matthew convince her that he's not like her ex and that he wants more than just one night? He sure convinced me! 4 stars

Susan Donovan's contribution is by far the most inventive of the bunch. At first I was a bit uneasy until it occurred to me what was probably going on (I won't spoil it by telling!). Poor Valerie is stood up on Christmas Eve, in her sexy new dress and shoes, the dinner she prepared getting cold - along with herself! Her furnace has gone on the fritz and she's just waiting for the furnace repairman. What a pathetic way to spend Christmas Eve! But when repairman Earl shows up, her self-pity is put on ice while the heat definitely turns up! Funny, sexy with a twist! 4 ½ stars

Donna Kauffman and Alison Kent both do the high school sweethearts who reunite after ten years very differently. Ms Kauffman's story is more emotional and sweet but a little too angst-filled. Suzanna is filled with guilt and remorse for dumping Jace just months after graduation after promising to stay close. When they meet again, will Jace still care? This story suffered from a little too much history and background and not enough of the here and now, though the heat and longing between the couple was palpable. 3 ½ stars

I did not care for Ms Kent's story. I found this couple lacking any real emotional connection (especially her) and I found their sexual relationship on the coarse side. Blue was sexy, stoic and likable (if a little bitter) and deserved better than the selfish Jessie. Her whole reason for coming back is based on sex and how it's only ever been good with Blue. I didn't feel much love, affection or mutual respect between these two characters. I'd never read anything by this author before nor will this story induce me to do so. 2 ½ stars

Nancy Warren's story of office co-workers who constantly butt heads and who wind up Secret Santa partners was really fun, sexy and enjoyable. I was deliciously impressed with Tara's creative boldness when she dares nemesis Daniel (whom she overheard saying she needed to "get laid") to be the man for the job! Some really steamy love scenes and hot chemistry. Ms Warren is a new author for me and a pleasant discovery. 4 ½ *'s.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Fun Christmas Anthology, December 3, 2003

By 

Kristi Ahlers (Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jingle Bell Rock (Paperback)

This was a very fun, steamy, and festive Christmas present from these very talented authors. There are six short stories in this book so keep in mind that "short" is the key word in that sentence. Still all six authors managed to flesh out fun stories under 100 pages each that were fun to read!

Lori Fosters story "He Sees You When You're Sleeping" is a fun story about two neighbors that feel something for each other but one is involved in a relationship. Or is he? What happens when a Christmas wish comes true and your neighbor and friend becomes a lot more? This was one of my favorites in this book!

Janelle Denison's story "All She Wants for Christmas" was my favorite in this collection. Matthew Carlton has it all, money, looks, and he's a sucessful pediatrician. What he can't find is love. What happens when the one person he desires finally whispers a naughty request in Santa's ear (Matthew)? Perhaps Christmas wishes are fulfilled all over!

Susan Donovan's "Turning Up the Heat" is a fun story and I can't tell you much about it without giving away the ending. Suffice to say that Christmas Eve is not going to be as lonely as Valerie think's it's going to be.

Donna Kauffman's "Baby, It's Cold Outside" reunites childhood sweethearts and gives these two people a chance to "fix" what went wrong the first time. This time love might actually win!

Alison Kent's "A Blue Christmas" is another story that reunites a man with the one person he thought he had a chance with. This is Blue's chance to show Jessie what she missed the first time around!

Nancy Warren's story "The Nutcracker Sweet" brings together two co-workers together that on the outside appear to hate each other. When a "naughty" comment is overheard by Tara she reacts in a totally different way then you would think she would. Instead of getting mad, she gets even...and by doing so gets a little more then she thought she ever would!

These were fun stories, and again were real short. As a result character development might not be what you expect or seen from these authors past titles which have been longer. Still...they managed to add a little "spice" to this Christmas season.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Six Christmas naughty but nice Christmas stories, November 4, 2003

By 

C. Penn "WordWeaving" (Greenville, SC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jingle Bell Rock (Paperback)

Reviewing anthologies presents a challenge with so many stories in one compilation. JINGLE BELL ROCK, however, maintains an even pace among its six stories, resulting in a hot Christmas read that rocks! JINGLE BELL ROCK comes highly recommended.

"He Sees You when You're Sleeping" by Lori Foster brings together best friends. ... With an outrageously amusing ending, "He Sees You when You're Sleeping" nicely showcases Foster's gift for combining humor and sensuality.

"All She Wants for Christmas" by Janelle Denison combines a Christmas wish with daring ... A sexy, gentle tale of wishes coming true, Denison turns up the heat with flair!

"Turning Up the Heat" by Susan Donovan ... displays a dazzling gift for adding zest to the holidays!

"Baby, It's Cold Outside" by Donna Kauffman reunites high school sweethearts. ... Kauffman pens an endearing tale of passion and second chances.

"A Blue Christmas" by Alison Kent also reunites high school sweethearts, though under different circumstances. ... A tale rich with emotional complexity, "A Blue Christmas" reveals an unexpected edge.

"The Nutcracker Sweet" by Nancy Warren brings a whole new level of passion to a difficult office relationship. ... Warren proves that her talent with much longer works certainly extends to the short story genre!